Form 8-K
8-K — AEVEX Corp.
Accession: 0001193125-26-164202
Filed: 2026-04-20
Period: 2026-04-16
CIK: 0002096300
SIC: 3721 (AIRCRAFT)
Item: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Item: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Item: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders
Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — d123077d8k.htm (Primary)
EX-1.1 (d123077dex11.htm)
EX-3.1 (d123077dex31.htm)
EX-3.2 (d123077dex32.htm)
EX-4.1 (d123077dex41.htm)
EX-10.1 (d123077dex101.htm)
EX-10.2 (d123077dex102.htm)
EX-10.3 (d123077dex103.htm)
EX-10.4 (d123077dex104.htm)
EX-10.6 (d123077dex106.htm)
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)
8-K
8-K (Primary)
Filename: d123077d8k.htm · Sequence: 1
8-K
--12-31 false 0002096300 0002096300 2026-04-16 2026-04-16
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 16, 2026
AEVEX Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-43238
41-2460652
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
440 Stevens Ave #150
Solana Beach, California
92075
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 704-4125
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
AVEX
The New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On April 16, 2026, AEVEX Corp. (the “Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC (“Holdings LLC”), and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Jefferies LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”), relating to the initial public offering (the “IPO”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”). The Underwriting Agreement provides for the offer and sale by the Company of 16,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Firm Shares”) at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Option Shares”), which was fully exercised on April 17, 2026. On April 20, 2026, the IPO closed and the Firm Shares and the Option Shares were delivered. The material terms of the Underwriting Agreement are described in the prospectus, dated April 16, 2026 (the “Prospectus”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 20, 2026, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The IPO is registered with the Commission pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-294524).
The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, agreements and obligations, closing conditions and termination provisions. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against (or contribute to the payment of) certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. This description of the Underwriting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO, the Company entered into the following additional agreements:
•
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2026, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein;
•
the Director Designation Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2026, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein;
•
the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Holdings LLC, dated as of April 17, 2026, by and among the Company and the other signatories party thereto (the “Holdings LLC Agreement”), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein;
•
the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2026, by and among the Company and the TRA Parties (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein; and
•
the Exchange Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2026, by and among the Company and other signatories party thereto (the “Exchange Agreement”), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
Descriptions of these agreements are contained in the Prospectus in the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Organizational Structure” and are incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01. Such descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each of the agreements attached hereto as Exhibits 4.1. 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 which are incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
Item 3.02
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO and as contemplated by the transactions described in the Prospectus under “Organizational Structure,” which section is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02, the Company issued to ATS Investment Holdings, LLC (“ATS Investment Holdings”) 63,297,524 shares of Class B common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”) on April 16, 2026. A description of the designations, rights, powers and preferences of the Class B Common Stock is contained in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” and is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The issuance of the Class B Common Stock described in this paragraph was made in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder.
Item 3.03
Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
The information provided in Item 1.01 regarding the Registration Rights Agreement and in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On April 16, 2026, Bradley Feldmann, Matthew Klein, Brandon Levitan, Matthew Norton and Benjamin Spacapan were appointed to the Company’s board of directors. Biographical information and other information regarding the committees upon which these directors are expected to serve, related party transactions involving any of these directors, the compensation plans in which these directors participate and information about any arrangement or understanding between these directors and any other persons pursuant to which these directors were selected as a director are included in the Prospectus in the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Executive Compensation” and “Management” and are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
On or around April 20, 2026, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements provide the Company’s directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification rights are not exclusive of any other right that an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (each as defined below), any agreement, or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. This description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of indemnification agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Additionally, on April 16, 2026 and in connection with the IPO, the Company adopted the AEVEX Corp. 2026 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”). A description of the Omnibus Plan is contained in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Executive Compensation—Actions Taken in Connection with this Offering” and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Omnibus Plan attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Item 5.03
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On April 17, 2026, the Company filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and adopted amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each of which became effective on April 17, 2026. A description of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws is contained in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and the full text of the Bylaws attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2, both of which are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description
1.1
Underwriting Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2026, among the Company, Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Jefferies LLC, as representatives for the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto.
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AEVEX Corp.
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of AEVEX Corp.
4.1
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2026, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto.
10.1
Director Designation Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2026, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto.
10.2
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, dated as of April 17, 2026, by and among the Company and the other signatories party thereto.
10.3
Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2026, by and among the Company and the TRA Parties.
10.4
Exchange Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2026, by and among the Company and other signatories party thereto.
10.5
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on March 23, 2026).
10.6
AEVEX Corp. 2026 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 20, 2026
AEVEX Corp.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
EX-1.1
EX-1.1
Filename: d123077dex11.htm · Sequence: 2
EX-1.1
Exhibit 1.1
AEVEX Corp.
Class A Common Stock
Underwriting Agreement
April 16, 2026
Goldman Sachs & Co.
LLC
BofA Securities, Inc.
Jefferies LLC
As representatives (“you” or the “Representatives”) of
the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
c/o BofA Securities, Inc.
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
c/o Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Ave
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated in this agreement (this
“Agreement”), to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of 16,000,000 shares (the “Firm Shares”) and, at the election of the Underwriters, up to 2,400,000
additional shares (the “Optional Shares”) of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), of the Company (the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to
purchase pursuant to Section 2 hereof being collectively called the “Shares”).
On the date hereof, the business of the
Company is conducted through Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings LLC”), and its subsidiaries. In connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions
described under, or contemplated in, the section titled “Organizational Transactions” in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Disclosure Package (each as defined below) (the “Transactions”), the Transactions will occur
prior to the date of the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof), pursuant to which the Company will become the sole managing member of Holdings LLC. As the sole managing member of Holdings LLC, the Company will operate and
control all of the business and affairs of Holdings LLC and, through Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, conduct its business. The documents set forth on Schedule IV hereto, which have been, or will be, amended and restated or entered into, as
applicable, pursuant to the Transactions, are referred to as the “Transaction Documents.” The Company and Holdings LLC are each referred to herein as an “AEVEX Party” and collectively referred to herein as the “AEVEX
Parties.”
The Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, (an affiliate
of BofA Securities, Inc., a participating Underwriter, hereafter referred to as “Merrill Lynch”) agree that up to 5% of the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters (the “Reserved Securities”) shall be reserved for
sale by Merrill Lynch to certain persons designated by the Company (the “Invitees”), as part of the distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and
interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company has solely determined, without any direct or indirect participation by the Underwriters or Merrill
Lynch, the Invitees who will purchase Reserved Securities (including the amount to be purchased by such persons) sold by Merrill Lynch. To the extent that such Reserved Securities are not orally confirmed for purchase by Invitees by 11:59 P.M. (New
York City time) on the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Securities may be offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby.
1. Each of the AEVEX Parties, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:
(a) A registration statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-294524) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) in respect of the Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”); the Initial
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration statement,
if any, increasing the size of the offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which became effective upon filing, no other
document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act has been initiated or, to the AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus
included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus;” the various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof
and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, are hereinafter collectively called the “Registration Statement;” the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Shares that was included in the Registration
Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(c) hereof) is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus;” and such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is
hereinafter called the “Prospectus;” any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Act or Rule 163B under the Act is hereinafter called a “Testing-the-Waters Communication;” and any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act is hereinafter called a “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication;” and any “issuer free writing
prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 under the Act relating to the Shares is hereinafter called an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”);
(b) (A) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the
Commission, and (B) each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information (as defined in Section 9(b) of this Agreement);
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(c) For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Time” is 4:30 p.m. New
York City time on the date of this Agreement. The Pricing Prospectus, as supplemented by the information listed on Schedule II(c) hereto, taken together (collectively, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”), as of the Applicable Time, did
not, and as of each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4(a) of this Agreement) will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict
with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written
Testing-the-Waters Communication, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of each Time of
Delivery will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;
(d) No documents were filed with the Commission since the Commission’s close of business on the business day immediately prior to the
date of this Agreement and prior to the execution of this Agreement, except as set forth on Schedule II(b) hereto;
(e) The Registration
Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to each part of the Registration Statement, as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, and as of each Time of Delivery,
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;
(f) None of the AEVEX Parties nor any
of their respective subsidiaries has, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus, (i) sustained any material loss or material interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court, governmental or regulatory action, order or decree or (ii) entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is
material to the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case
other than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there has not been (x) any change in the capital stock
or membership interests (other than as a result of (i) the exercise, vesting or settlement (including any “net” or “cashless” exercises or settlements), if any, of stock options, incentive units or other equity awards or
the award, if any, of stock options, stock appreciation rights, incentive units, restricted stock or restricted stock units in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the
Prospectus or (ii) the issuance, if any, of stock upon the exercise or conversion or exchange of securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus) or, except as disclosed in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus and the
Prospectus, long-term debt of any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or (y) any Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); as used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse
Effect” shall mean any material adverse change or effect, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change or effect, in or affecting (i) the business,
3
properties, general affairs, management, financial position, members’ or stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, except as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus, or (ii) the ability of any AEVEX Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions
contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(g) Each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries has good and
marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the value of such
property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the AEVEX Parties and their
respective subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the AEVEX
Parties and their respective subsidiaries;
(h) Each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective “significant subsidiaries” as
defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X (the “Significant Subsidiaries”) has been (i) duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (ii) duly qualified as a foreign
corporation or other business entity for the transaction of business and is in good standing (or foreign equivalent) under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such
qualification, except, in the case of this clause (ii), where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing (or foreign equivalent) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and each
Significant Subsidiary is set forth in Exhibit 21.1 of the Registration Statement;
(i) (i) The AEVEX Parties have an authorized
capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus; (ii) all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and (x) in the case of the Shares, when issued and delivered against payment
therefor as provided herein and (y) in the case of the Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock,
the “Common Stock”), to be issued pursuant to the Transactions, upon the consummation of the Transactions, will be validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform in all material
respects to the “Description of Capital Stock” contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (iii) all of the issued equity interests in each of the other AEVEX Parties has been duly and validly authorized and
issued; (iv) all of the newly issued equity interests of the Holdings LLC (the “LLC Units”) have been duly and validly authorized and, upon the consummation of the Transactions, will be duly and validly issued; and (v) the
issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights;
(j) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the
Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, all of the issued shares of capital stock or membership or other equity interest of each subsidiary of the AEVEX Parties have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares) are owned directly or indirectly by the AEVEX Parties, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities
or claims;
(k) With respect to the compensatory equity-based awards (the “Equity Awards”) granted pursuant to the stock-based
compensation plans of the AEVEX Parties and their respective affiliates (the “Company Stock Plans”) in each case, in all material respects, (i) each grant of an Equity Award was duly authorized no later than the date on which the
grant of such Equity Award was by its terms to be effective by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the
4
Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such
grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (ii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements,
including the rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market and any other exchange on which Company securities are traded, and (iii) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”) in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company;
(l) The issue and sale by the Company of
the Shares, the compliance by the AEVEX Parties with this Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the Transaction Documents, the Pricing Prospectus
and the Prospectus, including, without limitation, the consummation of the Transactions and the application of the proceeds from the sale by the Company of the Shares as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing
Prospectus and the Prospectus, will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, (A) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of any of the AEVEX
Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject, (B) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document) of any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their
respective subsidiaries, (C) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or regulatory or governmental agency, authority or body having jurisdiction over any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries
or any of their properties, except, in the case of clauses (A) and (C) for such defaults, breaches, or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order,
registration or qualification of or with any such court or regulatory or governmental agency, authority or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares by the Company or the consummation by the AEVEX Parties of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, the Transaction Documents, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus (including, without limitation, the Transactions), except such as have been obtained under the Act, the approval by FINRA of the underwriting terms and
arrangements and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters and such
as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Securities were offered;
(m) None of the AEVEX Parties nor any of their respective subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document), (ii) in violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or regulatory or governmental agency, authority or body having
jurisdiction over any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their properties, or (iii) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), for such violations or
defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) The statements set
forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Capital Stock,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Common Stock, and under the caption “Material U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and under the caption “Underwriting,” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are
accurate, complete and fair in all material respects;
5
(o) Other than as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no
legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the AEVEX
Parties’ knowledge, any officer or director of any of the AEVEX Parties, is a party or of which any property or assets of any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, any officer
or director of any of the AEVEX Parties, is the subject which, if determined adversely to any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries (or such officer or director), would individually or in the aggregate (i) reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) impair the ability of the applicable AEVEX Parties to perform their obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions
contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; and, to the AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental or regulatory authorities or others; there are no current or pending Actions
that are required under the Act to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus that are not so described therein; and there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Act to be
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus;
(p) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof, will
not be an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);
(q) At the time of filing the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that
the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Act) of the Shares, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined under Rule 405
under the Act;
(r) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the AEVEX Parties and its subsidiaries
is an independent public accountant as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
(s) Each of the AEVEX Parties maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that (i) has been designed to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to the Company, (ii) has been designed by each of the AEVEX Parties’
respective principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and (iii) is designed to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization,
(B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences;
and except as disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus, each of the AEVEX Parties’ internal control over financial reporting is effective and none of the AEVEX Parties are aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over
financial reporting;
(t) Except as disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus, since the date of the latest audited financial statements
included in the Pricing Prospectus, there has been no change in any of the AEVEX Parties’ internal control over financial reporting that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, any of
the AEVEX Parties’ internal control over financial reporting;
6
(u) The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in
Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that have been designed to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to the Company; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to
ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and such disclosure controls and
procedures are effective;
(v) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each AEVEX Party, and each of the
Transaction Documents to be entered into on or prior to the First Time of Delivery has been duly authorized by each AEVEX Party thereto and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its respective terms by each of the parties thereto,
will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of each such AEVEX Party enforceable against such AEVEX Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability; and each such Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Pricing Prospectus and the
Prospectus;
(w) The AEVEX Parties, their respective subsidiaries, and each director, officer, employee, and, to the knowledge of the
AEVEX Parties, each controlled Affiliate or agent of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries, in each case in their capacity as such, is, and for the past five (5) years has been, in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder, the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or related law, statute or regulation (collectively, “Anti-Corruption
Laws”), which prohibit without limitation (i) making, offering, promising, or authorizing any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense (or taken any act in furtherance thereof); and (ii) making,
offering, promising, or authorizing any direct or indirect corrupt payment; each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries has instituted and maintains and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote
and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein; none of the AEVEX Parties or any of their subsidiaries will use, directly or knowingly indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an
offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, in violation of Anti-Corruption Laws;
(x) The operations of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries are and have for the past five (5) years been conducted in
compliance with the requirements of applicable anti-money laundering laws of the various jurisdictions in which the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar
rules, regulation or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or
any arbitrator involving any of the AEVEX Parties or their respective subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, threatened;
(y) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a “covered foreign person,” as that term is defined in 31 C.F.R. §
850.209. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries currently engages, or has plans to engage, directly or indirectly, in a “covered activity,” as that term is defined in 31 C.F.R. § 850.208 (“Covered Activity”).
The Company does not have any joint ventures that engage in or plans to engage in any Covered Activity;(z) None of the AEVEX Parties nor any of their respective subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, or employee of the AEVEX Parties or any of
their respective subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, any agent, controlled Affiliate or other person acting on behalf of any AEVEX Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is an individual or entity (“Person”)
that is, or is controlled by or 50% or more owned by one or more persons that are: (i) the subject or the target of any
7
economic or financial sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the
U.S. Department of State, the European Union and its member states, the United Kingdom, or the United Nations Security Council, (collectively, “Sanctions”); (ii) operating from, located, organized, or resident in a country or territory
that is the subject or target of Sanctions (as of the date of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Crimea region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, each a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”), or (iii) the government of a Sanctioned Jurisdiction or the Government of Venezuela. The AEVEX Parties will not directly
or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of
or business in any Sanctioned Jurisdiction or with any Person that, at the time of such funding, is the subject or the target of Sanctions, (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person
participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. Each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries is and since April 24, 2019 has been in compliance with Sanctions. The AEVEX
Parties and their respective subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve continued compliance with Sanctions;
(aa) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related
schedules and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ and members’ equity and cash
flows for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the
Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, present fairly in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein. The pro forma
financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the
Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used
therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus under the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and all other financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus has been
derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus
regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Act, to the extent applicable;
(bb) No material labor dispute with the employees of any of
the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, is imminent, and the AEVEX Parties are not aware of any existing or imminent material labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any
subsidiary’s principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors;
8
(cc) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) Each employee benefit
plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), for which each of the AEVEX Parties or, solely with respect to employee benefit plans subject to Title IV of
ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Company
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or any entity that would be regarded as a single employer with the Company under Section 414(b) or (c), or, solely for purposes of Section 412 of the Code, (m) or (o) of the Code
would have any liability (each, a “Plan”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, ERISA and the Code; (ii) no
prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) no Plan
is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA; (iv) none of the AEVEX Parties or any member of the “Controlled Group” has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any material liability under
Title IV of ERISA; (v) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which notice is waived) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan;
(vi) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination, advisor or opinion letter (or utilizes a prototype or preapproved plan document that has received such a letter and on
which the Plan is entitled to rely) and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to adversely impact such qualification; (vii) there is no pending audit or investigation by the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the PBGC or any other applicable Governmental Entity or any non-U.S. regulatory agency with respect to any Plan; (viii) there has not occurred nor
is there reasonably likely to occur a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the current fiscal year of the Company and such subsidiaries compared to
the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s and such subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year; and (ix) none of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries have or have had any “accumulated
post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) with respect to any Plan or otherwise;
(dd) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the AEVEX Parties and
their respective subsidiaries (i) own or otherwise possess adequate rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names, copyrights and copyrightable works,
know-how, trade secrets, software, processes, formulas, methods, designs, inventions, systems, technology, proprietary or confidential information and other intellectual property (collectively,
“Intellectual Property”) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, (ii) do not, through the conduct of their respective businesses, infringe, violate or otherwise conflict with any Intellectual
Property of any third party, and (iii) have not received any written notice of any claim alleging that the conduct of their respective businesses infringes, violates or otherwise conflicts with any Intellectual Property of any third party. To
the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, no third party is infringing, violating or otherwise conflicting with the Intellectual Property of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries except as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(ee) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) (i) are
adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with, the operation of the business of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries as currently conducted, (ii) are free and clear of all material
bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants, and (iii) since January 1, 2023, have not experienced any malfunctions or outages that caused a material disruption to the conduct of the respective
businesses of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries that have not been remediated in all material respects. Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the AEVEX Parties,
9
the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries have implemented and maintain reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their confidential information
and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their
businesses, and there have been no breaches or unauthorized uses of, or disclosures, or accesses to their IT Systems and Personal Data, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other
person. Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the AEVEX Parties, the AEVEX Parties and their subsidiaries are presently and, since January 1, 2023, have been in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all
judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT
Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification;
(ff) No forward-looking statement (within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in any of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable
basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith;
(gg) Nothing has come to the attention of any of the AEVEX Parties that has caused
such AEVEX Party to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material
respects;
(hh) There is and has been no failure on the part of the AEVEX Parties or any of the AEVEX Parties’ directors or
officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906
related to certifications;
(ii) None of the AEVEX Parties nor any of their respective controlled affiliates has taken or will take,
directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries in
connection with the offering of the Shares;
(jj) Each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries has such permits, licenses,
approvals, consents, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (“Permits”) as are necessary under applicable law to own their respective properties and conduct their
respective businesses in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except for any of the foregoing that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. None of the AEVEX Parties nor any of their respective subsidiaries has received written notice of any proceedings related to the revocation or modification of any such Permits that, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of
an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(kk) The Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are insured against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged and as required by law;
(ll) (i) Each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions of
each contract with the United States Government or where the United States Government is the end customer (each a “Government Contract”), including all applicable clauses, provisions and requirements incorporated expressly by reference
or by operation of law therein; (ii) each of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all laws, regulations and requirements applicable to each Government Contract; (iii) all
representations
10
and certifications executed, acknowledged or set forth in a Government Contract or pertaining to each proposal, bid, or quote for a Government Contract were complete and correct as of their
effective date, and each applicable AEVEX Party and its applicable subsidiary has complied with all such representations and certifications, in each case in all material respects; (iv) neither the United States Government nor any prime
contractor, subcontractor or other person has notified any of the AEVEX Parties or their respective subsidiaries in writing that any of the AEVEX Parties or their respective subsidiaries has materially breached or violated any law, regulation,
certification, representation, clause, provision or requirement pertaining to any Government Contract; (v) none of the AEVEX Parties or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, any of each AEVEX Party’s
directors, officers, or employees is (or during the last five (5) years has been) under administrative, civil or criminal investigation, or indictment with respect to any alleged irregularity, misstatement or omission arising under or relating
to any Government Contract; (vi) none of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, any of their respective Principals (as defined in 48 CFR § 2.101) is suspended or debarred, or
has been proposed for suspension or debarment, from doing business with the United States Government; (vii) none of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has received written notice indicating the termination for default, or
intent to terminate for default, any Government Contract, or notice of termination or intent to terminate any material Government Contract for convenience; (viii) during the last five (5) years, neither AEVEX Party has conducted or
initiated any internal investigation or made any voluntary or mandatory disclosure to any governmental or quasi-governmental entity with respect to any alleged material irregularity, misstatement, omission, noncompliance, civil violation, or
criminal violation arising under or relating to any Government Contract; (ix) during the last five (5) years, there have not been any claims or requests for equitable adjustment by the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries
relating to any Government Contract in excess of $1,000,000; and (x) there are no outstanding claims, lawsuits or other legal actions against the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries arising under or relating to any Government
Contract;
(mm) The AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries maintain and possess all required facility clearances granted pursuant
to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (32 CFR Part 117) by either the Department of Defense or such other U.S. government agencies to perform certain Government Contracts and as otherwise reasonably necessary for the continued
conduct of the AEVEX Parties’ business, in substantially the same manner as conducted as of the date hereof. As required, the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries employ sufficient employees with personal security clearances to
perform its Government Contracts and as otherwise reasonably necessary for the continued conduct of the Company’s business, in substantially the same manner as conducted as of the date hereof and as described in the Pricing Prospectus. None of
the AEVEX Parties, any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the AEVEX Parties, any employees holding personal security clearances have violated in any material respect any applicable law or regulation governing the safeguarding
of classified information;
(nn) From the time of initial confidential submission of a registration statement relating to the Shares with
the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”);
(oo) There are no debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by any of the AEVEX Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries
that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act; and
(pp) The AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries have paid all federal, state, local and foreign taxes (other than taxes that are
currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company) and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date
hereof (or have requested extensions thereof), except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
11
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected
to be, asserted against any AEVEX Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
In connection with any offer and sale of Reserved Securities outside the United States, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto, complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the same is distributed. The Company has not offered, or caused Merrill Lynch to offer,
Reserved Securities to any person with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with any such
entity or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of its affiliates, or their respective businesses or products;
2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each
of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price per share of $18.80, the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) in the event
and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2 (provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions
declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares), that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional
shares) determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.
The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election up to 2,400,000 Optional Shares, at the purchase price
per share set forth in the paragraph above, provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on
the Optional Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to the Company, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement and setting forth the aggregate number of
Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Company
otherwise agree in writing, earlier than one or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.
3. Upon the authorization by
you of the release of the Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
4. (a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in definitive or book-entry form and in such authorized denominations and
registered in such names as the Representatives may request upon at least twenty-four hours’ prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives, through the facilities of The Depository Trust
Company (“DTC”), for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account
specified by the Company to the Representatives at least twenty-four hours in advance. The Company will cause the certificates, if
12
any, representing the Shares to be made available for checking and packaging at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined below) with respect thereto at the office of DTC
or its designated custodian (the “Designated Office”). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on April 20, 2026 or such other time and date as the
Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the date specified by the Representatives in the written notice given by the Representatives of the Underwriters’
election to purchase such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the “First Time of Delivery,”
such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called the “Second Time of Delivery,” and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a “Time of Delivery;” and
(b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 8 hereof,
including the cross receipt for the Shares and any additional documents requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8(j) hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
10020 or such other location as agreed upon by the Company and the Representatives (the “Closing Location”), and the Shares will be delivered at the Designated Office, all at such Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at the Closing
Location at 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by the
parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4, “New York Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are generally authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close.
5. Each of the Company and, for purposes of Sections 5(e) and 5(l) only, Holdings LLC
severally and jointly, agrees with each of the Underwriters:
(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to file such
Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act prior to the earlier of (i) the First Time of Delivery and (ii) the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the last Time of Delivery which shall be disapproved by
you promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus in respect of the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in
any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in
the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such
order;
(b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under
the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may reasonably request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of
the Shares; provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation (where not otherwise required) or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction (where not otherwise
required);
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(c) Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next succeeding
the date of this Agreement (or such other time as may be agreed by you and the Company) and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with written and electronic copies of the Prospectus in New York City in such quantities as you may reasonably
request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the
offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any
other reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, to notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in
securities (whose name and address the Underwriters shall furnish to the Company) as many written and electronic copies as you may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct
such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) in connection with sales of any of the Shares at
any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as you may reasonably request of an
amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;
(d) To make generally available to the
Company’s securityholders as soon as practicable (which may be satisfied by filing with the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”)), but in any event not later than sixteen months after
the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);
(e)(1) During the period beginning from the
date hereof and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Company Lock-Up Period”), not to, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, sell, contract
to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with or confidentially submit to the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to, any
securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the
right to receive, Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, provided that confidential or non-public
submissions to the Commission of any registration statements under the Act may be made if and only if (1) no public announcement of such confidential or non-public submission shall be made, (2) to
the extent any demand was made for, or any right exercised with respect to, such registration of shares of Common Stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Common Stock, no public announcement of such demand or exercise of
rights shall be made, (3) the Company shall have provided written notice at least five business days prior to such confidential or non-public submission to the Representatives and (4) no such
confidential or non-public submission shall become a publicly filed registration statement during the Company Lock-Up Period, or (ii) enter into any swap or other
agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of
Common
14
Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise without the prior written consent of at least two of the three Representatives; provided, however that the restrictions described above shall
not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) the Shares issued pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this
Agreement, or issuable upon the consummation of the Transactions as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (C) grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards
and the issuance of shares of Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, advisors or
consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect on the date of the First Time of Delivery and described in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus, (D) the issuance, offer or entry into an agreement providing for the
issuance of up to 10% of the total number of shares of Stock outstanding immediately following the offering of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement in acquisitions or other strategic transactions, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the Underwriters substantially to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto; (E) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to
securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of the First Time of Delivery and described in the Prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction contemplated by
clause (D); or (F) the submission of a confidential registration statement in connection with the exercise of any registration rights described in the Prospectus and any preparations related thereto, provided that such submission or
preparations do not require or result in the public filing of a registration statement with the Commission or any other public announcement of such proposed registration by the Company or any third party during the Company Lock-Up Period (and no such filing, public announcement or activity shall be voluntarily made or taken by the Company or any third party during the Company Lock-Up Period),
and provided further that the Company shall notify the Representatives prior to making any such submission; and provided, further, that in the case of clauses (B) and (C), the Company shall (x) cause each recipient of such securities to
execute and deliver to the Representatives, prior to or substantially concurrently with the issuance of such securities, a lock-up agreement substantially to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto (which, for
the avoidance of doubt, shall not extend the lock-up period beyond 180 days after the date of the Prospectus) to the extent not already executed and delivered by such recipients as of the date hereof and
(y) enter stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar on such securities with respect to all recipients of such securities, which the Company agrees it will not waive or amend without the prior written
consent of at least two of the three Representatives;
(2) If the Representatives agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in
a lock-up agreement described in Section 8(i) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before
the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Annex I hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective
date of the release or waiver;
(f) During a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to furnish to
its stockholders as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by
an independent public accounting firm) and, as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement), to make
available to its stockholders consolidated summary financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail; provided, however, that the Company may satisfy the requirements of this Section 5(f) by filing
such information through EDGAR;
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(g) During a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, or
so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) under the Exchange Act, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders,
and to deliver to you (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed; and
(ii) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission); provided, however, that the Company may satisfy the requirements of this Section 5(g) by filing such information through EDGAR;
(h) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Pricing
Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds;”
(i) To use its best efforts to list for trading, subject to notice of
issuance, the Shares on the Exchange;
(j) To file with the Commission such information on Form
10-Q or Form 10-K as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act;
(k) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in
compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable
instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 3a(c) of the Commission’s Informal and Other Procedures (16 CFR 202.3a);
(l) Upon reasonable request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the
Company’s trademarks, service marks and corporate logo (the “Offering Logo”) for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter solely for the purpose of facilitating the on-line
offering of the Shares (the “License”); provided, however, that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above and that the License is granted without any fee and may not be assigned, sublicensed or transferred by the
Underwriter; and
(m) To promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to
the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Shares within the meaning of the Act and (ii) the last Time of Delivery.
(n) The Company hereby agrees that it will ensure that the Reserved Securities will be restricted as required by FINRA or the FINRA rules from
sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation for a period of three months following the date of this Agreement. Merrill Lynch will notify the Company as to which persons will need to be so restricted. At the request of the Underwriters, the
Company will direct the transfer agent to place a stop transfer restriction upon such securities for such period of time. Should the Company release, or seek to release, from such restrictions any of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to
reimburse Merrill Lynch for any reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, legal expenses) they incur in connection with such release.
6. (a) Each of the AEVEX Parties represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not
make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act; and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company and the
Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Commission; any such free writing prospectus the use of which has been consented to by
the Company and the Representatives is listed on Schedule II(a) hereto;
16
(b) The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Act
applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending; and the Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions under Rule 433
under the Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic roadshow (as defined below);
(c) The Company agrees that
if at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or
the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will give
prompt notice thereof to the Representatives and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or other document which will correct such conflict, statement or omission;
(d) Each of the AEVEX Parties represents and agrees that (i) it has not engaged in, or authorized any other person to engage in, any Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the prior
consent of the Representatives with entities that the Company reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3),
(a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Act; and (ii) it has not distributed, or authorized any other person to distribute, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, other
than those distributed with the prior consent of the Representatives that are listed on Schedule II hereto; and the Company reconfirms that the Underwriters have been authorized to act on its behalf in engaging in Testing-the-Waters Communications; and
(e) Each Underwriter represents and agrees that any Testing-the-Waters Communications undertaken by it were with entities that such Underwriter reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A
under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Act.
7. Each of the AEVEX Parties, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the AEVEX Parties, jointly and
severally, will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and expenses of the AEVEX Parties’ counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and
all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, reproduction and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Written
Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, the Transaction Documents, the Blue Sky Memorandum, closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any
other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares; (iii) reasonable and documented expenses incurred in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws
as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey (not to exceed $15,000); (iv)
reasonable and documented fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the Exchange; (v) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, any
required review by the FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Shares (provided that the aggregate fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to clause (iii) and this clause (v) of this Section 7 shall not exceed
$45,000 in the aggregate); (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates, to the extent applicable; (vii) the cost and
17
charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “roadshow” undertaken in connection with the
marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic roadshow, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses
of any consultants engaged in connection with the roadshow presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any chartered aircraft or other
means of transportation chartered in connection with the road show, provided that the lesser of (a) $150,000 and (b) fifty percent (50%) of the cost of such aircraft chartered in connection with the road show will be paid by the
Underwriters; (ix) all costs and expenses of Merrill Lynch, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for Merrill Lynch, in connection with matters related to the Reserved Securities which are designated by the Company for sale to
Invitees; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 7. In addition, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid all fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the Reserved Securities and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved
Securities. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section 7, and Sections 9 and 12 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resale
of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.
8. The obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the
Applicable Time and such Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act within the applicable time
period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; all material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act shall have been filed with the
Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 433; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., Washington,
D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act shall have
been initiated or, to the AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, threatened by the Commission; no stop order suspending or preventing the use of the Pricing Prospectus, Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been initiated or, to the
AEVEX Parties’ knowledge, threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable satisfaction;
(b) Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to you such written opinion or opinions
and negative assurance letter, each dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;
(c) Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the AEVEX Parties, shall have furnished to you their written
opinion or opinions and negative assurance letter, each dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you;
(d) [Reserved.];
18
(e) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this
Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of
Delivery, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to you;
(f) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you, at each of the Applicable Time and at such Time of
Delivery, a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in a form reasonably satisfactory to you;
(g) (i)
None of the AEVEX Parties nor any of their respective subsidiaries shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion,
flood, or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Pricing Prospectus there shall not have been (A) any change in the capital stock or membership interests (other than as a result of (x) the exercise, vesting or settlement (including any
“net” or “cashless” exercises or settlements), if any, of stock options or the award, if any, of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units in the ordinary course of business pursuant
to the equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus or (y) the issuance, if any, of stock upon conversion or exchange of securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus) or, except as
disclosed in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, long term debt of any of the AEVEX Parties or their respective subsidiaries or (B) any change or effect, or any development involving a prospective change or effect, in
or affecting (x) the business, properties, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ or members’ equity or results of operations of the AEVEX Parties and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except
as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, or (y) the ability of any of the AEVEX Parties to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the
transactions contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in your judgment so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed
with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(h) On or after the Applicable Time there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material
limitation in trading in securities generally on the Exchange or on NASDAQ; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company’s securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities
declared by either Federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United
States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or (v) the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of
any such event specified in clause (iv) or (v) in your judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(i) The Shares to be sold at such Time of Delivery shall have
been duly listed subject to official notice of issuance, on the Exchange;
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(j) The Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Underwriters
executed copies of an agreement from each officer, director, and holders of substantially all of the Common Stock, substantially to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto in form and substance satisfactory to you;
(k) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of
prospectuses on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement;
(l) The Company shall have furnished
or caused to be furnished to you at such Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company, satisfactory to you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the
performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as you may reasonably request, and the Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished certificates
as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (g) of this Section 8 and as to such other matters as you may reasonably request; and
(m) Prior to or substantially concurrent with the issuance of the Firm Shares and payment therefor in accordance with this
Agreement, the Transactions shall have been consummated in a manner consistent in all material respects with the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.
9. (a) Each of the AEVEX Parties, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any
“roadshow” as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Act (a “roadshow”), any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the case of the Registration Statement (and any amendments or supplements thereto) only, not misleading, and, in the case of such other documents, not misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the AEVEX
Parties shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any
Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information (as defined below);
(b) [Reserved.];
(c) In
connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Merrill Lynch, its Affiliates and selling agents and each person, if any, who controls Merrill Lynch within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending,
investigating or settling any such action or claim), as incurred, (i) arising out of the violation of any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Reserved Securities have been offered, (ii) arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Invitees in connection with the offering of the Reserved
20
Securities or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
(iii) caused by the failure of any Invitee to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Securities which have been orally confirmed for purchase by any Invitee by 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement or (iv) related
to, or arising out of or in connection with, the offering of the Reserved Securities, other than losses, claims, damages or liabilities that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of Merrill Lynch;
(d) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless each AEVEX Party against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which such AEVEX Party may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the Registration Statement (and any amendments or supplements thereto) only, not misleading, and, in the case of such other documents, not misleading in light of the circumstances under which
such statements were made, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing
Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, in
reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information; and will reimburse each AEVEX Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such AEVEX Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as
such expenses are incurred. As used in this Agreement with respect to an Underwriter and an applicable document, “Underwriter Information” shall mean the written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the
concession and reallowance figures appearing in the fourth and fifth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting,” and the information contained in the thirteenth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting;”
(e) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (d) of this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of
any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses)
by such failure; provided, further, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this
Section 9. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it
shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to
the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred and documented by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall,
without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or
21
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or
claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of
fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party;
(f) If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b) or (d) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then
each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the AEVEX Parties on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the AEVEX Parties on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the AEVEX Parties on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the AEVEX Parties on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The AEVEX Parties and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (f) were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection
(f). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (f) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (f), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations in this subsection (f) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint; and
(g) The obligations of each of the AEVEX Parties under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the AEVEX Parties may
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each employee, officer and director of each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act and each broker-dealer or other
affiliate of any Underwriter; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
officer and director of the Company (including any person who, with his or her consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become a director of the Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Act.
22
10. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Shares which it
has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties reasonably satisfactory to the Company to purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six
hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the Company that you have so arranged for the purchase of
such Shares, or the Company notifies you that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, you or the Company shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes
may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in
your opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section 10 with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement
with respect to such Shares;
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters by you, the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the
Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase
hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase
hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default; and
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the
Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of
Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this
Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company, and the Underwriters as provided in Section 7 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in
Section 9 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
11. The respective
indemnities, rights of contribution, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the AEVEX Parties and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any director, officer, employee, affiliate or controlling person of any
Underwriter, or the AEVEX Parties, or any officer or director or controlling person of any of the AEVEX Parties, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
12. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, none of the AEVEX Parties shall then be under any liability to
any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof; but, if for any other reason (other than those set forth in clauses (i), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 8(h)), any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company
as provided herein or the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement (other than those set forth in clauses
23
(i), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 8(h)), the AEVEX Parties shall, jointly and severally, reimburse the Underwriters through you for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by you, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred and documented by the Underwriters in making preparations
for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the AEVEX Parties shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter in respect of the Shares not so delivered except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof.
13. In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled
to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by the Representatives.
All
statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives in care of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200
West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, Attention: Registration Department; BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department, with a copy to ECM Legal; and Jefferies LLC, 520 Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10022, Attention: General Counsel; and if to the AEVEX Parties shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided,
however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 9(e) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters’ Questionnaire, or telex
constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by you upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into
law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the AEVEX Parties, which information may include the name and address of their respective
clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
14. This Agreement
shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the AEVEX Parties and, to the extent provided in Sections 9 and 11 hereof, the officers and directors of the AEVEX Parties and each person who controls the AEVEX Parties,
or any Underwriter, or any director, officer, employee, or affiliate of any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
15. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the term “business day” shall mean any day when the
Commission’s office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.
16. Each of the AEVEX Parties acknowledges and agrees that
(i) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the AEVEX Parties, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other,
(ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the AEVEX Parties, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary
responsibility in favor of the AEVEX Parties with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the AEVEX Parties on other matters) or any
other obligation to the AEVEX Parties except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) each AEVEX Party has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate, and (v) none of the
activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person. Each of the AEVEX
Parties agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such AEVEX Party, in connection with such transaction or the process leading
thereto.
24
17. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or
oral) between the AEVEX Parties and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
18. This Agreement
and any transaction contemplated by this Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related thereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of
conflict of laws that would result in the application of any other law than the laws of the State of New York. Each of the AEVEX Parties agrees that any suit or proceeding arising in respect of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement will be tried exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if that court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in any state court located in The City and County of New York and each of the AEVEX
Parties agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of, and to venue in, such courts.
19. Each of the AEVEX Parties and each of the
Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
20. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform
Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be
valid and effective for all purposes.
21. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the AEVEX Parties are authorized to disclose
to any persons the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment and tax structure of the potential transaction and all materials of any kind (including tax opinions and other tax analyses) provided to the AEVEX Parties relating to that treatment and
structure, without the Underwriters imposing any limitation of any kind. However, any information relating to the tax treatment and tax structure shall remain confidential (and the foregoing sentence shall not apply) to the extent necessary to
enable any person to comply with securities laws. For this purpose, “tax structure” is limited to any facts that may be relevant to that treatment.
22. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the
transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any
such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any
Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted
to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
25
(c) As used in this Section 22:
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with,
12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§
252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
26
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us
counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this Agreement and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the AEVEX Parties. It is
understood that your acceptance of this Agreement on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the AEVEX Parties for examination upon
request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.
Very truly yours,
AEVEX Corp.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name: Roger Wells
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name: Roger Wells
Title: Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to
Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
By:
/s/ Ryan Cunn
Name: Ryan Cunn
Title: Managing Director
BofA Securities, Inc.
By:
/s/ Andrew Chassin
Name: Andrew Chassin
Title: Managing Director
Jefferies LLC
By:
/s/ Scott Skidmore
Name: Scott Skidmore
Title: Managing Director
On behalf of each of the Underwriters
[Signature Page to
Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter
Total Number of
Firm Shares
to be Purchased
Number of
Optional
Shares to be
Purchased if
Maximum Option
Exercised
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
3,671,112
550,667
BofA Securities, Inc.
3,671,112
550,667
Jefferies LLC
3,671,112
550,667
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
1,466,666
219,999
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
1,173,333
176,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
733,333
110,000
William Blair & Company, L.L.C
586,667
88,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
513,333
77,000
Needham & Company, LLC
293,333
44,000
Academy Securities, Inc.
73,333
11,000
Capital One Securities, Inc.
73,333
11,000
PNC Capital Markets LLC
73,333
11,000
Total
16,000,000
2,400,000
SCHEDULE II
(a) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not included in the Pricing Disclosure Package:
Electronic roadshow dated April 9, 2026.
(b) Additional documents incorporated by reference:
None.
(c) Information other than the Pricing
Prospectus that comprise the Pricing Disclosure Package:
The initial public offering price per share for the Shares is $20.00.
The number of Shares purchased by the Underwriters from the Company is 18,400,000 (comprised of 16,000,000 Firm Shares and 2,400,000 Optional
Shares, assuming the maximum option is exercised).
(d) Written
Testing-the-Waters Communications:
Testing-the-Waters Presentations dated December 15, 2025 and March 10, 2026.
SCHEDULE III
[Reserved]
SCHEDULE IV
Transaction Documents
1.
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
2.
Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Holdings LLC
3.
Exchange Agreement between the Company and ATS Investment Holdings
4.
Tax Receivable Agreements among the Company, Holdings LLC, ATS Investment Holdings, ATS Pubco Holdings, L.P.
and Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII-C, L.P.
ANNEX I
Form of Press Release
AEVEX Corp.
[Date]
AEVEX Corp. (the “Company”) announced today that [Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC] [and] [BofA Securities, Inc.] [and] [Jefferies LLC],
representatives in the Company’s recent public sale of [ • ] shares of its Class A common stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up
restriction with respect to [ • ] shares of the Class A Common Stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on [Month/Day], 20[ • ],
and the shares may be sold on or after such date.
This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other
jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ANNEX II
AEVEX Corp.
Form Of Lock-Up Agreement
[ • ], 2026
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Jefferies LLC
BofA Securities, Inc.
As representatives (the
“Representatives”) of the several Underwriters
named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement
c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282-2198
c/o Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
c/o BofA Securities, Inc.
One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10036
Re:
AEVEX Corp. - Lock-Up Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned
understands that you, as Representatives, propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) on behalf of the several underwriters named in Schedule I to such agreement (collectively, the
“Underwriters”), with AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which has been formed to hold a portion of the outstanding limited liability company units (“LLC Units”) of Athena Technology Solutions
Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”), providing for a public offering (the “Public Offering”) of shares (the “Shares”) of the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (together with the
Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company, the “Common Stock”) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (as may be amended from time to time, the
“Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
In consideration of the agreement by the Underwriters to offer and sell the Shares, and of
other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees that during the period beginning from the date of this lock-up agreement (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) (such period, the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned shall not, and shall not cause or direct any of his, her or its affiliates to, (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that
represent the right to receive shares of Common Stock and/or LLC Units (such shares of Common Stock, LLC Units, options, rights, warrants or other securities, collectively, the “Lock-Up
Securities”), including without limitation any such Lock-Up Securities now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned, (ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including,
without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or
which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition (whether by the undersigned or someone other than the undersigned), or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in
part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Common Stock or any other Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise (any such sale, loan, pledge or other disposition, or transfer of economic consequences, a “Transfer”), (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with
respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities or (iv) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in or cause any action, activity, transaction or arrangement described in clause (i), (ii)
or (iii) above. Except for the transactions on the terms described under “Organizational Structure” in the Prospectus (the “Transactions”), the undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned is not, and has not
caused or directed any of his, her or its affiliates to be or become, currently a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for, is designed to or reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in any Transfer during the Lock-Up Period, except as provided for herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may:
(a) Transfer the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities:
(i) as one or more bona fide gifts or charitable contributions, or for bona fide estate planning purposes;
(ii) upon death by will, testamentary document or intestate succession;
(iii) if the undersigned is a natural person, to any member of the undersigned’s immediate family (for purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, current or former marriage, domestic partnership or adoption, not more remote than first cousin) or to any trust for the direct
or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned or, if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or the estate of a beneficiary of such trust;
(iv) to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the
undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests;
(v) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (a)(i) through
(iv) above;
(vi) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity,
(A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is a subsidiary, an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or the immediate family of the natural
person that beneficially owns the securities of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity which fund or entity directly or indirectly is controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned
or affiliates of the undersigned (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the undersigned is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (B) as part of a
disposition, transfer or distribution by the undersigned to its stockholders, current or former partners (general or limited), members or other equityholders or to the estate of any such stockholders, partners, members or other equityholders;
(vii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a merger, acquisition, reorganization, qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce
decree or separation agreement or other order of a court or regulatory authority;
(viii) to the Company from a current or former employee
or other service provider of the Company upon death, disability or termination of services, in each case, of such employee or other service provider or to the Company pursuant to any contractual or other arrangements that provide the Company with an
option, a right of first refusal or other right to purchase Lock-Up Securities;
(ix) if the
undersigned is not an officer or director of the Company, in connection with a sale, transfer or disposal of, or entry into other transactions (including, without limitation, any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement) relating to, the
undersigned’s shares of Common Stock acquired (A) from the Underwriters in the Public Offering or (B) in open market transactions after the closing date of the Public Offering;
(x) to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to
purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise) that are scheduled to expire or automatically vest during the Lock-Up Period, including
any transfer to the Company for the payment of exercise price, tax withholdings or remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights, or in connection with
the conversion of convertible securities, in all such cases pursuant to equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, or pursuant to the terms of convertible securities, each as described in the Registration
Statement, the preliminary prospectus relating to the Shares included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the time the Underwriting Agreement is executed and the Prospectus, provided that any securities received upon such vesting,
settlement, exercise or conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement;
(xii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or reclassification of any outstanding
securities of the Company into shares of Common Stock, or any conversion, exchange or reclassification of the Common Stock, provided that any such shares of Common Stock received upon such conversion, exchange or reclassification shall be subject to
the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement;
[(xiii) as any pledge, charge, hypothecation or other
granting of a security interest in the Common Stock or as any security convertible into Common Stock to one or more banks, financial or other lending institutions (“Lenders”) as collateral or security for or in connection with any margin
loan or other loans, advances or extensions of credit entered into by the undersigned or, if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries and any
transfers of such Common Stock or such other securities to the applicable Lender(s) or other third parties upon or following foreclosure upon or enforcement of such Common Stock or such securities in accordance with the terms of the documentation
governing any margin loan or other loan, advance or extension of credit (including, without limitation, pursuant to any agreement or arrangement existing as of the date hereof); provided that with respect to any pledge, charge, hypothecation or
other granting of a security interest set forth above after the execution of this Letter Agreement, the applicable Lender(s) shall be informed of the existence and contents of this Lock-Up Agreement before
entering into any margin loan or other loans, advances or extensions of credit and further, provided that any purchaser or transferee of such Common Stock or such other securities shall, upon foreclosure on the pledged securities, sign and deliver a
lock-up agreement substantially in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement; or]1
(xiv) with the prior written consent of at least two of the three Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters; [or]
(xv) in connection with the Transactions.
provided that (A) in the case of clauses (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above, such transfer or distribution shall not
involve a disposition for value, (B) in the case of clauses (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer or distribution that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee, as the case may
be, shall sign and deliver a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement, (C) in the case of clauses (a)(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above, no
filing by any party (including, without limitation, any donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other public filing, report
or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Lock-Up Securities shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such transfer or distribution, and (D) in the case of
clauses (a)(i), (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x) above,
1
Note to Draft: To include for MDP. FNF, Bilcar and Brian only.
no filing under the Exchange Act or other public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made, and if any such filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto (A) the circumstances of such transfer or distribution and (B) in the case of a transfer or distribution
pursuant to clauses (a)(i) or (vii) above, that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee has agreed to be bound by a lock-up agreement in the form of this
Lock-Up Agreement;
(b) enter into a written plan meeting the requirements of Rule
10b5-1 under the Exchange Act relating to the transfer, sale or other disposition of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities, if then permitted by the Company,
provided that none of the securities subject to such plan may be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, other than as permitted by this Lock-Up Agreement and no public announcement, report or filing under the Exchange Act, or any other public filing, report or announcement, shall be voluntarily made (whether by or on behalf of the undersigned, the
Company or any other party) regarding, or that otherwise discloses, the establishment of such plan during the Lock-Up Period, and if any such filing, report or announcement shall be legally required during the
Lock-Up Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate therein that none of the securities subject to such plan may be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to such plan until
after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period;
(c) (i) transfer the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (or duly authorized committee
thereof) and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other
similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold at least a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)) and (ii) enter into any lock-up, voting or similar agreement pursuant to which the undersigned may agree to transfer, sell,
tender or otherwise dispose or Lock-Up Securities in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) above; provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar
transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Lock-Up Agreement; and
(d) to the extent the undersigned has demand and/or piggyback registration rights under any registration rights agreement described in the Prospectus, the
undersigned may notify the Company privately that the undersigned is or will be exercising his, her or its demand and/or piggyback registration rights under any such registration rights agreement following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and undertake preparations related thereto; provided that the foregoing notification and/or preparations do not request, require or result in the public filing of a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any other public announcement of such proposed registration by the undersigned, the Company or any third party during the Lock-Up Period (and no such filing, public
announcement or activity shall be voluntarily made or taken by the undersigned, the Company or any third party during the Lock-Up Period).
The restrictions described in this Lock-Up Agreement
shall not apply to (i) any exchange, transfer or sale in connection with, and as contemplated by, the Transactions; or (ii) any conversion or exchange of Class B common stock and the corresponding LLC Units for shares of Class A
common stock pursuant to the exchange agreement described in the Prospectus, provided that, in the case of this clause (ii) such shares of Class A Common Stock shall be subject to the provisions of this
Lock-Up Agreement.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned
further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed or other Shares the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.
If the undersigned is not a natural person, the undersigned represents and warrants that no single natural person, entity or
“group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a natural person, entity or “group” (as described above) that has executed a lock-up agreement in
substantially the same form as this Lock-Up Agreement, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the common equity interests, or 50% or more of the voting power, in the undersigned.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives agree that, at least three business days before the
effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a Transfer of Lock-Up Securities, the applicable Representatives will notify the Company of the impending release or
waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service (or such other method approved by the applicable Representatives that satisfies the
requirements of FINRA Rule 5131(d)(2)) at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the applicable Representatives hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective
two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a Transfer not for consideration or that is to an immediate family
member as defined in FINRA Rule 5130(i)(5) and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Lock-Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such
terms remain in effect at the time of the Transfer.
The undersigned now has, and, except as contemplated by clauses (a) and (c) of
the third paragraph of this Lock-Up Agreement, for the duration of this Lock-Up Agreement will have, good and marketable title to the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims whatsoever. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and
registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that none of the Underwriters has made any
recommendation or provided any investment or other advice to the undersigned with respect to this Lock-Up Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and the undersigned has consulted his, her or its own legal,
accounting, financial, regulatory, tax and other advisors with respect to this Lock-Up Agreement and the subject matter hereof to the extent the undersigned has deemed appropriate. The undersigned further
acknowledges and agrees that, although the Underwriters may have provided or hereafter provide to the undersigned in connection with the Public Offering a Form CRS and/or certain other disclosures as contemplated by Regulation Best Interest, the
Underwriters have not made and are not making a recommendation to the undersigned to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement or to transfer, sell or dispose of, or to refrain from transferring, selling or disposing
of, any shares of Common Stock, and nothing set forth in such disclosures or herein is intended to suggest that any Underwriter is making such a recommendation.
This Lock-Up Agreement shall automatically terminate and the undersigned shall be released from all of
his, her or its obligations hereunder upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Public Offering is withdrawn, (ii) the date on which for any reason the Underwriting
Agreement is terminated (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder (other than pursuant to the Underwriters’ option thereunder to purchase additional
Shares), (iii) the date on which the Company notifies the Representatives, in writing and prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that it does not intend to proceed with the Public Offering, (iv) the date that the Representatives
advise the Company, in writing and prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that they have determined not to proceed with the Public Offering and (v) June 30, 2026, in the event that the Underwriting Agreement has not been
executed by such date (provided, however, that the Company may, by written notice to the undersigned prior to such date, extend such date by a period of up to an additional 90 days).
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this Lock-Up
Agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this Lock-Up Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement. This Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflict of laws that would result in the application of any law other
than the laws of the State of New York. This Lock-Up Agreement may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000,
e.g., www.docusign.com or www.echosign.com) or other transmission method, and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
[Signature Page Follows]
Very truly yours,
IF AN INDIVIDUAL:
IF AN ENTITY:
By:
(duly authorized signature)
(please print complete name of entity)
Name:
By:
(please print full name)
(duly authorized signature)
Name:
(please print full name)
Title:
(please print full title)
[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]
EX-3.1
EX-3.1
Filename: d123077dex31.htm · Sequence: 3
EX-3.1
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AEVEX Corp.
* * * * *
AEVEX Corp., a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
“Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY as follows:
FIRST: The present name of the Corporation is AEVEX Corp. The
Corporation was incorporated under the name AEVEX Corp. by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 27, 2025 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
SECOND: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to a unanimous written consent, adopted resolutions authorizing the
Corporation to amend, integrate and restate the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Restated
Certificate”).
THIRD: The Restated Certificate restates and integrates and further amends the Certificate of
Incorporation of this Corporation.
FOURTH: That the stockholders of the Corporation approved and adopted the Restated Certificate
by written consent in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FIFTH: The
Restated Certificate has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AEVEX Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this 17th day of April, 2026.
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AEVEX CORP.
ARTICLE ONE
The name of
the corporation is AEVEX Corp. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE TWO
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington,
County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.
ARTICLE
THREE
The nature and purpose of the business 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”).
ARTICLE FOUR
Section 1. Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is 1,250,000,000 shares, consisting of three classes as follows:
a. 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value
$0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”);
b. 1,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (the “Class A Common Stock”); and
c. 200,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock,
par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”).
The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the designations, rights, powers, and preferences and the qualifications, restrictions,
and limitations thereof, if any, set forth below.
Section 2. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
“Board”) is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide, by resolution or resolutions for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and with respect to each series, to establish the
number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers (if any), designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, if any, of the shares of each such series, and any
qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, and
liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the Common Stock. The powers (including voting powers), preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and
other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Subject to the rights of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then-outstanding) without the separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock as a class,
irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be governed by Section 242(d) of the DGCL.
Section 3. Common Stock.
(a) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or as provided by or pursuant to the provisions of this
Certificate of Incorporation (as it may be amended from time to time, including pursuant to any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock, the “Certificate”):
(i) Each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class A Common Stock
held of record by such holder on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders of the Corporation.
(ii) Each holder of
Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders of the Corporation.
(iii) Except as otherwise required in this Certificate or by applicable law, the holders of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters on which stockholders are generally entitled to vote (and, if any holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single
class with such holders of Preferred Stock); provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate, the holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate (including any
certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the
holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series
of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then-outstanding) without the separate vote of the holders of the
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation does not intend by the foregoing sentence to opt out of the
provisions of Section 242(d) of the DGCL, and intends that Section 242(d) be applicable to the Corporation.
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(iv) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting
rights.
(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series
of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends in cash, stock or property of the Corporation, such dividends may be
declared and paid on the Class A Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine. Dividends shall not be declared or paid on
the Class B Common Stock.
(c) Liquidation, Dissolution, etc. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation as required by law and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the
holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to participate in the distribution of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to holders of
Class A Common Stock ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(d)
Reclassification. Neither the Class A Common Stock nor the Class B Common Stock may be subdivided, split, combined, consolidated, reclassified, or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the other class of Common Stock
and the common units of Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC Units”), are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified, or otherwise changed in the same proportion and in the same
manner.
(e) Exchange. The holders of Class B Common Stock other than the Corporation shall, to the extent
provided in the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement (each, defined below) and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement, as applicable, have the right to exchange the Class B Common Stock
and the LLC Units held by them, for the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Class A Common Stock determined in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement. Upon the exchange of an LLC Unit for one share of Class A
Common Stock in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement, as applicable, one share of Class B Common Stock held by the exchanging holder shall automatically and without further action on the part
of the Corporation be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration, and shall be automatically retired and cancelled and shall no longer be issued or outstanding and may not be reissued and shall return to the status of authorized but
unissued shares of Class B Common Stock. The Corporation shall at all times when any shares of Class B Common Stock and LLC Units shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock
such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the exchange of all outstanding shares of
3
Class B Common Stock and LLC Units into shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement. If at any time the number of
authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the exchange of all outstanding LLC Units, the Corporation will take such corporate actions within its power as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary to cause this Certificate to be amended so as to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to such number as shall be sufficient for such purpose. “Exchange Agreement” means that certain
Exchange Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Corporation, Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, ATS Investment Holdings, LLC and holders of LLC Units party thereto, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, a
copy of which is available from the Corporation upon request and without cost. “LLC Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, dated on or
about the date hereof, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, a copy of which is available from the Corporation upon request and without cost.
(f) Automatic Transfer. No share of Class B Common Stock may be sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred, other
than in connection with (i) the original issuance of the shares of Class B Common Stock to ATS Investment Holdings, LLC pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, (ii) the exchange of an LLC Unit as set forth in
Section 3(e) of this ARTICLE FOUR and in the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement, and (iii) the transfer of an LLC Unit by a holder of LLC Units to a “Permitted Transferee” of such holder as
defined in the LLC Agreement. In the event that any outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock are sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred other than as provided in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), or such outstanding shares of
Class B Common Stock shall otherwise cease to be held by a holder of a corresponding number, based on the exchange rate then in effect, of LLC Units (including a transferee of a LLC Unit) for any reason, such shares of Class B Common Stock
shall upon such sale, exchange or other transfer, or upon ceasing to be held by such holder, automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock be transferred to the Corporation for no
consideration and thereupon shall be automatically retired and cancelled and shall no longer be issued or outstanding and may not be reissued and shall return to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class B Common Stock. Certificates
representing outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall contain a legend referencing the restrictions of transfers set forth herein.
ARTICLE FIVE
Section 1. Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.
4
Section 2. Number of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding to elect additional directors under specified circumstances or otherwise, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board shall be seven and, thereafter, shall be fixed from time to time
exclusively by resolution of the Board; provided that, before the Trigger Date (as defined hereinafter), the size of the Board of Directors may also be fixed by the holders of a majority of the voting power present or represented by proxy at
a duly convened meeting of stockholders or by a consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.
Section 3. Classes of Directors. The directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock, shall be divided into three classes, hereby designated Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Section 4. Election and Term of Office. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding,
the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date the Class A Common Stock is first publicly
traded (the “IPO Date”), the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders after the IPO Date, and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall
expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders after the IPO Date. The Board may assign directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III. At each annual meeting of stockholders after the IPO Date, directors
elected to replace those of a class whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting after their election and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified. Each such director shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the year in which such director’s term expires and a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or
removal. Nothing in this Certificate shall preclude a director from serving consecutive terms. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated, the “Bylaws”)
shall so provide.
Section 5. Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of
Preferred Stock then-outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office, or any other
cause may be filled only by resolution of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and may not be filled in any other manner; provided that, before the Trigger Date, vacant and
newly created directorships may also be filled by a plurality vote of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly convened meeting of stockholders or by a consent of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereon in
accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL; and further provided that any vacancy or newly created directorship relating to a director entitled to be nominated by MDP pursuant to the Director Designation Agreement dated on or about the IPO Date,
as it may be amended or supplemented, a copy of which is available from the Corporation upon request and without cost, may only be filled with the person nominated by MDP. A director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the
unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal. A director elected or appointed to fill a position resulting from an increase in
the number of directors shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been elected or appointed and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or
removal. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
5
Section 6. Removal and Resignation of Directors. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Certificate, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, and (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, directors may only be removed for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as defined hereinafter). Any director may resign at any time
upon notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation.
Section 7. Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this ARTICLE FIVE, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies, and other features of such directorship shall be subject to the rights of such series of Preferred Stock. During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a series or together with one or more series, have the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues (i) the then otherwise total authorized number
of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions,
and (ii) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever
occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies
resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification, or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director), and the total
authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.
Section 8. Advance Notice.
Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
Section 9. Definitions. For purposes of this Certificate:
(a) “Affiliated Companies” shall mean (A) in respect of MDP, any entity that controls, is controlled
by, or under common control with MDP (other than the Corporation and any company that is controlled by the Corporation) and any investment funds managed or advised by MDP, and (B) in respect of the Corporation, any entity controlled by the
Corporation.
(b) “MDP” means Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC.
6
(c) “Trigger Date” means the first date on which MDP and
its Affiliated Companies cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) at least 40% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (determined assuming that each LLC Unit owned by
holders other than the Corporation were exchanged for Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms and conditions of either the Exchange Agreement or LLC Agreement).
(d) “Voting Stock” means the capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors.
ARTICLE SIX
Section 1. Limitation of Liability.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such
amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader exculpation than permitted prior thereto), no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages
arising from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer.
(b) Any amendment, repeal, or modification of the
foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, or modification with respect to any act, omission, or other matter occurring prior to
such amendment, repeal, or modification. Solely for purposes of Section 1(a) and 1(b) of this ARTICLE SIX, “officer” has the meaning provided in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
ARTICLE SEVEN
Section 1. Action by Written Consent. Prior to the first date (the “Stockholder Consent Trigger Date”) on which
MDP and its Affiliated Companies cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) at least 35% of the voting power of the then-outstanding Voting Stock, any action which is required or permitted to be taken by the
Corporation’s stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is 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 of the Corporation’s stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. On and after the Stockholder Consent Trigger Date,
any action required or permitted to be taken by the Corporation’s stockholders may be taken only at a duly called annual or special meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders and the power of stockholders to act by consent in writing
without a meeting is specifically denied; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such
series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided in the resolutions creating such series of Preferred Stock.
7
Section 2. Special Meetings of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of the
holders of any series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or the Chair of the Board
pursuant to a written resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies, and (ii) prior to the Stockholder Consent Trigger Date, by the Chair
of the Board at the request of MDP in the manner provided for in the Bylaws. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE EIGHT
Section 1. Certain Acknowledgments. It is hereby acknowledged that:
(a) (i) certain of the directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers, employees, operating partners, and/or
contractors of MDP or its Affiliated Companies may serve as directors or officers of the Corporation, (ii) MDP and its Affiliated Companies engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as
those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) the Corporation and its
Affiliated Companies may engage in material business transactions with MDP and its Affiliated Companies, and the Corporation is expected to benefit therefrom;
(b) the provisions of this ARTICLE EIGHT are set forth to regulate to the fullest extent permitted by law certain
affairs of the Corporation as they may involve MDP and/or its Affiliated Companies and/or their respective directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers, employees, operating partners, and/or contractors, including any of the
foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Corporation (MDP and/or its Affiliated Companies and all such other persons each an “Exempted Person” and collectively, the “Exempted Persons”); and
(c) this ARTICLE EIGHT constitutes the renunciation of corporate opportunities pursuant to Section 122(17) of the
DGCL, which authorizes a corporation to renounce specified classes and categories of business opportunities.
Section 2.
Renunciation of Corporate Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, but subject to Section 3 of this ARTICLE EIGHT, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or
being offered an opportunity to participate in, any and all business opportunities: (a) originated or acquired by an Exempt Person; (b) in which the Exempt Person has an interest; or (c) that is received from any person or entity by
an Exempt Person. The business opportunities renounced under this paragraph include any actual or potential investment or business opportunity or prospective economic advantage in which the Corporation could, but for this paragraph, have an interest
or expectancy (including, without limitation, acquisitions, dispositions, business combinations, financings or investment opportunities), whether or not such opportunities are in the same or similar lines of business in which the Corporation is
engaged or intends to engage.
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Section 3. Excluded Opportunities. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this ARTICLE EIGHT, but subject to Section 4 of this ARTICLE EIGHT, the Corporation does not renounce any interest or expectancy it may have in any business opportunity that is (a) expressly offered
to a person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and not in any other capacity; (b) offered to, or acquired by, a person while he or she is a full-time employee of the Corporation; or (c) that has been
developed using the confidential information of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
Section 4. Certain Matters Deemed Not
Corporate Opportunities. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE EIGHT, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to belong to the Corporation if it is a business opportunity the Corporation is
not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to it, or that is one in which the Corporation has no
interest or reasonable expectancy.
Section 5. Amendment of this Article. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere
contained in this Certificate, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding, and in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of MDP, so long as MDP and/or its Affiliated
Companies continues to beneficially own any outstanding shares of Voting Stock, shall be required to alter, amend, or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this ARTICLE EIGHT; provided, however, that, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, neither the alteration, amendment, or repeal of this ARTICLE EIGHT nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate inconsistent with this ARTICLE EIGHT shall apply to or have any effect on the
liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to any activities or opportunities which such Exempted Person becomes aware of prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption.
Section 6. Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of the
Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE EIGHT.
ARTICLE NINE
Section 1. Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation expressly elects not to be subject to the
provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL.
Section 2. Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Certificate to the contrary, the Corporation shall not engage in any Business Combination (as defined hereinafter), at any point in time at which the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with any Interested Stockholder (as defined hereinafter) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder,
unless:
(a) prior to such time the Board approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in
such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;
9
(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in such stockholder
becoming an Interested Stockholder, such stockholder owned at least 85% of the Voting Stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the Voting Stock outstanding (but not the
outstanding Voting Stock owned by such Interested Stockholder) those shares owned (i) by Persons (as defined hereinafter) who are directors and also officers of the Corporation, and (ii) employee stock plans of the Corporation in which
employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
(c) at or subsequent to such time, the Business Combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Voting Stock which is
not owned by such Interested Stockholder.
Section 3. Exceptions to Prohibition on Interested Stockholder Transactions. The
restrictions contained in this ARTICLE NINE shall not apply if:
(a) a stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder
inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an Interested Stockholder, and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to
a Business Combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an Interested Stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
(b) the Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the
public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this Section 3(b) of ARTICLE NINE, (ii) is
with or by a Person who either was not an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Stockholder with the approval of the Board, and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in
office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any Person becoming an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The
proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to: (x) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation is required); (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any
direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all
of the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding Stock (as defined hereinafter) of the Corporation; or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all Interested Stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second
sentence of this Section 3(b) of ARTICLE NINE.
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Section 4. Definitions. As used in this ARTICLE NINE only, and unless
otherwise provided by the express terms of this ARTICLE NINE, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as set forth in this Section 4 and, to the extent such terms are defined elsewhere in this
Certificate, such definitions shall not apply to this ARTICLE NINE:
(a) “Affiliate” means a
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person;
(b) “Associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, means (i) any corporation,
partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity of which such Person is a director, officer, or general partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of Voting Stock, (ii) any trust or other estate in
which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same
residence as such Person;
(c) “Business Combination” means:
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation (other than a merger effected pursuant to Sections 253 or 267 of the DGCL)
or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation with (A) the Interested Stockholder, or (B) any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the
Interested Stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 2 of this ARTICLE NINE is not applicable to the surviving entity;
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of
transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the Interested Stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of
the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding Stock
of the Corporation;
(iii) any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or
indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any Stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the Interested Stockholder, except (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange, or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable
for, or convertible into Stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became such, (B) pursuant to an exchange of LLC Units into Class A Common Stock,
to the extent provided in the Exchange Agreement and the LLC Agreement, (C) pursuant to a merger under Sections 251(g), 253 or 267 of the DGCL, (D) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange, or
conversion of securities exercisable for,
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exchangeable for, or convertible into Stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of Stock of the Corporation
subsequent to the time the Interested Stockholder became such, (E) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase Stock made on the same terms to all holders of such Stock, or (F) any issuance or transfer of Stock by the
Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (D)-(F) of this Section 4(c)(iii) of ARTICLE NINE shall there be an increase in the Interested Stockholder’s proportionate share of the
Stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the Voting Stock of the Corporation;
(iv) any transaction involving
the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the Stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the Stock
of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the Interested Stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any
shares of Stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the Interested Stockholder; or
(v) any receipt by the Interested
Stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in Sections
4(c)(i)-(iv) of ARTICLE NINE) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation;
(d) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and
“under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or
otherwise. A Person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence to the contrary; notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such Person holds Voting Stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this ARTICLE NINE, as an
agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian, or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 13d-5”), as such Rule 13d-5 is in effect as of the date of this Certificate) have control of such entity;
(e) “Interested Stockholder” means any Person (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect
majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such Person is an Interested Stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such
Person. Notwithstanding anything in this ARTICLE NINE to the contrary, the term “Interested Stockholder” shall not include:
12
(x) MDP or any of its Affiliated Companies, or any other Person with whom any of the foregoing are acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing
of shares of Stock of the Corporation; (y) any Person who would otherwise be an Interested Stockholder either in connection with or because of a transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition of 5% or
more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation (in one transaction or a series of transactions) by MDP or any of its affiliates or associates to such Person; provided, however, that such Person was not an Interested
Stockholder prior to such transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition; or (z) any Person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken
solely by the Corporation, provided that, for purposes of this clause (z) only, such Person shall be an Interested Stockholder if thereafter such Person acquires additional shares of Voting Stock of the Corporation, except as a result of
further action by the Corporation not caused, directly or indirectly, by such Person; provided, that, for the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the Voting Stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding
shall include Stock deemed to be owned by the Person through application of this definition of “owned” but shall not include any other unissued Stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or
understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise;
(f) “owner,”
including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any Stock, means a Person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns such Stock, directly or
indirectly; or has (A) the right to acquire such Stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of Stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates
or Associates until such tendered Stock is accepted for purchase or exchange, (B) the right to vote such Stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
owner of any Stock because of such Person’s right to vote such Stock if the agreement, arrangement, or understanding to vote such Stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made
to 10 or more Persons, or (C) has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in (B) of this
Section 4(f) of ARTICLE NINE), or disposing of such Stock with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such Stock;
(g) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity;
(h) “Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any capital stock of such corporation and, with
respect to any other entity, any equity interest of such entity; and
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(i) “Voting Stock” means, with respect to any
corporation, the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing
body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of Voting Stock shall refer to such percentage of the votes of such Voting Stock.
ARTICLE TEN
Section 1. Amendments to the Bylaws. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding, in
furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, prior to the Trigger Date, the Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new bylaws made by (i) the Board, or (ii) in addition to any vote of the holders of any class
or series of capital stock of the Corporation required herein (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) and any other vote otherwise required by applicable law or the Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class. On and after the Trigger Date, the Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new bylaws made by
(i) the Board, or (ii) in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required herein (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), and any other
vote otherwise required by applicable law the Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting
power of the then-outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.
Section 2. Amendments to this Certificate.
Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock then-outstanding, and in addition to any other vote required by law or this Certificate, no provision of ARTICLE FIVE, ARTICLE SIX, ARTICLE SEVEN, ARTICLE
NINE, ARTICLE TEN, or ARTICLE ELEVEN of this Certificate may be altered, amended, or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision of this Certificate or the Bylaws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless (i) prior to the
Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, and (ii) on and
after the Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66
2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Section 1. Exclusive Forum. Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the state or federal court located in the State of Delaware with jurisdiction) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum
for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, or stockholder of the Corporation
to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, the
Certificate or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided
14
that, for the avoidance of doubt, this provision, including for any “derivative action,” will not apply to suits to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal
district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for resolutions of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
Section 2. Notice. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the
Corporation (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock) shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN.
ARTICLE TWELVE
If any
provision or provisions of this Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, the validity, legality, and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and
of the remaining provisions of this Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
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EX-3.2
EX-3.2
Filename: d123077dex32.htm · Sequence: 4
EX-3.2
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
AEVEX CORP.
A Delaware corporation
(Adopted as of April 17, 2026)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Offices. AEVEX Corp. (the “Corporation”) may have an office or offices other than its registered
office at such place or places, either within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require. The
registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be as stated in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as then in effect (as amended, restated, modified, and/or supplemented from time to time, including any
certificate of designation relating to any series of preferred stock, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. The Board may designate a place, if any, either within or outside the State of Delaware, as the
place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of stockholders. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that meetings of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may in addition to or instead be held solely by
means of remote communication (including virtually) in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held at such date and time as is specified by resolution
of the Board. At the annual meeting, stockholders shall elect directors to succeed those whose terms expire at such annual meeting and transact such other business as properly may be brought before the annual meeting pursuant to
Section 11 of this ARTICLE II of these amended and restated bylaws (as amended, restated, modified, and/or supplemented from time to time, these “Bylaws”). The Board may postpone, reschedule, or cancel
any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and may be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board or the Chair of the Board (the
“Chair”) or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (the “Chief Executive Officer”) shall determine and state in the notice of such meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders
shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice. The Board may postpone, reschedule, or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board; provided that prior to the Stockholder Consent Trigger Date (as
defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) any special meeting called at the request of the Principal Stockholder (as defined herein) or any Principal Stockholder Affiliate (as defined herein) may not be postponed, rescheduled, or canceled without
the consent of the Principal Stockholder or such Principal Stockholder Affiliate, as the case may be, at whose request the meeting was originally called.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted
to take action at a meeting, notice of the meeting, which shall state the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting of the stockholders, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders not physically present may
be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the
meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote
at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the DGCL) or the
Certificate of Incorporation.
(a) Form of Notice. All such notices shall be delivered in writing or by electronic
transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL, or in any other manner permitted by the DGCL. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder
at his, her, or its address as the same appears on the records of the Corporation. If delivered by courier service, notice shall be deemed given at the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address as the same
appears on the records of the Corporation. If given by electronic mail, notice shall be deemed given when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic
transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by the DGCL. Notice to stockholders may also be given by other forms of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder. If given by facsimile
telecommunication, such notice shall be deemed given when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice by facsimile. If given by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of
such specific posting, such notice shall be deemed given upon the later of: (A) such posting; and (B) the giving of such separate notice. If notice is given by any other form of electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed given
when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) or an assistant secretary of the Corporation (the “Assistant Secretary”), the transfer agent of the
Corporation (the “Transfer Agent”), or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(b) Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of
Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the stockholder entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission given by the stockholder entitled to 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 meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a stockholder of the Corporation
at a meeting of such stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is
not lawfully called or convened and does not further participate in the meeting.
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Section 5. List of Stockholders. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than
the tenth day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before
the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of
each such stockholder. Nothing contained in this section shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any
purpose germane to the meeting for a period 10 days prior to the meeting date: (A) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the
meeting; or (B) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to
ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the list shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this
Section 5 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 6. Quorum. The
holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, by
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present, the chair of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon may adjourn
the meeting to another time and/or place from time to time until a quorum shall be present in person or represented by proxy. When a specified item of business requires a vote by a class or series (if the Corporation shall then have outstanding
shares of more than one class or series) voting as a separate class or series, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding stock of such class or series shall constitute a quorum (as to such class or series) for the transaction of
such item of business. A quorum once established at a meeting shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the
same or some other place. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of the adjourned
meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are (i) announced at the meeting at
which the adjournment is taken, (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or
(iii) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with these Bylaws. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30
days, a notice of the
3
adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with these Bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as
of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 8. Vote Required. Subject to the rights of the holders
of any series of preferred stock then-outstanding, when a quorum has been established, all matters other than the election of directors shall be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of voting power of capital stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter, unless by express provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law, the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, any
regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws a minimum or different vote is required, in which case such minimum or different vote shall be the required vote for such matter. Except as
otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.
Section 9.
Voting Rights. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then-outstanding, except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.
Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to corporate action
without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy
shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it
is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally.
Section 11. Advance Notice of
Stockholder Business and Director Nominations.
(a) Nominations of Directors and Other Business at Annual Meetings
of Stockholders.
(i) Only such business, including nominations of persons for election to the Board, shall be
conducted at an annual meeting of the stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting: (A) as specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board or any duly authorized committee
thereof; (B) by or at the direction of the Board or any duly authorized committee thereof; or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in
Section 11(a)(iii) of this ARTICLE II, on the record date for determination of
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stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, and at the time of the annual meeting, (2) at the time of the meeting, is entitled to vote at the meeting, and
(3) complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 11(a) of this ARTICLE II. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (C) of this Section 11(a)(i) of ARTICLE II shall be
the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose such business before an annual meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions in this Section 11 to the contrary, at any
time prior to the date that Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (the “Principal Stockholder”) and any entity that controls, is controlled by, or under common control with the Principal Stockholder (other than the Corporation and any
entity that is controlled by the Corporation), and any investment vehicles or funds managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or otherwise affiliated with the Principal Stockholder (the “Principal Stockholder Affiliates”)
cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) at least 10% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
“Advance Notice Trigger Date”), none of the notice, information, or compliance requirements of this Section 11 shall apply to any nominations or business brought before any annual or special meeting of
stockholders by the Principal Stockholder or Principal Stockholder Affiliates, and such nominations or business shall be deemed properly brought before such meeting.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder (any such stockholder
of record, as required by Sections 11(a)(i) of this ARTICLE II, proposing business or nominating persons for election to the Board at a meeting of stockholders, the “Noticing Stockholder”), the Noticing Stockholder must
have given timely notice thereof in proper written form as described in Section 11(a)(iii) of this ARTICLE II to the Secretary; any such proposed business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board must be
a proper matter for stockholder action; and the Noticing Stockholder and any other stockholder, if any, on whose behalf the business is being proposed or the nomination is being made (collectively with the Noticing Stockholder, the
“Holders” and each a “Holder”) must have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined in Section 11(a)(iii) of this ARTICLE II)
required by these Bylaws and otherwise complied with the requirements with respect to such nominations or business set forth in this ARTICLE II of these Bylaws. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for such nominations or other business must
be delivered by hand and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation in proper written form not less than 90 days and not more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual
meeting of stockholders (which date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common
Stock”), are first publicly traded, be deemed to have occurred on April 17, 2026); provided, however, that if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences 30 days before such
anniversary date and ends 70 days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year (other
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than for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Class A Common Stock are first publicly traded), such stockholder’s notice must be
delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and by the later of: (A) the 10th day following the day the Public Announcement (as defined in Section 11(i) of this ARTICLE II) of the
date of the annual meeting is first made; or (B) the date which is 90 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period
(or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notices delivered pursuant to Section 11(a) of this ARTICLE II will be deemed received on any given day only if received prior
to the Close of Business (as defined in Section 11(i) of this ARTICLE II) on such day (and otherwise shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day (as defined in Section 11(i) of
this ARTICLE II)). The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting on its own behalf (or in the case of one or more stockholders giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees such
stockholders may collectively nominate for election at the annual meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting.
(iii) To be in proper written form, a Noticing Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth:
(A) as to any business that the Noticing Stockholder (as defined below) proposes to bring before the meeting:
(1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting;
(2) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;
(3) a description of any direct or indirect material interest of any party or Stockholder Associated Person of such party in
such business (whether by holdings of securities, or by virtue of being a creditor or contractual counterparty of the Corporation or of a third party, or otherwise);
(4) the text of the proposal or business (including the specific text of any resolutions or actions proposed for consideration
and if such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the specific language of the proposed amendment), which business must be a proper subject for stockholder action; and
(5) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between each Holder and any Stockholder Associated Person
of such Holder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by the Noticing Stockholder.
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(B) as to each Holder:
(1) the name, age, citizenship, and address of the Noticing Stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and,
if different from the Corporation’s books, the name and address of the Noticing Stockholder;
(2) the name, age,
citizenship, and address of such Holder and each Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder;
(3) as of the date of the
notice (which information, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be updated and supplemented pursuant to Section 11(d)):
a. the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are directly or indirectly held of record or
beneficially owned by such Holder and each Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder (provided that, for the purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii)(B)(3), any such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially
own any shares of stock of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a
condition or both));
b. a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings between such Holder and each
Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder, on the one hand, and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons), on the other hand, in connection with such proposal of business and/or nomination, excluding engagements with financial,
legal, strategic or other advisors in the ordinary course of business;
c. a description of any Derivative Instrument (as
defined in Section 11(i) of this ARTICLE II) directly or indirectly held or beneficially held by such Holder and any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder;
d. whether and to the extent to which a Hedging Transaction (as defined in Section 11(i) of this
ARTICLE II) has been entered into by or on behalf of such Holder or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder;
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e. a description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or
relationship (other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), pursuant to which each Holder
and any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder has any right to vote or has granted a right to vote any shares of stock or any other security of the Corporation;
f. a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any rights to dividends or payments in lieu of
dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by each Holder or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder that are separated or separable pursuant to such agreement, arraignment or understanding from the underlying shares of
stock or other security of the Corporation;
g. any direct or indirect legal, economic or financial interest (including
Short Interest) of each Holder and each Stockholder Associated Person, if any, of such Holder in the outcome of any (x) vote to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or (y) any meeting of stockholders
of any other entity with respect to any matter that is related, directly or indirectly, to any nomination or business proposed by any Holder under these Bylaws; and
h. any material pending or threatened action, suit, or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, investigative, administrative, or
otherwise) in which any Holder or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder is, or is reasonably expected to be made, a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers, directors or employees, or any Affiliate
of the Corporation, or any officer, director or employee of such Affiliate (the information required by this subclause (3) shall be referred to as the “Specified Information”); provided, however, that the
Specified Information shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who otherwise would be required to disclose Specified
Information hereunder solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 11(a) on behalf of a beneficial owner;
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(4) a representation by the Noticing Stockholder that such stockholder is a
stockholder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting on the nominations or other business proposed, that the Noticing Stockholder will continue to be a stockholder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting on
the matter proposed through the date of such meeting and that such Noticing Stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at such meeting to make such nominations or propose such business;
(5) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by
each Holder and each Stockholder Associated Person, if any, of such Holder;
(6) any other information relating to each
Holder and each Stockholder Associated Person, if any, of such Holder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable,
the proposal pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(7) a
representation by the Noticing Stockholder as to whether any Holder and/or any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder intends or is part of a group which intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least
the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect the proposed nominee or approve or adopt the other business being proposed and/or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of
such nomination or other business;
(8) in connection with a nomination for any persons for election as director, a
representation by the Noticing Stockholder whether any Holder intends, or is part of a group which intends, (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding
shares of capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination; and, if applicable, (z) to solicit proxies
in support of any proposed nominee in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act;
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(9) a certification by the Noticing Stockholder that each Holder and any
Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with its acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and/or such person’s
acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation;
(10) with respect to a nomination, the information and statement
required by Rule 14a-19(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision);
(11)
to the extent known after reasonable investigation, the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial owners) known by any Holder or Related Person of such Holder to provide financial support with respect to such proposal(s) or
nomination(s) (it being understood that delivery of a revocable proxy with respect to such proposal or nomination shall not in itself require disclosure under this subclause (11)) and, to the extent known, the class and number of all shares of the
Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by such other stockholder(s) or other beneficial owner(s); and
(12) a representation by the Noticing Stockholder as to the accuracy of the information set forth in the notice.
(C) as to each person whom the Noticing Stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a director:
(1) the name, age, citizenship and address (business
and residential) of such person;
(2) a complete biography and statement of such person’s qualifications, including
the principal occupation or employment of such person (at present and for the past five years);
(3) the Specified
Information for such person as if such person were a Holder (except that no disclosure will be required hereunder with respect to any Stockholder Associated Person of any proposed nominee unless such Stockholder Associated Person is also a
Stockholder Associated Person of any Holder);
(4) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements and
understandings between each Holder and any Stockholder Associated Person of such Holder, on the one hand, and such person, on the other hand, (at present and for the past three years) including, without limitation, a complete and accurate
description of all direct and indirect compensation and other monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings at present
10
and for the past three years between such person and such Holder(s) and any Stockholder Associated Person(s) of such Holder(s) (including all biographical, related party transaction and other
information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to the federal and state securities laws, including Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K (“Regulation
S-K”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (or any successor provision), if any Holder or such Stockholder Associated Person were the
“registrant” for purposes of such rule and such person were a director or executive officer of such registrant);
(5) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or any other
filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election or that is otherwise required pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statements and the accompanying proxy card as a proposed nominee of the Noticing Stockholder and to serving as a
director if elected); and
(6) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement and any and all other
information required by Section 11(d) of this ARTICLE II.
In addition, any Noticing Stockholder who submits a
notice pursuant to Section 11(a) of this ARTICLE II is required to update and supplement the information disclosed in such notice, if necessary, in accordance with Section 11(c) of this ARTICLE II.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted or nominations made at an
annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 11(a) of this ARTICLE II; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any nominations or business brought by the Principal Stockholder or any
Principal Stockholder Affiliate at any time prior to the Advance Notice Trigger Date.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in
Section 11(a)(ii) of this ARTICLE II to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under
Section 11(a)(ii) of this ARTICLE II and there is no Public Announcement naming the nominees for additional directorships at least 10 days prior to the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance
with Section 11(a)(ii) of this ARTICLE II, a stockholder’s notice required by Section 11(a)(ii) of this ARTICLE II shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the
additional directorships, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the Close of Business on the 10th day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the
Corporation.
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(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be
conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of meeting. Only persons who are nominated in accordance and compliance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II shall be eligible for election to the Board at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special
meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the notice of meeting only: (i) by or at the direction of the Board, any duly authorized committee thereof, or stockholders (if stockholders are permitted to call a
special meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2 of ARTICLE SEVEN of the Certificate of Incorporation); or (ii) provided that the Board or stockholders (if stockholders are permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders
pursuant to Section 2 of ARTICLE SEVEN of the Certificate of Incorporation) has determined that directors are to be elected at such special meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who: (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of
giving of notice provided for in this Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II, and at the time of the special meeting; (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting; and (C) complies with the notice procedures provided for in this
Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II. For nominations to be properly brought by a stockholder at a special meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form as described in this
Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for the nomination of persons for election to the Board must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the Close of Business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which a Public Announcement is first
made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend
any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II will be deemed received on any given day if received prior to the Close of
Business on such day (and otherwise, on the next succeeding day). To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice shall set forth all of the information required by, and otherwise be in compliance with,
Section 11(a)(iii) of this ARTICLE II. In addition, any stockholder who submits a notice pursuant to this Section 11(b) of ARTICLE II is required to update and supplement the information disclosed
in such notice, if necessary, in accordance with Section 11(c) of this ARTICLE II and shall comply with Section 11(e) of this ARTICLE II. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for
election at the special meeting on its own behalf (or in the case of one or more stockholders giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees such stockholders may collectively nominate for election at the special meeting
on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Section 11(b), at any time prior to the Advance Notice Trigger Date, the
Principal Stockholder and any Principal Stockholder Affiliate may make nominations at any special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected without compliance with the notice, information, or other requirements of this
Section 11(b), and any such nominations shall be deemed properly brought before such meeting.
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(c) Update and Supplement of Stockholder’s Notice. Any
stockholder who submits a notice of proposal for business or nomination for election pursuant to this Section 11 of ARTICLE II is required to update and supplement the information disclosed in such notice, if necessary, so
that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting of stockholders and as of the date that is 10 Business Days prior to the meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, and received, by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five Business Days after the record
date for the meeting of stockholders in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight Business Days prior to the date for the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment, recess,
rescheduling or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 Business Days prior to the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof. In addition, if the
Noticing Stockholder has delivered to the Corporation a notice relating to the nomination of directors, the Noticing Stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation not later than eight Business Days prior to the date of the meeting or any adjournment,
recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the annual meeting has been adjourned or postponed) reasonable evidence that it has complied with the requirements of Rule
14a-19 of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the
Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or
update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.
(d) Submission of Questionnaire, Representation, and Agreement. To be qualified to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in the case of a person nominated by a stockholder in accordance with Sections 11(a) or 11(b) of this ARTICLE II, in accordance with
the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under such sections) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background
of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record identified by name within five Business Days of such written
request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record identified by name within five Business Days of such written request) that such person: (i) is not and
will not become a party to: (A) any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to
13
how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation;
or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (ii) is not and will not
become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a
director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation; and (iii) would be in compliance, and if elected as a director of the Corporation will comply, with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest,
confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation that are publicly available.
(e) Update and Supplement of Nominee Information. The Corporation may also, as a condition to any such nomination or
business being deemed properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, require any Holder or any proposed nominee to deliver to the Secretary, within five Business Days of any such request, such other information as may reasonably be
required by the Board to determine whether such proposed nominee is eligible under the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any law or regulation applicable to
the Corporation to serve as a director or independent director of the Corporation.
(f) Authority of Chair; General
Provisions. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws and subject to the supervision of the Board, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether any nomination
or other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or brought in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws (including whether the Noticing Stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person or other person, if any, on
whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made or solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such Noticing Stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with
such Noticing Stockholder’s representation as required by Section 11(a)(iii)(B)(8) of this ARTICLE II) and, if any nomination or other business is not made or brought in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that
such nomination or proposal of other business be disregarded and not acted upon; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to, and the chair of the meeting shall have no authority to disregard, any nomination or business brought by the
Principal Stockholder or any Principal Stockholder Affiliate at any time prior to the Advance Notice Trigger Date.
(g)
Effect on Other Rights. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to: (A) confer upon any stockholder a right to have a nominee or any proposed business included in the Corporation’s proxy statement, except as set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws; (B) affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation; or (C) limit the exercise,
the method, or timing of the exercise of the rights of the Principal Stockholder and the Principal Stockholder Affiliates granted by the
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Corporation to nominate directors (pursuant to that Director Designation Agreement, dated as of on or about April 20, 2026 (as amended and/or restated or supplemented from time to time, the
“Designation Agreement”)), by and among the Corporation and the investors named therein, which rights may be exercised without compliance with the provisions of Section 11 of this ARTICLE II.
(h) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II, the term:
(i) “Affiliate” has the meaning attributed to such term in Rule
12b-2 under the Exchange Act;
(ii) “Associate” has the meaning
attributed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act;
(iii)
“Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, NY are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close;
(iv) “Close of Business” shall mean 5:00 p.m. local time at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation, and if an applicable deadline falls on the Close of Business on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable deadline shall be deemed to be the Close of Business on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(v) “Derivative Instrument” means any short position, profits interest, option, warrant, convertible
security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part
from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or
other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such
contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be
subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether the stockholder and any Stockholder Related Person may have entered
into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the
Corporation;
(vi) “Hedging Transaction” means, with respect to a stockholder or any Stockholder
Associated Person, any hedging or other transaction (such as borrowed or loaned shares) or series of transactions, or any other agreement, arrangement, or understanding, the effect or intent of which is to increase or decrease the voting power or
economic or pecuniary interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to the Corporation’s securities;
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(vii) “Public Announcement” means disclosure (a) in
a press release released by the Corporation, provided such press release is released by the Corporation following its customary procedures, as reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or a
comparable news service, or is generally available on internet news sites, or (b) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(viii) “Stockholder Associated Person” means, with respect to any Holder:
(A) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A of the Exchange Act, or
any successor instructions) with such Holder in a solicitation of proxies in respect of any business or director nomination proposed by such stockholder;
(B) any Affiliate or Associate of such Holder; and
(C) any person who is a member of a “group” (as such term is used in Rule
13d-5 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision)) with such Holder; and
(ix) “Short Interest” means any agreement, arrangement, understanding relationship or otherwise, including
any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, involving any stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss
to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) or any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder
Associated Person with respect to any class or series of the shares or other securities of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value
of any class or series of the shares or other securities of the Corporation; and
(x) For purposes of these Bylaws, the
words “include,” “includes” or “including” is deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Where a reference in these Bylaws is made to any statue or regulation, such reference shall be to
(1) the statute or regulation as amended from time to time (except as context may otherwise require) and (2) any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
(i) Proxy Card. Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color
other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use by the Board.
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Section 12. Requirement to Appear. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in Section 11, if the Noticing Stockholder that has provided timely notice of a nomination or item of business in accordance with Section 11 (or a qualified representative of the Noticing
Stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present such nomination or item of business, such proposed business shall not be transacted and such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding
that such proposed business or such nomination is set forth in the notice of meeting or other proxy materials and notwithstanding that proxies or votes in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of these Bylaws,
to be considered a qualified representative of the Noticing Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Noticing Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Noticing Stockholder or an
electronic transmission delivered by such Noticing Stockholder to act for such Noticing Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the
writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
Section 13. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder
Meetings. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board 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, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for
determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record
date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next 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;
provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting in conformity herewith; and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or
an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 13 of ARTICLE II at the adjourned meeting.
Section 14. Action by Stockholders Without a Meeting. So long as stockholders of the Corporation have the right to act by written
consent in accordance with Section 1 of ARTICLE SEVEN of the Certificate of Incorporation, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Record Date. For the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a
meeting as may be permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of designation relating to any outstanding class or series of preferred stock, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 10 (or the maximum number permitted by applicable law) days after the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the
Board. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take action by consent in lieu of a meeting shall, by written notice delivered to the Secretary at the
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Corporation’s principal place of business during regular business hours, request that the Board fix a record date, which notice shall include the text of any proposed resolutions. Notices
delivered pursuant to this Section 14(a) of ARTICLE II will be deemed received on any given day only if received prior to the close of business on such day (and otherwise, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding
Business Day). The Board shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the date on which such written notice is properly delivered to and deemed received by the Secretary, adopt a resolution fixing the record date (unless a record date has
previously been fixed by the Board pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 14(a) of ARTICLE II). If no record date has been fixed by the Board pursuant to this Section 14(a) or otherwise
within 10 days of receipt of a valid request by a stockholder, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required pursuant to applicable law, shall be
the first date after the expiration of such 10 day time period on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation pursuant to Section 14(b) of this ARTICLE II;
provided, however, that if prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting shall in such an event be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(b) Generally. No consent
shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take such action are delivered to the Corporation, in the manner required by this
Section 14 of ARTICLE II, within 60 (or the maximum number permitted by applicable law) days of the first date on which a consent is delivered to the Corporation in the manner required by applicable law. The validity of any
consent executed by a proxy for a stockholder pursuant to an electronic transmission transmitted to such proxy holder by or upon the authorization of the stockholder shall be determined by or at the direction of the Secretary. A written record of
the information upon which the person making such determination relied shall be made and kept in the records of the proceedings of the stockholders. Any such consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a meeting of
stockholders. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous consent shall be given by the Corporation (at its expense) to those stockholders as of the record date for the action by consent who have not
consented and who would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and the record date for the notice of the meeting were the record date for the action by consent. A consent permitted by this
Section 14 shall be delivered: (i) to the principal place of business of the Corporation; (ii) to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded;
(iii) to the registered office of the Corporation in this State by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) subject to the next sentence, in accordance with § 116 of the DGCL to an information
processing system, if any, designated by the corporation for receiving such consents. In the case of delivery pursuant to the foregoing clause (iv), such consent must set forth or be delivered with information that enables the Corporation to
determine the date of delivery of such consent and the identity of the person giving such consent, and, if such consent is given by a person authorized to act for a stockholder or member as proxy, such consent must comply with the applicable
provisions of Section 212(c)(2) and (3) of the DGCL.
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Section 15. Conduct of Meetings.
(a) Generally. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chair, if any, or in the Chair’s absence or
disability, by the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”), or in the CEO’s absence or disability, by the President of the Corporation (the “President”), or in the President’s absence or disability, by a
Vice President of the Corporation (the “Vice President”) (in the order as determined by the Board), or in the absence or disability of the foregoing persons by a director or officer designated by the Board, or in the absence or
disability of such person, by a chair chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the Secretary’s absence or disability, the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) Rules, Regulations, and Procedures. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations, and procedures
for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of
stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations, and procedures as adopted by the Board, the chair of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to
prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations, or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by
the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those
present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies, or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine;
(iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; and (vi) restrictions on the use of mobile phones, audio or
video recording devices, and similar devices at the meeting. The chair of the meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that a nomination or matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such chair should so determine, such chair shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before
the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The
chair of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies, or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted.
The chair of the meeting shall have the power, right, and authority, for any or no reason, to convene, recess, and/or adjourn any meeting of stockholders.
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(c) Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation may, and to the extent
required by law shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated 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 chair of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers,
employees, or agents of the Corporation. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign
an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and, when the vote is completed, shall make a
certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law.
Section 16. Remote
Communication. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote
communication:
(a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
(b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place
or solely by means of remote communication;
provided that
(c) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the
meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder;
(d) the Corporation shall implement reasonable
measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially
concurrently with such proceedings; and
(e) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting
by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1.
General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.
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Section 2. Regular Meetings and Special Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board
may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board and publicized among all directors. Special meetings of the Board may be called by: (i) the Chair, if any;
(ii) by the Secretary upon the written request of a majority of the directors then in office; or (iii) if the Board then includes a director nominated or designated for nomination by the Principal Stockholder or any Principal Stockholder
Affiliate, by any director so nominated or designated, and in each case shall be held at the place, if any, on the date and at the time as he, she, or they shall fix. Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meetings of the Board need not be given except as otherwise required by law or
these Bylaws. Notice of each special meeting of the Board, and of each regular and annual meeting of the Board for which notice is required, shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided in this Section 3 of this
ARTICLE III. Such notice shall state the date, time, and place, if any, of the meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and of any regular or annual meeting for which notice is required, shall be given to each director at least: (A) 24 hours
before the meeting if by telephone or by being personally delivered or sent by overnight courier, telecopy, electronic transmission, email, or similar means; or (B) five days before the meeting if delivered by mail to the director’s
residence or usual place of business. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage prepaid, or when transmitted if sent by telex, telecopy, electronic transmission, email, or similar
means. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 4. Waiver of Notice. Any director may waive notice of any meeting of directors by a writing signed by the director or by
electronic transmission. Any member of the Board or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall have waived notice of such meeting except when such member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to
the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and does not further participate in the meeting. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall
be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the
Secretary immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.
Section 5. Chair of the Board, Quorum, Required Vote, and Adjournment. The Board may elect the Chair. The Chair must be a director
and may be an officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and the direction of the Board, he, she, or they shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the position of Chair or which are
delegated to him or her by the Board, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and Board at which he or she is present and have such powers and perform such duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Chair is not present at a
meeting of the Board, the CEO (if the CEO is a director and is not also the Chair) shall preside at such meeting, and, if the CEO is not present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present at such meeting shall elect one of the directors
present at the meeting to so preside. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided, however, that a quorum shall never be less than one-third the total number of directors. Unless by express provision of an applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws a different vote is required, the
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vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. At any meeting of the Board, business shall be transacted in such order and manner
as the Board may from time to time determine. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the directors present thereat may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 6. Committees.
(a) The Board may designate one or more committees, including an executive committee, consisting of one or more of the
directors of the Corporation, and any committees required by the rules and regulations of such exchange as any securities of the Corporation are listed. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may
replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Except to the extent restricted by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each such committee, to the extent provided by the DGCL and in the resolution creating
it, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board upon request.
(b) Each committee of the Board may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules,
except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a
quorum. All matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, in the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates
are designated by the Board, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section 7. Action by
Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all
members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After the action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or
committee in the same paper form or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.
Section 8. Compensation. The Board shall
have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees, reimbursement of expenses, and equity compensation, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity, including for attendance of meetings of the Board or participation on any
committees. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
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Section 9. Reliance on Books and Records. A member of the Board, or a member of
any committee designated by the Board, shall, in the performance of such member’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports, or statements presented to the
Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has
been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 10. Telephonic and Other Meetings. Unless
restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any one or more members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. Number and Election. Subject to the authority of the CEO to appoint officers as set forth in
Section 11 of this ARTICLE IV, the officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board and may consist of a CEO, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Chief Financial Officer (the
“CFO”), a Treasurer (the “Treasurer”), and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In its
discretion, the Board may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable.
Section 2. Term of Office.
Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal as hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed with or without cause by the Board, a duly authorized
committee thereof or by such officers as may be designated by a resolution of the Board, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer appointed by the CEO in accordance with
Section 11 of this ARTICLE IV may also be removed by the CEO in his or her sole discretion.
Section 4.
Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled by the Board or the CEO in accordance with Section 11 of this ARTICLE IV.
Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee
thereof, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the Corporation.
Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The CEO shall have the powers and perform the duties incident to that position. The CEO shall,
in the absence of the Chair, or if a Chair shall not have been elected, preside at each meeting of (a) the Board if the CEO is a director and (b) the stockholders. Subject to the powers of the Board and the Chair, the CEO shall be in
general and active charge of the entire business and affairs of the Corporation and shall be its chief policy-making officer. The CEO shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
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prescribed by the Board or provided in these Bylaws. The CEO is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring a seal under the seal of the Corporation, except where
required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. Whenever the President is unable to
serve, by reason of sickness, absence, or otherwise, the CEO shall perform all the duties and responsibilities and exercise all the powers of the President.
Section 7. President. The President of the Corporation shall, subject to the powers of the Board, the Chair, and the CEO, have
general charge of the business, affairs, and property of the Corporation, and, in the absence of the CEO, control over its officers, agents, and employees. The President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.
The President is authorized, in the absence of the CEO, to execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring a seal under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except
where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. The President shall, in the absence of the CEO, act with all of the powers and be subject to all of the restrictions
of the CEO. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Chair, the CEO, the Board, or as may be provided in these Bylaws or otherwise are incident to the position of President.
Section 8. Vice Presidents. The Vice President, or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents, in the order determined
by the Board or the Chair, shall, perform such duties and have such powers as the Board, the Chair, the CEO, the President, or these Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe or which otherwise are incident to the position of Vice President. The Vice
Presidents may also be designated as Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents, as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Section 9. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board (other than executive
sessions thereof) and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose or shall ensure that his or her designee attends each such meeting to act in such capacity. Under
the Board’s supervision, the Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices required to be given by these Bylaws or by law; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board, the Chair, the CEO, the President, or these
Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe or which otherwise are incident to the position of Secretary; and shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation. The Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the
corporate seal to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the
Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, any of the Assistant Secretaries, shall in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board, the Chair, the CEO, the President, or Secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.
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Section 10. Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The CFO shall have the
custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with applicable law or generally accepted
accounting principles; shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Chair or the Board; shall receive, and give receipts for, moneys due and payable to the Corporation
from any source whatsoever; shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; and shall render to the Board, at its regular meeting or when the
Board so requires, an account of the financial condition and operations of the Corporation; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board, the Chair, the CEO, the President, or these Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe or which
otherwise are incident to the position of CFO. The Treasurer shall in the absence or disability of the CFO, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the CFO, subject to the power of the Board. The Treasurer, if any, shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as the Board may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section 11. Appointed Officers. In addition
to officers designated by the Board in accordance with this ARTICLE IV, the CEO shall have the authority to appoint other officers below the level of Board-appointed Vice President as the CEO may from time to time deem expedient and may designate
for such officer’s titles that appropriately reflect their positions and responsibilities. Such appointed officers shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the CEO or the senior officer to whom they
report, consistent with corporate policies. An appointed officer shall serve until the earlier of such officer’s resignation or such officer’s removal by the CEO or the Board at any time, either with or without cause.
Section 12. Other Officers, Assistant Officers, and Agents. Officers, assistant officers, and agents, if any, other than those
whose duties are provided for in these Bylaws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices,
subject to the control of the Board.
Section 13. Officers’ Bonds or Other Security. If required by the Board, any
officer of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the faithful performance of such officer’s duties, in such amount and with such surety as the Board may require.
Section 14. Delegation of Authority. The Board may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other
officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.
ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
Section 1. Form. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may
provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.
If shares are represented by certificates, the certificates shall be in such form as required by applicable law and as determined by the Board. Each certificate shall certify the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation and shall be
signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by two authorized officers
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of the Corporation including, but not limited to, the Chair (if an officer), the CEO, the President, a Vice President, the CFO, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and an Assistant Secretary. Any or
all signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such
officer, transfer agent, or registrar of the Corporation whether because of death, resignation, or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been issued by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued as
though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar of the Corporation at the date of issue. All
certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The Board may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent, registrar, or both in
connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the Corporation. The Corporation, or its designated transfer agent or other agent, shall keep a book or set of books to be known as the stock transfer books of the Corporation,
containing the name of each holder of record, together with such holder’s address and the number and class or series of shares held by such holder and the date of issue. When shares are represented by certificates, the Corporation shall issue
and deliver to each holder to whom such shares have been issued or transferred, certificates representing the shares owned by such holder, and shares of stock of the Corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder
of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation or its designated transfer agent or other agent of the certificate or certificates for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person
or persons, with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization, and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty
of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate or certificates, and record the transaction on its books. When shares are not represented by certificates, shares of stock of the Corporation
shall only be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, with such evidence of the authenticity of such transfer, authorization, and other matters as the
Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps, and within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, the Corporation shall, if required by applicable law, send the holder to whom
such shares have been issued or transferred a written statement of the information required by applicable law. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or any other instrument, the rights and
obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock, and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 2. Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue or direct a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares to be
issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of the lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares, the Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct, sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft,
or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
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Section 3. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner, except as otherwise
required by applicable law. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares of stock on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof,
except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Purposes Other Than Stockholder Meetings or
Actions by Written Consent. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, other distribution or allotment, or any rights, or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect
of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action (other than stockholder meetings and stockholder consents which are expressly governed by Sections 12, 13 and 14 of ARTICLE II
hereof), the Board 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 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 adopts the resolution relating thereto.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Dividends. Subject to and in accordance with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and any
certificate of designation relating to any series of preferred stock, dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared and paid by the Board in accordance with applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property,
or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for
dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose. The Board may modify or abolish any such reserves in the manner in which they were created.
Section 2. Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc. All checks, notes, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation
shall be signed, endorsed, or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person, or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board, or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board to make such designation.
Section 3. Contracts. In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant to ARTICLE IV, the Board may authorize
any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances.
Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by
resolution of the Board.
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Section 5. Corporate Seal. The Board may provide a corporate seal which shall be
in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or
otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no seal shall be required by virtue of Section 5 of this ARTICLE VI.
Section 6. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other corporation or entity held by the Corporation
shall be voted by the Chair, CEO, the President, or the CFO, unless the Board specifically confers authority to vote with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any
person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.
Section 7.
Facsimile/Electronic Signatures. In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, docusign, facsimile, and other forms of electronic signatures of any officer or director of the
Corporation may be used to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Section 8. Section Headings. Section headings in
these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.
Section 9. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision (or part thereof) of these Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent
with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the DGCL, any other applicable law, or the Designation Agreement, the provision (or part thereof) of these Bylaws shall be construed to be consistent with such other provision or provisions,
and to the extent such provision may not be so construed, such provision shall be deemed amended to incorporate such other provision so as to eliminate any such inconsistency and as so amended shall be given full force and effect.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Right to Indemnification and Advancement. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a
party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “proceeding”), by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, manager, officer, employee, or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an
official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter
be amended, against all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes, or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time
(“ERISA”) and any other penalties and
28
amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to
be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors, and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this
ARTICLE VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advance of expenses (as defined herein), the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such
indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the specific case by the Board of the Corporation. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred herein, an indemnitee shall also have the right, to the fullest extent
not prohibited by law, to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advance of expenses”); provided, however, that if and to the extent
that the DGCL requires, an advance of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately
be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under Section 1 of
this ARTICLE VII or otherwise. The Corporation may also, by action of its Board, provide indemnification and advancement to employees and agents of the Corporation. Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this ARTICLE VII shall be deemed
to refer exclusively to the Chair, CEO, President, CFO, Secretary, and Treasurer appointed pursuant to ARTICLE IV, and to any Vice President, Assistant Secretary, assistant treasurer, or other officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board or the
CEO pursuant to ARTICLE IV of these Bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the Board or equivalent governing body of such other entity pursuant to the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of such other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other enterprise has been given or has used the
title of “Vice President” or any other title, including any title granted to such person by the CEO pursuant to Section 11 of ARTICLE IV, that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be
an officer of the Corporation or of such other enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other enterprise for purposes of this ARTICLE VII unless such
person’s appointment to such office was approved by the Board pursuant to ARTICLE IV.
Section 2. Procedure for
Indemnification. Any claim for indemnification or advance of expenses by an indemnitee under Section 2 of this ARTICLE VII shall be made promptly, and in any event within 45 days (or, in the case of an advance of
expenses, 20 days, provided that the director or officer has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII if required), upon the written request of the indemnitee. If the Corporation denies
a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 45 days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, 20 days, provided that the indemnitee has
delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII if required), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this ARTICLE VII shall be enforceable by the indemnitee 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 to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the
29
undertaking required pursuant to Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct which makes it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proof shall be on the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including the Board, a committee thereof, 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 the Board, 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. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or
was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee, or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, or other enterprise against any expense, liability, or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability, or loss under the DGCL.
Section 4. Service for Subsidiaries. Any person serving as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee,
or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Corporation (a “subsidiary” for purposes of this ARTICLE
VII) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.
Section 5. Reliance.
Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, manager, officer, employee, or agent of a
subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses, and other rights contained in this ARTICLE VII in entering into or continuing such service. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights
to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof. Any
amendment, alteration, or repeal of this ARTICLE VII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any
occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.
Section 6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights; Continuation of Rights of Indemnification. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which
any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this ARTICLE VII shall be
deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this ARTICLE VII is in effect. Any repeal
30
or modification of this ARTICLE VII or repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the DGCL or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification and
advancement of expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions, or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of
such repeal or modification.
Section 7. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this ARTICLE VII, references to the
“Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this ARTICLE VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as
he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
Section 8. Savings
Clause. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if this ARTICLE VII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and advance expenses to each
person entitled to indemnification under Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII as to all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties,
and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification and advancement of expenses is available to such person pursuant to this ARTICLE VII to
the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this ARTICLE VII that shall not have been invalidated.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended,
altered, changed, or repealed or new Bylaws adopted only in accordance with Section 1 of ARTICLE TEN of the Certificate of Incorporation.
* * * * *
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EX-4.1
EX-4.1
Filename: d123077dex41.htm · Sequence: 5
EX-4.1
Exhibit 4.1
AEVEX CORP.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of April 20, 2026 among AEVEX Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), each of the investors listed on the signature pages hereto under the caption “Sponsor Investors” (collectively, the “Sponsor Investors”), FNF Holdco Corp., a Delaware
corporation, Bilcar Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation (and together with FNF Holdco Corp, the “FNF Investors”), Radz Capital AEVEX Holdings Inc. (and together with the FNF Investors, the “Preferred
Investors”), each Person listed on the signature pages under the caption “Other Investors” or who executes a Joinder as an “Other Investor” (collectively, the “Other Investors”) and each of the
executives listed on the signature pages under the caption “Executives” or who executes a Joinder as an “Executive” (collectively, the “Executives”). Except as otherwise specified herein, all capitalized
terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A attached hereto.
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
Section 1 Demand Registrations.
(a) Requests for Registration(b) . This Section 1(a) describes the circumstances under which certain holders
of Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar
long-form registration (a “Long-Form Registration”), or, if available, on Form S-3 (including pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act) or
any similar short-form registration (a “Short-Form Registration”), if available, by delivering a written request to the Company for the registration of such Sponsor Investor Registrable
Securities. Any registration requested pursuant to this Section 1(a) is referred to herein as a “Demand Registration.” Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of
Registrable Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range for such offering. Within four (4) days after receipt of any such request, the Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all
other holders of Registrable Securities and, subject to Section 1(f) below, shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein
within seven (7) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice of such requested registration to such other Holders of Registrable Securities. Subject to this Section 1 and Section 3,
after delivery of such request for a Demand Registration, the Company (i) shall file promptly (and, in any event, within (x) thirty (30) days in the case of a request for a Long-Form Registration or (y) fourteen (14) days in the case
of a request for a Short-Form Registration, in each case, following delivery of such request for a Demand Registration to the Company) with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement relating to such Demand Registration (a
“Demand Registration Statement”) and (ii) shall use its best efforts to cause such Demand Registration Statement to promptly become effective under the Securities Act.
(b) Long-Form Registrations. Subject to Section 1(f), at any
time and from time to time so long as the Sponsor Investors hold any Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities, the Sponsor Investors shall be entitled to request three (3) Long-Form Registrations, in which the Company shall pay all registration
expenses, whether or not any such registration is consummated; provided, that if the Sponsor Investors initiate a Demand Registration, the other holders of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to participation in such registration in
accordance with Section 2.
(c) Short-Form Registrations.
(i) In addition to the Long-Form Registrations provided pursuant to Section 1(b), subject to
Section 1(f) and for so long as the Sponsor Investors hold any Registrable Securities, the Sponsor Investors shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short-Form
Registrations in which the Company shall pay all registration expenses, whether or not any such registration is consummated; provided, that the other holders of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to participation in such registration in
accordance with Section 2.
(ii) Subject to Section 1(f). and so long
as the Preferred Investors hold any Registrable Securities, the Majority Preferred Investors shall be entitled to request unlimited Short-Form Registrations (the “Preferred Investor Demand Registrations”) in which the Company
shall pay all registration expenses, whether or not any such registration is consummated; provided, that the other holders of Registrable Securities (including the Sponsor Investors) shall be entitled to participation in such registration in
accordance with Section 2; provided further that the aggregate anticipated offering price of each underwritten offering is at least $50.0 million.
(iii) Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is
permitted to use any applicable short form. The Company shall use its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations on Form S-3 available for the sale of Registrable
Securities.
(d) Shelf Registrations.
(i) For so long as a registration statement for a Shelf Registration (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) is
and remains effective, the Sponsor Investors and the Majority Preferred Investors will have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an offering (including an underwritten offering) Registrable Securities available for
sale pursuant to such registration statement (“Shelf Registrable Securities”); provided that the aggregate anticipated offering price of each such underwritten offering requested by the Majority Preferred Investors is at
least $50.0 million. If the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors desire to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to an underwritten offering, then such investors may deliver to the Company a written notice (a “Shelf
Offering Notice”) specifying the number of Shelf Registrable Securities that such investors desire to sell pursuant to such underwritten offering (the “Shelf Offering”). As promptly as practicable, but in no event later
than two (2) Business Days after receipt of a Shelf Offering Notice, the Company will give written notice of such Shelf Offering Notice to all other Holders of Shelf Registrable Securities that have been identified as selling stockholders in
such Shelf Registration Statement and are otherwise permitted to sell in such Shelf Offering, which such notice shall request that each such Holder specify, within seven (7) days after the Company’s receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice,
the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities such Holder desires to be disposed of in such Shelf Offering. The Company, subject to Section 1(e) and Section 7, will include in such Shelf
Offering all Shelf Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received timely written requests for inclusion. The Company will, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within fourteen (14) days after the receipt of a
Shelf Offering Notice), but subject to Section 1(e), use its best efforts to consummate such Shelf Offering.
(ii) If the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors desire to engage in an underwritten block trade or bought deal
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement) (each, an “Underwritten Block Trade”), then
notwithstanding the time periods set forth in Section 1(d)(i), the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors may notify the Company of the Underwritten Block Trade not less than two (2) Business
Days prior to the day such offering is first anticipated to commence. The Company will
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promptly notify other Holders of such Underwritten Block Trade and such notified Holders (each, a “Potential Participant”) may elect whether or not to participate no later than
the next Business Day (i.e. one (1) Business Day prior to the day such offering is to commence) (unless a longer period is agreed to by the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors, as applicable), and the Company will as
expeditiously as possible use its best efforts to facilitate such Underwritten Block Trade (which may close as early as two (2) Business Days after the date it commences). Any Potential Participant’s request to participate in an
Underwritten Block Trade shall be binding on the Potential Participant.
(iii) All determinations as to whether to complete
any Shelf Offering and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms of any Shelf Offering contemplated by this Section 1(d) shall be determined by the Sponsor Investors (or the Majority Preferred Investors in the case of
a Shelf Offering initiated by the Majority Preferred Investors), and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause any Shelf Offering to occur in accordance with such determinations as promptly as practicable.
(iv) The Company will, at the request of the Sponsor Investors (or the Majority Preferred Investors in the case of a Shelf
Offering initiated by the Majority Preferred Investors), file any prospectus supplement or any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by the
Sponsor Investors to effect such Shelf Offering.
(e) Priority on Demand Registrations and Shelf Offerings. The Company will not
include in any Demand Registration any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. If a Demand Registration or a Shelf
Offering is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and (if permitted hereunder) other securities requested to be included in such offering
exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities (if any), which can be sold therein without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, then the Company will
include in such offering (prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities) the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included by any Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any
such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Executive Registrable Securities have requested to
include such securities in an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters for such offering advise the Company that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Executive Registrable Securities could adversely affect the
marketability, proposed offering price, timing and/or method of distribution of the offering, then the Company shall exclude from such offering the number of such Executive Registrable Securities identified by the managing underwriters as having any
such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of any Registrable Securities of any other Holders as set forth in this Section 1(e), which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be all such Executive Registrable Securities requested
to be included such offering.
(f) Restrictions on Demand Registration and Shelf Offerings.
(i) The Company may postpone, for up to 60 days from the date of the request (the “Suspension Period”), the
filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration or suspend the use of a prospectus that is part of a Shelf Registration Statement (and therefore suspend sales of the Shelf Registrable Securities) by providing
written notice to the Holders if the following conditions are met: (A) the Company determines that the offer or sale of Registrable Securities would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any
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proposal or plan by the Company or any Subsidiary to engage in any material acquisition of assets or stock (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any material merger, consolidation,
tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, financing or other transaction involving the Company; and (B) upon advice of counsel, the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement would require disclosure of material
non-public information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law, and either (x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of such transaction or
(y) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with SEC requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause the registration statement (or such filings) to become effective or to
promptly amend or supplement the registration statement on a post effective basis, as applicable. The Company may delay or suspend the effectiveness of a Demand Registration or Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this
Section 1(f)(i) only once in any twelve (12)-month period (for avoidance of doubt, in addition to the Company’s rights and obligations under Section 4(a)(vi)) unless additional delays or
suspensions are approved by the Sponsor Investors.
(ii) In the case of an event that causes the Company to suspend the use
of a Shelf Registration Statement as set forth in Section 1(f)(i) above or pursuant to Section 4(a)(vi) (a “Suspension Event”), the Company will give a
notice to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (a “Suspension Notice”) to suspend sales of the Registrable Securities and such notice must state generally the basis
for the notice and that such suspension will continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing. Each Holder agrees not to effect any sales of its Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (or
such filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice. A Holder may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice will be given by the Company to the Holders promptly following the
conclusion of any Suspension Event (and in any event during the permitted Suspension Period).
(g) Selection of Underwriters. The
Sponsor Investors shall select each of the legal counsel to the Company, the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer any underwritten offering in connection with any Demand Registration or Shelf Offering; provided, that the Majority
Preferred Investors shall have the right to select the investment banker(s), manager(s) and legal counsel for a Preferred Investor Demand Registration and a Shelf Offering or Underwritten Block Trade initiated by the Majority Preferred Investors
(such selections(s) to be subject to the written approval of the Sponsor Investors, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(h) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company will not grant to any Person(s) the right to request
the Company or any Subsidiary to register any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the Sponsor Investors;
provided that, with the prior approval of the Sponsor Investors, the Company may grant rights to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries to participate in Piggyback Registrations so long as they sign a Joinder as an
“Executive” and Holder of “Executive Registrable Securities” hereunder.
(i) Revocation of Demand Notice or
Shelf Offering Notice. At any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating to a Demand Registration or the “pricing” of any offering relating to a Shelf Offering Notice, the Sponsor Investors or
Majority Preferred Investors who initiated such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering may revoke or withdraw such notice of a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering Notice on behalf of all Holders participating in such Demand Registration or Shelf
Offering without liability to such Holders, in each case by providing written notice to the Company.
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(j) Confidentiality. Each Holder agrees to treat as confidential the receipt of any
notice hereunder (including notice of a Demand Registration, a Shelf Offering Notice and a Suspension Notice) and the information contained therein, and not to disclose the information contained in any such notice (or the existence thereof) without
the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally (other than as a result of disclosure by such Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement).
Section 2 Piggyback Registrations.
(a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (including
primary and secondary registrations, and other than pursuant to an Excluded Registration) (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company will give prompt written notice (and in any event within three (3) Business
Days after the public filing of the registration statement relating to the Piggyback Registration) to all Holders of its intention to effect such Piggyback Registration and, subject to the terms of Section 2(b) and
Section 2(c), will include in such Piggyback Registration (and in all related registrations or qualifications under blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company
has received written requests for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after delivery of the Company’s notice. Any participating Sponsor Investor or Preferred Investor may withdraw its request for inclusion at any time prior to
executing the underwriting agreement, or if none, prior to the applicable registration statement becoming effective.
(b) Priority on
Primary Registrations. Other than the securities the Company proposes to register on its own behalf, the Company will not include in any Piggyback Registration any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent
of the Sponsor Investors. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be
included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company will include in such
registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold,
without any such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the
opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Executive Registrable Securities have requested to include such securities in a Piggyback Registration that
is an underwritten primary offering on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriters for such offering advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Executive Registrable Securities could adversely
affect the marketability, proposed offering price, timing and/or method of distribution of the offering, the Company shall first exclude from such offering the number (which may be all) of such Executive Registrable Securities identified by the
managing underwriters as having any such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of any securities in such offering.
(c) Priority on
Secondary Registrations. Other than the securities the Company proposes to register on its own behalf, the Company will not include in any Piggyback Registration any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written
consent of the Sponsor Investors. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s equity securities (other than pursuant to Section 1 hereof), and the managing underwriters
advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds
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the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company will include in
such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders initially requesting such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect,
(ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holder which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can be sold, without any such adverse effect, pro rata among such Holders on the basis
of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any Holders of Executive Registrable Securities have requested to include such securities in a Piggyback Registration that is an underwritten secondary offering and the managing underwriters for
such offering advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of some or all of such Executive Registrable Securities could adversely affect the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the
offering, the Company shall be permitted to first exclude from such offering the number (which may be all) of such Executive Registrable Securities identified by the managing underwriters as having any such adverse effect prior to the exclusion of
any securities in such offering.
(d) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company will have the right to terminate or withdraw any
registration initiated by it under this Section 2, whether or not any holder of Registrable Securities has elected to include securities in such registration.
(e) Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten offering, the Sponsor Investors shall select each of
the legal counsel for the Company, the investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering.
Section 3 Stockholder Lock-Up Agreements and Company Holdback Agreement.
(a) Stockholder Lock-up Agreements. In connection with any underwritten Public Offering, each Holder will enter into any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the
underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Sponsor Investors. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Holder hereby agrees, in connection with the initial
Public Offering and in connection with any Demand Registration, Shelf Offering or Piggyback Registration that is an underwritten Public Offering, that such Holder shall not (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of
(including sales pursuant to Rule 144), directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company (including equity securities of the Company that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such Holder in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the SEC) (collectively, “Securities”), or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities (collectively, “Other Securities”), (ii) enter into a transaction
which would have the same effect as described in clause (i) above, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Securities or Other Securities,
whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities or Other Securities, in cash or otherwise (each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, a “Sale Transaction”), or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to
enter into any Sale Transaction, commencing on the earlier of (A) the date on which the Company gives notice to the Holders that a preliminary prospectus for such underwritten Public Offering has been circulated to potential investors or
(B) the “pricing” of such offering, and continuing to the date that is (x) 180 days following the date of the final prospectus for such underwritten Public Offering in the case of the initial Public Offering or (y) 90 days
following the date of the final prospectus in the case of any other such underwritten Public Offering (each such period, or such shorter period as agreed to by the managing underwriters, a “Holdback Period”), in each case with
such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Sponsor Investors. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to any Securities or Other Securities subject to the restrictions set forth in this
Section 3(a) until the end of
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such Holdback Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates are permitted to hold their Securities subject
to lock-up restrictions which are more favorable to the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates than the lock-up restrictions applicable to the
Securities held by the Preferred Investors under this Section 3, the lock-up restrictions applicable to such Securities held by the Preferred Investors will be automatically
amended to conform to the more favorable lock-up restrictions applicable to the Securities held by the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates. Following the date of this Agreement until such time as
the Sponsor Investors shall no longer beneficially own at least 50% of the Common Equity beneficially owned by them on the date of this Agreement (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like), no Holder shall
transfer such Holder’s Common Equity if such transfer would result in the Relative Ownership Percentage of such Holder immediately following such transfer being less than the Relative Ownership Percentage of the Sponsor Investors immediately
following such transfer.
(b) Company Holdback Agreement. The Company (i) will not file any registration statement for a
Public Offering or cause any such registration statement to become effective, or effect any public sale or distribution of its Securities or Other Securities during any Holdback Period (other than as part of such underwritten Public Offering, or a
registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or similar form which is (x) then in effect or (y) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange
or exercise of any then outstanding Other Securities) and (ii) will cause each holder of Securities and Other Securities (including each of its directors and executive officers) to agree not to effect any Sale Transaction during any Holdback
Period, except as part of such underwritten registration (if otherwise permitted), unless approved in writing by the Sponsor Investors and the underwriters managing the Public Offering and to enter into any
lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Sponsor Investors.
Section 4 Registration Procedures.
(a) Company Obligations. Whenever the Holders have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement
or have initiated a Shelf Offering, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will as
expeditiously as possible:
(i) prepare and file with (or submit confidentially to) the SEC a registration statement, and
all amendments and supplements thereto and related prospectuses, with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, all in accordance with the Securities Act and all
applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (provided that before filing or confidentially submitting a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by
the Sponsor Investors covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed or submitted, which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such counsel);
(ii) notify each Holder of (A) the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any registration
statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (B) the receipt by the Company or its counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or
the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (C) the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder;
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(iii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such
registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period ending when all of the securities covered by such registration statement have been disposed of in
accordance with the intended methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (but not in any event before the expiration of any longer period required under the Securities Act or, if such registration
statement relates to an underwritten Public Offering, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sale of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer)
and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth
in such registration statement;
(iv) furnish, without charge, to each seller of Registrable Securities thereunder and each
underwriter, if any, such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) (in each case including all exhibits and
documents incorporated by reference therein), each amendment and supplement thereto, each Free Writing Prospectus and such other documents as such seller or underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable laws of each such registration statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto, and each such prospectus (or preliminary
prospectus or supplement thereto) or Free Writing Prospectus by each such seller of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or
prospectus);
(v) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the
Registrable Securities owned by such seller (provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph,
(B) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction);
(vi) notify in writing each seller of such Registrable Securities (A) promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
date and time when such registration statement and each post-effective amendment thereto has become effective or a prospectus or supplement to any prospectus relating to a registration statement has been filed and when any registration or
qualification has become effective under a state securities or blue sky law or any exemption thereunder has been obtained, (B) promptly after receipt thereof, of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplementing of such registration
statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event or of any information or circumstances as a result of
which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, subject to Section 1(f), if
required by applicable law or to the extent requested by the Sponsor Investor, the Company will use its best efforts to promptly prepare and file a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such
Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the
Company in any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct;
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(vii) (A) use best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be
listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on a securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two
market markers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with FINRA, and (B) comply (and continue to comply) with the requirements of any self-regulatory organization applicable to the Company, including without limitation
all corporate governance requirements;
(viii) use best efforts to provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such
Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(ix) enter into and perform such
customary agreements (including, as applicable, underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the Sponsor Investors or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, making available the executive officers of the Company and participating in “road shows,” investor presentations, marketing events and other selling efforts and effecting a
stock or unit split or combination, recapitalization or reorganization);
(x) make available for inspection by any seller
of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition or sale pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate and business documents and properties of the Company as will be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and
independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement and the disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant thereto;
(xi) take all actions to ensure that any Free-Writing Prospectus utilized in connection with any Demand Registration or
Piggyback Registration or Shelf Offering hereunder complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the
extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, prospectus supplement and related documents, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(xii) otherwise use its best efforts to
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of
the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
(xiii) permit any Holder which, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling
person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to allow such Holder to provide language for insertion therein, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which in the reasonable
judgment of such Holder and its counsel should be included;
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(xiv) use best efforts to (A) make Short-Form Registration available
for the sale of Registrable Securities and (B) prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the issuance of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or
suspending the qualification of any Common Equity included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction use, and in the event any such order is issued, best efforts to obtain promptly the withdrawal of such order;
(xv) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(xvi) cooperate with the Holders covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing securities to be sold under the registration statement, or the removal of any restrictive legends associated with any account at which
such securities are held, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter, or agent, if any, or such Holders may request;
(xvii) if requested by any managing underwriter, include in any prospectus or prospectus supplement updated financial or
business information for the Company’s most recent period or current quarterly period (including estimated results or ranges of results) if required for purposes of marketing the offering in the view of the managing underwriter;
(xviii) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided, however,
that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take such action as is necessary to make any such prohibition inapplicable;
(xix) (A) cooperate with each Holder covered by the registration statement and each underwriter or agent participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with the preparation and filing of applications, notices, registrations and responses to requests for additional information with FINRA, the New York Stock
Exchange, Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Equity are or are to be listed, and (B) to the extent required by the rules and regulations of FINRA, retain a Qualified Independent Underwriter acceptable
to the managing underwriter;
(xx) in the case of any underwritten offering, use its best efforts to obtain, and
deliver to the underwriter(s), in the manner and to the extent provided for in the applicable underwriting agreement, one or more cold comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such
matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters;
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(xxi) use its best efforts to provide (A) a legal opinion of the
Company’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such registration statement addressed to the Company, (B) on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale in connection with a Demand
Registration or Shelf Offering, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through underwriters, on the closing date of the applicable sale, (1) one or more legal opinions of the
Company’s outside counsel, dated such date, in form and substance as customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering or, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker,
placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting in the sale of the Registrable Securities and (2) one or more “negative assurances letters” of the Company’s outside counsel, dated such date, in form and substance as is
customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering or, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker, placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting in the sale of the
Registrable Securities, in each case, addressed to the underwriters, if any, or, if requested, in the case of a non-underwritten offering, to the broker, placement agent or other agent of the Holders assisting
in the sale of the Registrable Securities and (3) customary certificates executed by authorized officers of the Company as may be requested by any Holder or any underwriter of such Registrable Securities;
(xxii) if the Company files an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities, use its best efforts
to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is required to remain effective;
(xxiii) if the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time an Automatic Shelf
Registration Statement is filed, pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold;
(xxiv)
if the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year, refile a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities, and, if at any time when the
Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, use its best efforts to refile the Shelf Registration Statement on Form
S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to
be kept effective; and
(xxv) if requested by any Participating Sponsor Investor, cooperate with such Participating Sponsor
Investor and with the managing underwriter or agent, if any, on reasonable notice to facilitate any Charitable Gifting Event and to prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used
in connection therewith as may be necessary to permit any such recipient Charitable Organization to sell in the underwritten offering if it so elects.
(b) Officer Obligations. Each Holder that is an officer of the Company agrees that if and for so long as he or she is employed by the
Company or any Subsidiary thereof, he or she will participate fully in the sale process in a manner customary for persons in like positions and consistent with his or her other duties with the Company, including the preparation of the registration
statement and the preparation and presentation of any road shows.
(c) Automatic Shelf Registration Statements. If the Company
files any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, and the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors do not request that their Registrable Securities be included
in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company agrees that, at the request of the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors, it will include in such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B
in order to ensure that the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of
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a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment. If the Company has filed any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other
than the Holders, the Company shall, at the request of the Sponsor Investors or Majority Preferred Investors, file any post-effective amendments necessary to include therein all disclosure and language necessary to ensure that the holders of
Registrable Securities may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(d) Additional Information. The Company may require each
seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing,
as a condition to such seller’s participation in such registration.
(e) In-Kind
Distributions. If any Sponsor Investor (and/or any of their Affiliates) seeks to effectuate an in-kind distribution of all or part of their Registrable Securities to their respective direct or indirect
equityholders, the Company will, subject to any applicable lock-ups, reasonably cooperate with and assist such stockholder, such equityholders and the Company’s transfer agent to facilitate such in-kind distribution in the manner reasonably requested by such Sponsor Investor (including the delivery of instruction letters by the Company or its counsel to the Company’s transfer agent, the delivery of
customary legal opinions by counsel to the Company and the delivery of Common Equity without restrictive legends, to the extent no longer applicable).
(f) Suspended Distributions. Each Person participating in a registration hereunder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from
the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(a)(vi), such Person will immediately discontinue the disposition of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement until such
Person’s receipt of the copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by Section 4(a)(vi), subject to the Company’s compliance with its obligations under
Section 4(a)(vi).
(g) Registerable Securities Transactions. If requested by any Holder in connection
with any transaction involving any Registrable Securities (including any sale or other transfer of such securities without registration under the Securities Act, any margin loan with respect to such securities and any pledge of such securities), the
Company agrees to provide such Holder with customary and reasonable assistance to facilitate such transaction, including, without limitation, (i) such action as such Holder may reasonably request from time to time to enable such Holder to sell
Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act and (ii) entering into an “issuer’s agreement” in connection with any margin loan with respect to such securities in customary form.
(h) Other. To the extent that any of the Participating Sponsor Investors is or may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of
Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies, the Company agrees that (i) the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in Section 6 shall be applicable to the benefit of such
Participating Sponsor Investor in their role as an underwriter or deemed underwriter in addition to their capacity as a holder and (ii) such Participating Sponsor Investor shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence which they would normally
conduct in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including without limitation receipt of customary opinions and comfort letters addressed to such Participating Sponsor Investor.
Section 5 Expenses. Except as expressly provided herein, all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company or any Sponsor Investor or Preferred Investor in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement
and/or in connection with any sale, transfers, distributions or other disposition of Registrable Securities by any Sponsor Investor or Preferred Investor, including pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Shelf Offering, whether
or not the same shall become effective, shall be paid by the Company, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees,
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and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the SEC or FINRA, (ii) all fees and expenses in connection with compliance with any securities or “blue
sky” laws, (iii) all expenses associated with filings required to be made with the SEC by any Sponsor Investors reporting a change in beneficial ownership, (iv) all printing, duplicating, word processing, messenger, telephone,
facsimile and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company or other depositary and of printing prospectuses and Company Free Writing
Prospectuses), (v) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of all independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and cold comfort letters required by or incident to such
performance), (vi) Securities Act liability insurance or similar insurance if the Company so desires or the underwriters so require in accordance with then-customary underwriting practice, (vii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar securities of the Company are then listed (or on which exchange the Registrable Securities are proposed to be listed in the case of the initial Public Offering),
(viii) all applicable rating agency fees with respect to the Registrable Securities, (ix) all fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the Company, (x) all reasonable fees and disbursements of one legal counsel for selling Holders
selected by the Sponsor Investors (which may be the same counsel as selected for the Company) together with any necessary local counsel as may be required by the Sponsor Investors, (xi) all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel for
the Majority Preferred Investors participating in such Registration (or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, each Holder selling Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement) solely in connection with the preparation of any legal
opinions requested by the underwriters in respect of such Holder personally, (xii) any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, (xii) all fees and expenses of any special experts or other
Persons retained by the Company in connection with any Registration, (xiii) all of the Company’s internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties) and
(xiv) all expenses related to the “road-show” for any underwritten offering, including all travel, meals and lodging. All such expenses are referred to herein as “Expenses.” The Company shall not be required to
pay, and each Person that sells securities pursuant to a Demand Registration, Shelf Offering or Piggyback Registration hereunder will bear and pay, all underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Registrable Securities sold for such
Person’s account and all transfer taxes (if any) attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities.
Section 6
Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) By the Company. The Company will indemnify, defend and hold harmless, and pay on
behalf of and reimburse (whether or not due and payable and whether or not arising out of a third party claim), to the fullest extent permitted by law and without limitation as to time, each Holder, such Holder’s officers, directors employees,
agents, fiduciaries, stockholders, managers, partners, members, Affiliates, direct and indirect equityholders, consultants and representatives, and any successors and assigns thereof, and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of
the Securities Act) (the “Indemnified Parties”) against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including with respect to actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, and including reasonable
attorney fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) caused by, resulting from, arising out of, based upon or related to any of the following (each, a “Violation”) by the Company (i) any untrue or alleged
untrue statement of material fact contained in (A) any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free-Writing Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (B) any
application or other document or communication (in this Section 6, collectively called an “application”) executed by or on behalf of the Company or based upon written information furnished by or on behalf
of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify any securities covered by such registration under the “blue sky” or securities laws thereof, (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) any Violation or alleged Violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any other similar federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation
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promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance. In addition, the
Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be liable in any such
case to the extent that any such Losses result from, arise out of, are based upon, or relate to an untrue statement, or omission made in such registration statement, any such prospectus, preliminary prospectus or
Free-Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished in writing to the Company by such
Indemnified Party expressly for use therein or by such Indemnified Party’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Indemnified Party
with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors, and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Indemnified Parties or as otherwise agreed to in the underwriting agreement executed in connection with such underwritten offering. Such indemnity and
reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.
(b) By Holders. In connection with any registration statement in which a Holder is participating, each such Holder will furnish to the
Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, will indemnify the Company, its officers, directors,
employees, agents and representatives, and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any Losses resulting from (as determined by a final and appealable judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction) any untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided
that the obligation to indemnify will be individual, not joint and several, for each Holder and will be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.
(c) Claim Procedure. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying
party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice will impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder only to the extent such failure has prejudiced the
indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume
the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent
(but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties
with respect to such claim. In such instance, the conflicted indemnified parties will have a right to retain one separate counsel, chosen by the majority of the conflicted indemnified parties involved in the indemnification and approved by the
Sponsor Investor, at the expense of the indemnifying party.
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(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to, or is insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party or is otherwise unenforceable with respect to any Loss referred to herein, then such
indemnifying party will contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Loss, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the
indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Loss as well as any other relevant equitable considerations or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this
Section 6(d) is not permitted by applicable law, then in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative fault but also the relative benefit of the Company on the one hand and of the sellers of
Registrable Securities and any other sellers participating in the registration statement on the other in connection with the statement or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations;
provided that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution will be limited, in the case of each seller of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such seller from the sale of
Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party will be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue (or, as applicable alleged) untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if the contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other
method of allocation that does not take into account such equitable considerations. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to herein will be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any action or claim which is the subject hereof. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities
Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) Release. No
indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
(f)
Non-exclusive Remedy; Survival. The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement will be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution
that any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract (and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be considered the indemnitors of first resort in all such circumstances to which this Section 6 applies) and will
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of Registrable Securities and the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Section 7 Cooperation with Underwritten Offerings. No Person may participate in
any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the underwriters; provided that no Holder will be required to sell more than the number of Registrable
Securities such Holder has requested to include in such registration) and (ii) completes, executes and delivers all questionnaires, powers of attorney, stock powers, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents
and agreements required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements or as may be reasonably requested by the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s). To the extent that any such agreement is entered into pursuant to, and consistent with,
Section 3, Section 4 and/or this Section 7, the respective rights and obligations created under such agreement will supersede the respective rights and obligations of the
Holders, the Company and the underwriters created thereby with respect to such registration.
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Section 8 Subsidiary Public Offering. If, after an initial Public Offering of
the common equity securities of one of its Subsidiaries, the Company distributes securities of such Subsidiary to its equityholders, then the rights and obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement will apply, mutatis mutandis, to
such Subsidiary, and the Company will cause such Subsidiary to comply with such Subsidiary’s obligations under this Agreement as if it were the Company hereunder.
Section 9 Joinder. The Company may from time to time (with the prior written consent of the Sponsor Investors) permit any Person
who acquires Common Equity (or rights to acquire Common Equity) to become a party to this Agreement and to be entitled to and be bound by all of the rights and obligations as a Holder by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such
Person in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Upon the execution and delivery of a Joinder by such Person, the Common Equity held by such Person shall become the category of Registrable
Securities (i.e. Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities, Other Investor Registrable Securities or Executive Registrable Securities), and such Person shall be deemed the category of Holder (i.e., Sponsor Investor, Other Investor or
Executive), in each case as set forth on the signature page to such Joinder.
Section 10 General Provisions.
(a) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived
only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Sponsor Investors who are then Holders; provided that no such amendment, modification or waiver that would treat a specific Holder or group of Holders of Registrable Securities (i.e.,
Sponsor Investors, Other Investors or Executives) in a manner materially and adversely different than any other Holder or group of Holders will be effective against such Holder or group of Holders without the consent of the holders of a majority of
the Registrable Securities that are held by the group of Holders that is materially and adversely affected thereby. The failure or delay of any Person to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of such
provisions and will not affect the right of such Person thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. A waiver or consent to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person
of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement will not be deemed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person under this Agreement.
(b) Remedies. The parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically (without posting
a bond or other security), to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would
cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing hereunder, any party will be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief
from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or regulation in any jurisdiction, such prohibition, invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as
if such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
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(d) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains
the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, which
may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
(e) Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, this
Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and permitted assigns. Each of the Sponsor Investors may assign its rights hereunder to its Affiliates; provided, that such purchaser or transferee
shall, as a condition to the effectiveness of such assignment, be required to cause such prospective transferee to execute and deliver to the Company a Joinder. Except as otherwise provided herein, the rights under this Agreement are personal to the
Holders and are not assignable without the prior written consent of each of the Company and the Sponsor Investors.
(f) Notices.
Any notice, demand or other communication to be given under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by
confirmed electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; but if not, then on the next Business Day, (iii) one Business Day after it is sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or
(iv) three Business Days after it is mailed to the recipient by first class mail, return receipt requested. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the Company at the address specified on the signature page hereto or any
Joinder and to any holder, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any party may change such party’s address for receipt of notice by giving
prior written notice of the change to the sending party as provided herein. The Company’s address is:
AEVEX Corp.
440 Stevens Ave #150
Solana
Beach, California 92075
Attn: Chief Legal Officer
Email: [***]
With a copy
to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 West Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attn:
Robert M. Hayward, P.C.
Michael P. Keeley, P.C.
Kevin Frank
Email: [***]; [***]; [***]
or to such
other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.
(g) Business Days. If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day that is not a Business Day, the
time period will automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
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(h) Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity,
interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or
provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Delaware
will control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all schedules and exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would
ordinarily apply.
(i) MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO
ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY
FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(j) CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH OF THE PARTIES
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT,
ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH
ABOVE WILL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS PARAGRAPH. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO
THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY
FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
(k) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company and each Holder agrees and acknowledges that
no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement, will be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of any Holder or any Affiliate
or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability
whatsoever will attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of any Holder or any current or future member of any Holder or any current or future director, officer, employee, partner or member
of any Holder or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of any Holder under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of
such obligations or their creation.
(l) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement will be by way of example rather than by limitation.
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(m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be
the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.
(n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than
one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.
(o) Electronic Delivery. This
Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent executed and delivered by
means of a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or electronic mail will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and will be considered to
have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto will re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument will raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail to deliver a signature or
the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any
such defense.
(p) Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Holder
agrees to execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(q) Dividends, Recapitalizations, Etc. If at any time or from time to time there is any change in the capital structure of the Company
by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment will be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights
and privileges granted hereby will continue.
(r) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. No term or provision of this Agreement is intended
to be, or shall be, for the benefit of any Person not a party hereto, and no such other Person shall have any right or cause of action hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
(s) Current Public Information. At all times after the Company has filed a registration statement with the SEC pursuant to the
requirements of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the Company will file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will take such further action as the Sponsor Investors may reasonably
request, all to the extent required to enable such Holders to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the
date first written above.
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
SPONSOR INVESTORS:
ATS PUBCO HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:
/s/ Matthew Norton
Name:
Matthew Norton
Title:
Partner
ATS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Brandon Levitan
Name:
Brandon Levitan
Title:
Authorized Signatory
PREFERRED INVESTORS
BILCAR INVESTMENT CORP.
By:
/s/ William P. Foley II
Name:
William P. Foley, II
Title:
President and Treasurer
Address:
[***]
FNF HOLDCO CORP.
By:
/s/ David W. Ducommun
Name:
David W. Ducommun
Title:
President and Treasurer
Address:
[***]
[Signature Page to
Registration Rights Agreement]
RADZ CAPITAL AEVEX HOLDINGS INC.
By:
/s/ Brian Raduenz
Name:
Brian Raduenz
Its:
President
Address: [***]
[Signature Page to
Registration Rights Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized
terms used in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below.
“Affiliate” of any particular Person means
(i) any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control or common investment management with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, (ii) if such Person is a partnership (including limited partnership) or limited liability company, any partner or
member thereof and (iii) without limiting the foregoing and with respect only to the Sponsor Investors, any investment fund controlled by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC serves as an investment adviser or any other Person controlled by a
majority in interest of its direct and indirect partners and members. For the avoidance of doubt, William Foley and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. shall be deemed Affiliates.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).
“Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks in New York City are authorized or
requested by law to close.
“Charitable Gifting Event” means any transfer by an Sponsor Investor, or any subsequent
transfer by such holder’s members, partners or other employees, in connection with a bona fide gift to any Charitable Organization on the date of, but prior to, the execution of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with any
underwritten offering.
“Charitable Organization” means a charitable organization as described by
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.
“Common
Equity” means the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Company” has the
meaning set forth in the preamble and shall include its successor(s).
“Demand Registrations” has the meaning set forth
in Section 1(a).
“End of Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(f)(ii).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
A-3
“Excluded Registration” means any registration (i) pursuant to a
Demand Registration (which is addressed in Section 1(a)), or (ii) in connection with registrations on Form S-4 or S-8 promulgated by the
SEC or any successor or similar forms).
“Executives” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Executive Registrable Securities” means any Common Equity held by the management employees of the Company who are listed
as “Executives” on the signature page hereto or to a Joinder.
“Expenses” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“Free Writing Prospectus” means a free-writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.
“Governmental Entity” means (i) any federal, state, local, municipal, non-U.S.
or other government, (ii) any governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, entity or self-regulatory organization and any court or other tribunal), (iii) any
body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any nature, including any arbitral tribunal, or (iv) any agency, authority, board, bureau,
commission, department, office or instrumentality of any nature whatsoever of any federal, state, province, local, municipal or non-U.S. government or other political subdivision or otherwise, or any officer
or official thereof with requisite authority.
“Holdback Period” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a).
“Holder” means a holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this
Agreement (including by way of Joinder).
“Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in
Section 6(a).
“Joinder” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.
“Long-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).
“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).
“Majority Preferred Investors” means the Preferred Investors beneficially owning a majority of the Common Equity held by
all of the Preferred Investors.
“Other Investors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Other Investor Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Equity held (directly or indirectly) by any Other
Investors or any of their Affiliates, and (ii) any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution,
split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
“Participating
Sponsor Investors” means any Sponsor Investor(s) participating in the request for a Demand Registration, Shelf Offering, Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Block Trade.
A-4
“Person” means an individual, a partnership (whether general or limited),
a corporation (whether or not for profit), a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a Governmental Entity.
“Piggyback Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Preferred Investor Registrable Securities” means any Common Equity held by the Preferred Investors.
“Public Offering” means any sale or distribution by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries and/or Holders to the public of
Common Equity or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act.
“Qualified Independent Underwriter” has the meaning set forth by FINRA in Section 5121(f)(12), or any successor
provision thereto.
“Registrable Securities” means Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities, Preferred Investor
Registrable Securities, Other Investor Registrable Securities and Executive Registrable Securities. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when they have been (a) sold or
distributed pursuant to a Public Offering, (b) sold in compliance with Rule 144 following the consummation of the initial Public Offering, (c) distributed to the direct or indirect partners or members of a Sponsor Investor or
(d) repurchased by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities will be deemed to be in existence, whenever such
Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such
right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder (it being understood that a holder of Registrable Securities may only request
that Registrable Securities in the form of Common Equity be registered pursuant to this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the consummation of an initial Public Offering, any Registrable Securities held by any Person (other than
any Sponsor Investor or its Affiliates) that may be sold under Rule 144(b)(1)(i) without limitation under any of the other requirements of Rule 144 will be deemed not to be Registrable Securities.
“Relative Ownership Percentage” means (a) with respect to the Common Equity beneficially owned by any Holder (other
than the Sponsor Investors), a fraction (expressed as a percentage) (i) the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Equity beneficially owned by such Holder immediately following the effective time of a transfer and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Equity beneficially owned by such Holder at any time prior to the effective time of such transfer and (b) with respect to the Common Equity held by the Sponsor Investors, a
fraction (expressed as a percentage) (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Equity beneficially owned by the Sponsor Investors immediately following the effective time of such transfer and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Equity beneficially owned by the Sponsor Investors as of the date of this Agreement.
“Rule 144”, “Rule 158”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule
403B” and “Rule 462” mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) by the SEC, as the same will be amended from time to time, or any successor rule then in force.
A-5
“Sale of the Company” means any transaction or series of transactions
pursuant to which any Person(s) or a group of related Persons (other than any Sponsor Investor and/or its Affiliates) in the aggregate acquires: (i) Common Equity of the Company entitled to vote (other than voting rights accruing only in the
event of a default, breach, event of noncompliance or other contingency) to elect directors with a majority of the voting power of the Company’s board of directors (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, sale or
transfer of the Company’s Common Equity) or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets determined on a consolidated basis; provided that a Public Offering will not constitute a Sale of
the Company.
“Sale Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in
force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(d)(i).
“Shelf Offering Notice” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(d)(i).
“Shelf Registration” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(a).
“Shelf Registrable Securities” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(d)(i).
“Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(d).
“Short-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(a).
“Sponsor Investors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals;
provided, that any decision to be made under this Agreement by the Sponsor Investors shall be made by the holders of a majority of all Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities.
“Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities” means (i) any Common Equity held (directly or indirectly) by any Sponsor
Investor or any of its Affiliates, and (ii) any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution,
split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or
other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at
the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a
majority of the limited liability company, partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof. For
purposes hereof, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of limited liability
company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or will be or control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.
A-6
“Suspension Event” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(f)(ii).
“Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(f)(ii).
“Suspension Period” has the meaning set forth in
Section 1(f)(i).
“Violation” has the meaning set forth in
Section 6(a).
“WKSI” means a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined under
Rule 405.
A-7
EX-10.1
EX-10.1
Filename: d123077dex101.htm · Sequence: 6
EX-10.1
Exhibit 10.1
DIRECTOR DESIGNATION AGREEMENT
THIS DIRECTOR DESIGNATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 20, 2026, by and among
(a) AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (b) ATS Pubco Seller Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (c) ATS Investment Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and
(d) Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII-B, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII-C, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
and Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII Executive-B, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (collectively, “MDP”). This Agreement shall become effective (the “Effective
Date”) upon the closing of the Company’s proposed initial public offering (the “IPO”) of shares of its Common Stock (as defined below).
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, MDP Beneficially Owns (as defined below) a majority of the equity interests in the Company;
WHEREAS, MDP is contemplating causing the Company to effect an IPO;
WHEREAS, MDP currently has the authority to appoint all Directors (as defined below) of the Company; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of MDP agreeing to undertake the IPO, the Company has agreed to permit MDP to designate Directors to the board of
directors of the Company (the “Board”) following the Effective Date on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the parties to this Agreement agrees as follows:
1. Board Designation Rights.
(a) From the Effective Date, MDP shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate to the Board a number of designees equal to at
least: (i) 100% of the Total Number of Directors (as defined below), so long as MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”),
representing at least 40% of the Original Amount of MDP (as defined below); (ii) 40% of the Total Number of Directors, in the event that MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock representing at least 30% but
less than 40% of the Original Amount of MDP; (iii) 30% of the Total Number of Directors, in the event that MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock representing at least 20% but less than 30% of the Original
Amount of MDP; (iv) 20% of the Total Number of Directors, in the event that MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock representing at least 10% but less than 20% of the Original Amount of MDP; and
(v) one Director, in the event that MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock representing at least 5% of the Original Amount of MDP (such persons, the “Nominees”). For purposes of
calculating the number of Directors that MDP is entitled to designate pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, any fractional amounts shall automatically be rounded up to the nearest whole number (e.g., 1.25 Directors shall equate to 2
Directors) and any such calculations shall be made after taking into account any increase in the Total Number of Directors.
(b) In the
event that MDP has designated less than the total number of designees MDP shall be entitled to designate pursuant to Section 1(a), MDP shall have the right, at any time, to designate such additional designees to which it is
entitled, in which case, the Company shall take, and the Company hereby covenants that the Directors shall take, all necessary corporate action to (i) enable MDP to designate and effect the election or appointment of such additional
individuals, whether by increasing the size of the Board or otherwise, and (ii) appoint such additional individuals designated by MDP to fill such newly created directorships or to fill any other existing vacancies in accordance with
Section 1(e).
(c) If the size of the Board is expanded, MDP shall be entitled to designate a number of
Nominees to fill the newly created directorships such that the total number of Nominees serving on the Board following such expansion will be equal to that number of Nominees that MDP would be entitled to designate in accordance with
Section 1(a) if such expansion occurred immediately prior to any meeting of the stockholders of the Company called with respect to the election of members of the Board. The Company shall take, and the Company hereby
covenants that the Directors shall take, all necessary corporate action to (i) enable MDP to designate and effect the election or appointment of additional designees in accordance with the preceding sentence and (ii) appoint such
additional designees in accordance with Section 1(e).
(d) In the event that any Nominee shall cease to serve as
a Director for any reason, MDP shall be entitled to designate such person’s successor in accordance with this Agreement (regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by MDP at the time of such vacancy). The Company
shall take, and the Company hereby covenants that the Directors shall take, all necessary corporate action to (i) enable MDP to designate and effect the election or appointment of successor designees in accordance with the preceding sentence
and (ii) appoint such successor designees in accordance with Section 1(e). It is understood that any such designee shall serve the remainder of the term of the Director whom such designee replaces.
(e) In each case where the Company has covenanted that the Directors shall take action to appoint a Nominee as a Director pursuant to any of
Sections 1(a) through 1(d):
(i)
The Directors shall appoint such Nominee unless the Board determines, in good faith, that appointing such
Nominee would cause the Directors to breach their fiduciary duties to the Company or its stockholders, in which case the Company shall provide MDP with a notice explaining in reasonable detail the basis for the Board’s determination, and MDP
shall have the right to designate an alternative Nominee in accordance with Sections 1(a) through 1(d); and
(ii)
The Company hereby covenants that the Directors shall not fill any vacant or newly created directorship for
which MDP is entitled to designate a Nominee other than in accordance with Sections 1(a) through 1(d).
Without limiting
the remedies available against the Company for breach of its covenants set forth in this Agreement, during any time that the Directors have failed to appoint a Nominee as a Director (including without limitation for the reasons set forth in the
foregoing clauses (i) or (ii)), or if the Directors have appointed a person as a Director in lieu of a Nominee that MDP has designated in accordance with this Agreement:
(x)
the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of MDP, consummate (and, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law shall not enter into) any transaction that would constitute a “Business Combination” under any of clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 4(c) of Article Nine of the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation, except for purposes of applying this sentence the term “Interested Stockholder” shall mean any person or entity, whether or not a record or beneficial owner of stock of the Company, other than MDP; and
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(y)
the Company shall, promptly following a written request from MDP, (i) call a special meeting of
stockholders for the purpose of appointing a nominee to fill the vacant or newly created directorship that has resulted in MDP’s right to designate a Nominee pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) shall prepare a proxy statement and proxy card
in connection with such special meeting, and shall include each Nominee in such proxy statement (together with a supporting statement provided by MDP), including in the notice of meeting transmitted therewith, and proxy card as a nominee for
Director; and (iii) reimburse MDP for any expenses it reasonably incurs in connection with preparing its own proxy statement and proxy card and soliciting proxies or votes to appoint one or more Nominees as Directors in connection with such
meeting.
(f) In addition to the nomination rights set forth in Section 1(a), from the
Effective Date, for so long as MDP continuously from the time of the IPO Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock representing at least 5% of the Original Amount of MDP, MDP shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate a person (a
“Non-Voting Observer”) to attend meetings of the Board (including any meetings of any committees thereof) in a non-voting observer capacity. Any such Non-Voting Observer shall be permitted to attend all meetings of the Board and each committee thereof. MDP shall have the right to remove and replace its Non-Voting Observer
for any reason at any time and from time to time. The Company shall furnish to any Non-Voting Observer (i) notices of Board and Board committee meetings no later than, and using the same form of
communication as, notice of such meetings are furnished to Directors and (ii) copies of any materials prepared for meetings of the Board or any committee thereof that are furnished to the Directors no later than the time such materials are
furnished to the Directors; provided that failure to deliver notice or materials to such Non-Voting Observer in connection with such Non-Voting Observer’s right to
attend and/or review materials with respect to any such meeting shall not, by itself, impair the validity of any action taken at such meeting. Such Non-Voting Observer shall be required to execute or otherwise
become subject to any codes of conduct or confidentiality agreements of the Company generally applicable to Directors of the Company or as the Company reasonably requests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to withhold any
information and to exclude the Non-Voting Observer from receiving any materials and/or attending any meeting or portion thereof if access to such information or attendance at such meeting could adversely
affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel.
(g) The Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Nominees and the Non-Voting Observer in connection with the performance of his or her duties as
a Director or his or her service as a Non-Voting Observer, as applicable, and in connection with his or her attendance at any meeting of the Board or a committee thereof.
(h) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i)
“Affiliate” of any person shall mean any other person controlled by, controlling, or under
common control with such person; where “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) means
possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract, or otherwise).
(ii)
“Beneficially Own” shall mean that a specified person has or shares the right, directly or
indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, to vote shares of capital stock of the Company.
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(iii)
“Director” means any member of the Board.
(iv)
“Original Amount of MDP” means the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially
Owned by MDP upon completion of the IPO, as such number may be adjusted from time to time for any reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other similar changes in the Company’s capitalization.
(v)
“Total Number of Directors” means the total number of Directors comprising the Board.
(i) No reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock that MDP Beneficially Owns shall shorten the term of any
incumbent Director. At the Effective Date, the Board shall be comprised of seven members and the initial Nominees shall be Brian Raduenz, Roger Wells, Matt Norton, Brandon Levitan, Ben Spacapan, Brad Feldmann and Matthew Klein.
(j) So long as MDP has the right to designate Nominees under Sections 1(a) through 1(d) or any such Nominee is serving on the
Board, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect at all times Directors and officers indemnity insurance coverage reasonably satisfactory to MDP, and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (each as
may be further amended, supplemented, or waived in accordance with its terms) shall at all times provide for indemnification, exculpation, and advancement of expenses to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.
(k) At such time as the Company ceases to be a “controlled company” and is required by applicable law or New York Stock Exchange
(the “Exchange”) listing standards to have a majority of the Board comprised of “independent directors” (subject in each case to any applicable phase-in periods), MDP’s
Nominees shall include a number of persons that qualify as “independent directors” under applicable law and the Exchange listing standards such that, together with any other “independent directors” then serving on the Board
that are not Nominees, the Board is comprised of a majority of “independent directors.”
(l) At any time that MDP shall have
any designation rights under Section 1, the Company shall not take any action and the Company hereby covenants that the Directors shall not take any action, (including in each case effecting any amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws), that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect MDP’s rights under this Agreement, in each case without the prior written consent of MDP.
2. Company Obligations. The Company agrees to take all necessary corporate action to ensure that, prior to the date that MDP and its
Affiliates cease to Beneficially Own shares of Common Stock representing at least 5% of the Original Amount of MDP, (i) each Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of Nominees to the stockholders (the “Board’s
Slate”) for each election of Directors, unless the Board determines, in good faith, that the inclusion of a Nominee in the Board’s Slate would not be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders (other than MDP), in which
case, MDP shall have the right to designate an alternate Nominee for inclusion in the Board’s Slate; and (ii) whether or not a Nominee is included in the Board’s Slate, each Nominee shall be included in the proxy statement (together
with a supporting statement provided by MDP) and proxy card prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for every meeting of the stockholders of the Company called with respect to the election of members of the Board
(each, a “Director Election Proxy Statement”), and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of the Company or the Board with respect to the election of
members of the Board. MDP will promptly provide reporting to the Company after MDP ceases to Beneficially Own at least 5% of the
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Original Amount of MDP, such that Company is informed of when this obligation terminates. The calculation of the number of Nominees that MDP is entitled to designate to the Board’s Slate
for any election of Directors shall be based on the percentage of the Original Amount of MDP immediately prior to the mailing to shareholders of the Director Election Proxy Statement relating to such election (or, if earlier, the filing of the
definitive Director Election Proxy Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)). Unless MDP notifies the Company otherwise prior to the mailing to shareholders of the Director Election Proxy Statement
relating to an election of Directors, the Nominees for such election shall be presumed to be the same Nominees currently serving on the Board, and no further action shall be required of MDP for the Board to include such Nominees on the Board’s
Slate as contemplated by clause (i) of this Section 2; provided that, in the event MDP is no longer entitled to designate the full number of Nominees then serving on the Board, MDP shall provide advance written
notice to the Company of which currently serving Nominee(s) shall be excluded from the Board’s Slate and of any other changes to the list of Nominees. If MDP fails to provide such notice prior to the mailing to shareholders of the Director
Election Proxy Statement relating to such election (or, if earlier, the filing of the definitive Director Election Proxy Statement with the SEC), a majority of the independent Directors then serving on the Board shall determine which of the Nominees
of MDP then serving on the Board will be included in the Board’s Slate as contemplated by clause (i) of this Section 2. Furthermore, the Company agrees for so long as the Company qualifies as a “controlled
company” under the rules of the Exchange, the Company will elect to be a “controlled company” for purposes of the Exchange and will disclose in its annual meeting proxy statement that it is a “controlled company” and
the basis for that determination. The Company and MDP acknowledge and agree that, as of the Effective Date, the Company is a “controlled company.”
3. Committees. From and after the Effective Date hereof until such time as MDP and its Affiliates cease to Beneficially Own shares of
Common Stock representing at least 5% of the Original Amount of MDP, the Company hereby covenants that the Board shall not form or designate any committee of the Board unless MDP has consented to such formation or designation. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, the consent of MDP shall not be required if:
(a) MDP has been provided the opportunity to designate a number of
members of each committee of the Board equal to the nearest whole number greater than the product obtained by multiplying (i) the percentage of the Original Amount of MDP then Beneficially Owned by MDP and (ii) the number of positions,
including any vacancies, on the applicable committee; or
(b) none of the Directors designated by MDP pursuant to this Agreement are
eligible to serve on the applicable committee under applicable law or listing standards of the Exchange, including any applicable independence requirements (subject in each case to any applicable exceptions, including those for newly public
companies and for “controlled companies,” and any applicable phase-in periods).
The
Company hereby covenants that the Nominees designated to serve on a Board committee shall have the right to remain on such committee until the next election of Directors, regardless of the percentage of the Original Amount of MDP Beneficially Owned
by MDP following such designation. Unless MDP notifies the Company otherwise prior to the time the Board takes action to change the composition of a Board committee, and to the extent MDP has the requisite percentage of the Original Amount of MDP to
designate a Board committee member at the time the Board takes action to change the composition of any such Board committee, any Nominee currently designated by MDP to serve on a committee shall be presumed to be
re-designated for such committee. Without limiting the remedies available to MDP, the Company shall not consummate any act or transaction approved or recommended by a committee of the Board formed or
designated in a manner inconsistent with this Section 3 without the prior written consent of MDP.
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4. Amendment and Waiver. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if,
but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and MDP, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by any party in
exercising any right, power, or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege. The rights
and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. MDP shall not be obligated to designate all (or any) of the Nominees it is entitled to designate pursuant to this Agreement for any
election of Directors, but the failure to do so shall not constitute a waiver of its rights hereunder for any purpose; provided, however, that, subject to Section 2, in the event MDP fails to designate all (or
any) of the Nominees it is entitled to designate pursuant to this Agreement prior to the mailing to shareholders of the Director Election Proxy Statement relating to such election (or, if earlier, the filing of the definitive Director Election Proxy
Statement with the SEC), the Compensation and Nominating Committee of the Board shall be entitled to nominate individuals in lieu of such Nominees for inclusion in the Board’s Slate and the applicable Director Election Proxy Statement with
respect to the election for which such failure occurred, and MDP shall be deemed to have waived its rights hereunder solely with respect to such election. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or
remedies provided by law.
5. Benefit of Parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of MDP. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in Section 6, nothing herein contained shall confer or is intended to confer on any third party or entity that is not a party to this Agreement any rights under this Agreement.
6. Assignment. Upon written notice to the Company, MDP may assign to any Affiliate of MDP (other than a portfolio company) all of its
rights hereunder and, following such assignment, such assignee shall be deemed to have the rights and obligations of “MDP” for all purposes hereunder.
7. Indemnification.
(a)
The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless MDP, its Affiliates, partners, employees, agents, Directors, managers, officers, and controlling persons (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all
actions, causes of action, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, or obligations of any kind or nature (whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent) in connection therewith (including reasonable attorneys’ and
experts’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Indemnified Parties before or after the date of this Agreement (each, an “Action”) arising directly or indirectly out of or in any way relating to (i) MDP’s or its
Affiliates’ Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company or control or ability to influence the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than any such Actions (x) to the extent such Actions arise out of
any breach of this Agreement by an Indemnified Party or its Affiliates or the breach of any fiduciary or other duty or obligation of such Indemnified Party to its direct or indirect equity holders, creditors, or Affiliates or (y) to the extent
such Actions are directly caused by such person’s willful misconduct), (ii) the business, operations, properties, assets or other rights or liabilities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) any services provided prior to, on
or after the date of this Agreement by any Indemnified Party to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Company shall defend at its own cost and expense in respect of any Action which may be brought against the Company and/or its Affiliates and
the Indemnified Parties. The Company shall defend at its own cost and expense any and all Actions which may be brought in which the Indemnified Parties may be impleaded with others upon any Action by the Indemnified Parties, except that if such
damage shall be proven to be the direct result of gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct by any of the Indemnified Parties, then such Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Company for the costs of
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defense and other costs incurred by the Company in proportion to such Indemnified Party’s culpability as proven. In the event of the assertion against any Indemnified Party of any Action or
the commencement of any Action, the Company shall be entitled to participate in such Action and in the investigation of such Action and, after written notice from the Company to such Indemnified Party, to assume the investigation or defense of such
Action (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) with counsel of the Company’s choice at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may retain one firm of counsel to represent all Indemnified Parties in such Action; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ a
single firm of separate counsel (and any necessary local or specialist counsel) and to participate in the defense or investigation of such Action, and the Company shall bear the expense of such separate counsel (and local counsel, if applicable).
The Company further agrees that with respect to any Indemnified Party who is employed, retained, or otherwise associated with, or appointed or nominated by, MDP or any of its Affiliates and who acts or serves as a Director, officer, manager,
fiduciary, employee, consultant, advisor, or agent of, for, or to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, that the Company or such subsidiaries, as applicable, shall be primarily liable for all indemnification, reimbursements, advancements, or
similar payments (the “Indemnity Obligations”) afforded to such Indemnified Party acting in such capacity or capacities on behalf or at the request of the Company, whether the Indemnity Obligations are created by law,
organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement), or otherwise. The Company hereby agrees that in no event shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries have any right or claim against MDP for contribution or have rights
of subrogation against MDP through an Indemnified Party for any payment made by the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to any Indemnity Obligation. In addition, the Company hereby agrees that in the event that MDP pay or advance an
Indemnified Party any expenses with respect to an Indemnity Obligation, the Company will, or will cause its subsidiaries to, as applicable, promptly reimburse MDP for such payment or advance upon request, subject to the receipt by the Company of a
written undertaking executed by the Indemnified Party and MDP that makes such payment or advance to repay any such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such Indemnified Party was not entitled to be
indemnified by the Company. The foregoing right to indemnity and advancement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law, pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, pursuant to
any other contract with the Company or otherwise, and shall remain in full force and effect following the completion or any termination of the engagement. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Party or
insufficient to hold it harmless as and to the extent contemplated by this Section 7, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such Action in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, as the case may be, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
(b) The Company hereby acknowledges that certain of the Indemnified Parties have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses,
and/or insurance provided by investment funds managed by MDP and certain of their Affiliates (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees with respect to any indemnification, hold harmless obligation, expense
advancement, reimbursement provision, or any other similar obligation whether pursuant to or with respect to this Agreement, the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any other agreement, as applicable, (i) that
the Company and its subsidiaries are the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., their obligations to the Indemnified Parties are primary and any obligation of the Fund Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for claims, expenses, or
obligations arising out of the same or similar facts and circumstances suffered by any Indemnified Party are secondary), (ii) that the Company shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by any Indemnified Party and shall be
liable for the full amount of all expenses, liabilities, obligations, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement, the organizational
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documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any other agreement, as applicable, without regard to any rights any Indemnified Party may have against the Fund Indemnitors, and
(iii) that the Company, on behalf of itself and each of its subsidiaries, irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Fund Indemnitors from any and all Actions against the Fund Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other
recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Fund Indemnitors on behalf of any Indemnified Party with respect to any Action for which any Indemnified Party has sought indemnification from
the Company shall affect the foregoing, and the Fund Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of any Indemnified Party against the Company. The
Company agrees that the Fund Indemnitors are express third-party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 7(b).
8. Headings. Headings are for ease of reference only and shall not form a part of this Agreement.
9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Delaware without giving
effect to the principles of conflicts of laws of any jurisdiction that would result in the application of any other laws.
10.
Jurisdiction. Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, the construction, interpretation, validity, performance or enforceability of this Agreement shall
be brought against any of the parties only in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and each of the parties hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate
courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such
court. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the parties agrees that service of process upon such party at the address referred to in Section 17, together with written notice of such service to such party, shall be deemed
effective service of process upon such party.
11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and negotiations, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by each of the other parties. An executed copy or counterpart hereof delivered by facsimile shall be deemed an original instrument.
14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. If any provision of
this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or entity or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so
far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons, entities or circumstances shall not be
affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
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15. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such
further instruments and do such further acts and things as may be required to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
16.
Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and
that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in the State of Delaware, in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, and other
communications to any party or to the Company shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given,
If to
the Company:
AEVEX Corp.
440 Stevens Ave #150 Solana Beach, California, 92075
Attention: Christi Morrison, Chief Legal Officer
Email: [***]
If to any
member of MDP or any Nominee:
c/o Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
70 W. Madison St., Suite 4600
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Attention: Matthew W. Norton
Brandon Levitan
Legal
Department
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
In each case, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
c/o Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 West Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attention: Robert M. Hayward, P.C.
Michael P. Keeley, P.C.
Kevin
Frank
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
or to such other address or telecopier number as such party or the Company may hereafter specify for the purpose of notice to the other parties and the
Company. Each such notice, request, or other communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified in this Section 17 during regular business hours.
- 9 -
18. Enforcement. Each of the parties hereto covenant and agree that the disinterested
members of the Board have the right to enforce, waive, or take any other action with respect to this Agreement on behalf of the Company.
*
* * * *
- 10 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first above
written.
AEVEX, CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
MADISON DEARBORN CAPITAL PARTNERS VII-B, L.P.
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners VII-B, L.P.
Its:
General Partner
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
Its:
General Partner
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name:
Matthew W. Norton
Its:
Managing Director
MDCP VII-C ATS SPLITTER, L.P.
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners VII-B, L.P.
Its:
General Partner
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
Its:
General Partner
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name:
Matthew W. Norton
Its:
Managing Director
MADISON DEARBORN CAPITAL PARTNERS VII EXECUTIVE-B, L.P.
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners VII-B, L.P.
Its:
General Partner
By:
Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
Its:
General Partner
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name:
Matthew W. Norton
Its:
Managing Director
[Signature Page to
Director Designation Agreement]
ATS PUBCO SELLER HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Its:
Chief Executive Officer
ATS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Brandon Levitan
Name:
Brandon Levitan
Its:
Authorized Signatory
[Signature Page to
Director Designation Agreement]
EX-10.2
EX-10.2
Filename: d123077dex102.htm · Sequence: 7
EX-10.2
Exhibit 10.2
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
Dated as of April 17, 2026
THE UNITS
ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.
CERTAIN UNITS MAY ALSO BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH HEREIN AND/OR IN A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH THE INITIAL HOLDER OF SUCH
UNITS. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER OF SUCH UNITS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY AND WITHOUT CHARGE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
1
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
8
Section 2.1
Formation of LLC
8
Section 2.2
Limited Liability Company Agreement
8
Section 2.3
Name
8
Section 2.4
Purpose
8
Section 2.5
Principal Office; Registered Office
8
Section 2.6
Term
9
Section 2.7
No State-Law Partnership
9
ARTICLE III UNITS, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS
9
Section 3.1
Units; Capitalization
9
Section 3.2
Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units
10
Section 3.3
Repurchase or Redemptions
12
Section 3.4
Equity Subdivisions and Combinations
13
Section 3.5
General Authority
13
Section 3.6
Capital Accounts
13
Section 3.7
Negative Capital Accounts; No Interest Regarding Positive Capital Accounts
14
Section 3.8
No Withdrawal
14
Section 3.9
Loans From Unitholders
14
Section 3.10
Adjustments to Capital Accounts for Distributions
In-Kind
14
Section 3.11
Transfer of Capital Accounts
15
Section 3.12
Adjustments to Book Value
15
Section 3.13
Compliance With Section 1.704-1(b)
15
ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
16
Section 4.1
Distributions
16
Section 4.2
Allocations
17
Section 4.3
Special Allocations
17
Section 4.4
Offsetting Allocations
18
Section 4.5
Tax Allocations
18
Section 4.6
Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member
20
ARTICLE V MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS
20
Section 5.1
Management
20
Section 5.2
Investment Company Act
21
Section 5.3
Officers
21
Section 5.4
Fiduciary Duties
22
i
ARTICLE VI EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
23
Section 6.1
Exculpation
23
Section 6.2
Indemnification
23
Section 6.3
Expenses
24
Section 6.4
Non-Exclusivity; Savings Clause
24
Section 6.5
Insurance
24
ARTICLE VII ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS
24
Section 7.1
Accounting and Records
24
Section 7.2
Preparation of Tax Returns
25
Section 7.3
Tax Elections
25
Section 7.4
Tax Controversies
25
Section 7.5
Code § 83 Safe Harbor Election
26
ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF UNITS; ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS
27
Section 8.1
Transfer of Units
27
Section 8.2
Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members
27
Section 8.3
Expense of Transfer; Indemnification
28
Section 8.4
Exchange Agreement
29
Section 8.5
Change of Control Transactions
29
ARTICLE IX WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF UNITHOLDERS
29
Section 9.1
Withdrawal and Resignation of Unitholders
29
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
29
Section 10.1
Dissolution
29
Section 10.2
Liquidation and Termination
30
Section 10.3
Securityholders Agreement
30
Section 10.4
Cancellation of Certificate
30
Section 10.5
Reasonable Time for Winding Up
31
Section 10.6
Return of Capital
31
Section 10.7
Hart-Scott-Rodino
31
ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS
31
Section 11.1
Power of Attorney
31
Section 11.2
Amendments
31
Section 11.3
Title to the Company Assets
32
Section 11.4
Remedies
32
Section 11.5
Successors and Assigns
32
Section 11.6
Severability
32
Section 11.7
Counterparts; Binding Agreement
32
Section 11.8
Descriptive Headings; Interpretation
32
Section 11.9
Applicable Law
33
Section 11.10
Addresses and Notices
33
Section 11.11
Creditors
33
Section 11.12
No Waiver
33
Section 11.13
Further Action
33
Section 11.14
Entire Agreement
33
Section 11.15
Delivery by Electronic Means
33
ii
Section 11.16
Certain Acknowledgments
34
Section 11.17
Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY
34
Section 11.18
Representations and Warranties
35
Section 11.19
Tax Receivable Agreement
35
iii
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (the “Company”), is entered into as of April 17, 2026, by and among the Company, AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Pubco”), and ATS Investment Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article I.
WHEREAS, the Certificate was filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on February 13, 2020;
WHEREAS, the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company was entered into on December 4, 2025 (the
“Prior Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in connection with and prior to the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock
of Pubco (the “IPO”), Pubco acquired certain Company membership interests;
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO:
(i) the Company and the Members desire to recapitalize the Company’s membership interests pursuant to this Agreement such that (A) all of the membership interests held by Holdings as of the date hereof are automatically converted
into a number of Series B Units that have an equivalent aggregate value as of the date hereof and (B) all of the membership interests held by Pubco as of the date hereof are automatically converted into a number of Series A Units that have an
equivalent aggregate value as of the date hereof; (ii) Pubco will purchase Series A Units using a portion of the net proceeds of the IPO; and (iii) Pubco, the Company and Holdings will enter into an Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which
Holdings will be permitted to exchange Series B Units (together with the corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock) for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment (as defined therein) (clauses
(i) through (iii), collectively, the “IPO Transactions”); and
WHEREAS, the parties
hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to amend and restate, replace and supersede in its entirety the Prior Agreement as set forth herein to give effect to the IPO Transactions and reflect the admission of Pubco as the sole manager of the
Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Members, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the following meaning:
“704(c) Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b).
“Additional Member” means a Person admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 8.2.
1
“Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Capital
Account as of the end of any Taxable Year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Person’s Capital Account balance shall be (i) reduced for any items described in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) and (ii) increased for any amount such Person is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant
to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and
1.704-2(i) (relating to Minimum Gain).
“Affiliate” of any Person means any
other Person controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person, and in the case of any Unitholder that is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation or similar entity, any partner, member or stockholder of such
Unitholder; provided, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Unitholder. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,”
“controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or
otherwise).
“Agreement” means this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as it may be
amended, modified and/or waived from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Assumed Tax Liability” means,
with respect to any Unitholder for any Fiscal Quarter, an amount, which in the good faith estimation of the Manager, equals the product of (a) the amount of taxable income of the Company allocable to such Unitholder in respect of such Fiscal
Quarter (which shall include gross or net income allocations of items of Profit or Loss), determined (w) by assuming such Unitholder earned solely the items of income, gain, deduction, loss and/or credit allocated to such Unitholder by the
Company for such taxable period, (x) by including adjustments under Section 732(d), 734(b) and 743(b) of the Code, (y) by including adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 704(c) of the Code and (z) reducing such
taxable income by net taxable losses of the Company allocated to such Unitholder for prior taxable periods beginning after the date hereof to the extent that such losses are of a character (ordinary or capital) that would permit the losses to be
deducted by such Unitholder against the current taxable income of the Company allocable to the Unitholder for such Fiscal Quarter and have not previously been taken into account in determining such Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability,
multiplied by (b) the Assumed Tax Rate; provided that in the case of PubCo, the Assumed Tax Liability shall in no event be less than an amount that will enable PubCo to meet its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement for
the relevant Taxable Year.
“Assumed Tax Rate” means the combined maximum U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate
applicable to a taxable individual or corporation in any jurisdiction in the United States (whichever is higher), including pursuant to Section 1411 of the Code, in each case, taking into account all jurisdictions in which the Company is
required to file income tax returns and the relevant apportionment information, in effect for the applicable Fiscal Quarter (making an appropriate adjustment for any rate changes that take place during such period and taking into account the
character of the income).
“Base Rate” means, as of any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest
most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.
“Board” means the board of directors of Pubco.
“Book Value” means, with respect to any of the Company property, the Company’s adjusted basis for federal income Tax
purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted (in the case of permitted adjustments, to the extent the Company makes such permitted adjustments) by Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)-(g).
2
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which the banks in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or San Diego, California are authorized by law to be closed.
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member pursuant to Section 3.6 and
the other applicable provisions of this Agreement.
“Capital Contributions” means any cash, cash equivalents,
promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property which a Unitholder contributes or is deemed by the Manager to have contributed to the Company with respect to any Unit pursuant to Section 3.1 or
Section 3.11.
“Cash Payment” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Certificate” means the Company’s Certificate of Formation as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, as the
same may be amended from time to time.
“Change of Control Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange
Agreement.
“Class A Common Stock” means shares of class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of Pubco.
“Class A Common Stock Value” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Class B Common Stock” means shares of class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Pubco.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Such term, if elected by the Manager in its sole
discretion, shall be deemed to include any future amendments to the Code and any corresponding provisions of succeeding Code provisions (whether or not such amendments and corresponding provisions are mandatory or discretionary).
“Common Units” means the Series A Units and the Series B Units.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. L.
§ 18-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
“Distribution” means each distribution made by the Company to a Unitholder, with respect to such Person’s Units,
whether in cash, property or securities and whether by liquidating distribution, redemption, repurchase or otherwise; provided that notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, none of the following shall be deemed to be a
Distribution hereunder: (i) any recapitalization, exchange or conversion of securities of the Company; (ii) any subdivision (by unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units;
(iii) any Tax Distribution and (iv) any repurchase of Units pursuant to any right of first refusal or similar repurchase right in favor of the Company.
“Equity Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
“Equity Securities” means (i) any Units, capital stock, partnership, membership or limited liability company interests
or other equity interests (including other classes, groups or series thereof having such relative rights, powers and/or obligations as may from time to time be established by the Manager, including rights, powers and/or duties different from, senior
to or more favorable than existing classes, groups and
3
series of Units, capital stock, partnership, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests, and including any profits interests), (ii) obligations, evidences of
indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into Units, capital stock, partnership interests, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests and (iii) warrants, options or other rights
to purchase or otherwise acquire Units, capital stock, partnership interests, membership or limited liability company interests or other equity interests. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the term “Equity Securities” refers
to Equity Securities of the Company.
“Event of Withdrawal” means the death, retirement, resignation, expulsion,
bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company.
“Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Pubco, the Company and
Holdings, as the same may be amended, amended and restated or replaced from time to time.
“Exchange Rate” has the
meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Exchangeable Unit” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Exchanged Unit Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Agreement.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date of determination, (i) with respect to a Unit, such Unit’s Pro Rata
Share as of such date, (ii) with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock, the Class A Common Stock Value as of such date, and (iii) with respect to any other non-cash assets, the fair
market value for such property as between a willing buyer under no compulsion to buy and a willing seller under no compulsion to sell in an arm’s-length transaction occurring on such date, taking into
account all relevant factors determinative of value (including in the case of securities, any restrictions on transfer applicable thereto or, if such securities are traded on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, the
quoted price for such securities as of the date of determination), as reasonably determined in good faith by the Manager.
“Fiscal Quarter” means each calendar quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, or
such other quarterly accounting period as may be established by the Manager.
“Fiscal Year” means the 12-month period ending on December 31, or such other annual accounting period as may be established by the Manager.
“Forfeiture Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
“Governmental Entity” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political subdivision
thereof or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government.
“Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble, together with its successors and assigns; provided that, in
the event that Holdings has not appointed a successor prior to the date on which it dissolves, liquidates, winds up, terminates or otherwise ceases to exist, MDP shall be deemed to be a successor to Holdings for all applicable purposes of this
Agreement, including Section 7.4.
4
“HSR Act” has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.7.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
from time to time.
“IPO” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“IPO Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“IPO 704(c) Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12.
“IRS Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.
“Liquidation Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).
“Liquidation FMV” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).
“Liquidation Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b).
“Losses” means items of the Company loss and deduction determined according to Section 3.6.
“Manager” means (i) Pubco so long as Pubco has not withdrawn as the Manager pursuant to
Section 5.1(c) and (ii) any successor thereof appointed as Manager in accordance with Section 5.1(c). Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Manager shall refer to the
Manager acting in its capacity as such.
“MDP” means Madison Dearborn Partners
VII-B, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or its designee.
“Member” means
each Person listed on the Unit Ownership Ledger and any Person admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a
member of the Company; but in each case only for so long as such Person is shown on the Company’s books and records as the owner of one or more Units.
“Minimum Gain” means the partnership minimum gain determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(d).
“Notice Date” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.5(b).
“Obligations” has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2.
“Partnership Representative” has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.4(a).
“Partnership Tax Audit Rules” means Code Sections 6221 through 6241,
together with any guidance issued thereunder or successor provisions and any similar provision of state or local Tax laws.
“Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any of such Person’s Affiliates and (ii) any
direct or indirect partner, member, stockholder or other equityholder of such Person.
5
“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a Governmental Entity.
“Pro Rata Share” means with respect to each Unit, the proportionate amount such Unit would receive if an amount equal to
the Total Equity Value were distributed to all Units in accordance with Section 4.1(b), as determined in good faith by the Manager.
“Profits” means items of the Company income and gain determined according to Section 3.6.
“Prior Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Pubco” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among
Pubco and certain other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, amended and restated or replaced from time to time.
“Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(e).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any
successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.
“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations
thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.
“Series A Unit” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Series A Unit in this Agreement.
“Series B Unit” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Series B Unit in this
Agreement; provided, that a Series B Unit shall not have any voting rights under this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
“Specified Audit” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(c).
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or
business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the
time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other
than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes
hereof and without limitation, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be
allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the manager, managing member, managing
6
director (or a board comprised of any of the foregoing) or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to
a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Substituted Member” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to
Section 8.2.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign
income, gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, excise, natural resources, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall
profit, environmental, customs, duties, real property, personal property, capital stock, social security, unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee or other withholding or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any transferee
liability and any interest, penalties or additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
“Tax
Advances” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.
“Tax Distribution” has the
meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).
“Tax Distribution Conditions” has the meaning set
forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).
“Tax Distribution Date” means April 10, June 10,
September 10 and December 10 of each calendar year, which shall be adjusted by the Manager as reasonably necessary to take into account changes in estimated tax payment due dates for U.S. federal income Taxes under applicable law.
“Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of the date hereof, by and among Pubco, the Company
and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, amended and restated or replaced from time to time.
“Taxable
Year” means the Company’s accounting period for federal income Tax purposes determined pursuant to Section 7.3.
“Total Equity Value” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate proceeds which would be received by the
Unitholders if: (i) the assets of the Company were sold at their fair market value to an independent third-party on arm’s-length terms, with neither the seller nor the buyer being under compulsion
to buy or sell such assets; (ii) the Company satisfied and paid in full all of its obligations and liabilities (including all Taxes, costs and expenses incurred in connection with such transaction and any amounts reserved by the Manager with
respect to any contingent or other liabilities); and (iii) such net sale proceeds were then distributed in accordance with Section 4.1, all as determined by the Manager in good faith based upon the Class A Common
Stock Value as of such date.
“Traditional Method with Curative Allocations” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.5(b).
“Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Exchange
Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement.
“Transfer” has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.1.
“Treasury Regulations” means the income Tax regulations promulgated under the
Code and effective as of the date of this Agreement. Such term, if elected by the Manager in its sole discretion, shall be deemed to include any future amendments to such regulations and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations
(whether or not such amendments and corresponding provisions are mandatory or discretionary).
7
“Unit” means a limited liability company interest in the Company of a
Member or representing a fractional part of the interests in Profits, Losses and Distributions of the Company held by all Members and shall include Common Units.
“Unit Ownership Ledger” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
“Unitholder” means any owner of one or more Units as reflected on the Company’s books and records.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Section 2.1 Formation of LLC. The Company was formed in the State of Delaware on February 13,
2020 pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act.
Section 2.2 Limited Liability Company
Agreement. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of amending and restating the Prior Agreement and establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware
Act. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in Section 2.6 the rights, powers and obligations of the Unitholders with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and, except where the Delaware Act provides that such rights, powers and obligations specified in the Delaware Act shall apply “unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement” or words
of similar effect and such rights, powers and obligations are set forth in this Agreement, the Delaware Act; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing and anything else to the contrary, Section 18-305(a) of the Delaware Act (entitled
“Access to and Confidentiality of Information; Records”) shall not apply to or be incorporated into this Agreement and each Unitholder hereby expressly waives any and all rights under such Section of the Delaware Act.
Section 2.3 Name. The name of the Company shall be “Athena Technology Solutions
Holdings, LLC”. The Manager may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Notification of any such name change shall be given to all Unitholders. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or
any other name or names deemed advisable by the Manager.
Section 2.4 Purpose. The purpose and
business of the Company shall be to manage and direct the business operations and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to engage in any other lawful acts or activities for which limited liability companies may be organized under the
Delaware Act.
Section 2.5 Principal Office; Registered Office. The principal office of the
Company shall be located at 440 Stevens Avenue Suite 150, Solana Beach, CA 92075, or at such other place inside or outside the state of Delaware as the Manager may from time to time designate, and all business and activities of the Company shall be
deemed to have occurred at its principal office. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places as the Manager deems advisable. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the
initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Manager may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable law, and the registered agent for
service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be the registered agent named in the Certificate or such Person or Persons as the Manager may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable
law.
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Section 2.6 Term. The term of the Company commenced
upon the filing of the Certificate with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the cancellation of the Certificate in accordance with the Delaware Act.
Section 2.7 No State-Law Partnership. The Unitholders
intend that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Unitholder be a partner or joint venturer of any other Unitholder by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in
the last sentence of this Section 2.7, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Unitholder relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise. The
Unitholders intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state or local income Tax purposes, and that each Unitholder and the Company shall file all Tax returns and shall otherwise take all Tax and
financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.
ARTICLE III
UNITS, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS
Section 3.1 Units; Capitalization.
(a) Units; Capitalization. The Company shall have the authority to issue an unlimited number of Series A Units and Series B Units. The
ownership by a Member of Common Units shall entitle such Member to allocations of Profits and Losses and other items and Distributions of cash and other property as set forth in Article IV hereof.
(b) Unit Ownership Ledger; Capital Contributions. The Manager shall create and maintain a ledger (the “Unit Ownership
Ledger”) setting forth the name and address of each Unitholder, the number of each class of Units held of record by each such Unitholder and the amount of the Capital Contribution made with respect to each class of Units and the date of
such Capital Contribution. Upon any change in the number or ownership of outstanding Units (whether upon an issuance of Units, a Transfer of Units, a cancellation of Units or otherwise), the Manager shall amend and update the Unit Ownership Ledger.
Absent manifest error, the ownership interests recorded on the Unit Ownership Ledger shall be conclusive record of the Units that have been issued and are outstanding. Each Unitholder named in the Unit Ownership Ledger has made (or shall be deemed
to have made) Capital Contributions to the Company as set forth in the Unit Ownership Ledger in exchange for the Units specified in the Unit Ownership Ledger. Any reference in this Agreement to the Unit Ownership Ledger shall be deemed a reference
to the Unit Ownership Ledger as amended and in effect from time to time.
(c) Certificates; Legends. Units shall be issued
in uncertificated form; provided that, at the request of any Member, the Manager may cause the Company to issue one or more certificates to any such Member holding Units representing in the aggregate the Units held by such Member. If any
certificate representing Units is issued, then such certificate shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:
THIS CERTIFICATE
EVIDENCES UNITS REPRESENTING A MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC. THE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY NON-U.S. OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH. THE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN ATHENA TECHNOLOGY
SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO
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RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC, DATED AS OF APRIL 17, 2026, AS THE SAME
MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH SHALL BE FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY TO THE RECORD HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.
(d) Conversion of Prior Membership Interests. Contemporaneous with the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement, all of the
membership interests in the Company that were issued and outstanding and held by the Members immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement are hereby converted into the Series A Units and Series B Units, respectively, as set forth on the
Unit Ownership Ledger.
Section 3.2 Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.
(a) The Manager shall have the right to cause the Company to issue and/or create and issue at any time after the date hereof, and for such
amount and form of consideration as the Manager may determine, additional Units or other Equity Securities of the Company (including creating classes or series thereof having such powers, designations, preferences and rights as may be determined by
the Manager). The Manager shall have the power to make such amendments to this Agreement in order to provide for such powers, designations, preferences and rights as the Manager in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate to give effect to such
additional authorization or issuance in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2(a). In connection with any issuance of Units (whether on or after the date of this Agreement), the Person who acquires such Units
shall execute a counterpart to this Agreement accepting and agreeing to be bound by all terms and conditions hereof, and shall enter into such other documents, instruments and agreements to effect such purchase as are required by the Manager
(including such documents, instruments and agreements entered into on or prior to the date of this Agreement by the Members, each, an “Equity Agreement”). The Company may not issue any additional Series A Units or other
Equity Securities to Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries except as set forth in Section 3.2(b), Section 3.2(c) or Section 3.2(d).
(b) At any time Pubco issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Securities of Pubco (other than an issuance
of the type covered by Section 3.2(d) or an issuance to a holder of Exchangeable Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, as described in Section 3.2(c)), Pubco shall contribute to the Company all
of the net proceeds (if any) received by Pubco with respect to such share or shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco. Upon the contribution by Pubco to the Company of all of such net proceeds so received by Pubco, the
Manager shall cause the Company to issue a number of Series A Units (if Pubco issues shares of Class A Common Stock), determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect, or an equal number of such Equity Securities of the Company
corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by Pubco (if Pubco issues Equity Securities other than shares of Class A Common Stock) registered in the name of Pubco so that the aggregate number of Series A Units and other Equity Securities of
the Company held by Pubco at all times equals the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other Equity Securities issued by Pubco issued and outstanding; provided, however, that if Pubco issues one or more shares of Class A
Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco, some or all of the net proceeds of which are to be used to fund expenses or other obligations of Pubco for which Pubco would be permitted a Distribution pursuant to Article IV, then Pubco
shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company which are used or will be used to fund such expenses or obligations; provided further, that if Pubco issues any shares of Class A Common Stock in order to purchase
or fund the purchase of Common Units from a Member (other than a Subsidiary of Pubco), then the Company shall not issue any new Common Units registered in the name of Pubco in accordance with
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Section 3.2(c) and Pubco shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company (it being understood that such net proceeds shall instead be transferred by
Pubco to such other Member as consideration for such purchase). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.2(b) shall not apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of Class A Common Stock of rights
to purchase Equity Securities of Pubco under a “poison pill” or similar shareholder’s rights plan (it being understood that (i) upon exchange of Exchangeable Units for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement, such Class A Common Stock would be issued together with any such corresponding right, and (ii) in the event such rights to purchase Equity Securities of Pubco are triggered, Pubco will ensure that the holders of Common Units
that have not been exchanged prior to such time will be treated equitably vis-à-vis the holders of Class A Common Stock under such plan).
(c) At any time a holder of Exchangeable Units exchanges such Exchangeable Units for shares of Class A Common Stock, the Company shall
cancel such Exchangeable Units. Upon the cancellation by the Company of the Exchangeable Units exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock, the Manager shall cause the Company to issue a number of Series A Units equal to the Exchanged Unit
Amount, registered in the name of Pubco in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Exchange Agreement. At any time a holder of Exchangeable Units exchanges such Exchangeable Units for a Cash Payment, the Company shall cancel such Exchangeable Units
and the Manager shall cause the Company to issue a number of Series A Units equal to the Exchanged Unit Amount, registered in the name of Pubco in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Exchange Agreement.
(d) At any time Pubco issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco in connection with an equity
incentive program, whether such share or shares are issued upon exercise (including cashless exercise) of an option, settlement of a restricted stock unit, as restricted stock or otherwise, the Manager shall cause the Company to issue a
corresponding number of Series A Units or Equity Securities of the Company corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by Pubco (if Pubco issues Equity Securities other than shares of Class A Common Stock), and with substantially the same
rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of Pubco so issued, registered in the name of Pubco (determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in
effect) so that the aggregate number of Series A Units and other Equity Securities held by Pubco at all times equals the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other Equity Securities issued and outstanding; provided that Pubco
shall be required to contribute to the Company all (but not less than all) of the net proceeds (if any) received by Pubco from or otherwise in connection with such issuance of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity
Securities of Pubco, including the exercise price of any option exercised. If any such shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities so issued by Pubco in connection with an equity incentive program are subject to vesting or
forfeiture provisions, then the Series A Units or other Equity Securities of the Company corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by Pubco (if Pubco issues Equity Securities other than shares of Class A Common Stock) that are issued by the
Company to Pubco in connection therewith in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 3.2(d) shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis; if any of such shares of Class A Common Stock or
other Equity Securities of Pubco vest or are forfeited, then a corresponding number of the Series A Units (determined based upon the Exchange Rate then in effect) or other Equity Securities issued by the Company corresponding to the Equity
Securities issued by Pubco (if Pubco issues equity Securities other than shares of Class A Common Stock) in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 3.2(d) shall automatically vest or be forfeited. Any
cash or property held by Pubco or the Company or on any of such Person’s behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco that fail to vest shall be returned to the
Company upon the forfeiture of such restricted shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco.
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(e) Pubco shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon Exchange of all outstanding Series B Units and shares of Class B Common Stock to
satisfy its obligations under the Exchange Agreement; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude Pubco from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Exchange by delivery of purchased shares of Class A
Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of Pubco). If any shares of Class A Common Stock require registration with or approval of any Governmental Entity under any federal or state law before such shares may be issued upon an
Exchange, Pubco shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange of such shares of Class A Common Stock to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. Pubco shall list and use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing
of the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon any such Exchange prior to such delivery upon the national securities exchange upon which the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are listed at the time of such Exchange (it
being understood that any such shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws). Pubco covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
(f) For purposes of this Section 3.2, “net
proceeds” means gross proceeds to Pubco from the issuance of Class A Common Stock or other securities less all reasonable bona fide out-of-pocket
fees and expenses of Pubco, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries actually incurred in connection with such issuance.
Section 3.3 Repurchase or Redemptions.
(a) Neither Pubco nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire
(i) shares of Class A Common Stock unless substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from Pubco or such Subsidiary an equal number of Series A Units for the same price per security, if
any, or (ii) any other Equity Securities of Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from Pubco or such
Subsidiary an equal number of the corresponding class or series of Equity Securities of the Company with the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity
Securities of Pubco or such Subsidiary for the same price per security, if any.
(b) The Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise
acquire (i) any Series A Units from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously Pubco or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires an equal number of shares
of Class A Common Stock for the same price per security from holders thereof or (ii) any other Equity Securities of the Company from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially
simultaneously Pubco or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of Pubco or such Subsidiary of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights
to dividends and distributions (including distributions on liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Units of the Company.
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Section 3.4 Equity Subdivisions and Combinations.
Except in accordance with the Exchange Agreement or any other adjustments required by this Agreement:
(a) Any subdivision (by equity
split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or other related class or
series of Equity Security of Pubco (including any Equity Security held in treasury) shall be accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the Common Units or other related class or series of Equity Security of the
Company, as applicable, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible Equity Security of the Company and Pubco.
(b) Any subdivision (by equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity
split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Units shall be accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or other related class or series of
Equity Security of Pubco (including any Equity Security held in treasury), as applicable, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible Equity Security of the Company and Pubco.
Section 3.5 General Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to
Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3 and Section 3.4, the Company, Pubco and the Manager shall be permitted to undertake all actions, including
an issuance, redemption, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Series A Units as is necessary to maintain at all times a
one-to-one ratio between (i) the number of Series A Units owned by Pubco, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
and (ii) the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock held by any Person (other than Pubco) and the number of Series B Units held by such Person.
Section 3.6 Capital Accounts.
(a) Maintenance of Capital Accounts. The Company shall maintain a separate Capital Account for each Unitholder according to the rules
of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Without limiting the foregoing, each Unitholder’s Capital Account shall be adjusted:
(i) by adding any additional Capital Contributions made by such Unitholder in consideration for the issuance of Units;
(ii) by deducting any amounts paid to such Unitholder in connection with the redemption or other repurchase by the Company of
Units;
(iii) by adding any Profits allocated in favor of such Unitholder and subtracting any Losses allocated in favor of
such Unitholder; and
(iv) by deducting any distributions paid in cash or other assets to such Unitholder by the Company.
(b) Computation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction Items. For purposes of computing the amount of any item of the Company income,
gain, loss or deduction to be allocated pursuant to Article IV and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and
classification for federal income Tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for this purpose); provided that:
(i) the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall include those items described in Code
Section 705(a)(1)(B), Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are not
deductible for federal income Tax purposes;
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(ii) if the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property;
(iii) items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the disposition of the Company property having a Book Value that
differs from its adjusted basis for Tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such property;
(iv)
items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to the Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for Tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the property’s Book Value
in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g);
(v) to
the extent an adjustment to the adjusted Tax basis of any of the Company’s asset pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment
increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis); and if, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.721-2(f))
to acquire Units, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
Section 3.7 Negative Capital Accounts;
No Interest Regarding Positive Capital Accounts. No Unitholder shall be required to pay to any other Unitholder or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Unitholder’s Capital Account
(including upon and after dissolution of the Company). Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Unitholder shall be entitled to receive interest from the Company in respect of any positive balance in its Capital Account and no Unitholder
shall be liable to pay interest to the Company or any Unitholder in respect of any negative balance in its Capital Account.
Section 3.8 No Withdrawal. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s
Capital Contributions or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided herein.
Section 3.9 Loans From Unitholders. Loans by Unitholders to the Company shall not be considered
Capital Contributions. If any Unitholder shall loan funds to the Company in excess of the amounts required hereunder to be contributed by such Unitholder to the capital of the Company, the making of such loans shall not result in any increase in the
amount of the Capital Account of such Unitholder. The amount of any such loans shall be a debt of the Company to such Unitholder and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loans are made.
Section 3.10 Adjustments to Capital Accounts for Distributions
In-Kind. To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a distribution equal to the Fair
Market Value of such property (as of the date of such distribution) for purposes of Section 4.1 and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value and any resulting gain or
loss shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 4.2 through Section 4.4. If the Company distributes property in kind to any Unitholder, the Company shall
(a) first, to the extent possible, distribute (and be deemed to distribute) to such Unitholder any such property that the Unitholder contributed to the Company (or any such property received by the Company in a
tax-deferred exchange for property contributed to the Company by such Unitholder) and (b)
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second, to the extent no further distribution can be made in accordance with subclause (a), or if such Unitholder did not contribute property to the Company, then the Company shall, to the extent
possible, distribute (and be deemed to distribute) to the Unitholder property other than such property that was contributed to the Company by another Unitholder (or any such property received by the Company in a
tax-deferred exchange for property contributed to the Company by a Unitholder), to the extent that such Unitholder is entitled to receive a Distribution at such time under the economic priorities set out in
Article IV.
Section 3.11 Transfer of Capital Accounts. The original Capital Account
established for each Substituted Member shall be in the same amount as the Capital Account of the Member (or portion thereof) to which such Substituted Member succeeds at the time such Substituted Member is admitted to as a Member of the Company.
The Capital Account of any Member whose interest in the Company shall be increased or decreased by means of (a) the Transfer to it of all or part of the Units of another Member or (b) the repurchase or forfeiture of Units pursuant to any
Equity Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such Transfer or repurchase. Any reference in this Agreement to a Capital Contribution of or Distribution to a Member that has succeeded any other Member shall include any Capital
Contributions or Distributions previously made by or to the former Member on account of the Units of such former Member Transferred to such Member.
Section 3.12 Adjustments to Book Value. The Company shall adjust the Book Value of its assets to Fair
Market Value in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) as of the following times: (a) at the Manager’s discretion in connection with the issuance of Units in the
Company or a more than de minimis Capital Contribution to the Company; (b) at the Manager’s discretion in connection with the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of the Company’s
assets, including money; and (c) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g). Any such increase or decrease in Book Value of an asset shall
be allocated as a Profit or Loss to the Capital Accounts of the Members under Section 4.2 (determined immediately prior to the event giving rise to the revaluation). The Company shall adjust the Book Value of its property
under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) in connection with and immediately after the IPO Transactions (the “IPO 704(c) Event”).
Section 3.13 Compliance With Section 1.704-1(b). The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)
and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In the event the Manager shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are computed in order to comply with such
Treasury Regulations, the Manager may make such modification, notwithstanding anything in Section 11.2 to the contrary. The Manager also shall (a) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain
equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of the Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(iv)(g), and (b) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
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ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
Section 4.1 Distributions.
(a) Tax Distributions.
(i) Tax Distributions. To the extent funds of the Company are legally available for distribution by the Company and such
distribution would not be prohibited under any credit facility to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (the “Tax Distribution Conditions”), with respect to each Fiscal Quarter, on or prior to the relevant Tax
Distribution Date, the Company shall distribute to each Unitholder an amount of cash (each a “Tax Distribution”) equal to such Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability for such Fiscal Quarter. To the extent a holder of Common
Units would receive for any Fiscal Quarter less than its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Tax Distributions to be paid pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Tax Distributions to such Unitholder shall be increased to ensure that all Tax
Distributions to holders of Common Units are made in accordance with their Pro Rata Share. The Manager shall be entitled to adjust subsequent Tax Distributions up or down to reflect any variation between its prior estimation of quarterly Tax
Distributions and the Tax Distributions that would have been computed under this Section 4.1(a)(i) based on subsequent information. In the event that due to the Tax Distribution Conditions the funds available
for any Tax Distribution to be made hereunder are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Tax Distribution that would otherwise be required under this Section 4.1(a)(i), the Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to distribute to the Unitholders the amount of funds that are available after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions on a pro rata basis (according to the amounts that would have been distributed to each Unitholder pursuant to
this Section 4.1(a)(i) if available funds (after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions) existed in a sufficient amount to make such Distribution in full). At any time thereafter when additional funds
of the Company are available for Distribution after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to immediately distribute such funds to the Unitholders on a pro rata basis (according to the
amounts that would have been distributed to each Unitholder pursuant to this Section 4.1(a)(i) if available funds (after application of the Tax Distribution Conditions) would have existed in a sufficient
amount to make such Tax Distribution in full). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect any taxable period shall first be treated as Tax Distributions pursuant to this
Section 4.1(a)(i) to the extent of any entitlement thereto.
(ii)
Additional Tax Distributions. In the event (A) of any audit by, or similar event with, a taxing authority that affects the calculation of any Unitholder’s Assumed Tax Liability for any Taxable Year (other than an audit conducted
pursuant to the Partnership Tax Audit Rules for which no election is made pursuant to Code Section 6226 (or any similar provision of state or local law)) or (B) the Company files an amended tax return, each Unitholder’s Assumed Tax
Liability with respect to such year shall be recalculated by giving effect to such event (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account interest and penalties). Any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions the Unitholders and former
Unitholders received for the relevant Taxable Years based on such recalculated Assumed Tax Liability promptly shall be distributed to such Unitholders and the successors of such former Unitholders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share of such
additional Tax Distributions, except, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Distributions were made to such Unitholders and former Unitholders pursuant to Section 4.1 in the relevant Taxable Years sufficient to cover
such shortfall.
(b) Other Distributions. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.1(a), the Manager
may (but shall not be obligated to) make Distributions at such time, in such amounts and in such form (including in-kind property) as determined by the Manager in its sole discretion, in each case to the
holders of Common Units immediately prior to such Distribution on a pro rata basis.
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Section 4.2 Allocations. Profits or Losses for any
Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unitholders in such a manner as to reduce or eliminate, to the extent possible, any difference, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, between (a) the sum of (i) the Capital Account of each Unitholder,
(ii) such Unitholder’s share of Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(g)) and (iii) such Unitholder’s partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2)) and (b) the respective net amounts, positive or negative, which would be distributed to them or for which they would be liable to the Company
under this Agreement and the Delaware Act, determined as if the Company were to (i) liquidate the assets of the Company for an amount equal to their Book Value and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such liquidation pursuant to
Section 10.2.
Section 4.3 Special Allocations.
(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Losses attributable to partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If there is a net decrease during a Taxable Year in
partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2)), Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) shall be allocated to the
Unitholders in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4).
(b) Unitholder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Chargeback. Nonrecourse deductions (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Taxable Year shall be allocated to each holder of Common Units ratably among such Unitholders based upon their ownership of Common Units. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 4.3(a), if there is a net decrease in the Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Unitholder shall be allocated Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) in the amounts and
of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 4.3(b) is intended to be a Minimum Gain chargeback provision that complies with
the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. If any Unitholder that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any Taxable Year, computed after the application of
Section 4.3(a) and Section 4.3(b), but before the application of any other provision of this Article IV, then Profits for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to such Unitholder in
proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This Section 4.3(c) is intended to be a qualified income offset provision as described in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
(d)
Allocation of Certain Profits and Losses. Profits and Losses described in Section 3.6(b)(v) shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be
made pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(j), (k) and (m).
(e)
Regulatory Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 4.3(a)-(d) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections
1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Unitholders intend to allocate Profit
and Loss of the Company or make the Company distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, income, gain, deduction and loss shall be reallocated among the
Unitholders so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Accounts of the Unitholders to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Profit and Loss (and such
other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Unitholders anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Profit and Loss (and such other
items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Unitholders so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such
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Unitholder is zero. In addition, if in any Fiscal Year there is a decrease in partnership Minimum Gain, or in partner nonrecourse debt Minimum Gain, and application of the Minimum Gain chargeback
requirements set forth in Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b) would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Unitholders, the Unitholders may, if they do not expect that the Company
will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the Internal Revenue Service to waive either or both of such Minimum Gain chargeback requirements. If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as
if it did not contain such Minimum Gain chargeback requirement.
(f) The Unitholders acknowledge that allocations like those described in
Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) (“Forfeiture Allocations”) may result from the allocations of Profits and Losses provided for in this Agreement. For the
avoidance of doubt, the Company is entitled to make Forfeiture Allocations and, once required by applicable final or temporary guidance, allocations of Profits and Losses will be made in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) or any successor provision or guidance.
(g) Any excess nonrecourse
liabilities of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), shall be allocated to the Members in any manner that is permissible under the Treasury Regulations.
(h) Any item of deduction with respect to a Tax that is offset at the Manager’s election pursuant to the second sentence of
Section 4.6 against a Distribution to which a Unitholder is otherwise entitled shall be allocated to such Unitholder. For the avoidance of doubt, all tax deductions described in this Section 4.3(h)
shall be taken into account in determining the amount of any Tax Distribution made under the provisions of Section 4.1(a)(i).
Section 4.4 Offsetting Allocations. If, and to the extent that, any Member is deemed to recognize any
item of income, gain, deduction or loss as a result of any transaction between such Member and the Company pursuant to Sections 83, 482 or 7872 of the Code or any similar provision now or hereafter in effect, the Manager shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to allocate any corresponding Profit or Loss to the Member who recognizes such item in order to reflect the Members’ economic interest in the Company.
Section 4.5 Tax Allocations.
(a) Allocations Generally. Except as provided in Section 4.5(b), for federal, state and local income Tax
purposes, each item of income, gain, loss or deduction shall be allocated among the Unitholders in the same manner and in the same proportion that the corresponding book items have been allocated among the Unitholders’ respective Capital
Accounts; provided that, if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable law, then each subsequent item of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits will be allocated among the Unitholders so as to reflect as nearly as
possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
(b) Code Section 704(c)
Allocations.
(i) As a result of the IPO 704(c) Event, items of Company taxable income, gain, loss and deduction shall
be allocated to take into account any variation between the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value, in each case, in accordance with the “traditional method,” except that the Company shall make
curative allocations of the resulting tax gain from the sale or disposition of each such property in a manner that is intended to offset the effect of the cumulative amount of any “ceiling rule limitations” with respect to allocations of
depreciation or amortization deductions in respect of any such differences between the Book Value of an such item of property and its adjusted Tax basis that are created in connection with any such contribution or adjustment of Book Value for each
such property, as the case may be, as outlined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(c)(3)(iii)(B) (the “Traditional Method with Curative Allocations”).
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(ii) If (A) any property is contributed (or deemed contributed for Tax
purposes) to the Company, or (B) if the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f) (any such contribution or adjustment of Book
Value described in clauses (A) or (B), a “704(c) Event”), items of Company taxable income, gain, loss, and deduction shall be allocated using the Traditional Method with Curative Allocations; provided, that with
respect to any 704(c) Event, Holdings may withhold consent to the use of the Traditional Method with Curative Allocations with respect to such 704(c) Event (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any 704(c) Event in connection with the IPO
Transactions) to the extent Holdings delivers written notice to the Company prior to February 21st of the Taxable Year following the Taxable Year including the 704(c) Event (the “Notice
Date”) that consent is withheld to the use of the Traditional Method with Curative Allocations with respect to such 704(c) Event, and solely to the extent such written notice is timely delivered and such consent is not unreasonably
withheld or conditioned, Holdings shall cooperate in good faith to timely agree on an alternative methodology permissible under Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to the 704(c) Event, and such mutually agreed alternative methodology
(unless the Traditional Method with Curative Allocations is mutually agreed) shall be used by the Company with respect to such 704(c) Event. The Company shall reasonably cooperate to provide its analysis and any modeling with respect to the choice
of allocation methodology for any Taxable Year, as well as any other information reasonably requested by Holdings which is reasonably necessary to determine whether to consent or object to such methodology, at least 10 days in advance of the Notice
Date for such Taxable Year.
(c) Section 754 Election. The Company will make an election under Section 754
of the Code for its Taxable Year that includes or begins on the date of this Agreement, and shall have such election in effect for each subsequent Taxable Year, to adjust the basis of the Company property as permitted and provided in Sections 734
and 743 of the Code, and the Manager shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which the Company owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that is so treated as a partnership to have in effect any
such election for such Taxable Years. Such election shall be effective solely for federal (and, if applicable, state and local) income Tax purposes and shall not result in any adjustment to the Book Value of any Company asset or to the
Member’s Capital Accounts (except as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)).
(d) Allocation of Tax Credits, Tax Credit Recapture, Etc. Allocations of Tax credits, Tax credit recapture and any items related
thereto shall be allocated to the Unitholders according to their interests in such items as determined by the Manager taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii)
and (viii).
(e) Corrective Allocations. If necessary, the Company will make corrective allocations as set forth in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
(f) Effect of Allocations. Allocations pursuant
to this Section 4.5 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local Taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Unitholder’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses,
Distributions (other than Tax Distributions) or other items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
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Section 4.6 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments
on Behalf of a Member. Except as otherwise provided in Article VI, if the Company (or any other entity in which the Company owns a direct or indirect interest) is required by law to make any payment to a Governmental
Entity that is specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status as such (including federal withholding Taxes, state personal property Taxes and state unincorporated business Taxes, Taxes arising under the Partnership Tax Audit Rules,
the amount of any Taxes imposed under Code Section 1446(f), and any interest, penalties, additions to Tax and expenses related to any such amounts) (“Tax Advances”), then such Member shall indemnify and contribute to the
Company in full for the entire amount of Tax Advances paid. The Manager may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s obligation to indemnify the Company for Tax Advances under this
Section 4.6 or with respect to any other amounts owed by the Member to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. A Member’s obligation to indemnify and make contributions to the Company under this
Section 4.6 shall survive the transfer or termination of any Member’s interest in any Units of the Company, the termination of this Agreement, and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the
Company (and for purposes of this Section 4.6 to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence). The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have
against each Member under this Section 4.6, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification and contribution, with interest calculated at a rate equal to the Base Rate plus three percentage points per annum
(but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by law), compounded on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter. For the avoidance of doubt, any Taxes, penalties and interest payable under the Partnership Tax Audit Rules by the Company or any
fiscally transparent entity in which the Company owns an interest shall be treated as Tax Advances specifically allocable to the Members and the Partnership Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allocate the burden of (or any
diminution in distributable proceeds resulting from) any such Taxes, penalties or interest to the Members to whom such amounts are specifically attributable (whether as a result of their status, actions, inactions or otherwise) as determined by the
Partnership Representative.
ARTICLE V
MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS
Section 5.1 Management.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act, the business, property and affairs of the Company shall
be managed, operated and controlled at the sole, absolute and exclusive direction of the Manager in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. No Members shall have management authority or voting or other rights over, or any other ability to take
part in the conduct or control of the business of, the Company. The Manager is hereby designated as a “manager” within the meaning of Section 18-101(12) of the Delaware Act. The Manager is, to
the extent of its rights and powers set forth in this Agreement, an agent of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s business, and the actions of the Manager taken in accordance with such rights and powers shall bind the Company (and no
Member shall have such right). The Manager shall have all necessary powers to carry out the purposes, business and objectives of the Company. The Manager may delegate in its discretion the authority to sign agreements and other documents and take
other actions on behalf of the Company to any Person (including any Member, officer or employee of the Company) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.
(b) Without limiting Section 5.1(a), the Manager shall have the sole power and authority to effect any of the
following by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in one or a series of related transaction, in each case without the vote, consent or approval of any Unitholder: (i) any sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection
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with any assets at any time held by the Company); (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity, (iii) any acquisition;
(iv) any issuance of debt or equity securities; (v) any incurrence of indebtedness; or (vi) any dissolution. Except for any vote, consent or approval of any Unitholder expressly required by this Agreement, if a vote, consent or
approval of the Unitholders is required by the Delaware Act or other applicable law with respect to any action to be taken by the Company or matter considered by the Manager, each Unitholder will be deemed to have consented to or approved such
action or voted on such matter in accordance with the consent or approval of the Manager on such action or matter.
(c) Pubco may withdraw
as the Manager and appoint as its successor at any time upon written notice to the Company (a) any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Pubco, (b) any Person of which Pubco is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, (c) any Person into which Pubco is merged
or consolidated or (d) any transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of Pubco, which withdrawal and replacement shall be effective upon the delivery of such notice. No appointment of a Person other than Pubco (or its successor, as
the case may be) as Manager shall be effective unless Pubco (or its successor, as the case may be) and the new Manager provide all Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such Members against the new Manager, to cause the new
Manager to comply with all of the Manager’s obligations under this Agreement.
Section 5.2
Investment Company Act. The Manager shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Company shall not be subject to registration as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act.
Section 5.3 Officers.
(a) Officers. Unless determined otherwise by the Manager, the officers of the Company shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President,
a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and a Secretary and each other officer of Pubco shall also be an officer of the Company, with the same title. All officers shall be appointed by the Manager (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the
Manager delegates such authority to the Chief Executive Officer) and shall hold office until their successors are appointed by the Manager (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the Manager delegates such authority to the Chief Executive
Officer). Two or more offices may be held by the same individual. The officers of the Company may be removed by the Manager (or by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent the Manager delegates such authority to the Chief Executive Officer) at any
time for any reason or no reason.
(b) Other Officers and Agents. The Manager may appoint such other officers and agents as
it may deem necessary or advisable, 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 Manager.
(c) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Company and shall have the general
powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of a chief executive officer of a company. He or she shall preside at all meetings of Members if present thereat.
(d) President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer. In
general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Manager.
(e) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the chief financial officer of the Company and shall keep and
maintain or cause to be kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Company. The books of account shall at all times be open to inspection by the Manager. The Chief
Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name of, and to the credit of, the Company with such depositaries as may be designated by the Manager.
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(f) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of Company funds and securities
and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositaries as may be designated by the Manager or the Chief
Executive Officer. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Manager, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the
Manager and the Chief Executive Officer whenever either of them may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Company. If required by the Manager, the Treasurer shall give the Company a
bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Manager shall prescribe.
(g)
Secretary. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of Members and all other notices required by applicable law or by this Agreement, and in case of his or her absence or refusal or neglect so to do, any such
notice may be given by any person thereunto directed by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Manager. He or she shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Company and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by
the Manager or by the Chief Executive Officer.
(h) Other Officers. Other officers, if any, shall have such powers and shall
perform such duties as shall be assigned to them, respectively, by the Manager or by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 5.4 Fiduciary Duties.
(a) Members and Unitholders. To the fullest extent permitted by law and notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in
equity, no Member or Unitholder, solely in its capacity as such, shall owe any fiduciary duty to the Company, the Manager, any Member, any Unitholder or any other Person bound by this Agreement, provided that the foregoing shall not eliminate the
implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Nothing in this Section 5.4(a) shall limit the liabilities, duties or obligations of any Member or Unitholder acting in his or her capacity as an officer or
manager pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement.
(b) Manager and Officers. Notwithstanding any other provision to
the contrary in this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.4(c), (i) the Manager shall, in its capacity as Manager, and not in any other capacity, have the same fiduciary duties to the Company and the Unitholders and
Members as a member of the board of directors of a Delaware corporation; and (ii) each officer of the Company shall, in his or her capacity as such, and not in any other capacity, have the same fiduciary duties to the Company and the
Unitholders and Members as an officer of a Delaware corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, the fiduciary duties described in the immediately preceding clause (i) shall not be limited by the fact that the Manager shall be permitted to take
certain actions in its sole or reasonable discretion pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any agreement entered into in connection herewith.
(c) Manager Conflicts. The parties hereto acknowledge that the members of the Board will owe fiduciary duties to Pubco and its
stockholders. The Manager will use commercially reasonable and appropriate efforts and means, as determined in good faith by the Manager, to minimize any conflict of interest between the Members, on the one hand, and the stockholders of Pubco, on
the other hand, and to effectuate any transaction that involves or affects any of the Company, the Manager, the Members and/or the stockholders of Pubco in a manner that does not (i) disadvantage the Members of their interests relative to the
stockholders of Pubco, (ii) advantage the stockholders of Pubco relative to the Members or (iii) treat the Members and the stockholders of Pubco differently; provided that in the event of a conflict between the interests of the
stockholders of Pubco and the interests of the Members, such Members agree that the Manager shall discharge its fiduciary duties to such Members by acting in the best interests of Pubco’s stockholders.
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(d) Waiver. Any duties and liabilities set forth in this Agreement shall replace
those existing at law or in equity and each of the Company, each Member and Unitholder and any other Person bound by this Agreement hereby, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including
Section 18-1101(e) of the Delaware Act, waives the right to make any claim, bring any action or seek any recovery based on any duties or liabilities existing at law or in equity other than any such duties
and liabilities set forth in this Agreement.
(e) Survival. The provisions of this Section 5.4 shall
survive any amendment, repeal or termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.1 Exculpation.
(a) Actions in Capacity as a Member or Unitholder. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, no Member, Unitholder (other than the Manager, acting in its capacity as such) or its respective Indemnitees shall be liable to the Company, any Member, any Unitholder or any other Person bound by this Agreement as a result of or
arising out any action of or omission by such Member or Unitholder solely in its capacity as a Member or Unitholder, except to the extent such Obligations arise out of such Member’s (i) material breach of this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document or (ii) bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, in each case as determined by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is
not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected).
(b) Other
Actions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, including Section 6.5, no Indemnitee shall be liable to the Company, any Member, any Unitholder or any other
Person bound by this Agreement as a result of or arising out of the activities of the Indemnitee on behalf of the Company to the extent within the scope of the authority reasonably believed by such Indemnitee to be conferred on such Indemnitee,
except to the extent such Indemnitee would not be entitled to exculpation or indemnification pursuant to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Pubco (as the same may be amended from time to time).
Section 6.2 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of (a) the
Manager, (b) the Unitholders and the Members and their respective Affiliates, (c) the stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of the Unitholders, the Members and their respective Affiliates and
(d) the officers and directors of the Manager, the Company and each of their Subsidiaries (each, an “Indemnitee”) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively,
“Obligations”), which at any time may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee as a result of or arising out of this Agreement, Pubco, the Company, their respective assets, businesses or affairs or the
activities of the Indemnitee on behalf of Pubco, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries to the extent within the scope of the authority reasonably believed to be conferred on such Indemnitee; provided, however, that, to the extent
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such Indemnitee is not entitled to exculpation with respect to such Obligations pursuant to Section 6.5, the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification for any
such Obligations to the extent such Indemnitee would not be entitled to exculpation or indemnification pursuant to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Pubco (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided further, that, to the
extent such Indemnitee is entitled to exculpation with respect to such Obligations pursuant to Section 6.5, the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification for any such Obligations to the extent they arise out of
such Indemnitee’s (i) material breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (ii) bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification hereunder. Any indemnification
pursuant to this Section 6.2 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company and no Member shall have any personal liability on account thereof.
Section 6.3 Expenses. Expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by an
Indemnitee in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding described in Section 6.2 shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding, upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as provided in Section 6.2;
provided that such undertaking shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be accepted without regard to an Indemnitee’s ability to repay amounts advanced and without regard to an Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification.
Section 6.4 Non-Exclusivity; Savings Clause. The
indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may
be entitled under any other agreement, policy of insurance or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 shall continue as to an Indemnitee
who has ceased to be a named Indemnitee and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns of such a Person. If Article VI, Section 6.2 or
Section 6.3 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless exculpate, indemnify and advance expenses each Indemnitee to the fullest
extent permitted by any applicable portion of such sections not so invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions set forth in Article VI,
Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Company and each of the persons constituting Indemnitees at any time while such provisions remain in effect, whether or not
such Person continues to serve in such capacity and whether or not such Person is a party hereto. In addition, neither Article VI, Section 6.2 nor Section 6.3 may be retroactively amended to
adversely affect the rights of any Indemnitee arising in connection with any acts, omissions, facts or circumstances occurring prior to such amendment.
Section 6.5 Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Indemnitees
against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in such capacity, or arising out of their status as Indemnitees, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify them against such liability under this
Section 6.5.
ARTICLE VII
ACCOUNTING AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS
Section 7.1 Accounting and Records. The books and records of the Company shall be made and maintained,
and the financial position and the results of its operations recorded, at the expense of the Company, in accordance with such method of accounting as is determined by the Manager. The books and records of the Company shall reflect all Company
transactions and shall be made and maintained in a manner that is appropriate and adequate for the Company’s business.
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Section 7.2 Preparation of Tax Returns. The Company
shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all Tax returns required to be filed by the Company, including making the elections described in Section 7.3 and shall use reasonable best efforts to furnish, within seventy-five (75 days
of the close of each Taxable Year, the tax information reasonably required by the Unitholders (including a final Schedule K-1) for federal and state income Tax and any other Tax reporting purposes. Each
Unitholder shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is necessary to enable the Company’s income Tax returns to be prepared and filed.
Section 7.3 Tax Elections. The Taxable Year shall be the Fiscal Year unless otherwise determined by
the Manager and permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code. The Manager shall determine whether to make or revoke any available election pursuant to the Code, except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. Each Unitholder will upon
request supply any information necessary to give proper effect to such election.
Section 7.4 Tax
Controversies.
(a) The Manager shall be the “partnership representative” (the “Partnership
Representative”) of the Company for purposes of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules, and, as such, shall be authorized to designate any other Person selected by the Manager as the Partnership Representative or to designate any Person as the
“designated individual” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1(b)(3).
(b) Subject to this Section 7.4, the Partnership Representative shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of
the Company in connection with, make all relevant decisions regarding the application of and to exercise the rights and powers provided for in, the Partnership Tax Audit Rules, including making any elections under the Partnership Tax Audit Rules or
any decisions to settle, compromise, challenge, litigate or otherwise alter the defense of any action, claim, proceeding, audit or examination before the IRS or any other tax authority (each, an “Audit”), and to expend Company
funds for professional services and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the
Partnership Representative shall give prompt written notice to Holdings of the commencement of any Audit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a “Specified Audit”). The Partnership Representative shall (i) keep Holdings
reasonably informed of the material developments of any such Specified Audit, (ii) permit Holdings (or its designee) to participate (including using separate counsel), in each case at Holdings’ sole cost and expense, in any such Specified
Audit and (iii) promptly notify Holdings of receipt of a notice of a final partnership adjustment (or equivalent under applicable laws) or a final decision of a court or IRS appeals panel (or equivalent body under applicable laws) with respect
to such Specified Audit. The Partnership Representative or the Company shall promptly provide Holdings with copies of all material correspondence between the Partnership Representative or the Company (as applicable) and any Governmental Entity in
connection with such Specified Audit and shall give Holdings a reasonably opportunity to review and comment on any material correspondence, submission (including settlement or compromise offers) or filing in connection with any such Specified Audit.
Additionally, the Partnership Representative shall not (and the Company shall not (and shall not authorize the Partnership Representative to)) settle, compromise or abandon any Specified Audit in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a
disproportionate (as compared to Pubco) and material adverse effect on Holdings (or its direct or indirect equityholders) without Holdings’ prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The Partnership
Representative shall obtain the prior written consent of Holdings (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed
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or conditioned) before (i) making an election under Section 6226(a) of the Code (or any analogous provision of state or local Law) or (ii) taking any material action under the
Partnership Tax Audit Rules that would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate (compared to Pubco) and material adverse effect on Holdings, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii).
(d) This Section 7.4 shall be interpreted to apply to Members and former Members and shall survive the transfer of a
Member’s Company Units and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company and, for this purpose to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence.
Section 7.5 Code § 83 Safe Harbor Election.
(a) By executing this Agreement, each Unitholder authorizes and directs the Company to elect to have the “Safe Harbor” described
in the proposed Revenue Procedure set forth in the Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43 (the “IRS Notice”) or in any successor, guidance or provision apply to any interest in the Company
transferred to a service provider by the Company on or after the effective date of such Revenue Procedure in connection with services provided to the Company. For purposes of making such Safe Harbor election, the Partnership Representative is hereby
designated as the “partner who has responsibility for federal income Tax reporting” by the Company and, accordingly, that execution of such Safe Harbor election by the Partnership Representative constitutes execution of a “Safe
Harbor Election” in accordance with Section 3.03(1) of the IRS Notice. Each Unitholder hereby agrees to comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor described in the IRS Notice, including, the requirement that each Unitholder shall
prepare and file all federal income Tax returns reporting the income Tax effects of each Unit issued by the Company that qualifies for the Safe Harbor in a manner consistent with the requirements of the IRS Notice.
(b) Any Unitholder or former Unitholder that fails to comply with requirements set forth in Section 7.5(a) shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each adversely affected Unitholder and former Unitholder from and against any and all losses, liabilities, Taxes, damages, judgments, fines, costs, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (including, costs and expenses of suits and proceedings and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), in
each case resulting from such Unitholder’s or former Unitholder’s failure to comply with such requirements. The Manager may offset Distributions to which a Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Person’s
obligation to indemnify the Company and any other Person under this Section 7.5(b) (and any amount so offset with respect to such Person’s obligation to indemnify a Person other than the Company shall be paid over to
such other Person by the Company). A Unitholder’s obligations to comply with the requirements of Section 7.5(a) and to indemnify the Company and any Unitholder or former Unitholder under this
Section 7.5(b) shall survive such Unitholder’s ceasing to be a Unitholder of the Company and/or the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company, and, for purposes of this
Section 7.5, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company and any Unitholder or former Unitholder may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Unitholder or former
Unitholder under this Section 7.5(b), including (i) instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification and contribution, with interest calculated at a rate equal to the Base Rate plus three percentage points per
annum (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by law), compounded on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, and (ii) specific performance and/or immediate injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent
jurisdiction (without the necessity of showing actual money damages, or posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of Section 7.5(a).
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(c) Each Unitholder authorizes the Manager to amend paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
Section 7.5 to the extent necessary to achieve substantially the same Tax treatment with respect to any interest Units Transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services provided to the Company as
set forth in Section 4 of the IRS Notice (e.g., to reflect changes from the rules set forth in the IRS Notice in subsequent Internal Revenue Service guidance); provided, that such amendment is not materially adverse to any
Unitholder (as compared with the after-Tax consequences that would result if the provisions of the IRS Notice applied to all Units Transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with services
provided to the Company).
ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFER OF UNITS; ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS
Section 8.1 Transfer of Units. Other than as provided for in this
Section 8.1, no Member may sell, assign, transfer, grant a participation in, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of (such transaction being herein collectively called a “Transfer”) all or
any portion of its Units except with the approval of the Manager, which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion. Without the approval of the Manager (but otherwise in compliance with Section 8.1), a Member may, at
any time, (a) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and (b) Transfer any portion of such Member’s Units to a Permitted Transferee of such Member. Any purported Transfer of all or a
portion of a Member’s Units not complying with this Section 8.1 shall be void ab initio and shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company or the other Members to recognize that purported Transfer
or to recognize the Person to which the Transfer purportedly was made as a Member. A Person acquiring a Member’s Units pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall not be admitted as a substituted or Additional Member except in
accordance with the requirements of Section 8.2, but such Person shall, to the extent of the Units transferred to it, be entitled to such Member’s (i) share of Distributions, (ii) share of Profits and Losses
and (iii) Capital Account in accordance with Section 3.6. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Member Transfers all or any portion
of its Units after the designation of a record date and declaration of a Distribution pursuant to Section 4.1 and before the payment date of such distribution, the transferring Member (and not the Person acquiring all or
any portion of its Units) shall be entitled to receive such Distribution in respect of such transferred Units.
Section 8.2 Recognition of Transfer; Substituted and Additional Members.
(a) No direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of a Member’s Units may be made, and no purchaser, assignee, transferee or
other recipient of all or any part of such Units shall be admitted to the Company as a substituted or Additional Member hereunder, unless:
(i) the provisions of Section 8.1 shall have been complied with;
(ii) in the case of a proposed substituted or Additional Member that is (A) a competitor or potential competitor of Pubco
or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries, (B) a Person with whom Pubco or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries has had or is expected to have a material commercial or financial relationship or (C) likely to subject Pubco or
the Company or their respective Subsidiaries to any material legal or regulatory requirement or obligation, or materially increase the burden thereof, in each case as determined by the Manager in its sole discretion, the admission of the purchaser,
assignee, transferee or other recipient as a substituted or Additional Member shall have been approved by the Manager;
(iii) the Manager shall have been furnished with the documents effecting such Transfer, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Manager, executed and acknowledged by both the seller, assignor or transferor and the purchaser, assignee, transferee or other recipient, and the Manager shall have executed (and the Manager hereby agrees to execute) any other
documents on behalf of itself and the Members required to effect the Transfer;
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(iv) the provisions of Section 8.2(b) shall have
been complied with;
(v) the Manager shall be reasonably satisfied that such Transfer will not (A) result in a
violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable law or (B) cause an assignment under the Investment Company Act;
(vi) such Transfer would not: (A) cause (or create a substantial risk of causing) the Company to be treated as a
“publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or any other association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Transfer
shall not be effected on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof,” as such terms are used in Treas. Reg.
§ 1.7704-1; or (B) result in the Company having more than 100 partners within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined
taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3); except as the Manager might reasonably determine that the Company can rely on one or more of the secondary market safe harbors
set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(c)(3);
(vii) the Manager
shall have received the opinion of counsel, if any, required by Section 8.2(c) in connection with such Transfer; and
(viii) all necessary instruments reflecting such Transfer and/or admission shall have been filed in each jurisdiction in which
such filing is necessary in order to qualify the Company to conduct business or to preserve the limited liability of the Members.
(b)
Each Substituted Member and Additional Member shall be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement. Each Substituted Member and Additional Member, as a condition to its admission as a Member, shall execute and acknowledge such instruments
(including a counterpart of this Agreement and the Exchange Agreement or a joinder agreement in customary form), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Manager, as the Manager reasonably deems necessary or desirable to effectuate such
admission and to confirm the agreement of such substituted or Additional Member to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Units acquired by such substituted or Additional Member. The admission of a substituted
or Additional Member shall not require the consent of any Member (but shall require the consent of the Manager, if and to the extent such consent of the Manager is expressly required by this Article VIII). As promptly as practicable after the
admission of a substituted or Additional Member, the Unit Ownership Ledger and other books and records of the Company and Exhibit A shall be changed to reflect such admission.
(c) As a further condition to any Transfer of all or any part of a Member’s Units, the Manager may, in its discretion, require a written
opinion of counsel to the transferring Member reasonably satisfactory to the Manager, obtained at the sole expense of the transferring Member, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Manager, as to such matters as are customary and
appropriate in transactions of this type, including (or, in the case of any Transfer made to a Permitted Transferee, limited to an opinion) to the effect that such Transfer will not result in a violation of the registration or other requirements of
the Securities Act or any other federal or state securities laws. No such opinion, however, shall be required in connection with a Transfer made pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.
Section 8.3 Expense of Transfer; Indemnification. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the
Manager and the Company in connection with any Transfer of a Member’s Units, including any filing and recording costs and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the transferring Member. In addition,
the transferring Member hereby indemnifies the Manager and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Manager, the Company or any of their Affiliates may become subject arising out of or based upon any false
representation or warranty made by, or breach or failure to comply with any covenant or agreement of, such transferring Member or such transferee in connection with such Transfer.
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Section 8.4 Exchange Agreement. In connection with
any Transfer of any portion of a Member’s Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Manager shall cause the Company to take any action as may be required under the Exchange Agreement or requested by any party thereto to effect such
Transfer promptly.
Section 8.5 Change of Control Transactions. In the event (i) Pubco enters
into an agreement to consummate a Change of Control (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) transaction or (ii) any Person commences a tender offer or exchange offer for any of the outstanding shares of Pubco’s stock, Pubco will take
all reasonable actions in order to effect any Change of Control Exchange.
ARTICLE IX
WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF UNITHOLDERS
Section 9.1 Withdrawal and Resignation of Unitholders. No Unitholder shall have the power or right to
withdraw or otherwise resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article X, without the prior written consent of the Manager (which consent may be withheld by the Manager in its sole
discretion), except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement. Upon a Transfer of all of a Unitholder’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, and (if applicable) the Equity Agreements, such Unitholder shall cease to be a
Unitholder. Notwithstanding that payment on account of a withdrawal may be made after the effective time of such withdrawal, any completely withdrawing Unitholder will not be considered a Unitholder for any purpose after the effective time of such
complete withdrawal, and, in the case of a partial withdrawal, such Unitholder’s Capital Account (and corresponding voting and other rights) shall be reduced for all other purposes hereunder upon the effective time of such partial withdrawal.
ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 10.1 Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or
Substituted Members. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first of the following to occur:
(a) at the
election of the Manager;
(b) at any time there are not members of the Company unless the Company is continued without dissolution in
accordance with the Delaware Act; and
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.
Except as otherwise set forth in this Article X, the
Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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Section 10.2 Liquidation and Termination. On the
dissolution of the Company, the Manager shall act as liquidator or may appoint one or more representatives, Members or other Persons as liquidator(s). The liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final
distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as the Company’s expense. Until final distribution, the liquidators shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and
authority of the Manager. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidators are as follows:
(a) The liquidators shall pay, satisfy or
discharge from the Company’s funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in liquidation) or otherwise make reasonable provision for payment thereof (including the establishment of a cash
fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine).
(b) As promptly as
practicable after dissolution, the liquidators shall (i) determine the Fair Market Value (the “Liquidation FMV”) of the Company’s remaining assets (the “Liquidation Assets”) in accordance with
Article X, (ii) determine the amounts to be distributed to each Unitholder in accordance with Section 4.1 and (iii) deliver to each Unitholder a statement (the “Liquidation Statement”)
setting forth the Liquidation FMV and the amounts and recipients of such Distributions, which Liquidation Statement shall be final and binding on all Unitholders.
(c) As soon as the Liquidation FMV and the proper amounts of Distributions have been determined in accordance with
Section 10.2(b), the liquidators shall promptly distribute the Company’s Liquidation Assets to the holders of Units in accordance with Section 4.1(b). In making such distributions, the
liquidators shall allocate each type of Liquidation Assets (i.e., cash or cash equivalents, preferred or common equity securities, etc.) among the Unitholders ratably based upon the aggregate amounts to be distributed with respect to the
Units held by each such holder; provided that the liquidators may allocate each type of Liquidation Assets so as to give effect to and take into account the relative priorities of the different Units; provided, further that, in the event that
any securities are part of the Liquidation Assets, each Unitholder that is not an “accredited investor” as such term is defined under the Securities Act may, in the sole discretion of the Manager, receive, and hereby agrees to accept, in
lieu of such securities, cash consideration with an equivalent value to such securities as determined by the Manager. Any non-cash Liquidation Assets will first be written up or down to their Fair Market
Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with Section 4.2 and Section 4.3. If any Unitholder’s Capital Account is not equal to the amount to be
distributed to such Unitholder pursuant to Section 10.2(b), Profits and Losses for the Fiscal Year in which the Company is dissolved shall be allocated among the Unitholders in such a manner as to cause, to the extent
possible, each Unitholder’s Capital Account to be equal to the amount to be distributed to such Unitholder pursuant to Section 10.2(b). The distribution of cash and/or property to a Unitholder in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 10.2(b) constitutes a complete return to the Unitholder of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Unitholder of its interest in the Company and all the Company property and
constitutes a compromise to which all Unitholders have consented within the meaning of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Unitholder returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Unitholder for those funds.
Section 10.3 Securityholders Agreement. To the extent that units or other equity securities of any
Subsidiary are distributed to any Unitholders and unless otherwise agreed to by the Manager, such Unitholders hereby agree to enter into a securityholders agreement with such Subsidiary and each other Unitholder which contains rights and
restrictions in form and substance similar to the provisions and restrictions set forth herein (including in Article VIII).
Section 10.4 Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the winding up of the Company, including
the distribution of the Company’s assets as provided herein, the Company shall be terminated (and the Company shall not be terminated prior to such time) upon the Manager (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or
permit) causing the filing of a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and the Manager or such other authorized Person or
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Persons shall in connection with the winding up of the Company cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are or should be canceled and take such other actions as may be
necessary to terminate the Company. The Company shall be deemed to continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 10.4.
Section 10.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly
winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 10.2 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.
Section 10.6 Return of Capital. The liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of
Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Unitholders (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from the Company assets).
Section 10.7 Hart-Scott-Rodino. In the event the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976
(the “HSR Act”) is applicable to any Unitholder, the dissolution of the Company shall not be consummated until such time as the applicable waiting period (and extensions thereof) under the HSR Act have expired or otherwise been
terminated with respect to each such Unitholder.
ARTICLE XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 11.1 Power of Attorney. Each Unitholder hereby constitutes and appoints the Manager and the
liquidators, if any and as applicable, and their respective designees, with full power of substitution, as his, her or its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact,
with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (to the same extent such Person could take such action): (a) this Agreement, all
certificates and other instruments and all amendments hereof or thereof in accordance with the terms hereof which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability
company in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property or as otherwise permitted herein; (b) all instruments, agreements, amendments or other documents which the Manager deems
appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Manager and/or the liquidators deems
appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (d) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal or substitution
of any Unitholder pursuant to Article VIII or Article IX. The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or
termination of any Unitholder and the Transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such Unitholder’s heirs, successors, permitted assigns and personal representatives.
Section 11.2 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended (including, for purposes of this
Section 11.2, any amendment effected directly or indirectly by way of a merger or consolidation of the Company) or waived, in whole or in part, by the Manager; provided, however, that to the extent any
amendment or waiver, including any amendment or waiver of the Exhibits attached hereto, would disproportionately and adversely affect the rights of any Member of a class compared with the rights of any other Member of such class, such amendment or
waiver may only be made by the Manager upon the prior written consent of such disproportionately and adversely affected Member.
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Section 11.3 Title to the Company Assets. The
Company’s assets shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Unitholder, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets or any portion thereof. Legal title to any or all of such assets may be
held in the name of the Company or one or more nominees, as the Manager may determine. The Manager hereby declares and warrants that any Company assets for which legal title is held in the name of any nominee shall be held in trust by such nominee
for the use and benefit of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such assets is
held.
Section 11.4 Remedies. Each Unitholder and the Company shall have all rights and remedies
set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision
of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to
exercise all other rights granted by law.
Section 11.5 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns, whether so expressed or not. MDP is an
express third party beneficiary of its rights under this Agreement.
Section 11.6 Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any
applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed,
construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or if such term or provision could be drawn more narrowly so as not to be illegal, invalid, prohibited or
unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall be so narrowly drawn, as to such jurisdiction, without invalidating the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of such term or provision in
any other jurisdiction.
Section 11.7 Counterparts; Binding Agreement. This Agreement may be
executed simultaneously in two or more separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement
binding on all the parties hereto. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and effective as to each Person who (a) executes this Agreement in the appropriate space provided in the signature pages hereto
notwithstanding the fact that other Persons who have not executed this Agreement may be listed on the signature pages hereto and (b) may from time to time become a party to this Agreement by executing a counterpart of or joinder to this
Agreement.
Section 11.8 Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the
singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or
instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Whenever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a
portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the
provisions of this Agreement. Wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict.
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Section 11.9 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 11.10 Addresses and
Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to
the recipient, (b) telecopied to the recipient, or delivered by means of electronic mail if telecopied/emailed on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by
reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the address for such recipient set forth in the Company’s books and records, or to such other address or to the attention of
such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.
Section 11.11 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or
enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor
of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in the Company’s Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the
Indemnitees are intended third party beneficiaries of Section 6.2 and shall be entitled to enforce such provision (as it may be in effect from time to time) directly as if a party hereto.
Section 11.12 No Waiver. No failure by any party hereto to insist upon the strict performance of any
covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 11.13 Further Action. The parties hereto agree to execute and deliver all documents, provide
all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement, in each case, as and when requested by the Manager.
Section 11.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents embody the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject
matter hereof in any way.
Section 11.15 Delivery by Electronic Means. This Agreement, the
agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a
facsimile machine or electronic transmission in portable document format (pdf) or comparable electronic transmission, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding
legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall
re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or pdf electronic transmission or
comparable electronic transmission to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or pdf electronic transmission as a defense to the formation
or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.
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Section 11.16 Certain Acknowledgments. This
Agreement shall be considered for all purposes as having been prepared through the joint efforts of the parties hereto. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no presumption shall apply in favor of any party hereto in the interpretation of this
Agreement or in the resolution of any ambiguity of any provision hereof based on the preparation, substitution, submission or other event of negotiation, drafting or execution hereof. Each Member and Unitholder acknowledges that such Member or
Unitholder is entitled to and has been afforded the opportunity to consult legal counsel of its choice regarding the terms, conditions and legal effects of this Agreement, as well as the advisability and propriety thereof. Each Member and Unitholder
further acknowledges that having so consulted with legal counsel of its choosing, such Member or Unitholder hereby waives any right to raise or rely upon the lack of representation or effective representation in any future proceedings or in
connection with any future claim resulting from this Agreement or the formation of the Company.
Section 11.17
Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.
(a) Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto irrevocably submits
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the State of Delaware and the state courts of the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction
contemplated hereby. Each party hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States certified or registered mail (in each such case, prepaid return receipt requested) to such party hereto’s
respective address set forth in the Company’s books and records or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party shall be effective service of
process in any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any
objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the United States District Court for the State of Delaware or the state courts of the State of Delaware and
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY
RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES HERETO WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES HERETO DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS.
THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY
OF THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES HEREUNDER.
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Section 11.18 Representations and Warranties. By
execution of this Agreement, each Member severally represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Such Member has full legal right, power and
authority to deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to perform such Member’s obligations hereunder and thereunder;
(b) This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Member enforceable in
accordance with its respective terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws of general application relating to creditors’ rights or general principles of equity;
(c) Neither this Agreement nor the other Transaction Documents violate, conflict with, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or
provisions of or constitute a default or an event of default under any other agreement of which such Member is a party; and
(d) Such
Member’s investment in Units in the Company is made for such Member’s own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to the resale or distribution of such Units in violation of applicable securities laws.
Section 11.19 Tax Receivable Agreement. The Tax Receivable Agreement and the Exchange Agreement shall
each be treated as part of this Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code, and Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and § 1.761-1(c)
with respect to payments to a Member with respect to an Exchange (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) by such Member.
* * * * *
35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf
this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
MEMBERS
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
ATS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name:
Matthew W. Norton
Title:
Authorized Signatory
MANAGER
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Signature Page to
Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
UNIT OWNERSHIP LEDGER
As of April 17, 2026
On
file with the Company.
EX-10.3
EX-10.3
Filename: d123077dex103.htm · Sequence: 8
EX-10.3
Exhibit 10.3
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
by and among
AEVEX
CORP.,
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
and
THE OTHER PERSONS
NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of April 16, 2026
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 16, 2026, is hereby entered into by
and among AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“OpCo”), and each of the undersigned parties and the other
persons who agree to become party to this Agreement and who shall thereafter be listed on Schedule A attached hereto from time to time (each a “Rights Holder” and collectively, the “Rights
Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Rights Holders directly or indirectly hold equity interests in OpCo (the “Units”) and/or PubCo;
WHEREAS, OpCo is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and PubCo is treated as a corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes;
WHEREAS, after the IPO, PubCo will be the manager of OpCo and will hold, directly and/or indirectly,
Units;
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, ATS PubCo Holdings, L.P. (“PubCo Holdings”) contributed
Units in OpCo to PubCo in exchange for Class A Shares (the “Unit Contribution”);
WHEREAS, as a
result of the Unit Contribution, the Corporate Taxpayer (as defined below) will be entitled to obtain the benefit of the Unit Transferred Basis (as defined below);
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, a subsidiary of PubCo shall merge with and into the Blocker (as defined below), whereby the
Blocker Shareholder (as defined below) will receive Class A Shares, and thereafter the Blocker shall merge with and into PubCo (the “Blocker Merger”);
WHEREAS, as a result of the Blocker Merger, the Corporate Taxpayer will (i) be entitled to utilize Blocker Attributes (as defined
below) and (ii) obtain the benefit of the Blocker Transferred Basis (as defined below);
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO,
PubCo will acquire (directly or indirectly) IPO Units (as defined below) for a contribution of cash to OpCo not treated as part of a disguised sale under Section 707(a) of the Code (the “IPO Exchange”);
WHEREAS, as a result of the IPO Exchange (as defined below) and the merger of certain other Opco Unit holders with and into
subsidiaries of PubCo, the Corporate Taxpayer will be entitled to obtain the benefit of the IPO Basis (as defined below);
WHEREAS,
the Units held by the Rights Holders subsequently may be exchanged for Class A Shares and/or cash or other property, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Exchange Agreement (as defined below);
WHEREAS, as a result of an Exchange (as defined below), the Corporate Taxpayer will (i) be entitled to use the Basis Adjustments
(as defined below) relating to such Units exchanged in the Exchange and (ii) obtain the benefit of the Exchange Transferred Basis (as defined below);
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WHEREAS, OpCo and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, if any, treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (i) for each Taxable Year that includes the IPO and (ii) for each Taxable Year in which a taxable acquisition (including a
deemed taxable acquisition under Section 707(a) of the Code) or non-taxable acquisition of Units by the Corporate Taxpayer from any of the Rights Holders for stock of the Corporate Taxpayer and/or cash or
redemption by OpCo, in each case of this clause (ii), occurs in connection with the IPO or after the IPO (and such acquisition from, including any deemed taxable acquisition under Section 707(a) of the Code, or redemption, an
“Exchange”);
WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense and other Tax items of the Corporate Taxpayer may
be affected by the (i) Unit Transferred Basis, (ii) Blocker Attributes, (iii) Blocker Transferred Basis, (iv) IPO Basis, (v) Exchange Transferred Basis, (vi) Basis Adjustments and (vii) Imputed Interest (as defined
below) (collectively, the “Tax Attributes”); and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to
provide for certain payments and to make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Tax Attributes on the liability for taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings.
“Accrued Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(iii).
“Accrued Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the sum of (a) the actual liability of the
Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Taxes (if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination or Amended Schedule and by assuming any state and local income taxes relevant to calculating such U.S. federal income taxes are determined
in accordance with the following clause (c)), plus (b) without duplication, the portion of any liability for U.S. federal income Taxes imposed directly on OpCo (or OpCo’s applicable Subsidiaries or other Persons in which
OpCo owns a direct or indirect equity interest) under Section 6225 or any similar provision of the Code and any state and local Taxes imposed directly on OpCo (or OpCo’s applicable Subsidiaries or other Persons in which OpCo owns a direct
or indirect equity interest), in each case, that is allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer under Section 704 of the Code or otherwise attributable to the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with the OpCo Agreement, plus (c) the product of
(i) the amount of the U.S. federal taxable income (not below zero) for such Taxable Year (if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination or Amended Schedule) reported on the Corporate Taxpayer’s IRS Form 1120 (or any
successor form) and (ii) the Blended S/L Rate.
“Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where for purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether
through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, no Rights Holder shall be considered to be an Affiliate of the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo, or any Subsidiaries thereof.
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“Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 100 basis
points.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).
“Attributable” means the portion of any Tax Attribute of the Corporate Taxpayer that is “Attributable”
to any present or former Rights Holder, as the case may be, determined under the following principles:
(i) any Unit
Transferred Basis (and any Basis Adjustments in respect thereof) shall be determined separately with respect to each Rights Holder and is Attributable to each Rights Holder in an amount equal to the total Unit Transferred Basis relating to such
Units delivered to the Corporate Taxpayer by such Rights Holder in the Unit Contribution;
(ii) any Blocker Attributes (and
any Basis Adjustments in respect thereof) shall be Attributable to the Blocker Shareholder;
(iii) any Blocker Transferred
Basis (and any Basis Adjustments in respect thereof) shall be Attributable to the Blocker Shareholder;
(iv) any IPO Basis
(and any Basis Adjustments in respect thereof) shall be determined separately with respect to each Rights Holder, as applicable, in an amount equal to the product of (A) the total IPO Basis and (B) the IPO Basis Percentage of the Units
previously held by such Rights Holder and transferred (whether pursuant to the Unit Contribution, the Blocker Merger or an Exchange) to PubCo, as applicable;
(v) any Exchange Transferred Basis (and any Basis Adjustments in respect thereof) shall be determined separately with respect
to each Exchanging Holder and is Attributable to each Exchanging Holder in an amount equal to the total Exchange Transferred Basis relating to such Units delivered to the Corporate Taxpayer by such Exchanging Holder in the Exchange;
(vi) any Basis Adjustments shall be determined separately with respect to each Exchanging Holder, the Unit Transferred Basis
Holder, and the Blocker Shareholder and are Attributable to each Exchanging Holder in an amount equal to the total Basis Adjustments relating to such Units delivered to the Corporate Taxpayer by such Exchanging Holder in the Exchange, the Unit
Contribution, or the Blocker Merger; and
(vii) any deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year in
respect of Imputed Interest is Attributable to the Person that is required to include the Imputed Interest in income (without regard to whether such person is actually subject to Tax thereon).
“Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732, 734(b), 707(a),
737 and/or 1012 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, OpCo becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes)
or under Sections 734(b), 743(b) and 755 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, following an Exchange, OpCo remains in existence as an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of state and local tax laws, as a result of (i) an Exchange, (ii) the payments made pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Exchange and (iii) the payments made
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pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Unit Contribution and the Blocker Merger. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange shall be
determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred. The amount of any Basis Adjustment shall be determined
using the Market Value of the Units that are the subject of the Exchange at the time of the Exchange.
“Basis
Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Blended S/L Rate”
means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the sum of the apportionment-weighted effective rates of tax imposed on the aggregate net income of the Corporate Taxpayer in each U.S. state and local jurisdiction in which the Corporate Taxpayer files Tax
Returns for such Taxable Year, with the maximum effective rate in any state or local jurisdiction being equal to the product of (i) the apportionment factor on the income or franchise Tax Return in such jurisdiction for such Taxable Year and
(ii) the maximum applicable corporate income tax rate in effect in such jurisdiction in such Taxable Year. As an illustration of the calculation of Blended S/L Rate for a Taxable Year, if the Corporate Taxpayer solely files Tax Returns in State
1 and State 2 in a Taxable Year, the maximum applicable corporate income tax rates in effect in such states in such Taxable Year are 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively, and the apportionment factors for such states in such Taxable Year are 60% and 40%,
respectively, then the Blended S/L Rate for such Taxable Year is equal to 6.10% (i.e., the sum of (a) 6.5% multiplied by 60%, plus (b) 5.5% multiplied by 40%).
“Blocker” means MDCP VII-C ATS Blocker, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company.
“Blocker 743(b) Adjustment” means the adjustments, existing as of the close of the IPO Date (as
determined based on the interim closing of the books of OpCo as of the close of the IPO Date), to the Tax basis of the Reference Assets under Section 743(b) of the Code that are attributable to the Units held by the Blocker.
“Blocker Attributes” means, without duplication, the net operating losses, capital losses, research and development
credits, foreign tax credits, excess Section 163(j) limitation carryforwards, charitable deductions and any Tax attributes (other than capitalized debt issuance costs) that the Corporate Taxpayer is entitled to utilize as a result of the
Blocker Merger that relate to periods (or portions thereof) prior to the Blocker Merger; provided however, that in order to determine whether any such Tax attribute is a Blocker Attribute, the Taxable Year of the Corporate Taxpayer that
includes the effective date of the Blocker Merger shall be deemed to end as of the close of such effective date.
“Blocker
Shareholder” means Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII-C, L.P. and any successors or assigns thereof.
“Blocker Transferred Basis” means the Tax basis (including any Blocker 743(b) Adjustments) of any Reference Asset
that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code for U.S. federal income Tax purposes or (iii) otherwise reportable as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S.
federal income Tax purposes relating to the Units transferred from the Blocker to the Corporate Taxpayer and determined as of the time of the Blocker Merger; provided that, any Tax basis included in the IPO Basis and Attributable to
the Blocker Shareholders (with respect to Units acquired in the Blocker Merger) shall be excluded from the determination of the Blocker Transferred Basis to the extent necessary to avoid double counting.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday and any other day on which commercial banks are required or
authorized to close in the State of New York.
- 5 -
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any one of the
following events:
(i) a merger, reorganization, consolidation or similar form of business transaction (or series of related transactions)
directly involving the Corporate Taxpayer or indirectly involving the Corporate Taxpayer through one or more intermediaries unless, immediately following such transaction (or series of related transactions), more than 50% of the voting power of the
then outstanding voting stock or other equity securities of the Corporate Taxpayer resulting from the consummation of such transaction (including any parent or ultimate parent corporation of such Person that as a result of such transaction owns
directly or indirectly the Corporate Taxpayer and all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets) is held by the then-existing equityholders of the Corporate Taxpayer (determined immediately prior to such transaction and related
transactions);
(ii) a transaction (or series of related transactions) in which the Corporate Taxpayer, directly or indirectly, sells,
assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its direct or indirect assets to another Person other than an Affiliate;
(iii) a transaction (or series of related transactions) in which there is an acquisition of control of the Corporate Taxpayer by a Person or
group of Persons (excluding (x) any “person” or “group” who, on IPO Date, is the beneficial owner of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate
Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities or (y) any “group” formed after the IPO that includes members who collectively, as of the IPO Date, are the beneficial owners of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities). For purposes of this definition, the term “control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
either (A) vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or comparable positions in the case of partnerships and limited liability companies), or (B) direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise (for the avoidance of doubt, consent rights do not constitute “control” for the purpose of this definition); or
(iv) the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporate Taxpayer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed not to have occurred (a) by virtue of the
consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have
substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately
following such transaction or series of transactions; or (b) if the Rights Holder Representative agrees in writing to elect for a “Change of Control” to not have occurred upon the occurrence of any transaction, series of related
transactions or any other occurrence that may otherwise qualify as a “Change of Control”.
“Class A Shares” means shares of Class A Common Stock of PubCo, par value
$0.01 per share.
“Class B Shares” means shares of Class B Common Stock of
PubCo, par value $0.01 per share.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Stock” means Class A Shares and Class B Shares.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
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“Corporate Taxpayer” means PubCo and any company that is a member
of any consolidated Tax Return of which PubCo (or any of its successors) is a member, where appropriate.
“Cumulative Net
Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer, up to and including such Taxable Year, reduced, but not below zero, by the cumulative amount
of Realized Tax Detriment for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedules or Amended Schedules, if any, in existence at the time of
such determination; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the computation of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit shall be adjusted to reflect any applicable Determination with respect to any Realized Tax Benefits and/or Realized Tax
Detriments.
“Default Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 500 basis points.
“Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Code Section 1313(a) or a similar applicable
provision of state, or local income tax law or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for tax.
“Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early
Termination Payment.
“Early Termination Event” means any event or circumstance (or group of events or
circumstances) giving rise to an Early Termination Payment pursuant to Section 4.1(b), (c) or (d).
“Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).
“Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).
“Early Termination Rate” means the lesser of (i) 6.5% per annum, compounded annually, and (ii) a per annum rate
of SOFR plus 100 basis points.
“Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1(b).
“Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this
Agreement.
“Exchange Agreement” means that certain Exchange Agreement, dated the date hereof, by and among the
Corporate Taxpayer, Opco and ATS.
“Exchange Transferred Basis” means the Tax basis of any Reference Asset that
is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reportable as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal income Tax purposes relating to
the Units transferred upon an Exchange and determined as of the time of such Exchange; provided that, any Tax basis included in the IPO Basis and Attributable to Exchanging Holders (with respect to the Units subject to the
Exchange Agreement) shall be excluded from the determination of the Exchange Transferred Basis to the extent necessary to avoid double counting.
“Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.
“Exchanging Holder” means (i), initially, ATS, with respect to the Units that it holds and/or has held that are
subject to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, and (ii) any successor to or assignee of ATS that holds and/or has held Units that are subject to the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
- 7 -
“Expert” has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.10.
“Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year,
the hypothetical liability, without duplication, the sum of (A) (i) of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Taxes and (ii) the portion of any liability for U.S. federal income Taxes imposed directly on OpCo (or OpCo’s
Subsidiaries or other Persons in which OpCo owns a direct or indirect equity interest) under Section 6225 or any similar provision of the Code and any state and local Taxes imposed directly on OpCo (or OpCo’s applicable Subsidiaries or
other Persons in which OpCo owns a direct or indirect equity interest), and (B) the product of (i) the U.S. federal income for such Taxable Year reported on the Corporate Taxpayer’s IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) and
(ii) the Blended S/L Rate, in each case, that is allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer under Section 704 of the Code or otherwise attributable to the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with the OpCo Agreement, in each case, calculated in
accordance with the definition of Actual Tax Liability using the same methods, elections, conventions, and similar practices used on the relevant Tax Return, but (a) using the Non-Unit Transferred Basis
as reflected on the Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year, (b) without taking into account Blocker Attributes, if any, (c) using the Non-Blocker Transferred Basis as
reflected on the Basis Schedule, including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year, (d) using the Non-IPO Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year,
(e) using the Non-Exchange Transferred Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year, (f) using the Non-Stepped Up
Tax Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year and (g) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest attributable to any payment made under this Agreement for the Taxable Year. For the
avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to a Tax Attribute as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the
basis of the Reference Assets in the aggregate for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability can never be less than zero.
“Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Sections 1272, 1274, or 483 or other provision of the Code and
any similar provision of state and local Tax law with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations in respect of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement.
“Independent Directors” means the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporate Taxpayer who are
“independent” under the standards of the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted.
“Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
“IPO” means the initial public offering of Common Stock pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-1 of PubCo.
“IPO Basis” means the Tax basis of any Reference Asset at the
time of the IPO that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reported as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal income Tax
purposes, in each case of clauses (i) through (iii), to the extent allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer (for the avoidance of doubt, including as a result of Section 704(c) of the Code) as a result of its acquisition of IPO Units.
“IPO Basis Payment” means a Tax Benefit Payment attributable to IPO Basis.
“IPO Basis Percentage” means, in respect of a Rights Holder, the percentage, the numerator of which is the number of
Units (assuming that the OpCo has recapitalized into common units immediately prior to the Unit Contribution) which (x) existed as of immediately prior to the Unit Contribution and (y) are transferred (either pursuant to the Unit Contribution,
the Blocker Merger, or an Exchange) by such Rights Holder to PubCo and the denominator of which is the total Units held by Rights Holders that would have been outstanding (assuming that the OpCo has recapitalized into common units immediately prior
to the Unit Contribution) immediately prior to the Unit Contribution.
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“IPO Date” means the closing date of the IPO.
“IPO Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“IPO Units” means the Units acquired by PubCo with the net proceeds from the IPO (excluding any Units acquired in an
Exchange).
“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“Market Value” means the closing price of the Common Stock on the applicable Exchange Date on the national
securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided, that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal for
the applicable Exchange Date, then the Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such
Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided, further, that if the Common Stock is not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, the Market Value shall
mean the cash consideration paid for Common Stock, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Common Stock, as determined by the Board in good faith.
“Net Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(ii).
“Non-Blocker Transferred Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset
at the time of the Blocker Merger that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code, (iii) otherwise reported as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S.
federal income Tax purposes, the Tax basis (including any Blocker 743(b) Adjustments) that such Reference Asset would have had if the Blocker Transferred Basis at the time of the Blocker Merger was equal to zero.
“Non-Exchange Transferred Basis” means with respect to any Reference Asset
at the time of an Exchange that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reported as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal
income Tax purposes, the Tax basis that such Reference Asset would have had if the Exchange Transferred Basis at the time of the IPO or Exchange (as applicable) was equal to zero.
“Non-IPO Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at the time of
the IPO Exchange that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code or (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reported as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal income Tax
purposes, the Tax basis that such Reference Asset would have had if the IPO Basis of such Reference Asset at the time of the IPO was equal to zero.
“Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any
time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.
“Non-Unit Transferred Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at the time of the Unit Contribution that is (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under
Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reported as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the Tax basis that such Reference Asset would have had if the Unit Transferred Basis at the time of
the Unit Contribution was equal to zero.
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“Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(a).
“OpCo” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“OpCo Agreement” means, with respect to OpCo, the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of
OpCo, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.
“Permitted Assignment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a).
“Person” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, corporation,
limited liability company, entity or governmental entity.
“Pre-Exchange
Transfer” means any transfer (including upon the death of a prior holder) of, or distribution in respect of, one or more Units (or interests in any applicable Subsidiaries of OpCo or other Persons in which OpCo owns a direct or
indirect equity interest) (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Units and (ii) to which Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code applies.
“Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the
Actual Tax Liability. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the
Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
“Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a
Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any
Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
“Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10.
“Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Reference Asset” means an asset that is held by OpCo, or by any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries treated as a
partnership or disregarded entity (but only if such indirect Subsidiaries are held only through Subsidiaries treated as partnerships or disregarded entities) for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of the IPO, or an Exchange, as relevant. A
Reference Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.
“Rights Holder(s)” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Rights Holder Representative” means, initially, ATS Investment Holdings, LLC (“ATS”) or
its designated Affiliate unless ATS or such designated Affiliate resigns as the Rights Holder Representative by delivering written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer, in which case the Rights Holder Representative shall be the Person appointed from
time to time by a majority of the Rights Holders in accordance with their right to receive Early Termination Payments hereunder.
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“Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Blocker
Attribute Schedule, (ii) a Basis Schedule, (iii) a Tax Benefit Schedule and (iv) an Early Termination Schedule, and, in each case, any amendments thereto.
“Section 734(b) Exchange” means any Exchange that results in a Basis Adjustment
under Section 734(b) of the Code.
“SOFR” means for each month (or portion thereof), the forward looking
term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate) for a one-month period, on
the date two days prior to the first day of such month, as published on an information service as selected by the Rights Holder Representative from time to time in its reasonable discretion, provided that if (i) adequate and reasonable means do
not exist for ascertaining SOFR and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the supervisor for the administrator of SOFR or a governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Rights Holder Representative or any member of the
Corporate Taxpayer has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which SOFR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Corporate Taxpayer or the Rights Holder Representative shall endeavor to establish
an alternate rate of interest to SOFR that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a comparable rate of interest in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to
reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable, provided further that the alternate rate of interest shall be no less than the interest rate equal to SOFR of the prior month.
“Subsidiaries” means, of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other
business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or equity is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such Person, or one (1) or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof.
“Tax Attributes” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(i).
“Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Tax Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, information returns, claims for refund, disclosures or similar
statement filed or required to be filed with respect to or in connection with taxes (including any related or supporting schedules, attachments, statements or information filed or required to be filed with respect thereto), including any amendments
thereof and declarations of estimated tax.
“Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as
defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of U.S. state, or local income tax law (and which may include a period of more or less than twelve (12) months for which a Tax Return is made), in each case, that ends on or after
the IPO Date.
“Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar
charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, and any interest related to such Tax.
“Taxing
Authority” means any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body, in each case, exercising any taxing
authority or any other authority or jurisdiction of any kind in relation to tax matters.
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“Unit Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Unit Transferred Basis” means the Tax basis of any Reference Asset that is (i) amortizable under
Section 197 of the Code, (ii) depreciable under Section 168 of the Code or (iii) otherwise reportable as amortizable or depreciable on IRS Form 4562 for U.S. federal income Tax purposes relating to the Units transferred in the
Unit Contribution determined as of the time of the Unit Contribution; provided that, any Tax basis included in the IPO Basis and Attributable to Unit Transferred Basis Rights Holders (with respect to the Units acquired in the
Unit Contribution) shall be excluded from the determination of the Unit Transferred Basis to the extent necessary to avoid double counting.
“Unit Transferred Basis Rights Holder” means (i) PubCo Holdings and (ii) any successor to or assignee of
PubCo Holdings, in each case, in respect of the Units contributed in the Unit Contribution.
“Valuation
Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date:
(i) the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the Tax items arising from the Tax Attributes (other than any
items addressed in clause (ii) below) during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future payments made under this Agreement that would be
paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available;
(ii) any Blocker Attributes or loss
carryovers generated by deductions arising from any Tax Attributes that are available as of the date of the Early Termination Date will be used by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the date of such Early Termination Date through the
earlier of (x) the scheduled expiration date under applicable Tax law of such Blocker Attributes or loss carryovers or (y) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Date;
(iii) the U.S. federal, state and local income Tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each
such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date (except to the extent any change to such Tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into law) and the Blended S/L Rate will be calculated based on
such rates and the apportionment factor applicable in the prior Taxable Year;
(iv) any
non-amortizable assets (other than equity interest in any Subsidiary that is treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) will be disposed of on the fifteenth (15th)
anniversary of the applicable Exchange or deemed exchange pursuant to clause (v) (in the case of Basis Adjustments) and any cash equivalents will be disposed of twelve (12) months following the Early Termination Date; provided, that in
the event of a Change of Control, such non-amortizable assets shall be deemed disposed of at the time of sale (if applicable) of the relevant asset in the Change of Control (if earlier than such fifteenth
(15th) anniversary) (other than equity interest in any subsidiary that is treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes);
(v) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Units of OpCo that have not been Exchanged, then each such unit, shall be deemed Exchanged
for the Market Value of such Unit;
(vi) with respect to Taxable Years where the Payment Date has passed, any unpaid Tax Benefit Payments
and any applicable interest will be paid on the Early Termination Date at the Default Rate; and
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(vii) each Tax Benefit Payment for the relevant Taxable Year will be due and payable and
satisfied on the due date (without extensions) under applicable law as of the Early Termination Date for filing of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer.
ARTICLE II
DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT
Section 2.1 754 Election(a) . The Corporate Taxpayer shall cause OpCo and each of its applicable
direct or indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes to have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax law) for each Taxable Year. The Corporate Taxpayer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which OpCo owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that
is so treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes to have in effect such an election for each Taxable Year.
Section 2.2 Basis Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the due date (including
extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the Rights Holder Representative, a schedule (a “Basis Schedule”) that
shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, (a) the Unit Transferred Basis of each Reference Asset, if any, (b) the Blocker Attributes, if any, (c) the Blocker Transferred Basis of
each Reference Asset, if any, (d) the IPO Basis of each Reference Asset, if any, (e) the Exchange Transferred Basis of each Reference Asset, if any, (f) the Basis Adjustment with respect to the Reference Assets in respect of each
Rights Holder as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year or any prior Taxable Year by such Rights Holder, if any, (g) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets in respect of
such Rights Holder as of each applicable Exchange Date, if any, (h) the period (or periods) over which the Reference Assets in respect of such Rights Holder are amortizable and/or depreciable and (i) the period (or periods) over which the
Unit Transferred Basis, the Blocker Attributes, the Blocker Transferred Basis, the IPO Basis, the Exchange Transferred Basis and each Basis Adjustment is amortizable and/or depreciable. A Basis Schedule will become final and binding on the parties
pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in
Section 2.4(b)). All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision and preparation of the Blocker Attribute Schedule, the Basis Schedules and the Tax Benefit Schedules for each Rights Holder in compliance
with this Agreement shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer.
Section 2.3 Tax Benefit Schedule.
(a) Tax Benefit Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the due date (including extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any
successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the Rights Holder Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit and Tax Benefit Payment or
the Realized Tax Detriment (and lack of a Tax Benefit Payment), as applicable, Attributable to each Rights Holder for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). Each Tax Benefit Schedule will become final as provided in
Section 2.4(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.4(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(b)).
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(b) Applicable Principles.
(i) General. The Realized Tax Benefit (or the Realized Tax Detriment) for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the
decrease (or increase) in the actual liability for Taxes payable or economically borne by the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year attributable to the Tax Attributes, determined using a “with and without” methodology. Carryovers or
carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to any of the Tax Attributes shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. Tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation
and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type, except as otherwise provided by this Agreement. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to any Tax Attribute and another portion that is
not, such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. The Actual Tax Liability shall be calculated taking into account the Intended Tax Treatment.
(ii) Applicable Principles of Section 734(b) Exchanges. Notwithstanding any provisions to the
contrary in this Agreement the Intended Tax Treatment shall not be required to apply to payments hereunder to an Exchanging Holder in respect of a Section 734(b) Exchange by such Exchanging Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made
under this Agreement relating to a Section 734(b) Exchange shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest. The parties intend that (A) an Exchanging Holder that has made
a Section 734(b) Exchange shall, with respect to the Basis Adjustment resulting from such Section 734(b) Exchange or any payments hereunder in respect of such Section 734(b) Exchange, be entitled to Tax Benefit Payments attributable
to such Basis Adjustments only to the extent such Basis Adjustments are allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer following such Section 734(b) Exchange (without taking into account any concurrent or subsequent Exchanges) and (B) if, as a result
of a subsequent Exchange, an increased portion of the Basis Adjustments resulting from such Section 734(b) Exchange or any payments hereunder in respect of such Section 734(b) Exchange becomes allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer, then the
Exchanging Holder that makes such subsequent Exchange shall be entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment calculated in respect of such increased portion.
Section 2.4 Procedures, Amendments.
(a) Procedure. Each time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to the Rights Holder Representative an applicable Schedule under this
Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.4(b), any Early Termination Schedule or any amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (i) deliver to the Rights
Holder Representative supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or as reasonably requested by the Rights Holder Representative, that provide a reasonable level of detail regarding the data and calculations that
were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule and (ii) allow the Rights Holder Representative reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without
limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule or Early Termination Schedule that is delivered to the Rights Holder Representative, along with any supporting schedules, valuation
reports and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the Actual Tax Liability (the “with” calculation) and the Hypothetical Tax Liability (the “without” calculation) and identifies any
assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties unless the Rights Holder Representative, within thirty
(30) calendar days after receiving any Schedule or amendment thereto, provides the Corporate Taxpayer with a notice of an objection to such Schedule or amendment thereto (“Objection Notice”) or such earlier date as the
Rights Holder Representative provides written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer that it has no objections to the Schedule. If the Corporate Taxpayer and Rights Holder Representative, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues
raised in any Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after the Rights Holder Representative gives the Corporate Taxpayer such Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative shall employ the
reconciliation procedures described in Section 7.10 (the “Reconciliation Procedures”), in which case such Schedule or Amended Schedule shall become binding in accordance with
Section 7.10.
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(b) Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended
from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule, including those identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual
information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to the Rights Holder Representative, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a material
change in the Realized Tax Benefit or the Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such Taxable Year or (v) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit
or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”); provided, however, that an amendment under clause
(i) attributable to an audit of a Tax Return by the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo or Subsidiary thereof shall not be made on an Amended Schedule unless and until there has been a Determination with respect to such change. The Corporate Taxpayer
shall provide an Amended Schedule to the Rights Holder Representative within thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of an event referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of the preceding sentence, and any such Amended Schedule shall be
subject to the approval procedures described in Section 2.4(a).
ARTICLE III
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Section 3.1 Payments; Timing of Payments. Within five (5) Business Days of a
Tax Benefit Schedule becoming final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) and Section 7.10, if applicable, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each Rights Holder for such Taxable Year the Tax Benefit
Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) that is Attributable to such Rights Holder. Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated
by the applicable Rights Holder to the Corporate Taxpayer, or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such Rights Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated tax payments and
(b) the payments provided for pursuant to the above sentence shall be computed separately for each Rights Holder. No Rights Holder shall be required under any circumstances to make a payment or return a payment to the Corporate Taxpayer in
respect of any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to such Rights Holder (including any portion of any Early Termination Payment).
(a) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a Rights Holder for a Taxable Year means an amount, not
less than zero, equal to the sum of (A) the Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such Rights Holder and (B) the Accrued Amount with respect thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes, the Accrued Amount shall not be treated
as interest, but instead, shall be treated as additional consideration in the applicable transaction, unless otherwise required by law.
(ii) Subject to Section 3.4, the “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall
be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year, over the total amount of payments previously made under the first sentence of Section 3.1(a)
(excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts); provided, that if there is no such excess (or if a deficit exists), no Rights Holder shall be required to make a payment (or return a payment) to the Corporate Taxpayer in respect of any
portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously made by the Corporate Taxpayer to such Rights Holder.
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(iii) The “Accrued Amount” with respect to any Net
Tax Benefit shall equal an amount determined in the same manner as interest on the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer with
respect to Taxes for such Taxable Year until the payment date under Section 3.1(a).
(b) PubCo, OpCo and the
Rights Holders hereby acknowledge and agree that, as of the date of the Agreement and as of the date of any future Exchange that may be subject to this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot be reasonably ascertained for
U.S. federal income and other applicable tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless otherwise specified by a Rights Holder in a written notice to PubCo, the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments herein (other than amounts
accounted for as interest under the Code) with respect to any Exchange by a Rights Holder, shall not exceed 100% of the fair market value of the consideration received (whether as a cash payment, as Class A shares or as other consideration, but
excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the fair market value of the Tax Benefit Payments hereunder) in such Exchange or other applicable transaction (the “Exchange Consideration”) such that the stated maximum selling price (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation 15A.453-1(c)(2) is equal to 200% of the Exchange Consideration.
Section 3.2 No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not
result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. It is also intended that the provisions of this Agreement will result in 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefits of the Corporate Taxpayer, and
the Accrued Amounts thereon, being paid to the Rights Holders pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner so that these fundamental results are achieved.
Section 3.3 Payments in United States Dollars. All payments to be made under this Agreement shall be
made in United States dollars.
Section 3.4 Pro Rata Payments. Notwithstanding anything in
Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate potential Realized Tax Benefit of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to the Tax Attributes is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporate
Taxpayer does not have sufficient taxable income, the Net Tax Benefit for that Taxable Year shall be allocated among all parties then-eligible to receive Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement in proportion to the amounts of Net Tax Benefit for
that Taxable Year, respectively, that would have been Attributable to each Rights Holder if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation.
Section 3.5 Payment Ordering. If for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its
payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holders agree that (a) Tax Benefit Payments for such Taxable Year shall be
allocated to all parties eligible to receive Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement in such Taxable Year in proportion to the amounts of Tax Benefit Payments, respectively, that would have been made to each Rights Holder if the Corporate Taxpayer
had sufficient cash available to make such Tax Benefit Payments and (b) no Tax Benefit Payments shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments to all Rights Holders in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been
made in full.
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Section 3.6 IPO Basis Exchange. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, any and all Tax Benefit Payments that would otherwise be made pursuant to this Agreement to the Exchanging Holder with respect to any IPO Basis shall be held in cash by the Corporate Taxpayer for the benefit of the
Exchanging Holder (without any interest thereon) (such withheld amount, the “Accrued Payment”). Promptly following the time the Exchanging Holder has exchanged Units, such Accrued Payment Attributable to Exchanging Holder
with respect to the exchanged Units shall be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to the Exchanging Holder.
Section 3.7 Intended Tax Treatment.
(a) The parties hereto agree that it is their intention, for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income tax purposes, that:
(i) A Tax Benefit Payment paid to a Rights Holder that is an Exchanging Holder in respect of a Unit that is subject to the
Exchange Agreement shall be treated as in part additional purchase price for such Unit and in part Imputed Interest;
(ii)
A Tax Benefit Payment (other than Imputed Interest thereon) paid to a Rights Holder that is a Unit Transferred Basis Rights Holder is in respect of a Unit that was subject to the Unit Contribution shall be treated as nonqualifying property or money
received pursuant to Section 351 and/or Section 356 of the Code;
(iii) A Tax Benefit Payment (other than Imputed
Interest thereon) paid to the Blocker Shareholder in respect of a Unit that was acquired by PubCo pursuant to the Blocker Merger shall be treated as nonqualifying property or money for purposes of Section 351 and/or Section 356 of the Code
received in the Blocker Merger;
(iv) each Exchange shall give rise to Basis Adjustments;
(v) all Tax Benefit Payments (other than Imputed Interest thereon) attributable to the Exchange Transferred Basis, Basis
Adjustments or IPO Basis (with respect to an IPO Basis Payment received as a result of an Exchange) shall be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments with respect to the Units exchanged in the applicable Exchange that have the effect
of creating additional Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets in the year of payment;
(vi) all Tax Benefit Payments (other
than Imputed Interest thereon) attributable to the Unit Transferred Basis, the Blocker Transferred Basis or Blocker Attributes, or IPO Basis (with respect to an IPO Basis Payment received in respect of the Unit Contribution or the Blocker Merger)
shall be treated as having the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments to the Reference Assets in the year of payment; and
(vii) the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as Imputed Interest shall be deductible by the
Corporate Taxpayer (collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”).
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ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
Section 4.1 Termination of Agreement; Elective Early Termination; Automatic Early Termination.
(a) In General. This Agreement shall terminate at the time that all Tax Benefit Payments have been made to the Rights Holders under
this Agreement.
(b) Elective Early Termination. Notwithstanding Section 4.1(a), with the written
approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement by paying to the Rights Holders the Early Termination Payment together with the other amounts required by this paragraph. If the Corporate
Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination pursuant to this Section 4.1(b), the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the Rights Holder Representative irrevocable written notice of such decision to exercise
such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment. The Early Termination
Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties in accordance with the procedures set forth Section 2.4(a). Upon finalization of the Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each Rights Holders
at the time set forth in Section 4.2, such Rights Holder’s Attributable portion of (1) the Early Termination Payment, (2) the Tax Benefit Payment due and payable but unpaid as of the date of the Early
Termination Notice and (3) the Tax Benefit Payment due for a Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that such amount is included in the Early Termination Payment).
(c) Acceleration Upon Material Breach of this Agreement. Subject to Section 5.2, in the event that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches
any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of a failure to make a payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligations required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this
Agreement in a case commenced under bankruptcy laws or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated, the Corporate Taxpayer shall be deemed to have delivered an Early Termination Notice on the first date of such breach and the
Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to the Rights Holders at the time specified in Section 4.2, such Rights Holder’s Attributable portion of (1) the Early Termination Payment, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment that is
due and payable but unpaid as of such date and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including such date (except to the extent that such amount is included in the Early Termination Payment). The parties
agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Acceleration Upon Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, all obligations hereunder to be accelerated. In such
event, the Corporate Taxpayer shall be deemed to have delivered an Early Termination Notice on the date of such Change of Control and the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to the Rights Holders at the time specified in
Section 4.2 (1) the Early Termination Payment, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment that is due and payable but unpaid as such date and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending prior to, with or
including such date (except to the extent that such amount is included in the Early Termination Payment). The Corporate Taxpayer shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide to the Rights Holder Representative an Early Termination Schedule
showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment with respect to an expected Change of Control as far in advance as is reasonably practicable of such Change of Control (but no more than thirty (30) Business Days in
advance) so as to enable the calculation of the Early Termination Payment to be finalized pursuant to Section 2.4(a) prior to the date of the effective date of the Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where the
parties anticipate a Change of Control but are not certain of the date on which such Change of Control will occur, the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative may agree to base the calculations contemplated by this
Section 4.1(d) on a date other than the closing date of the Change of Control.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt,
this Section 4.1 shall not prevent the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative from negotiating a termination of the Rights Holders’ rights under this Agreement in exchange for a payment that is different than the Early
Termination Payment and which is binding on all Rights Holders.
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Section 4.2 Payment upon Early Termination Event.
(a) Any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or
Section 4.1(c) shall be paid within five (5) Business Days after the corresponding Early Termination Schedule is finalized pursuant to Section 2.4. Any amount required to be paid
pursuant to Section 4.1(d) shall be paid on the date of the closing of the Change of Control. All such payments shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Rights
Holders, or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative.
(b) The “Early Termination
Payment” with respect to an Early Termination Event shall equal the present value as of the corresponding Early Termination Date, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of such date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be
required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to the Rights Holders beginning from the Early Termination Date, calculated by applying the Valuation Assumptions.
ARTICLE V
PAYMENT
MECHANICS AND COMPLIANCE WITH INDEBTEDNESS
Section 5.1 Late Payments. The amount of all
or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (or other payment pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2) not made by the Corporate Taxpayer to the Rights Holders when due
under the terms of this Agreement (other than pursuant to Section 5.2) shall accrue interest at the Default Rate commencing from the date on which such payment was due and payable.
Section 5.2 Compliance with Indebtedness. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if, at the
time any amounts become due and payable hereunder, the Corporate Taxpayer is not permitted, pursuant to the terms of the Corporate Taxpayer’s debt financing arrangements, to pay such amounts, or the Corporate Taxpayer’s Subsidiaries are
not permitted, pursuant to the terms of the Corporate Taxpayer’s (or the applicable Subsidiary’s) debt financing arrangements, to make dividends, loans or other transfers to the Corporate Taxpayer to allow the Corporate Taxpayer to pay
such amounts, then the Corporate Taxpayer shall by notice to the Rights Holder Representative be permitted to defer the payment of such amounts to the minimum extent necessary until each condition rendering the payment of such amounts impermissible
as described in this Section 5.2 is no longer applicable. At the time such condition is no longer applicable and no other such condition exists, such amounts (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon as described
in this Section 5.2) shall become due and payable immediately. If the Corporate Taxpayer defers the payment of any such amounts pursuant to the first sentence in this Section 5.2, such amounts
shall accrue interest at the Agreed Rate from the date that such amounts originally became due and owing pursuant to the terms hereof to the date that such amounts are paid. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment not made due to the preceding
sentence shall not be deemed a breach under Section 4.1(c) of this Agreement unless and until such payment remains unpaid thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which such condition described in this
Section 5.2 is no longer applicable. The Corporate Taxpayer agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cure any condition rendering the payment of such amounts impermissible as described in this
Section 5.2 and to cause the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries to pay dividends or make loans (including, to the extent commercially reasonable, granting access to any revolving credit facility or other source of
liquidity to facilitate the payment of such dividends or loans), to the extent consistent with the terms of their outstanding indebtedness and any applicable law, to the extent necessary to make payments hereunder.
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Section 5.3 Conflicting Agreements. Unless the
Rights Holder Representative otherwise agrees in writing, the Corporate Taxpayer shall use commercially reasonable efforts not to, and shall cause the Corporate Taxpayer’s Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts not to, enter into
any agreement or indenture or any amendment or other modification to any agreement or indenture (including, in each case, in connection with any refinancing) or incur, create or assume any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money
(excluding any trade payables, intercompany debt or similar obligations) (“Senior Obligations”), in each case, after the date hereof, that would reasonably be expected to, directly or indirectly, impede (or further impede)
its ability to make payments under this Agreement (other than any Early Termination Payment) in accordance with its terms, including any agreement that would, directly or indirectly, impede (or further impede) the ability of the Corporate Taxpayer
to pay amounts payable under this Agreement (other than any Early Termination Payment) or the ability of the Corporate Taxpayer’s Subsidiaries to upstream cash (by dividend, loan or other transfer) to the Corporate Taxpayer to fund amounts
payable by the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement (other than any Early Termination Payment); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any interest incurred, accrued or otherwise payable in accordance with a Senior Obligation shall not be
deemed to, directly or indirectly, impede (or further impede) the Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to make payments under this Agreement or the ability of the Corporate Taxpayer’s Subsidiaries to upstream cash to the Corporate Taxpayer.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer enters into future Tax receivable or other similar agreements (“Future TRAs”), the Corporate Taxpayer shall
ensure that the terms of any such Future TRA shall provide that the Tax Attributes subject to this TRA Agreement shall be senior in priority in all respects to any Tax attributes subject to any such Future TRA for purposes of calculating the amount
and timing of payments under any such Future TRA and that there is no duplication of Tax Attributes (and payments with respect thereto) that are subject to this Agreement and Tax attributes (and payment obligations with respect thereto) that are
subject to any Future TRAs. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to the Rights Holders under this Agreement shall be pari passu in right of payment with all current or future unsecured obligations of
the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries that are not Senior Obligations.
ARTICLE VI
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION
Section 6.1 Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and
OpCo’s Tax Matters.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, respectively, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and
defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to taxes, subject to a requirement that the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, as applicable act in good faith in connection with their direct or indirect control of any matter which is reasonably
expected to affect the Rights Holders’ rights and obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo, as applicable, shall notify the Rights Holder Representative in writing of the commencement of, and keep the Rights Holder Representative reasonably informed with respect to, any tax audit or tax administrative or
judicial proceeding of the Corporate Taxpayer (or its Subsidiaries) or OpCo by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the timing of, or the amount of, any Tax Benefit Payment (any “Tax
Claim”), and shall give the Rights Holder Representative reasonable opportunity to provide information and participate in the applicable portion of such Tax Claim, including attending any meetings with any Taxing Authority, employing
counsel separate from the counsel employed by the Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo, as applicable, and having the opportunity to reasonably comment on and approve all material submissions made by the Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo, as applicable, to any
Taxing
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Authority. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, without the consent of the Rights Holder Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, the
Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo, as applicable, shall not, and shall cause each respective Subsidiary not to, (i) change any accounting method, or amend or take any position inconsistent with a previously-filed Tax Return of any such entity, in each
case, if such action could materially and adversely affect the Tax Benefit Payments or (ii) settle or otherwise resolve any Tax Claim, if such settlement could have a materially adverse effect on a Rights Holder’s rights (including the
right to receive payments) under this Agreement.
Section 6.2 Cooperation. Each of the Corporate
Taxpayer, OpCo and the Rights Holder Representative shall (a) furnish to the other party in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the other party may reasonably request for purposes of making or approving any
determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting, participating in, or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority including pursuant to
Section 6.1, (b) make itself available to the other party and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the requesting party or its representatives may
reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter,. Upon the request of any Rights Holder the Corporate Taxpayer shall cooperate in
taking any action reasonably requested by such Rights Holder in connection with (i) its Tax or financial reporting or (ii) the consummation of any assignment or transfer of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement,
including without limitation, providing any information (including projections of taxable income and Tax Benefit Payments) or executing any documentation. In addition, the Corporate Taxpayer shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not
to, take any action or omit to take any action, in each case, that has the primary purpose of circumventing the attainment of or otherwise reducing any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment under this Agreement or triggering an Early
Termination Event under this Agreement.
Section 6.3 Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer
and the Rights Holders agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including U.S. federal, state and local Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including,
without limitation, the Basis Adjustments and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that contemplated by this Agreement or specified by the Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate
Taxpayer under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law. The Corporate Taxpayer shall (and shall cause OpCo and its other Subsidiaries to) use commercially reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and
entitlements of all Rights Holders under this Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this Agreement, including the Intended Tax Treatment, and any Schedule in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications to be given or
delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or sent by email (unless the party delivering such notice receives notice of
transmission failure), (b) one (1) Business Day following delivery by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or (c) three (3) calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and
return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.1, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:
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If to PubCo, to:
AEVEX Corp.
440 Stevens Ave., Suite 150
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Attn: Roger Wells
Todd Booth
Email: [***]
[***]
with a copy, in any case, to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 W. Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attn: Jon-Micheal A. Wheat, P.C.
Kevin Stocks
Michael Keeley, P.C.
Kevin Frank
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
[***]
If to the OpCo, to:
Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC
440 Stevens Ave., Suite 150
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Attn: Roger Wells
Todd Booth
Email: [***]
[***]
with a copy, in any case, to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 W. Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attn: Jon-Micheal A. Wheat, P.C.
Kevin Stocks
Michael Keeley, P.C.
Kevin Frank
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
[***]
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If to any Rights Holder, to:
ATS Investment Holdings, LLC
c/o Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
70 W. Madison St., Suite 4600
Chicago, IL 60602
Attn: Matthew W. Norton
Brandon Levitan
Legal Department
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
with a copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 W. Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attn: Jon-Micheal A. Wheat, P.C.
Kevin Stocks
Michael Keeley, P.C.
Kevin Frank
Email: [***]
[***]
[***]
[***]
Section 7.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or email transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 7.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter in any way. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 7.4 Governing Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or
matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this
Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 7.5 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable by any governmental entity, all other provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest
extent possible.
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Section 7.6 Successors; Assignment; Amendments;
Waivers.
(a) No Rights Holder may assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Rights Holder
Representative; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Corporate Taxpayer in its sole discretion, any approved assignee shall execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Any
assignment of any such assignee’s rights meeting the requirements of Section 7.6(a) shall be referred to herein as a “Permitted Assignment” and Schedule A hereto shall be amended to
reflect such Permitted Assignment.
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the
Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided that, the Rights Holder
Representative may waive any provision on behalf of any Rights Holder.
(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon, shall inure to the benefit and burden of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives, including any permitted assignee pursuant to
a Permitted Assignment. The Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by
written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
Section 7.7 Headings, Titles, and Subtitles. The headings, titles, and subtitles of the sections and
subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
Section 7.8 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE MAXIMMUM EXTENT PERMITED BY LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION, ACTION, PROCEEDING, CROSS-CLAIM, OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY COURT (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH (A) THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE VALIDITY, PERFORMANCE, INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR (B) THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES IN THE NEGOTIATION, AUTHORIZATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
Section 7.9 Resolution of Disputes.
(a) Other than with respect to any disputes under Section 2.4, Section 4.1, or
Section 4.2 (which are to be resolved pursuant to Section 7.10) or claims for specific performance or other equitable relief, any and all disputes hereunder which cannot be settled amicably between
or among the Corporate Taxpayer, any Rights Holder and/or the Rights Holder Representative, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation,
performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in
accordance with the then existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York. The parties to such arbitration shall jointly select a single arbitrator who shall have the
authority to hold hearings and to render a decision in accordance with the then existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to such arbitration fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within thirty
(30) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be selected by the International Chamber of Commerce. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. Section 1, et seq., and judgment on the award may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.
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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.9(a),
either the Corporate Taxpayer or the Rights Holders or Rights Holder Representative may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate in accordance with
Section 7.9(a), seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this Section 7.9(b), the Rights
Holders or Rights Holder Representative (i) expressly consents to the application of Section 7.9(c) to any such action or proceeding, and (ii) irrevocably appoints the Corporate Taxpayer as its agent for service
of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise the Rights Holders or Rights Holder Representative of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every
respect effective service of process upon the Rights Holders or Rights Holder Representative in any such action or proceeding.
(c) THE
CORPORATE TAXPAYER AND THE RIGHTS HOLDERS AND RIGHTS HOLDER REPRESENTATIVE EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND AGREES THAT ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 7.9(B) OR SECTION 7.17 SHALL BE BROUGHT AND DETERMINED EXCLUSIVELY IN ANY STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND ANY STATE APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE (OR, IF SUCH STATE COURTS
REFUSE TO ACCEPT JURISDICTION OVER A PARTICULAR MATTER, ANY FEDERAL COURT WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE).
(d) The parties acknowledge that
the forum designated by Section 7.9(c) has a reasonable relation to this Agreement and to the parties’ relationship with one another.
Section 7.10 Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder
Representative are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Section 2.4, Section 4.1, and Section 4.2 within the relevant period designated
in this Agreement (including the finalization of any Schedule or the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (or other payment pursuant to the Section 4.1) required to be made by the Corporate
Taxpayer to the Rights Holders under this Agreement) (a “Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert in the particular area of disagreement
(the “Expert”) mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a nationally recognized accounting, consulting or valuation firm (other than a so-called “Big Four”
accounting firm) mutually selected by the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative. The Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative shall instruct the Expert to, and the Expert shall, make a final determination of such
Reconciliation Dispute in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set forth in this Agreement. The Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative will reasonably cooperate with the Expert during the term of its engagement. The
Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative shall instruct the Expert not to, and the Expert shall not, assign a value to any item in dispute greater than the greatest value for such item assigned by the Corporate Taxpayer, on the one
hand, or the Rights Holder Representative, on the other hand, or less than the smallest value for such item assigned by the Corporate Taxpayer, on the one hand, or the Rights Holder Representative, on the other hand. The Corporate Taxpayer and the
Rights Holder Representative shall also instruct the Expert to, and the Expert shall, make its determination based solely on presentations by the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative that are in accordance with the guidelines and
procedures set forth in this Agreement and not on the basis of an independent review. If the Reconciliation Dispute is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of the Reconciliation Dispute is due or any Tax Return reflecting the subject
of the
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Reconciliation Dispute is due, such payment shall be made on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or
amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or the amendment of any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer, except that the Rights Holder Representative shall pay a portion of the fees and
expenses of the Expert equal to the percentage by which the portion of the disputed amounts not awarded to Rights Holders (if any) bears to the aggregate amount actually disputed. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute,
within the meaning of this Section 7.10 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this
Section 7.10 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and the Rights Holder Representative and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.
Section 7.11 Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any
payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the entering into this Agreement or the making of such payment under the Code, or any applicable provision of state,
local or non-U.S. tax law, provided further, that the Corporate Taxpayer (i) gives ten (10) days advance written notice of its intention to make such withholding to the Rights Holder
Representative, (ii) identifies the legal basis requiring such withholding and (iii) gives the Rights Holder Representative a reasonable opportunity to establish that such withholding is not legally required or may be reduced. To the
extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the applicable Rights Holder. The
Corporate Taxpayer shall provide evidence of such payments to the Rights Holders to the extent that such evidence is available. Each Rights Holder shall deliver to the Corporate Taxpayer at (i) the time such Rights Holder becomes a Rights
Holder and (ii) the reasonable request of the Corporate Taxpayer, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Corporate Taxpayer as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate
of withholding (including IRS Form W-9 or the appropriate IRS Form W-8, as applicable).
Section 7.12 Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate
Assets.
(a) If the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined
or unitary group of corporations that files a consolidated, combined or unitary income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state, local or foreign Tax law, then: (i) the provisions of this
TRA Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated, combined or unitary
taxable income of the group as a whole.
(b) If any Person the income of which is included in the income of the Corporate Taxpayer or its
Subsidiaries or the Corporate Taxpayer’s or its Subsidiaries’ affiliated or consolidated group transfers one or more Reference Assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with
which such entity does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Tax law, such entity, for purposes of calculating
the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such Reference Asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such contribution. The consideration deemed to be received in
a transaction contemplated in the prior sentence shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred Reference Asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such Reference Asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered
asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such Reference Asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest. The transactions described in this Section 7.12(b) shall be taken into account in determining the
Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, as applicable, for such Taxable Year based on the income,
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gain or loss deemed allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries using the Non-Blocker Transferred Basis,
Non-Exchange Transferred Basis, Non-IPO Basis, Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis and Non-Unit
Transferred Basis of the Reference Assets in calculating its Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year and using the actual Tax basis of the Reference Assets in calculating its Actual Tax Liability, determined using the “with and
without” methodology. Thus, for example, in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer or its Subsidiaries the taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer or its Subsidiaries shall be determined by treating OpCo as
having sold the applicable Reference Asset for its fair market value, recovering any basis applicable to such Reference Asset (using the Non-Blocker Transferred Basis,
Non-Exchange Transferred Basis, Non-IPO Basis, Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis and Non-Unit
Transferred Basis), while the Actual Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer or its Subsidiaries would be determined by recovering the actual Tax basis of the Reference Asset that reflects any Blocker Transferred Basis, Exchange Transferred Basis,
IPO Basis, Basis Adjustments and Unit Transferred Basis. For purposes of this Section 7.12, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s share of each of the assets
and liabilities of that partnership.
Section 7.13 Confidentiality.
(a) The Rights Holders and the Rights Holder Representative acknowledge and agree that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is
confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, shall keep and retain in confidence and not disclose to any
Person any confidential matters of the Corporate Taxpayer acquired pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) This
Section 7.13 shall not restrict (i) the disclosure of any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of any Rights Holder,
the Rights Holder Representative or any of their Affiliates in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community, (ii) the disclosure of information to its personnel and representatives who are subject to
confidentiality obligations or otherwise to the extent reasonably necessary for any Rights Holder or its Affiliates to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or
defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns or (iii) the disclosure of information to any direct or indirect current, former or prospective limited partners of any Rights Holder so long as
such Persons are apprised of the confidential nature thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Rights Holder (and each employee, representative or other agent of such Rights Holder, as applicable) may disclose the tax
treatment and tax structure of (A) the Corporate Taxpayer, (B) the transactions, if any, entered into in connection with this Agreement, (C) this Agreement, and (D) any of the transactions of the Corporate Taxpayer, and all
materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Rights Holders relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.
Section 7.14 Rules of Construction. Unless otherwise specified herein:
(a) For purposes of interpretation of this Agreement:
(i) the words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof;
(ii) any accounting term used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in accordance
with GAAP;
(iii) unless specified otherwise, references to an Article, Section or clause refer to the appropriate Article,
Section or clause in this Agreement;
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(iv) the terms “include” or “including” are by way
of example and not limitation and shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”;
(v) the word
“if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; and
(vi) the term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports,
financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.
(b) In the computation of periods of
time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through”
means “to and including.”
(c) Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, references to any law (including the Code) include all
statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such law.
(e) Where a word is
defined herein, references to the singular shall include references to the plural and vice versa.
(f) With regard to all dates, deadlines
and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence. If the date specified for giving any notice or taking any action is not a Business Day (or if the period during which any notice is required to be given or any
action taken expires on a date which is not a Business Day), then the date for giving such notice or taking such action (and the expiration date of such period during which notice is required to be given or action taken) shall be automatically
extended to the next date which is a Business Day.
Section 7.15 Rights Holder Representative. By
executing this Agreement, each of the Rights Holders shall be deemed to have irrevocably constituted the Rights Holder Representative as his, her or its agent, proxy and attorney in fact with full power of substitution to act from and after the date
hereof and to do any and all things and execute any and all documents on behalf of such Rights Holders which may be necessary, convenient or appropriate to facilitate any matters under this Agreement, including: (i) execution of the documents
and certificates required pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) except to the extent specifically provided in this Agreement, receipt and forwarding of notices and communications pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) administration of the
provisions of this Agreement; (iv) any and all consents, waivers, amendments or modifications deemed by the Rights Holder Representative, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be necessary or appropriate under this Agreement (including a
termination of the Corporate Taxpayer’s obligations) and the execution or delivery of any documents that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith; (v) amending this Agreement or any of the instruments to be delivered to the
Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this Agreement; (vi) taking actions the Rights Holder Representative is expressly authorized to take pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement; (vii) negotiating and compromising, on behalf of such
Rights Holders, any dispute that may arise under, and exercising or refraining from exercising any remedies available under, this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby and executing, on behalf of such Rights Holders, any settlement
agreement, release or other document with respect to such dispute or remedy; and (viii) engaging attorneys, accountants, agents or consultants on behalf of such Rights Holders in connection with this Agreement or any other agreement
contemplated hereby and paying any fees related thereto. The Rights Holder Representative may resign upon thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer. All reasonable and documented
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out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Rights Holder Representative in its capacity as such shall be
promptly reimbursed by the Corporate Taxpayer upon presentation of an invoice and reasonable support therefor by the Rights Holder Representative. To the fullest extent permitted by law, none of the Rights Holder Representative, any of its
Affiliates, or any of the Rights Holder Representative’s or Affiliate’s directors, officers, employees or other agents (each a “Covered Person”) shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or
otherwise to any Rights Holder, OpCo or the Corporate Taxpayer for damages arising from any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Rights Holder Representative or any other Person with respect to OpCo or the Corporate Taxpayer, except in the
case of any action or omission which constitutes, with respect to such Person, willful misconduct or fraud, and each Rights Holder shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Rights Holder Representative for any losses, liabilities or damages
arising out of the Rights Holder Representative’s performance of its duties hereunder. Each of the Covered Persons may consult with legal counsel, accountants and other experts selected by it, and any act or omission suffered or taken by it on
behalf of the Rights Holders or in furtherance of the interest of the Rights Holders in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or other experts shall create a rebuttable presumption of the good
faith and due care of such Covered Person with respect to such act or omission; provided that such counsel, accountants or other experts were selected with reasonable care. Each of the Covered Person may rely in good faith upon, and shall
have no liability to OpCo, the Corporate Taxpayer or the Rights Holders for acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper
or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. Each Rights Holders irrevocably agrees that such agency is coupled with an interest and is therefore irrevocable without the
written consent of the Rights Holder Representative and will survive the death, incapacity, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of such Rights Holder.
Section 7.16 Partnership Agreement. To the extent this Agreement imposes obligations on OpCo or a
member of OpCo, this Agreement shall be treated as part of the OpCo Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and
1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.
Section 7.17
Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage, for which monetary relief, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement is not performed in
accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached, including if the parties hereto fail to take any action required of them hereunder to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. It is accordingly agreed that
(i) the parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof without proof of damages
or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement and to thereafter cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated, and (ii) the right of specific performance and
other equitable relief is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, no party hereto would have entered into this Agreement. The parties hereto agree not to assert that a remedy of specific
performance or other equitable relief is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, and not to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy or that the parties otherwise have an adequate
remedy at law. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this
Section 7.17 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.
Section 7.18 Certain Acknowledgments. Without limiting the generality of
Section 2.4, any Person who or which accepts the rights and obligations of a Rights Holder under this Agreement shall be treated as a Rights Holder hereunder pursuant to the terms hereof, and such Person shall be deemed to
have adhered to and agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as a Rights Holder without further action
- 29 -
or the execution of any additional documents or instruments, including any counterpart signature page to this Agreement or joinder to this Agreement. Further, each such Person shall be deemed to
have agreed not to assert any claim that it is not bound by the terms of this Agreement and acknowledges that in no circumstance can such Person be a Rights Holder, or be entitled to the rights of a Rights Holder hereunder, if it is not bound by all
of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the obligations to which a Rights Holder is subject hereunder.
[Signature Pages Follow]
- 30 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Tax Receivable Agreement as of the
date first written above.
COMPANY:
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name: Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
OPCO:
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name: Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Tax
Receivable Agreement]
RIGHTS HOLDERS:
ATS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name: Matthew W. Norton
Title:
Authorized Signatory
ATS PUBCO HOLDINGS, L.P.
By: ATS PubCo Holdings GP, LLC
Its: General Partner
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name: Matthew W. Norton
Title:
Partner
MADISON DEARBORN CAPITAL PARTNERS VII-C, L.P.
By: Madison Dearborn Partners VII-A&C, L.P.
Its: General Partner
By: Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
Its: General Partner
By:
/s/ Matthew W. Norton
Name: Matthew W. Norton
Title:
Partner
- 32 -
Schedule A
Schedule of Rights Holders
As of April 16, 2026
Rights Holders
ATS Investment Holdings, LLC
ATS PubCo Holdings, L.P.
Madison Dearborn Capital Partners VII-C,
L.P.
EX-10.4
EX-10.4
Filename: d123077dex104.htm · Sequence: 9
EX-10.4
Exhibit 10.4
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), dated as of April 16, 2026 and effective as of immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO (the
“Effective Time”), is made by and among AEVEX Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Pubco”), Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and ATS
Investment Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Member”).
WHEREAS, in connection with the initial
public offering of shares of Class A Common Stock (the “IPO”), Pubco intends to consummate the transactions described in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration
No. 333-294524);
WHEREAS, immediately following the IPO, the Member owns the number of
Series B Units and shares of Class B Common Stock set forth on Exhibit A hereto; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement
desire to provide for the exchange of Exchangeable Units together with shares of Class B Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.1 Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings set forth in this Section 1.1. All other
capitalized terms that are used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the LLC Agreement.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Cash Payment” means, an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the Exchanged Unit Amount, (y) the
then-applicable Exchange Rate, and (z) (i) solely in connection with a Change of Control Exchange, the Class A Common Stock Value, and (ii) with respect to any Exchange that is not a Change of Control Exchange, the net price (after
underwriting discounts) of Class A Common Stock received by Pubco in the substantially concurrent public offering or private sale, as applicable.
“Change of Control” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.
“Change of Control Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i).
“Change of Control Exchange Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(iii).
“Class A Common Stock Value” means, with respect to any Change of Control Exchange, the greater of
(x) the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average prices for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as
reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor, for each of the three (3)
consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the related Exchange Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock
splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock and (y) the price per share of Class A Common Stock offered by the Person or group that is the acquirer in the applicable Change of Control
transaction. If the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the Class A Common Stock Value shall be determined in good faith by a majority of the directors of Pubco
that do not have an interest in the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock being Exchanged.
“Contribution
Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iv).
“Effective Time” has the
meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Exchange” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(a)(i).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iv).
“Exchange Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iv).
“Exchange Rate” means the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which one Series B Unit is entitled to be
Exchanged. The Exchange Rate will also be used to determine the number of shares of Class B Common Stock that the Member must surrender upon an Exchange. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1.00, subject to adjustment
pursuant to Section 2.2.
“Exchangeable Unit” means a Series B Unit held by the Member.
“Exchanged Unit Amount” means, with respect to an Exchange, the number of Exchangeable Units set forth in the applicable
Exchange Notice.
“First Exchange Time” means the expiration or earlier waiver of any lockup agreement relating to the
IPO.
“IPO” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Liens” means any and all liens, charges, security interests, options, claims, mortgages, pledges, proxies, voting trusts
or agreements, obligations, understandings or arrangements or other restrictions on title or transfer of any nature whatsoever, in each case, excluding transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws.
“LLC Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of the
date hereof, as the same may be amended, amended and restated or replaced from time to time.
“Member” has the meaning
set forth in the preamble.
“Pubco” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Retraction Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(vii).
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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“Takeover Laws” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal U.S. securities exchange on
which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).
ARTICLE II
Section 2.1 Exchange of Units.
(a) Elective Exchanges.
(i) From and after the First Exchange Time, the Member shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof
and the LLC Agreement, to surrender Exchangeable Units to Pubco or the Company (as applicable) and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate (in each case, free and clear of all Liens)
to Pubco in exchange for the delivery to the Member (or its designee) of either, at the option of Pubco, (x) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount multiplied
by the Exchange Rate or (y) solely in connection with an Exchange (including a Change of Control Exchange) that coincides with a substantially concurrent public offering or private sale of Class A Common Stock, the applicable Cash
Payment. Any exchange of Exchangeable Units and Class B Common Stock for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment, as applicable, is defined herein as an “Exchange.” Subject to
Section 2.1(a)(ii), from and after the First Exchange Time, the Member may Exchange any Exchangeable Units at any time and from time to time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither Pubco nor the Company
shall effectuate a Cash Payment pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) or Section 2.1(b) unless (A) Pubco determines to consummate a private sale or public offering of Class A Common Stock on,
or not later than five (5) Business Days after, the relevant Exchange Date and (B) Pubco contributes sufficient proceeds from such private sale or public offering to the Company for payment by the Company of the applicable Cash Payment or
Pubco directly pays the applicable Cash Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall have no obligation to make a Cash Payment that exceeds the cash contributed to the Company by Pubco from Pubco’s offering or sales of Class A
Common Stock referenced earlier in this Section 2.1(a)(i).
(ii) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Member shall not be entitled to effectuate an Exchange of Exchangeable Units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate) as set forth
in this Section 2.1(a), and Pubco and Company shall have the right to refuse to honor any request for such an Exchange, if at any time Pubco or the Company determines based on the advice of counsel that such Exchange
(1) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including the unavailability of a registration of such Exchange under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements thereof) or (2) would not be permitted under any
agreement with Pubco, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries to which the Member is party (including the LLC Agreement). Upon such determination, Pubco or the Company (as applicable) shall notify the Member, which such notice shall include an
explanation in reasonable detail as to the reason that the Exchange has not been honored.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, if the Manager of the Company, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and tax advisor, shall determine in good faith that interests in the Company do not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h) (or other provisions of those Regulations as determined by the Manager in its sole discretion), the Company may impose such restrictions on Exchanges as the Company may reasonably determine
to be necessary or advisable so that the Company is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code.
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(iv) The Member shall exercise its right to effectuate an Exchange of
Exchangeable Units, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate, as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), by delivering to the Company, with a contemporaneous
copy delivered to Pubco, during normal business hours, (A) a written election of exchange in respect of the Exchangeable Units to be exchanged substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (an “Exchange Notice”), duly
executed by the Member, (B) any certificates in the Member’s possession representing such Exchangeable Units, (C) any stock certificates in the Member’s possession representing such shares of Class B Common Stock and
(D) if Pubco or the Company requires the delivery of the certification contemplated by Section 2.4(b), such certification or written notice from the Member that it is unable to provide such certification. Unless
the Member timely has delivered a Retraction Notice pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(vii), an Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be effected on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Business Day on which Pubco and the Company have received all of the items specified in clauses (A)-(D) of the first sentence of this
Section 2.1(a)(iv) or such later date that is a Business Day specified in the Exchange Notice (such Business Day, the “Exchange Date”); provided, that the Company may establish alternate
exchange procedures as necessary in order to facilitate the establishment by the Member of a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. On the Exchange Date, all rights of the
Member as a holder of the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock that are subject to the Exchange shall cease, and unless Pubco has elected Cash Payment, the Member (or its designee) shall be treated for all purposes as having
become the record holder of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be received by the Member in respect of such Exchange.
(v) Within two (2) Business Days following the Business Day on which Pubco and the Company have received the Exchange
Notice, Pubco shall give written notice (the “Contribution Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Member) of its intended settlement method; provided that, if Pubco does not timely deliver a Contribution Notice, Pubco
shall be deemed to have not elected the Cash Payment method.
(vi) The Member may specify, in an applicable Exchange
Notice, that the Exchange is to be contingent (including as to timing) upon the occurrence of any transaction or event, including the consummation of a purchase by another Person (whether in a tender or exchange offer, an underwritten offering,
Change of Control transaction or otherwise) of shares of Class A Common Stock or any merger, consolidation or other business combination.
(vii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Member may withdraw or amend its Exchange Notice, in whole or in
part, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. San Diego, California time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the Exchange Date by giving written notice (a “Retraction Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to Pubco) specifying
(A) the number of withdrawn Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate), (B) the number of Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of
Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate) as to which the Exchange Notice remains in effect, if any, and (C) if the Member so determines, a new Exchange Date or any other new or revised information permitted in the
Exchange Notice.
4
(b) Change of Control. In connection with a Change of Control, and
subject to any approval of the Change of Control by the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that may be required:
(i) Pubco shall have the right to require the Member to effectuate an Exchange of some or all of the Member’s
Exchangeable Units, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate (in each case, free and clear of all Liens), with Pubco or, at the option of Pubco, with any Subsidiary of Pubco, in
each case, in exchange for the delivery to the Member (or its designee) of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the applicable Exchanged Unit Amount and the Exchange Rate (such Exchange, a “Change
of Control Exchange”); provided that, if Pubco requires the Member to Exchange less than all of its outstanding Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the
Exchange Rate), the Member’s participation in the required Exchange shall be reduced pro rata based on ownership of Exchangeable Units. For the avoidance of doubt, any Exchangeable Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class B
Common Stock held by the Member that are not Exchanged pursuant to a Change of Control Exchange may be Exchanged by the Member after the Change of Control transaction pursuant to Section 2.1(a) subject to and in accordance
with the terms thereof.
(ii) The election of Pubco pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be at
the sole discretion of Pubco upon the approval thereof by a majority of the Board of Directors of Pubco.
(iii) Any
Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Change of Control (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be effective if such Change of Control is not
consummated) (the “Change of Control Exchange Date”). From and after the Change of Control Exchange Date, (A) the Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock Exchanged pursuant to this
Section 2.1(b) shall be deemed to be transferred to the Company and Pubco, as applicable, on the Change of Control Exchange Date and (B) the Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Exchangeable Units
and shares of Class B Common Stock that is Exchanged pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to
Section 2.1(b)(i) upon compliance with its obligations under Section 2.1(c)).
(iv) Pubco shall provide written notice of an expected Change of Control to the Member within the earlier of (A) five (5)
Business Days following the execution of the agreement with respect to such Change of Control and (B) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated Change of Control is to be effected, indicating in such notice
such information as may reasonably describe the Change of Control transaction, subject to applicable law, including the date of execution of such agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be
paid for Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, in the Change of Control (which consideration shall be equivalent whether paid for Exchangeable Units and shares of
Class B Common Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock), any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable,
shall be entitled to make in connection with the Change of Control, the percentage of total Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, to be transferred to the acquirer by all
shareholders in the Change of Control, and the number of Exchangeable Units and shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Member that Pubco intends to require to be Exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the
Change of Control. Pubco shall update such notice from time to time to reflect any material changes to such notice. Pubco may satisfy any such notice and update requirements described in the preceding two sentences by providing such information on a
Form 8-K, Schedule TO, Schedule 14D-9, Preliminary Merger Proxy on Schedule 14A, Definitive Merger Proxy on Schedule 14A or similar form filed with the SEC.
5
(c) Exchange Procedure on Change of Control Exchange. On or prior to
the Change of Control Exchange Date, the Member shall deliver to Pubco or the Company, as applicable, with a contemporaneous copy delivered to the Company, in each case during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Company
and Pubco, respectively: (A) an Exchange Notice, duly executed by the Member; (B) any certificates in the Member’s possession representing all Exchangeable Units being surrendered by the Member; (C) any stock certificates in the
Member’s possession representing all shares of Class B Common Stock being surrendered by the Member; and (D) if Pubco or the Company requires the delivery of the certification contemplated by
Section 2.4(b), such certification or written notice from the Member that it is unable to provide such certification.
(d) Exchange Consideration. As promptly as practicable on or after the Exchange Date or Change of Control Exchange Date,
as applicable, provided the Member has satisfied its obligations under Section 2.1(a)(iv) or Section 2.1(c), as applicable, the Company or Pubco shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Member (or its designee), either certificates or evidence of book-entry shares representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon the applicable Exchange, registered in the name of the Member (or its designee) or, if
Pubco has so elected, the Cash Payment. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 2.1(d) to the contrary, to the extent the Class A Common Stock issued in the exchange will be settled through the facilities of
The Depository Trust Company, the Company or Pubco will, upon the written instruction of the Member, deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to the Member through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company to the account of
the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by the Member in the Exchange Notice. Upon the Member exercising its right to Exchange in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(i) or the occurrence of a
Change of Control Exchange, the Company or Pubco shall take such actions as (A) may be required to ensure that the Member receives the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment that the Member is entitled to receive in connection
with such Exchange pursuant to this Section 2.1, and (B) may be reasonably within its control that would cause such Exchange to be treated for purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement as an
“Exchange” under the Tax Receivable Agreement.
(e) Legends.
(i) The shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange, other than any such shares issued in an Exchange subject
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THE TRANSFER OF
THESE SECURITIES HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW), OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
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(ii) If (A) any shares of Class A Common Stock have been sold
pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the SEC, (B) all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 are met or (C) the legend (or a portion thereof) otherwise ceases to be applicable, Pubco, upon the written
request of the holder thereof, shall promptly provide such holder or its respective transferees with new certificates (or evidence of book-entry share) for securities of like tenor not bearing the provisions of the legend with respect to which the
restriction has terminated. In connection therewith, such holder shall provide Pubco with such information in its possession as Pubco may reasonably request (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to Pubco) in connection with
the removal of any such legend.
(f) Cancellation of Class B Common Stock. Any shares of
Class B Common Stock surrendered in an Exchange shall automatically be deemed cancelled without any action on the part of any Person, including Pubco. Any such cancelled shares of Class B Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding, and
all rights with respect to such shares shall automatically cease and terminate.
(g) Expenses. Subject to any other
arrangement or agreement among the Company and the Member, each party hereto shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that Pubco shall bear
any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of
the Member (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of the Member) or a direct or indirect equityholder of the Member or the Cash
Payment is to be paid to a Person other than the Member or a direct or indirect equityholder of the Member, then the Member or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered or to whom the Cash Payment is to be paid shall pay to Pubco the
amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Pubco that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
Section 2.2 Adjustment.
The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (a) any subdivision (by any stock or unit split, stock or unit dividend or
distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock or unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Series B
Units that is not accompanied by a substantively identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (b) any subdivision (by any stock or unit split, stock or unit dividend or distribution, reclassification,
reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock or unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the shares of Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by a substantively
identical subdivision or combination of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Series B Units. To the extent not reflected in an adjustment to the Exchange Rate, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar
transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, the Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such
security, securities or other property that the Member would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into
account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of
such security, securities or other property that occurs after
7
the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization,
recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, this Section 2.2 shall continue to be
applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property.
Section 2.3 Class A
Common Stock to be Issued.
(a) Pubco shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but
unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Exchangeable Units; provided,
however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude Pubco from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Exchange by delivery of unencumbered purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in
the treasury of Pubco or any subsidiary thereof).
(b) Pubco has taken and will take all such steps as may be required to
cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions or dispositions of
equity securities of Pubco (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities that may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of Pubco for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, by each director or officer of Pubco (including directors-by-deputization) who may reasonably be expected to be subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Pubco upon the registration of any class of equity security of Pubco pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (with the authorizing resolutions specifying the name of each such officer or
director whose acquisition or disposition of securities is to be exempted and the number of securities that may be acquired and disposed of by each such Person pursuant to this Agreement).
(c) If any Takeover Law or other similar law or regulation becomes or is deemed to become applicable to this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated hereby, Pubco shall use its reasonable best efforts to render such law or regulation inapplicable to all of the foregoing.
(d) Pubco covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders of Pubco or to any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any Person.
Section 2.4 Withholding; Certification of Non-Foreign Status.
(a) If Pubco or the Company shall be required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state, local or foreign tax
rules or regulations in respect of any Exchange, Pubco or the Company, as the case may be, shall be entitled to take such action as it deems appropriate in order to ensure compliance with such withholding requirements, including, at its option,
withholding shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the minimum amount of any taxes that Pubco or the Company, as the case may be, may be required to withhold with respect to such Exchange. To the extent that amounts
are (or property is) so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority, such withheld amounts (or property) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid (or delivered) to the Member.
8
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each of Pubco and the
Company may, in its discretion, require that the Member deliver to Pubco or the Company, as the case may be, a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 prior to an Exchange. In the event Pubco or the Company
has required delivery of such form but the Member does not provide such form, Pubco or the Company, as the case may be, shall nevertheless deliver or cause to be delivered to the Member the Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment in accordance
with Section 2.1, but subject to withholding as provided in Section 2.4(a).
Section 2.5 Tax Treatment.
(a) Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any Exchange with the Company or
Pubco shall be treated as a direct exchange between Pubco and the Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes. The parties hereto intend to treat any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Exchangeable
Units and Class B Common Stock (if any) by the Member to Pubco for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes except as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Member and Pubco and no party hereto shall take a
position inconsistent with such intended tax treatment on any tax return, amendment thereof or any other communication with a taxing authority, in each case, unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of
Section 1313 of the Code.
(b) To the extent this Agreement imposes obligations upon the Company, this Agreement shall
be treated as part of the LLC Agreement as described in Section 761 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c).
Section 2.6 Contribution of Pubco.
In connection with any Exchange between the Member and the Company, Pubco shall contribute to the Company the shares of Class A Common
Stock or Cash Payment that the Member is entitled to receive in such Exchange. Unless the Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 2.1(a)(vii), on the Exchange Date (to be effective immediately
prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date) (i) Pubco shall make a capital contribution to the Company (in the form of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Payment that the Member is entitled to receive in such Exchange)
required under this Section 2.6, (ii) the Company shall transfer such shares of Class A Common Stock or Cash Payment to the Member in redemption of such Member’s Series B Units in the Company, and (iii) in
the case of an Exchange for Class A Common Stock and/or the Cash Payment (as applicable), the Company shall issue to Pubco a number of Series A Units equal to the Exchanged Unit Amount surrendered by the Member.
Section 2.7 Distributions.
No Exchange will impair the right of the Member to receive any distribution for periods ending on or prior to the Exchange Date for such
Exchange (but for which payment had not yet been made with respect to the Exchangeable Units in question at the time the Exchange is consummated); provided that, for purposes of this Section 2.7, the Member’s
right to receive its pro rata portion of any distribution by the Company in respect of such periods shall not be deemed impaired to the extent that the Company has not paid Pubco its pro rata portion of such distribution prior to the consummation of
the applicable Exchange.
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Section 2.8 Structure of Exchange Transactions.
The parties hereto acknowledge that (a) certain direct and indirect equityholders of the Member may from time to time desire to
participate in an Exchange and (b) this Agreement is intended to permit and facilitate such participation in an Exchange as if such direct and indirect equityholders of the Member were a party hereto as the Member hereunder. Therefore, the
parties agree (x) to enter into any transaction or series of transactions, including related transaction documents, requested by the Member in any manner necessary or desirable to facilitate such direct or indirect participation in an Exchange
or otherwise achieve the purposes of this Agreement and (y) that the rights of the Member set forth in this Agreement may be assigned to any subsequent holder of Series B Units as if such holder were the Member hereunder as and to the extent
elected by the Member.
ARTICLE III
Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties of Pubco.
Pubco represents and warrants that (i) it is a corporation duly incorporated and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to deliver the Class A Common Stock and/or Cash Payment in
accordance with the terms hereof, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Pubco and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Pubco,
including all actions necessary to ensure that the acquisition of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent of each of Pubco’s Board of Directors’ power and authority and
to the extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations of any
jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, “Takeover Laws”), (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Pubco enforceable
against Pubco in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, and
(v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Pubco and the consummation by Pubco of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of incorporation of Pubco or the bylaws of
Pubco, (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement,
indenture or instrument to which Pubco is a party or (C) based on the representations to be made by the Member pursuant to the written election in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto in connection with Exchanges made pursuant to the
terms of the Agreement, result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Pubco or by which any property or asset of Pubco is bound or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any
conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Pubco or its business, financial condition or results of operations.
Section 3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company represents and warrants that (i) it is a limited liability company duly formed and is existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable
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against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating
to or limiting creditors’ rights generally, (v) it is an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not classified as a “publicly traded partnership” as defined under Section 7704 of the
Code and (vi) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of formation of the
Company or the LLC Agreement, (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or by which any property or asset of the Company is bound
or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business,
financial condition or results of operations.
Section 3.3 Representations and Warranties of the
Member.
The Member represents and warrants that (i) it is a limited liability company duly formed and is existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Member and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Member, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Member enforceable against the Member in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’
rights generally and (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Member and the consummation by the Member of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) result in a violation of the certificate of formation
or the limited liability company agreement of the Member, (B) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Member is a party or (C) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Member or by which any property or
asset of the Member is bound or affected, except with respect to clause (B) or (C) for any conflicts, defaults, accelerations, terminations, cancellations or violations that would not in any material respect result in the unenforceability
against the Member of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
Section 4.1 Notices.
All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) delivered by means of electronic mail if emailed on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, or (c) one (1)
Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the address for such recipient set forth in the Company’s books and
records (or below, with respect to Pubco), or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.
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If to the Company, the Member or Pubco:
c/o AEVEX Corp.
440 Stevens
Ave., Suite 150
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [***]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Company, the Member or Pubco) to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
333 West Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
Attention:
Robert M. Hayward, P.C.; Michael P. Keeley, P.C.; Kevin Frank
E-mail: [***]; [***]; [***]
Section 4.2 Permitted Transferees.
To the extent that the Member (or an applicable Permitted Transferee of the Member) validly transfers after the date hereof any or all of its
Series B Units and corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock after taking into account the Exchange Rate, to a Permitted Transferee of such Person or to any other Person in a transaction not in contravention of, and in accordance with, the
LLC Agreement, then the transferee thereof shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. Upon execution of any such joinder, such transferee shall, with respect to such
transferred Series B Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, be entitled to all of the rights and bound by each of the obligations applicable to the relevant transferor hereunder; provided that the transferor shall remain entitled to
all of the rights and bound by each of the obligations with respect to Series B Units and shares of Class B Common Stock that were not so transferred.
Section 4.3 Severability.
The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or entity or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) a suitable
and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application
of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in
any other jurisdiction.
Section 4.4 Counterparts.
This Agreement and any amendments may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts and delivered via facsimile or .pdf, each of
which shall be deemed an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same document. The signature of any party to any counterpart shall be deemed a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart.
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Section 4.5 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, together with the LLC Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement and the other agreements and instruments referenced herein
and therein, (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than
the parties hereto and their Permitted Transferees, any rights or remedies hereunder.
Section 4.6 Further
Assurances.
Each party hereto shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents and take such further actions as
may be reasonably requested from time to time by any other party hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated herein.
Section 4.7 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice
of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 4.8 Consent to Jurisdiction.
Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the State of Delaware and the
state courts of the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each party hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or
document by United States certified or registered mail (in each such case, prepaid return receipt requested) to such party’s respective address set forth in Section 4.1 or such other address or to the attention of
such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party shall be effective service of process in any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to
jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in the United States District Court for the State of Delaware or the state courts of the State of Delaware and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action,
suit or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 4.9 Waiver of
Jury Trial.
BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN
EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE
BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING THE COMPANY) HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR
AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER.
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Section 4.10 Amendments.
The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote or written consent of each of the parties hereto. No failure or
delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
Section 4.11 Assignment.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written
consent of the other parties; provided, that nothing herein shall restrict the Member from assigning any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect equityholder of the Member. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors, assigns and Permitted Transferees.
Section 4.12 Specific Enforcement.
The parties hereto acknowledge that the remedies at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be
inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this Agreement, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary
restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may then be available.
[Signature Pages to
Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by
their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
PUBCO
AEVEX CORP.
By:
/s/ Roger Wells
Name:
Roger Wells
Title:
Chief Executive
Officer
MEMBER
ATS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
/s/ Matthew Norton
Name:
Matthew Norton
Title:
Authorized Signatory
Signature Page to
Exchange Agreement
Exhibit A
Immediately Following IPO
Name of Member
Number of
Series B Units Owned
Number
of Shares of Class B
Common Stock Owned
ATS Investment Holdings, LLC
63,297,524.00
63,297,524.00
A-1
EX-10.6
EX-10.6
Filename: d123077dex106.htm · Sequence: 10
EX-10.6
Exhibit 10.6
AEVEX CORP.
2026 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this AEVEX Corp. 2026 Omnibus Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) is to promote the success of the
Company’s business for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain, and reward such individuals and
strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. This Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XIV.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
2.1 “Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling, or under common
control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
2.2 “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based
awards and the related shares under U.S. state corporate law, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the rules or requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares are listed or quoted, and any other applicable laws,
including tax laws, of any U.S. or non-U.S. jurisdictions where Awards are, or will be, granted under this Plan.
2.3 “Award” means any award under this Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right,
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award, or Cash Award. All Awards shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of an Award Agreement.
2.4 “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement, contract, certificate, or
other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.
2.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “Cash Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Individual pursuant to Section 9.3
of this Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
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2.7 “Cause” means, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in
control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such agreement in effect but it does not define “cause” (or words of like
import)), the Participant’s (i) commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to
the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the person to whom the Participant reports; (iii) conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or an
Affiliate negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute; (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (v) material violation of the Company’s policies or codes of
conduct, including policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, or ethical misconduct; or (vi) any breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, or confidentiality covenant between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement,
offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import),
“cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause”
shall not apply until a change in control (as defined in such agreement) actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter.
2.8 “Change in Control” means and includes each of the following, unless otherwise determined
by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee:
(a) any Person
(other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more
of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding for purposes herein, acquisitions pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) that does not constitute a Change in Control as defined in
Section 2.8(b);
(b) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the Company or in which equity securities of the Company are
issued (each, a “Business Combination”), other than a merger, reorganization or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its direct or indirect parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
(or, as applicable, a direct or indirect parent of the Company or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger, reorganization or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger, reorganization or consolidation effected to
implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 2.8(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities shall not constitute a Change in Control;
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(c) during the period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning
of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2.8(a) or (b)) whose election by
the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the
two (2) year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially
all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Person or Persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting
power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.
(e) For purposes of this Section 2.8,
acquisitions of securities of the Company by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC, any of its affiliates, or any investment vehicle or fund controlled by or managed by, or otherwise affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC shall not constitute a
Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a
Change in Control under this Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the
assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
2.9 “Change in Control
Price” means the highest price per Share paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
2.10 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. Any
reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any guidance and treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.
2.11 “Committee” means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer
this Plan; provided, however, that unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are each (a) a “non-employee
director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b), and (b) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is traded, but only to the
extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer this Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the
Board for all purposes under this Plan. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority from time to time, and will retain the right to exercise the authority of the
Committee to the extent consistent with Applicable Law.
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2.12 “Common Stock” means the Class A
common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
2.13 “Company” means AEVEX
Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
2.14 “Consultant”
means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant or other service provider to the Company or any of its Affiliates.
2.15
“Detrimental Conduct” means, as determined by the Company, a Participant’s serious misconduct or unethical behavior, including any of the following: (a) any violation by the Participant of a
restrictive covenant agreement that the Participant has entered into with the Company or an Affiliate (covering, for example, confidentiality, non-competition,
non-solicitation, non-disparagement, etc.); (b) any conduct by the Participant that could result in the Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause;
(c) the commission of a criminal act by the Participant, whether or not performed in the workplace, that subjects, or if generally known would subject, the Company or an Affiliate to public ridicule or embarrassment, or other improper or
intentional conduct by the Participant causing reputational harm to the Company, an Affiliate, or a client or former client of the Company or an Affiliate; (d) the Participant’s breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company or an
Affiliate or a client or former client of the Company or an Affiliate; (e) the Participant’s intentional violation, or grossly negligent disregard, of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s policies, rules, or procedures; or
(f) the Participant taking or maintaining trading positions that result in a need to restate financial results in a subsequent reporting period or that result in a significant financial loss to the Company or an Affiliate.
2.16 “Disability” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award
Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, after accounting for
reasonable accommodations (if applicable and required by Applicable Law); provided, however, for purposes of an Incentive Stock Option, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The
determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan in which a
Participant participates that is maintained by the Company or any Affiliate.
2.17 “Dividend Equivalent
Rights” means a right granted to a Participant under this Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.
2.18 “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan as defined in Article XIV.
2.19 “Eligible Employee” means each employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates. An
employee on a leave of absence may be an Eligible Employee.
2.20 “Eligible Individual”
means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director, or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
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2.21 “Exchange Act” means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any
comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
2.22 “Fair Market Value” means, for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise required by any
applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities
exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed, or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market
Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate, taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the
Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a date on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award granted on the pricing date of the Company’s initial public offering, the Fair Market Value shall mean the initial public offering price of a Share as set forth in the Company’s
final prospectus relating to its initial public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.23
“Family Member” means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.
2.24 “Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option granted to an Eligible Employee who is an
employee of the Company, its Parents or its Subsidiaries under this Plan and that is intended to be, and is designated as, an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.25 “Non-Employee Director” means a director on the
Board who is not an employee of the Company.
2.26 “Non-Qualified Stock
Option” means any Stock Option granted under this Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.27
“Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted under Article IX of this Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Shares, but may be settled in the form
of Shares or cash.
2.28 “Parent” means any parent corporation of the Company within the
meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.29 “Participant” means an Eligible
Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to this Plan.
2.30 “Performance
Award” means an Award granted under Article VIII of this Plan.
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2.31 “Performance Goals” means goals
established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable.
2.32
“Performance Period” means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.
2.33 “Person” means any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act.
2.34 “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares granted under
Article VII of this Plan.
2.35 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to
receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Committee to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
2.36 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.
2.37 “Section 409A of the Code” means the nonqualified
deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.
2.38 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable
provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
2.39
“Shares” means shares of Common Stock.
2.40 “Stock Appreciation
Right” means a stock appreciation right granted under Article VI of this Plan.
2.41 “Stock
Option” or “Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Article VI of this Plan.
2.42 “Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of
Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.43 “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a Person owning
stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Parent or its Subsidiaries.
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2.44 “Termination of Service” means the
termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company and its Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) if a Participant’s employment or services with the
Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of
Service with the Company and its Affiliates and (b) a Participant employed by, or performing services for an Affiliate that ceases to be an Affiliate shall also be deemed to have incurred a Termination of Service provided the Participant does
not immediately thereafter become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within
the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have experienced a “Termination of Service” unless the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
3.1
Authority of the Committee. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of this Plan and Applicable Law, the Committee shall have full authority to grant Awards to Eligible Individuals under this Plan.
In particular, the Committee shall have the authority to:
(a) determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are
to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;
(b) determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted
hereunder;
(c) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any Award granted hereunder
(including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the Shares, if any,
relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);
(d) determine the amount of
cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(e) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances grants of Options
and other Awards under this Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of this Plan;
(f) determine whether and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash, Shares, other property, or a combination of the foregoing;
(g) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, or other property and other amounts payable with respect
to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;
(h) modify, waive, amend, or
adjust the terms and conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time, including but not limited to Performance Goals;
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(i) determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;
(j) determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the
granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such
Award or Shares;
(k) modify, extend, or renew an Award, subject to Article XI and Section 6.8(g) of this Plan; and
(l) determine how the Disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a
Participant’s status affects an Award and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable.
3.2 Guidelines. Subject to Article XI of this Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter, and
repeal such administrative rules, guidelines, and practices governing this Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from
time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan and any Award issued under this Plan (and any agreements or sub-plans relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise
the administration of this Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the
purpose and intent of this Plan. The Committee may adopt special rules, sub-plans, guidelines, and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of any domestic or foreign
jurisdictions to satisfy or accommodate applicable foreign laws or to qualify for preferred tax treatment of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions.
3.3 Decisions Final. Any decision, interpretation, or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of
the Company, the Board, or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with this Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the
Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
3.4
Designation of Consultants/Liability; Delegation of Authority.
(a) The Committee may employ such legal counsel,
consultants, and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of this Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the
Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant, or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members, and any person designated pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall not be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made
in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted under it.
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(b) The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under this Plan to a
subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions (including executing agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee) and grant Awards; provided, that such
delegation does not (i) violate Applicable Law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in
respect of the Company. Upon any such delegation, all references in this Plan to the “Committee,” shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee. Any such
delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided, however, that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the
Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may
also designate employees or professional advisors who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering this Plan, provided, however, that such individuals may not be delegated the authority
to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Shares.
3.5 Indemnification. To the maximum extent
permitted by Applicable Law and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each current and former officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and
advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of this Plan, except to the extent arising out of such
officer’s, employee’s, member’s, or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification that the current or former employee, officer or member may have under
Applicable Law or under the by-laws of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual
with regard to Awards granted to such individual under this Plan.
ARTICLE IV
SHARE LIMITATION
4.1 Shares. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to this Plan shall not exceed 11,404,170 Shares
(subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to this Article IV), which may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to this
Plan shall be subject to an annual increase on January 1 of each calendar year beginning in 2027, and ending and including 2036, equal to the lesser of (a) 3% of the aggregate number of Shares and shares of Class B common stock of the
Company, in each case, outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of Shares as is determined by the Board. The
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aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or used with respect to any Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 11,404,170 Shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to
Section 4.3). Any Award under this Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shares subject to an Award under this Plan shall again be
made available for issuance or delivery under this Plan if such Shares are (i) Shares delivered, withheld or surrendered in payment of the exercise or purchase price of an Award, (ii) Shares delivered, withheld, or surrendered to satisfy
any tax withholding obligation or (iii) Shares subject to a stock-settled Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of Shares to which the Award related.
4.2 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the
Company’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Committee may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate
(“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Committee deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in this Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Shares authorized for grant
under this Plan (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under this Plan as provided under Section 4.1 above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will
count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under this Plan, as set forth in Section 4.1 above. Additionally, in the event that a Person acquired by the Company or any
Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the
shares available for grants pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such
acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under this Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant
under this Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under this Plan as provided under Section 4.1 above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date
awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Eligible Employees or Non-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
4.3 Adjustments.
(a) The existence of this Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the
stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization, or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any
Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, or preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part
of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.
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(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1:
(i) If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Shares into a greater number of
Shares, or combines (by reverse split, combination, or otherwise) its outstanding Shares into a lesser number of Shares, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant-elected exercise and the number of
Shares covered by outstanding Awards shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan; provided, that the Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.
(ii) Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.3(b)(i), if the Company
effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction or event in
such a manner that the Company’s outstanding Shares are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or
other property of the Company or other entity, then, subject to the provisions of Section 10.1, (A) the aggregate number or kind of securities that thereafter may be issued under this Plan, (B) the number or kind of securities or other
property (including cash) to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan (including as a result of the assumption of this Plan and the obligations hereunder by a successor entity, as applicable), or (C) the exercise or purchase price
thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan.
(iii) If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.3(b)(i) or
4.3(b)(ii), any conversion, any adjustment, or any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, then the Committee shall adjust any Award and make such other
adjustments to this Plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under this Plan.
(iv) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution
(other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other extraordinary transaction or change affecting the Shares or the Share price, including any securities offering or other similar transaction, for administrative
convenience, the Committee may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award for up to sixty (60) days before or after such transaction.
(v) The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or
non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted
accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, or other Company public filing.
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(vi) Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.3(b)
shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this
Section 4.3(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as
expressly provided in this Section 4.3 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under this Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.3.
4.4 Annual Limit on Non-Employee Director Compensation. In each calendar year
during any part of which this Plan is in effect, a Non-Employee Director may not receive Awards for such individual’s service on the Board that, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during such calendar year for such individual’s service on the Board, have a value in excess of $750,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of
such Awards for financial reporting purposes); provided, that (a) the Committee may make exceptions to this limit, except that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may
not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous decisions involving compensation for Non-Employee Directors and (b) for any calendar year in which a Non-Employee Director (i) first commences service on the Board, (ii) serves on a special committee of the Board, or (iii) serves as lead director or
non-executive chair of the Board, such limit shall be increased to $1,000,000; provided, further, that the limit set forth in this Section 4.4 shall be applied without regard to Awards or other
compensation, if any, provided to a Non-Employee Director during any period in which such individual was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate or was otherwise providing services to the Company or to any
Affiliate other than in the capacity as a Non-Employee Director.
ARTICLE V
ELIGIBILITY
5.1
General Eligibility. All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion. No Eligible Individual will automatically be granted any Award under this Plan.
5.2 Incentive Stock Options.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees who are employees of the Company, its Parents or its Subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under this Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and
actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.3 General
Requirement. The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant, or Non-Employee
Director, as applicable.
ARTICLE VI
STOCK OPTIONS; STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1 General. Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under
this Plan Each Stock Option granted under this Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations in this Plan, including any limitations applicable to Incentive Stock Options.
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6.2 Grants. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any
Eligible Individual one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, and/or Stock Appreciation Rights; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to an
Eligible Employee who is an employee of the Company, its Parents or its Subsidiaries. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or
otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.3 Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be
determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent
Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per Share for such Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that, such exercise price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of
the Code.
6.4 Term. The term of each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee,
provided that no Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, five (5) years) after the date on which the
Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted.
6.5 Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided
by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon the occurrence of a specified event. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if
the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right within the permitted time periods is prohibited because such exercise would violate the registration requirements under the Securities
Act or any other Applicable Law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, the Company’s insider trading policy (including any blackout periods) or a “lock-up”
agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of securities by the Company, then the expiration of such Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is
thirty (30) days after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right would be in violation of such registration requirement or other
Applicable Law or rules, blackout period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in no event shall any such extension result in any
Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right remaining exercisable after the ten (10)-year term of the applicable Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right.
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6.6 Method of Exercise. Subject to any applicable waiting period or
exercisability provisions under Section 6.5, to the extent vested, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term of the applicable Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, by
giving written notice of exercise (which may be electronic) to the Company specifying the number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable, being exercised. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price
(which shall equal the product of such number of Shares to be purchased multiplied by the applicable exercise price). The exercise price for the Stock Options may be paid upon such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Committee and
set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may establish payment terms for the exercise of Stock Options pursuant to which the Company may withhold a number of Shares that otherwise would be issued to
the Participant in connection with the exercise of the Stock Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, or that permit the Participant to deliver cash or Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the
exercise price on the date of payment, or through a simultaneous sale through a broker of Shares acquired on exercise, all as permitted by Applicable Law. No Shares shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or
provided for. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Shares (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in
value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) Share on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one (1) Share on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.
6.7 Non-Transferability. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be
transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not transferable pursuant to this
Section 6.7 is transferable to a Family Member of the Participant in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that
is transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (a) may not be subsequently transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (b) remains subject to the terms of this Plan and the applicable
Award Agreement. Any Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible
transferee pursuant to a transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
6.8 Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced,
thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and this Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may remain exercisable following a
Participant’s Termination of Service as follows:
(a) Termination by Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement, or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such
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Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by
the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated
term of such Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by involuntary termination by the Company
without Cause, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(c) Voluntary Resignation. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the
time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.8(d) hereof), all Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the
date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(d) Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of
grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a voluntary Termination of Service (as provided in Section 6.8(c)) after the occurrence of
an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date
of such Termination of Service.
(e) Unvested Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not vested as of the date of a
Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.
(f)
Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee
during any calendar year under this Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary
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exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the
Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three (3) months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by Applicable Law), such Stock Option shall be
treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of this Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be
required, the Committee may amend this Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
(g) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options. The Committee may (i) modify, extend, or renew outstanding Stock Options
granted under this Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided, further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code
without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not
theretofore exercised).
6.9 Automatic Exercise. The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement
providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant
has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the
Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right on the date of
expiration of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 13.4.
6.10 Dividends. No dividends or
Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be granted with respect to Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
6.11 Other Terms and
Conditions. As the Committee shall deem appropriate, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be subject to additional terms and conditions or other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of this Plan.
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTED
STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
7.1 Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Shares of Restricted
Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock and/or
Restricted Stock Units shall be made, the number of shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 7.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be
subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee shall determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Award of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in this Plan, including any vesting or forfeiture conditions.
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The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
Units upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.
7.2 Awards and Certificates. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an
Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a) Restricted Stock.
(i) Purchase Price. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. The purchase price for
shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.
(ii) Legend. Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares
of Restricted Stock, unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the Company’s transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such
Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by Applicable Law, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.
(iii) Custody. If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require
that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed
stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of
the shares subject to the Award of Restricted Stock in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.
(iv)
Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided in Section 7.3(a) and this Section 7.2(a) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all
of the rights of a holder of Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares, and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares;
provided that the Award Agreement shall specify on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to dividends payable on the Shares.
(v) Lapse of Restrictions. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted
Stock, the certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or other limitations
imposed by the Committee.
17
(b) Restricted Stock Units.
(i) Settlement. The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as
reasonably practical after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(ii) Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any
Restricted Stock Unit unless and until Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units.
(iii)
Dividend Equivalent Rights. If the Committee so provides, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid currently or credited to an
account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares, and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights are granted and subject to other
terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
7.3 Restrictions and Conditions.
(a) Restriction Period.
(i) The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under this Plan or vest in Restricted Stock Units
during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event
that would accelerate vesting of the Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 7.3(a)(i), and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee
may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Award of Restricted Stock or
Restricted Stock Units and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
(ii) If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or the lapse of restrictions or vesting schedule is based on the
attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in the applicable Award Agreement prior to the beginning of
the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting
for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions), and other similar types of events or circumstances.
18
(b) Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or
determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units
still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.
ARTICLE VIII
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
The
Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance
Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Awards (including, without limitation, any
applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH AWARDS
9.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Shares, including but not limited to, Shares awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to
restrictions or conditions, Shares in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, stock equivalent units, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Shares. Other Stock-Based
Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under this Plan.
Subject to the provisions of
this Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other
conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Shares under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period. The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the
attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.
9.2 Terms and
Conditions. Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article IX shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not
inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a)
Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and this Plan, Shares subject to Other Stock-Based Awards may not be transferred prior to the date on which the Shares
are issued or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance, or deferral period lapses.
19
(b) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant
of an Other Stock-Based Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and this Plan, the recipient of an Other Stock-Based Award shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights in
respect of the number of Shares covered by the Other Stock-Based Award.
(c) Vesting. Any Other Stock-Based Award and any Shares
covered by any such Other Stock-Based Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
(d) Price. Shares under this Article IX may be issued for no cash consideration. Shares purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded
pursuant to an Other Stock-Based Award shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
9.3 Cash
Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Cash Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by
Applicable Law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Cash Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting
conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of a Cash Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment
obligation thereunder.
ARTICLE X
CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
10.1 Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in
an Award Agreement or any applicable employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant, a Participant’s unvested Awards
shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Awards shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, be assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee
in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and
the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Shares on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award
additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).
(b) The Committee, in its
sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price of the Shares covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards;
provided, however, that if the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be cancelled for no consideration.
20
(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised
Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant-elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty
(20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have
the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the
occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and
void.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated
vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Board or the Committee may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in
part, any or all of the provisions of this Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any Applicable Law), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however,
that, unless otherwise required by Applicable Law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension, or termination may not be materially impaired without the consent of
such Participant and, provided, further, that without the approval of the holders of the Shares entitled to vote in accordance with Applicable Law, no amendment may be made that would (a) increase the aggregate number of Shares
that may be issued under this Plan (except by operation of Section 4.1); or (b) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under this Plan. In addition, the Board or the Committee shall, without the approval of the
holders of the Shares entitled to vote in accordance with Applicable Law, have the authority to (i) amend any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its exercise price per Share or (ii) cancel any Option or Stock
Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board or the Committee may amend this Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with
Applicable Law, including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment
or other action by the Committee shall materially impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent.
21
ARTICLE XII
UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN
This Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to
which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which is not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the
Company.
ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Lock-Up; Legend. The Committee may require each person receiving Shares
pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under this Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof. The Company may, in connection with registering the
offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during any period determined by the underwriter or the Company.
In addition to any legend required by this Plan, the certificates for such Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares delivered under this Plan shall be
subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then
listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, and any Applicable Law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such
restrictions. If the Shares are held in book-entry form, then the book-entry will indicate any restrictions on such Shares.
13.2
Other Plans. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either
generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
13.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy.
Neither this Plan nor the grant of any Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or
directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director
is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy, or directorship at any time.
13.4 Withholding of Taxes. A
Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one of its Affiliates, as applicable, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any income tax, social insurance contribution or other applicable taxes that are
required to be withheld in respect of an Award. The Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or any portion of the applicable taxes that are required to be withheld with respect
to an Award by (a) the delivery of Shares (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for
22
at least six (6) months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under applicable accounting standards) having
an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (or portion thereof); (b) having the Company withhold from the Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the
grant, exercise, vesting, or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such withholding liability; or (c) by any other means specified in the applicable Award Agreement
or otherwise determined by the Committee.
13.5 Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to this Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards, or other securities or property shall be used or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited, or otherwise
eliminated.
13.6 No Assignment of Benefits. No Award or other benefit payable under this Plan shall, except as
otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or under Applicable Law or permitted by the Committee, be transferable in any manner, and any attempt to transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for
or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.
13.7 Clawbacks; Detrimental Conduct.
(a) Clawbacks. All awards, amounts, or benefits received or outstanding under this Plan will be subject to clawback, cancellation,
recoupment, rescission, payback, reduction, or other similar action in accordance with any Company clawback or similar policy or any Applicable Law related to such actions. A Participant’s acceptance of an Award will constitute the
Participant’s acknowledgement of and consent to the Company’s application, implementation, and enforcement of any applicable Company clawback or similar policy that may apply to the Participant, whether adopted before or after the
Effective Date, and any Applicable Law relating to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, or reduction of compensation, and the Participant’s agreement that the Company may take any actions that may be necessary to effectuate
any such policy or Applicable Law, without further consideration or action.
(b) Detrimental Conduct. Except as otherwise
determined by the Committee, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Plan, if a Participant engages in Detrimental Conduct, whether during or after the Participant’s service, in addition to any other penalties or restrictions that
may apply under this Plan, Applicable Law or otherwise, the Participant must forfeit or pay to the Company the following:
(i) any and all outstanding Awards granted to the Participant, including Awards that have become vested or exercisable;
(ii) any cash or Shares received by the Participant in connection with this Plan within the
36-month period immediately before the date the Company determines the Participant has engaged in Detrimental Conduct; and
23
(iii) the profit realized by the Participant from the sale, or other
disposition for consideration, of any Shares received by the Participant under this Plan within the 36-month period immediately before the date the Company determines the Participant has engaged in Detrimental
Conduct.
13.8 Listing and Other Conditions.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored
by a national securities association, the issuance of Shares pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such Shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such Shares unless and until such Shares
are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such Shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.
(b) If at any time counsel to the Company advises the Company that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to an Award is or may in the
circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under Applicable Law, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification
or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to Shares or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, based on the advice of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will
not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.
(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this
Section 13.8, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all Shares available before such suspension and as to Shares which would otherwise have become available during the
period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.
(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the
Company with certificates, representations, and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent, or approval that the Company deems necessary or
appropriate.
13.9 Governing Law. This Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
13.10
Construction. Wherever any words are used in this Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in
the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.
13.11 Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under this Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing
benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates or affect any benefit or compensation under any other plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.
24
13.12 Costs. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with
administering this Plan, including expenses of issuing Shares pursuant to Awards hereunder.
13.13 No Right to Same
Benefits. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.
13.14 Death/Disability. The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with
written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer
of an Award. The Committee may also require the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan.
13.15 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. It is the intent of the Company that this Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a
manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any
provision of this Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 13.15, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
13.16 Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under this Plan to permit selected
Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of Shares or other
consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, Shares or other consideration so
deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules, and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.
13.17 Section 409A of the Code. This Plan and Awards are intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable
requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply
with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in this Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A
of the Code and, to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith or be exempt therefrom, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended
to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under this Plan becomes subject to penalties under
Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of
“nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be
25
made under this Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that
is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, until the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set
forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.
13.18 Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of
any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 13.18 by and among, as applicable, the Company and its
Affiliates, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and
its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number,
salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as
necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the
Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the
Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in
electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data
as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and
manage this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing
of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human
resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in this Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the
consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
13.19 Successor and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant,
including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator, or trustee of such estate.
13.20
Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if
such provisions had not been included.
26
13.21 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are
provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of this Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of this Plan.
ARTICLE XIV
EFFECTIVE
DATE OF PLAN
This Plan shall become effective on April 16, 2026, which is the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the
approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE XV
TERM OF PLAN
No Award shall be granted pursuant to this Plan on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of the date that this Plan is
adopted by the Board or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth (10th) anniversary may extend beyond that date.
* * * * *
27
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na
Period Type:
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- Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1
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Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Name of the City or Town
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No definition available.
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Name:
dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown
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Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
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- Definition
Code for the postal or zip code
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No definition available.
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Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
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- Definition
Name of the state or province.
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No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
dei:stateOrProvinceItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
duration
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- Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
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Name:
dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
dei:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
duration
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- Definition
Indicate if an emerging growth company has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 7A
-Section B
-Subsection 2
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dei_EntityExTransitionPeriod
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityFileNumber
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
dei:fileNumberItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
duration
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- Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
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dei_EntityRegistrantName
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Balance Type:
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- Definition
The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Local phone number for entity.
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No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14d
-Subsection 2b
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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X
- Definition
Title of a 12(b) registered security.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection d1-1
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Name:
dei_SecurityExchangeName
Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14a
-Subsection 12
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
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Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
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Namespace Prefix:
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Data Type:
dei:tradingSymbolItemType
Balance Type:
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Period Type:
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- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425
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