The Company shall make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws with respect to this Award; provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of this Award Agreement, the Shares shall not be delivered if the delivery thereof would result in a violation of any such law. This Award is intended to be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of the Code as a short term deferral or to be compliant with Section 409A of the Code. This Award shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner that effects such intent, provided that the Company does not represent or guarantee that any particular federal or state income, estate, payroll, or other tax consequences will occur because of this Award and the compensation provided hereunder. To the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (a) any delivery of Shares or payment of a Dollar Amount (and payment of dividend equivalents) to a “specified employee” as determined by the Company in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) (or any successor thereto) on account of termination of employment shall be made no earlier than six months after the date of termination; (b) termination of employment shall not be considered to occur until there is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (1)(ii), where the employee’s services permanently decrease to less than 50% of the average level of services performed over the preceding 36 month period; and (c) any vested Shares or vested Dollar Amount (and dividend equivalents) shall be delivered or paid on the earlier of (i) the applicable Vest Date, or (ii) your separation from service (subject to a six-month delay as may be required if you are a specified employee as described above).