PACI PROOF Acquisition Corp I

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2024

Registration No. 333-

 

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

The Securities Act of 1933

VOLATO GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Matthew Liotta

Chief Executive Officer

1954 Airport Road

Suite 124

Chamblee, Georgia 30341

Telephone: (844) 399-8998

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

F. Reid Avett

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

20001 K Street, NW

Suite 400 South

Washington, D.C. 20006

Telephone: (202) 857-4425

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.

Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The documents listed in (a) through (e) below are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

All documents subsequently filed by Volato Group (formerly known as Proof Acquisition Corp. I) (the “Registrant”) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the SEC shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors or officers of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. The Registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended Charter“) includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL (including to the extent that the DGCL may subsequently be amended to further expand the scope of permissible exculpation of directors or officers under Delaware law).

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. In addition, Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Under Section 145(c) of the DGCL, present and former directors, and certain present and former officers, that have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referenced in Section 145(a) or 145(b) of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, are entitled to mandatory indemnification against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

The Registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Amended Bylaws”) provide that the Registrant generally must indemnify the Registrant’s directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL (except that the Registrant is only obligated to indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Registrant’s  board of directors) and advance expense to the Registrant’s directors and officers in the defense of actions, suits, or proceedings arising by reason of the fact of their corporate status. The Registrant also is expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for the Registrant directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities. The Registrant believes that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

Item 7.

Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8.

Exhibits.

Item 9.

Undertakings.

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto authorized, in the City of Chamblee, State of Georgia, on February 5, 2024.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, Matthew Liotta and Mark Heinen, as their attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments), and any and all registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with or related to this registration statement and its amendments, if any, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorney to any and all amendments to said registration statement.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Award Agreement means an award agreement (which may be in written or electronic form, in the Administrator’s discretion, and which includes any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms, conditions and restrictions of an Award granted to the Participant. An Award Agreement may also state such other terms, conditions and restrictions, including but not limited to terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to shares of Common Stock or any other benefit underlying an Award, as may be established by the Administrator.

Cause means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a Participant’s termination of employment or service resulting from the Participant’s (i) termination for “Cause” as defined under the Participant’s employment, change in control, consulting or other agreement or arrangement with the Company or an Affiliate, if any, or (ii) if the Participant has not entered into any such agreement (or, if any such agreement does not define “Cause”), then the Participant’s termination shall be for “Cause” if termination results due to the Participant’s (A) dishonesty; (B) failure to perform his or her duties for the Company or an Affiliate; (C) engaging in fraudulent conduct or conduct that could be materially damaging to the Company without a reasonable good faith belief that such conduct was in the best interest of the Company; or (D) material breach of any confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant applicable to the Participant. The determination of “Cause” shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final and conclusive. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, for purposes of the Plan and an Award, a Participant’s employment or service shall also be deemed to have terminated for Cause if, after the Participant’s employment or service has terminated, facts and circumstances are discovered that would have justified, in the opinion of the Administrator, a termination for Cause.

A Change of Control shall (except as may be otherwise required for compliance with Code Section 409A) be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of the following dates:

The date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock;

The date of the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of the Company (or similar transaction involving the Company), in which the holders of the Common Stock or other voting securities immediately prior to the transaction have voting control over less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, or (B) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company;

The date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board within a 12 -month period unless the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders or the appointment of each new Director (other than as a result of any settlement of a proxy or consent solicitation contest or any action taken to avoid such a contest) was approved by the vote of two-thirds or more of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period; or

The date on which the stockholders of the Company approve of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company to the extent that stockholder approval is required by Applicable Law.

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto. Any reference herein to a specific Code section shall be deemed to include all related regulations or other guidance with respect to such Code section.

Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board (or a subcommittee thereof), or other committee of the Board to which the Board has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. For clarity, the term “Committee” includes the Board (or subcommittee of the Committee or other committee of the Board) if exercising the authority of the Committee under the Plan.

Common Stock means the Class A common stock of Volato Group, Inc., $0.0001 par value, or any successor securities thereto.

Company means Volato Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with any successor thereto. In the Administrator’s discretion, the term “Company” may also refer to the Company and any or all of its Affiliates.

Disability means (except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations) or otherwise defined in a Participant’s Award Agreement or any employment, change in control, consulting or other agreement or arrangement to which the Participant is a party) the inability of the Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The Administrator shall have authority to determine if a Disability has occurred.

Dividend Equivalent Award means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 13 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or shares of Common Stock) of dividends paid on Common Stock.

Freestanding SAR means a Stock Appreciation Right that is not granted in tandem with an Option, as provided in Section 8.

Good Reason means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, in the context of a Change of Control, a Participant’s termination of employment or service resulting from the Participant’s (i) termination for “Good Reason” as defined under the Participant’s employment, change in control, consulting or other agreement or arrangement with the Company or an Affiliate, if any, or (ii) if the Participant has not entered into any agreement (or, if any such agreement does not define “Good Reason”), then, a Participant’s termination shall be for “Good Reason” if termination results from any of the following without the Participant’s consent: (A) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change of Control, or (B) the assignment to the Participant of duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with, or a material diminution in, the Participant’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Directors, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a Director’s termination from service on the Board shall be for “Good Reason” if the Participant ceases to serve as a Director or, if the Company is not the surviving company in the Change of Control event, a member of the board of directors of the surviving entity, in either case, due to the Participant’s failure to be nominated to serve as a director of such entity or the Participant’s failure to be elected to serve as a director of such entity, but not due to the Participant’s decision not to continue service on the Board or the board of directors of the surviving entity, as the case may be. In the context other than a Change of Control, “Good Reason” shall have the meaning given in a Participant’s Award Agreement or employment, change in control, consulting or other agreement or arrangement with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable. An event or condition that would otherwise constitute “Good Reason” shall constitute Good Reason only if the Company fails to rescind or cure such event or condition within 30 days after receipt from the Participant of written notice of the event which constitutes Good Reason, and Good Reason shall cease to exist for any event or condition described herein on the 60th day following the later of the occurrence or the Participant’s knowledge thereof, unless the Participant has given the Company written notice thereof prior to such date. The determination of “Good Reason” shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final and conclusive.

Option Period means the term of an Option, as provided in Section 7(d).

Option Price means the price at which an Option may be exercised, as provided in Section 7(b).

Parent means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e) (or any successor section thereto).

Participant means an individual who is an Employee employed by, or a Director or Independent Contractor providing services to, the Company or an Affiliate who satisfies the requirements of Section 6 and is selected by the Administrator to receive an Award under the Plan.

Performance Measures mean one or more performance factors or criteria which may be established by the Administrator with respect to an Award. Performance Measures may be based on such corporate, business unit or division and/or individual performance or other factors or criteria, whether objective or subjective, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate. Such criteria may relate to the Company, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more of its divisions, departments, units, segments, partnerships, joint ventures or minority investments, facilities, product lines or products or any combination of the foregoing. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and on such terms as the Administrator may determine, in its discretion, including but not limited to on an absolute basis, in relation to performance in a prior performance period, and/or relative to one or more peer group companies or indices, or any combination thereof.

Performance Unit means an Award granted under Section 10, in an amount determined by the Administrator and specified in an Award Agreement, that entitles the holder to receive shares of Common Stock, a cash payment or a combination of Common Stock and cash (as determined by the Administrator), subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

Plan means the Volato Group, Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan, as it may be amended and/or restated.

Prior Plan means the Volato, Inc. (formerly, Aerago, Inc.) 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated.

Related SAR means a Stock Appreciation Right that is granted in tandem with a particular Option, as provided in Section 8, and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

Restricted Award means a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as provided in Section 9.

Restricted Stock Award means an Award of shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant under Section 9. Shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall cease to be restricted when, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator, the shares vest and become transferable or free of any substantial risk of forfeiture.

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means an Award granted under Section 8 entitling the Participant to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the Base Price, subject to the terms of the Plan and Award Agreement and any other terms and conditions established by the Administrator. References to “SARs” include both Related SARs and Freestanding SARs, unless the context requires otherwise.

Subsidiary means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f) (or any successor section thereto).

Termination Date means the date of termination of a Participant’s employment or service for any reason, as determined by the Administrator (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations).

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have full and final authority in its discretion to take any action with respect to the Plan including, without limitation, the authority to (i) determine all matters relating to Awards, including selection of individuals to be granted Awards, the types of Awards, the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, subject to an Award, and all terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations of an Award; (ii) prescribe the form or forms of Award Agreements evidencing any Awards granted under the Plan; (iii) establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan; (iv) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement; and (v) construe and interpret the Plan, Awards and Award Agreements made under the Plan, interpret rules and regulations for administering the Plan and make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. In addition, (i) the Administrator shall have the authority to accelerate the date that any Award which was not otherwise exercisable, vested or earned shall become exercisable, vested or earned in whole or in part without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to any other Award granted to any recipient; and (ii) the Administrator may in its sole discretion modify or extend the terms and conditions for exercise, vesting or earning of an Award (in each case, taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations). The Administrator’s authority to grant Awards and authorize payments under the Plan shall not in any way restrict the authority of the Company to grant compensation to Employees, Directors or Independent Contractors under any other compensation plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate. The Administrator may determine that a Participant’s rights, payments and/or benefits with respect to an Award (including but not limited to any shares issued or issuable and/or cash paid or payable with respect to an Award) shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for Cause, violation of policies of the Company or an Affiliate, breach of non-solicitation, noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, other conduct by the Participant that is determined by the Administrator to be detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any Affiliate, and/or other circumstances where such reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment is required by Applicable Law. In addition, the Administrator shall have the authority and discretion to establish terms and conditions of Awards (including but not limited to the establishment of subplans) as the Administrator determines to be necessary or appropriate to conform to the applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions outside of the United States. In addition to action by meeting in accordance with Applicable Law, any action of the Administrator with respect to the Plan may be taken by a written instrument signed by all of the members of the Board or Committee, as appropriate, and any such action so taken by written consent shall be as fully effective as if it had been taken by a majority of the members at a meeting duly held and called. All determinations of the Administrator with respect to the Plan and any Award or Award Agreement will be final and binding on the Company and all persons having or claiming an interest in any Award granted under the Plan. No member of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be liable while acting as Administrator for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, an Award or an Award Agreement. The members of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement in the manner and to the fullest extent provided in the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or pursuant to Applicable Law.

The Administrator may adjust or modify Performance Measures or other performance factors or criteria or terms or conditions of Awards due to extraordinary items, transactions, events or developments, or in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or infrequent events affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in Applicable Law, accounting principles or business conditions, in each case as determined by the Administrator. By way of example but not limitation, the Administrator may provide with respect to any Award that any evaluation of performance shall exclude or otherwise objectively adjust for any specified circumstance or event that occurs during a performance period, including circumstances or events such as the following: (i) asset write-downs or impairment charges; (ii) significant litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting standards or principles or other laws or regulatory rules; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in then-current accounting principles; (vi) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders; (vii) acquisitions or divestitures; (viii) a change in the Company’s fiscal year; (ix) foreign exchange gains and losses; or (x) any other unusual or infrequent events.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 3, the Board may expressly delegate to one or more officers of the Company or a special committee consisting of one or more directors who are also officers of the Company the authority, within specified limits, to grant Awards to eligible Participants, and to make any or all of the determinations reserved for the Administrator in the Plan and summarized in Section 3(b) with respect to such Awards (subject to any restrictions imposed by Applicable Law and such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator); provided, however, that the granting of Awards may not be delegated under this Section (3)(d) if the Participant to whom the Award is granted is deemed to be an officer or director of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the grant would not satisfy the requirements of that section. To the extent that the Administrator has delegated authority to grant Awards pursuant to this Section 3(d) to an officer(s) and/or a special committee, references to the “Administrator” shall include references to such officer(s) and/or special committee, subject, however, to the requirements of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other Applicable Law.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3(b) herein, Awards granted under the Plan (other than cash-based awards) shall be subject to a minimum vesting (or earning) (collectively, “vesting”) period of one year; provided, however, that (i) the Administrator may provide for acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability of all or a portion of an Award in its discretion, including but not limited to in cases of a Participant's death, Disability or Retirement, or (to the extent provided pursuant to Section 14 herein) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company; (ii) the Administrator may provide for the grant of Awards to Participants without a minimum vesting period or with a shorter minimum vesting period, but only with respect to Awards for no more than an aggregate of five percent (5%) of the total number of Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5(a) herein, upon such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine; (iii) the Administrator also may provide for the grant of Awards to Participants that have different vesting terms in the case of Awards that are substituted for other equity awards in connection with mergers, consolidations or other similar transactions, Awards that are granted as an inducement to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate or to replace forfeited awards from a former employer, or Awards that are granted in exchange for forgone cash compensation; and (iv) with respect to Awards granted to non-employee Directors, the minimum vesting period shall be the period commencing with the date on which such non-employee Director is elected to appointed to the Board and ending on the earlier to occur of (X) the one-year anniversary of the grant date of such Award or (Y) the date of the next annual meeting following such non-employee Director’s election or appointment to the Board, so long as the period between the date of the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders related to the grant date and the date of the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders is not less than 50 weeks.

Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan: Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5(d), the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed 5,608,690¹ shares. Shares delivered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase. The Company hereby reserves sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock to meet the grant of Awards hereunder. If the Plan is approved, no further awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan on or after the Effective Date, although Prior Plan awards that are outstanding as of such date shall continue in accordance with their terms.

Additional Share Counting Provisions: The following provisions shall apply with respect to the share limitations of Section 5(a):

Awards settled in cash shall not be counted against the share limitations stated in Section 5(a) herein.

Dividends, including dividends paid in shares, or dividend equivalents paid in connection with outstanding Awards, will not be counted towards the share limitations in Section 5(a).

Except as provided in Paragraph (vi), to the extent that the full number of shares subject to an Award is not issued for any reason, including by reason of failure to achieve maximum performance factors or criteria, only the number of shares issued and delivered shall be considered for purposes of determining the number of shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

The following shares of Common Stock may not again be made available for issuance as Awards under the Plan: (A) shares withheld or delivered to satisfy the tax withholding requirements for an Option or SAR and shares withheld or delivered to pay the exercise price related to an Option or SAR; (B) shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an Option or SAR; and (C) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the Option Price of an Option.

¹ Number reflects 20% of the post-merger capitalization as approved by the stockholders.

² Number reflects 20% of the post-merger capitalization as approved by the stockholders.

 

The individual is (i) an Employee, (ii) a Director or (iii) an Independent Contractor.

With respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the individual is otherwise eligible to participate under this Section 6, is an Employee of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and does not own, immediately before the time that the Incentive Option is granted, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary may be granted an Incentive Option if the Option Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, and the Option Period does not exceed five years. For this purpose, an individual will be deemed to own stock which is attributable to him or her under Code Section 424(d).

With respect to the grant of substitute awards or assumption of awards in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or similar transaction involving the Company or an Affiliate, the recipient is otherwise eligible to receive the Award and the terms of the award are consistent with the Plan and Applicable Law (including, to the extent necessary, the federal securities laws registration provisions, Code Section 409A and Code Section 424(a)).

The individual, being otherwise eligible under this Section 6, is selected by the Administrator as an individual to whom an Award shall be granted (as defined above, a “Participant”).

Grant of Options: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Options to such eligible individuals in such numbers, subject to such terms and conditions, and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Both Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options may be granted under the Plan, as determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that Incentive Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary. To the extent that an Option is designated as an Incentive Option but does not qualify as such under Code Section 422, the Option (or portion thereof) shall be treated as a Nonqualified Option. An Option may be granted with or without a Related SAR.

Option Period and Limitations on the Right to Exercise Options:

The Option Period shall be determined by the Administrator at the time the Option is granted and shall be stated in the Award Agreement. The Option Period shall not extend more than 10 years from the date on which the Option is granted (or five years with respect to Incentive Options granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary, as provided in Section 6(b)). Any Option or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the Option Period shall terminate. The period or periods during which, and the terms and conditions pursuant to which, an Option may vest and become exercisable shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion, subject to the terms of the Plan.

By delivery of written notice of exercise to the Company and delivery to a broker of written notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option Price;

By such other payment methods as may be approved by the Administrator and which are acceptable under Applicable Law; or

By any combination of the foregoing methods.

The Administrator shall determine the extent, if any, to which a Participant may have the right to exercise an Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or service with the Company. Such rights, if any, shall be subject to the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall be stated in the individual Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Section 7, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service. Subject to Plan terms, the Administrator also shall have authority, in its sole discretion (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), to accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise vested and exercisable, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the other terms and conditions of exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

Limitation on Incentive Options: In no event shall there first become exercisable by an Employee in any one calendar year Incentive Options granted by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary with respect to shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Incentive Option is granted) greater than $100,000; provided that, if such limit is exceeded, then the first $100,000 of shares to become exercisable in such calendar year will be Incentive Options and the Options (or portion thereof) for shares with a value in excess of $100,000 that first became exercisable in that calendar year will be Nonqualified Options. In the event the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective Date of the Plan to provide for a different limitation on the Fair Market Value of shares permitted to be subject to Incentive Options, then such different limit shall be automatically incorporated herein.

Nontransferability of Options: Incentive Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than transfers by will or the laws of intestate succession or, in the Administrator’s discretion, such transfers (for no consideration) as may otherwise be permitted in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(b)(2) or Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-2(c) or any successor provisions thereto. Nonqualified Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, except for transfers (for no consideration) if and to the extent permitted by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the registration provisions of the Securities Act. Except as may be permitted by the preceding, an Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant SARs to such eligible individuals, in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. SARs may be granted to the holder of an Option with respect to all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Related Option or may be granted separately to an eligible individual. The Base Price per share of an SAR shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its discretion authorize the grant of substitute or assumed SARs of an acquired entity with a Base Price per share not equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of grant, if the terms of such substitution or assumption otherwise comply, to the extent deemed applicable, with Code Section 409A and/or Code Section 424(a). An SAR shall be considered to be granted on the date that the Administrator acts to grant the SAR, or on such later date as may be established by the Administrator in accordance with Applicable Law.

Related SARs: A Related SAR may be granted either concurrently with the grant of the Related Option or (if the Related Option is a Nonqualified Option) at any time thereafter prior to the complete exercise, termination, expiration or cancellation of such Related Option. The Base Price of a Related SAR shall be equal to the Option Price of the Related Option. Related SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable (and may be subject to such additional limitations on exercisability as the Administrator may provide in an Award Agreement), and in no event after the complete termination or full exercise of the Related Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Related SAR that is related to an Incentive Option may be exercised only to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair Market Value exceeds the Option Price of the Related Option. Upon the exercise of a Related SAR granted in connection with a Related Option, the Option shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the SAR is exercised, and upon the exercise of a Related Option, the Related SAR shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the Related Option is exercised or surrendered.

Freestanding SARs: An SAR may be granted without relationship to an Option (as defined above, a “Freestanding SAR”) and, in such case, will be exercisable upon such terms and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Administrator, subject to the terms of the Plan.

Subject to the terms of the Plan, SARs shall be vested and exercisable in whole or in part upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator. The period during which an SAR may be exercisable shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant or, in the case of Related SARs, such shorter Option Period as may apply to the Related Option (the “SAR Period”). Any SAR or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the period established by the Administrator shall terminate.

The Administrator shall determine the extent, if any, to which a Participant may have the right to exercise an SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment or service with the Company. Such rights, if any, shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall be stated in the individual Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Section 8, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service. Subject to Plan terms, the Administrator also may, in its sole discretion (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an SAR which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an SAR may be exercised, modify the terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

Payment Upon Exercise: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the Base Price of the SAR by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is being exercised. The consideration payable upon exercise of an SAR shall be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator or provided in the Award Agreement.

Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, SARs shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, except for transfers (for no consideration) if and to the extent permitted by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the registration provisions of the Securities Act. Except as may be permitted by the preceding sentence, SARs may be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

Grant of Restricted Awards: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Restricted Awards to such individuals, for such numbers of shares of Common Stock, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Such Restricted Awards may be in the form of Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units. The Award Agreement shall specify (i) in the case of Restricted Stock Awards, the Award’s vesting conditions, the payment, if any, required from the Participant as a condition to the grant of the Award and any restrictions on the Participant’s right to make an election under Code Section 83(b), and (ii) in the case of Restricted Stock Units, the date on which, or the event on the occurrence of which, the Common Stock subject to the Award will be transferred to the Participant and any vesting conditions applicable to the Award. Restricted Stock Awards shall be payable in shares of Common Stock. Restricted Stock Units shall be payable in cash or shares of Common Stock, or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator.

Vesting of Restricted Awards: The vesting conditions for a Restricted Award shall be determined by the Administrator and may include, but are not limited to, attainment of performance objectives, continued service or employment for a specified period of time, a combination of attainment of performance objectives and continued service or other conditions (such as the period within which such conditions must be met, the “Restricted Period”). In the case of Restricted Awards based upon performance factors or criteria, or a combination of performance factors or criteria and continued service, the Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures applicable to such Restricted Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan (and taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Restricted Awards have vested and been earned and are payable and to establish and interpret the terms and conditions of Restricted Awards. Subject to Plan terms, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may (subject to any Code Section 409A considerations) accelerate the date that any Restricted Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be vested or earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Restricted Awards granted to any Participant.

Share Certificates; Escrow: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a certificate or certificates representing the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued in the name of the Participant (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, other written evidence of ownership in accordance with Applicable Law shall be provided) after the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may require that the Participant (i) deliver the certificate(s) (or other instruments) for such shares to the Administrator or its designee to be held in escrow until the Restricted Stock Award vests and is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (in which case the shares will be promptly released to the Participant) or is forfeited (in which case the shares shall be returned to the Company); and/or (ii) deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank (or similar instrument), relating to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award which are subject to forfeiture. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a certificate or certificate representing shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit shall be issued in the name of the Participant (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, other written evidence of ownership in accordance with Applicable Law shall be provided) promptly after the Award (or portion thereof) has vested and is distributable.

Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Restricted Awards that have not vested shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than transfers (for no consideration) by will or the laws of intestate succession, and the recipient of a Restricted Award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber shares subject to the Award until the Restriction Period has expired and until all conditions to vesting have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

Grant of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Performance Awards to such eligible individuals upon such terms and conditions and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Performance Awards may be in the form of Performance Shares or Performance Units. An Award of Performance Share is a grant of a right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock as determined by the Administrator, the cash value thereof, or a combination thereof (in the Administrator’s discretion or as specified in the Award Agreement), which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period. An Award of a Performance Unit is a grant of a right to receive a designated dollar value as determined by the Administrator in the form of Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period. The Administrator shall have discretion to determine the number of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted to any Participant. Subject to Plan terms, the Administrator shall determine the nature, length and starting date of the period during which a Performance Award may be earned (the “Performance Period”), and shall determine the conditions which must be met in order for a Performance Award to be granted or to vest or be earned (in whole or in part), which conditions may include but are not limited to attainment of performance objectives, continued service or employment for a certain period of time, or any other conditions. The Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures applicable to Performance Awards.

Earning of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan (and taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Performance Awards have been earned and are payable and to interpret the terms and conditions of Performance Awards and the provisions of this Section 10. Subject to Plan terms, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may (subject to any Code Section 409A considerations) accelerate the date that any Performance Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Awards granted to any Participant.

Termination of Employment or Service; Forfeiture: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), if the employment or service of a Participant shall terminate for any reason (whether by the Company or the Participant and whether voluntary or involuntary) and the Participant has not earned and vested in all or part of a Performance Award pursuant to the terms of the Plan and related Award Agreement, such Award, to the extent not then earned and vested, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

Termination of Employment or Service; Forfeiture: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), if the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated for any reason (whether by the Company or the Participant and whether voluntary or involuntary) and all or any part of a Phantom Stock Award has not vested and become payable pursuant to the terms of the Plan and related Award Agreement, such Award, to the extent not then vested or earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

To the extent that the successor or surviving company in the Change of Control event does not assume or substitute for an Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and does not continue the Award) on substantially similar terms or with substantially equivalent economic benefits (as determined by the Administrator) as Awards outstanding under the Plan immediately prior to the Change of Control event, (A) all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become fully vested and exercisable, whether or not then otherwise vested and exercisable; and (B) any restrictions, including but not limited to the Restricted Period, Performance Period and/or performance or other factors or criteria applicable to any outstanding Award (other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) shall be deemed to have been met, and such Awards shall be deemed vested and earned in full at the greater of actual or target.

Further, if an Award is substituted, assumed or continued as provided in Section 14(a)(i) herein, the Award will nonetheless become vested (and, in the case of Options and SARs, exercisable) and any restrictions, including but not limited to the Restricted Period, Performance Period and/or performance factors or criteria applicable to any outstanding Award other than Options or SARs shall be deemed to have been met, and such Awards shall be deemed vested and earned in full at the greater of actual or target, if the employment or service of the Participant is terminated within six months before (in which case vesting shall not occur until the effective date of the Change of Control) or 12 months (or such other period after a Change of Control as may be stated in a Participant’s change in control agreement, employment agreement or similar agreement, if applicable) after the effective date of a Change of Control if such termination of employment or service (A) is by the Company not for Cause or (B) is by the Participant for Good Reason. For clarification, for the purposes of this Section 14, the “Company” shall include any successor to the Company.

Effect of Employment Agreement, Change in Control Agreement or other Similar Arrangement: Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, and unless an individual Award Agreement expressly provides otherwise, in the event that a Participant has entered into, or is a participant in, a change in control agreement or plan, employment agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement with the Company, the Participant shall be entitled to the greater of the benefits provided upon a change of control of the Company under this Plan or the respective change in control agreement, employment agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement, and such change in control agreement, employment agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement shall not be construed to reduce in any way the benefits otherwise provided to a Participant upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in the Plan.

Amendment and Termination of Awards: The Administrator may amend, alter, suspend and/or terminate any Award granted under the Plan, prospectively or retroactively, but (except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b) or Section 16(c)) such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of an Award shall not, without the written consent of the recipient of an outstanding Award, materially adversely affect the rights of the recipient with respect to the Award.

Amendments to Comply with Applicable Law: Notwithstanding Section 16(a) and Section 16(b), the following provisions shall apply:

The Administrator shall have unilateral authority to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law, or accounting principles, if the Administrator 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 or necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable accounting principles or Applicable Law.

Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations: The Company may impose such restrictions on Awards, shares of Common Stock and any other benefits underlying Awards hereunder as it may deem advisable, including without limitation restrictions under the federal securities laws, the requirements of any stock exchange or similar organization and any blue sky, state or foreign securities or other laws applicable to such securities. Notwithstanding any other Plan provision to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to issue, deliver or transfer shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan, or take any other action, unless such delivery, distribution or action is in compliance with Applicable Law (including but not limited to the requirements of the Securities Act). The Company will be under no obligation to register shares of Common Stock or other securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission or to effect compliance with the exemption, registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or similar organization, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so. The Company may cause a restrictive legend or legends to be placed on any certificate issued pursuant to an Award hereunder in such form as may be prescribed from time to time by Applicable Law or as may be advised by legal counsel.

Stockholder Rights: Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator (and subject to the provisions of Section 9(d) regarding Restricted Awards and Section 13 regarding dividends and dividend equivalents), a Participant and his or her legal representative, legatees or distributees shall not be deemed to be the holder of any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award and shall not have any rights of a stockholder unless and until certificates for such shares have been issued and delivered to him, her or them under the Plan. A certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option or SAR shall be issued in the name of the Participant or his or her beneficiary and distributed to the Participant or his or her beneficiary (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, other written notice of ownership in accordance with Applicable Law shall be provided) as soon as practicable following receipt of notice of exercise and, with respect to Options, payment of the Option Price (except as may otherwise be determined by the Company in the event of payment of the Option Price pursuant to Section 7(d)(ii)(C)). Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(d) regarding Restricted Stock Awards or otherwise determined by the Administrator, a certificate for any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Restricted Award, Performance Award, Phantom Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award shall be issued in the name of the Participant or his or her beneficiary and distributed to the Participant or his or her beneficiary (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, other written notice of ownership in accordance with Applicable Law shall be provided) after the Award (or portion thereof) has vested and been earned.

Section 16(b) Compliance: To the extent that any Participants in the Plan are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, it is the general intention of the Company that transactions under the Plan shall comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and that the Plan shall be construed in favor of such Plan transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any successor rules thereto. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the Plan to Participants who are officers or directors subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants.

Unfunded Plan; No Effect on Other Plans:

The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute compensation with respect to which any other employee benefits of such Participant are determined, including, without limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension, profit sharing, life insurance or salary continuation plan, except as otherwise specifically provided by the terms of such plan or as may be determined by the Administrator.

Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, the adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other stock incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan preclude the Company from establishing any other forms of stock incentive or other compensation for employees or service providers of the Company or any Affiliate.

Governing Law: The Plan and Awards shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions of any state, and in accordance with applicable federal laws of the United States.

Beneficiary Designation: The Administrator may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to designate in writing a person or persons as beneficiary, which beneficiary shall be entitled to receive settlement of Awards (if any) to which the Participant is otherwise entitled in the event of death. In the absence of such designation by a Participant, and in the event of the Participant’s death, the estate of the Participant shall be treated as beneficiary for purposes of the Plan, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. The Administrator shall have discretion to approve and interpret the form or forms of such beneficiary designation. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent that the Plan and/or Award Agreement provide otherwise, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.

Gender and Number: Except where otherwise indicated by the context, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular.

Rules of Construction: Headings are given to the sections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation or other provision of law shall (unless the Administrator determines otherwise) be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

Successors and Assigns: The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and assigns, and Participants, their executors, administrators and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.

Award Agreement: The grant of any Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. Such Award Agreement may state terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Award and any may state such other terms, conditions and restrictions, including but not limited to terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to shares of Common Stock (or other benefits) subject to an Award, as may be established by the Administrator.

Right of Offset: Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, the Company may at any time (subject to any Code Section 409A considerations) reduce the amount of any payment or benefit otherwise payable to or on behalf of a Participant by the amount of any obligation of the Participant to or on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate that is or becomes due and payable.

Uncertificated Shares: Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, to the extent the Plan provides for the issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Common Stock, the issuance may, in the Company’s discretion, be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or by Applicable Law (including but not limited to applicable state corporate law and the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock may be traded).

Income and Other Taxes: Participants are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may arise in connection with Awards (including but not limited to any taxes arising under Code Section 409A), and the Company shall not have any liability for, or any obligation to indemnify, gross up or otherwise hold any Participant harmless from, any or all of such taxes. The Company shall have no responsibility to take or refrain from taking any actions in order to achieve a certain tax result for a Participant or any other person.

Effect of Certain Changes in Status: Notwithstanding the other terms of the Plan or an Award Agreement, the Administrator has sole discretion to determine (taking into account any Code Section 409A considerations), at the time of grant of an Award or at any time thereafter, the effect, if any, on Awards (including but not limited to modifying the vesting, exercisability and/or earning of Awards) granted to a Participant if the Participant’s status as an Employee, Director or Independent Contractor changes, including but not limited to a change from full-time to part-time, or vice versa, or if other similar changes in the nature or scope of the Participant’s employment or service occur.

Stockholder Approval: The Plan is subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must occur, if at all, within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. Awards granted prior to such stockholder approval shall be conditioned upon and shall be effective only upon approval of the Plan by such stockholders on or before such date if and to the extent required under Applicable Law or so determined by the Administrator. Subsequent stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Law.

Deferrals: Subject to the provisions of this Section 19(p) and Section 20, the Administrator may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be payable with respect to an Award. Any such deferral shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator and to any applicable Code Section 409A requirements.

“Affiliate” means (i) an entity other than a Subsidiary which, together with the Company, is under common control of a third person or entity and (ii) an entity other than a Subsidiary in which the Company and /or one or more Subsidiaries own a controlling interest.

“Applicable Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements, including, but not limited to, all applicable U.S. federal or state laws, any Stock Exchange rules or regulations, and the applicable laws, rules or regulations of any other country or jurisdiction where Options or Restricted Stock are granted under the Plan or Participants reside or provide services, as such laws, rules and regulations shall be in effect from time to time.

“Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant of Options or Restricted Stock under the Plan.

“Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement includes any documents attached to or incorporated into such Award Agreement, including, but not limited to, a notice of such Award granted under the Plan and a form of exercise notice. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, on and after the Merger Effective Time, references to the “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of Volato Group, Inc.

“Cause” for termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service Status will exist (unless another definition is provided in an applicable Award Agreement, employment agreement or other applicable written agreement) if the Participant’s Continuous Service Status is terminated for any of the following reasons: (i) any material breach by Participant of any material written agreement between Participant and the Company and Participant’s failure to cure such breach within 30 days after receiving written notice thereof; (ii) any failure by Participant to comply with the Company’s material written policies or rules as they may be in effect from time to time; (iii) neglect or persistent unsatisfactory performance of Participant’s duties and Participant’s failure to cure such condition within 30 days after receiving written notice thereof; (iv) Participant’s repeated failure to follow reasonable and lawful instructions from the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President and Participant’s failure to cure such condition within 30 days after receiving written notice thereof; (v) Participant’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime that results in, or is reasonably expected to result in, material harm to the business or reputation of the Company; (vi) Participant’s commission of or participation in an act of fraud against the Company; (vii) Participant’s intentional material damage to the Company’s business, property or reputation; or (viii) Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company. For purposes of clarity, a termination without “Cause” does not include any termination that occurs as a result of Participant’s death or Disability. The determination as to whether a Participant’s Continuous Service Status has been terminated for Cause shall be made in good faith by the Company and shall be final and binding on the Participant. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate a Participant’s employment or consulting relationship at any time, and the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any Subsidiary, Parent, Affiliate or any successor thereto, if appropriate.

“Change of Control” means (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than to an Excluded Entity (as defined below), (ii) a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, limited liability company or other entity other than an Excluded Entity, or (iii) the consummation of a transaction, or series of related transactions, in which any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of all of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Common Stock” means (i) prior to the Merger Effective Time, the common stock of Volato, Inc. (also referred to herein as the “Volato Common Stock”), and (ii) on and after the Merger Effective Time, the Class A Common Stock of Volato Group, Inc. (also referred to herein as the Volato Group Common Stock). Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, on and after the Merger Effective Time, references in the Plan to a number of shares of Volato Common Stock will be deemed to refer instead to that number of shares of Volato Group Common Stock, as adjusted by the Merger Exchange Radio, as provided in Section 3 herein.

“Company” means (unless the context otherwise requires, as determined by the Administrator) (i) prior to the Merger Effective Time, Volato, Inc. (formerly Aerago, Inc.), a Georgia corporation (also referred to herein as “Volato”), and (ii) on and after the Merger Effective Time, Volato Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (also referred to herein as “Volato Group”), the surviving parent corporation in the Merger, or any successor thereto.

“Consultant” means any person or entity, including an advisor but not an Employee, that renders, or has rendered, services to the Company, or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate and is compensated for such services, and any Director whether compensated for such services or not.

“Director” means a member of the Board.

“Employee” means any person employed by the Company, or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, with the status of employment determined pursuant to such factors as are deemed appropriate by the Company in its sole discretion, subject to any requirements of Applicable Laws, including the Code. The payment by the Company of a director’s fee shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” of such director by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate. With respect to Incentive Options, “Employee” means any person who is considered an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(h) (or any successor provision related thereto).

“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the per share fair market value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate and applied consistently with respect to Participants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on and after the Merger Effective Time, the following shall apply: “Fair Market Value” per share of the Common Stock shall be established by the Administrator and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions: (A) if the shares of Common Stock are listed for trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) or another national or regional Stock Exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price per share of the shares on Nasdaq, the NYSE or other principal Stock Exchange on which such securities are listed on the date an Award is granted or other determination is made (such date of determination being referred to herein as a “valuation date”), or, if there is no transaction on such date, then on the trading date nearest preceding the valuation date for which closing price information is available, and, provided further, if the shares are not listed for trading on Nasdaq, the NYSE or another Stock Exchange but are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares as quoted on such system or by such securities dealer on the valuation date, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the valuation date (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or (B) if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or reported in any of the foregoing, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator based on such valuation measures or other factors as it deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 20.2031-2 of the Federal Estate Tax Regulations, or in any other manner consistent with Section 422 of the Code; and (ii) Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code if and to the extent required.

“Family Members” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (including adoptive relationships) of the Participant, any person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons (or the Participant) have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to, and which does, in fact, qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

[Reserved.]

“Listed Security” means any security of the Company that is listed or approved for listing on a national securities exchange or designated or approved for designation as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (or any successor thereto).

“Merger Agreement” means that certain Business Combination Agreement by and among PROOF Acquisition Corp I, PACI Merger Sub, Inc. and Volato, dated as of August 1, 2023, as it may be amended.

“Merger Effective Time” means the “Merger Effective Time,” as defined in the Merger Agreement.

“Merger Exchange Ratio” means the “Exchange Ratio,” as defined in the Merger Agreement.

“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to, or does not in fact qualify as, an Incentive Stock Option.

“Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

“Optionee” means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option.

“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if, at the time of grant of the Award, each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.

“Participant” means any holder of one or more Awards or Shares issued pursuant to an Award.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision.

“Successor Plan Effective Date” means the date on which the Successor Plan becomes effective.

General. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, a Committee appointed by the Board, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Board. To the extent required under Rule 16b-3, the Committee shall be comprised of two or more “non-employee directors,” as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3, or as may otherwise be permitted under Rule 16b-3. In addition, Committee members shall qualify as “independent directors” under applicable Stock Exchange rules if and to the extent required. The Plan may be administered by different administrative bodies with respect to different classes of Participants and, subject to Applicable Laws, the Board may authorize one or more officers of the Company to make Awards under the Plan to Employees and Consultants (who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act) within parameters specified by the Board.

Committee Composition. If a Committee has been appointed pursuant to this Section 4, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies (however caused), create subcommittees and dissolve a Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and, in the case of a Committee administering the Plan in accordance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, to the extent permitted or required by such provision.

to determine the Fair Market Value in accordance with Section 2(u) above;

to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award;

to approve the form(s) of Award Agreements and other related documents used under the Plan;

to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder, which terms and conditions include but are not limited to the exercise or purchase price, the time or times when Awards may vest and/or be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), the circumstances (if any) when vesting will be accelerated or forfeiture restrictions will be waived, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award, Optioned Stock or Restricted Stock;

to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be settled in cash under Section 7 (c)(ii) below instead of Common Stock;

to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan, any Award Agreement, and any agreement related to any Award, which constructions, interpretations and decisions shall be final and binding on all Participants.

Recipients of Grants. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Restricted Stock may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or Subsidiaries. Employees of Affiliates shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.

Award Validity. No Award to any Employee or Consultant shall be valid, whether provided for in an offer letter for employment or a consultation agreement or otherwise, if the Employee or Consultant’s relationship with the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) has terminated prior to the date of the implementation of the Plan, regardless of the date of the Plan’s adoption.

No Employment Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon any Employee or Consultant any right with respect to continuation of an employment or consulting relationship with the Company (any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate), nor shall it interfere in any way with such Employee’s or Consultant’s right or the Company’s (Parent’s, Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s) right to terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

Cessation of Option Grants. No Options may be granted under this Plan on or after the Successor Plan Effective Date. Options granted before that date will continue to be governed by this Plan until their forfeiture, exercise or expiration under the terms of the Plan.

Grant of Option. Each Award of an Option will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Option, the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions, if any, applicable to the Option and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in the Option Agreement; provided that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement and provided further that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a person who at the time of such grant is a Ten Percent Holder, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement, but shall be subject to the following:

In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

granted to an Employee who at the time of grant is a Ten Percent Holder, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant;

granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant;

Except as provided in subsection (3) below, in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator, provided that, if the per Share exercise price is less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, it shall otherwise comply with all Applicable Laws, including Section 409A of the Code; and

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction in a manner intended to comply with Section 424 and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable.

Exercise of Option.

General.

Leave of Absence. The Administrator shall have the discretion to determine at any time whether and to what extent the vesting of Options shall be tolled during any leave of absence; provided, however, that in the absence of such determination, vesting of Options shall continue during any paid leave and shall be tolled during any unpaid leave (unless otherwise required by Applicable Laws). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of military leave, vesting shall toll during any unpaid portion of such leave, provided that, upon an Optionee’s returning from military leave (under conditions that would entitle him or her to protection upon such return under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended), he or she shall be given vesting credit with respect to Options to the same extent as would have applied had the Optionee continued to provide services to the Company (or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, if applicable) throughout the leave on the same terms as he or she was providing services immediately prior to such leave.

Procedures for and Results of Exercise. An Option shall be deemed exercised when written notice of such exercise has been received by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement by the person entitled to exercise the Option and the Company has received full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised and has paid, or made arrangements to satisfy, any applicable taxes, withholding, required deductions or other required payments in accordance with Section 10 below. The exercise of an Option shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

Termination of Continuous Service Status. The Administrator shall establish and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement the terms and conditions upon which an Option shall remain exercisable, if at all, following termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Service Status, which provisions may be waived or modified by the Administrator at any time. To the extent that an Award Agreement does not specify the terms and conditions upon which an Option shall terminate upon termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Service Status, the following provisions shall apply:

Disability of Optionee. In the event of termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Service Status as a result of his or her Disability, such Optionee may exercise any outstanding Option at any time within twelve (12) month(s) following such termination to the extent the Optionee is vested in the Optioned Stock.

Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee during the period of Continuous Service Status since the date of grant of any outstanding Option, or within three (3) month(s) following termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service Status, the Option may be exercised by any beneficiaries designated in accordance with Section 17 below, or if there are no such beneficiaries, by the Optionee’s estate, or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, at any time within twelve (12) month(s) following the date the Optionee’s Continuous Service Status terminated, but only to the extent the Optionee is vested in the Optioned Stock.

Termination for Cause. In the event of termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, any outstanding Option (including any vested portion thereof) held by such Optionee shall immediately terminate in its entirety upon first notification to the Optionee of termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service Status for Cause. If an Optionee’s Continuous Service Status is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Optionee’s Continuous Service Status will be terminated for Cause, all the Optionee’s rights under any Option, including the right to exercise the Option, shall be suspended during the investigation period. Nothing in this Section 7(c)(ii)(5) shall in any way limit the Company’s right to purchase unvested Shares issued upon exercise of an Option as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted under the Plan based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

Restricted Stock.

Rights to Purchase. When a right to purchase or receive Restricted Stock is granted under the Plan, the Company shall advise the recipient in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, if any (which shall be as determined by the Administrator, subject to Applicable Laws, including any applicable securities laws), and the time within which such person must accept such offer. The permissible consideration for Restricted Stock shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be the same as is set forth in Section 7(c)(ii) above with respect to exercise of Options. The offer to purchase Shares shall be accepted by execution of an Award Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

General. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service Status for any reason (including death or Disability) at a purchase price for Shares equal to the original purchase price paid by the purchaser to the Company for such Shares and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the Administrator may determine.

Leave of Absence. The Administrator shall have the discretion to determine at any time whether and to what extent the lapsing of Company repurchase rights shall be tolled during any leave of absence; provided, however, that in the absence of such determination, such lapsing shall continue during any paid leave and shall be tolled during any unpaid leave (unless otherwise required by Applicable Laws). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of military leave, the lapsing of Company repurchase rights shall toll during any unpaid portion of such leave, provided that, upon a Participant’s returning from military leave (under conditions that would entitle him or her to protection upon such return under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended), he or she shall be given vesting credit with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement to the same extent as would have applied had the Participant continued to provide services to the Company (or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, if applicable) throughout the leave on the same terms as he or she was providing services immediately prior to such leave.

Other Provisions. The Award Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In addition, the provisions of Award Agreements need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

Rights as a Holder of Capital Stock. Once the Restricted Stock is granted pursuant to the Award Agreement, the Participant shall have the rights equivalent to those of a holder of capital stock, and shall be a record holder when his or her purchase and the issuance of the Shares is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Restricted Stock is purchased, except as provided in Section 11 below.

Compliance with Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A of the Code.

Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such action, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.

Non-Transferability of Awards.

Limited Transferability Rights. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 12, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that any Nonstatutory Stock Options may be transferred by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Options are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor) or by gift to Family Members. Further, beginning with (i) the period when the Company begins to rely on the exemption described in Rule 12h-1(f)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and (ii) ending on the earlier of (A) the date when the Company ceases to rely on such exemption, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, or (B) the date when the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, an Option, or prior to exercise, the Shares subject to the Option, may not be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred or disposed of, in any manner, including by entering into any short position, any “put equivalent position” or any “call equivalent position” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) and Rule 16a-1(b) of the Exchange Act, respectively), other than to (i) persons who are Family Members through gifts or domestic relations orders, or (ii) to an executor or guardian of the Participant upon the death or disability of the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Board, in its sole discretion, may permit transfers of Nonstatutory Stock Options to the Company or in connection with a Change of Control or other acquisition transactions involving the Company to the extent permitted by Rule 12h-1(f).

Non-Transferability of Stock Underlying Awards.

Time of Granting Awards. The date of grant of an Award shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator, subject to Applicable Laws.

Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may at any time amend or terminate the Plan, but no amendment or termination shall be made that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Award, without his or her consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws, the Company shall obtain the approval of holders of capital stock with respect to any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

Beneficiaries. If permitted by the Administrator, a Participant may designate one or more beneficiaries with respect to an Award by timely filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Participant’s death. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, then after a Participant’s death any vested Award(s) shall be transferred or distributed to the Participant’s estate or to any person who has the right to acquire the Award by bequest or inheritance.

Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

Addenda. The Administrator may approve such addenda to the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for the purpose of granting Awards to Employees or Consultants, which Awards may contain such terms and conditions as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom, which may deviate from the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan. The terms of any such addenda shall supersede the terms of the Plan to the extent necessary to accommodate such differences but shall not otherwise affect the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Volato Group, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 24, 2023, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the financial statements of PROOF Acquisition Corp. I as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the period from March 16, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of PROOF Acquisition Corp. I for the year ended December 31, 2022. We were dismissed as auditors on December 5, 2023, and, accordingly, we have not performed any audit or review procedures with respect to any financial statements appearing in the registration statement for the periods after the date of our dismissal.