election of Grantee by means of: (i) the delivery of Shares previously owned by Grantee, subject to applicable legal requirements, and held for the requisite period of time as may be required to avoid the Company incurring any adverse accounting charge; (ii) a reduction in the number of Shares otherwise deliverable upon vesting or other amounts otherwise payable to Grantee pursuant to this Agreement; or (iii) a combination of (i) and/or (ii). The value of any Shares delivered or withheld as payment in respect of the Withholding Tax Obligation shall be determined by reference to the Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date of such withholding or delivery. For purposes hereof, the “Withholding Tax Obligation” means the minimum amount necessary to satisfy U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. withholding employment tax and similar requirements, if any, in connection with the vesting or settlement of all or a portion of the Award; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Company, the Company may allow Grantee to have an additional amount or additional number of Shares withheld to satisfy an additional amount of withholding taxes up to the maximum individual statutory rate in the applicable jurisdiction, but only if such additional withholding, or the discretion to elect such additional withholding, does not result in adverse accounting treatment of this Award to the Company.
(b)Tax Treatment of Settlement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units (including any dividend equivalent rights) to be made to Grantee pursuant to this agreement is intended of quality as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Regulations, and this Agreement shall be interpreted consistently therewith. However, under certain circumstances, including where Grantee has elected to defer settlement of this Award, settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or any dividend equivalent rights may not so qualify, and in that case, the Committee shall administer the grant and settlement of such Restricted Stock Units and any dividend equivalent rights in strict compliance with Section 409A of the Code, including but not limited to delaying, if required, the issuance of Shares contemplated hereunder. Each payment of Restricted Stock Units (and dividend equivalent rights related thereto that have accrued pursuant to Section 4) constitutes a “separate payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
9.No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to confer upon Grantee any right to continued employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor shall this Agreement or the Plan interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to terminate Grantee’s employment at any time for any reason whatsoever, whether or not with cause.
10.Plan Governs. Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The terms of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Plan, and in the case of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
11.Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or the Award, or would disqualify the Plan or Award under any laws deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and Award shall remain in full force and effect.
12.Notices. All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be deemed to be received if delivered or mailed: (1) to Company, at One Gaylord Drive, Nashville TN 37214; and (2) to Grantee, at the address currently on file with the Company, or to such other address as either party may provide in writing from time to time.
13.Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
14.Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Grantee’s legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.
15.Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way related to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on Grantee and the Company for all purposes.
16.Recoupment. The Award granted to Grantee pursuant to this Agreement, and any prior awards granted to