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OPTION AGREEMENT

Option Agreement

OPTION AGREEMENT | Document Parties: Intelsat Global, Ltd You are currently viewing:
This Option Agreement involves

Intelsat Global, Ltd

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Title: OPTION AGREEMENT
Date: 5/12/2009

OPTION AGREEMENT, Parties: intelsat global  ltd
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Exhibit 10.19

OPTION AGREEMENT

OPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), entered into as of this May 8, 2009 (the “ Grant Date ”), between Intelsat Global, Ltd. (formerly known as Serafina Holdings Limited and referred to herein as the “ Company ”), and Thierry Guillemin, an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, (the “ Employee ”);

WHEREAS, Employee has agreed to perform services for the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries (the “ Employer ”);

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Intelsat Global, Ltd. 2008 Share Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Plan ”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Committee appointed to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 3 of the Plan has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Non-Qualified Stock Option provided for herein (the “ Option ”) to the Employee as an inducement to enter into or remain in the service of the Company (or one of its Subsidiaries) (the “ Employer ”) and as an incentive for increased efforts during such service, and has advised the Company thereof and instructed the undersigned officers to grant said Option; and

WHEREAS, this Agreement memorializes certain terms and conditions applicable to the Option;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.

Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Plan.

 

2.

Grant .

 

 

(a)

Genera l. As of the Grant Date, the Company hereby grants to the Employee the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of 24,167 Class A Shares. The Employee acknowledges that the Option will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Plan and that as of the Grant Date the Employee is a party to the Management Shareholders Agreement.

 

 

(b)

Exercise Price . The purchase price of the Class A Shares covered by the Option shall be U.S. $100.00 per Class A Share (the “ Exercise Price ”) (without commission or other charge).

 

 

(c)

Term . Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Option shall expire on February 4, 2018, and the Employee shall thereafter cease to have any rights in respect thereof.


3.

Fair Market Value; 83(b) Election . With respect to the exercise of the Option for Class A Shares, the Employee, in his sole discretion, may make an election with the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”) under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (the “ 83(b) Election ”). The Employee understands that under applicable law such election must be filed with the IRS no later than thirty (30) days after the date of purchase of Class A Shares to be effective. If the Employee files an effective 83(b) Election, the excess of the fair market value of the Class A Shares (which the IRS may assert is different from the Fair Market Value determined by the parties) covered by such election over the amount paid by the Employee for the shares shall be treated as ordinary income received by the Employee, and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries shall withhold from Employee’s compensation any amounts required to be withheld under applicable law. If the Employee does not file an 83(b) Election, future appreciation on the Class A Shares will generally be taxable as ordinary income at the time or times when the Company’s repurchase rights with respect to such Class A Shares (as set forth in this Agreement) lapse. The foregoing is merely a brief summary of complex tax laws and regulations, and therefore the Employee is advised to consult with his own tax advisors regarding his purchase and holding of Class A Shares.

 

4.

Equity Plan . The Option and this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, to the extent the terms of such Plan are not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the Plan shall govern.

 

5.

Vesting . The Option shall initially be unvested with respect to all Class A Shares covered thereby.

 

 

(a)

Performance Option . Subject to Section 7, the Option to purchase up to 13,182 of the Class A Shares subject to the Option (the “ Performance Option ”) shall be eligible to become vested and exercisable as set forth on Exhibit A , subject to the Employee’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date.

 

 

(b)

Performance Exit Option . Subject to Section 7 below, the Option to purchase up to 10,985 of the Class A Shares subject to the Option (the “ Performance Exit Option ”) shall be eligible to become vested and exercisable as set forth on Exhibit A , subject to the Employee’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date.

 

6.

Method of Exercise .

 

 

(a)

The portion of the Option as to which the Employee is vested shall be exercisable by delivery to the Company of a written notice stating the number of Class A Shares to be purchased pursuant to this Agreement and accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price of the Class A Shares to be purchased. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Class A Shares hereunder if the issuance of such Class A Shares would violate the provision of any law, in which event the Company shall, as soon as practicable, take whatever action it reasonably can so that such Class A Shares may be issued without resulting in such violations of law.

 

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(b)

The exercise price of an Option shall be paid: (i) in cash or by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company; (ii) if permitted by the Committee, by reducing the number of Class A Shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the Option by the number of such Class A Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price of the Class A Shares to be purchased; (iii) if permitted by the Committee, by exchange of unrestricted Class A Shares of the Company already owned by the Employee and having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price, provided that the Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the Employee has held such Class A Shares free and clear of liens and encumbrances; (iv) if permitted by the Committee, by delivering, along with a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate exercise price and, if requested by the Employee, the amount of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes required to be withheld by the Company, provided , however , that such exercise may be implemented solely under a program or arrangement established and approved by the Company with a brokerage firm selected by the Company; or (v) by any other procedure approved by the Committee, or by a combination of the foregoing (to the extent permitted by the Committee).

 

7.

Termination of Employment .

 

 

(a)

Termination without Cause or for Good Reason . In the event of a Termination of Employment by the Employer without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason (as defined in Section 7(a)(iv), below):

 

 

(i)

Treatment . Any unvested portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited, and subject to Section 8 hereof and Section 12 of the Plan, any vested and exercisable portion of the Option as of the date of such Termination of Employment may be exercised only prior to the earlier of (A) ninety (90) days following such Termination of Employment and (B) the scheduled expiration date of the Option.

 

 

(ii)

Repurchase Right .

 

 

(A)

To the extent vested, outstanding and unexercised as of the date of a Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason, the Option may be cancelled by the Company at any time following the date of such Termination of Employment prior to its exercise in exchange for a payment to the Employee in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share as of the date of repurchase over (y) the exercise price of such Option (the “ Option Repurchase Price ”).

 

3


 

(B)

Subject to Sections 7(e) and 8 hereof, any Class A Shares held by the Employee as a result of the exercise of the Option may be repurchased by the Company at any time and from time to time following (x) the date of Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason in the event such Class A Shares were held as of such Termination of Employment and (y) the exercise of the Option in the event such exercise occurred after the date of such Termination of Employment, each at a purchase price per Class A Share equal to the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share as of the date of repurchase.

 

 

(iii)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company consummates an acquisition by or merger of the Company through a transaction or series of transactions with any of those certain Person(s) described in the resolutions of the Compensation Committee of the Board dated December 29, 2008 but after which the Sponsor Shareholders do not in the aggregate possess beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities (for the election of directors) of the Company or its successor (a “ Significant Corporate Event ”), then if on or following such Significant Corporate Event (i) (A) the affirmative written consent of the Sponsor Shareholders or a representative thereof is not required for the Company to terminate the Employee’s employment at the time of such termination and (B) the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason, then the applicable vesting provisions shall apply as if a Change in Control had occurred immediately prior to such termination of employment, or (ii) (A) the affirmative written consent of the Sponsor Shareholders or a representative thereof is required for the Company to terminate the Employee’s employment at the time of such termination and at all times thereto, and (B) the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason on or after the date that is eighteen (18) months following the date of such Significant Corporate Event, then the applicable vesting provisions shall apply as if a Change in Control had occurred immediately prior to such termination of employment.

 

 

(iv)

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence, without the Employee’s consent, of a material diminution of the Employee’s responsibilities as of the Grant Date, other than as a result of a Change in Control, Significant Corporate Event or Company expansion, where the Employee remains in a position with the Company or its successor (or any other entity that owns substantially all of the Company’s business after such Change in Control or Significant Corporate Event) that is substantially equivalent in responsibilities to the Employee’s position as of the Grant Date, solely as such responsibilities relate to the Company’s business as of the Grant Date (and not taking into account any such Change in Control, Significant Corporate Event or

 

4


 

Company expansion); provided that the Employee has given the Company written notice of, and thirty (30) business days’ opportunity to cure, such violation(s); and provided , further , that such termination of employment for Good Reason shall occur within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the occurrence of the Good Reason event.

 

 

(b)

Resignation by the Employee .

 

 

(i)

Treatment . In the event of a Termination of Employment by the Employee for any reason other than due to death or Disability, any unvested portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited, and subject to Section 8 hereof and Section 12 of the Plan, any vested and exercisable portion of the Option as of the date of such Termination of Employment may be exercised only prior to the earlier of (A) ninety (90) days following such Termination of Employment and (B) the scheduled expiration date of the Option.

 

 

(ii)

Repurchase Right .

 

 

(A)

To the extent vested, outstanding and unexercised as of the date of a Termination of Employment, the Option may be cancelled by the Company at any time following the date of Termination of Employment prior to its exercise in exchange for a payment to the Employee in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the (x) lesser of (A) the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share on the date of such Termination of Employment, or (B) (i) the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share on the Grant Date minus (ii) the value of any dividends, distributions, or dividend equivalents previously paid to the Employee in respect of such Class A Share (subject to equitable adjustment in the Committee’s good faith discretion to reflect dividends, distributions, corporate transactions, or similar events, to the extent not reflected in (ii)) over (y) the exercise price of such Option.

 

 

(B)

Subject to Sections 7(e) and 8 hereof, any Class A Shares held by the Employee as a result of the exercise of the Option may be repurchased by the Company at any time and from time to time following (x) the date of a Termination of Employment in the event such Class A Shares were held as of such Termination of Employment and (y) the exercise of the Option in the event such exercise occurred after the date of Termination of Employment, at a purchase price per Class A Share equal to the lesser of (A) the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share on the date of such Termination of Employment, or (B) (x) the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share on the Grant Date minus (y) the value of any dividends, distributions, or dividend equivalents previously paid to the Employee in respect of such Class A Share (subject to

 

5


 

equitable adjustment in the Committee’s good faith discretion to reflect dividends, distributions, corporate transactions, or similar events, to the extent not reflected in (y)) but in no event less than the par value of such Class A Share.

 

 

(c)

Death and Disability .

 

 

(i)

Treatment . In the event of a Termination of Employment by reason of the Employee’s death or Disability, any unvested portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited and, subject to Section 8 hereof and Section 12 of the Plan, any portion of the Option that is vested as of the date of such Termination of Employment shall be exercised by the Employee, the Employee’s guardian or legal representative, or the Employee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such Option by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death of the Employee (the “ Employee’s Representative ”) prior to the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of such Termination of Employment and (y) the scheduled expiration date of the Option.

 

 

(ii)

Repurchase Right .

 

 

(A)

To the extent vested, outstanding and unexercised as of the date of a Termination of Employment due to death or Disability, the Option may be cancelled by the Company at any time following the date of such Termination of Employment prior to its expiration in exchange for a payment to the Employee in an amount per Option equal to the Option Repurchase Price.

 

 

(B)

Subject to Sections 7(e) and 8 hereof, following the Termination of Employment due to death or Disability described above, any Class A Shares held by the Employee as a result of the exercise of the Option may be repurchased by the Company at any time and from time to time following (x) the date of a Termination of Employment in the event such Class A Shares were held as of such Termination of Employment and (y) the exercise of the Option in the event such exercise occurred after the date of Termination of Employment, each at a purchase price per share equal to the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share on the date of repurchase.

 

 

(d)

Termination for Cause .

 

 

(i)

Treatment . In the event of the Employee’s Termination of Employment by the Employer for Cause, to the extent outstanding and unexercised as of the date of Termination of Employment, the Option shall be forfeited as of the date of termination.

 

 

(ii)

Repurchase Right . Subject to Sections 7(e) and 8 , from and after the date of such Termination of Employment, the Company may repurchase any or

 

6


 

all of Class A Shares held by the Employee as a result of the exercise of the Option at any time and from time to time after the date of such Termination of Employment for a purchase price per Class A Share equal to the lesser of (1) (A) the exercise price per Class A Share of such Option minus (B) the value of any dividends, distributions or dividend equivalents previously paid to the Employee in respect of such Class A Share, subject to equitable adjustment in the Company’s discretion to reflect dividends, Corporate Transactions, or similar events, to the extent not otherwise reflected in this clause (B), but in no event less than $0, and (2) (A) the Fair Market Value of such Class A Share as of the date of such Termination of Employment for Cause minus (B) the value of any dividends, distributions or dividend equivalents previously paid to the Employee in respect of such share, subject to equitable adjustment in the Company’s discretion to reflect dividends, Corporate Transactions, or similar events, to the extent not reflected in this clause (B), but in no event less than $0.

 

 

(e)

Expiration of Repurchase Rights . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7, the Company’s repurchase rights set forth in this Section 7 with respect to the Option and the Class A Shares held by the Employee shall expire immediately prior to the occurrence of an Initial Public Offering (subject to the consummation of such Initial Public Offering).

 

 

(f)

Claw-Back . If, during his employment or at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Employee’s Termination of Employment for any reason, the Employee (i) directly or indirectly provides services to, or manages or operates any person, firm, corporation, partnership or business (whether as director, officer, employee, agent, representative, partner, security holder, consultant or otherwise) that engages in any business or activity which competes with any product or service of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates; or (ii) otherwise violates any non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality or non-disparagement covenant set forth in any applicable written agreement or policy governing the Employee’s services with the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates), then the Employee shall, in addition to any other remedy which may be available at law or in equity, be required to pay to the Company a cash amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Class A Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option during the 24-month period immediately preceding (or at any time after) the date that the Employee first breaches such covenant and (y) the excess of (A) the fair market value per Class A Share as of the date of such exercise over (B) the exercise price per Class A Share.

 

8.

Non-transferability; Other Restrictions . In order to receive any Class A Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option hereunder, the Employee must be or become party to the Management Shareholders Agreement and must execute and deliver to the Company the proxy attached hereto as Exhibit C of this Agreement. The transferability of Class A Shares held by the Employee as a result of the exercise of the Option shall be governed by the Management Shareholders Agreement. The Option is not transferable by the

 

7


 

Employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and the Option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Employee, only by the Employee or by the Employee’s guardian or legal representative or any transferee described above. The exercise of the Option shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (a) the listing, registration or qualification of the Class A Shares subject or related thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (b) the consent or approval of any government regulatory body or (c) an agreement by the Employee with respect to the disposition of Class A Shares is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such exercise or the delivery or purchase of Class A Shares pursuant thereto, then in any such event, such exercise shall not be effective unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval or agreement shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee. Any transferee of Class A Shares from the Employee (and any subsequent transferee) shall be required to execute the proxy attached hereto as Exhibit C of this Agreement and become a party to the Management Shareholders Agreement.

 

9.

Rights as a Shareholder . Prior to the exercise of the Option and the entry in the Register of Members of the Employee in respect of the Class A Shares issued pursuant to the Option, Employee shall have no rights as a Shareholder with respect to any Class A Shares covered by such outstanding Option. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities, or other property) or distribution of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of entry in the Register of Members, except as provided in the Plan.

 

10.

Changes in Shares . In the event of any share split, reverse share split, dividend, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company, the number and kind of shares (or other property, including without limitation cash) subject to this Agreement and the exercise price thereof shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee as it in good faith deems appropriate to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the value of the Employee’s Option and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

11.

Taxes . No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Employee for federal income tax purposes with respect to the Option, the Employee shall pay to the Company in cash (or such other form of payment as may be approved by the Committee consistent with the Plan), or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by applicable laws and regulations to be withheld with respect to such amount, provided , that the Company may require the deduction of any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Employee, including any amounts required by law to be withheld upon the exercise of such Option.

 

12.

Section 409A . To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Comp


 
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