UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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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:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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 |
Effective June 3, 2020, the Board of Directors of Vicor Corporation (“Vicor”) approved amendments to Vicor’s By-laws (the “Amended By-laws”), amending Section 1 of Article I to allow Vicor to hold meetings of its stockholders solely by means of remote communication as authorized under Section 211 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Amended By-laws also make certain conforming and corrective changes to Sections 3 and 4 of Article I and Section 6 of Article II.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended By-laws, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 (unmarked version) and Exhibit 3.2 (marked version), and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 8.01 | Other Events |
On June 4, 2020, Vicor announced that, in response to continued public health precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is changing the location of its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to a virtual-only meeting to be conducted via audio webcast. Stockholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in-person. A copy of the press release announcing the change to a virtual meeting is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits
3.1 |
By-laws, as amended on June 3, 2020 (unmarked version) | |||
3.2 |
By-laws, as amended on June 3, 2020 (marked version) | |||
99.1 |
Press Release of Vicor Corporation dated June 4, 2020 |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit |
Description | |||
3.1 |
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3.2 |
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99.1 |
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104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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 hereunto duly authorized.
VICOR CORPORATION | ||||||
Date: June 4, 2020 |
By: |
/s/ James A. Simms | ||||
James A. Simms | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 3.1
BY-LAWS
OF
VICOR CORPORATION
ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS
1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders (Annual Meeting) of Vicor Corporation (the Corporation) shall be held on the third Wednesday of April in each year after 1981 (or if that be a legal holiday in the place where the meeting is to be held, on the next succeeding full business day) at the principal office of the Corporation in Andover, Massachusetts at 10:00 oclock A.M. unless a different hour or place is fixed by the Board of Directors or the President or the Board of Directors or the President determines that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall be held solely by means of remote communication. The purposes for which the Annual Meeting is to be held, in addition to those prescribed by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, may be specified by the Board of Directors or the President. If no Annual Meeting has been held on the date fixed above, a special meeting in lieu thereof may be held or there may be action by written consent of the Stockholders on matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, and such special meeting or written consent shall have for the purposes of these By-Laws or otherwise all the force and effect of an Annual Meeting.
2. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an Annual Meeting (a) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By-Law, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who is present (in person or by proxy) at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law. In addition to the other requirements set forth in this By-Law, for any proposal of business to be considered at an Annual Meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by stockholders of the Corporation under Delaware law.
For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (a) of this By-Law, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days before or delayed by more than sixty days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such Annual Meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholders notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
election or reelection as a Director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and the names and addresses of other stockholders known by the stockholder proposing such business to support such proposal, and the class and number of shares of the Corporations capital stock beneficially owned by such other stockholders; and (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, and (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.
Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph (a) of this By-Law to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 85 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years Annual Meeting, a stockholders notice required by this By-Law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) General. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law shall be eligible for election and to serve as Directors and only such business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. The Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. If neither the Board of Directors nor such designated committee makes a determination as to whether any stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law, the presiding officer of the Annual Meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether the stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. If the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof or the presiding officer, as applicable, determines that any stockholder proposal or nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law, such proposal or nomination shall be disregarded and shall not be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.
For purposes of this By-Law, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this By-Law, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this By-Law. Nothing in this By-Law shall be deemed to affect any rights of (i) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) the holders of any series of undesignated preferred stock to elect Directors under specified circumstances.
3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be called by the Secretary, or in case of death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Secretary, by any other officer, upon written application of one or more stockholders who hold at least twenty-five percent in interest of the capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting. The call for the meeting may be oral or written and shall state the place, if any (or that the meeting that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall be held solely by means of remote communication), date, hour and purposes of the meeting.
4. Notice of Meetings.
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given by the Secretary (or other person authorized by these By-Laws or by law) not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat and to each stockholder who, under the Certificate of Incorporation or under these By-Laws is entitled to such notice. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to such stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears in the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be effectively given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL) and notice may be given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given in the manner provided in Section 233 of the DGCL.
Notice need not be given to a stockholder if a written waiver of notice is executed before or after the meeting by such stockholder (or a waiver is given by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice), if communication with such stockholder is unlawful, or if such stockholder attends the meeting in question, unless such attendance was for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
When any meeting is convened, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting if (a) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (b) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the Board of Directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (c) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation.
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When any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders is adjourned to another time, place, if any, or means of remote communications, if any, 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 announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty 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.
The Board of Directors may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders and any record date with respect thereto, regardless of whether any notice or public disclosure with respect to any such meeting has been sent or made pursuant to Section 2 of this Article I of these By-Laws or otherwise. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or rescheduling of any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice under Section 2 of this Article I of these By-Laws.
5. Quorum. The holders of a majority in interest of all stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to reduce the voting shares below a quorum.
6. Voting and Proxies. Stockholders shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote owned by them of record according to the books of the Corporation unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period or is coupled with an interest and irrevocable. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as a proxy, stockholders may grant such authority in writing or by transmission pursuant to Section 212(c) of the DGCL. Proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the meeting, or of any adjournment thereof. Except as otherwise limited therein, proxies shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such meeting. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
7. Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present, any matter before the meeting shall be decided by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock voting on such matter except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. Any election by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a stockholder entitled to vote in the election. The Corporation shall not directly or indirectly vote any share of its own stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may vote shares which it holds in a fiduciary capacity to the extent permitted by law.
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8. Presiding Officer. The Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or if not elected or in his or her absence, the President or the Treasurer, shall preside at all Annual Meetings or special meetings of stockholders and shall have the power, among other things, to adjourn such meeting at any time and from time to time, subject to the applicable provisions of this Article I. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the presiding officer.
9. Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the presiding officer shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Any inspector may, but need not, be an officer, employee or agent of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall perform such duties as are required by the DGCL, including the counting of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. The presiding officer may review all determinations made by the inspectors, and in so doing the presiding officer shall be entitled to exercise his or her sole judgment and discretion and he or she shall not be bound by any determinations made by the inspectors. All determinations by the inspectors and, if applicable, the presiding officer, shall be subject to further review by any court of competent jurisdiction.
10. Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding officer 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 chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding officer 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 chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the presiding officer of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
11. Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted by law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a
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consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office, by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested, or to the Corporations principal place of business or to the officer of the Corporation having custody of the minute book. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent shall be effective unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered pursuant to these By-Laws, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders entitled to take action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner set forth in these By-Laws. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
12. Stockholder Lists. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or the Corporations transfer agent or other person authorized by these By-Laws or by law) shall prepare and make, at least ten 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 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, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, (1) 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, pursuant to the terms of Section 219 of the DGCL, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
ARTICLE II - DIRECTORS
1. Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors who may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining Directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled.
2. Election and Qualification. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. At each annual meeting the stockholders shall fix the number of Directors and shall elect not more than the number of Directors so designated. No Director need be a stockholder.
3. Vacancies; Reduction of Board. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors however occurring including a vacancy resulting from the enlargement of the Board of Directors may be filled by the stockholders or by the Directors then in office or by a sole remaining Director. In lieu of filling any such vacancy the stockholders or Board of Directors may reduce the number of Directors. When one or more Directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.
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4. Enlargement of the Board. The Board of Directors may be enlarged by the stockholders at any meeting or by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office.
5. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, Directors shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any Director may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
6. Removal. Except as otherwise provided by law, a Director may be removed from office (a) with or without cause by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of Directors, or (b) for cause by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. A Director may be removed for cause only after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard before the body proposing to remove him.
7. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time, date and place as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by the President, Treasurer or two or more Directors, designating the time, date and place thereof. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
8. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director by the Secretary, or Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by any other officer or one of the Directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be given to each Director in person, by telephone, or by facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic communications, sent to such Directors business or home address at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to such Directors business or home address at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand delivered to such address, read to such Director by telephone, deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid if mailed, dispatched or transmitted if faxed, telexed or telecopied, or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram. Notice need not be given to any Director if a written waiver of notice is executed by him or her before or after the meeting (or a waiver is given by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice), if communication with such Director is unlawful, or if all of the Directors are present at the meeting. A notice of waiver of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
9. Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. Less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting from time to time and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
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10. Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, unless otherwise provided in the following sentence, a majority of the Directors present may take any action on behalf of the Board of Directors, unless a larger number is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. So long as there are two or fewer Directors, any action to be taken by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of all Directors.
11. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
12. Committees. The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of its members, may establish one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more Directors, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-Laws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but in the absence of such rules its business shall be conducted so far as possible in the same manner as is provided in these By-Laws for the Board of Directors. All members of such committees shall hold their committee offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and the Board may abolish any committee at any time. Each such committee shall report its action to the Board of Directors who shall have power to rescind any action of any committee without retroactive effect.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
1. Enumeration. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such other officers, including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, as the Board of Directors may determine.
2. Election. The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at their first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be chosen by the Board of Directors at such meeting or any other meeting.
3. Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder or Director. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the Board of Directors to give bond for the faithful performance of such officers duties in such amount and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.
4. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold his or her office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation, and such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
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5. Removal. The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause by a vote of a majority of the entire number of Directors then in office; provided, that an officer may be removed for cause only after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors.
6. Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.
7. President and Vice Presidents. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general supervision and control of its business. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the President shall preside, when present, at all meetings of stockholders, as further provided in Article I, Section 8 of these By-Laws, and of the Board of Directors.
Any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
8. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. He or she shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation, except as the Board of Directors may otherwise provide.
Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
9. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board) in books kept for that purpose. In his or her absence from any such meeting an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or he or she is absent, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation) and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President.
Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
10. Other Powers and Duties. Subject to these By-Laws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, each officer of the Corporation shall have in addition to the duties and powers specifically set forth in these By-Laws, such duties and powers as are customarily incident to such officers office, and such duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE IV - CAPITAL STOCK
1. Certificates of Stock. Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate of the capital stock of the Corporation in such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors; provided that the Board may provide that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares, in which case the holders of such stock will not be entitled to certificates with respect to such stock. Any such certificate issued by the Corporation shall be signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Such signatures may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue. Every certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto as is required by law. The Corporation shall be permitted to issue fractional shares.
2. Transfers. Subject to any restrictions on transfer, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require.
3. Record Holders. Except as may otherwise be required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws. It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Corporation of such stockholders post office address.
4. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, 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 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 shall not precede the date on which it is established, and which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. In such case only stockholders of record on such record date shall be so entitled notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after the record date. If no record date is fixed, (a) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, (b) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in this state, to its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which
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proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded, and (c) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
5. Replacement of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
ARTICLE V - INDEMNIFICATION
1. Definitions. For purposes of this Article:
(a) Corporate Status describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as a Director of the Corporation, (ii) as an Officer of the Corporation, or (iii) as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1(a), an Officer or Director of the Corporation who is serving or has served as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Status shall not include the status of a person who is serving or has served as a Director, officer, employee or agent of a constituent corporation absorbed in a merger or consolidation transaction with the Corporation with respect to such persons activities prior to said transaction, unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation;
(b) Director means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(c) Disinterested Director means, with respect to each Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, a Director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such Proceeding;
(d) Expenses means all reasonable attorneys fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, costs of preparation of demonstrative evidence and other courtroom presentation aids and devices, costs incurred in connection with document review, organization, imaging and computerization, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, costs or expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settling or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding;
(e) Non-Officer Employee means any person who serves or has served as an employee or agent of the Corporation, but who is not or was not a Director or Officer;
(f) Officer means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as an officer appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
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(g) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administrative hearing or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative; and
(h) Subsidiary shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other entity of which the Corporation owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Corporation) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 50% or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity, or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity.
2. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-Laws, each Director and 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 (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against any and all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts reasonably paid in settlement that are incurred by such Director or Officer or on such Directors or Officers behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Directors or Officers Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 2 shall continue as to a Director or Officer after he or she has ceased to be a Director or Officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall indemnify any Director or Officer seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director or Officer only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, unless such Proceeding was brought to enforce an Officer or Directors rights to indemnification or, in the case of Directors, advancement of Expenses under these By-Laws in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.
3. Indemnification of Non-Officer Employees. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-Laws, each Non-Officer Employee may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against any or all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts reasonably paid in settlement that are incurred by such Non-Officer Employee or on such Non-Officer Employees behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Non-Officer Employee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Non-Officer Employees Corporate Status, if such Non-Officer Employee acted in good faith and in a manner such Non-Officer Employee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification
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provided by this Section 3 shall exist as to a Non-Officer Employee after he or she has ceased to be a Non-Officer Employee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may indemnify any Non-Officer Employee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Non-Officer Employee only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
4. Good Faith. Unless ordered by a court, no indemnification shall be provided pursuant to this Article V to a Director, to an Officer or to a Non-Officer Employee unless a determination shall have been made that such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such determination shall be made by (a) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (b) a committee comprised of Disinterested Directors, such committee having been designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (even though less than a quorum), (c) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority of Disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders of the Corporation.
5. Advancement of Expenses to Directors Prior to Final Disposition.
(a) The Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director in connection with any Proceeding in which such Director is involved by reason of such Directors Corporate Status within ten days after the receipt by the Corporation of a written statement from such Director requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Director and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such Director to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Director is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director seeking advancement of expenses hereunder in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director only if such Proceeding was (i) authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or (ii) brought to enforce Directors rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these By-Laws.
(b) If a claim for advancement of Expenses hereunder by a Director is not paid in full by the Corporation within ten days after receipt by the Corporation of documentation of Expenses and the required undertaking, such Director may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and if successful in whole or in part, such Director shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such advancement of Expenses under this Article V shall not be a defense to the action and shall not create a presumption that such advancement is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director is not entitled to an advancement of expenses shall be on the Corporation.
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(c) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Director has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
6. Advancement of Expenses to Officers and Non-Officer Employees Prior to Final Disposition.
(a) The Corporation may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, advance any or all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Officer and Non-Officer Employee in connection with any Proceeding in which such is involved by reason of the Corporate Status of such Officer or Non-Officer Employee upon the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from such Officer or Non-Officer Employee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Officer and Non-Officer Employee and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Officer or Non-Officer Employee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.
(b) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Officer or Non-Officer Employee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
7. Contractual Nature of Rights.
(a) The foregoing provisions of this Article V shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director and Officer entitled to the benefits hereof at any time while this Article V is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any Proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.
(b) If a claim for indemnification hereunder by a Director or Officer is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after receipt by the Corporation of a written claim for indemnification, such Director or Officer may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, such Director or Officer shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such indemnification under this Article V shall not be a defense to the action and shall not create a presumption that such indemnification is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director or Officer is not entitled to indemnification shall be on the Corporation.
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(c) In any suit brought by a Director or Officer to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder, it shall be a defense that such Director or Officer has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
8. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses set forth in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Director, Officer, or Non-Officer Employee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.
9. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Corporation or any such Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee, or arising out of any such persons Corporate Status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of this Article V.
10. Other Indemnification. The Corporations obligation, if any, to indemnify any person under this Article V as a result of such person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise.
ARTICLE VI - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1. Fiscal Year. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year.
2. Seal. The Board of Directors shall have power to adopt and alter the seal of the Corporation.
3. Execution of Instruments. Subject to any limitations which may be set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other obligations authorized to be executed by an officer of the Corporation in its behalf shall be signed by the President or the Treasurer except as the Board of Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise determine.
4. Voting of Securities. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the President or Treasurer may waive notice of and act on behalf of this corporation, or appoint another person or persons to act as proxy or attorney in fact for this corporation with or without discretionary power and/or power of substitution, at any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization, any of whose securities are held by this corporation.
5. Resident Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a resident agent upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against the Corporation.
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6. Corporate Records. The original or attested copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and records of all meetings of the incorporators, stockholders and the Board of Directors and the stock and transfer records, which shall contain the names of all stockholders, their record addresses and the amount of stock held by each, shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation, at the office of its counsel, at an office of its transfer agent, or at such other place or places as may be designated for time to time by the Board of Directors.
7. Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these By-Laws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.
8. Amendments. These By-Laws may be amended or repealed or additional By-Laws adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors; provided, that (a) the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal this Section 8 or any provision of these By-Laws which by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws requires action by the stockholder, and (b) any amendment or repeal of these By-Laws by the Board of Directors and any By-Law adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by the stockholders.
As amended on November 15, 2006, July 27, 1990, November 27, 1986 and June 3, 2020.
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Exhibit 3.2
BY-LAWS
OF
VICOR CORPORATION
ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS
1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders
(Annual Meeting) of Vicor Corporation (the
Corporation) shall be held on the third Wednesday of April in each year after 1981 (or if that be a legal holiday in the place where the meeting is to be held, on the next succeeding full business day) at the principal office of the
Corporation in Andover, Massachusetts at 10:00 oclock A.M. unless a different hour or place is fixed by the Board of Directors or the President or the Board of Directors or the President determines that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall be held solely by means of remote
communication. The purposes for which the annual meetingAnnual Meeting is to be held, in addition to those prescribed by law, by
the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, may be specified by the Board of Directors or the President. If no
annual
meetingAnnual Meeting has been held on the date
fixed above, a special meeting in lieu thereof may be held or there may be action by written consent of the Stockholders on matters to be voted on at the annual
meetingAnnual Meeting, and such special meeting or
written consent shall have for the purposes of these By-Laws or otherwise all the force and effect of an annual
meetingAnnual Meeting.
2. | Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations. |
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an Annual Meeting (a) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By-Law, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who is present (in person or by proxy) at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law. In addition to the other requirements set forth in this By-Law, for any proposal of business to be considered at an Annual Meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by stockholders of the Corporation under Delaware law.
For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (a) of this By-Law, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days before or delayed by more than sixty days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such Annual Meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholders notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
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election or reelection as a Director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and the names and addresses of other stockholders known by the stockholder proposing such business to support such proposal, and the class and number of shares of the Corporations capital stock beneficially owned by such other stockholders; and (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, and (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.
Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph (a) of this By-Law to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 85 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years Annual Meeting, a stockholders notice required by this By-Law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) General. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law shall be eligible for election and to serve as Directors and only such business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. The Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. If neither the Board of Directors nor such designated committee makes a determination as to whether any stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law, the presiding officer of the Annual Meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether the stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law. If the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof or the presiding officer, as applicable, determines that any stockholder proposal or nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this By-Law, such proposal or nomination shall be disregarded and shall not be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.
For purposes of this By-Law, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this By-Law, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this By-Law. Nothing in this By-Law shall be deemed to affect any rights of (i) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) the holders of any series of undesignated preferred stock to elect Directors under specified circumstances.
3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be called by the Secretary, or in case of death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Secretary, by any other officer, upon written application of one or more stockholders who hold at least twenty-five percent in interest of the capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting. The call for the meeting may be oral or written and shall state the place, if any (or that the meeting that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall be held solely by means of remote communication), date, hour and purposes of the meeting.
4. | Notice of Meetings. |
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given by the Secretary (or other person authorized by these By-Laws or by law) not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat and to each stockholder who, under the Certificate of Incorporation or under these By-Laws is entitled to such notice. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to such stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears in the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be effectively given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL) and notice may be given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given in the manner provided in Section 233 of the DGCL.
Notice need not be given to a stockholder if a written waiver of notice is executed before or after the meeting by such stockholder (or a waiver is given by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice), if communication with such stockholder is unlawful, or if such stockholder attends the meeting in question, unless such attendance was for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
When any meeting is convened, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting if (a) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (b) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the Board of Directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (c) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation.
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When any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders is adjourned to another
time or, place, if any, or means of remote communications, if any, 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 announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty 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.
The Board of Directors may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders and any record date with respect thereto, regardless of whether any notice or public disclosure with respect to any such meeting has been sent or made pursuant to Section 2 of this Article I of these By-Laws or otherwise. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or rescheduling of any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice under Section 2 of this Article I of these By-Laws.
5. Quorum. The holders of a majority in interest of all stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to reduce the voting shares below a quorum.
6. Voting and Proxies. Stockholders shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote owned by them of record according to the books of the Corporation unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period or is coupled with an interest and irrevocable. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as a proxy, stockholders may grant such authority in writing or by transmission pursuant to Section 212(c) of the DGCL. Proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the meeting, or of any adjournment thereof. Except as otherwise limited therein, proxies shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such meeting. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
7. Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present, any matter before the meeting shall be decided by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock voting on such matter except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. Any election by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a stockholder entitled to vote in the election. The Corporation shall not directly or indirectly vote any share of its own stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may vote shares which it holds in a fiduciary capacity to the extent permitted by law.
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8. Presiding Officer. The Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or if not elected or in his or her absence, the President or the Treasurer, shall preside at all Annual Meetings or special meetings of stockholders and shall have the power, among other things, to adjourn such meeting at any time and from time to time, subject to the applicable provisions of this Article I. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the presiding officer.
9. Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the presiding officer shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Any inspector may, but need not, be an officer, employee or agent of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall perform such duties as are required by the DGCL, including the counting of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. The presiding officer may review all determinations made by the inspectors, and in so doing the presiding officer shall be entitled to exercise his or her sole judgment and discretion and he or she shall not be bound by any determinations made by the inspectors. All determinations by the inspectors and, if applicable, the presiding officer, shall be subject to further review by any court of competent jurisdiction.
10. Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding officer 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 chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding officer 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 chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the presiding officer of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
11. Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted by law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a
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consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office, by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested, or to the Corporations principal place of business or to the officer of the Corporation having custody of the minute book. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature and no written consent shall be effective unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered pursuant to these By-Laws, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders entitled to take action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner set forth in these By-Laws. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
12. Stockholder Lists. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or the Corporations transfer agent or other person authorized by these By-Laws or by law) shall prepare and make, at least ten 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 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, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, (1) 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, pursuant to the terms of Section 219 of the DGCL, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
ARTICLE II - DIRECTORS
1. Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors who may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining Directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled.
2. Election and Qualification. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. At each annual meeting the stockholders shall fix the number of Directors and shall elect not more than the number of Directors so designated. No Director need be a stockholder.
3. Vacancies; Reduction of Board. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors however occurring including a vacancy resulting from the enlargement of the Board of Directors may be filled by the stockholders or by the Directors then in office or by a sole remaining Director. In lieu of filling any such vacancy the stockholders or Board of Directors may reduce the number of Directors. When one or more Directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.
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4. Enlargement of the Board. The Board of Directors may be enlarged by the stockholders at any meeting or by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office.
5. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, Directors shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any Director may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
6. Removal. Except as otherwise provided by law, a Director may be removed from office (a) with or without cause by vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of Directors, or Director is unlawful, or if all of the Directors are present at the
meeting. A notice of waiver of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting. (b) for cause by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. A
Director may be removed for cause only after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard before the body proposing to remove him.
7. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time, date and place as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by the President, Treasurer or two or more Directors, designating the time, date and place thereof. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
8. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director by the Secretary, or Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by any other officer or one of the Directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be given to each Director in person, by telephone, or by facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic communications, sent to such Directors business or home address at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to such Directors business or home address at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand delivered to such address, read to such Director by telephone, deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid if mailed, dispatched or transmitted if faxed, telexed or telecopied, or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram. Notice need not be given to any Director if a written waiver of notice is executed by him or her before or after the meeting (or a waiver is given by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice), if communication with such Director is unlawful, or if all of the Directors are present at the meeting. A notice of waiver of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
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9. Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. Less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting from time to time and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
10. Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, unless otherwise provided in the following sentence, a majority of the Directors present may take any action on behalf of the Board of Directors, unless a larger number is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. So long as there are two or fewer Directors, any action to be taken by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of all Directors.
11. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
12. Committees. The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of its members, may establish one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more Directors, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-Laws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but in the absence of such rules its business shall be conducted so far as possible in the same manner as is provided in these By-Laws for the Board of Directors. All members of such committees shall hold their committee offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and the Board may abolish any committee at any time. Each such committee shall report its action to the Board of Directors who shall have power to rescind any action of any committee without retroactive effect.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
1. Enumeration. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such other officers, including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, as the Board of Directors may determine.
2. Election. The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at their first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be chosen by the Board of Directors at such meeting or any other meeting.
3. Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder or Director. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the Board of Directors to give bond for the faithful performance of such officers duties in such amount and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.
4. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold his or her office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation, and such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
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5. Removal. The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause by a vote of a majority of the entire number of Directors then in office; provided, that an officer may be removed for cause only after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors.
6. Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.
7. President and Vice Presidents. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general supervision and control of its business. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the President shall preside, when present, at all meetings of stockholders, as further provided in Article I, Section 8 of these By-Laws, and of the Board of Directors.
Any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
8. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. He or she shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation, except as the Board of Directors may otherwise provide.
Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
9. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board) in books kept for that purpose. In his or her absence from any such meeting an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or he or she is absent, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation) and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President.
Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
10. Other Powers and Duties. Subject to these By-Laws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, each officer of the Corporation shall have in addition to the duties and powers specifically set forth in these By-Laws, such duties and powers as are customarily incident to such officers office, and such duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE IV - CAPITAL STOCK
1. Certificates of Stock. Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate of the capital stock of the Corporation in such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors; provided that the Board may provide that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares, in which case the holders of such stock will not be entitled to certificates with respect to such stock. Any such certificate issued by the Corporation shall be signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Such signatures may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue. Every certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto as is required by law. The Corporation shall be permitted to issue fractional shares.
2. Transfers. Subject to any restrictions on transfer, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require.
3. Record Holders. Except as may otherwise be required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws. It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Corporation of such stockholders post office address.
4. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, 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 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 shall not precede the date on which it is established, and which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. In such case only stockholders of record on such record date shall be so entitled notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after the record date. If no record date is fixed, (a) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, (b) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing
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without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in this state, to its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded, and (c) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
5. Replacement of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
ARTICLE V - INDEMNIFICATION
1. | Definitions. For purposes of this Article: |
(a) Corporate Status describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as a Director of the Corporation, (ii) as an Officer of the Corporation, or (iii) as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1(a), an Officer or Director of the Corporation who is serving or has served as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Status shall not include the status of a person who is serving or has served as a Director, officer, employee or agent of a constituent corporation absorbed in a merger or consolidation transaction with the Corporation with respect to such persons activities prior to said transaction, unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation;
(b) Director means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(c) Disinterested Director means, with respect to each Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, a Director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such Proceeding;
(d) Expenses means all reasonable attorneys fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, costs of preparation of demonstrative evidence and other courtroom presentation aids and devices, costs incurred in connection with document review, organization, imaging and computerization, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, costs or expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settling or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding;
(e) Non-Officer Employee means any person who serves or has served as an employee or agent of the Corporation, but who is not or was not a Director or Officer;
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(f) Officer means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as an officer appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(g) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administrative hearing or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative; and
(h) Subsidiary shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other entity of which the Corporation owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Corporation) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 50% or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity, or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity.
2. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-Laws, each Director and 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 (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against any and all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts reasonably paid in settlement that are incurred by such Director or Officer or on such Directors or Officers behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Directors or Officers Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 2 shall continue as to a Director or Officer after he or she has ceased to be a Director or Officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall indemnify any Director or Officer seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director or Officer only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, unless such Proceeding was brought to enforce an Officer or Directors rights to indemnification or, in the case of Directors, advancement of Expenses under these By-Laws in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.
3. Indemnification of Non-Officer Employees. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-Laws, each Non-Officer Employee may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against any or all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts reasonably paid in settlement that are incurred by such Non-Officer Employee or on such Non-Officer Employees behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Non-Officer Employee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Non-Officer Employees Corporate Status, if such Non-Officer Employee acted in good
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faith and in a manner such Non-Officer Employee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 3 shall exist as to a Non-Officer Employee after he or she has ceased to be a Non-Officer Employee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may indemnify any Non-Officer Employee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Non-Officer Employee only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
4. Good Faith. Unless ordered by a court, no indemnification shall be provided pursuant to this Article V to a Director, to an Officer or to a Non-Officer Employee unless a determination shall have been made that such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such determination shall be made by (a) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (b) a committee comprised of Disinterested Directors, such committee having been designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (even though less than a quorum), (c) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority of Disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders of the Corporation.
5. | Advancement of Expenses to Directors Prior to Final Disposition. |
(a) The Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director in connection with any Proceeding in which such Director is involved by reason of such Directors Corporate Status within ten days after the receipt by the Corporation of a written statement from such Director requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Director and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such Director to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Director is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director seeking advancement of expenses hereunder in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director only if such Proceeding was (i) authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or (ii) brought to enforce Directors rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these By-Laws.
(b) If a claim for advancement of Expenses hereunder by a Director is not paid in full by the Corporation within ten days after receipt by the Corporation of documentation of Expenses and the required undertaking, such Director may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and if successful in whole or in part, such Director shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such advancement of Expenses under this Article V shall not be a defense to the action and shall not create a presumption that such advancement is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director is not entitled to an advancement of expenses shall be on the Corporation.
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(c) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Director has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
6. | Advancement of Expenses to Officers and Non-Officer Employees Prior to Final Disposition. |
(a) The Corporation may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, advance any or all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Officer and Non-Officer Employee in connection with any Proceeding in which such is involved by reason of the Corporate Status of such Officer or Non-Officer Employee upon the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from such Officer or Non-Officer Employee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Officer and Non-Officer Employee and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Officer or Non-Officer Employee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.
(b) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Officer or Non-Officer Employee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
7. | Contractual Nature of Rights. |
(a) The foregoing provisions of this Article V shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director and Officer entitled to the benefits hereof at any time while this Article V is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any Proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.
(b) If a claim for indemnification hereunder by a Director or Officer is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after receipt by the Corporation of a written claim for indemnification, such Director or Officer may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, such Director or Officer shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such indemnification under this Article V shall not be a defense to the action and shall not create a presumption that such indemnification is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director or Officer is not entitled to indemnification shall be on the Corporation.
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(c) In any suit brought by a Director or Officer to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder, it shall be a defense that such Director or Officer has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.
8. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses set forth in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Director, Officer, or Non-Officer Employee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.
9. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Corporation or any such Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee, or arising out of any such persons Corporate Status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of this Article V.
10. Other Indemnification. The Corporations obligation, if any, to indemnify any person under this Article V as a result of such person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a Director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise.
ARTICLE VI - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1. Fiscal Year. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year.
2. Seal. The Board of Directors shall have power to adopt and alter the seal of the Corporation.
3. Execution of Instruments. Subject to any limitations which may be set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other obligations authorized to be executed by an officer of the Corporation in its behalf shall be signed by the President or the Treasurer except as the Board of Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise determine.
4. Voting of Securities. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the President or Treasurer may waive notice of and act on behalf of this corporation, or appoint another person or persons to act as proxy or attorney in fact for this corporation with or without discretionary power and/or power of substitution, at any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization, any of whose securities are held by this corporation.
5. Resident Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a resident agent upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against the Corporation.
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6. Corporate Records. The original or attested copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and records of all meetings of the incorporators, stockholders and the Board of Directors and the stock and transfer records, which shall contain the names of all stockholders, their record addresses and the amount of stock held by each, shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation, at the office of its counsel, at an office of its transfer agent, or at such other place or places as may be designated for time to time by the Board of Directors.
7. Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these By-Laws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.
8. Amendments. These By-Laws may be amended or repealed or additional By-Laws adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors; provided, that (a) the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal this Section 8 or any provision of these By-Laws which by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws requires action by the stockholder, and (b) any amendment or repeal of these By-Laws by the Board of Directors and any By-Law adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by the stockholders.
As amended on November 15, 2006, July 27, 1990 and
November
271990, November 27, 1986 and
June 3, 2020.
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Exhibit 99.1
Vicor Corporation Changes 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Virtual Format
ANDOVER, MA, June 4, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR) today announced its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Annual Meeting) will be conducted via audio webcast. In response to continued public health precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Meeting will take place as a virtual meeting only, and neither stockholders nor guests will be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Vicor expects to hold future stockholder meetings in-person, absent extenuating circumstances (including the ongoing impact of COVID-19).
The previously announced date and time of the Annual Meeting, Friday, June 26, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, has not changed, nor has the Annual Meetings business agenda, which is described in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, which was mailed to Stockholders of Record, whose shares were registered under the names of such stockholders with Computershare, Vicors transfer agent, as of April 30, 2020 (the Record Date).
Whether or not stockholders plan to attend the Annual Meeting, Vicor encourages all stockholders to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the Annual Meeting by one of the methods described in the previously filed and distributed Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, which is available at https://vicorcorporation.gcs-web.com/sec-filings/sec-filing/def-14a/0001193125-20-126271. Please note the proxy card included with the previously distributed proxy materials will not be updated to reflect the change from an in-person meeting to a virtual-only meeting and may continue to be used to vote shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who have previously voted do not need to take any further action to record their votes.
Accessing the Annual Meeting
Computershare will host the virtual Annual Meeting. To access the virtual Annual Meeting, parties should go to http://www.meetingcenter.io/247759552 no later than 8:45 am on June 26, 2020. A stockholder or guest will be admitted upon entering his or her name and email address, as well as the password VICR2020, on the launch page of this website. Stockholders who do not intend to vote, change a previously submitted vote, review the stockholder list, or ask questions need not register with Computershare. Similarly, guests may attend the Annual Meeting without registering with Computershare, but will not be able to ask questions. However, a stockholder who intends to vote, change a previously submitted vote, review the stockholder list, and/or ask questions at the Annual Meeting is required to register with Computershare and obtain a stockholder-specific control number from Computershare no later than Friday, June 19, 2020, following the procedures below.
Stockholders of Record
A Stockholder of Record may or may not hold physical share certificates, but the shares owned by such a stockholder as of the Record Date were registered with Computershare under the stockholders name.
If a Stockholder of Record intends to vote his or her shares, change a previously submitted vote, and/or ask questions at the Annual Meeting, he or she must register with Computershare and obtain a stockholder-specific control number from Computershare, by calling 877-282-1169 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm (Eastern), Monday through Friday, before Friday, June 19, 2020.
Beneficial Owners
A Nominee is a brokerage firm, bank, or other form of intermediary that holds shares, on behalf of a Beneficial Owner, that are registered with Computershare in the name of that Nominee. If shares are held by a Nominee, the Beneficial Owner must route all requests for stockholder information through the Nominee.
If the Beneficial Owner intends to vote, change a previously submitted vote, and/or ask questions at the Annual Meeting, he or she must register with Computershare in order to obtain a stockholder-specific control number.
Please note that a Beneficial Owner who obtains a legally valid proxy from his or her Nominee will revoke any prior instructions provided as to how to vote the shares held on his or her behalf by the Nominee at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, if a legally valid proxy is obtained from a Nominee, the Beneficial Owner must vote at the Annual Meeting in order for his or her vote to be recorded.
To register for the Annual Meeting and obtain a stockholder-specific control number, a Beneficial Owner must obtain a legally valid proxy from his or her Nominee and present it to Computershare by emailing legalproxy@computershare.com, entering Legal Proxy Vicor Corporation in the subject line, and attaching to the email the legally valid proxy provided by the Nominee. Such legally valid proxy may be in the form of a forwarded email from the Nominee (with the legally valid proxy attached thereto) or the attachment to the Beneficial Owners email to Computershare of a scanned image of the legally valid proxy provided by the Nominee. Alternatively, a Beneficial Owner who has obtained a legally valid proxy in physical form may send a letter addressed to Computershare, Vicor Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001, enclosing a request for registration and the proof of legally valid proxy. All registration requests from Beneficial Owners must be received by Computershare no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern), on Friday, June 19, 2020. Upon receipt, Computershare will reply with confirmation of the registration and a stockholder-specific control number to be used to access the Annual Meeting.
Questions
Questions from stockholders who have registered with Computershare and obtained a stockholder- specific control number may be submitted on-line using the Computershare-hosted website referenced above. During the Annual Meeting, such stockholders may also access and review Vicors list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting by following the directions on the Computershare-hosted website. Such a stockholder also may submit questions for the Annual Meeting by emailing them to invrel@vicr.com no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern), on Friday, June 19, 2020. Please enter Annual Meeting Question in the subject line of the email and provide the stockholder-specific control number obtained from Computershare. Questions unrelated to the purposes of the Annual Meeting or otherwise considered by Vicor to be inappropriate for the Annual Meeting will not be addressed.
Following completion of the Annual Meeting, an audio replay and the presentation materials will be made available on Vicors Investor Relations website.
About Vicor Corporation
Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power components and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Vicor sells its products primarily to customers in the higher-performance, higher-power segments of the power systems market, including aerospace and defense electronics, enterprise and high performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, and vehicles and transportation markets.
For further information contact:
James A. Simms, Chief Financial Officer
Voice: 978-470-2900
Facsimile: 978-749-3439
invrel@vicorpower.com