1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
USEC INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
[USEC LOGO]
USEC INC.
TWO DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817
December 28, 1998
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
USEC Inc. to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 1999, at the Bethesda
Marriott Hotel, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, Maryland. At the meeting, the
shareholders will be asked to (i) vote for the election of seven directors, (ii)
ratify the appointment of the Company's independent auditors, (iii) vote on the
USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, (iv) vote on the USEC Inc. 1999 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, and (v) consider any other business that may properly come
before the meeting.
Your participation in these matters is important, regardless of the number
of shares you own. This Annual Meeting will be the first meeting of shareholders
of the Company, and we hope to set a precedent of outstanding shareholder
representation at the meeting, in person or by proxy.
Even if you plan to attend this Annual Meeting, we urge you to take prompt
action to assure that your shares will be voted. You may vote your shares by
marking, dating and signing the proxy form and returning it in the enclosed
envelope, which includes prepaid postage if mailed in the United States. We
greatly appreciate your time and effort in participating at the Annual Meeting.
We are also enclosing for your information a copy of our Annual Report for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three months ended September 30, 1998.
We thank you for your interest in USEC Inc.
Sincerely,
/s/ JAMES R. MELLOR /s/ WILLIAM H. TIMBERS, JR.
James R. Mellor William H. Timbers, Jr.
Chairman of the Board President and
Chief Executive Officer
3
[USEC LOGO]
USEC INC.
TWO DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 2, 1999
The first Annual Meeting of Shareholders of USEC Inc. will be held at the
Bethesda Marriott Hotel, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, Maryland on February 2,
1999 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven (7) directors to serve until the next annual meeting
of Shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected
and qualified;
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the 1999 fiscal year;
3. To vote on the adoption of the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan
described further in the Proxy Statement;
4. To vote on the adoption of the USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan described further in the Proxy Statement; and
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 4, 1998
as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Only holders of record of
USEC Inc. common stock as of that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
It is important that your shares be represented at this meeting in order
that the presence of a quorum may be assured. Whether or not you now expect to
be present at the meeting, you are requested to mark, date and sign the enclosed
proxy, and return it promptly. A shareholder giving a proxy has the power to
revoke it at any time before the authority granted by the proxy is exercised.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ ROBERT J. MOORE
Robert J. Moore
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Bethesda, Maryland
December 28, 1998
4
USEC INC.
TWO DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817
PROXY STATEMENT
SOLICITATION
The Board of Directors of USEC Inc., a Delaware corporation ("USEC" or the
"Company"), is soliciting your proxy on the proxy card enclosed with this Proxy
Statement. Your proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on February 2, 1999, or any adjournment or postponement of such meeting
(the "Annual Meeting"). This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are
first being mailed on or about December 28, 1998, to holders of shares of common
stock, par value $.10 of the Company.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS,
FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, FOR ADOPTION OF THE USEC INC. 1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN,
AND FOR ADOPTION OF THE USEC INC. 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. Shares of
the Company's common stock represented by properly voted proxies received by
mail at or prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated thereby. If no instructions are indicated, the proxies
will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. It is not
anticipated that any other matters will be brought before the Annual Meeting.
However, a shareholder giving a proxy grants discretionary authority to the
proxy holders named therein should any other matters be presented at the Annual
Meeting, and it is the intention of the proxy holders to act on any other
matters in accordance with their best judgment.
A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted
by delivering to the Secretary of the Company written notice of revocation
bearing a later date than the proxy, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies by the Board.
The Company has engaged Morrow & Co., Inc. to assist in the solicitation of
proxies for a fee estimated to be $15,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail,
directors, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally
or by telephone; the directors, officers and employees will not receive any
additional compensation for these services.
The Company has requested that brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners
of shares of the Company's common stock held of record by such persons, and will
reimburse the brokers and other fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses for forwarding the materials.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Only holders of record of the Company's common stock at the close of
business on December 4, 1998 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. A majority of such holders, present in person or represented by
proxy, constitutes a quorum. The number of shares of common stock outstanding as
of the Record Date was 100,000,000. Each share of common stock entitles its
owner to one vote upon each matter to come before the meeting.
In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and
the Company's By-Laws, directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting by a
plurality of the votes cast. Any other matter to be presented at the Annual
Meeting will be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
cast. In tabulating the vote on any other matter, abstentions will have the same
effect as votes against the matter; broker non-votes will be deemed absent
shares and have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Votes at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of election
appointed by the Company for the meeting. The Company has no established
procedure for confidential voting.
2
5
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, you will elect a board of seven directors. Each
director will hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her
respective successor is elected and qualified. Joyce F. Brown, Frank V. Cahouet,
John R. Hall, James R. Mellor, Dan T. Moore, III, William H. Timbers, Jr., and
William H. White have been nominated by the Board for election.
Duly executed and returned proxies representing shares of the Company's
common stock held on the Record Date will be voted, unless otherwise specified,
in favor of the nominees for the Board. Each of the nominees is a member of the
Company's present Board, and has been so since the Company's initial public
offering of common stock on July 28, 1998 (the "IPO"). All nominees have
consented to serve if elected, but if any becomes unavailable to serve, the
persons named as proxies may exercise their discretion to vote for a substitute
nominee.
The following table presents information concerning the individuals
nominated for election as directors of the Company.
AGE AT
NAME SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
---- ------------------ --------------------
James R. Mellor, Chairman........ 68 Retired Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of General
Dynamics Corporation
Joyce F. Brown, Ph.D............. 52 President of the Fashion
Institute of Technology of the
State University of New York
Frank V. Cahouet................. 66 Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Mellon
Bank Corporation
John R. Hall..................... 65 Retired Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Ashland,
Inc.
Dan T. Moore, III................ 58 President of Dan T. Moore
Company, Inc.
William H. Timbers, Jr........... 48 President and Chief Executive
Officer of USEC Inc.
William H. White................. 44 President and Chief Executive
Officer of WEDGE Group
Incorporated
James R. Mellor served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General
Dynamics Corporation from 1994 to 1997, and served as President and Chief
Executive Officer from 1993 to 1994. He was previously General Dynamics'
President and Chief Operating Officer. He also serves on the Board of Directors
of Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, General Dynamics
Corporation, Howmet International Corporation and Pinkertons Inc.
Joyce F. Brown is the President of the Fashion Institute of Technology of
the State University of New York. From 1994 to 1997, Ms. Brown was a professor
of graduate studies at the City University of New York, where she previously
held several Vice Chancellor positions. From 1993 to 1994, she served as the
Deputy Mayor for Public and Community Affairs in the Office of the Mayor of the
City of New York. Ms. Brown also serves on the Board of Directors of Transderm
Laboratories Corporation and Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Frank V. Cahouet has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mellon
Bank Corporation since 1987 and President since 1990. He will retire from these
positions on December 31, 1998. Mr. Cahouet is also a director of Avery Dennison
Corporation, Saint-Gobain Corporation, and Allegheny Teledyne Incorporated.
John R. Hall served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ashland, Inc.
from 1981 to 1997, and served as Chief Executive Officer from 1981 to 1996. He
has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arch
3
6
Coal, Inc. since 1997. Mr. Hall is also a director of Banc One Corporation, The
Canada Life Assurance Company, CSX Corporation, Humana Inc., LaRoche Industries,
Inc., Reynolds Metals Company and UCAR International Inc.
Dan T. Moore, III has been the founder, owner and President since 1969 of
Dan T. Moore Company, Inc., a developer of a number of advanced materials
companies and technologies. Mr. Moore has also been Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Advanced Ceramics Corporation since 1993. He also serves on the
Board of Directors of the Hawk Corporation, Invacare Corporation, and the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
William H. Timbers, Jr. has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since 1994. He was appointed USEC Transition Manager in March 1993
by President Clinton. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Timbers was President of
The Timbers Corporation, an investment banking firm based in Stamford,
Connecticut, from 1991 to 1993. Before that, he was a Managing Director of the
investment banking firm of Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Inc. in New York
and San Francisco.
William H. White has been President and Chief Executive Officer of WEDGE
Group Incorporated since 1997. Mr. White founded and has been the Chairman of
the Board of Directors of Frontera Resources Corporation and its predecessor, a
privately held international energy company, since 1995, and served as President
and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 1996. From 1993 to 1995, he served as
Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the United States Department of
Energy. Mr. White also serves on the Board of Directors of Edge Petroleum
Corporation.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR ALL NOMINEES, DESIGNATED IN THE PROXY AS
ITEM 1.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
In accordance with the provisions of the By-Laws of the Company, the Board
has designated three committees.
The Audit, Finance and Corporate Responsibility Committee consists of Mr.
Cahouet, Chairman, Ms. Brown and Mr. White. This committee is responsible for
reviewing the Company's accounting processes, financial controls and reporting
systems, as well as the selection of the Company's independent auditors and the
scope of the audits to be conducted. It also is responsible for monitoring the
policies, practices and programs of the Company in its relations with the
government, customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and the communities in
which the Company's production plants are located.
The Regulatory Affairs Committee consists of Mr. White, Chairman, Mr. Hall
and Mr. Timbers. The Regulatory Affairs Committee is responsible for monitoring
the Company's compliance with regulatory requirements, including with respect to
environmental, health and safety, and nuclear regulatory matters.
The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Hall, Chairman, Mr. Mellor, Mr.
Cahouet and Mr. Moore. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
recommending to the Board overall incentive compensation programs and policies
for the Company and for compensation recommendations with respect to the
Company's key employees. The Compensation Committee will also establish annual
performance objectives under the Company's incentive programs and oversee
administration of employee benefit plans.
The Board has not established a Nominating Committee. The functions
typically associated with such committee are performed by the full Board.
None of the Company's directors were members of the board of directors of
the Company's predecessor, the federally-chartered United States Enrichment
Corporation, which was wholly owned by the United States Government. The United
States Enrichment Corporation board met 14 times in the fiscal year ended June
30, 1998. This board had established a compensation committee, an audit
committee and a regulatory affairs committee, all of which conducted their
activities in the context of the full Board in fiscal year 1998.
4
7
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are not employees currently receive an annual retainer of
$20,000 for Board of Directors service. As described below, the Company is
developing a compensation program for non-employee directors that will include
cash and equity components, as well as an initial stock award, and be targeted
to be competitive with the market.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
None of the officers or directors of the Company currently owns any shares
of the Company's common stock. Pursuant to an agreement with the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, the officers and directors of the Company are prohibited from,
and have agreed to use their best efforts to cause their family members not to,
acquire any shares or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of common stock for 180 days following consummation of the IPO. This
restriction terminates on January 25, 1999.
As of December 16, 1998, based solely upon a review of filings made by
third parties pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, there are no persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below are the names, ages as of September 30, 1998, offices,
period served and business experience of the executive officers of the Company.
All of the executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers or
between any director and any executive officer, nor any arrangement or
understanding between any executive officer and any person pursuant to which the
executive officer was selected.
William H. Timbers, Jr. has been president and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since 1994. For more information about Mr. Timbers, see the
appropriate description under the above caption "Election of Directors."
George P. Rifakes, age 64, has been Executive Vice President, Operations of
the Company since 1993. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rifakes was Vice
President of Commonwealth Edison Company in Chicago, Illinois, where he was
employed since 1957 with responsibilities in corporate planning, purchasing,
fuel, economic analysis, and least-cost planning and marketing. He also served
as President of the Cotter Corporation, a wholly-owned uranium subsidiary of
Commonwealth Edison, from 1976 to 1992.
Henry Z Shelton, Jr., age 55, has been Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since 1993. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Shelton
served as a Board member and Vice President, Finance for Sun International
Exploration and Production Company, a subsidiary of the Sun Company, Inc.,
headquartered in London, England. Previously, Mr. Shelton worked for the Sun
Company organization for 23 years.
Robert J. Moore, age 41, has been General Counsel and Secretary of the
Company since 1993 and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since 1994.
Prior to joining USEC, Mr. Moore was appointed to numerous senior legal and
policy positions, serving as Director of the California Governor's Office in
Washington, D.C. and as General Counsel to two Presidential and Congressional
Commissions.
J. William Bennett, age 51, has been Vice President, Advanced Technology of
the Company since 1994. From 1993 to 1994, he served as Vice President,
Production of the Company. Immediately before joining the Company, he served as
Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's ("DOE") Office of Uranium Enrichment
Operations. Prior to that, he was Director of DOE's Office of Geologic
Repositories and Director of DOE's Office of Light Water Reactor Technology.
William J. Bruttaniti, age 49, joined USEC as Vice President and Chief
Information Officer in October 1998. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Bruttaniti
spent more than two years as a senior manager with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, most
recently serving as interim Chief Information Officer for USEC on a
5
8
consultancy basis. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Bruttaniti served as the Chief
Information Officer for U.S. Industries, a consumer products manufacturer.
Richard O. Kingdon, age 43, has been Vice President, Marketing and Sales of
the Company since 1993. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kingdon was Director,
Strategic Planning, at Otis Elevator Company, a division of the United
Technologies Corporation. From 1990 to 1993, he was Director, Sales and
Marketing, for the Otis United Kingdom operation. Prior to 1990, Mr. Kingdon was
a Manager in the consulting firm of Bain & Company.
James H. Miller, age 49, has been Vice President, Production of the Company
since 1995. Before joining the Company, Mr. Miller was President of ABB
Environmental Systems, Inc. From 1993 to 1994, he served as President of U.C.
Operating Services, a joint venture between Louisville Gas & Electric and
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company. From 1986 to 1993, he worked for ABB Resource
Recovery Systems, serving as President from 1990 to 1993.
Philip G. Sewell, age 52, has been Vice President, Corporate Development
and International Trade of the Company since April 1998, and Vice President,
Corporate Development of the Company since 1993. From 1988 to 1993, Mr. Sewell
served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of DOE and was responsible for the overall
management of the uranium enrichment program. Mr. Sewell has served in the
United States Government for 28 years in various positions of increasing
responsibility.
Darryl A. Simon, age 41, joined USEC as Vice President, Human Resources and
Administration in August 1997. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Simon spent seven
years with ManorCare Health Services based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, most
recently serving as Vice President, Human Resources Planning and Leadership
Development. Prior to ManorCare, he held assignments of increasing
responsibility within various industries and organizations.
Charles B. Yulish, age 61, has been Vice President, Corporate
Communications of the Company since 1995. Immediately before joining the
Company, Mr. Yulish was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of E.
Bruce Harrison Co. Prior to joining E. Bruce Harrison Co. in 1993, he served as
partner of Holt, Ross and Yulish. Both companies are energy and environmental
public relations firms.
CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING
The Company has announced a restructuring of its corporate organization
that is intended to streamline operations, enhance the focus on revenue and
costs and increase productivity. The restructuring is expected to become
effective on January 1, 1999. Under this more consolidated structure, Mr.
Rifakes will become Senior Executive Vice President, overseeing advanced
technology programs, including commercialization of the AVLIS laser enrichment
technology program, headed by Mr. Bennett, who will remain Vice President,
Advanced Technology. Mr. Rifakes will also be responsible for a new long-term
strategic business analysis function, to be headed by Mr. Kingdon, who will
remain a Vice President. Mr. Miller will become Executive Vice President and
will be responsible for production, regulatory affairs and procurement. James N.
Adkins will be appointed Vice President, Production. Jeffry E. Sterba will join
the Company as Executive Vice President and will be responsible for marketing
and sales, corporate development, international trade relations and information
technology. Mr. Robert Van Namen will join the Company as Vice President,
Marketing and Sales. Mr. Moore will become Senior Vice President and General
Counsel, responsible for the legal department, corporate communications,
corporate secretary and government affairs. Timothy B. Hansen will be appointed
Secretary. Mr. Shelton will become Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer and will be responsible for finance, human resources and administration,
and investor relations.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly paid executive officers of
the Company in fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996. Because of the 180 day
prohibition in the Company's agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
the Company
6
9
to date has not granted any stock awards or stock appreciation rights or made
any long-term incentive plan awards or payouts.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------- ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(1)
--------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ---------------
William H. Timbers, Jr.............................. 1998 $331,400 $25,000 $7,540
Chief Executive Officer 1997 325,000 25,000 7,240
1996 325,000 25,000 6,950
George P. Rifakes................................... 1998 $290,600 $25,000 $6,400
Executive Vice President 1997 285,000 25,000 6,200
1996 285,000 25,000 6,000
Henry Z Shelton, Jr................................. 1998 $249,800 $25,000 $6,400
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 1997 245,000 25,000 6,200
1996 245,000 25,000 6,000
Robert J. Moore..................................... 1998 $215,200 $25,000 $9,328
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 1997 211,000 25,000 9,198
1996 211,000 25,000 10,492
James H. Miller..................................... 1998 $203,900 $25,000 $6,400
Vice President, Production 1997 200,000 25,000 5,115
1996 153,800 -- --
- ---------------
(1) Represents the Company's 401(k) matching contributions and for Mr. Timbers
represents the Company's 401(k) matching contributions of $6,400, $6,200,
and $6,000 and life insurance premiums of $1,140, $1,040 and $950 in fiscal
years 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
PENSION PLAN
The Company maintains a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the
"Company's Retirement Plan") for employees not currently enrolled in either the
Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System
("FERS"). The following table provides examples of benefits for the Company's
Retirement Plan at the normal retirement age of 65 payable as a life annuity.
These benefits are not subject to deductions for Social Security.
YEARS OF PARTICIPATION AT AGE 65
ESTIMATED ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS
----------------------------------------------------
FINAL AVERAGE COMPENSATION 15 20 25 30 35
-------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 50,000....................................... $ 9,375 $11,250 $13,125 $15,000 $16,875
100,000....................................... 18,750 22,500 26,250 30,000 33,750
150,000....................................... 28,125 33,750 39,375 45,000 50,625
200,000....................................... 30,000 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000
250,000....................................... 30,000 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000
300,000....................................... 30,000 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000
350,000....................................... 30,000 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000
Earnings are averaged over the five consecutive calendar years during which
a participant's earnings were highest. Earnings include salary, overtime,
bonuses and commission. Credited Service is based on the number of plan years
(January 1 through December 31) commencing January 1, 1994 during which a
participant completes at least 1,000 hours of service.
As of June 30, 1998, the years of credited service under the retirement
plans for Messrs. Timbers, Rifakes, Shelton, Moore and Miller were 4.5, 4.5,
4.5, 5.0 and 2.5, respectively.
7
10
SUPPLEMENTAL EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company maintains a supplemental retirement plan (the "SERP") in which
Mr. Timbers currently participates. Under the SERP, the participant is entitled
to receive a total annual retirement benefit of 60% of final average salary,
commencing at age 62. The value of the benefits from the SERP is offset by the
benefits from the Retirement Plan and social security benefits.
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
The Company is not a party to any employment or severance agreements.
COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES
The Company has been developing compensation objectives and programs for
the Company's executive officers, non-employee directors, certain key
non-officer employees, and employees as a whole. The USEC Inc. 1999 Equity
Incentive Plan and the USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on which you
are being asked to vote grew out of these objectives and programs. It is
contemplated that the Company's executive compensation program will have four
components: (i) a base salary targeted to be competitive with the market; (ii)
an annual incentive plan linked to the performance of the Company and comprised
of cash and stock incentives; (iii) a long-term incentive plan intended to
provide an equity incentive closely aligned with shareholder interests,
including a front-loading of stock options to promote executive stock ownership;
and (iv) an initial stock award to recognize the efforts of key executives.
Additionally, it is expected that a significant portion of the total
compensation of executive officers will be at risk, with the at risk component
increasing with higher level positions which have greater Company impact. It is
contemplated that director compensation would be comprised of cash and equity,
with the equity component constituting a significant percentage of the total
compensation.
These compensation components are designed to align the interests of
directors, management, and employees with long-term shareholder interests, to
promote and encourage employee ownership, and to establish a strong connection
between compensation and organizational performance. The USEC Inc. 1999 Equity
Incentive Plan should enable the Company to attract and retain key employees and
non-employee directors, motivate these individuals by means of
performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance goals, enable
these individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success
of the Company and link compensation to the long-term interests of shareholders.
The USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to encourage all
employees to become owners of the Company through share purchases, in order to
align their interests to those of shareholders.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In August 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with James R. Mellor,
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, under which Mr. Mellor will provide
certain consulting services to the Company. For the period from July 28, 1998
through July 27, 1999, Mr. Mellor will be paid $255,000 for his services under
the agreement.
ITEM 2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed the firm of Arthur
Andersen LLP to serve as independent auditors of the Company for the 1999 fiscal
year, subject to ratification of this appointment by the shareholders of the
Company. The Company has been advised by Arthur Andersen LLP that neither it nor
any member thereof has any direct or material indirect financial interest in the
Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity. One or more representatives
of Arthur Andersen LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an
opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, DESIGNATED IN THE PROXY AS ITEM 2.
8
11
ITEM 3. ADOPTION OF THE USEC INC. 1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was approved by the
Board on December 18, 1998, subject to approval by the shareholders of the
Company. The following summary of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the complete text of the Plan, attached hereto as Annex A.
The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its
shareholders by (a) attracting and retaining key employees, consultants and
non-employee directors of the Company, (b) motivating such individuals by means
of performance-related incentives to achieve long-term performance goals, (c)
enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial
success of the Company, and (d) linking compensation to the long-term interests
of the shareholders.
The Plan is designed so that certain awards granted thereunder may comply
with the requirements of performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)
("Section 162(m)") of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Section 162(m) generally limits the deductibility of certain
compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid by a publicly traded
corporation to the following individuals who are employed as of the end of the
corporation's tax year: the chief executive officer and the four other executive
officers named in the summary compensation table of the corporation's proxy
statement ("Covered Officers"). Compensation that qualifies as
"performance-based" compensation is, however, exempt from the $1 million
deductibility limitation. For compensation granted pursuant to the Plan to
qualify for this exemption, among other things, the material terms under which
the compensation is to be paid must be disclosed to and approved by shareholders
in a separate vote prior to payment, and the compensation must be paid solely on
account of the attainment of preestablished, objective performance goals.
Accordingly, if the Plan is approved by shareholders and the other conditions of
Section 162(m) relating to performance-based compensation are satisfied, certain
compensation paid to Covered Officers pursuant to the Plan will not fail to be
deductible under Section 162(m).
GENERAL
The Plan provides for the granting of awards to such employees and
consultants of the Company and its affiliates as the committee of the Board (the
"Committee") appointed to administer the Plan may select from time to time. In
addition, non-employee directors are eligible to receive the non-employee
director awards described below. Approximately 30 employees, 6 non-employee
directors and no consultants are currently eligible to participate in the Plan.
Subject to the adjustment provisions described below, an aggregate of
9,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance of awards under the
Plan, of which 2,250,000 are reserved for issuance of awards other than stock
options. Such shares may be authorized but unissued common stock or common stock
held in the Company's treasury or a combination thereof. Generally, shares
subject to an award that remain unissued upon expiration or cancellation of the
award will be available for other awards under the Plan. The closing price of
common stock on December 16, 1998, was $14.00 per share on the New York Stock
Exchange.
In the event that stock options or other awards are exercised by delivery
of shares of common stock or awards are satisfied by the withholding of shares
of common stock, the number of shares available for awards under the Plan will
be increased by the number of shares so delivered or withheld. In addition,
shares of common stock underlying awards granted solely as an assumption of, or
substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a separate entity
acquired by the Company, or with which the Company combined, will not be counted
against the shares of common stock available for awards under the Plan, unless
otherwise required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Subject to the adjustment provisions described below, the total number of
shares of common stock subject to Options (as defined below) granted to any
participant in the Plan during any calendar year may not exceed 500,000;
provided, however, that during the initial year of the Plan or in the calendar
year in which a participant commences employment with the Company, the total
number of shares of common stock subject to Options (as defined below) granted
to such participant may not exceed 1,000,000.
9
12
In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend, other
distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, exchange of shares
of common stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or
other rights to purchase shares of common stock or other securities of the
Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the common
stock such that an adjustment is appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement
of the benefits under the Plan, then the Committee shall make such adjustments
as it deems equitable to the number and kind of shares of Company securities
that may thereafter be issued in connection with awards, the limit on individual
awards, the number and kind of shares of Company securities subject to each
outstanding award, and the exercise price of each award. In addition, if deemed
appropriate, the Committee shall provide for an equivalent award, in the event
of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction or make provisions for a cash
payment to the holder of an outstanding award.
Awards under the Plan may be made in the form of (a) incentive stock
options (which are designed to satisfy the applicable requirements set forth in
Section 422 of the Code), (b) non-qualified stock options (incentive stock
options and non-qualified stock options are collectively referred to as
"Options"), (c) restricted stock, (d) restricted stock units, (e) performance
awards, (f) other stock-based awards, including dividend equivalent rights, and
(g) non-employee director awards.
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan will be administered by the Committee, which will be the
Compensation Committee unless the Board appoints a different committee (which
may include the entire Board) to administer the Plan. The Committee is
authorized, among other things, to interpret and administer the provisions of
the Plan, to select the persons to whom awards will be granted, to determine the
terms and conditions of such awards and to make all other determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Subject to the terms
of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more
officers or managers of the Company or an affiliate, or to a committee of such
officers or managers, certain of its authorities under the Plan, but solely with
respect to participants who are not officers or directors of the Company for
purposes of, or who are not otherwise subject to, Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN
Stock Options
Options granted pursuant to the Plan will be exercisable at such time or
times, and subject to such other terms and conditions as the Committee
determines, in the applicable award agreements or thereafter. The purchase price
per share payable upon the exercise of an option (the "option exercise price")
will be established by the Committee; provided, however, that the option
exercise price may be no less than the fair market value of a share of common
stock on the date of grant. The option exercise price is payable in cash (or its
equivalent), or by surrender of shares of common stock owned by the participant
for at least six months, having a fair market value on the date of exercise
equal to the option exercise price, or by any combination of the foregoing. In
addition, a participant may elect to pay all or any portion of the aggregate
exercise price by having shares of common stock with a fair market value on the
date of exercise equal to the aggregate option exercise price withheld by the
Company or sold by a broker-dealer. Options may not be exercisable after the
expiration of ten years from the date of grant.
Restricted Stock
The Committee may grant restricted shares of common stock ("Restricted
Stock") to such persons, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and
conditions (including the attainment of performance goals and forfeiture
provisions) as the Committee may determine, in its discretion. Except for
restrictions on transfer and such other restrictions as the Committee may
impose, participants will have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to
the restricted stock, including dividend and voting rights, unless the Committee
determines otherwise.
10
13
Restricted Stock Units
The Committee may grant restricted stock units ("Restricted Stock Units")
to such persons, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions
(including the attainment of performance goals and forfeiture provisions) as the
Committee may determine, in its discretion. Each Restricted Stock Unit has a
value equal to the fair market value of one share of common stock. Restricted
Stock Units may be paid out in cash, shares of common stock or other
consideration, as determined by the Committee, upon the lapse of the applicable
restrictions.
Performance Awards
The Committee may grant performance awards to such persons, in such
amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may
determine, in its discretion. Performance awards may be denominated in cash or
shares of common stock, valued, as determined by the Committee, based on the
achievement of performance goals over performance periods to be determined by
the Committee, and paid, at such time and in such form as the Committee may
determine, in the form of a lump sum or installments, or on a deferred basis, in
accordance with procedures established by the Committee.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The Committee may grant other stock-based awards valued in whole or in part
by reference to, or otherwise based on, common stock, including dividend
equivalent rights, as the Committee deems consistent with the purposes of the
Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will determine the
persons to whom such other stock-based awards will be granted and all the terms
and conditions of such awards.
Section 162(m) Awards and Performance Goals, Generally
With respect to performance awards, and specifically, awards intended to
comply with Section 162(m), the Plan is designed so that a committee that
satisfies the applicable requirements of Section 162(m) may establish
performance goals expressed in terms of the achievement of any one or more of
the following performance measures: earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and/or amortization; operating income or profits; return on equity,
assets, capital employed or investment; after tax operating income; net income;
earnings or book value per share; cash flow(s); total sales or revenues, or
sales or revenues per employee; production (separative work units); stock price
or total shareholder return; dividends; strategic business objectives,
consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified cost targets,
business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions and divestitures;
and, except with respect to Section 162(m) awards to Covered Officers, any other
performance criteria established by the Committee. Such performance goals may be
expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on internal
targets, the past performance of the Company and/or the past or current
performance of other companies, and may employ comparisons relating to capital,
shareholders' equity and/or shares outstanding, and/or to assets or net assets.
In addition, such performance goals may relate to the performance of the
Company, a subsidiary or an operating unit or division or any combination
thereof.
The maximum annual number of shares in respect of which Restricted Stock
awards, Restricted Stock Units, performance awards and other stock-based awards
that may be granted under the Plan to any Covered Officer cannot exceed 200,000
and the maximum annual amount of any award settled in cash, upon attainment of
the applicable performance goals, cannot exceed $2,000,000. Before any awards
intended to satisfy Section 162(m) may be paid to Covered Officers, the
Committee must certify the extent to which performance goals and any other
material terms were satisfied.
11
14
Non-Employee Director Awards
The Committee may provide that all or any portion of a non-employee
director's annual retainer and/or meeting fees may be payable, either
automatically, or at the election of the non-employee director, in the form of
non-qualified stock options, Restricted Stock or other stock-based awards,
including unrestricted shares of common stock. Such awards will be subject to
the terms and conditions established by the Committee. In addition, the Board
may, in its sole discretion, grant awards of Restricted Stock to non-employee
directors pursuant to such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable, so
long as such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with any other terms of
the Plan.
PLAN AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
The Board may from time to time amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate the Plan or any portion thereof; provided, however, that no such
amendment or other action may be made without shareholder approval if such
approval is required to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement with which
the Board deems it necessary or desirable to comply. The Committee may amend,
suspend or terminate any award or waive any conditions of any award under the
Plan; provided, however, that no such action may affect adversely any of the
rights of any participant without the consent of the participant, and the
Committee will not have the power to reduce the exercise price of an outstanding
option, other than with respect to adjustments in the event of certain corporate
events, as described above.
In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustment in the terms
and conditions of, and criteria included in, awards in recognition of unusual or
nonrecurring events to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or
potential benefits available under the Plan, provided that no adjustment will be
authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the
Plan's compliance with Section 162(m), to the extent applicable.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
In the event of a "change of control" (as defined in the Plan), all
outstanding awards will become fully vested and immediately exercisable or
payable, and the restrictions applicable to all awards will lapse.
TERM
The Plan will become effective as of February 2, 1999, provided it has been
approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders
of the outstanding shares of common stock, and will expire on the tenth
anniversary thereof. Awards that are granted prior to the expiration of the
Plan, however, may extend beyond the expiration date, and the provisions of the
Plan will continue to apply thereto.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
Inasmuch as awards under the Plan will be granted at the sole discretion of
the Committee, it is not possible to determine the awards that will be made
thereunder during 1999.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is a brief summary of the principal United States
federal income tax consequences under current federal income tax laws relating
to awards under the Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive or to
constitute tax advice and, among other things, does not describe state, local or
foreign income and other tax consequences.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
An optionee will not recognize any taxable income upon the grant of a
non-qualified stock option, and the Company will not be entitled to a tax
deduction with respect to such grant. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock
option, the excess of the fair market value of the common stock on the exercise
date over the option exercise price will be taxable as ordinary income to the
optionee and will be subject to applicable withholding
12
15
taxes. The Company will generally be entitled to a tax deduction at such time in
the amount of such ordinary income, subject to the application of Section
162(m). The optionee's tax basis for the common stock received pursuant to the
exercise of a non-qualified stock option will equal the sum of the ordinary
income recognized and the exercise price.
An optionee who pays the option exercise price upon exercise of an option,
in whole or in part, by delivering already owned shares of stock will generally
not recognize gain or loss on the shares surrendered at the time of such
delivery, except under certain circumstances. Rather, such gain or loss
recognition will generally occur upon disposition of the shares acquired in
substitution for the shares surrendered.
In the event of a sale of common stock received upon the exercise of a
non-qualified stock option, any appreciation or depreciation after the exercise
date generally will be taxed as capital gain or loss.
Incentive Stock Options
An optionee will not recognize any taxable income at the time of grant or
timely exercise of an incentive stock option, and the Company will not be
entitled to a tax deduction with respect to such grant or exercise. Exercise of
an incentive stock option may, however, give rise to taxable income subject to
applicable withholding taxes, and a tax deduction to the Company, if the
incentive stock option is not exercised on a timely basis (generally, while the
optionee is employed by the Company or within three months after termination of
employment) or if the optionee subsequently engages in a "disqualifying
disposition," as described below. In addition, the amount by which the fair
market value of the common stock on the exercise date of an incentive stock
option exceeds the exercise price generally will increase the optionee's
alternative minimum taxable income.
An optionee who pays the option exercise price upon exercise of an option,
in whole or in part, by delivering already owned shares of stock will generally
not recognize gain or loss on the shares surrendered at the time of such
delivery, except under certain circumstances. Rather, such gain or loss
recognition will generally occur upon disposition of the shares acquired in
substitution for the shares surrendered.
An optionee will recognize long-term capital gain or loss upon his or her
disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option if
such disposition occurs at least one year after the transfer of the shares to
such optionee and at least two years after the date of grant of the incentive
stock option. Such long-term capital gain or loss will be measured by the
difference between the amount realized on such disposition and the option
exercise price. If, however, an optionee disposes of shares acquired upon the
exercise of an incentive stock option within two years after the date of grant
of the incentive stock option or within one year from the date of transfer of
the incentive stock option shares to the optionee, such sale or exchange will
generally constitute a "disqualifying disposition" of such shares and will have
the following results: any excess of (a) the lesser of (i) the fair market value
of the shares at the time of exercise of the incentive stock option and (ii) the
amount realized on such disqualifying disposition of the shares over (b) the
option exercise price of such shares, will be ordinary income to the optionee,
subject to applicable withholding taxes, and the Company will be entitled to a
tax deduction in the amount of such income, subject to the application of
Section 162(m). Any further gain or loss after the date of exercise generally
will qualify as capital gain or loss and will not be deductible by the Company.
Restricted Stock
A participant will not recognize any income upon the receipt of Restricted
Stock unless the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code, within
thirty days of such receipt, to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to
the fair market value of the Restricted Stock at the time of receipt, less any
amount paid for the shares. If the election is made, the participant will not be
allowed a deduction for amounts subsequently required to be returned to the
Company. If the election is not made, the participant will generally recognize
ordinary income, on the date that the restrictions to which the Restricted Stock
are subject are removed, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such
shares on such date, less any amount paid for the shares. At the time the
participant recognizes ordinary income, the Company generally will be entitled
to a deduction in the same amount, subject to the application of Section 162(m).
13
16
Generally, upon a sale or other disposition of Restricted Stock with
respect to which the participant has recognized ordinary income (i.e., a Section
83(b) election was previously made or the restrictions were previously removed),
the holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference between the amount realized on such sale or other disposition and the
participant's basis in such shares.
Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
In general, the grant of Restricted Stock Units, performance awards and
other stock-based awards will not result in income for the participant or in a
tax deduction for the Company. Upon the settlement of such an award, the
participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the aggregate value of the
payment received, and the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction
in the same amount, subject to the application of Section 162(m).
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE USEC INC. 1999
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, DESIGNATED IN THE PROXY AS ITEM 3.
ITEM 4. ADOPTION OF THE USEC INC. 1999 STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
GENERAL
The USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan")
was approved by the Board on December 18, 1998, subject to approval by
shareholders of the Company.
The following summary of the Stock Purchase Plan is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the complete text of the Stock Purchase Plan, attached
hereto as Annex B.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Stock Purchase Plan is to provide employees with the
opportunity to become part owners of the Company by purchasing shares of common
stock through generally semi-annual offerings financed by payroll deductions
and/or lump sum payments. In addition, the Stock Purchase Plan is intended to
comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, thereby assuring the
participants the associated tax advantages. (These tax advantages are described
below in the Section entitled "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences"). For
the transfer of stock under the Stock Purchase Plan to qualify for this
treatment, the Stock Purchase Plan must be approved by the shareholders of the
Company within 12 months of such plan's adoption.
ADMINISTRATION
The Stock Purchase Plan will be administered by a committee of the Board
(the "Committee"), which has been so designated by the Board. The Committee will
have full authority to construe and interpret the Stock Purchase Plan, and may
make such rules and regulations and establish such procedures for the
administration of the Stock Purchase Plan as it deems appropriate.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Subject to adjustment as described below, the number of shares of common
stock that may be sold under the Stock Purchase Plan may not exceed 2,500,000.
For purposes of the Stock Purchase Plan, shares of common stock may be
authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased on the open
market or from private sources.
In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend, other
distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, exchange of shares
of common stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or
other rights to purchase shares of common stock or other securities of the
Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the common
stock such that an adjustment is appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement
of the benefits under the Stock Purchase Plan, then the Committee shall make
such equitable adjustments in the Stock Purchase Plan and then outstanding
offering, as it deems necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to,
changing the number of shares of Company securities reserved under the Stock
Purchase Plan and the purchase price of the then current offering.
14
17
PARTICIPATION AND OFFERINGS
Subject to certain procedural requirements, all employees of the Company
who have at least six months of service and work at least 20 hours per week or
five months in any calendar year, will be eligible to participate in the Stock
Purchase Plan, except that employees who are five percent or more shareholders
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company will not be eligible to
participate.
The Company estimates that there are approximately 160 employees who are
potential participants in the Stock Purchase Plan. However, the Company has
announced plans to terminate its contract with the entity currently operating
and maintaining the production plants and employing most of the individuals at
the plants. It is estimated that after the completion of the transition from
this contract, approximately 5,000 additional employees will be potential
participants in the Stock Purchase Plan in fiscal year 2000.
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plan, during each offering period (generally
a six-month period, or such other period, not to exceed one year, as determined
by the Committee), each eligible employee will be permitted to make an election
to authorize regular payroll deductions and/or lump sum payments for the
purchase of shares of common stock. Subject to the following two sentences,
payroll deductions may be in an amount equal to 1% to 10% of the employee's
compensation (as defined in the Stock Purchase Plan), as elected by the
employee, for each payroll period. Lump sum payments during an offering period,
when added to payroll deductions for such offering period, may be in an amount
not in excess of 10% of a participant's compensation for that offering period.
Under the Stock Purchase Plan, the fair market value of the shares of common
stock that may be purchased by any employee during any calendar year may not
exceed $25,000.
Payroll deductions and cash payments will be credited to recordkeeping
accounts. At the end of the offering period, shares of common stock will be
purchased on behalf of participating employees with their accumulated payroll
deductions and/or lump sum payments at a purchase price equal to the lesser of:
(i) 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date the offering
period begins and (ii) 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the
date the offering period ends. Participants may withdraw from the Stock Purchase
Plan during an offering period and will receive their accumulated payroll
deductions and/or lump sum payments, but may not resume participation until the
following offering period.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
Upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Stock
Purchase Plan), if the Committee determines that the operation or administration
of the Stock Purchase Plan could prevent participants from obtaining the benefit
of accrued purchase rights thereunder, the Stock Purchase Plan may be terminated
in any manner deemed by the Committee to provide equitable treatment to
participants. Equitable treatment may include, but is not limited to, payment of
amounts contributed, with interest, plus an additional amount calculated by
multiplying the number of shares that otherwise would have been purchased for
the participant immediately prior to the change in control at the purchase price
determined as of the first day of the offering period, by the difference between
the highest price paid per share of common stock in connection with the change
in control and the purchase price as of the first day of the offering period.
NONTRANSFERABLE RIGHT TO PURCHASE
Neither payroll deductions, nor other payments credited to a participant's
account, nor any rights with respect to the purchase of shares of common stock
that are granted to a participant under the Stock Purchase Plan may be assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way, other than by will,
the laws of descent and distribution or beneficiary designation.
AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE
The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or discontinue the
Stock Purchase Plan, or alter or amend any agreements under the Stock Purchase
Plan; provided, however, that to the extent required by Sections 423 or 424 of
the Code or any other tax or regulatory requirement, including approval
requirements for exemptive relief under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, no such
15
18
amendment, termination or similar action may be made or taken without the
requisite approval of shareholders entitled to vote thereon.
TERM
The Stock Purchase Plan will become effective upon its approval by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
outstanding shares of common stock, and will expire on the tenth anniversary
thereof, or, if earlier, when the limitation on the total number of shares of
common stock reserved for issuance under the Stock Purchase Plan has been
reached. Rights to purchase shares that are granted prior to the expiration of
the Stock Purchase Plan, however, may extend beyond the expiration date, and the
provisions of the Stock Purchase Plan will continue to apply thereto.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
Inasmuch as the amount of benefits to be received by each participant is
determined by his or her elections, the amount of future benefits to be
allocated to any individual or group of individuals under the Stock Purchase
Plan is not determinable.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is a brief summary of the principal United States
federal income tax consequences under current federal income tax laws relating
to purchases under the Stock Purchase Plan. This summary is not intended to be
exhaustive or to constitute tax advice, and, among other things, does not
describe state, local or foreign income and other tax consequences. For purposes
of this discussion, the right to purchase shares under the Stock Purchase Plan
is described as an option.
The Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock
purchase plan" as defined in Section 423 of the Code. Assuming such
qualification, a participant will not recognize any taxable income as a result
of participating in the plan, exercising options granted pursuant to such plan
or receiving shares of common stock purchased pursuant to such options. A
participant may, however, be required to recognize taxable income as described
below.
If a participant disposes of any shares of common stock purchased pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Plan after the later to occur of (i) two years from the
grant date for the related option and (ii) one year after the exercise date for
the related option (such disposition, a "Qualifying Transfer"), or if he or she
dies (whenever occurring) while owning any shares purchased under the Stock
Purchase Plan, the participant generally will recognize compensation income for
the taxable year in which such disposition or death occurs, in an amount equal
to the lesser of (i) the excess of the market value of the disposed shares at
the time of such disposition over its purchase price, and (ii) 15% of the market
value of the disposed shares on the grant date for the option to which such
disposed shares relate. In the case of a Qualifying Transfer, (a) the basis of
the disposed shares will be increased by an amount equal to the amount of
compensation income so recognized, and (b) the participant will recognize a
capital gain or loss, as the case may be, equal to the difference between the
amount realized from the disposition of the shares and the basis for such
shares.
If the participant disposes of any shares other than by a Qualifying
Transfer, the participant generally will recognize compensation income in an
amount equal to the excess of the market value of the disposed shares on the
date of disposition over their purchase price. In such event, the Company
generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount of
compensation income recognized by the participant. Otherwise, the Company will
not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of
options under the Stock Purchase Plan or the subsequent sale by participants of
shares purchased pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plan. A transfer by the estate
of the participant of shares purchased by the participant under the Stock
Purchase Plan has the same federal income tax effects on the Company as a
Qualifying Transfer.
16
19
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE USEC INC. 1999
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN, DESIGNATED IN THE PROXY AS ITEM 4.
PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS
In order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
for the next annual meeting of Shareholders, proposals from shareholders must be
received by the Secretary of the Company at Two Democracy Center, 6903 Rockledge
Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817 not later than August 28, 1999.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no matters to be presented for action at the meeting
other than those mentioned above. However, if any other matters properly come
before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the Company's form
of proxy will vote on such other matters in accordance with their judgment of
the best interests of the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
USEC Inc.
/s/ ROBERT J. MOORE
Robert J. Moore
Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
Bethesda, Maryland
December 28, 1998
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL
BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO PERSONS WHO WERE SHAREHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD
DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY, TWO DEMOCRACY CENTER, 6903 ROCKLEDGE
DRIVE, BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817.
17
20
ANNEX A
USEC INC. 1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1.
PURPOSE. The purposes of the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") are to promote the interests of USEC Inc. (the "Company") and its
shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining key employees, consultants and
non-employee directors of the Company and its Affiliates; (ii) motivating such
individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range
performance goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the
long-term growth and financial success of the Company; and (iv) linking
compensation to the long-term interests of shareholders. With respect to any
awards granted under the Plan that are intended to comply with the requirements
of "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code (as defined
below), the Plan shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such
requirements.
SECTION 2.
DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
"Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is
controlled by the Company, (ii) any entity in which the Company has a
significant equity interest and (iii) an affiliate of the Company, as
defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in
each case as determined by the Committee.
"Award" shall mean any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted
Stock Unit, Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award.
"Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other
instrument or document evidencing any Award, which may, but need not, be
executed or acknowledged by a Participant.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cause" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award
Agreement, (i) the engaging by the Participant in willful misconduct that
is injurious to the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) the embezzlement or
misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or its Affiliates by
the Participant, or the conviction of the Participant of a felony or the
entrance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Participant to a
felony, or (iii) the willful failure or refusal by the Participant to
substantially perform his or her duties or responsibilities that continues
after being brought to the attention of the Participant (other than any
such failure resulting from the Participant's incapacity due to
Disability). For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on
the Participant's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or
omitted to be done, by him or her not in good faith and without reasonable
belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interest of the
Company. Any determination of Cause shall be made by the Committee in its
sole discretion. Any such determination shall be final and binding on a
Participant.
"Change in Control" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the
applicable Award Agreement, a change in control of the Company, which will
be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any "Person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act (other than (A) the Company, (B) any trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, and (C) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of Shares), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
of securities of the Company (not including any securities acquired
directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 25% or more of
the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities;
A-1
21
(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on
the effective date (as defined in Section 16(a) of the Plan), constitute
the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial
assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation,
relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment
or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were
directors on the effective date of the Plan or whose appointment,
election or nomination for election was previously so approved or
recommended;
(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company
or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other
corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation that would result
in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving or parent
entity) more than 60% of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving or parent entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation or (B) a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company
(or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as defined above),
directly or indirectly, acquired 40% or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities (not including any
securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates); or
(iv) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets (or any transaction having a similar effect), other
than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets to an entity, at least 60% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the
Company immediately prior to such sale.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.
"Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board (which may include the
entire Board) designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The Committee
shall be the Compensation Committee or a sub-committee thereof, unless the
Board shall appoint another committee to administer the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of discretionary awards granted
to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, references to
the Committee shall be deemed to be references to the Board.
"Covered Officer" shall mean at any date (i) any individual who, with
respect to the previous taxable year of the Company, was a "covered
employee" of the Company within the meaning of Section 162(m); provided,
however, that the term "Covered Officer" shall not include any such
individual who is designated by the Committee, in its discretion, at the
time of any Award or at any subsequent time, as reasonably expected not to
be such a "covered employee" with respect to the current taxable year of
the Company and (ii) any individual who is designated by the Committee, in
its discretion, at the time of any Award or at any subsequent time, as
reasonably expected to be such a "covered employee" with respect to the
current taxable year of the Company or with respect to the taxable year of
the Company in which any applicable Award will be paid.
"Disability" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the applicable
Award Agreement, a disability that would qualify as such under the
Company's then current long-term disability plan.
"Employee" shall mean an employee of the Company or of any Affiliate.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Fair Market Value" with respect to the Shares, as of any date, shall
mean (i) the closing sales price of the Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange, or any other such exchange on which the shares are
A-2
22
traded, on such date, or in the absence of reported sales on such date, the
closing sales price on the immediately preceding date on which sales were
reported or (ii) in the event there is no public market for the Shares, the
fair market value as determined, in good faith, by the Committee in its
sole discretion.
"Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option to purchase Shares from
the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is
intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any
successor provision thereto.
"Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an option to purchase Shares
from the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is
not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
"Non-Employee Director" shall mean a member of the Board who is not an
employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
"Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option.
"Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any award granted under Section 9
of the Plan.
"Participant" shall mean any Employee, Non-Employee Director or
consultant who receives an Award under the Plan.
"Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 8 of
the Plan.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization,
government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
"Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section 7 of the
Plan.
"Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under Section 7 of
the Plan.
"Retirement" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the applicable
Award Agreement, retirement of a Participant from the employ or service of
the Company and any of its Affiliates in accordance with the terms of the
applicable Company retirement plan or, if a Participant is not covered by
any such plan, retirement on or after such Participant's 65th birthday.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.
"Section 16" shall mean Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules
promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect
from time to time.
"Section 162(m) shall mean Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules
promulgated thereunder or any successor provision thereto as in effect from
time to time.
"Shares" shall mean shares of the common stock, $0.10 par value, of
the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated
by the Committee from time to time.
"Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted solely in assumption of,
or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company
acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
SECTION 3.
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition
to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the
Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate
Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a
Participant; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with
respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in
A-3
23
connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award;
(v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may
be settled, or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or
other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods
by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended;
(vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash,
Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts
payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at
the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (vii) interpret and
administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made
under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and
regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper
administration of the Plan; and (ix) make any other determination and take any
other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan.
(b) Committee Discretion Binding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in
the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions
under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole
discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final,
conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate,
any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, any Employee, any
Non-Employee Director and any consultant.
(c) Delegation. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the
Committee may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or any
Affiliate, or to a committee of such officers or managers, the authority,
subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to grant
Awards to, or to cancel, modify or waive rights with respect to, or to alter,
discontinue, suspend, or terminate Awards held by, Participants who are not
officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 or who are
otherwise not subject to such Section.
(d) No Liability. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for
any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or
any Award granted hereunder.
SECTION 4.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS.
(a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b),
the number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan
shall be 9,000,000 and the number of Shares with respect to which Awards (other
than Options) may be granted under the Plan shall be 2,250,000. If, after the
effective date of the Plan, any Shares covered by an Award granted under the
Plan, or to which such an Award relates, are forfeited, or if such an Award is
settled for cash or otherwise terminates or is canceled without the delivery of
Shares, then the Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates,
or the number of Shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of Shares
with respect to which Awards may be granted, to the extent of any such
settlement, forfeiture, termination or cancellation, shall again become Shares
with respect to which Awards may be granted. In the event that any Option or
other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the delivery of Shares or in
the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from such Award are satisfied
by the withholding of Shares by the Company, the number of Shares available for
Awards under the Plan shall be increased by the number of Shares so surrendered
or withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 4(b), no Participant may receive Options under the Plan in any
calendar year that relate to more than 500,000 Shares; provided, however, a
Participant may receive Options that relate to up to 1,000,000 Shares during the
initial year of the Plan or in the calendar year in which the Participant's
employment with the Company begins.
(b) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee determines that any
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of
warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company,
or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an
adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in
A-4
24
such manner as it may deem equitable: (i) adjust any or all of (1) the number of
Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other
securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (2) the
maximum number of Shares subject to Awards granted to a Participant pursuant to
Sections 4(a) and 11(b) of the Plan, (3) the number of Shares or other
securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property)
subject to outstanding Awards and (4) the grant or exercise price with respect
to any Award; (ii) if deemed appropriate, provide for an equivalent award in
respect of securities of the surviving entity of any merger, consolidation or
other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (iii) if deemed
appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding
Award; provided, in each case, that (A) with respect to Awards of Incentive
Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such
authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, as from
time to time amended and (B) with respect to any Award no such adjustment shall
be authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the
Plan's meeting the requirements of Section 162(m), unless otherwise determined
by the Committee.
(c) Substitute Awards. Any Shares underlying Substitute Awards shall not,
unless required by Section 16, be counted against the Shares available for
Awards under the Plan.
(d) Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards. Any Shares delivered
pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.
SECTION 5.
ELIGIBILITY. Any Employee (including any officer or employee-director of
the Company or any Affiliate who is not a member of the Committee), Non-Employee
Director or consultant shall be eligible to be designated a Participant;
provided that Non-Employee Directors shall only be eligible to receive Awards
granted pursuant to Section 10.
SECTION 6.
STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have
sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Options shall
be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, the option price
and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option. The
Committee shall have the authority to grant Incentive Stock Options, or to grant
Non-Qualified Stock Options, or to grant both types of options. In the case of
Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be
subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the
Code, as from time to time amended, and any regulations implementing such
statute.
(b) Exercise Price. The Committee in its sole discretion shall establish
the exercise price at the time each Option is granted. Except in the case of
Substitute Awards, the exercise price of an Option may not be less than the Fair
Market Value on the date of grant of such Option.
(c) Exercise. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject
to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. The Committee may
impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of options, including
without limitation, any relating to the application of federal, state or foreign
securities laws or the Code, as it may deem necessary or advisable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option shall not be exercisable after the
expiration of ten years from the date such Option was granted.
(d) Payment. No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an
Option until payment in full of the option price is received by the Company.
Such payment may be made in cash, or its equivalent, or by exchanging Shares
owned by the Participant for at least six months (which are not the subject of
any pledge or other security interest), or by a combination of the foregoing,
provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair
Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company as of the date of
such tender is at least equal to such option price. A Participant may elect to
pay all or any portion of the
A-5
25
aggregate exercise price by having Shares with a Fair Market Value on the date
of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price withheld by the Company or
sold by a broker-dealer.
SECTION 7.
RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
(a) Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have
sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Shares of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be granted, the number of
Shares of Restricted Stock and/or the number of Restricted Stock Units to be
granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and the
conditions under which, the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be
forfeited to the Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards.
(b) Transfer Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered,
except, in the case of Restricted Stock, as provided in the Plan or the
applicable Award Agreements. Certificates issued in respect of Shares of
Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the Participant and
deposited by such Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank,
with the Company. Upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable to such Shares
of Restricted Stock, the Company shall deliver such certificates to the
Participant or the Participant's legal representative.
(c) Payment. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have a value equal to the
Fair Market Value of a Share. Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash,
Shares, other securities or other property, as determined in the sole discretion
of the Committee, upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable thereto, or
otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.
(d) Dividends and Distributions. Dividends and other distributions paid on
or in respect of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units may be paid directly
to the Participant, or may be reinvested in additional Shares of Restricted
Stock or in additional Restricted Stock Units, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion.
SECTION 8.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
(a) Grant. The Committee shall have sole and complete authority to
determine the Participants who shall receive a "Performance Award," which shall
consist of a right that is (i) denominated in cash or Shares, (ii) valued, as
determined by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such
performance goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall
establish, and (iii) payable at such time and in such form as the Committee
shall determine.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the performance goals
to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance
period, the amount of any Performance Award and the amount and kind of any
payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award.
(c) Payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be paid in a
lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period or, in
accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis.
SECTION 9.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee shall have authority to grant to
Participants an "Other Stock-Based Award," which shall consist of any right that
is (i) not an Award described in Sections 6 through 8 above and (ii) an Award of
Shares or an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by
reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without
limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Committee to
be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms
A-6
26
of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine
the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award.
SECTION 10.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR AWARDS. The Committee may provide that all or a
portion of a Non-Employee Director's annual retainer and/or meeting fees be
payable (either automatically or at the election of a Non-Employee Director) in
the form of Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock and/or Other
Stock-Based Awards, including unrestricted Shares. Subject to the terms of the
Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms
and conditions of any such Awards. In addition, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, grant awards of Restricted Stock to Non-Employee Directors pursuant
to such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable, so long as such terms and
conditions are not inconsistent with any other terms of the Plan.
SECTION 11.
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COVERED OFFICERS AND PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee
determines otherwise, all performance-based Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted
Stock Units, Performance Awards, or other Stock-Based Awards shall be subject to
the terms and provisions of this Section 11.
(a) The Committee may grant Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock
Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards to Covered Officers that
vest or become exercisable upon the attainment of performance targets related to
one or more performance goals selected by the Committee from among the goals
specified below. For the purposes of this Section 11, performance goals shall be
limited to one or more of the following Company, subsidiary, operating unit or
division financial performance measures:
(i) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or
amortization
(ii) operating income or profit
(iii) return on equity, assets, capital, capital employed, or
investment
(iv) after tax operating income
(v) net income
(vi) earnings or book value per share
(vii) cash flow(s)
(viii) total sales or revenues or sales or revenues per employee
(ix) production (separative work units or SWUs)
(x) stock price or total shareholder return
(xi) dividends
(xii) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more
objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business
expansion goals, and goals relating to acquisitions or
divestitures
(xiii) except in the case of Section 162(m) awards to Covered
Officers, any other performance criteria established by the
Committee
or any combination thereof. Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or
relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on
internal targets, the past performance of the Company and/or the past or current
performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may
use or employ comparisons relating to capital, shareholders' equity and/or
shares outstanding, or to assets or net assets.
(b) With respect to any Participant, the maximum annual number of shares in
respect of which Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Awards and Other
Stock-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan is 200,000 and the maximum
annual amount of any Award settled in cash is $2,000,000.
(c) To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m), with respect to
Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other
Stock-Based Awards, no later than 90 days following the commencement of each
performance period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by
A-7
27
Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (A) select the
performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period, (B) establish
the various targets and bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance
period and (C) specify the relationship between performance goals and targets
and the amounts to be earned by each Covered Officer for such performance
period. Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee shall
certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved
and the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Officers for such performance
period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Officer for a given
performance period, subject to any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee
shall have the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a given
level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee
may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for
the performance period.
SECTION 12.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE. The Committee shall have the full power
and authority to determine the terms and conditions that shall apply to any
Award upon a termination of employment/service, including a termination by the
Company without Cause, by a Participant voluntarily, or by reason of death,
Disability or Retirement.
SECTION 13.
CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Awards shall
vest, become immediately exercisable or payable or have all restrictions lifted.
SECTION 14.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
(a) Amendments to the Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend,
discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided
that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination
shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to
comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Board
deems it necessary or desirable to comply.
(b) Amendments to Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights
under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate,
any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any
such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or
termination that would adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any
holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent
be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder, or
beneficiary; and provided further that the Committee shall not have the power to
amend the terms of previously granted Awards to reduce, or cancel such Awards
and grant substitute Awards which would have the effect of reducing the exercise
price except pursuant to paragraph (c) below.
(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or
Nonrecurring Events. The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in
the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition
of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events
described in Section 4(b) hereof) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the
financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in
applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee
determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized to the
extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the Plan's meeting the
requirements of Section 162(m), unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
A-8
28
SECTION 15.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Dividend Equivalents. In the sole and complete discretion of the
Committee, an Award may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend
equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property on a
current or deferred basis.
(b) Transferability. Except as provided below, no Award shall be assigned,
alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a
Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may transfer any vested Award,
other than an Incentive Stock Option, to members of his or her immediate family
(defined as his or her spouse, children or grandchildren) or to one or more
trusts for the exclusive benefit of such immediate family members or
partnerships in which such immediate family members are the only partners if the
Award Agreement so provides, the transfer is approved by the Committee and the
Participant does not receive any consideration for the transfer. Any such
transferred Award shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions
that were applicable to such Award immediately prior to its transfer (except
that such transferred Award shall not be further transferable by the
transferee).
(c) No Rights to Awards. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any
Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees,
Non-Employee Directors, consultants, Participants, or holders or beneficiaries
of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect
to each recipient.
(d) Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other securities of
the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or
the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules,
regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which
such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal or
state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any
such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(e) Withholding. A participant may be required to pay to the Company or
any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is
hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer
made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount
owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding or other taxes in
respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or
under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion
of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. The
Committee may provide for additional cash payments to holders of Awards to
defray or offset any tax arising from the grant, vesting, exercise, or payments
of any Award.
(f) Award Agreements. Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement that shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms
and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto. In the event of a
conflict between the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the terms of the
Award Agreement shall prevail.
(g) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the
Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in
effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the
grant of options, restricted stock, Shares and other types of Awards provided
for hereunder (subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required),
and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in
specific cases.
(h) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed
as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or
any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a
Participant from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the
Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
A-9
29
(i) No Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable
Award, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any
rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the
Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in connection with each grant of Restricted Stock hereunder, the
applicable Award shall specify if and to what extent the Participant shall not
be entitled to the rights of a shareholder in respect of such Restricted Stock.
(j) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and
any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be
determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving
effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
(k) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes
or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as
to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law
deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed
amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or
deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially
altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken
as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any
such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(l) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares
or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it
determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other
consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation (including
applicable non-U.S. laws or regulations) or entitle the Company to recover the
same under Section 16(b), and any payment tendered to the Company by a
Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such
Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder, or
beneficiary. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted
hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and
no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole
discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance
with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal or non-U.S. securities laws
and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.
(m) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create
or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other
Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from
the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no
greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any
Affiliate.
(n) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or
delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine
whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred
in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights
thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(o) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the
Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of
the Plan or any provision thereof.
SECTION 16.
TERM OF THE PLAN.
(a) Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of February 2, 1999,
provided it has been approved by the Company's shareholders.
(b) Expiration Date. No new Awards shall be granted under the Plan after
the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Unless otherwise expressly provided
in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder
may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust,
suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or
rights under any such Award shall, continue after the authority for grant of new
Awards hereunder has been exhausted.
A-10
30
ANNEX B
USEC INC. 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
SECTION 1.
PURPOSE. The purpose of the USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Plan") is to provide employees of USEC Inc. (the "Company") and its
subsidiaries with an opportunity to become part owners of the Company by
purchasing Shares (as defined below) through annual offerings financed by
payroll deductions and/or lump sum payment contributions. It is the intention of
the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under
Section 423 of Code (as defined below). The provisions of the Plan shall be
construed accordingly.
SECTION 2.
DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
"Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is
controlled by the Company, (ii) any entity in which the Company has a
significant equity interest and (iii) an affiliate of the Company, as
defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in
each case as determined by the Committee.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.
"Change in Control" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in an
Agreement, a change in control of the Company, which will be deemed to have
occurred if:
(i) any "Person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act (other than (A) the Company, (B) any trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, and (C) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of Shares), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
of securities of the Company (not including any securities acquired
directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing 25% or more of
the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities;
(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on
the effective date (as defined in Section 12(a) of the Plan), constitute
the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial
assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation,
relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment
or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were
directors on the effective date of the Plan or whose appointment,
election or nomination for election was previously so approved or
recommended;
(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company
or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other
corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation that would result
in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving or parent
entity) more than 60% of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving or parent entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation or (B) a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company
(or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as defined above),
directly or
B-1
31
indirectly, acquired 40% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities (not including any securities
acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates); or
(iv) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets (or any transaction having a similar effect), other
than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets to an entity, at least 60% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the
Company immediately prior to such sale.
"Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board designated by the
Board to administer the Plan.
"Compensation" shall mean the total earnings, prior to withholding,
paid to an Employee during the applicable pay period, including overtime
and bonus payments. Compensation shall exclude relocation expenses, tax
gross ups, referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, the imputed value of
group life insurance, car allowances, contest earnings, any employer
contributions to a 401(k) plan, or other similar extraordinary remuneration
received by such Employee.
"Employee" shall mean any individual who is an employee of the Company
or of any Subsidiary whose customary employment with the Company is at
least twenty (20) hours per week or five (5) months in any calendar year
(within the meaning of Sections 423(b)(4) (B) and (C) of the Code,
respectively). For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall
be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or
other leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave
exceeds 90 days and the Employee's right to reemployment is not guaranteed
either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be
deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.
"Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering Period.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Fair Market Value" with respect to the Shares, as of any date, shall
mean (i) the closing sales price of the Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange or any other such exchange on which the Shares are traded, or in
the absence of reported sales on such date, the closing sales price on the
immediately preceding date on which sales were reported, (ii) in the event
there is no public market for the Shares, the fair market value as
determined, in good faith, by the Committee in its sole discretion.
"Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six (6) months,
or such other period (not to exceed one year) as determined by the
Committee.
"Participant" shall mean an Employee who elects to participate in the
Plan by filing an Enrollment Form (as defined in Section 6(b) hereof).
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization,
government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
"Purchase Date" shall mean the date the Plan administrator shall
acquire Shares for Participants (which shall be the last day of the
Offering Period, unless otherwise determined by the Committee).
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.
"Shares" shall mean shares of the common stock, $0.10 par value, of
the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated
by the Committee from time to time.
"Subsidiary" shall mean a subsidiary of the Company as defined under
Section 424(f) of the Code.
B-2
32
SECTION 3.
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and applicable law, and
in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the
Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to
construe and interpret the Plan and may from time to time adopt such rules and
regulations for carrying out the Plan as it may deem necessary or desirable for
the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the determination
of Offering Periods hereunder.
(b) Committee Discretion Binding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in
the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions
under or with respect to the Plan, shall be within the sole discretion of the
Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding
upon all Persons, including the Company, any Subsidiary, any Participant, any
Employee, and any designated beneficiary.
(c) Delegation. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the
Committee may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or to a committee of such officers or managers, the authority,
subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to
administer the Plan.
(d) No Liability. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for
any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan.
(e) Agreements. The Committee may in its sole discretion determine from
time to time that the Company shall offer to enter into agreements hereunder
("Agreements") with all of the Participants, provided, however, that it shall be
under no obligation to do so.
SECTION 4.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS.
(a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b),
the number of Shares which may be sold under the Plan shall not exceed 2,500,000
shares. In the event that any Shares offered during an Offering Period are not
purchased, such unpurchased Shares may again be sold under the Plan.
(b) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee determines that any
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance
of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the
Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such
that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended
to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as
it may deem appropriate make such equitable adjustments in the Plan and the then
outstanding offerings as it deems necessary and appropriate, including but not
limited to changing the number of Shares reserved under the Plan and the price
of the current offering.
(c) Source of Shares. Shares which are to be delivered under the Plan may
be obtained by the Company from its treasury, by purchases on the open market or
from private sources, or by issuing authorized but unissued Shares. Any issuance
of authorized but unissued Shares shall be approved by the Board or the
Committee. Authorized but unissued Shares may not be delivered under the Plan if
the purchase price thereof is less than the par value of the Shares. Subject to
the provisions of Section 11(i) below, fractional Shares may not be issued and
sold under the Plan.
(d) Oversubscription. If the number of Shares that Participants become
entitled to purchase is greater than the number of Shares offered in a
particular Offering Period or remaining available, the available Shares shall be
allocated by the Committee among such Participants in such manner as it deems
fair and equitable.
B-3
33
SECTION 5.
ELIGIBILITY. All Employees (including Employees who are directors) of the
Company or of any Subsidiary designated by the Committee, will be eligible to
participate in the Plan, in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed from
time to time; provided, however, that such rules shall neither permit nor deny
participation in the Plan contrary to the requirements of the Code (including,
but not limited to, Sections 423(b)(3), (4) and (5) thereof) and regulations
promulgated thereunder. No Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan
until the completion of six (6) months of service. During an Offering Period, no
Employee may participate under the Plan if such Employee would own 5% or more of
the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company
or any Subsidiary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the rules of Section
424(d) of the Code shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an
Employee, and Shares which the Employee would be permitted to purchase under the
current Offering Period shall be treated as Shares owned by the Employee.
SECTION 6.
PARTICIPATION AND OFFERINGS.
(a) The Company may authorize one or more Offering Periods to Employees to
purchase Shares under the Plan. The Committee may at any time suspend an
Offering Period if required by law or if the Committee determines in good faith
that it is in the best interests of the Company.
(b) Eligible Employees may become Participants in such Offering Periods at
such time(s) as determined by the Committee by filing a form of enrollment
("Enrollment Form") with the Company authorizing specified regular payroll
deductions or lump-sum payments. Subject to paragraph (c) below, payroll
deductions for such purpose shall be in one percent (1%) increments of
Compensation subject to a minimum of one percent (1%) and a maximum deduction of
ten percent (10%) of Compensation per pay period. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in no event may the sum of a Participant's lump sum contributions and payroll
deductions exceed 10% of a participant's Compensation for the applicable
Offering Period.
(c) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, no Employee may
purchase Shares under this Plan and any other qualified employee stock purchase
plan (within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code) of the Company or its
Subsidiaries at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of Fair Market Value of Shares for
each calendar year in which a purchase is executed. For purposes of this
Section, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the first date of the
applicable Offering Period.
(d) The Company and participating Subsidiaries will establish Participant
recordkeeping accounts authorizing a payroll deduction pursuant to Section 6(b).
(e) A Participant may, by written notice at any time during the Offering
Period, direct the Company to reduce or increase payroll deductions (or, if the
payment for Shares is being made through periodic lump sum payments, notify the
Company that such payments will be increased, reduced, or terminated), subject
to a maximum of one change per Offering Period.
(f) A Participant may elect to withdraw all of his or her entire account
prior to the end of the Offering Period. No partial withdrawal will be permitted
unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Any such withdrawal will terminate
such Participant's participation for the remainder of the Offering Period. If a
Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not
resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant
delivers to the Company a new Enrollment Form.
(g) As of the last day of the Offering Period, the recordkeeping account of
each Participant shall be totaled. Subject to the provisions of Section 6(f)
above, if such account contains sufficient funds to purchase one or more Shares
as of that date, the employee shall be deemed to have purchased the largest
number of Shares at the price determined under Section 7 below; such
Participant's account will be charged, on that date, for the amount of the
purchase, and for all purposes under the Plan the Participant shall be deemed to
have acquired the Shares on that date. The registrar for the Company will make
an entry on its books and records evidencing that such Shares have been duly
issued as of that date; provided, however, that a
B-4
34
Participant may, in the alternative, elect in writing prior thereto to receive a
stock certificate representing the amount of such full Shares acquired (and any
remaining balance shall be returned to such Participant by check or remain in
the recordkeeping account for the succeeding Offering Period).
(h) Each Participant may be requested to notify the Company of any
disposition of Shares purchased pursuant to the Plan prior to the expiration of
the holding periods set forth in Section 423(a) of the Code.
SECTION 7.
PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price of a Share pursuant to a transaction
under the Plan shall be the lesser of: (a) 85% of the Fair Market Value of a
Share on the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period, and (b) 85% of
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Purchase Date of the applicable Offering
Period.
SECTION 8
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Unless otherwise specified in an Agreement,
upon a Participant's ceasing to be an Employee of the Company or a participating
Subsidiary, for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to
withdraw from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such Participant's
account during the Offering Period, but not yet used, shall be returned to the
Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the Participant's designated
beneficiary or estate.
SECTION 9.
TRANSFERABILITY. Neither payroll deductions credited to a Participant's
account nor any rights with regard to the purchase of Shares under the Plan may
be assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise disposed of in any way (other
than by will, laws of descent and distribution, or beneficiary designation) by a
Participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge, or other
disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act
as an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with
Section 6(f) hereof.
SECTION 10.
CHANGE IN CONTROL. Unless otherwise specified in an Agreement,
notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event of a Change
in Control of the Company, if the Committee determines that the operation or
administration of the Plan could prevent Participants from obtaining the benefit
of accrued purchase rights under the Plan, the Plan may be terminated in any
manner deemed by the Committee to provide equitable treatment to Participants.
Equitable treatment may include, but is not limited to, payment to each
Participant of the amount of contributions and interest standing to such
Participant's account as of the date of the Change in Control, plus an
additional amount determined by (A) calculating the number of full Shares that
could have been purchased for the Participant immediately prior to the Change in
Control at the purchase price (determined under Section 7 at the beginning of
the Offering Period (the "Purchase Price")) and (B) multiplying that number of
Shares by the difference between the Purchase Price per Share and the highest
price paid per Share in connection with the Change in Control of the Company.
SECTION 11.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Amendments. The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend,
or discontinue the Plan or alter or amend any and all Agreements; provided,
however, that no such action of the Board may, without the approval of the
shareholders, make any amendment for which shareholder approval is necessary to
comply with any tax or regulatory requirement, including for this purpose, any
approval requirement which is a prerequisite for exemptive relief under Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act or Sections 423 and 424 of the Code.
(b) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed
as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employment of the
Company or any Subsidiary. Further, the Company or any
B-5
35
Subsidiary may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any
liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in
the Plan.
(c) No Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, no
Participant or holder or beneficiary of any purchase shall have any rights as a
shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until
such Shares have been purchased pursuant to Section 6(g) hereof.
(d) Obligatory Status. Participation in the Plan shall impose no
obligation upon a Participant to purchase any Shares under the Plan.
(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of Shares pursuant to purchases under the Plan will be used for general
corporate purposes.
(f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan becomes or is deemed to be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person, or
would disqualify the Plan or any purchase under any law deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the
applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the
determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan, such
provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or person, and the remainder
of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and
any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of
law principles thereof.
(h) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares
if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer
of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or
regulation (including applicable non-U.S. laws or regulations) or entitle the
Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any
payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in
connection with the purchase of such Shares shall be promptly refunded to the
relevant Participant, holder, or beneficiary. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, no Plan provision shall be construed as an offer to sell
securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and
until the Committee in its sole discretion has determined that any such offer,
if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S.
federal or non-U.S. securities laws and any other laws to which such offer, if
made, would be subject.
(i) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or
delivered pursuant to the Plan. Any payroll deductions or lump sum contributions
credited to a Participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a full
share shall be retained in the Participant's recordkeeping account for the
subsequent Offering Period, subject to early withdrawal by the Participant as
provided in Section 6(f) hereof, or distributed as a cash payment on the
Purchase Date.
(j) Shareholder Approval. This Plan shall not be effective until approved
by the shareholders of the Company as provided in Section 423(b)(2) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder.
(k) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the
Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of
the Plan or any provision thereof.
SECTION 12.
TERM OF THE PLAN.
(a) Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of February 2, 1999,
provided it has been approved by the Company's shareholders.
(b) Expiration Date. The Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of
the Effective Date or, subject to the provisions of Sections 4(d) and 11(a)
above, coincident with the completion of any offering under which the limitation
on the total number of Shares in Section 4(a) above has been reached, if
earlier.
B-6
36
DETACH HERE
PROXY
USEC Inc.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
USEC Inc.
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 1999
The undersigned, having received the notice and accompanying Proxy Statement for
said meeting, hereby appoints James R. Mellor, William H. Timbers, Jr., and
Robert J. Moore, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as the
undersigned's proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of USEC Inc.
to be held on Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at the
Bethesda Marriott Hotel, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, Maryland, (the "Annual
Meeting"), or any adjournments or postponements thereof, all the shares of
common stock of USEC Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote. The above
proxies are hereby instructed to vote as shown on the reverse of this card and
in their discretion upon such other business as may be properly brought before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors of USEC Inc. recommends that you vote FOR the director
nominees as listed in proposal 1, FOR ratification of the appointment of Arthur
Andersen LLP as independent auditors of USEC Inc., FOR adoption of the USEC Inc.
1999 Equity Incentive Plan and FOR adoption of USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. Shares represented by all properly executed proxies will be voted
in accordance with instructions appearing on the proxy. IN THE ABSENCE OF
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY
HOLDERS AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
- --------------- ---------------
/ SEE REVERSE / CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE / SEE REVERSE /
SIDE SIDE
37
[USEC logo]
DETACH HERE
/x/ Please mark
votes as in
this example.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election of Directors.
Nominees: Joyce F. Brown, Frank V. Cahouet,
John R. Hall, James R. Mellor, Dan T. Moore, III,
William H. Timbers, Jr., William H. White
MARK HERE / /
FOR / / / / WITHHELD IF YOU PLAN TO
ALL FROM ALL ATTEND THE
NOMINEES NOMINEES MEETING
/ /
---------------------------------- MARK HERE / /
FOR ALL NOMINEES, except as noted above FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND
NOTE BELOW
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. Ratification of appointment of Arthur / / / / / /
Andersen LLP as independent auditors
of USEC Inc.
3. Adoption of USEC Inc. 1999 Equity / / / / / /
Incentive Plan.
4. Adoption of USEC Inc. 1999 Employee / / / / / /
Stock Purchase Plan.
5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote with respect to
any other business which may properly come before the annual
meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE MEETING.
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS HEREON. JOINT OWNERS SHOULD
EACH SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH.
SIGNATURE: _____________ DATE: ________ SIGNATURE: _____________ DATE: ________