The Maryland Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of MIX Carriers, Inc. is a compensation plan implemented by the company to provide its employees with an opportunity to acquire shares of its stock at a predetermined price. Nonqualified stock options are a popular tool used by companies to incentivize and reward employees for their contributions to the company's growth and success. Under this plan, employees of MIX Carriers, Inc. are granted the option to purchase a specific number of shares of the company's stock within a specified period, usually at a favorable exercise price. These options are known as nonqualified stock options because they do not meet the requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Code to be qualified as incentive stock options (SOS). The Maryland Nonqualified Stock Option Plan allows employees to purchase company stock at a fixed price (usually the fair market value at the time of grant), regardless of any future increase in the stock's value. This allows employees to potentially benefit from the future growth of MIX Carriers, Inc. and align their interests with those of the company's shareholders. There are two primary types of Maryland Nonqualified Stock Option Plans that MIX Carriers, Inc. may offer to its employees: 1. Vesting Schedule: A vesting schedule determines when an employee can exercise their stock options. It typically involves a specific timeline or performance milestones that must be met before the options can be exercised. This incentivizes long-term commitment and motivates employees to contribute to the company's success over an extended period. 2. Grant Size and Exercise Period: The grant size refers to the number of stock options granted to an employee. MIX Carriers, Inc. may offer different grant sizes based on various factors like the employee's position, tenure, or performance. The exercise period specifies the timeframe within which employees can exercise their options. It is important for employees to carefully manage their exercise timing to maximize potential gains. By implementing the Maryland Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, MIX Carriers, Inc. aims to attract and retain talented employees, motivate them to perform at their best, and encourage a sense of ownership and loyalty within the company. This plan provides employees with a valuable opportunity to participate in the financial success of MIX Carriers, Inc. while also boosting overall motivation and productivity within the organization.