UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: | October 31, 2007 |
Date of earliest event reported: | October 25, 2007 |
OFFICEMAX
INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
Delaware | 1-5057 | 82-0100960 | ||
(State of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
263 Shuman
Blvd.
Naperville, Illinois 60563
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(630) 438-7800
Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant
to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02. Departure of
Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain
Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Amendment to Change in Control Agreement
On October 25, 2007, the Executive Compensation Committee of OfficeMax Incorporated’s (the “Company”) board of directors approved an amendment to Mr. DePaul’s Change in Control (Severance) Agreement as a result of Mr. DePaul’s previous election to the position of Chief Accounting Officer. If severance payments were made pursuant to the agreement, Mr. DePaul was previously entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to the sum of his annual base salary plus his Target Bonus (as defined in the agreement). The amendment increases Mr. DePaul’s lump sum severance payment to two times the sum of his annual base salary plus his Target Bonus.
The original Change in Control (Severance) Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 17, 2005, under the heading “Change in Control (Severance) Agreements.” The form and description are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Tuition Reimbursement Agreement
On October 25, 2007, the Company entered into a Tuition Reimbursement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Phillip DePaul, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will pay or reimburse Mr. DePaul for expenses incurred in connection with Mr. DePaul’s enrollment in the Executive MBA Program (the “Program”) at Notre Dame. Under the Agreement, the Company will not have any obligation to reimburse Mr. DePaul for any Program expenses if he (a) voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company, (b) fails to complete a course, (c) fails to achieve a passing grade, or (d) his employment is involuntarily terminated (subject to certain exceptions). In addition, Mr. DePaul would be required to reimburse the Company for some or all Program expenses (based on the date of termination) paid by the Company if his employment with the Company is terminated due to a reason described in (a) or (d) in the preceding paragraph or if he terminates his participation in the Program or otherwise fails to successfully complete the Program at any time prior to the completion date. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the form of Agreement, included as Exhibit 99.1 to this filing. Exhibit 99.1 is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On October 25, 2007, the board of directors of the Company voted unanimously to amend Sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Company’s Bylaws to allow for uncertificated shares of company stock. This amendment was necessary for the Company’s securities to be eligible for direct registration on the New York Stock Exchange.
This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are included as Exhibit 3.1 to this filing and incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On October 25, 2007, the board of directors of the Company voted unanimously to amend the Company’s governance guidelines to document its policy with respect to proponents of shareholder proposals that receive a majority vote at an annual meeting. The policy is as follows:
If a shareholder proposal requesting action by the Board of Directors receives the affirmative vote of the shares of at least a majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at any annual meeting, the Secretary of the Company shall solicit the sponsor of the proposal for any additional information to provide to the Board of Directors for its consideration of the proposal. Within four months of the annual meeting, the Company will make reasonable efforts to schedule a meeting (which may be held telephonically) between the sponsor of the proposal and the Governance Committee or its designated representative. The meeting will be scheduled to coordinate with a regularly scheduled board meeting. Following such a meeting, the Governance Committee shall present the subject of the proposal to the full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall act upon the proposal consistent with the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s charter and bylaws, which shall necessarily include a consideration of the interests of the shareholders. After the Board of Directors has taken action on the proposal, the Secretary of the Company shall provide prompt written notification of such action to the sponsor.
In order to permit the Board to operate efficiently, no more than three shareholder proposals shall be the subject of a meeting with the Governance Committee in any given year, with priority given to the proposals receiving the highest positive vote. In all cases, however, all sponsors of proposals receiving the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions) at any annual meeting shall be entitled (i) to submit any relevant information to the Board of Directors for its consideration and (ii) to receive written notification from the Secretary of the Company of the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to their proposal.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit 3.1
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company | |
Exhibit 99.1 |
Tuition Reimbursement Agreement dated October 25, 2007 between the Company and Phillip DePaul |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: October 31, 2007
OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Matthew R.
Broad
Matthew
R. Broad
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number | Description | |
3.1
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company | |
99.1 |
Tuition Reimbursement Agreement dated October 25, 2007 between the Company and Phillip DePaul |
Exhibit 3.1
BYLAWS
OF
OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED
As Amended to October 25, 2007
Offices
Section 1. The registered office of the corporation in Delaware shall be in the city of Wilmington, county of New Castle.
Section 2. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the state of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
Meetings of Stockholders
Section 3. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be held in Naperville, Illinois, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, or at such other place either within or without the state of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the state of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
At a meeting of the stockholders, only business shall be conducted which has been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before a meeting of the stockholders, business must be specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by, or at the direction of, the board of directors or otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice of the business to the corporate secretary. To be timely filed, a stockholder’s notice must be in writing and received by the corporate secretary at least 45 days before the date the corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders. For each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the notice to the corporate secretary shall include (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting the business at the meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder proposing the business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business.
Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at the meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.
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Exhibit 3.1
The chairman of a meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3. If the chairman determines that business was not properly brought before the meeting, the business shall not be transacted.
Section 4. Annual meetings of stockholders, at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote a board of directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Elections of directors may be by voice vote, rather than by written ballot, unless by resolution adopted by the majority vote of the stockholders represented at the meeting, the election of directors by written ballot is required.
Section 5. Written notice of the annual meeting stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days (or in the case a vote of stockholders on a merger or consolidation is one of the stated purposes of the annual meeting, not less than 20 nor more than 60 days) before the date of the meeting.
Section 6. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 7. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the chairman of the board and shall be called by the chairman of the board or corporate secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the board of directors or a majority of the executive committee. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 8. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days (or in the case of a merger or consolidation, not less than 20 nor more than 60 days) before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 9. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
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Exhibit 3.1
Section 10. The holders of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute, by the certificate of incorporation, or by these bylaws. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 11. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy, excluding, however, any shares where the holder has expressly indicated that the holder is abstaining from voting on the matter, shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these bylaws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
Section 12. Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. In the election of each director of the corporation, each holder of stock shall have one vote for each share held.
Section 13. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders must be taken at such a meeting duly called, upon proper notice to all stockholders entitled to vote. No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote.
Board of Directors
Section 14. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors of the corporation, except that the minimum number of directors shall be fixed at no less than three and the maximum number of directors shall be fixed at no more than 15. The directors shall be elected by the stockholders at each annual meeting for a one-year term. The term of each director will end at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. Commencing with the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, each director shall hold office for a one-year term and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. No person shall serve as a director of this corporation after the annual stockholders meeting next following his or her 70th birthday. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, directors elected prior to December 10, 1998, will remain on the board until the annual meeting next following his or her 72nd birthday.
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Exhibit 3.1
Nominations for election to the board of directors of the corporation at a meeting of stockholders may be made by the board, on behalf of the board, by any nominating committee appointed by that board, or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the board, shall be made by notice in writing delivered to or mailed, postage prepaid, and received by the corporate secretary not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to any meeting of stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 35 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, the nomination must be received by the corporate secretary not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. The notice shall set forth: (i) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination; (ii) the name, age, business address, and, if known, residence address of each nominee; (iii) the principal occupation or employment of each nominee; (iv) the number of shares of stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by each nominee and by the nominating stockholder; (v) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (vi) the executed consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the corporation if elected.
The chairman of the meeting of stockholders may, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Removal of directors shall be as provided in the certificate of incorporation.
Section 15. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any additional director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until the director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
Section 16. The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
Section 17. The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the state of Delaware.
Section 18. The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held without other notice than this bylaw, immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders. In the event of the failure to hold the first meeting of a newly elected board at such time and place, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.
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Exhibit 3.1
Section 19. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board.
Section 20. Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman of the board on not less than 48 hours’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram; special meetings shall be called by the chairman of the board or corporate secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors.
Section 21. At all meetings of the board a majority of the total number of directors then constituting the whole board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall be present.
Section 22. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee; and any member of the board of directors or of any committee thereof designated by such board may participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Committees of Directors
Section 23. The board of directors shall have an executive committee and such other committees as they may designate by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution, when the board of directors is not in session, shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. The member of a committee of one or a majority of the members of any other committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting thereof, and action by any committee must be authorized by the affirmative vote of the member of a committee of one or of a majority of the members of any other committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. If a member of a committee is absent or disqualified from voting at any meeting, the member or members thereof present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member; provided that at any such meeting, the committee shall not revise or rescind any previous action of the committee without the affirmative vote of a majority of the regular members present.
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Exhibit 3.1
Special meetings of any committee of the board may be called by the chairman of the board or the chairman of the committee on not less than 48 hours’ notice to each member of the committee, either personally or by mail or by telegram. Special meetings of any committee of the board at which members participate by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment as provided by Section 22 of these bylaws, and at which at least a majority of the members of the committee participate, may be called by the chairman of the board on not less than six hours’ notice to each member of the committee either personally or by telegram.
Section 24. Each committee shall have a chairman, appointed by the board of directors, who shall preside at all meetings of such committee. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.
Compensation of Directors
Section 25. The directors shall receive such compensation and reimbursement of expenses, if any, of attendance at regular and special meetings of the board of directors as may be set from time to time by the board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees, including the executive committee, may receive such compensation as shall be approved from time to time by the board.
Notices
Section 26. Notices to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given when the notice is mailed. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram, and shall be deemed to be given at the time of delivery to the telegraph company. Notice to members of committees of the directors as such may also be given orally.
Section 27. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Officers
Section 28. The board of directors shall elect any officers required by the laws of the state of incorporation and, in addition, shall elect the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer, any presidents, executive vice presidents, and senior vice presidents, as it may determine are appropriate. The same person may hold two or more offices.
Section 29. Each elected officer shall hold office until the officer’s successor is elected and is qualified or until the officer’s earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation.
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Exhibit 3.1
Section 30. Management may appoint such other officers as it so determines. Such appointees shall hold their offices for such terms and shall perform such duties as management may prescribe.
Section 31. Any officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Chief Executive Officer
Section 31A. The chief executive officer of the corporation, who shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and who shall be either the chairman of the board or the president (as hereinabove provided), shall have general authority over the business and affairs of the corporation, subject to the board of directors, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried out.
Chairman of the Board
Section 32. The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors. The chairman of the board may sign certificates for shares of the corporation, and any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed, whether or not under the seal of the corporation, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors or by these bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as from time to time may be prescribed by the board of directors.
President
Section 33. The president shall have general direction and supervision of the operations of the corporation, subject to the board of directors and the chairman of the board. In the absence of the chairman of the board, or in the event of his or her inability to act, the president shall perform the duties of the chairman of the board and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the chairman of the board. The president may sign certificates for shares of the corporation, and any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed, whether or not under the seal of the corporation, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors or by these bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed, and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the board of directors or as may be delegated by the chairman of the board.
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Exhibit 3.1
Vice Presidents
Section 34. In the absence of the president, or in the event of his inability to act, the vice presidents (or if there be more than one, the executive vice president, senior vice presidents, or the vice presidents in the order designated, or in the absence of any designation then in the order of their election or in the order named for election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. Each vice president shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chairman of the board, the president, or the board of directors.
Treasurer
Section 35. The treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, and the deposit of all moneys in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected or approved by the board of directors; and in general shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chairman of the board or the board of directors. If required by the board of directors, the treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the board of directors shall determine.
Controller
Section 36. The controller shall be the principal officer in charge of the accounts of the corporation, and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chairman of the board or the board of directors.
Corporate Secretary
Section 37. The corporate secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the stockholders’ and the board of directors’ meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and see that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all certificates for shares prior to the issue thereof and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws; (d) sign with the chairman of the board, the president, or a vice president, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the board of directors; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and (f) in general perform all duties incident to the office of corporate secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chairman of the board or the board of directors.
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Exhibit 3.1
Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers,
and Assistant Secretaries
Section 38. The assistant treasurers shall respectively, if required by the board of directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of directors shall determine. The assistant secretaries as thereunto authorized by the board of directors may sign with the chairman of the board, the president, or a vice president, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of the board of directors. The assistant treasurers, assistant controllers, and assistant secretaries in general shall perform such duties as from time to time may be delegated to them by the treasurer, controller, or the corporate secretary, respectively, or assigned to them by the chairman of the board or the board of directors.
Compensation of Officers
Section 39. The salaries (including bonuses and similar supplemental payments) of the officers other than of assistant treasurers, assistant controllers, and assistant secretaries shall be fixed or approved from time to time by the board of directors or by the committee of directors to whom such authority shall be delegated by the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salaries, bonuses, or similar supplemental payments by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the corporation.
Voting and Transfer of Stock in Other Corporations
Section 40. The board of directors may by resolution designate an officer or any other person to act for the corporation and vote its shares in any company in which it may own or hold stock, and may direct in what manner, and for or against what propositions and in case of elections for whom its vote shall be cast. In case, however, the board of directors has not taken express action, the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, or the corporate secretary may act for this corporation on all stockholder matters connected with any such company, including voting the shares owned or held by this corporation and executing and delivering proxies, waivers and stockholder consents. Certificates of stock owned by this corporation in any other company may be endorsed for transfer by any one of the above listed officers.
Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others
Section 41. Each person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the corporation, and each person who serves or may have served at the request of the corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise (and the heirs, executors, administrators, and estates of any such person), shall be entitled to indemnity to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted or authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware against any expenses, judgments, fines, and settlement amounts actually and reasonably incurred by such person arising out of his or her status as such director, officer or employee. The corporation shall indemnify any director or officer of the corporation unless the board of directors acting reasonably and in good faith makes a determination that the person has not acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to have been in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation. Such determination shall be made by a majority vote
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Exhibit 3.1
of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit, or proceeding out of which the claim for indemnification arose, or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, by independent legal counsel selected by the board of directors. Except as expressly provided in any Indemnification Agreement, indemnification and any advancement of expenses under this bylaw will not be mandatory for any person seeking indemnity in connection with a proceeding voluntarily initiated by such person unless the proceeding was authorized by a majority of the entire board of directors. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding arising out of his or her status as a director or officer shall be paid by the corporation, as these expenses become due, in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay amounts advanced only if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The provisions of this Section 41 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be lawfully entitled under the law of Delaware or any other competent jurisdiction. Any amendment or repeal of this bylaw shall not limit the right of any person to indemnity with respect to actions taken or omitted to be taken by such person prior to such amendment or repeal.
Certificates for Shares and Their Transfer
Section 42. Shares of the corporation’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Each holder of stock in the corporation represented by certificates, and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the chairman of the board, the president, or a vice president and by the corporate secretary or an assistant secretary, or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him and sealed with the seal or a facsimile of the seal of the corporation. Any of or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 43. Shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by applicable law and in these bylaws. Transfers of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the records of the corporation kept at an office of the corporation or by the transfer agent designated by the corporation to transfer shares. Transfers of shares may be made only by the record holder, or by the record holder’s legal representative authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with the transfer agent designated by the corporation and, in the case of certificated shares, upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed.
Section 44. The board of directors may authorize the issuance of a new certificate or uncertificated shares to be issued in lieu of a certificate alleged by the holder thereof to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon compliance by such holder, or his legal representatives, with such requirements as the board of directors may impose or authorize. Such authorization by the board of directors may be general or confined to specific instances.
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Exhibit 3.1
Fixing Record Date
Section 45. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Registered Stockholders
Section 46. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
Dividends
Section 47. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
Section 48. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
Checks
Section 49. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors may, from time to time, designate.
Fiscal Year
Section 50. The fiscal year shall end on the last Saturday in December in each year.
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Exhibit 3.1
Seal
Section 51. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization, and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
Amendments
Section 52. These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption of new bylaws is contained in the notice of such special meeting.
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Exhibit 99.1
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made and entered into as of October 25, 2007 by and between OfficeMax Incorporated (“OfficeMax”) and Phillip DePaul (“Associate”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Associate requested that OfficeMax sponsor his enrollment in an MBA program; and
WHEREAS, OfficeMax has agreed to directly pay or reimburse Associate for his expenses incurred in connection with enrollment in the Notre Dame MBA program commencing in the 2007/2008 school year (the “Program”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
I. PAYMENT /REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES/TIME AWAY FROM WORK
In conjunction with Associates’ participation in the Program OfficeMax agrees to directly pay all tuition, fees, the cost of books, room, meals (but excluding travel and parking) and other expenses associated with the Program (“Program Costs”). To the extent Associate has paid any Program Costs prior to the date of execution of this Agreement, OfficeMax shall promptly reimburse Associate upon Associate’s request accompanied by customary supporting documentation. In addition, OfficeMax shall provide Associate time off work to attend classes and examinations during the Program and such time shall be considered working time for Your Time Off calculation purposes.
II. | REPAYMENT BY ASSOCIATE |
Associate agrees that OfficeMax will not have any obligation to reimburse Associate for any expenses or pay any amounts in connection with the Program in the event Associate (a) voluntarily terminates his employment with OfficeMax, (b) fails to complete a course, (c) fails to achieve a grade of “passing” or above in a course, or (d) Associate’s employment with OfficeMax is involuntarily terminated for any reason other than due to a reduction in workforce, job elimination, reorganization (where OfficeMax does not offer Associate a similar position) or a Qualifying Termination/Qualifying Early Termination (as defined in the agreement by and between OfficeMax and Associate dated April 11, 2005).
Associate agrees to reimburse OfficeMax in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph for all amounts paid by OfficeMax in connection with Associate’s participation in the Program if at any time before Associate completes the Program, Associate’s employment with OfficeMax terminates due to a reason described in (a) or (d) in the preceding paragraph. In addition, unless OfficeMax requests in writing that Associate take a
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Exhibit 99.1
leave from the Program and/or terminate his participation in the Program due to work related reasons, Associate will be required to reimburse OfficeMax for all such amounts if Associate terminates his participation in the Program or otherwise fails to successfully complete the Program on or before the Program’s originally scheduled completion date. If Associate’s employment with OfficeMax terminates due to a reason described in (a) or (d) above during the one year period immediately following the date of completion of the Program, Associate agrees to pay OfficeMax 100% of the expenses incurred by OfficeMax for Associate’s participation in the Program; if Associate’s employment with OfficeMax terminates due to a reason described in (a) or (d) above during the period from one to two years following the date of completion of the Program, Associate agrees to pay OfficeMax 66% of the expenses incurred by OfficeMax for Associate’s participation in the Program; and if Associate’s employment with OfficeMax terminates due to a reason described in (a) or (d) above during the period from two to three years following the date of completion of the Program, Associate agrees to pay OfficeMax 33% of the expenses incurred by OfficeMax for Associate’s participation in the Program.
Any amounts to be reimbursed by Associate under this Agreement as a result of Associate’s termination of employment shall be paid to OfficeMax within thirty (30) days of Associate’s last day of employment with OfficeMax. OfficeMax shall provide Associate with notice of the amount owing.
III. CHANGE IN CONTROL
In the event a “Change in Control of the Company” occurs prior to full payment of Program Costs, OfficeMax agreed to pay Associate 50% of the unpaid Program Costs as of the date of Associate’s “Date of Termination”. For purposes of this provision, the capitalized terms used in this Section III shall have the same meaning as set forth in the letter agreement between OfficeMax and Associated dated April 11, 2005. All payments made by OfficeMax pursuant to this Section III shall be increased by an additional amount for state and federal income taxes (the “Gross-up Payment”). For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment, Associate will be deemed to pay federal income tax at the highest marginal tax rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of Associate’s residence at the time the income is attributed to Associate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of state and local taxes.
IV. | MISCELLANEOUS |
This Agreement is not an employment contract or an agreement regarding continued employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall modify the at-will employment relationship between OfficeMax and Associate, nor does it create an employment contract between OfficeMax and Associate. Accordingly, either Associate or OfficeMax may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason.
The Agreement is personal to Associate and neither this Agreement nor any right of Associate herein shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, transfer or legal process. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of OfficeMax.
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Exhibit 99.1
This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in a writing executed by both Associate and OfficeMax.
If any section or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining sections and provisions of this Agreement, or their remaining provisions, will continue with full force and effect, and Associate agrees that a court of competent jurisdiction will have jurisdiction to reform such provision to the extent necessary to cause it to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law, and Associate agrees to be bound by such reformation.
In the event OfficeMax is required to seek legal or other process to enforce any of its rights hereunder, Associate agrees to reimburse OfficeMax for all costs incurred in collection of such amounts, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, expenses and court costs in addition to any other amounts due. If Associate fails to make payment when due, Associate agrees to pay OfficeMax interest on the all amounts owing under this Agreement at 7% per annum until paid in full.
This Agreement supersedes and replaces all other understandings and agreements with respect to the subject hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the first day hereinabove written.
OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED
By: /s/Matthew R. Broad | /s/Phillip DePaul | |
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PHILLIP DEPAUL | |
Title: Executive Vice President
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and General Counsel
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Date: October 25, 2007
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Date: October 25, 2007 |
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