Form: S-8

Initial registration statement for securities to be offered to employees pursuant to employee benefit plans

June 4, 2002

 

Exhibit 4.02

THE FLAGSHIP GROUP, INC.
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

     Notice is hereby given of the following option grant (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Common Stock of The Flagship Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”):

         
Optionee:        
 
Grant Date:        
 
Vesting Commencement Date:        
 
Exercise Price:        
 
Number of Option Shares:        
 
Expiration Date:        
 
Type of Option:  

  Incentive Stock Option
   

  Non-Statutory Stock Option
 
Date Exercisable:        
 
Vesting Schedule:        

     Optionee understands and agrees that the Option is granted subject to and in accordance with the terms of The Flagship Group, Inc. 1999 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “Plan”). Optionee further agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Option as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto asExhibit A. Optionee understands that any Option Shares purchased under the Option will be subject to the terms set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto asExhibit B. Both the Company and Optionee agree and acknowledge that the Option Shares are granted solely in consideration for future services to be provided by Optionee subsequent to the date hereof.

     Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan in the form attached hereto asExhibit C.

 


 

     REPURCHASE RIGHTS. OPTIONEE HEREBY AGREES THAT ALL OPTION SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS AND RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL EXERCISABLE BY THE CORPORATION AND ITS ASSIGNS. THE TERMS OF SUCH RIGHTS ARE SPECIFIED IN THE ATTACHED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

     No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in this Notice or in the attached Stock Option Agreement or Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Service at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

     Definitions. All capitalized terms in this Notice shall have the meaning assigned to them in this Notice or in the attached Stock Option Agreement.

         
     Dated:  

  THE FLAGSHIP GROUP, INC.
      By:
       


[Title]
 
      OPTIONEE
 
 
      Address:

 
 

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Exhibit A

THE FLAGSHIP GROUP, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

RECITALS

A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the purpose of retaining the services of selected Employees, non-employee members of the Board or the board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary and consultants and other independent advisors who provide services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

B. Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the Corporation’s grant of an option to Optionee.

C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to them in the attached Appendix.

AGREEMENT

     NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

     1. Grant of Option. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of the Grant Date, an option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares specified in the Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time to time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.

     2. Option Term. This option shall have a term of ten (10) years measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with Paragraph 5 or 17.

     3. Limited Transferability. This option shall be neither transferable nor assignable by Optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution following Optionee’s death and may be exercised, during Optionee’s lifetime, only by Optionee.

     4. Dates of Exercise. This option shall become exercisable for the Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice. As the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments shall accumulate and the option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the option term under Paragraph 5 or 17.

     5. Cessation of Service. The option term specified in Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become applicable:

          (a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason (other than death or Permanent Disability) while this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall have a

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period of three (3) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option, but in no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.

          (b) Should Optionee die while this option is outstanding, then the personal representative of Optionee’s estate or the person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution shall have the right to exercise this option. Such right shall lapse and this option shall cease to be outstanding upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the twelve (12)-month period measured from the date of Optionee’s death or (ii) the Expiration Date.

          (c) Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Permanent Disability while this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall have a period of twelve (12) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option. In no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.

          (d) During the limited period of post-Service exercisability, this option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of vested Option Shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of such limited exercise period or (if earlier) upon the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested Option Shares for which the option has not been exercised. To the extent Optionee is not vested in the Option Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service, this option shall immediately terminate and cease to be outstanding with respect to those shares.

          (e) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the provisions of Paragraph 6 shall govern the period for which this option is to remain exercisable following Optionee’s cessation of Service and shall supersede any provisions to the contrary in this paragraph.

     6. Corporate Transaction.

          (a) In the event of any Corporate Transaction, this option shall be (i) assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or (ii) replaced with a comparable option to purchase shares of the capital stock of the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing on the unvested option shares at the time of the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same vesting schedule applicable to such option. However, to the extent the successor corporation (or parent thereof) does not effect such assumption or replacement, this option shall automatically accelerate, and the Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to the unvested Option Shares shall terminate, so that each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock.

          (b) All outstanding repurchase rights shall also be assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in the event of any Corporate Transaction. However, to the extent the successor corporation (or parent thereof) does not accept such assignment, the outstanding

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repurchase rights shall terminate automatically, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, upon the consummation of the Corporate Transaction, except to the extent such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.

          (c) Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction, all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof).

          (d) If this option is assumed in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price,provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same.

          (e) Upon an Involuntary Termination of Optionee’s Service within twelve (12) months following a Corporate Transaction in which this option is assumed or replaced and the Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to the unvested Option Shares are assigned, all the Option Shares at the time subject to this option but not otherwise vested shall automatically vest and the Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to those shares shall terminate so that this option shall immediately become exercisable for all such Option Shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock and may be exercised for any or all of those shares at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Expiration Date or (ii) the expiration of the one (l)-year period measured from the date of the Involuntary Termination.

          (f) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

     7. Adjustment in Option Shares. Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to (i) the total number and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price in order to reflect such change and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of benefits hereunder.

     8. Shareholder Rights. The holder of this option shall not have any Shareholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record of the purchased shares.

     9. Manner of Exercising Option.

          (a)  In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the following actions:

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       (i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Purchase Agreement for the Option Shares for which the option is exercised.
 
       (ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
          
       (1) cash or check made payable to the Corporation; or
 
       (2) a promissory note that constitutes valid consideration under applicable state law payable to the Corporation, but only to the extent authorized by the Plan Administrator in accordance with Paragraph 14.

          (b) Should the Common Stock be registered under Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act at the time the option is exercised, then the Exercise Price may also be paid as follows:

     
       (i) in shares of Common Stock held by Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date; or
 
       (ii) to the extent the option is exercised for vested Option Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

          (c) Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Purchase Agreement delivered to the Corporation in connection with the option exercise and the Optionee must:

     
       (i) furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.
 
       (ii) execute and deliver to the Corporation such written representations as may be requested by the Corporation in order for it to comply with the applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws.

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       (iii) make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the satisfaction of all Federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the option exercise.

          (d) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares, with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.

          (e) In no event may this option be exercised for any fractional shares.

     10. REPURCHASE RIGHTS. ALL OPTION SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THIS OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS ASSIGNS TO REPURCHASE THOSE SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SPECIFIED IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

     11. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.

          (a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all applicable regulations of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of such exercise and issuance.

          (b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such approvals.

     12. Successors and Assigns. Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and Optionee, Optionee’s assigns and the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate.

     13. Notices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the address indicated below Optionee’s signature line on the Grant Notice. All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.

     14. Financing. The Plan Administrator may, in its absolute discretion and without any obligation to do so, permit Optionee to pay the Exercise Price for the purchased Option Shares by delivering a promissory note that constitutes valid consideration under applicable state law. The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest rate, the requirements for

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collateral and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.1

     15. Construction. This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the terms of the Plan. All decisions of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.

     16. Governing Law. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado without resort to that State’s conflict-of-laws rules.

     17. Shareholder Approval.

          (a) The grant of this option is subject to approval of the Plan by the Corporation’s Shareholders within twelve (12) months after the adoption of the Plan by the Board. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this option may not be exercised in whole or in part until such Shareholder approval is obtained. In the event that such Shareholder approval is not obtained, then this option shall terminate in its entirety and Optionee shall have no further rights to acquire any Option Shares hereunder.

          (b) If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may without Shareholder approval be issued under the Plan, then this option shall be void with respect to such excess shares, unless Shareholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

     18. Additional Terms Applicable to an Incentive Option. In the event this option is designated an Incentive Option in the Grant Notice, the following terms and conditions shall also apply to the grant:

          (a) This option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the extent) this option is exercised for one or more Option Shares: (i) more than three (3) months after the date Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Permanent Disability or (ii) more than twelve (12) months after the date Optionee ceases to be an Employee by reason of Permanent Disability.

          (b) This option shall not become exercisable in the calendar year in which granted if (and to the extent) the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Grant Date) of the Common Stock for which this option would otherwise first become exercisable in such calendar year would, when added to the aggregate value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the Common Stock and any other securities for which one or more other Incentive Options granted to Optionee prior to the Grant Date (whether under the Plan or any


    1 Authorization of payment of the Exercise Price by a promissory note may, under currently proposed Treasury Regulations, result in the loss of incentive stock option treatment under the Federal tax laws.

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other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first become exercisable during the same calendar year, exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate. To the extent the exercisability of this option is deferred by reason of the foregoing limitation, the deferred portion shall become exercisable in the first calendar year or years thereafter in which the One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000) limitation of this Paragraph 18(ii) would not be contravened, but such deferral shall in all events end immediately prior to the effective date of a Corporate Transaction in which this option is not to be assumed, whereupon the option shall become immediately exercisable as a Non-Statutory Option for the deferred portion of the Option Shares.

          (c) Should Optionee hold, in addition to this option, one or more other options to purchase Common Stock which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year as this option, then the foregoing limitations on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted.

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APPENDIX

     The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:

     A. Agreement shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.

     B. Board shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

     C. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     D. Common Stock shall mean the Corporation’s common stock.

     E. Corporate Transaction shall mean any of the following transactions:

     
       1. a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction,
 
       2. the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets or capital stock, or
 
       3. a tender or exchange offer in which, after the consummation of the offer, the offeror is the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of at least 15 percent (15%) of the outstanding Common Stock.

     F. Corporation shall mean The Flagship Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     G. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.

     H. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the option shall have been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.

     I. Exercise Price shall mean the exercise price per share as specified in the Grant Notice.

     J. Expiration Date shall mean the date on which the option expires as specified in the Grant Notice.

     K. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

     
       1. If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq National

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  Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as the price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market or any successor system. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
 
       2. If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
 
       3. If the Common Stock is at the time neither listed on any Stock Exchange nor traded on the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into account such factors as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

     L. Grant Date shall mean the date of grant of the option as specified in the Grant Notice.

     M. Grant Notice shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the basic terms of the option evidenced hereby.

     N. Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements of Code Section 422.

     O. Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of Optionee’s Service which occurs by reason of:

     
       (i) Optionee’s dismissal or discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or
 
       (ii) Optionee’s voluntary resignation following (A) a change in Optionee’s position with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing Optionee) which materially reduces Optionee’s level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in Optionee’s level of compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and participation in corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen percent (15%) in the aggregate or (C) a relocation of Optionee’s place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from Optionee’s place of employment immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Corporation without Optionee’s consent.

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     P. Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by Optionee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by Optionee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of Optionee or any other individual in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

     Q. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     R. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.

     S. Option Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option.

     T. Optionee shall mean the person to whom the option is granted as specified in the Grant Notice.

     U. Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

     V. Permanent Disability shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or more.

     W. Plan shall mean the Corporation’s 1999 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan.

     X. Plan Administrator shall mean either the Board or a committee of Board members, to the extent the committee is at the time responsible for the administration of the Plan.

     Y. Purchase Agreement shall mean the stock purchase agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to the Grant Notice.

     Z. Service shall mean the Optionee’s performance of services for the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent advisor.

     AA. Stock Exchange shall mean the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange.

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     BB. Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

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Exhibit B

THE FLAGSHIP GROUP, INC.
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this ___ day of _______________, _____________, by and among The Flagship Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, _____________________, an individual person (“Optionee”), and ________________________________, Optionee’s spouse.

          All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to them in this Agreement or in the attached Appendix.

     A. EXERCISE OF OPTION

          1. Exercise. Optionee hereby purchases _______ shares of Common Stock (the “Purchased Shares”) pursuant to that certain option (the “Option”) granted Optionee on the ___ day of _______________, __________ (the “Grant Date”) to purchase up to _______ shares of Common Stock under the Plan (the “Purchased Shares”) at the exercise price of $____ per share (the “Exercise Price”).

          2. Payment. Concurrently with the delivery of this Agreement to the Corporation, Optionee shall pay the Exercise Price for the Purchased Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Option Agreement and shall deliver whatever additional documents may be required by the Option Agreement as a condition for exercise.

          3. Shareholder Rights. Until such time as the Corporation exercises the Repurchase Right or the First Refusal Right, Optionee (or any successor in interest) shall have all the rights of a shareholder (including voting, dividend and liquidation rights) with respect to the Purchased Shares, subject, however, to the transfer restrictions of Articles B and C.

     B. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE

          1. Restricted Securities. The Purchased Shares have not been registered under the 1933 Act and are being issued to Optionee in reliance upon the exemption from such registration provided by SEC Rule 701 for stock issuances under compensatory benefit plans such as the Plan. Optionee hereby confirms that Optionee has been informed that the Purchased Shares are restricted securities under the 1933 Act and may not be resold or transferred unless the Purchased Shares are first registered under the Federal securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration is available. Accordingly, Optionee hereby acknowledges that Optionee is prepared to hold the Purchased Shares for an indefinite period and that Optionee is aware that SEC Rule 144 issued under the 1933 Act which exempts certain resales of unrestricted securities is not presently available to exempt the resale of the Purchased Shares from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.


 

          2. Restrictions on Disposition of Purchased Shares. Optionee shall make no disposition of the Purchased Shares (other than a Permitted Transfer) unless and until there is compliance with all of the following requirements:

               (a) Optionee shall have provided the Corporation with a written summary of the terms and conditions of the proposed disposition.

               (b) Optionee shall have complied with all requirements of this Agreement applicable to the disposition of the Purchased Shares.

               (c) Optionee shall have provided the Corporation with written assurances, in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation, that (a) the proposed disposition does not require registration of the Purchased Shares under the 1933 Act or (b) all appropriate action necessary for compliance with the registration requirements of the 1933 Act or any exemption from registration available under the 1933 Act (including Rule 144) has been taken.

          The Corporation shallnot be required (i) to transfer on its books any Purchased Shares which have been sold or transferred in violation of the provisions of this Agreementor (ii) to treat as the owner of the Purchased Shares, or otherwise to accord voting, dividend or liquidation rights to, any transferee to whom the Purchased Shares have been transferred in contravention of this Agreement.

          3. Restrictive Legends. The stock certificates for the Purchased Shares shall be endorsed with the following restrictive legends:

               (a) “The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The shares may not be sold or offered for sale in the absence of (a) an effective registration statement for the shares under such Act, (b) a “no action” letter of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such sale or offer or (c) satisfactory assurances to the Corporation that registration under such Act is not required with respect to such sale or offer.”

               (b) “The shares represented by this certificate are subject to certain repurchase rights and rights of first refusal granted to the Corporation and accordingly may not be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, or in any manner disposed of except in conformity with the terms of a written agreement dated _________, _______ between the Corporation and the registered holder of the shares (or the predecessor in interest to the shares). A copy of such agreement is maintained at the Corporation’s principal corporate offices.”

     C. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

          1. Restriction on Transfer. Except for any Permitted Transfer, Optionee shall not transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Shares which are subject to the Repurchase Right. In addition, Purchased Shares which are released from the Repurchase Right shall not be transferred, assigned, encumbered or otherwise disposed of in contravention of the First Refusal Right, the Market Stand-Off or the Repurchase Right.

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          2. Transferee Obligations. Each person (other than the Corporation) to whom the Purchased Shares are transferred by means of a Permitted Transfer must, as a condition precedent to the validity of such transfer, acknowledge in writing to the Corporation that such person is bound by the provisions of this Agreement and that the transferred shares are subject to (i) the Repurchase Right, (ii) the First Refusal Right and (iii) the Market Stand-Off, to the same extent such shares would be so subject if retained by Optionee.

          3. Market Stand-Off.

               (a) In connection with any underwritten public offering by the Corporation of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the 1933 Act, including the Corporation’s initial public offering, Owner shall not sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Purchased Shares without the prior written consent of the Corporation or its underwriters. Such restriction (the “Market Stand-Off”) shall be in effect for such period of time from and after the effective date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be requested by the Corporation or such underwriters. In no event, however, shall such period exceed one hundred eighty (180) days.

               (b) Owner shall be subject to the Market Stand-Offprovided and only if the officers and directors of the Corporation are also subject to similar restrictions.

               (c) Any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason of any Recapitalization or Reorganization distributed with respect to the Purchased Shares shall be immediately subject to the Market Stand-Off, to the same extent the Purchased Shares are at such time covered by such provisions.

               (d) In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Corporation may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Purchased Shares until the end of the applicable stand-off period.

     D. REPURCHASE RIGHT

               1. Grant. The Corporation is hereby granted the right (the “Repurchase Right”), exercisable at any time during the ninety (90)-day period following the date Optionee ceases for any reason to remain in Service or (if later) during the ninety (90)-day period following the execution date of this Agreement, to repurchase at the Exercise Price all or any portion of the Purchased Shares in which Optionee is not, at the time of his or her cessation of Service, vested in accordance with the Vesting Schedule (such shares to be hereinafter referred to as the “Unvested Shares”).

               2. Exercise of the Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall be exercisable by written notice delivered to each Owner of the Unvested Shares prior to the expiration of the ninety (90)-day exercise period. The notice shall indicate the number of Unvested Shares to be repurchased and the date on which the repurchase is to be effected, such date to be not more than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice. The certificates representing the Unvested Shares to be repurchased shall be delivered to the Corporation prior to

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the close of business on the date specified for the repurchase. Concurrently with the receipt of such stock certificates, the Corporation shall pay to Owner, in cash or cash equivalents (including the cancellation of any purchase-money indebtedness), an amount equal to the Exercise Price previously paid for the Unvested Shares which are to be repurchased from Owner.

          3. Termination of the Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall terminate with respect to any Unvested Shares for which it is not timely exercised under Paragraph D.2. In addition, the Repurchase Right shall terminate and cease to be exercisable with respect to any and all Purchased Shares in which Optionee vests in accordance with the Vesting Schedule. All Purchased Shares as to which the Repurchase Right lapses shall, however, remain subject to (i) the First Refusal Right and (ii) the Market Stand-Off.

          4. Aggregate Vesting Limitation. If the Option is exercised in more than one increment so that Optionee is a party to one or more other Stock Purchase Agreements (the “Prior Purchase Agreements”) which are executed prior to the date of this Agreement, then the total number of Purchased Shares as to which Optionee shall be deemed to have a fully-vested interest under this Agreement and all Prior Purchase Agreements shall not exceed in the aggregate the number of Purchased Shares in which Optionee would otherwise at the time be vested, in accordance with the Vesting Schedule, had all the Purchased Shares (including those acquired under the Prior Purchase Agreements) been acquired exclusively under this Agreement.

          5. Recapitalization. Any new, substituted or additional securities or other property (including cash paid other than as a regular cash dividend) which is by reason of any Recapitalization distributed with respect to the Purchased Shares shall be immediately subject to the Repurchase Right, but only to the extent the Purchased Shares are at the time covered by such right. Appropriate adjustments to reflect such distribution shall be made to the number and/or class of Purchased Shares subject to this Agreement and to the price per share to be paid upon the exercise of the Repurchase Right in order to reflect the effect of any such Recapitalization upon the Corporation’s capital structure;provided, however, that the aggregate purchase price shall remain the same.

          6. Corporate Transaction.

               (a) The Repurchase Right shall be assigned to the successor entity in any Corporate Transaction. However, to the extent the successor entity does not accept such assignment, the Repurchase Right shall lapse immediately prior to the consummation of the Corporate Transaction.

               (b) To the extent the Repurchase Right remains in effect following a Corporate Transaction, such right shall apply to the new capital stock or other property (including any cash payments) received in exchange for the Purchased Shares in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, but only to the extent the Purchased Shares are at the time covered by such right. Appropriate adjustments shall be made to the price per share payable upon exercise of the Repurchase Right to reflect the effect of the Corporate Transaction upon the Corporation’s capital structure;provided, however, that the aggregate purchase price shall remain the same.

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               (c) The Repurchase Right shall automatically lapse in its entirety, and all the Purchased Shares shall immediately vest in full, upon an Involuntary Termination of Optionee’s Service within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Corporate Transaction in which the Repurchase Right has been assigned.

     E. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

          1. Grant. The Corporation is hereby granted the right of first refusal (the “First Refusal Right”), exercisable in connection with any proposed transfer of the Purchased Shares in which Optionee has vested in accordance with the Vesting Schedule. For purposes of this Article E, the term “transfer” shall include any sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of the Purchased Shares intended to be made by Owner, but shall not include any Permitted Transfer.

          2. Notice of Intended Disposition. In the event any Owner of Purchased Shares in which Optionee has vested desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for the transfer of any or all of such shares (the Purchased Shares subject to such offer to be hereinafter referred to as the “Target Shares”), Owner shall promptly (i) deliver to the Corporation written notice (the “Disposition Notice”) of the terms of the offer, including the purchase price and the identity of the third-party offeror, and (ii) provide satisfactory proof that the disposition of the Target Shares to such third-party offeror would not be in contravention of the provisions set forth in Articles B and C.

          3. Exercise of the First Refusal Right.

               (a) The Corporation shall, for a period of forty-five (45) days following receipt of the Disposition Notice, have the right to repurchase any or all of the Target Shares subject to the Disposition Notice upon the same terms as those specified therein or upon such other terms (not materially different from those specified in the Disposition Notice) to which Owner consents. Such right shall be exercisable by delivery of written notice (the “Exercise Notice”) to Owner prior to the expiration of the forty-five (45)-day exercise period. If such right is exercised with respect to all the Target Shares, then the Corporation shall effect the repurchase of such shares, including payment of the purchase price, not more than fifteen (15) business days after delivery of the Exercise Notice; and at such time the certificates representing the Target Shares shall be delivered to the Corporation.

               (b) Should the purchase price specified in the Disposition Notice be payable in property other than cash or evidences of indebtedness, the Corporation shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of cash equal in amount to the value of such property. If Owner and the Corporation cannot agree on such cash value within thirty (30) days after the Corporation’s receipt of the Disposition Notice, the valuation shall be made by an appraiser of recognized standing selected by Owner and the Corporation or, if they cannot agree on an appraiser within forty-five (45) days after the Corporation’s receipt of the Disposition Notice, each shall select an appraiser of recognized standing and the two (2) appraisers shall designate a third appraiser of recognized standing, whose appraisal shall be determinative of such value. The cost of such appraisal shall be shared equally by Owner and the Corporation. The closing shall then be held on the later of (i) the fifteenth (15th) business day following delivery of the

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Exercise Notice or (ii) the fifteenth (15th) business day after such valuation shall have been made.

          4. Non-Exercise of the First Refusal Right. In the event the Exercise Notice is not given to Owner prior to the expiration of the forty-five (45)-day exercise period, Owner shall have a period of thirty (30) days thereafter in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the Target Shares to the third-party offeror identified in the Disposition Notice upon terms (including the purchase price) no more favorable to such third-party offeror than those specified in the Disposition Notice;provided, however, that any such sale or disposition must not be effected in contravention of the provisions of Articles B and C. The third-party offeror shall acquire the Target Shares free and clear of the Repurchase Right and the First Refusal Right, but the acquired shares shall remain subject to the provisions of Article B and Paragraph C.3. In the event Owner does not effect such sale or disposition of the Target Shares within the specified thirty (30)-day period, the First Refusal Right shall continue to be applicable to any subsequent disposition of the Target Shares by Owner until such right lapses.

          5. Partial Exercise of the First Refusal Right. In the event the Corporation makes a timely exercise of the First Refusal Right with respect to a portion, but not all, of the Target Shares specified in the Disposition Notice, Owner shall have the option, exercisable by written notice to the Corporation delivered within fifteen (15) business days after Owner’s receipt of the Exercise Notice, to effect the sale of the Target Shares pursuant to either of the following alternatives:

               (a) sale or other disposition of all the Target Shares to the third-party offeror identified in the Disposition Notice, but in full compliance with the requirements of Paragraph E.4, as if the Corporation did not exercise the First Refusal Right; or

               (b) sale to the Corporation of the portion of the Target Shares which the Corporation has elected to purchase, such sale to be effected in substantial conformity with the provisions of Paragraph E.3. The First Refusal Right shall continue to be applicable to any subsequent disposition of the remaining Target Shares until such right lapses.

Failure of Owner to deliver timely notification to the Corporation shall be deemed to be an election by Owner to sell the Target Shares pursuant to alternative (i) above.

          6. Recapitalization/Reorganization.

               (a) Any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which is by reason of any Recapitalization distributed with respect to the Purchased Shares shall be immediately subject to the First Refusal Right, but only to the extent the Purchased Shares are at the time covered by such right.

               (b) In the event of a Reorganization, the First Refusal Right shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply to the new capital stock or other property received in exchange for the Purchased Shares in consummation of the Reorganization, but only to the extent the Purchased Shares are at the time covered by such right.

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          7. Lapse. The First Refusal Right shall lapse upon theearliest to occur of (i) the first date on which shares of the Common Stock are held of record by more than five hundred (500) persons, (ii) a determination is made by the Board that a public market exists for the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) a firm commitment underwritten public offering, pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, covering the offer and sale of the Common Stock in the aggregate amount of at least ten million dollars ($10,000,000). However, the Market Stand-Off shall continue to remain in full force and effect following the lapse of the First Refusal Right.

     F. SPECIAL TAX ELECTION

          The acquisition of the Purchased Shares may result in adverse tax consequences which may be avoided or mitigated by filing an election under Code Section 83(b). Such election must be filed within thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement. A description of the tax consequences applicable to the acquisition of the Purchased Shares and the form for making the Code Section 83(b) election are set forth in Exhibit II. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING THE PURCHASED SHARES AND THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FILING THE CODE SECTION 83(b) ELECTION. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS OPTIONEE’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT THE CORPORATION’S, TO FILE A TIMELY ELECTION UNDER CODE SECTION 83(b), EVEN IF OPTIONEE REQUESTS THE CORPORATION OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THIS FILING ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.

     G. GENERAL PROVISIONS

          1. Assignment.

               (a) The Corporation may assign the Repurchase Right, the First Refusal Right and/or the Repurchase Right to any person or entity selected by the Board, including (without limitation) one or more shareholders of the Corporation.

               (b) If the assignee of the Repurchase Right is other than (i) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation or (ii) the parent corporation owning one hundred percent (100%) of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock, then such assignee must make a cash payment to the Corporation, upon the assignment of the Repurchase Right, in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares at the time subject to the assigned Repurchase Right over (ii) the aggregate repurchase price payable for the Purchased Shares.

          2. No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Service at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

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          3. Notices. Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the U.S. mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party entitled to such notice at the address indicated below such party’s signature line on this Agreement or at such other address as such party may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice under this paragraph to all other parties to this Agreement.

          4. No Waiver. The failure of the Corporation in any instance to exercise the Repurchase Right or the First Refusal Right shall not constitute a waiver of any other repurchase rights and/or rights of first refusal that may subsequently arise under the provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Corporation and Optionee or Optionee’s spouse. No waiver of any breach or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or condition, whether of like or different nature.

          5. Cancellation of Shares. If the Corporation shall make available, at the time and place and in the amount and form provided in this Agreement, the consideration for the Purchased Shares to be repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, then from and after such time, the person from whom such shares are to be repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such shares (other than the right to receive payment of such consideration in accordance with this Agreement). Such shares shall be deemed purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof, and the Corporation shall be deemed the owner and holder of such shares, whether or not the certificates therefor have been delivered as required by this Agreement.

     H. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

          1. Optionee Undertaking. Optionee hereby agrees to take whatever additional action and execute whatever additional documents the Corporation may deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on either Optionee or the Purchased Shares pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

          2. Agreement is Entire Contract. This Agreement constitutes the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is made pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and shall in all respects be construed in conformity with the terms of the Plan.

          3. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado without resort to that State’s conflict-of-laws rules.

          4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          5. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and upon Optionee, Optionee’s permitted assigns and the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of

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Optionee’s estate, whether or not any such person shall have become a party to this Agreement and have agreed in writing to join herein and be bound by the terms hereof.

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SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first indicated above.

         
      THE FLAGSHIP GROUP, INC.
         
         
      By:  
   
 


[Title]
         
      OPTIONEE
         
       
     
      Name:  
   
Title:  

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EXHIBIT I

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES AND
SECTION 83(b) TAX ELECTION

     I. Federal Income Tax Consequences and Section 83(b) Election For Exercise of Non-Statutory Option. If the Purchased Shares are acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-Statutory Option, as specified in the Grant Notice, then under Code Section 83, the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares on the date any forfeiture restrictions applicable to such shares lapse over the Exercise Price paid for such shares will be reportable as ordinary income on the lapse date. For this purpose, the term “forfeiture restrictions” includes the right of the Corporation to repurchase the Purchased Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Right. However, Optionee may elect under Code Section 83(b) to be taxed at the time the Purchased Shares are acquired, rather than when and as such Purchased Shares cease to be subject to such forfeiture restrictions. Such election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days after the date of the Agreement. Even if the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares on the date of the Agreement equals the Exercise Price paid (and thus no tax is payable), the election must be made to avoid adverse tax consequences in the future. The form for making this election is attached as part of this exhibit. FAILURE TO MAKE THIS FILING WITHIN THE APPLICABLE THIRTY (30)-DAY PERIOD WILL RESULT IN THE RECOGNITION OF ORDINARY INCOME BY OPTIONEE AS THE FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS LAPSE.

     II. Federal Income Tax Consequences and Conditional Section 83(b) Election For Exercise of Incentive Option. If the Purchased Shares are acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Option, as specified in the Grant Notice, then the following tax principles shall be applicable to the Purchased Shares:

     
       (i) For regular tax purposes, no taxable income will be recognized at the time the Option is exercised.
 
       (ii) The excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares on the date the Option is exercised or (if later) on the date any forfeiture restrictions applicable to the Purchased Shares lapse over (b) the Exercise Price paid for the Purchased Shares will be included in Optionee’s taxable income for alternative minimum tax purposes.
 
       (iii) If Optionee makes a disqualifying disposition of the Purchased Shares, then Optionee will recognize ordinary income in the year of such disposition equal in amount to the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares on the date the Option is exercised or (if later) on the date any forfeiture restrictions applicable to the Purchased Shares lapse over (b) the Exercise Price paid for the Purchased Shares. Any additional gain recognized upon the disqualifying disposition will be either short-term or long-term capital gain depending upon the period for which the Purchased Shares are held prior to the disposition.

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       (iv) For purposes of the foregoing, the term “forfeiture restrictions” will include the right of the Corporation to repurchase the Purchased Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Right. The term “disqualifying disposition” means any sale or other disposition1 of the Purchased Shares within two (2) years after the Grant Date or within one (1) year after the exercise date of the Option.
 
       (v) In the absence of final Treasury Regulations relating to Incentive Options, it is not certain whether Optionee may, in connection with the exercise of the Option for any Purchased Shares at the time subject to forfeiture restrictions, file a protective election under Code Section 83(b) which would limit (a) Optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income upon exercise and (b) Optionee’s ordinary income upon a disqualifying disposition to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Purchased Shares on the date the Option is exercised over the Exercise Price paid for the Purchased Shares. Accordingly, such election if properly filed will only be allowed to the extent the final Treasury Regulations permit such a protective election. Page 2 of the attached form for making the election should be filed with any election made in connection with the exercise of an Incentive Option.


    1 Generally, a disposition of shares purchased under an Incentive Option includes any transfer of legal title, including a transfer by sale, exchange or gift, but does not include a transfer to the Optionee’s spouse, a transfer into joint ownership with right of survivorship if Optionee remains one of the joint owners, a pledge, a transfer by bequest or inheritance or certain tax free exchanges permitted under the Code.

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SECTION 83(b) ELECTION

     This statement is being made under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.83-2.

(1)    The taxpayer who performed the services is:
 
     Name:
Address:
Taxpayer Ident. No.:
 
(2)    The property with respect to which the election is being made is ___________ shares of the common stock of The Flagship Group, Inc.
 
(3)    The property was issued on _____________, ____________.
 
(4)    The taxable year in which the election is being made is the calendar year ______.
 
(5)    The property is subject to a repurchase right pursuant to which the issuer has the right to acquire the property at the original purchase price if for any reason taxpayer’s employment with the issuer is terminated. The issuer’s repurchase right lapses in a series of annual and monthly installments over a [four (4)-year period ending on _____________, ___________].
 
(6)    The fair market value at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) is $_____________ per share.
 
(7)    The amount paid for such property is $___________ per share.
 
(8)    A copy of this statement was furnished to The Flagship Group, Inc. for whom taxpayer rendered the services underlying the transfer of property.
 
(9)    This statement is executed on _______________________, __________________.
     

Spouse (if any)
 
Taxpayer

This election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center with which taxpayer files his or her Federal income tax returns and must be made within thirty (30) days after the execution date of the Stock Purchase Agreement. This filing should be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Optionee must retain two (2) copies of the completed form for filing with his or her Federal and state tax returns for the current tax year and an additional copy for his or her records.

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The property described in the above Section 83(b) election is comprised of shares of common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Accordingly, it is the intent of the Taxpayer to utilize this election to achieve the following tax results:

     1. The purpose of this election is to have the alternative minimum taxable income attributable to the purchased shares measured by the amount by which the fair market value of such shares at the time of their transfer to the Taxpayer exceeds the purchase price paid for the shares. In the absence of this election, such alternative minimum taxable income would be measured by the spread between the fair market value of the purchased shares and the purchase price which exists on the various lapse dates in effect for the forfeiture restrictions applicable to such shares. The election is to be effective to the full extent permitted under the Code.

     2. Section 421(a)(1) of the Code expressly excludes from income any excess of the fair market value of the purchased shares over the amount paid for such shares. Accordingly, this election is also intended to be effective in the event there is a “disqualifying disposition” of the shares, within the meaning of Section 421(b) of the Code, which would otherwise render the provisions of Section 83(a) of the Code applicable at that time. Consequently, the Taxpayer hereby elects to have the amount of disqualifying disposition income measured by the excess of the fair market value of the purchased shares on the date of transfer to the Taxpayer over the amount paid for such shares. Since Section 421(a) presently applies to the shares which are the subject of this Section 83(b) election, no taxable income is actually recognized for regular tax purposes at this time, and no income taxes are payable, by the Taxpayer as a result of this election.

THIS PAGE 2 IS TO BE ATTACHED TO ANY SECTION 83(b) ELECTION FILED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION UNDER THE FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

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APPENDIX

     The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:

     A. Agreement shall mean this Stock Purchase Agreement.

     B. Board shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

     C. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     D. Common Stock shall mean the Corporation’s common stock.

     E. Corporate Transaction shall mean any of the following transactions:

     
       1. a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction,
 
       2. the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets or capital stock, or
 
       3. a tender or exchange offer in which, after the consummation of the offer, the offeror is the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding Common Stock.

     F. Corporation shall mean The Flagship Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     G. Disposition Notice shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph E.2.

     H. Exercise Notice shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph E.3.

     I. Exercise Price shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph A.1.

     J. Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any relevant date, prior to the initial public offering of the Common Stock, shall be determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into account such factors as it shall deem appropriate.

     K. First Refusal Right shall mean the right granted to the Corporation in accordance with Article E.

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     L. Grant Date shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph A.1.

     M. Grant Notice shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the basic terms of the Option.

     N. Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements of Code Section 422.

     O. Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of Optionee’s Service which occurs by reason of:

     
       1. Optionee’s involuntary dismissal or discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or
 
       2. Optionee’s voluntary resignation following (A) a change in his or her position with the Corporation which materially reduces his or her level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in Optionee’s level of compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and participation in corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of Optionee’s place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Corporation without Optionee’s consent.

     P. Market Stand-Off shall mean the market stand-off restriction specified in Paragraph C.3.

     Q. Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by Optionee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by Optionee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of Optionee or any other person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

     R. 1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     S. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.

     T. Option shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph A.1.

     U. Option Agreement shall mean all agreements and other documents evidencing the Option.

     V. Optionee shall mean the person to whom the Option is granted under the Plan.

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     W. Owner shall mean Optionee and all subsequent holders of the Purchased Shares who derive their chain of ownership through a Permitted Transfer from Optionee.

     X. Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

     Y. Permitted Transfer shall mean (i) a gratuitous transfer of the Purchased Shares, provided and only if (A) Optionee obtains the Corporation’s prior written consent to such transfer, (B) prior to the completion of the transfer the transferee shall have executed documents assuming the obligations of the Optionee under this Agreement with respect to the transferred securities and (C) prior to the completion of the transfer the transferee shall have executed an Irrevocable Proxy substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto appointing the transferring Optionee as the transferee’s proxy and giving the transferring Optionee full power of substitution to vote all of the shares of capital stock transferred pursuant to a gratuitous transfer, (ii) a transfer of title to the Purchased Shares effected pursuant to Optionee’s will or the laws of intestate succession following Optionee’s death or (iii) a transfer to the Corporation in pledge as security for any purchase-money indebtedness incurred by Optionee in connection with the acquisition of the Purchased Shares.

     Z. Plan shall mean the Corporation’s 1999 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan.

     AA. Plan Administrator shall mean either the Board or a committee of Board members, to the extent the committee is at the time responsible for administration of the Plan.

     BB. Prior Purchase Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph D.4.

     CC. Purchased Shares shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph A.1.

     DD. Recapitalization shall mean any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration.

     EE. Reorganization shall mean any of the following transactions:

     
       1. a merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is not the surviving entity,
 
       2. a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets,
 
       3. a reverse merger in which the Corporation is the surviving

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  entity but in which the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities are transferred in whole or in part to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to the merger, or
 
       4. any transaction effected primarily to change the state in which the Corporation is incorporated or to create a holding company structure.

     FF. Repurchase Right shall mean the right granted to the Corporation in accordance with Article D.

     GG. SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     HH. Service shall mean the provision of services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an employee, subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent advisor.

     II. Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

     JJ. Target Shares shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph E.2.

     KK. Vesting Schedule shall mean the vesting schedule specified in the Grant Notice, subject to the acceleration provisions upon an Involuntary Termination following a Corporate Transaction.

     LL. Unvested Shares shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Paragraph D.1.

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EXHIBIT A

Irrevocable Proxy

     The undersigned agrees that he or she is obligated to execute an Irrevocable Proxy under the definition of a “Permitted Transfer” of that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and among The Flagship Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and the transferring Optionee listed below. Therefore, the undersigned hereby appoints the transferring Optionee listed below as his or her proxy, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of capital stock of the Company held by the undersigned pursuant to a Permitted Transfer under the Agreement and entitled to vote thereon, (whether such vote is taken by written consent to or at a meeting of the shareholders) with respect to any and all matters requiring the vote of the Company’s shareholders. The proxy granted herein is irrevocable, to the extent provided for under the Delaware General Corporation Law, and is granted in consideration of the transfer of the capital stock of the Company to the undersigned. Such proxy shall terminate on the termination of the Repurchase Right under the Agreement.

     
 
 
Signature
 
     
 
 
Print Name
 
     
 
  Number of shares
beneficially owned:


Transferring Optionee Name
 
 

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