8-K
false 0000049754 --12-31 0000049754 2023-05-11 2023-05-11

 

 

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): May 11, 2023

 

 

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-15283   95-3038279
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

10 West Walnut Street, 5th Floor

Pasadena, California

  91103
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(818) 240-6055

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 communications 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

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value   DIN   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 5.03.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 16, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Charter”) and a corresponding amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the “A&R Bylaws”) to eliminate the supermajority stockholder approval requirement for amendments to specified bylaw provisions, subject to the approval by stockholders at the Annual Meeting and the due and appropriate filing of an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “A&R Charter”) with the Delaware Secretary of State. As set forth below, at the Annual Meeting, the stockholders approved and adopted the amendment to eliminate the supermajority stockholder approval requirement for amendments to specified bylaw provisions. The Corporation filed the A&R Charter with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 12, 2023, with an effective date of May 15, 2023.

The description of the A&R Charter and the A&R Bylaws above does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the A&R Charter attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this Report and incorporated herein by reference and the A&R Bylaws attached as Exhibit 3.2 to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The Corporation held its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) on May 11, 2023. The following matters set forth in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2023, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, were voted upon with the results indicated below.

Proposal One: Election of Directors.

The nominees listed below were elected to serve as directors for a one-year term with the respective votes set forth opposite their names:

 

     For      Against      Abstain      Broker Non-Votes  

Howard M. Berk

     12,827,342        385,707        12,250        958,626  

Susan M. Collyns

     13,066,915        146,480        11,904        958,626  

Richard J. Dahl

     12,769,574        442,951        12,774        958,626  

Michael C. Hyter

     13,014,767        197,791        12,741        958,626  

Caroline W. Nahas

     12,542,091        671,084        12,124        958,626  

Douglas M. Pasquale

     12,659,707        552,765        12,827        958,626  

John W. Peyton

     13,006,064        207,873        11,362        958,626  

Martha C. Poulter

     13,063,539        149,829        11,931        958,626  

Arthur F. Starrs

     13,085,269        127,110        12,920        958,626  

Lilian C. Tomovich

     12,982,058        232,108        11,133        958,626  

 

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Proposal Two: Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Corporation’s Independent Auditor for the 2023 Fiscal Year.

The stockholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor of the Corporation for the 2023 fiscal year. The voting results are set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

14,087,717   82,704   13,504   0

Proposal Three: Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers.

The stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement. The voting results are set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

12,514,761   691,910   18,628   958,626

Proposal Four: Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Frequency of the Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers.

The stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, a frequency of ONE YEAR for the advisory vote on the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers. Based on these results, the Company will continue to hold an annual advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on the compensation of named executive officers. The voting results are set forth below:

 

One Year

 

Two Years

 

Three Years

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

12,968,637   11,679   226,741   18,242   958,626

Proposal Five: Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Dine Brands Global, Inc. Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to Eliminate the Supermajority Stockholder Approval Requirement for Amendments to Specified Bylaw Provisions.

The stockholders approved and adopted the amendment to the Charter to eliminate the supermajority stockholder approval requirement for amendments to specified bylaw provisions. The voting results are set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

13,161,569   46,312   17,418   958,626

Proposal Six: Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Charter to Provide for the Exculpation of Officers as Permitted by Delaware Law.

The stockholders did not approve the amendment to the Charter to provide for the exculpation of officers as permitted by Delaware law. The voting results are set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

12,098,328   1,102,950   24,021   958,626

 

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Proposal Seven: A Stockholder Proposal Requesting that the Corporation Produce a Report Relating to the Corporation’s Cage-Free Egg Commitment.

The stockholders did not approve the proposal requesting that the Corporation produce a report relating to the Corporation’s cage-free egg commitment. The voting results are set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

1,150,074   11,757,511   317,714   958,626

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Dine Brands Global, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Dine Brands Global, Inc.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

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SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 15, 2023     DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.
        By:  

/s/ Vance Y. Chang

            Vance Y. Chang
            Chief Financial Officer

 

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EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.

Dine Brands Global, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify and pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby amend and restate the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, which was originally filed on May 7, 1976, under the name “IHOP Corp.”:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Dine Brands Global, Inc. (hereinafter the “Corporation”).

SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as set forth in Title 8 of the Delaware Code (the “DGCL”).

FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 50,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is expressly authorized, at any time and from time to time, to fix, by resolution or resolutions, the following provisions for shares of any class or classes of Preferred Stock of the Corporation or any series of any class of Preferred Stock:

 

  (a)

the designation of such class or series, the number of shares to constitute such class or series and the stated value thereof if different from the par value thereof;

 

  (b)

whether the shares of such class or series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may (i) be general or limited, (ii) subject to applicable law or regulation, including without limitation the rules of any securities exchange on which securities of any class of the Corporation may be listed, permit more than one vote per share, or (iii) vary among stockholders of the same class based upon such factors as the Board of Directors may determine including, without limitation, the size of a stockholder’s position and/or the length of time with respect to which such position has been held;

 

  (c)

the dividends, if any, payable on such class or series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of stock of any other class or any other series of the same class;

 

  (d)

whether the shares of such class or series shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption;

 

  (e)

the amount or amounts payable upon shares of such series upon, and the rights of the holders of such class or series in, the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or upon any distribution of the assets, of the Corporation;


  (f)

whether the shares of such class or series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such class or series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

 

  (g)

whether the shares of such class or series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of stock of any other class or any other series of the same class or any other securities (including Common Stock) and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;

 

  (h)

the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any shares of such class or series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Corporation of, the Common Stock or shares of stock of any other class or any other series of the same class;

 

  (i)

the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or upon the issue of any additional stock, including additional shares of such class or series or of any other series of the same class or of any other class;

 

  (j)

the ranking (be it pari passu, junior or senior) of each class or series vis-a-vis any other class or series of any class of Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends, the distribution of assets and all other matters; and

 

  (k)

any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to the full extent permitted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each class or 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.

FIFTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

 

  (a)

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

  (b)

The directors shall have concurrent power with the stockholders to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation.

 

  (c)

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three nor more than 13 directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Directors shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders after their election and each director shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office; provided, however, that any director elected or appointed prior to the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders shall complete the term to which such director has been elected or appointed.

 

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  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided that a quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders after his or her appointment and shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation, if any, shall have the right, voting separately by class or 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 directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto.

 

  (d)

Directors of the Corporation may be removed by stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause.

 

  (e)

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article FIFTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

  (f)

In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

SIXTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of the DGCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of the DGCL, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing seventy-five percent (75%) in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.

SEVENTH: Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any

 

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consent in writing by such stockholders. Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, the President or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption). Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or in the By-Laws of the Corporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation, provided, however, that subject to the powers and rights provided for herein with respect to Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation, if any, but notwithstanding anything else contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, rescind or repeal Article FOURTH, Article FIFTH, Article SIXTH, Article SEVENTH or this Article EIGHTH of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

 

4


The foregoing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Dine Brands Global, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed in its corporate name on May 12, 2023 and this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective at 12 a.m. on May 15, 2023.

 

DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.
By:  

/s/ John W. Peyton

  John W. Peyton
  Chief Executive Officer

 

5

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.

(Hereinafter called the “Corporation”)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

Section 2. Annual Meetings. The Annual Meetings of Stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meetings the stockholders shall elect, in accordance with Section 1 and Section 2 of Article III of these Bylaws, the directors to be elected at such meeting, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the number of votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however, that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders for which the Secretary of the Corporation determines that the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected as of the record date for such meeting. Written notice of the Annual Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to notice of such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Special Meetings of Stockholders may be called only by the


Chairman of the Board, if there be one, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption). Written notice of a Special Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and 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 of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to notice of such meeting. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. Whether or not a quorum is present, any meeting may be adjourned by: (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy or (ii) the Chairman of the meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 5. Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, (i) any question brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereat and (ii) each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the chair of a meeting of stockholders, in the chair’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

Section 6. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing in this Section 6 of this Article II 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 of at least 10 days ending on the day before the meeting date: (i) 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 (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that 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.

 

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Section 7. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by Section 6 of this Article II or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. Notice of Business. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 8 of this Article II and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 8 of this Article II.

In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the later of the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was first made or the 60th day before such annual meeting. In no event shall an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.

To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes proposed amendments to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and/or these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendments) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder and any beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such proposal is made (each, for purposes of this paragraph, a “party”), (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record by each such party, (iv) a description of all proxies, agreements, arrangements or understandings between each such party and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business or pursuant to which any such party has the right to vote, directly or indirectly, any shares of any security of the Corporation and any material interest of each such party in such business and (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

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No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8 of this Article II. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

Section 9. Organization and Conduct of Meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as chair of meetings of stockholders of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate any other director or officer of the Corporation to act as chair of any meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, and the Board of Directors may further provide for determining who shall act as chair of any meeting of stockholders in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and such designee. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chair of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (iii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iv) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine; (v) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement of the meeting; (vi) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (vii) removal of any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting rules, regulations or procedures; (viii) conclusion, recess or adjournment of the meeting, regardless of whether a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place, if any, announced at the meeting; (ix) restrictions on the use of audio and video recording devices, cell phones and other electronic devices; (x) rules, regulations or procedures for compliance with any state and local laws and regulations including those concerning safety, health and security; (xi) procedures (if any) requiring attendees to provide the Corporation advance notice of their intent to attend the meeting and (xii) any rules, regulations or procedures as the chair may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication. The chair of a stockholder meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall determine and declare to the meeting that a matter of business or nomination was not properly brought before the meeting, and, if the chair should so determine, the chair shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter of business or nomination not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Except to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number and Election of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than 3 nor more than 13 directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Directors shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders after their election and each director shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office; provided, however, that any director elected or appointed prior to the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders shall complete the term to which such director has been elected or appointed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of preferred stock issued by the Corporation, if any, shall have the right, voting separately by class or 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 directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto.

Section 2. Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2 of this Article III and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2 of this Article III.

In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the later of the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was

 

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first made or the 60th day before such annual meeting; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the later of the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting was first made or the 60th day before such special meeting. In no event shall an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting for which notice has been given, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.

To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such nomination is made (each, for the purposes of this paragraph, a “party”) (i) the name and record address of each such party, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record by each such party, (iii) a description of all proxies, agreements, arrangements or understandings between each such party and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the nomination(s) to be made by such stockholder or pursuant to which any such party has the right to vote, directly or indirectly, any shares or any security of the Corporation, (iv) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such party that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2 of this Article III. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 3. Removal of Directors. Directors of the Corporation may be removed by stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause.

Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided that a quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole

 

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remaining director. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders after his or her appointment and shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office.

Section 5. Qualification of Directors. As a condition to serving on the Board of Directors, each director nominee shall submit to interviews with the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, and each director nominee shall make himself or herself available for any such interviews on or prior to the later of (i) ten days following any reasonable request therefor from the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) and (ii) the 30th day prior to such director nominee’s election to the Board of Directors. In addition, as a condition to serving on the Board of Directors, each director nominee shall irrevocably agree to tender his or her resignation as a director of the Corporation if the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) determines that such director nominee at any time failed to provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are true and correct and that do not omit to state any fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, the Board of Directors provides such director nominee of notice of any such determination and, if such failure may be cured, such director nominee fails to cure such failure within ten business days after delivery of such notice to such director nominee.

Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors shall elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors from the independent members of the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section 6 of Article III, “independent” shall have the meaning set forth in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which he or she shall be present and shall have and may exercise such powers as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws or as may be provided by law.

Section 7. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Section 8. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman, if there be one, the Chief Executive Officer or any two directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than 48 hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, facsimile or electronic transmission on 24 hours’ notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.

 

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Section 9. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present to the fullest extent of the law.

Section 10. Actions of Board. Unless otherwise required by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all the members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

Section 11. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise required by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 11 of this Article III shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 12. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members of the committee thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the fullest extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.

Section 13. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

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Section 14. Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose if (i) the material facts as to his or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to his or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 15. Universal Proxy Matters. If (i) any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (ii) such stockholder subsequently either (a) notifies the Corporation that such stockholder no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or (b) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) or Rule 14(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for the nominees proposed by such stockholder. In addition, any stockholder that provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act shall notify the Secretary within two (2) business days of any change in such stockholder’s intent to solicit proxies from the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees. Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Secretary, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting date, reasonable evidence that the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act have been satisfied. Any notice or other information required to be delivered to the Corporation pursuant to this Section 15 of this Article III must be given by personal delivery, by overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers that may be required by law. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. The Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President may appoint Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders nor directors of the Corporation.

Section 2. Election. The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation annually, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or as set forth in these Bylaws; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled in accordance with Section 1 of Article IV of these Bylaws. The salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided by, the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation (or other entity) in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 4. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors have general supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. He may execute all bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation, including those requiring a seal, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except that the other officers of the Corporation may also sign and execute such documents when so authorized by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5. Vice Presidents. At the request of the Chief Executive Officer, or in his absence or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Senior Vice President or the Senior Vice Presidents if there is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. Each Senior Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Senior Vice President, the Vice President or the Vice Presidents if there is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Senior Vice President and no Vice President, the Board of Directors shall designate the officer of the Corporation who, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event of the inability or refusal of the Chief Executive Officer to act, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat; the Secretary shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision he shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and if there be no Assistant Secretary, then either the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer or agent to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.

Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

 

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Section 8. Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary.

Section 9. Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

Section 10. Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

Section 11. Delegation. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Shares of Stock. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by a certificate, unless and until the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopts a resolution permitting shares to be uncertificated. Notwithstanding the adoption of any such resolution providing for uncertificated shares, every holder of capital stock of the Corporation theretofore represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate for shares of capital stock of the Corporation signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (a) the Chairman of the Board or any Senior Vice President, and (b) the Treasurer, the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation.

Section 2. Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on a stock certificate may be by facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or

 

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registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by applicable law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, and in the case of certificated shares of stock, only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; or, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon payment of all necessary transfer taxes and compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form; provided, however, that such surrender and endorsement, compliance or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which any appropriate officer of the Corporation shall determine to waive such requirement. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

Section 5. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, shall not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. 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 of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.

 

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ARTICLE VI

NOTICES

Section 1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. To the fullest extent permitted by law, notice may also be given personally or by facsimile or electronic transmission (provided, that, with respect to stockholders, any notice by electronic transmission may only be given in the manner provided by Section 232 of the Delaware General Corporation Law).

Section 2. Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person or persons, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock.

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other Than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,

 

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pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. 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 person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 3. Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iv) by the stockholders. To the extent, however, that any indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

 

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Section 4. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 3 of this Article VIII, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, if his action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to him by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The term “another enterprise” as used in this Section 4 of this Article VIII shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer. The provisions of this Section 4 of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be.

Section 5. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VIII, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any indemnitee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII. The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VIII nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the person seeking indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 of this Article VIII shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if successful, in whole or in part, the person seeking indemnification shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.

Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses incurred by a present or former director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon a written request and, if required by applicable law, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.

Section 7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement,

 

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contract, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification or advancement of expenses of any person who is not specified in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify or advance expenses under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise.

Section 8. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.

Section 9. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the surviving or 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 and officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.

Section 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 11. Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VIII to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which shall be governed by Section 5 of this Article VIII), the Corporation shall not be obligated to

 

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indemnify any person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Section 12. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article VIII to directors and officers of the Corporation.

Section 13. Amendments of Article VIII. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VIII 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.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new Bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, all such amendments (a) if adopted by stockholders, must be approved by the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, or (b) if adopted by the Board of Directors, must be approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 2. Entire Board of Directors. As used in this Article IX and in these Bylaws generally, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

ARTICLE X

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

Section 1. Exclusive Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all Internal Corporate Claims shall be brought solely and exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, or, if such other court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware). “Internal Corporate Claims” means claims, including claims in the right of the Corporation, brought by a stockholder (including a beneficial owner) (i) that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director or officer or stockholder in such capacity or (ii) as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

 

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Effective as of May 15, 2023

 

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