Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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x Definitive Proxy Statement

 

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Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc.

 

 

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LOGO

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

May 17, 2011

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on June 17, 2011, at 11465 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190.

At the annual meeting, you will be asked to elect three directors for a three-year term, to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2011, to approve a Section 382 Rights Agreement to help protect the tax benefits primarily associated with our net operating losses, and to approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation providing an adjustment to the voting power of the Class B Common Stock if the Rights become exercisable or are exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Section 382 Rights Agreement. Details regarding the matters to be acted upon at this meeting appear in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote in favor of the election of the nominated directors, the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm, the approval of the Section 382 Rights Agreement, and the approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to complete, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the annual meeting. If you later decide to attend the Annual Meeting or change your vote, you may withdraw your proxy and vote in person at the annual meeting. Voting by written proxy will ensure your representation at the annual meeting if you do not attend in person.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.

 

Very truly yours,
LOGO
Christopher Clemente
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman


LOGO

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

11465 Sunset Hills Road, 4th Floor

Reston, Virginia 20190

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

TO BE HELD ON June 17, 2011

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on June 17, 2011, at 11465 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190, for the following purposes:

1. To elect three directors to serve for a three-year term expiring at the 2014 Annual Meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal;

2. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of our Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011;

3. To approve a Section 382 Rights Agreement to help protect the tax benefits primarily associated with our net operating losses;

4. To approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation providing an adjustment to the voting power of the Class B Common Stock if the Rights become exercisable or are exchanged for shares of Class A common stock in accordance with the terms of the Section 382 Rights Agreement; and

5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 2011 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting and vote in person. To assure your representation at the meeting, however, you are urged to mark, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. You may vote in person at the meeting even if you have previously returned a proxy.

 

  Sincerely,
    LOGO
Reston, Virginia   Jubal R. Thompson
May 17, 2011   General Counsel and Secretary


LOGO

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

11465 Sunset Hills Road, 4th Floor

Reston, Virginia 20190

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

VOTING AND OTHER MATTERS

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, by our Board of Directors for use at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and in the accompanying meeting notice. The meeting will be held at 11465 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190. If you need directions to the meeting, please contact Judy Whitaker at 703-883-1700.

This proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed on or about May 25, 2011 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

Voting Securities and Voting Rights

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 2011, which we have set as the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On the record date, there were issued and outstanding 17,075,831 shares of our Class A common stock and 2,733,000 shares of our Class B common stock. Each holder of Class A common stock voting at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, may cast one vote per share of Class A common stock held on all matters to be voted on at the meeting. Each holder of Class B common stock voting at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, may cast 15 votes per share of Class B common stock held on all matters to be voted on at the meeting.

The meeting will be held only if there is a quorum present. A quorum exists only if the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, (1) a plurality of affirmative votes properly cast in person or by proxy will be required to elect directors, (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter will be required to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, and (3) the affirmative vote of a majority of our total issued and outstanding shares will be required to approve the Section 382 Rights Plan and amend our Certificate of Incorporation.

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of elections appointed for the meeting and will determine whether a quorum is present. The inspector of elections will treat abstentions and broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. An abstention will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as a negative vote, except with respect to the election of directors. Broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.

 

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Whether or not a person plans to attend the Annual Meeting, he or she may vote by completing, signing and dating the accompanying proxy card and returning it in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. If a person attends the meeting, he or she may vote in person even if such individual had previously returned a proxy card.

Voting of Proxies

When a proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting as directed. If no specification is indicated, the shares will be voted (1) “for” the election of the nominees set forth in this proxy statement, (2) “for” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, (3) “for” the approval of the Section 382 Rights Plan, and (4) “for” an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation providing an adjustment to the voting power of the Class B Common Stock if the Rights become exercisable or are exchanged for shares of Class A common stock in accordance with the terms of the Section 382 Rights Agreement.

Revocability of Proxies

Any person giving a proxy may revoke the proxy at any time before its use by delivering to us either a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

Solicitation

We will pay for this solicitation. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies also may be solicited by certain of our directors and officers, personally or by telephone or e-mail, without additional compensation.

Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals

Proposals of stockholders intended for inclusion in the proxy statement to be furnished to all stockholders entitled to vote at our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) must be received at our principal executive offices not later than January 26, 2012, which is 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the mailing date of this proxy statement. Any proposal must comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC for such proposal to be included in our proxy statement.

Under our bylaws, stockholders who wish to submit a proposal at the 2012 annual meeting, other than one that will be included in our proxy statement, must notify us between February 18, 2012 and March 19, 2012, unless the date of the 2012 annual meeting of the stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the 2011 annual meeting. If a stockholder who wishes to present a proposal fails to notify us by March 19, 2012 and such proposal is brought before the 2012 annual meeting, then under the SEC’s proxy rules, the proxies solicited by management with respect to the 2012 annual meeting will confer discretionary voting authority with respect to the stockholder’s proposal on the persons selected by management to vote the proxies. If a stockholder makes a timely notification, the proxies may still exercise discretionary voting authority under circumstances consistent with the SEC’s proxy rules. Stockholders should submit their proposals to Comstock Homebuilding Companies, 11465 Sunset Hills Road, 4th Floor, Reston, Virginia 20190, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Annual Report and Other Matters

Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which was mailed to stockholders with or preceding this proxy statement, contains financial and other information about our Company, but is not incorporated into this proxy statement and is not to be considered a part of these proxy soliciting materials or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

 

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We will provide, without charge, additional copies of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the SEC to each stockholder of record as of the record date that requests a copy in writing. Any exhibits listed in the Form 10-K report also will be furnished upon request at the actual expense we incur in furnishing such exhibit. Any such requests should be directed to our Company’s secretary at our executive offices set forth in this proxy statement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD

ON JUNE 17, 2011

This proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report to shareholders are available at www.comstockhomes.com/proxymaterial

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the number of our directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of our Board of Directors. Presently, the number of directors is fixed at eight and that number of directors is divided into three classes, with one class standing for election each year for a three-year term. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of a particular class will be elected for three-year terms to succeed the directors of that class whose terms are expiring. David M. Guernsey, James A. MacCutcheon and Robert P. Pincus are in the class of directors whose term expires at the 2011 annual meeting, and Messrs. Guernsey, MacCutcheon, and Pincus have been nominated by our Board of Directors for re-election for three-year terms expiring in 2014. Gregory V. Benson, Norman D. Chirite and Socrates Verses are in the class of directors whose terms expire in 2012. Christopher Clemente and A. Clayton Perfall are in the class of directors whose terms will expire in 2013.

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for each of the nominees named above. Messrs. Guernsey, MacCutcheon, and Pincus currently are directors of our Company. In the event that either nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the current Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “for” the nominees named herein.

Nominees for Director Standing for Election

David M. Guernsey, 63, has been a director since December 2004 and is a member of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. Guernsey is founder and CEO of Guernsey Office Products, Inc., one of the largest independent office products dealers in the United States. Mr. Guernsey is on the national board of The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) serving as Vice-Chairman. NFIB is the Nation’s largest member based small business association. Mr. Guernsey has served on the Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. Board since 1989, currently serving as Vice-Chairman. The Company believes that Mr. Guernsey’s qualifications to serve as a director include his extensive experience with public companies, broad management and market expertise and his success as an entrepreneur.

James A. MacCutcheon, 59, has been a director since December 2004 and is a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. MacCutheon is a private investor and advisor to public and private businesses. Mr. MacCutcheon served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation from September 2000 until July 2007, and served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2000. Sunburst Hospitality Corporation was taken private in a transaction led by Mr. MacCutcheon in 2001. Prior to 1997, Mr. MacCutcheon served as Chief Financial Officer for two different public companies and was an audit partner in a Big 8 public accounting firm. Mr. MacCutcheon also currently serves on the board of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation, Realty Investment and Cambridge Realty, all privately held companies. The Company believes that Mr. MacCutcheon’s executive management, financial and public accounting experience, across a variety of industries, adds significant value and diversity to our board and highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Robert P. Pincus, 65, has been a director since June 2005 and is a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. Pincus serves as Vice Chairman of EagleBank and EagleBancorp, located in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to joining EagleBank in August 2008, upon the acquisition of Fidelity & Trust Financial Corporation (“Fidelity”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Fidelity & Trust Bank (“F&T Bank”), Mr. Pincus served as Chairman of F&T Bank from 2005. He presently serves as Chairman of the Board of Blackstreet Capital Partners, LP and Chairman of Milestone Merchant Partners, LLC. He was Chairman of the Board of BB&T, D.C. Metro Region, and was Regional President from 1998 to 2002. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Pincus was

 

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President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin National Bank of Washington, D.C. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Pincus was the regional president of the D.C. metropolitan region of Sovran Bank. From 1971 to 1986, Mr. Pincus was with D.C. National Bancorp, Inc., where he eventually rose to become President and Chief Executive Officer, prior to its merger with Sovran Bank. Mr. Pincus is a Trustee of the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. He has previously served as CEO of two different community banks and as a senior executive for major regional and national banks. He has a strong background in many facets of the financial services industry, as well as mergers and acquisitions. The Company believes that Mr. Pincus’ wealth of experience in commercial and investment banking highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Continuing Directors with Terms Expiring in 2012

Gregory V. Benson, 57, has been a director since May 2004. He became our President and Chief Operating Officer in 1991. Mr. Benson has over 30 years of home building experience including over 13 years at national home builders, including NVHomes, Ryan Homes and Centex Homes. The Company believes that Mr. Benson’s extensive experience in real estate development and homebuilding and his position as our Chief Operating Officer highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Norman D. Chirite, 49, has been a director and a member of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors since March 2006. Mr. Chirite currently serves as Managing Director for RedZone Capital Management Company, a private investment management company. He served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Washington Football Inc. from August 2002 until October 2005. Mr. Chirite previously was a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City, where he practiced corporate law from 1987 until 2000. From 2004 until 2008, Mr. Chirite was a trustee of Connors Brothers Income Fund, a publicly traded Canadian income trust. The Company believes that Mr. Chirite’s extensive background in corporate and securities law highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Socrates Verses, 54, has been a director since June 2005 and is a member and Chairman of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. Verses currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director for Codekko Software, an innovator in web application software. Mr. Verses was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Realeum, Inc., a property management and business integration software company, from 2001-2008. From January 1995 to February 2001, Mr. Verses served as President and a director of Technology Enablers, Inc., an e-services company. From 1987 to 1995, he served as Vice President of Sales for Recognition Equipment Incorporated. The Company believes Mr. Verses’ extensive executive-level experience in technology and business development highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Continuing Directors with Terms Expiring in 2013

Christopher Clemente, 50, has been a director since May 2004. He founded our Company in 1985 and since 1992 he has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Clemente has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of real estate development and home building, and over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. The Company believes that Mr. Clemente’s position as our Chief Executive Officer, his success as an entrepreneur and his depth of skill and experience in real estate development and home building, highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

A. Clayton Perfall, 51, has been a director since December 2004 and is a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Archway Marketing Services, Inc., a provider of outsourced marketing operations management services. Mr. Perfall has also served as director and chair of the Audit Committee of InVentiv Health, Inc. since 1999. From October 2001 through October 2008, Mr. Perfall served as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of AHL Services, Inc. Mr. Perfall served as President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Union Street Acquisition Corp. from July 2006 through September 2008. From September 1996 through September 2000, Mr. Perfall served as Chief Financial Officer of Snyder Communications, Inc. Prior to

 

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joining Snyder Communications, Mr. Perfall was a partner with Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Perfall received his BBA from the College of William & Mary. The Company believes that Mr. Per fall’s significant executive-level experience, corporate finance and public accounting background, highly qualifies him as a member of our Board of Directors.

Information Relating to Corporation Governance and the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has determined, after considering all relevant facts and circumstances, that Messrs. Chirite, Guernsey, MacCutcheon, Perfall, Pincus and Verses are independent directors, as “independence” is defined in the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, because they have no relationship with us that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment.

Our bylaws authorize our Board of Directors to appoint among its members one or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors. Our Board of Directors has established two standing committees: an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee. It is the Board of Directors’ view, given its relatively small size and majority of independent directors, that it is sufficient to select or recommend director nominees itself. Each director has the opportunity to suggest any nominee and such suggestions are comprehensively reviewed by the independent directors. Director nominees are recommended for selection by the Board of Directors by a majority of the independent directors. The qualities and skills sought in prospective members of the Board of Directors generally require that director candidates be qualified individuals who, if added to the Board of Directors, would provide the mix of sound business judgment, business experience, corporate perspectives and skills appropriate for us. Criteria for selection of candidates include, but are not limited to: (i) business and financial acumen, as determined by the independent directors in their discretion, (ii) qualities reflecting a proven record of accomplishment and ability to work with others, (iii) knowledge of our industry, (iv) relevant experience with and knowledge of corporate governance practices, and (v) expertise in an area relevant to us. Although we do not have a formal diversity policy, the Board of Directors considers, among other attributes, diversity of gender, professional experience and skills of the director candidates. Such persons should not have commitments that would conflict with the time commitments of being one of our directors.

The Board of Directors does not have a specific policy for consideration of nominees recommended by security holders due to the fact that a significant degree of voting control relative to the Company’s outstanding equity securities is maintained by two individuals who are executive officers and directors. However, security holders can recommend a prospective nominee for the Board of Directors by writing to our corporate secretary at our corporate headquarters and providing the information required by our bylaws, along with any additional supporting materials the security holder considers appropriate. There have been no recommended nominees from security holders. We pay no fees to third parties for evaluating or identifying potential nominees.

Our Board of Directors has adopted charters for the Audit and Compensation Committees describing the authority and responsibilities delegated to each committee by the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Conduct, a Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, and a Whistleblower Policy. We post on our website, at www.comstockhomebuilding.com, the charters of our Audit and Compensation Committees; our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, and Whistleblower Policy, and any amendments or waivers thereto; and any other corporate governance materials contemplated by SEC regulations or the Nasdaq Market Rules. These documents are also available in print to any stockholder requesting a copy in writing from our corporate secretary at our executive offices set forth in this proxy statement.

Interested parties may communicate with our Board of Directors or specific members of our Board of Directors, including our independent directors and the members of our various board committees, by submitting a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. c/o any specified individual director or directors at the address listed herein. Any such letters are then forwarded to the indicated directors.

 

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The Audit Committee

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee also provides assistance to our Board of Directors with respect to its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our audit function, internally, if any, and by our independent registered public accounting firm. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter and include various matters with respect to the oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements on behalf of our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee also selects the independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of our financial statements; reviews the proposed scope of such audit; reviews our accounting and financial controls with the independent registered public accounting firm and our financial accounting staff.

The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. MacCutcheon, Perfall and Pincus, each of whom is an independent director of our Company under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules as well as under rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Perfall (whose background is detailed above) qualifies as an “Audit Committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Mr. Perfall serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

The Compensation Committee

The purpose of the Compensation Committee includes determining, or recommending to our Board of Directors for determination, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, and discharging the responsibilities of our Board of Directors relating to our compensation programs and compensation of our executives. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Chirite, Guernsey, and Verses. Mr. Verses serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Board and Committee Meetings

Our Board of Directors held a total of four (4) meetings in-person and one (1) telephonic meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 the Audit Committee held four (4) meetings and Compensation Committee held one (1) meeting. No director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors, and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all Committees of our Board of Directors on which he was a member. We encourage each of our directors to attend the annual meeting of stockholders, and six members of the Board of Directors attended the 2010 annual meeting.

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight.

Our Board of Directors has the responsibility for selecting the appropriate leadership structure for the Company. In making leadership structure determinations, the Board considers many factors, including the specific needs of the business and what is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. Our current leadership structure is comprised of a combined Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Board committees led by independent directors. Currently, we do not have a designated lead independent director and executive sessions are led by the Chairman of the Committee having the authority over the subject matter discussed at the executive session. The Board believes that this leadership structure is the most effective for the Company at this time. Combining the Chairman of the Board and CEO roles promotes decisive leadership, fosters clear accountability and enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its message and strategy clearly and consistently to our stockholders, employees and customers, particularly during periods of turbulent economic and industry conditions. The Board also believes there is a very well-functioning and effective balance between strong Company leadership and appropriate safeguards and oversight by independent directors.

 

 

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The Board believes that its current leadership structure allows the directors to provide effective oversight of the Company’s risk management strategies by receiving and approving recommendations prepared by the Company’s Executive Officers. The Audit Committee, comprised solely of independent directors, assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by periodically reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and related programs and activities. Mr. Clemente, the Chairman of the Board, attends Audit Committee meetings and is appropriately positioned to include risk management issues on the agenda for Board meetings as circumstances warrant. As appropriate, the Board members receive recommendations from the Chairman of the Audit Committee regarding significant risks or exposures and the steps management has taken to minimize such risk to the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee also regularly communicates with the independent Chairmen of the Compensation Committee regarding the risks within that committee’s areas of responsibility. The Company believes that this leadership structure promotes effective Board oversight of risk management because, while the Chief Executive Officer is ultimately accountable for the management of the Company’s risks, Board committees, each chaired by an independent director, actively monitor the Company’s risk management program, and are provided with the information necessary to evaluate the specific risks relevant to each committee’s areas of responsibility.

Compensation Risks

Management and the Compensation Committee have considered and discussed risks inherent in our business and compensation arrangements and have concluded that the risks associated with our compensation practices and policies are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Director Compensation and Other Information

In 2010, we compensated our non-employee directors with an annual retainer fee of $32,500. Our non-employee directors earned $5,000 to serve on the Audit Committee and $3,000 to serve on the Compensation Committee. The chairman of the Compensation Committee earned $4,000, the chairman of the Audit Committee earned $4,000 and the Audit Committee designated financial expert earned $3,000. In 2010, we made cash payments to our non-employee directors totaling $113,004. In addition, we offered our non-employee directors the option to receive a portion of their 2010 director compensation in the form of restricted shares of Class A Common Stock. For 2010, our non-employee directors elected to receive a total of $117,000 in the form of restricted shares. With respect to the portion of compensation elected to be received in shares of Class A Common Stock, one fourth was paid in restricted shares based on the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as of the end of each fiscal quarter during 2010. Other than pursuant to the foregoing elections, we did not grant any equity awards to our directors during 2010. Employees who also serve as directors receive no additional compensation for their services as a director.

The following table details the compensation earned by our non-employee directors in 2010:

 

Name

   Fees Earned(1)
in  2010

($)
     Stock
Awards(2)
($)
     Total
($)
 

Norman D. Chirite

     17,752         17,750         35,502   

Socrates Verses

     0         39,500         39,500   

A. Clayton Perfall

     22,252         22,250         44,502   

David M. Guernsey

     35,500         —           35,500   

James A. MacCutcheon

     0         37,500         37,500   

Robert P. Pincus

     37,500         —           37,500   

 

(1) Includes annual retainer, chairman and committee participation fees earned in 2010. To compensate our directors for their 2010 services, we made cash payments and/or issued them the equivalent value in shares of our class A common stock on a quarterly basis based on a closing price of the price of the stock on the last business day of each quarter.

 

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(2) This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (excluding forfeiture estimates) for restricted shares issued to the directors in 2010. The methodologies and assumptions utilized in the valuation of these awards are set forth in Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

As of December 31, 2010, the following directors held the indicated number of stock awards: Mr. Clemente—2,504,590; Mr. Benson—1,249,890; Mr. Thompson—66,659; Mr. Perfall—259,789; Mr. Guernsey—138,699; Mr. MacCutcheon—140,903; Mr. Pincus—99,950; Mr. Versus—164,387; and Mr. Chirite 132,977. In addition, the following directors held the indicated number of stock options: Mr. Clemente—25,000.

 

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. Our Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. Our organizational documents do not require that our stockholders ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. We are submitting the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to our stockholders for ratification because we believe it is a matter of good corporate practice. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection, but may still retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. We anticipate that representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “for” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

The aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

     2010      2009  

Audit-related fees(1)

   $ 170,000       $ 200,000   

Tax fees(2)

     95,812         63,500   

Other fees

     —           —     
                 

Total

   $ 265,812       $ 263,500   
                 

 

(1) Includes fees related to the annual independent audit of our financial statements.

 

(2) Tax fees represent amounts billed for tax compliance and advisory services.

The charter of our Audit Committee provides that the duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee include the pre-approval of all audit, audit-related, tax, and other services permitted by law or applicable SEC regulations (including fee and cost ranges) to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. Any pre-approved services that will involve fees or costs exceeding pre-approved levels will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Unless otherwise specified by the Audit Committee in pre-approving a service, the pre-approval will be effective for the 12-month period following pre-approval. The Audit Committee will not approve any non-audit services prohibited by applicable SEC regulations or any services in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent registered public accounting firm, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported by the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. To the extent deemed appropriate, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee or any one or more other members of the Audit Committee provided that any member of the Audit Committee who has exercised any such delegation must report any such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee will not delegate to management the pre-approval of services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Our Audit Committee requires that our independent registered public accounting firm, in conjunction with our Chief Financial Officer, be responsible for seeking pre-approval for providing services to us and that any request for pre-approval must inform the Audit Committee about each service to be provided and must provide detail as to the particular service to be provided.

All of the services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP described above under the captions “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “Other Fees” were approved by our Audit Committee.

 

10


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of its financial statements, including the performance and compensation of the Company’s independent auditor. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls and the certification of the integrity and reliability of the Company’s internal controls procedures.

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal years December 31, 2010 and 2009 with management. The Audit Committee also reviewed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the results of their audit. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol 1. AU section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. This discussion included, among other things, a review with the independent registered public accounting firm of the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates and judgments, and the clarity of disclosure in the Company’s financial statements, including the disclosures related to critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company. The Audit Committee has reviewed permitted services under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission as currently in effect and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP their independence from management and the Company. The Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm the written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee also has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from the Company and has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the independence of the registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that pertain to the Audit Committee and the roles and responsibilities of Audit Committee members.

Based on its review of the financial statements and the aforementioned discussions, the Audit Committee concluded that it would be reasonable to recommend, and on that basis did recommend, to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Audit Committee also approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee,

A. Clayton Perfall, Chair

James A. MacCutcheon

Robert P. Pincus

 

11


PROPOSALS 3 AND 4

BACKGROUND

Like virtually every national homebuilder, we have generated significant net operating losses and unrealized tax losses (collectively, “NOLs”) and may generate additional NOLs in future years. Under federal tax laws, we generally can use NOLs and certain related tax credits to offset ordinary income tax paid in our prior two tax years or on our future taxable income for up to 20 years when they will “expire” for such purposes. Until they expire, we can “carry forward” NOLs and certain related tax credits that we do not use in any particular year to offset income tax in future years.

As of March 31, 2011, we estimate that the Company had deferred tax assets generated by NOLs of approximately $72 million all of which is currently reserved. We estimate that these NOLs have a pontential tax savings of up to 25 miliions. Clearly, our NOLs are a very valuable asset.

The benefits of our NOLs would be reduced, and our use of the NOLs would be substantially delayed, if we experience an “ownership change,” as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and applicable Treasury Regulations (“Section 382”). Under Section 382, an “ownership change” occurs if a stockholder or a group of stockholders who is deemed to own at least 5% of our common stock increases its ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three year period. If an ownership change occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of our NOLs that we can use to offset income taxes equal to the product of the total value of our outstanding equity immediately prior to the ownership change (reduced by certain items specified in Section 382) and the federal long-term tax-exempt interest rate in effect for the month of the ownership change. A number of complex rules apply to calculating this annual limit.

If an ownership change were to occur, the limitations imposed by Section 382 could result in a material amount of our NOLs expiring unused and, therefore, significantly impair the value of our NOLs. While the complexity of Section 382’s provisions and the limited knowledge any public company has about the ownership of its publicly traded stock make it difficult to determine whether an ownership change has occurred, we currently believe that an ownership change that would impair the value of our NOLs has not occurred. The purpose of Proposal 3 is to provide some protection against a future ownership change that would limit our use of NOLs.

After careful consideration, our Board of Directors believes the most effective way to preserve the benefits of our NOLs for long-term stockholder value is to adopt the Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. Section 382 Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”). The Rights Agreement, pursuant to which we have issued certain stock purchase rights (the “Rights”) with terms designed to deter transfers of our common stock that could result in an ownership change, is described below under Proposal 3, and its full terms can be found in the accompanying Appendix I. In order to implement the Rights Agreement without impairing our existing dual-class voting structure, we are also proposing to amend out Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that in the event the Rights become exercisable or are exchanged for shares of common stock in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement, the voting power of the Class B Common Stock will be adjusted so that it represents, together with the voting power of the Class A Common Stock subject to or exchangeable for the Rights, the same percentage of our overall voting power as immediately prior to the time the Rights become exercisable. As of March 31, 2011, the Class B Common Stock represented approximately 70% of the overall voting power of the Company.

The Board of Directors urges stockholders to read carefully each proposal, the items discussed below under the heading “Certain Considerations Related to the Rights Agreement” and the full terms of the Rights Agreement. While the Board of Directors unanimously supports both measures, the Rights Agreement requires stockholder approval to remain effective and the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires stockholder adoption to be put into effect. Failure to obtain stockholder approval of the Rights Agreement will result in expiration of the Rights Agreement.

 

12


It is important to note that the Rights Agreement does not offer a complete solution, and an ownership change may occur even if the Rights Agreement is approved. The Rights Agreement may deter, but ultimately cannot block, all transfers of our common stock that might result in an ownership change. The limitations of the Rights Plan are described in more detail below. The Board of Directors believes that the Rights Agreement will serve as an important tool to help prevent an ownership change that could substantially reduce or eliminate the significant long-term potential benefits of our NOLs. Further, the Board of Directors notes that due to the severe downturn in the homebuilding industry over the past several years and the NOLs incurred by homebuilders as a result, a number of the Company’s competitors have recently adopted similar NOL measures to help protect these valuable assets. Accordingly, the Board of Directors strongly recommends that stockholders adopt the Rights Agreement and the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

13


PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

The Board of Directors is asking stockholders to approve the Rights Agreement, which was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on May 6, 2011. As explained above, the Rights Agreement was adopted by the Board of Directors in an effort to protect stockholder value by preserving the Company’s ability to use its NOLs, not to protect against the possibility of a hostile takeover. Failure to obtain stockholder approval will result in the expiration of the Rights Agreement.

Description of the Rights Agreement

The following description of the Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Rights Agreement, which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix II. We urge you to read carefully the Rights Agreement in its entirety as the discussion below is only a summary.

The Rights Agreement is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring (together with all affiliates and associates of such person) beneficial ownership of 4.95% or more of our outstanding common shares within the meaning of Section 382 (an “Acquiring Person”), other than with the approval of the Board of Directors. Stockholders who beneficially owned 4.95% or more of the Company’s outstanding common shares as of the close of business on its effective date are not an Acquiring Person so long as they do not acquire any additional common shares at a time when they still beneficially own 4.95% or more of the outstanding common shares.

The Rights. On May 6, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of one right per outstanding common share payable to the Company’s stockholders of record as of May 16, 2011. Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, if the rights become exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), for a purchase price of $12.80 per right (the “Purchase Price”). If issued, each fractional Series A Preferred Share would give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one common share. However, prior to exercise, a right does not give its holder any rights as a stockholder of the Company, including any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.

Initial Exercisability. The rights are not exercisable until the earlier of (i) ten days after a public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person and (ii) ten business days (or such later date as may be determined by the Board of Directors) after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by or on behalf of a person that, if completed, would result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person. We refer to the date that the rights become exercisable as the “Distribution Date.”

Until the Distribution Date, the Company’s common share certificates or the ownership statements issued with respect to uncertificated common shares will evidence the rights and will contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of common shares prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated rights. After the Distribution Date, separate rights certificates will be issued, and the rights may be transferred apart from the transfer of the underlying common shares, unless and until the Board of Directors has determined to effect an exchange pursuant to the Rights Agreement (as described below).

“Flip-In” Event. In the event that a person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a right, other than rights that are or, under certain circumstances, were beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will from and after the Distribution Date, have the right to receive, upon exercise of a right and payment of the Purchase Price, a number of common shares having a market value of two times the Purchase Price. However, rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of a person becoming an Acquiring Person until such time as the rights are no longer redeemable by the Company (as described below).

Exempted Persons and Exempted Transactions. The Board of Directors recognizes that there may be instances when an acquisition of the Company’s common shares that would cause a stockholder to become an

 

14


Acquiring Person may not jeopardize or endanger in any material respect the availability of the NOLs to the Company. Accordingly, the Rights Agreement grants discretion to the Board of Directors to designate a person as an “Exempted Person” or to designate a transaction involving the Company’s common shares as an “Exempted Transaction.” An “Exempted Person” cannot become an Acquiring Person and an “Exempted Transaction” cannot result in a person becoming an Acquiring Person. The Board of Directors can revoke an “Exempted Person” designation if it subsequently makes a contrary determination regarding whether a person jeopardizes or endangers in any material respect the availability of the NOLs to the Company.

Redemption. At any time until ten calendar days following the first date of public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person, the Company may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per right (the “Redemption Price”). The redemption of the rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the rights, the right to exercise the rights will terminate, and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.

Exchange. At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by the Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding common shares, the Board of Directors may exchange the rights (other than rights that have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one common share, or a fractional Series A Preferred Share (or of a share of a similar class or series of our preferred shares having similar rights, preferences and privileges) of equivalent value, per right (subject to adjustment). Immediately upon an exchange of any rights, the right to exercise such rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the number of common shares (or fractional Series A Preferred Share or of a share of a similar class or series of our preferred shares having similar rights, preferences and privileges) equal to the number of such rights held by such holder multiplied by the exchange ratio.

Expiration. The rights and the Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of the following:

 

   

if stockholders vote on and do not approve of the Rights Agreement, on the date of such vote;

 

   

if stockholder approval of the Rights Agreement is not received on or prior to May 6, 2012;

 

   

the close of business on May 6, 2014;

 

   

the redemption of the rights;

 

   

the exchange of the rights;

 

   

the close of business on the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute if the Board of Directors determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of certain tax benefits; and

 

   

the close of business on the first day of a taxable year to which the Board of Directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward.

Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Board of Directors may adjust the Purchase Price of the Series A Preferred Shares, the number of Series A Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding rights to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including among others, a share dividend, a share split or a reclassification of the Series A Preferred Shares or of the Company’s common shares. With certain exceptions, no adjustments to the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price.

Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date, the Board of Directors may supplement or amend any provision of the Rights Agreement in any respect without the approval of the holders of the rights. From and after the Distribution Date, no amendment can adversely affect the interests of the holders of the rights.

Recommendation

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Rights Agreement.

 

15


PROPOSAL 4

VOTING POWER OF THE CLASS B COMMON STOCK

Purposes of the Amendment

Under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each share of our Class B Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to fifteen (15) votes in each matter submitted to a vote of our common stockholders. In order to implement the Rights Agreement without impairing our existing dual-class voting structure, our Board proposes amending the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide that in the event the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable as provided in the Rights Agreement, the voting power of each share of Class B Common Stock will be modified to restore its proportionate voting power prior to the time the Rights became exercisable or exchangeable, taking into account the shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities for which the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to ensure that shareholders are neither advantaged or disadvantaged from a voting perspective by a triggering of the Rights. As of March 31, 2011, the Class B Common Stock represented approximately 70% of the overall voting power of the Company.

Amendment; Effective Date of the Amendment

Article IV(A)(2)(b) of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently provides that each share of our Class B Common Stock is entitled to fifteen (15) votes on matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Our Board has approved the amendment and restatement of Article IV(A)(2)(b) of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety to read as follows:

Each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to the Applicable Class B Per Share Vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation, except with respect to any Going Private Transaction (as hereinafter defined), which shall be governed by Paragraph (A)(10) of this Article IV. As used herein, “Applicable Class B Per Share Vote” means fifteen (15) votes, provided that (i) in the event the Rights (such term and other capitalized terms used in this Article (IV)(A)(2)(b) and not otherwise defined in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation having the meanings assigned to such terms in the Section 382 Rights Agreement dated as of May 6, 2011 between the Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, s the same may be amended from time to time (the “Rights Plan”)) become exercisable for Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities in accordance with Section 11 of the Rights Plan, “Applicable Class B Per Share Vote” shall mean the number of votes per share of Class B Common Stock that result in the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Class B Common Stock as a percentage of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately following time at which the Rights become so exercisable, when taken together with the aggregate voting power of all such Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities issuable upon exercise of Rights distributed with respect to the Class B Common Stock, being equal to the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Class B Common Stock as a percentage of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the time at which the Rights become so exercisable, assuming the exercise of all Rights (taking into account from time to time each adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock or other voting securities so issuable, each adjustment to the Purchase Price and each adjustment to the number of outstanding Rights that is given effect in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan), and (ii) in the event the Board of Directors of the Company takes an action to exchange all or any portion of the Rights for shares of Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities in accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Plan, from and after the date of such action, the calculation of the Applicable Class B Per Share Vote to be made pursuant to clause (i) of this proviso shall be made by substituting for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other voting securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights to be so exchanged the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other voting securities to be issued in exchange for such Rights.

 

16


If the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is approved by our stockholders, we will file an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State in order for the amendment to become effective. The full text of the certificate of amendment to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State can be found in the accompanying Appendix II. If we obtain stockholder approval of the proposed amendment, we intend to file the certificate of amendment as practicable following such approval. Our Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the proposal and without further action by our stockholders, not to proceed with the amendment at any time before the effective date of the certificate of amendment.

Dissenters Rights

Neither Delaware law nor our certificate of incorporation or bylaws provides our stockholders with the rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with respect to this amendment.

Recommendation

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to amend our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

17


CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Board of Directors believes that attempting to protect the tax benefits of our NOLs as described above under “Proposals 3 and 4 Background” is in our stockholders’ best interests. However, we cannot eliminate the possibility that an ownership change will occur even if the Rights Agreement is approved. Please consider the factors discussed below in voting on Proposals 3 and 4.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could challenge the amount of our NOLs or claim we experienced an ownership change, which could reduce the amount of our NOLs that we can use or eliminate our ability to use them altogether.

The IRS has not audited or otherwise validated the amount of our NOLs. The IRS could challenge the amount of our NOLs, which could limit our ability to use our NOLs to reduce our future income tax liability. In addition, the complexity of Section 382’s provisions and the limited knowledge any public company has about the ownership of its publicly traded stock make it difficult to determine whether an ownership change has occurred. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not claim that we experienced an ownership change and attempt to reduce or eliminate the benefit of our NOLs even if the Rights Agreement is in place.

Continued Risk of Ownership Change

Although the Rights Agreement is intended to reduce the likelihood of an ownership change, we cannot assure you that they would prevent all transfers of our common stock that could result in such an ownership change.

Potential Impact on Value

The Rights Agreement could depress the value of our common stock in an amount that could more than offset any value preserved from protecting our NOLs if investors object to holding our common stock subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement.

Potential Anti-Takeover Impact

The reason the Board of Directors adopted the Rights Agreement is to preserve the long-term value of our NOLs. While the Rights Agreement is not intended to prevent a takeover, it does have a potential anti-takeover effect because an Acquiring Person may be diluted upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Accordingly, the overall effects of the Rights Agreement may be to render more difficult, or discourage, a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or assumption of control by a substantial holder of our securities. Similarly, the effect of our dual class voting structure may be to render more difficult, or discourage, a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or assumption of control by a substantial holder of our securities and the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would ensure the continuation of that dual class structure without altering its effects (including any potential anti-takeover effects) if the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable.

Neither the Rights Agreement proposal nor the proposal to amend our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is part of a plan by us to adopt a series of anti-takeover measures, and we are not presently aware of any potential takeover transaction.

 

18


EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Christopher Clemente and Gregory V. Benson each serve pursuant to the terms of executive employment agreements dated as of December 17, 2004. Mr. Clemente’s agreement has an initial term of five years and Mr. Benson’s has an initial term of four years. Each agreement will automatically be extended for successive one-year periods beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of the agreement unless either party notifies the other that the term will not be extended. Under the agreements, Mr. Clemente’s and Mr. Benson’s minimum annual salary is $550,000, subject to potential increase by our Board of Directors from time to time. Mr. Clemente and Mr. Benson are eligible for a cash bonus of not less than 200% of his then-current salary, based upon the satisfaction of financial performance criteria. Mr. Clemente and Mr. Benson are also eligible for awards under our equity incentive plan and any similar executive compensation plans we may adopt from time to time. In 2006, our Board of Directors increased the minimum annual salary payable to Mr. Clemente to $700,000. Beginning in 2009 and continuing to date, Mr. Clemente and Mr. Benson deferred fifty percent of their salaries, and in April 2010, Mr. Benson began deferring thirty-five percent of his salary.

Mr. Clemente has agreed not to compete with us during the term of his employment and for two years after the termination of the agreement. Mr. Benson has agreed not to compete with us during the term of his employment and for 18 months after the termination of the agreement. Each of Mr. Clemente’s and Mr. Benson’s employment agreements and non-competition agreements, allow them to engage in the following permitted business activities: (i) development of commercial or for-rent residential (such as apartment buildings) real estate investment properties; (ii) development of speculative land holdings as residential lots intended for construction of for-sale residential dwellings, provided, however, that any such development by any entity in which Mr. Clemente or Mr. Benson, as applicable, has a controlling interest or decision-making power, must first be offered to the Company at a fair market value price; and (iii) secured real estate lending to unrelated third parties. In addition, each has agreed not to (i) engage in any for-sale residential construction activities in any of our then existing markets or in any market that we then plan to enter within six-months; or (ii) solicit our employees or certain other third parties for 24 months, in the case of Mr. Clemente and 18 months in the case of Mr. Benson.

Joseph M. Squeri serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to the terms of an executive employment agreement dated August 17, 2010. The initial term of his agreement is for three years and is automatically extended for successive one-year periods beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of the agreement unless either party notifies the other that the term will not be extended. Under the agreement, Mr. Squeri’s minimum annual salary is $250,000, subject to potential increase by the board of Directors from time to time. Mr. Squeri is entitled to receive an annual cash bonus of up to $50,000 based upon the satisfaction of certain performance criteria, also subject to potential increase by the board of Directors from time to time. Mr. Squeri is also eligible to receive awards under our equity incentive plan and any similar executive compensation plans we may adopt from time to time. Mr. Squeri has agreed not to compete with us during the term of his employment and for twelve months after the termination of the agreement.

Jubal R. Thompson serves as the General Counsel and Secretary of the Company pursuant to the terms of an executive employment agreement dated August 29, 2006. The initial term of his agreement was for three years and is automatically extended for successive one-year periods beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of the agreement unless either party notifies the other that the term will not be extended. Under the agreement, Mr. Thompson’s minimum annual salary was originally $200,000, subject to potential increase by the Board of Directors from time to time. Pursuant to the original employment agreement, Mr. Thompson was eligible to receive a cash bonus of not less than 75% of his then-current salary, based upon the satisfaction of certain performance criteria. In 2010, our Board of Directors increased the minimum annual salary payable to Mr. Thompson to $250,000 and an annual cash bonus of up to $50,000 based upon the satisfaction of certain performance criteria. Mr. Thompson is also eligible to receive awards under our equity incentive plan and any similar executive compensation plans we may adopt from time to time.

 

19


Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
$
    Bonus
$
    Stock
Awards(2)
$
    Option
Awards(2)
$
    Non-equity
Incentive Plan
$
    All Other
$(3)
    Total
$
 

Christopher Clemente(1)

    2010        274,000        —          —          —          —          274,000       548,000   

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (PEO)

    2009        389,000        —          —          —          —          159,833       548,833   

Gregory V. Benson(1)

    2010        243,775        —          —          —          —          154,225       398,000   

Chief Operating Officer

    2009        282,750        —          —          —          —          116,083       398,833   

Jubal Thompson

    2010        250,000        —          —          250,000        —          —          500,000   

General Counsel

    2009        190,000        —          —          —          —          —          190,000   

 

(1) Mr. Clemente and Mr. Benson have been deferring fifty percent of their salaries since 2009, but in April 2010, Mr. Benson began deferring thirty-five percent of his salary.

 

(2) There were no stock awards or option awards granted in 2009. Mr. Thompson was granted 250,000 options at an exercise price of $0.71 on February 12, 2010. This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (excluding forfeiture estimates) for grants of stock options received in 2010. The methodologies and assumptions utilized in the valuation of these awards are set forth in Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

(3) Represents salaries deferred as described in footnote one above.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

The following table sets forth the equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2010.

 

     Option Awards(1)      Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Name

   Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options

(2)
Exercisable
     Number of Securities
Underlying  Unexercised
Options
(#)(2)
Unexercisable
       

Christopher Clemente(3)

     18,750         6,250         1.00         12/31/17   

Gregory V. Benson

     —           —           —           —     

Jubal Thompson(4)

     75,000         25,000         1.00         12/31/17   
     250,000         —           .71         2/12/20   

 

(1) No executive officer had any unearned equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2010.

 

(2) The outstanding unexercisable options vest on December 15, 2011.

 

(3) Includes 25,000 stock options issued to Tracy Schar, Mr. Clemente’s wife.

 

(4) The 250,000 stock options issued to Mr. Thompson vested at issuance.

 

20


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Under the employment agreements with Messrs. Clemente and Benson, if such executive’s employment is terminated without cause or if such executive were to terminate his employment for good reason, each as defined in the agreement, such executive is entitled to continue to receive his then-current salary for 24 and 18 months, respectively. Messrs. Clemente and Benson will also be entitled to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to two times and one and one half times, respectively, 100% of the bonus he would have been entitled to had he remained our employee until the end of our fiscal year. This cash payment will be due and payable on the earlier of (i) 90 days after our last payment of such executive’s then-current salary or (ii) the end of the fiscal year in which our termination of such executive without cause or such executive’s termination for good reason occurs. In the event of our termination of such executive without cause or such executive’s termination for good reason within the six calendar month period prior to the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement) or within the 12 calendar month period following the effective date of a Change in Control, the cash payment will be due and payable in full within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control. Upon termination without cause, each executive is further entitled to continue to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements for a period of 12 months following termination.

Under the employment agreements with Messrs. Thompson and Squeri, if such executive’s employment is terminated without cause or if such executive were to terminate his employment for good reason, each as defined in the agreement, such executive is entitled to continue to receive his then-current salary for 12 months for Mr. Thompson and 6 months for Mr. Squeri until Mr. Squeri has one year of continuous employment with the Company, then 12 months. Messrs. Thompson and Squeri will also be entitled to receive a cash payment in an amount 100% of the bonus he would have been entitled to had he remained our employee until the end of our fiscal year. This cash payment will be due and payable on the earlier of (i) 90 days after our last payment of such executive’s then-current salary or (ii) the end of the fiscal year in which our termination of such executive without cause or such executive’s termination for good reason occurs. In the event of our termination of such executive without cause or such executive’s termination for good reason within the six calendar month period prior to the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement) or within the 12 calendar month period following the effective date of a Change in Control, the cash payment will be due and payable in full within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control. Upon termination without cause, each executive is further entitled to continue to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements for a period of 12 months following termination, except that Mr. Squeri shall only be entitled to a period of 6 months until he has one year of continuous employment with the Company, and then 12 months.

The following table describes the potential payments and benefits to which our executive officers would be entitled upon the happening of the following events: (i) a change of control of Comstock (with no termination of employment) and (ii) a change in the executive’s responsibilities by us. Calculations for this table are based on the assumption that the triggering event took place on December 31, 2010.

 

     Change of Control      Change of Responsibilities  

Name

   Cash      Acceleration of
Stock Awards
     Cash      Acceleration of
Stock Awards
 
     $      $      $      $  

Christopher Clemente

     1,096,000         —           1,096,000         —     

Gregory Benson

     597,000         —           597,000         —     

Jubal R. Thompson

     300,000         —           300,000         —     

Joseph M. Squeri

     175,000         —           175,000         —     

 

21


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

Other than the transactions described below, since January 1, 2009 there have not been, and there is not currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer, holder of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

We believe that all of these transactions are on terms that are comparable to or not less favorable than terms that would or could have been obtainable from unaffiliated third parties. All proposed future related party transactions will be submitted to our Board of Directors for review and will require a majority vote of the independent directors for approval. Ongoing transactions are reviewed annually to ensure that they are still comparable to or not less favorable than terms that would have or could have been obtainable from unaffiliated third parties. Our Chief Financial Officer and/or our General Counsel, assuming they are not party to the proposed transaction, coordinates with the independent directors in evaluating the fairness to us of the proposed transaction.

In October 2004, the Company entered into a lease agreement for its corporate headquarters at 11465 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, Virginia with Comstock Asset Management, L.C. (CAM), an entity wholly owned by Christopher Clemente. In October 2007, the lease agreement was amended decreasing the total square footage from approximately 24,000 to 17,000 and extending the term to four years through September 2011. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, total payments made under this lease agreement were $437,000 and $565,000 respectively. Pursuant to the terms of an early termination of the Lease by and between CAM and the Company (the “Lease Termination”), the Company agreed to surrender approximately 15,700 square feet of space to CAM in exchange for (i) CPM’s agreement to enter into the Lease for the reduced space and at a reduced rate; and (ii) the issuance of a warrant to purchase up to 55,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at a strike price equal to the average of the closing stock price for the twenty days immediately preceding the effective date of the Lease Termination in exchange for the forgiveness of approximately $110,000 in delinquent rent.

On or about January 15, 2010, Comstock Property Management, L.C. (“CPM”), a subsidiary of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. (the “Company”), agreed to enter into a new three year lease with CAM, for the use of approximately 8,200 square feet of office space at the Company’s existing headquarters (the “Lease”). During the year ended December 31, 2010, total payments made under the Lease were $196,093.

In November 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with CAM to sell certain retail condominium units at the Eclipse at Potomac Yard project (“Eclipse”) for a total purchase price of $14.5 million. The Company’s Board of Directors previously approved the final sale of the retail (non-residential) condominium units at the Eclipse and previously unallocated and unresolved financial obligations between Comstock Potomac Yard, L.C. (CPY) and CAM stemming from that certain agreement dated November 12, 2004, as amended on September 29, 2005 (the “Agreement”). The conveyance of the retail units occurred on December 21, 2007. Pursuant to the Agreement, CPY was required to bond off and indemnify CAM against any losses associated with the filing of mechanics liens against the retail units by CPY contractors or subcontractors. Balfour Beatty Construction, CPY’s general contractor for the Project, filed a mechanics lien against the entire project in a total amount of approximately $515,000 in July 2008. The pro-rata portion of the bond allocated to the retail units owned by CAM was $75,000 (the “Cash Bond”). On August 1, 2008, CAM made demand for bonding over and/or indemnification pursuant to the Agreement and on January 28, 2009, CPY paid the Cash Bond to CAM for purposes of bonding over the lien. On April 20, 2009, the mechanics liens were invalidated by court order, allowing for the return of any monies paid for bonding off the liens to be released to CAM and thereafter returned to CPY. However, CPY was unable to perform certain work under the Agreement required to grant CAM the requisite public access to its retail condominium units previously agreed to by CPY. As a result, the Board approved CAM’s retention of the Cash Bond to be used to perform the work and the parties released each other from any other unresolved financial costs under the Agreement.

 

22


In February 2008, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Stonehenge Funding, LC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CAM. The loan in the amount of $4.0 million was secured by the Company’s anticipated federal income tax refund for tax year 2007. Terms of the loan included interest-only payments at a fixed rate of 12% per annum and an origination fee paid by the Company to Stonehenge Funding at closing of the loan totaling $200,000. Participating in the loan were Gregory Benson ($500,000) and Tracy Schar ($1,500,000). In March 2008, the Company received its federal income tax refund and used a portion of the refund to settle the loan. Total interest payments of $16,000 were made to Stonehenge Funding on July 13, 2010 in the form of shares of Class A common stock.

On February 4, 2010, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Indenture (“Loan Modification Agreement”) with Stonehenge Funding, LC (the “Subordinate Lender”), an entity wholly-owned by Christopher Clemente, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, providing for the modification of one certain senior unsecured note in the outstanding principal amount of approximately $9,000,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid interest, as more particularly described in that certain Amended and Restated Indenture between the Company and JP Morgan Ventures (“JPMV”) dated March 14, 2008 (the “JP Morgan Debt”) which was purchased by the Subordinate Lender on December 23, 2009. Gregory Benson, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, subsequently purchased a participation interest in the JP Morgan Debt from the Subordinate Lender. The negotiations regarding the Loan Modification Agreement were handled by the independent members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

During 2003, the Company entered into agreements with I-Connect, L.C., a company in which Investors Management, LLC an entity wholly owned by Gregory Benson, holds a 25% interest, for information technology consulting services and the right to use certain customized enterprise software. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we paid $86,000 to I-Connect. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we paid $66,000 to I-Connect.

Pursuant to a Credit Enhancement Agreement by and between Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. and Gregory Benson, the COO and President of the Company, and Christopher Clemente, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (each, a “Guarantor”), the Guarantors have agreed to provide credit enhancement and the personal guarantee of loans with Cardinal Bank and Eagle Bank in exchange for payment by the Company of a Credit Enhancement Fee. One-half of the Credit Enhancement Fee is payable monthly, in arrears, and the remaining half is deferred and payable on an annual basis. The Company has paid approximately $18,500 to each Guarantor through March 2011.

On February 11, 2011, Comstock Services, L.C., a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Owner-Contractor Agreement with CRS Construction Services, L.C., an entity wholly-owned by Christopher Clemente, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to perform paving and certain site improvement work to property in Reston, Virginia which is owned by Fairfax County, Virginia. The Contract Sum was for approximately $1 million and the work was completed in April 2011.

Comstock Services, L.C., a subsidiary of the Company, intends to enter into a Subcontract Agreement with Davis Construction, LLC to perform sitework and land development for a project known as Loudoun Station in Loudoun County, Virginia. Comstock Partners, L.C., an entity wholly-owned by Christopher Clemente, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is the owner of the Loudoun Station project. The costs associated with this work cannot be estimated at this time.

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

Our policy for the review and approval of transactions between us and related persons is set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, it is the responsibility of our independent directors to review and make recommendations to the full Board of Directors concerning all related party transactions (as specified in Item 404 of Regulation S-K).

 

23


OTHER INFORMATION

Beneficial Ownership of Principal Shareholders, Directors and Officers

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock on March 31, 2011, by (1) each director and named executive officer of our Company, (2) all directors and executive officers of our Company as a group, and (3) each person known by us to own more than 5% of our common stock.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Class A common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2011, are deemed outstanding, while the shares are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting or investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.

 

     Class A
Common Stock(1)
    Class B
Common Stock
    Beneficial Ownership of
Class A and Class B
Common Stock Combined
 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number      Percent of
Class
    Number      Percent of
Class
    Economic
(%)
    Voting
(%)(1)
 

Executive Officers and Directors

              

Christopher Clemente(2)

     2,603,340         15.2 %     1,366,750         50.0 %     19.9 %     39.7

Gregory V. Benson(3)

     1,249,890         7.3 %     1,366,750         50.0 %     13.2 %     37.4

Jubal R. Thompson

     391,659         2.2 %     —           —          1.9 %     *   

A. Clayton Perfall

     259,789         1.5     —           —          1.3 %     *   

James A. MacCutcheon

     140,903         0.8 %     —           —          *        *   

Norman D. Chirite

     132,977         *        —           —          *        *   

Socrates Verses(5)

     164,387         1.0 %     —           —          *        *   

David M. Guernsey

     138,699         *        —           —          *        *   

Joseph Squeri

     100,000         *        —           —          *        *   

Robert Pincus(4)

     99,950         *        —           —          *        *   

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)

     5,281,594         30.8 %     2,733,500         100 %     40.3 %     79.6

Other 5% holders

              

Royce and Associates(6)

     1,731,715         9.8     —           —          8.7 %     3.0 %

Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap Master Fund, GP(7)

     1,353,417         7.7     —           —          6.8 %     2.3 %

 

 * Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock

 

(1) Does not include shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of Class B common stock. Percentage total voting power represents voting power with respect to all shares of our Class A and Class B common stock, as a single class. Each holder of Class B common stock shall be entitled to fifteen votes per share of Class B common stock and each holder of Class A common stock shall be entitled to one vote per share of Class A common stock on all matters submitted to our stockholders for a vote. The Class A common stock and the Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, except as may otherwise be provided in our certificate of incorporation or as required by law. The Class B common stock is convertible at any time by the holder into shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.

 

(2)

Includes the following held by Mr. Clemente’s wife, Tracy Schar: 154,372 shares of Class A common stock including exercisable stock options to purchase 18,750 shares and warrants of 25,000 shares of Class A

 

24


 

common stock. 69,333 shares of Class A common stock and 1,366,750 shares of Class B common stock are held by FR54, LLC, an entity that is owned by Mr. Clemente and his wife. 60,000 shares are held in various trusts for the benefit Mr. Clemente’s children. Mr. Clemente is the custodian for each trust.

 

(3) 350,083 shares of Class A common stock and 1,366,750 shares of Class B common stock are held by Clareth LLC, an entity that is wholly owned by Mr. Benson.

 

(4) 9,676 shares are held by RLR Investment Management, LLC, an entity that is owned by Mr. Pincus.

 

(5) Includes 2,000 shares of Class A common stock, with respect to which Mr. Verses disclaims beneficial ownership. The shares are held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Verses’ children. Mr. Verses’ wife is the custodian of these trusts.

 

(6) Royce & Associates, LLC. 745 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10151.

 

(7) Prescott Group Capital management, L.L.C. 1924 South Utica, Suite 1120, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-6529.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

As noted above, during 2010 our Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Chirite, Guernsey and Verses. None of these individuals had any contractual or other relationships with us during the fiscal year except as directors. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers, and persons that own more than 10% of a registered class of our Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish our Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon our review of the copies of such forms received by us during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that each person who, at any time during such fiscal year, was a director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during such fiscal year, except that Messrs. Chirite, MacCutcheon, Perfall and Verses did not timely file four Form 4s reporting four transactions each. The Form 4s reporting the four transactions each were filed by these persons on April 18, 2011.

Incorporated by Reference

To the extent that this proxy statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, the section of this proxy statement entitled “Report of the Audit Committee” (to the extent permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) will not be deemed incorporated unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing. The information contained in this section shall not be deemed “filed” with the SEC, or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

Other Matters

We know of no other matters to be submitted to the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the shares they represent as our Board of Directors may recommend.

Dated: May 17, 2011

 

25


ANNEX I

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

and

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

as

Rights Agent

Section 382 Rights Agreement

Dated as of May 6, 2011


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

         Page  

Section 1.

  Certain Definitions      1   

Section 2.

  Appointment of Rights Agent      5   

Section 3.

  Issue of Rights Certificates      5   

Section 4.

  Form of Rights Certificates      7   

Section 5.

  Countersignature and Registration      7   

Section 6.

  Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates      8   

Section 7.

  Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights      9   

Section 8.

  Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates      9   

Section 9.

  Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock      10   

Section 10.

  Preferred Stock Record Date      11   

Section 11.

  Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights      12   

Section 12.

  Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares      17   

Section 13.

  [RESERVED]      17   

Section 14.

  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares      18   

Section 15.

  Rights of Action      18   

Section 16.

  Agreement of Rights Holders      19   

Section 17.

  Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder      19   

Section 18.

  Concerning the Rights Agent      19   

Section 19.

  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent      20   

Section 20.

  Duties of Rights Agent      20   

Section 21.

  Change of Rights Agent      22   

Section 22.

  Issuance of New Rights Certificates      22   

Section 23.

  Redemption and Termination      23   

Section 24.

  Notice of Certain Events      23   

Section 25.

  Notices      24   

Section 26.

  Supplements and Amendments      24   

Section 27.

  Exchange      25   

Section 28.

  Successors      26   

Section 29.

  Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc      26   

Section 30.

  Benefits of this Agreement      26   

Section 31.

  Severability      27   

Section 32.

  Governing Law      27   

Section 33.

  Counterparts      27   

Section 34.

  Descriptive Headings      27   
Exhibit A — Form of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock      A-1   
Exhibit B — Form of Rights Certificate      B-1   
Exhibit C — Summary of Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock      C-1   

 

-i-


SECTION 382 RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SECTION 382 RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of May 6, 2011 (the “Agreement”), between Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company (the “Rights Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Company has generated NOLs (as defined in Section 1 hereof) for United States federal income tax purposes; and such NOLs may potentially provide valuable tax benefits to the Company; the Company desires to avoid an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and thereby preserve the ability to utilize fully such NOLs and certain other tax benefits; and, in furtherance of such objective, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, on May 6, 2011 (the “Rights Dividend Declaration Date”), the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and one Right for each share of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”) of the Company outstanding at the close of business on May 16, 2011 (the “Record Date”), and has authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions hereof) for each share of Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B Common Stock issued between the Record Date (whether originally issued or delivered from the Company’s treasury) and the earlier of the close of business on the Distribution Date (as defined in Section 3 hereof) and the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 7(a) hereof), each Right initially representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form of Designations, Preferences and Rights attached hereto as Exhibit A, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

(a) “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company, or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or (iv) any Exempted Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” solely as a result of an Exempted Transaction. No Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” as a result of such Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of shares of Class A Common Stock into which shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible or have been converted pursuant to Article IV(a) of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

(b) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person whose Common Stock would be deemed constructively owned by such first Person for purposes of Section 382 of the Code, would be deemed owned by a single “entity” as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.382-3(a)(1) in which both such Persons are included, or otherwise would be deemed aggregated with Common Stock owned by such first Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 382 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed to be the Affiliate or Associate of another Person solely because either or both Persons are or were directors of the Company.


(c) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, and shall be deemed to “beneficially own,” any securities:

(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of an event) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, other rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any time prior to the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, (C) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, which Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof (the “Original Rights”) or pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights, or (D) securities issued or issuable pursuant to any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any employment agreement, arrangement or other understanding between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates; or

(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or has “beneficial ownership” of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” any security under this subparagraph (ii) as a result of (A) an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (2) is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report), or (B) securities issued or issuable pursuant to any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any employment agreement, arrangement or other understanding between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates;

(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (c)) or disposing of any voting securities of the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (c) shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty (40) days after the date of such acquisition, and then only if such securities continue to be owned by such Person at such expiration of forty (40) days; or

(iv) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent not within the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(c), a Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially own” or have “beneficial ownership” of, securities which such Person would be deemed to constructively own or which otherwise would be aggregated with shares owned by such Person pursuant to Section 382 of the Code, or any successor provision or replacement provision and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(d) “Book Entry” shall mean an uncertificated book entry for the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.

(e) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

2


(f) “Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(g) “Class B Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(h) “close of business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

(i) “Code” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(j) “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 11(d)(i) and 11(d)(ii) hereof.

(k) “Current Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(l) “Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

(m) “Equivalent Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) hereof.

(n) “Exempted Person” shall mean any Person who, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,

(i) is the Beneficial Owner of securities (as disclosed in public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Rights Dividend Declaration Date), representing 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on the Rights Dividend Declaration Date, provided, however, that any such Person described in this clause (i) shall no longer be deemed to be an Exempted Person and shall be deemed an Acquiring Person if such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock that such Person had at any time since the Rights Dividend Declaration Date, except solely (x) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such Person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (y) as a result of a repurchase or redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company; or

(ii) becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities representing 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock then outstanding because of a reduction in the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock then outstanding as a result of the purchase by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company of shares of Class A Common Stock, provided, however, that any such Person described in this clause (ii) shall no longer be deemed to be an Exempted Person and shall be deemed an Acquiring Person if such Person, itself or together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner, at any time after the date such Person became the Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock that such Person had at any time since the date such Person first became the Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, except solely (x) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such Person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (y) as a result of a repurchase or redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company; or

(iii) is a Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and whose beneficial ownership, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, (x) would not jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of its NOLs or other Tax Benefits or (y) is otherwise in the best interests of the Company, provided, however, that if a Person is an Exempted Person solely by

 

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reason of this clause (iii), then such Person shall cease to be an Exempted Person if (A) such Person ceases to beneficially own 4.95% or more of the shares of the then outstanding Class A Common Stock, (B) after the date of such determination by the Board of Directors, such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock that such Person had at any time since the date such Person first became the Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, except solely (I) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such Person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (II) as a result of a redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company, or (C) the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such Person’s beneficial ownership (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) with respect to the availability to the Company of its NOLs or other Tax Benefits.

A purchaser, assignee or transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock (or warrants or options exercisable for Class A Common Stock) from an Exempted Person shall not thereby become an Exempted Person, except that a transferee from the estate of an Exempted Person who receives Class A Common Stock as a bequest or inheritance from an Exempted Person shall be an Exempted Person so long as such Person continues to be the Beneficial Owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

(o) “Exempted Transaction” shall mean any transaction that the Board of Directors determines, in its sole discretion, is exempt from this Agreement in whole or in part (to the extent of such determination), which determination shall be made in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors prior to the date of such transaction, including, without limitation, if the Board of Directors determines that (i) neither the Beneficial Ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock by any Person, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transaction nor any other aspect of such transaction would jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of the Tax Benefits or (ii) such transaction is otherwise in the best interests of the Company. In granting an exemption under this definition, the Board of Directors may require any Person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person to make certain representations or undertakings or to agree that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings will result in such consequences and subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine in its sole discretion, including that any such violation shall result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person.

(p) “Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(q) “Final Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(r) “NOLs” shall mean the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards.

(s) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, or a group of Persons making a “coordinated acquisition” of shares or otherwise treated as an entity within the meaning of Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such individual or entity, but shall not include a Public Group (as such term is defined in Section 1.382-2T(f)(13) of the Treasury Regulations).

(t) “Preferred Stock” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and, to the extent that there are not a sufficient number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock authorized to permit the full exercise of the Rights, any other series of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated for such purpose containing terms substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

(u) “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

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(v) “Record Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

(w) “Right” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

(x) “Rights Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

(y) “Rights Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

(z) “Rights Dividend Declaration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

(aa) “Section 11(a)(ii) Event” shall mean any event described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(bb) “Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

(cc) “Subsidiary” shall mean, with reference to any Person, any Person of which a majority of the voting power of voting equity securities or equity interests is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or otherwise controlled by such Person.

(dd) “Substitution Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(ee) “Summary of Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.

(ff) “Trading Day” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.

(gg) “Tax Benefits” shall mean the net operating loss carryovers, capital loss carryovers, general business credit carryovers, alternative minimum tax credit carryovers, foreign tax credit carryovers, any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(hh) “Treasury Regulations” shall mean final, temporary and proposed income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended.

Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-rights agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.

Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates.

(a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than any Exempted Person, the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such Person would become an Acquiring Person (the earlier of (i) and (ii) (or, the Record Date, if either such event occurs prior to the Record Date) being

 

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herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the certificates for the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, which certificates for Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock shall be deemed also to be certificates for Rights (or by Book Entry shares in respect of such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock), and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign and the Rights Agent will send by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more rights certificates, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the “Rights Certificates”), evidencing one Right for each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock has been made pursuant to Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.

(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company shall send a copy of a Summary of Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Summary of Rights”), by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (or Book Entry shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, or issued subsequent to the Record Date, unless and until the Distribution Date shall occur, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates for the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or the Book Entry shares) and the registered holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights. Until the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Expiration Date (as such term is defined in Section 7 hereof) or the redemption of the Rights pursuant to Section 23 hereof, the transfer of any certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or the Book Entry shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) in respect of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or Book Entry shares.

(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock which are issued (whether originally issued or from the Company’s treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Expiration Date or the redemption of the Rights pursuant to Section 23 hereof. Certificates representing such shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear a legend substantially in the following form: “This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Rights Agent”), dated as of May 6, 2011 (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal offices of the Rights Agent. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Rights Agent will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null and void.” With respect to any Book Entry shares

 

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of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, such legend shall be included in a notice to the registered holder of such shares in accordance with applicable law. With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, or any notice of the foregoing legend delivered to holders of Book Entry shares, until the earlier of the (i) Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights associated with the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock represented by such certificates or Book Entry shares shall be evidenced by such certificates or Book Entry shares alone and registered holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer of any of such certificates or Book Entry shares shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock represented thereby. The failure of any such legend to be included on any such certificate or of any such notice to be given shall not affect the validity of enforceability of this Agreement.

Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates.

(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be dated as of the Record Date or, in the case of Rights with respect to Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock issued or becoming outstanding after the Record Date, the same date as the date of the share certificate evidencing such shares, and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one one-thousandth of a share, the “Purchase Price”), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a), Section 11(i) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by any Person known to be: (i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any continuing plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, or (iv) subsequent transferees of such Persons described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence, and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) a legend substantially in the following form: “The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section 7(e) of such Agreement.” The absence of the foregoing legend on any Rights Certificate shall in no way affect any of the other provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 7(e).

Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.

(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or any Vice President, either manually or by

 

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facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as the appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon exercise or transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.

Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or, following a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Class A Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate or Certificates surrendered then entitles such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e), Section 14 and Section 27 hereof, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates. The Rights Agent shall promptly forward any such sum collected by it to the Company or to such Persons as the Company shall specify by written notice.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company’s request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

 

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Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.

(a) Subject to Section 7(e) and Section 27 hereof, the registered holder of any Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a) hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to the total number of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are then exercisable, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the close of business on May 6, 2014 (the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof, (iii) the time at which all of the Rights (other than Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) are exchanged for Class A Common Stock or other assets or securities as provided in Section 27 hereof, (iv) the close of business on the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that this Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of Tax Benefits, (v) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board of Directors of the Company determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward, or (vi) the earlier of (A) the date on which shareholders vote on and do not approve of this Agreement (if any) or (B) the first anniversary of adoption of the Agreement if shareholder approval of the Agreement has not been received by or on such date (the earliest of (i) and (ii) and (iii) and (iv) and (v) and (vi) being herein referred to as the “Expiration Date”).

(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $12.80, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised, of the Purchase Price per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other shares, securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased as set forth below and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company shall direct the depositary agent to comply with such request, requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if any, to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to, or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash described in clause (ii) hereof, if any, to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) shall be made in cash or by certified bank check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company. In the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities (including Class A Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate. The Company reserves the right to require prior to the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event that, upon any exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of Preferred Stock would be issued.

 

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(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights beneficially owned by any Person known to be (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), or (iv) subsequent transferees of such Persons described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence, shall become null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or any of its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) properly completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates. All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, out of its authorized and unissued shares of Class A Common Stock and/or other securities or out of its authorized and issued shares held in its treasury), the number of shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Class A Common Stock and/or other securities) that, as provided in this Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Class A Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be

 

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listed on any national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B) the date of the expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension has been rescinded. In addition, if the Company shall determine that a registration statement is required following the Distribution Date, the Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights until such time as a registration statement has been declared effective. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained, the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law or a registration statement shall not have been declared effective.

(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Class A Common Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such shares (or Units) (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and of any certificates for a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s satisfaction that no such tax is due.

Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such fractional shares of Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are

 

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closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable upon exercise of one Right. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 27, in the event any Person shall become an Acquiring Person, then, promptly following the occurrence of such event, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of a number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and (y) dividing that product (which, following such first occurrence, shall thereafter be referred to as the “Purchase Price” for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the Current Market Price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Class A Common Stock on the date of such first occurrence (such number of shares, the “Adjustment Shares”).

(iii) In the event that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which are authorized by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation but not outstanding, subscribed for or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), the Company shall (A) determine the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the “Current Value”), and (B) with respect to each Right (subject to Section 7(e) hereof), make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon the exercise of a Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash,

 

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(2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of shares, of preferred stock, such as the Preferred Stock, which the Board of Directors of the Company has deemed to have essentially the same value or economic rights as shares of Class A Common Stock), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in the Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board; provided, however, that if the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and (y) the date on which the Company’s right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the “Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date”), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Class A Common Stock (to the extent available), and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “Spread” shall mean the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the Purchase Price. If the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Class A Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is herein called the “Substitution Period”). To the extent that the Company determines that action should be taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (1) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (2) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek such stockholder approval for such authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of each Adjustment Share shall be the Current Market Price per share of the Class A Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per share or per unit value of any Class A Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the Current Market Price per share of the Class A Common Stock on such date.

(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar days after such record date) Preferred Stock (or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock (“Equivalent Preferred Stock”)) or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock at a price per share of Preferred Stock or per share of Equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the Current Market Price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of consideration part or all of which may be in a form other than cash,

 

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the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation) of cash (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but including any dividend payable in stock other than Preferred Stock) or evidences of indebtedness, or of subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a share of Preferred Stock and the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the Current Market Price per share of Class A Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Class A Common Stock for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the Current Market Price per share of Class A Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Class A Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately following such date; provided, however, that in the event that the Current Market Price per share of the Class A Common Stock is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Class A Common Stock of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or securities convertible into shares of such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (other than the Rights), or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, and the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall not have occurred prior to the commencement of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or ten (10) Trading Day period, as set forth above, then, and in each such case, the Current Market Price shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ or, if the shares of Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the shares of

 

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Class A Common Stock is not so quoted, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Class A Common Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no market maker is making a market in the Class A Common Stock, the fair value of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board shall be used. The term “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the shares of Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Class A Common Stock is not publicly held or not so listed or traded, Current Market Price per share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.

(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the same manner as set forth above for the Class A Common Stock in clause (i) of this Section 11(d) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner provided above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner described in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to 1,000 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Class A Common Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement) multiplied by the Current Market Price per share of the Class A Common Stock. If neither the Class A Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly held or so listed or traded, Current Market Price per share of the Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of this Agreement, the Current Market Price of a Unit shall be equal to the Current Market Price of one share of Preferred Stock divided by 1,000.

(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-thousandth of a share of Class A Common Stock or other share of capital stock or one-ten millionth of a share of Preferred Stock, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment, or (ii) the Expiration Date.

(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at

 

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the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-ten millionth of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by:

(i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and

(ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one one-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price per one one-thousandth of a share and the number of one one-thousandths of a share which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.

(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.

(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

 

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(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the Current Market Price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets, cash flow or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Company shall at any time after the Rights Dividend Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or (iii) combine or consolidate the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock following any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction the numerator which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.

Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the Preferred Stock, the Class A Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or Book Entry shares in respect thereof) in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained.

Section 13. [RESERVED]

 

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Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.

(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights, except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p) hereof, or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading, or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market or such system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not so quoted, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock). In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one one-thousandth of the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(c) Following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Class A Common Stock upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Class A Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Class A Common Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock shall be the closing price of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights expressly waives his or her right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.

Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, except the rights of action that are given to the Rights Agent under Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock), may, in such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit, enforce, and may

 

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institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder’s right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.

Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of a Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock;

(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;

(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Class A Common Stock certificate or Class B Common Stock certificate (or Book Entry shares in respect of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock)) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Class A Common Stock certificate or Class B Common Stock certificate (or notices provided to holders of Book Entry shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to the contrary; and

(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.

Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.

(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees

 

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and disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises. In no case shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage.

(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate for Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.

Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.

(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust, stock transfer or other shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; but only if such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes only the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement (and no implied duties) upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the determination of Current Market Price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any

 

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Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Class A Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Class A Common Stock or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer.

(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct; provided, however, reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder through any corporate trust, stock issuance or stock transfer powers as may be reasonably determine is necessary for such purpose.

 

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(k) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(l) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.

Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail, and, if such resignation occurs after the Distribution Date, to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may, in its sole discretion, remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail, and, if such resignation occurs after the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be either (a) a legal business entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate of a legal business entity described in clause (a) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, and, if such appointment occurs after the Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates

 

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representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

Section 23. Redemption and Termination.

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the close of business on the twentieth day following the Record Date), or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right, as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”). Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company’s right of redemption hereunder has expired. The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock (based on the “Current Market Price,” as defined in Section 11(d)(i) hereof, of the Class A Common Stock at the time of redemption) or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have been filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price for each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at each holder’s last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.

Section 24. Notice of Certain Events.

(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the assets, cash flow or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in

 

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the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days prior to the record date for determining holders of the shares of Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier.

(b) In case any of the events set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then, in any such case, (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer to Class A Common Stock and/or, if appropriate, other securities.

(c) The failure to give any notice provided for herein shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any action intended to be the subject thereof.

Section 25. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc.

11465 Sunset Hills Road, 4th Floor

Reston, Virginia 20190

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Attention: Corporate Trust Department

With a copy to:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Attention: General Counsel

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

Section 26. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date and subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 26, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. From and after the Distribution Date and subject to the

 

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penultimate sentence of this Section 26, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); provided, however, this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 26, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price, the Purchase Price or the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable or which extends the Final Expiration Date, and following the first occurrence of an event set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the first sentence of Section 23(a) hereof, any supplement or amendment shall require the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

Section 27. Exchange.

(a) The Company may, at its option, at any time after the Stock Acquisition Date, upon resolution by the Board of Directors of the Company, exchange all or part of the then outstanding Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) for Class A Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Class A Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date of this Agreement (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “Section 27(a)(i) Exchange Ratio”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not effect such exchange at any time after any Acquiring Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Acquiring Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of shares of Class A Common Stock and/or shares of Class B Common Stock representing 50% or more of the voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common Stock then outstanding. The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors of the Company may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion may establish. Prior to effecting an exchange pursuant to this Section 27, the Board of Directors of the Company may direct the Company to enter into a trust agreement in such form and with such terms as the Board of Directors of the Company shall then approve (the “Trust Agreement”). If the Board of Directors of the Company so directs, the Company shall enter into the Trust Agreement and shall issue to the trust created by such agreement (the “Trust”) all of the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exchange, and all Persons entitled to receive shares pursuant to the exchange shall be entitled to receive such shares (and any dividends or distributions made thereon after the date on which such shares are deposited in the Trust) only from the Trust and solely upon compliance with the relevant terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 27 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Section 27(a)(i) Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is

 

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mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the shares of Class A Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Class A Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 27, the Company shall make adequate provision to substitute, to the extent that there are insufficient shares of Class A Common Stock available (1) cash, (2) other equity securities of the Company, (3) debt securities of the Company, (4) other assets or (5) any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value per Right equal to the then current per share market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) of the Class A Common Stock multiplied by the Section 27(a)(i) Exchange Ratio, where such aggregate value has been determined by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, after receiving advice from a nationally recognized investment banking firm. To the extent that the Company determines that any such substitution must be made, the Company shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such substitution shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights.

(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Class A Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Class A Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of Class A Common Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of Class A Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Class A Common Stock. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the current market value of a whole share of Class A Common Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Class A Common Stock (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of the exchange pursuant to this Section 27.

Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. Without limitation of Section 1(c), any calculation of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d- 3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company) shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company) or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations which are done or made by the Board (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company) in good faith, shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties.

Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock) any legal or

 

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equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock).

Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the close of business on the twentieth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.

Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such state applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such state.

Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof and the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto,” “hereunder” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other provision hereof.

[SIGNATURE PAGE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

Attest:

      COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

By:

  

/s/ Jubal R. Thompson

   By:   

/s/ Christopher Clemente

  

Name: Jubal R. Thompson

      Name: Christopher Clemente
  

Title:   General Counsel

      Title:   CEO
Attest:    AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

By:

  

/s/ Isaac J. Kacan

   By:   

/s/ Paula Caroppoli

  

Name: Isaac J. Kacan

      Name: Paula Caroppoli
  

Title:   Vice President

      Title:   Senior Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

Form of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating

Preferred Stock of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc.

Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 50,000.

Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.

(a) The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Class A Common Stock”) or a dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Class B Common Stock”) since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after May 6, 2011 (the “Rights Declaration Date”) (i) declare any dividend on Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

(c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of

 

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which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

(c) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the beginning of a period (herein called a “default period”) which shall extend until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on all shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During each default period, all holders of Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock) with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to elect two (2) Directors.

(ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised initially at a special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3(c) or at any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of stockholders, provided that such voting right shall not be exercised unless the holders of ten percent (10%) in number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding shall be present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock of such voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Preferred Stock shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing default period, they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect Directors to fill such vacancies, if any, in the Board of Directors as may then exist up to two (2) Directors or, if such right is exercised at an annual meeting, to elect two (2) Directors from the class of Directors being elected at such annual meeting. If the number which may be so elected at any special meeting does not amount to the required number, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase in the number of Directors in the class elected at the most recent annual meeting of stockholders as shall be necessary to permit the election by them of the required number. After the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect Directors in any default period and during the continuance of such period, the number of Directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of

 

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the holders of Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant to the rights of any equity securities ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

(iii) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an existing default period, have previously exercised their right to elect Directors, the Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective of series, may request, the calling of a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock, which meeting shall thereupon be called by the President, a Vice-President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of such meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to this Paragraph (c)(iii) shall be given to each holder of record of Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to such holder at such holder’s last address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Such meeting shall be called for a time not earlier than twenty (20) days and not later than sixty (60) days after such order or request, or in default of the calling of such meeting within sixty (60) days after such order or request, such meeting may be called on similar notice by any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph (c)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during the period within sixty (60) days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the stockholders.

(iv) In any default period, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, and other classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be entitled to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders of Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect two (2) Directors voting as a class, after the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their successors shall have been elected by such holders or until the expiration of the default period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except as provided in Paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section 3) be filled by vote of a majority of the remaining Directors theretofore elected by the holders of the class of stock which elected the Director whose office shall have become vacant. References in this Paragraph (c) to Directors elected by the holders of a particular class of stock shall include Directors elected by such Directors to fill vacancies as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.

(v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the right of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class to elect Directors shall cease, (y) the term of any Directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Corporation irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Corporation). Any vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors.

(d) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

Section 4. Certain Restrictions.

(a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 hereof are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

 

A-3


(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; or

(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under Paragraph (a) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

(a) Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to $1,000 per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment (the “Series A Liquidation Preference”). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall have received an amount per share (the “Common Adjustment”) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 1,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph (c) below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the “Adjustment Number”). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number (with respect to such Preferred Stock) to 1 (with respect to such Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock) on a per share basis.

 

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(b) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, which rank on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

(c) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

Section 9. Amendment. The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

Section 10. Fractional Shares. Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

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Exhibit B

[Form of Rights Certificate]

Certificate No. R-                                                                             Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER APRIL 29, 2014 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $0.001 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]

Rights Certificate

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

This certifies that [            ], or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2011 (the “Rights Agreement”), between Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on May 6, 2014 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid, non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company, at a purchase price of $12.80 per one one-thousandth of a share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price per share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of May 6, 2011 based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date. The Company reserves the right to require prior to the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) that a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of Preferred Stock will be issued.

Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.

As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities, which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including a Section 11(a)(ii) Event.

This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to

 

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which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent and are also available upon written request to the Rights Agent.

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of the close of business on (i) the tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date (as such time period may be extended pursuant to the Rights Agreement), and (ii) the Final Expiration Date. In addition, the Rights may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for shares of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or shares of preferred stock of the Company having essentially the same value or economic rights as such shares. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing any such exchange, and without any further action or any notice, the Rights (other than Rights which are not subject to such exchange) will terminate and the Rights will only enable holders to receive the shares issuable upon such exchange. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem the Rights shall require the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give consent to or withhold consent from any corporate action, or, to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 

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WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.

Dated as of                                         

 

Attest:      COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.
By:   

 

     By:   

 

   Name:         Name:
   Title:         Title:
Countersigned:        
Attest:      AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
By:   

Authorized Signature

     By:   

 

   Name:         Name:
   Title         Title:

 

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[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED                      hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto                      (Please print name and address of transferee) this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney, to transfer the within Rights

Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated:                                                                                        

Signature:                                                                                  

Signature Guaranteed:

Certificate

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

 

  (1) this Rights Certificate [                    ] is [                    ] is not being sold, assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);

 

  (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [                    ] did [                    ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

Dated:                                                                                        

Signature:                                                                                  

Signature Guaranteed:

NOTICE

The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)

To: COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                      Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the Company or of any other person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security or other identifying number                                                      

(Please print name and address):

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security or other identifying number (Please print name and address):

      Dated:                                                                                      
      Signature:                                                                                
Signature Guaranteed:      
Certificate      

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

 

  (1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [                    ] are [                    ] are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);

 

  (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [                    ] did [                    ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
      Dated:                                                                                      
      Signature:                                                                                
Signature Guaranteed:      
NOTICE      

The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


Exhibit C

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE SERIES A JUNIOR

PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

On May 6, 2011, the Board of Directors of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the execution of a Section 382 Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Rights Agent”). The Rights Agreement provides for a distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”), of the Company outstanding to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 16, 2011 (the “Record Date”). Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a unit (a “Unit”) consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), at a Purchase Price of $12.80 per Unit (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement.

The Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Rights Agreement in an effort to protect stockholder value by attempting to protect against a possible limitation on the Company’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards (the “NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations. The Company has experienced and continues to experience substantial operating losses, and under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may “carry forward” these losses in certain circumstances to offset any current and future earnings and thus reduce the Company’s federal income tax liability, subject to certain requirements and restrictions. To the extent that the NOLs do not otherwise become limited, the Company believes that it will be able to carry forward a significant amount of NOLs, and therefore these NOLs could be a substantial asset to the Company. However, if the Company experiences an “Ownership Change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Code, its ability to use the NOLs will be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, which could therefore significantly impair the value of that asset.

A copy of the Rights Agreement is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company. This Summary of Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Distribution Date; Acquiring Persons; Transfer of Rights. Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Class A Common Stock certificates and Class B Common Stock certificates representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will be distributed. Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Rights Agreement, the Rights will separate from the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and a Distribution Date will occur upon the earlier of (i) ten (10) days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 4.95% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Stock Acquisition Date”) or (ii) ten (10) business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 4.95% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. The definition of Acquiring Person excludes any Exempted Person (as defined below) and any person who would become an Acquiring Person solely as a result of an Exempted Transaction (as defined below). Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Class A Common Stock certificates and Class B Common Stock certificates (or book entry shares in respect of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) and will be transferred with and only with such Class A Common Stock certificates and Class B Common Stock certificates (or book entry shares in respect of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock), (ii) new Class A Common Stock certificates and Class B Common Stock certificates (or book entry shares in respect of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) after the Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and, with respect to any uncertificated book entry

 

C-1


shares issued after the Record Date, proper notice will be provided that incorporates the Rights Agreement by reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or book entry shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock) outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock represented by such certificate or book entry shares.

As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, only shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.

Exempted Persons. The following persons shall be “Exempted Persons” under the Rights Agreement:

(i) Any person who, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, is the beneficial owner of Class A Common Stock, options and/or warrants exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock representing 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on May 12, 2011, will be an “Exempted Person.” However, any such person will no longer be deemed to be an Exempted Person and shall be deemed an Acquiring Person if such person, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Class A Common Stock that such person had at any time since May 6, 2011, except solely (x) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (y) as a result of a redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company.

(ii) In addition, any person who, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, becomes the beneficial owner of Class A Common Stock, options and/or warrants exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock representing 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock then outstanding as a result of a purchase by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of shares of Class A Common Stock will also be an “Exempted Person.” However, any such person will no longer be deemed to be an Exempted Person and will be deemed to be an Acquiring Person if such person, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, becomes the beneficial owner, at any time after the date such person became the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock that such person had at any time since the date such person first became the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, except solely (x) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (y) as a result of a redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company.

(iii) In addition, any person who, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, is the beneficial owner of Class A Common Stock, options and/or warrants exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock representing 4.95% or more of the shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, and whose beneficial ownership, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion, (x) would not jeopardize or endanger the availability of the Company of its NOLs or (y) is otherwise in the best interests of the Company, will be an Exempted Person. However, any such person will cease to be an Exempted Person if (A) such person ceases to beneficially own 4.95% or more of the shares of the then outstanding Class A Common Stock, or (B) after the date of such determination by the Board of Directors of the Company, such person, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing a percentage of Class A Common Stock that exceeds by one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more the lowest percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock that such

 

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person had at any time since the date such person first became the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, except solely (I) pursuant to equity compensation awards granted to such person by the Company or as a result of an adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such equity compensation award pursuant to the terms thereof or (II) as a result of a redemption of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company, or (C) the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such person’s beneficial ownership (together with all affiliates and associates of such person) with respect to the availability to the Company of its NOLs.

A purchaser, assignee or transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock (or options or warrants exercisable for Class A Common Stock) from an Exempted Person will not thereby become an Exempted Person, except that a transferee from the estate of an Exempted Person who receives Class A Common Stock as a bequest or inheritance from an Exempted Person shall be an Exempted Person so long as such transferee continues to be the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

Exempted Transactions. The following transactions shall be “Exempted Transactions” under the Rights Agreement: any transaction that the Board of Directors of the Company determines, in its sole discretion, is exempt from the Rights Agreement, which determination shall be made in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors prior to the date of such transaction, including, without limitation, if the Board of Directors determines that (i) neither the beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock by any person, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transaction nor any other aspect of such transaction would jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of the Company’s tax benefits or (ii) such transaction is otherwise in the best interests of the Company. In granting an exemption for an “Exempted Transaction”, the Board of Directors of the Company may require any person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person to make certain representations or undertakings or to agree that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings will result in such consequences and subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine in its sole discretion, including that any such violation shall result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person.

Excercisability; Expiration. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire on the earliest of (i) the close of business on May 6, 2014, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged pursuant to the Rights Agreement, (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of certain tax benefits, (v) the beginning of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board of Directors of the Company determines that certain tax benefits may not be carried forward, or (vi) the earlier of (A) the date on which shareholders vote on and do not approve of this Agreement (if any) or (B) the first anniversary of adoption of the Rights Agreement if shareholder approval of the Rights Agreement has not been received by or on such date. At no time will the Rights have any voting power.

In the event that an Acquiring Person becomes the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Class A Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company), having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. The exercise price is the Purchase Price times the number of Units associated with each Right (initially, one). Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of an Acquiring Person becoming such (a “Flip-In Event”), all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of a Flip-In Event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.

For example, at an exercise price of $12.80 per Right, each Right distributed in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock not owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties)

 

C-3


following an event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $25.60 worth of Class A Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $12.80. If the Class A Common Stock at the time of exercise had a market value per share of $2.56, the holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase 10 shares of Class A Common Stock for $12.80.

Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to shareholders or to the Company, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable for Class A Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company as set forth above or in the event the Rights are redeemed.

Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

With certain exceptions, no adjustments in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.

Exchange. At any time after the Stock Acquisition Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring Person), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio equal to one (1) share of Class A Common Stock per Right (subject to adjustment).

Redemption. At any time until ten (10) days following the Stock Acquisition Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the $0.001 redemption price.

Amendments. Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board in order to cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to lengthen the time period governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable.

 

C-4


ANNEX II

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

1. The name of the corporation is Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 24, 2004 and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 17, 2004.

2. The Board of Directors of the Corporation, at a meeting duly convened on May 6, 2011, adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable that Article IV(A)(2)(b) of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

Each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to the Applicable Class B Per Share Vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation, except with respect to any Going Private Transaction (as hereinafter defined), which shall be governed by Paragraph (A)(10) of this Article IV. As used herein, “Applicable Class B Per Share Vote” means fifteen (15) votes, provided that (i) in the event the Rights (such term and other capitalized terms used in this Article (IV)(A)(2)(b) and not otherwise defined in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation having the meanings assigned to such terms in the Section 382 Rights Agreement dated as of May 6, 2011 between the Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, s the same may be amended from time to time (the “Rights Plan”)) become exercisable for Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities in accordance with Section 11 of the Rights Plan, “Applicable Class B Per Share Vote” shall mean the number of votes per share of Class B Common Stock that result in the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Class B Common Stock as a percentage of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately following time at which the Rights become so exercisable, when taken together with the aggregate voting power of all such Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities issuable upon exercise of Rights distributed with respect to the Class B Common Stock, being equal to the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Class B Common Stock as a percentage of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the time at which the Rights become so exercisable, assuming the exercise of all Rights (taking into account from time to time each adjustment to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock or other voting securities so issuable, each adjustment to the Purchase Price and each adjustment to the number of outstanding Rights that is given effect in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan), and (ii) in the event the Board of Directors of the Company takes an action to exchange all or any portion of the Rights for shares of Class A Common Stock and/or other voting securities in accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Plan, from and after the date of such action, the calculation of the Applicable Class B Per Share Vote to be made pursuant to clause (i) of this proviso shall be made by substituting for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other voting securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights to be so exchanged the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and other voting securities to be issued in exchange for such Rights.

3. This Certificate of Amendment was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed as of this             day of June, 2011.

 

  COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.
By  

 

  Name:
  Title:


 

 

 

  

¨                         

 

    n   
  

 

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

 

2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned stockholder of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the notice of annual meeting of stockholders and proxy statement, each dated May 17, 2011, and hereby appoints Jubal R. Thompson, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Comstock Homebuilding Companies, Inc. to be held on Thursday, June 17, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at 11465 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, Virginia, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of common stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present on the matters set forth on the reverse side of this proxy card. If you need directions to the meeting, please contact Judy Whitaker at (703) 883-1700.

 

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)

 

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14475  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

COMSTOCK HOMEBUILDING COMPANIES, INC.

June 17, 2011

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL :

The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card

are available at www.comstockhomes.com/proxymaterial

Please sign, date and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

¯  Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.  ¯

 

n         20330000000000000000 9    092310

FOR EACH OF THE MATTERS SET FORTH BELOW, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE MATTER SUBMITTED. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x

 

                             FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
1.   ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:    2.    PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICE-WATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF OUR COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011.    ¨    ¨    ¨
     NOMINEES:               
¨    FOR ALL NOMINEES   O   

David M. Guernsey

         FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
     O    James A. MacCutcheon    3.    PROPOSAL TO APPROVE a Section 382 Rights Agreement to help protect the tax benefits primarily associated with our net operating losses.    ¨    ¨    ¨
                             FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
¨    WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

  O    Robert P. Pincus    4.    PROPOSAL TO APPROVE an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation providing an adjustment to the voting power of the Class B Common Stock if the Rights become exercisable or are exchanged for shares of Class A common stock in accordance with the terms of the Section 382 Rights Agreement.    ¨    ¨    ¨
¨    FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instructions below)

        5.    IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.         

INSTRUCTIONS:To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:   l

   THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF OUR COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011, FOR THE SECTION 382 RIGHTS AGREEMENT, FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
      A majority of such attorneys or substitutes as shall be present and shall act at said meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof (or if only one shall be present and act, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the powers of said attorneys- in-fact hereunder.

 

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.    ¨   

 

  Signature of Stockholder                   Date:                   Signature of Stockholder                   Date:       

 

Note:Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

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