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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001072613-06-001073.txt : 20060510
<SEC-HEADER>0001072613-06-001073.hdr.sgml : 20060510
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060510130007
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001072613-06-001073
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060605
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060510
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060510
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20060510

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887396
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	 [9995]
		IRS NUMBER:				731238709
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16653
		FILM NUMBER:		06824699

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 E 5TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		918-587-8093

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 E 5TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74103

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICOMM RESOURCES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19951115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICOMM CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEF 14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>def14a_14297.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION DEF 14A
<TEXT>
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    <title>
WWW.EXFILE.COM, INC. -- 14297 -- EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP. -- DEFINITIVE PROXY MATERIALS
</title>
</head>
  <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
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    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>UNITED
        STATES</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SECURITIES
        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>WASHINGTON,
        D.C. 20649</strong></font></div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SCHEDULE
        14A</strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><a name="QuickMark"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><br></font></a>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Proxy
          Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities </font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Exchange
          Act of 1934 (Amendment No.__ )</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
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          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Filed
            by
            the Registrant&#160; <font style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings 2">T</font></font></div>
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            by
            a Party other than the Registrant&#160; &#4039;</font></div>
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            the
            appropriate box:</font></div>
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings 2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</font></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Preliminary
            Proxy Statement</font></div>
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</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Confidential,
            for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</font></div>
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">x</font></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Definitive
            Proxy Statement</font></div>
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#4039;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Definitive
            Additional Materials</font></div>
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#4039;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Soliciting
            Material Pursuant to &#167; 240.14a-12</font></div>
        </div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br><strong>EMPIRE
          PETROLEUM CORPORATION</strong>&#160;

          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Name
        of
        Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Name
        of
        Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
        Registrant</font>)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Payment
          of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings 2">T</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
          fee
          required.</font></div>
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        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#4039;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Fee
          computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
          0-11.</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                &#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Title
                  to each class of securities to which transaction
                  applies:</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <div>&#160;</div>
        <div>
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Aggregate
                  number of securities to which transaction
                  applies:</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <div>&#160;</div>
        <div>
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Per
                  unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
                  to
                  Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
                  fee is
                  calculated and state how it was
                  determined):</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <div>&#160;</div>
        <div>
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                &#160;</font></td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Proposed
                  maximum aggregate value of transaction:</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <div>&#160;</div>
        <div>
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                &#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Total
                  fee paid:</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <div>&#160;</div>
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        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#4039;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Fee
          paid
          previously with preliminary materials.</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#4039;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check
          box
          if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
          and
          identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
          the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
          and the date of its filing.</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
        <div>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

              <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
                <td style="width: 27pt;">
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom" style="width: 27pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1)</font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom">
                  <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Amount
                    Previously Paid:</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <div>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

              <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
                <td style="width: 27pt;">
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom" style="width: 27pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2)</font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom">
                  <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Form,
                    Schedule or Registration Statement
                    No.:</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"></font>&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <div>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

              <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
                <td style="width: 27pt;">
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom" style="width: 27pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3)</font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom">
                  <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Filing
                    Party:</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"></font>&#160;</div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">
        </div>
        <div>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

              <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
                <td style="width: 27pt;">
                </td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom" style="width: 27pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4)</font></td>
                <td align="left" valign="bottom">
                  <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date
                    Filed:</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="100%">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
        <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -13px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">&#160;</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><img src="empirelogo_14297.jpg" alt="LOGO"></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EMPIRE
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>8801
      South Yale</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Suite
      120</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Tulsa,
      Oklahoma 74137</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>NOTICE
      OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>To
      Be Held June 5, 2006</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
      Our
      Stockholders:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">NOTICE
      IS
      HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Empire Petroleum
      Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Company<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>),
      will be held at
      the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 East Second Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the
      Executive Room on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor on Monday, June 5, 2006, at 10:00
      a.m., local time, for the following purposes:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                elect two members to the Board of Directors to serve until the next
                annual
                meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected
                and
                qualified;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                approve the adoption of the Company<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8217;</font>s
                2006 Stock
                Incentive Plan;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                approve an amendment to the Company&#8217;s Certificate of Incorporation to
                increase the shares of the Company&#8217;s authorized common
                stock;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                ratify the appointment of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP as the
                Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for 2006;
                and</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting
                or
                any adjournment thereof.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 4, 2006, as the record
      date
      for the meeting, and only stockholders of record at such time will be entitled
      to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. A list
      of
      the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be open to the examination
      of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary
      business hours for a period of 10 days prior to the date of the meeting at
      the
      offices of the Company and at the time and place of the meeting.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">By
              Order of the
              Board of Directors,&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td colspan="2">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td>&#160;</td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">/s/&#160;Albert
              E.
              Whitehead</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td colspan="2"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: " size="1">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="80%"><font size="2">Albert
              E. Whitehead</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">Chairman
              and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Tulsa,
      Oklahoma</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
      10,
      2006</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>YOUR
      VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED
      TO VOTE BY MAIL SO THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES.
      IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN
      PERSON.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EMPIRE
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>8801
      South Yale</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Suite
      120</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Tulsa,
      Oklahoma 74137</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROXY
      STATEMENT</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>FOR
      ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>To
      Be Held June 5, 2006</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SOLICITATION
      AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">This
      Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board
      of
      Directors of Empire Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Company<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>),
      of proxies to
      be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on
      June
      5, 2006, or at any adjournment thereof (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Annual
      Meeting<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>),
      for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. This
      Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy are first being forwarded to stockholders
      on or about May 10, 2006.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      the
      accompanying proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares represented
      by
      the proxy will be voted as directed at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders whose
      shares are registered in their own names may instruct the proxies how to vote
      by
      executing and returning the accompanying proxy, and the shares represented
      by
      the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders holding their shares
      through a broker, bank or other record holder should follow the instructions
      provided to them by such record holders in order to vote their
      shares.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      a
      stockholder indicates in his or her proxy a choice with respect to any matter
      to
      be acted upon, that stockholder&#8217;s shares will be voted in accordance with such
      choice. If no choice is indicated on a proxy, the stockholder&#8217;s shares will be
      voted <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>FOR<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      (a)&#160;the
      election of all of the nominees for directors listed below, (b) the adoption
      of
      the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, (c) the amendment to the Company&#8217;s Certificate of
      Incorporation and (d)&#160;the ratification of the appointment of the
      independent registered public accounting firm. A stockholder giving a proxy
      may
      revoke it by giving written notice of revocation to the Chief Executive Officer
      of the Company at any time before it is voted, by executing another valid proxy
      bearing a later date and delivering such proxy to the Chief Executive Officer
      of
      the Company prior to or at the Annual Meeting or by attending the Annual Meeting
      and voting in person.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      expenses of this proxy solicitation, including the cost of preparing and mailing
      this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy will be borne by the Company. Such
      expenses will also include the charges and expenses of banks, brokerage firms,
      and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding solicitation
      material regarding the Annual Meeting to beneficial owners of the Company&#8217;s
      common stock. Solicitation of proxies may be made by mail, telephone, personal
      interviews or by other means by the Board of Directors or employees of the
      Company who will not be additionally compensated therefor, but who may be
      reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses in connection
      therewith.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>STOCKHOLDERS
      ENTITLED TO VOTE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Stockholders
      of record at the close of business on May 4, 2006 (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Record
      Date<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>), will
      be
      entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were
      42,830,190 shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock issued and outstanding. The
      holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. There is no
      cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. The presence in
      person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares issued and
      outstanding at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum
      for the transaction of business. Votes withheld from nominees for directors,
      abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining
      whether a quorum has been reached. With regard to the election of directors,
      votes may be cast in favor of or withheld from each nominee and votes that
      are
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">withheld
      will have no effect on the vote. Abstentions, which may be specified on all
      proposals except the election of directors, will have the effect of a negative
      vote. Under applicable Delaware law, a broker non-vote will not be considered
      present for the purpose of calculating the vote on any matter.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Votes
      will be counted by the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROPOSAL
      ONE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>ELECTION
      OF DIRECTORS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors is currently comprised of two directors. Members of the Company&#8217;s
      Board of Directors are elected at annual meetings and serve until the next
      annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected
      and
      qualified. Because the Company&#8217;s Board is currently only comprised of two
      members, the Company does not currently have any committees. Since the Company
      does not have a nominating committee, each of the current directors nominated
      the other as a candidate for reelection as director of the Company by the
      stockholders at the Annual Meeting. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      nominees, Messrs. Kinard and Whitehead, currently serve as directors of the
      Company. The person named as proxy in the accompanying proxy, who has been
      designated by the Board of Directors, intends to vote, unless otherwise
      instructed in such proxy, for the election of Messrs.&#160;Kinard and Whitehead.
      Should any of the nominees become unable for any reason to stand for election
      as
      a director of the Company, it is intended that the person named in such proxy
      will vote for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may
      propose to replace such nominee. The Company knows of no reason why any of
      the
      nominees will be unavailable or unable to serve.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares present in person
      or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required
      for the election of directors. Accordingly, the two nominees for election as
      directors at the Annual Meeting who receive the greatest number of votes cast
      for election by the holders of common stock shall be duly elected directors
      upon
      completion of the vote tabulation at the Annual Meeting.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>The
      Board of Directors recommends a vote <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>FOR<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      each of the
      following nominees for directors.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Nominees
      for Directors</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Albert
      E. Whitehead</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
<em>age
      76.</em> Mr. Whitehead has been a member of the Company&#8217;s Board of Directors
      since 1991 and served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
      from
      March 1998 to May 2001. Mr. Whitehead again assumed the role of Chairman and
      Chief Executive Officer on April 16, 2002. Mr. Whitehead also currently serves
      as the Non-Executive Chairman of PetroWorld Corp., a company whose stock is
      traded on the London Stock Exchange&#8217;s Alternative Investment Market and the TSE
      Venture Exchange in Canada. Mr. Whitehead served as the Chairman and Chief
      Executive Officer of Seven Seas Petroleum Inc., a publicly held company, engaged
      in international oil and gas exploration from February 1995 to May 1997. From
      April 1987 through January 1995, Mr. Whitehead served as Chairman and Chief
      Executive Officer of Garnet Resources Corporation, a publicly held oil and
      gas
      exploration and development company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>John
      C. Kinard</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,<em>
      age
      71</em>. Mr. Kinard has served as a Director of the Company since June 1998 and
      is currently a Partner in Silver Run Investments, LLC, an oil and gas investment
      firm. Mr. Kinard served as President of the Remuda Corporation, a private oil
      and gas exploration company, from 1967 until 2002. From 1990 through December
      1995, Mr. Kinard served as President of Glen Petroleum, Inc., a private oil
      and
      gas exploration company. From 1990 through 2002, Mr. Kinard also served as
      the
      Chairman of Envirosolutions UK Ltd., a private industrial wastewater treatment
      company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>CORPORATE
      GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Overview</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors is committed to sound and effective corporate governance practices
      and believes such practices are important to ensure that the Company is managed
      for the long-term benefit of its stockholders. The Board of Directors has
      engaged in a process of periodically reviewing and considering the Company&#8217;s
      corporate governance practices. The Company also regularly reviews its practices
      in light of proposed and adopted laws and regulations, including the
      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange
      Commission (<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>SEC<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>).
      In the first
      quarter of this fiscal year, the Company adopted a Code of Ethics applicable
      to
      the Company&#8217;s officers, directors and employees.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Communications
      to the Board of Directors</strong></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
      stockholder may send a written communication to the Board of Directors or any
      individual member or members of the Board by addressing the communication to
      Empire Petroleum Corporation, 8801 S. Yale, Suite 120, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137.
      All communications so received will be forwarded to the members of the Board
      of
      Directors or specified Board members.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Board
      Meetings</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
      fiscal 2005, the Board of Directors held three meetings. All of the directors
      attended 100% of the meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board
      of Directors took action two times during fiscal 2005 by unanimous written
      consent.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Directors
      are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and it is the
      practice of the Company to introduce each director at the Annual Meeting. There
      was no annual meeting of the Company&#8217;s stockholders in the fiscal year
      2005.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Code
      of Ethics</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      the
      first quarter of this fiscal year, the Company adopted a Code of Ethics that
      applies to all of the Company&#8217;s directors and employees, including the Company&#8217;s
      principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal
      accounting officer or persons performing similar functions. The Company has
      undertaken to provide any person without charge, upon request, a copy of the
      Code of Ethics. Requests may be directed to Empire Petroleum Corporation, 8801
      S. Yale, Suite 120, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137, or by calling (918)
      488-8068.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Committees
      of the Board of Directors</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Since
      the
      Board of Directors is currently only comprised of two members, it does not
      have
      any committees. Rather, the entire Board acts as, and performs the same
      functions as, the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating
      committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Process
      for Director Nominations</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">As
      stated
      above, the Board of Directors does not have any committees. As such, each of
      the
      current directors, Messrs. Whitehead and Kinard, participates in the
      consideration of director nominees. In connection with the upcoming Annual
      Meeting, Mr. Kinard nominated Mr. Whitehead as a candidate for reelection as
      director and Mr. Whitehead nominated Mr. Kinard as a candidate for reelection
      as
      director of the Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      does not have a charter regarding the director nomination process. The Company
      has determined that Mr. Kinard is &#8220;independent&#8221; within the meaning of Rule
      4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors will consider candidates for director nominees that are recommended
      by stockholders of the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth
      below. Any such nominations should be submitted to the Board of Directors in
      care of the Chief Executive Officer</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">to
      Empire
      Petroleum Corporation, 8801 S. Yale, Suite 120, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137 and
      accompany it with the following information: </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
              &#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Appropriate
                biographical information, a statement as to the qualifications of
                the
                nominee and any other information relating to such nominee that is
                required to be disclosed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
                Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Exchange
                Act<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>),
                including such person&#8217;s written consent to being named in the proxy
                statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;
                and</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 54pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
              &#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                name(s) and address(es) of the stockholder(s) making the nomination
                and
                the number of shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock which are owned
                beneficially and of record by such stockholder(s).
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      written recommendation should be submitted in the time frame described under
      the
      caption <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Stockholder
      Proposals<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      below.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      evaluating potential director candidates, the Board will take into consideration
      such factors that it deems appropriate for the needs of the Board of Directors.
      Generally, the Board will evaluate new potential director candidates by
      reviewing their biographical information and qualifications and checking the
      candidates&#8217; references. Those candidates determined to be of interest will be
      subject to interview by the Board. Using the information obtained and input
      from
      the interview, the Board will evaluate whether a prospective candidate is
      qualified to serve as a director and whether the Board of Directors will
      nominate the prospective candidate or elect such candidate to fill a vacancy
      on
      the Board.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Compensation
      of Directors</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Company does not have any formal procedure for compensating the members of
      its
      Board of Directors. From time to time in the past, the Company has granted
      options to the members of its Board of Directors under its 1995 Stock Option
      Plan as compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. During the fiscal
      year ended December 31, 2005, the Company did not grant any options to any
      member of its Board of Directors. All directors are reimbursed by the Company
      for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their service
      on
      the Board of Directors.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROPOSAL
      TWO</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>APPROVAL
      OF ADOPTION OF THE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>2006
      STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">At
      the
      Annual Meeting, stockholders are being asked to approve the Company&#8217;s 2006 Stock
      Incentive Plan (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Incentive
      Plan<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>), which
      was adopted, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board of Directors pursuant
      to an Unanimous Consent to Action in Lieu of a Special Meeting of the Board
      of
      Directors dated April 12, 2006. The Incentive Plan permits the issuance of
      stock
      options, restricted stock awards and performance shares. Effective as of May
      15,
      2005, the Company&#8217;s Stock Option Plan (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>1995 Plan<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>)
      terminated,
      except to the extent necessary to govern outstanding options. The Board has
      recommended the adoption of the Incentive Plan to replace the 1995 Plan. As
      of
      the end of fiscal 2005, there were no shares of common stock remaining available
      for future issuance under the 1995 Plan and there were outstanding options
      to
      purchase 575,000 share of common stock that were subject to the 1995
      Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      believes the Incentive Plan will form an important part of the Company&#8217;s overall
      compensation program. The Incentive Plan will support the Company&#8217;s efforts to
      attract, retain and motivate its officers and employees, and will give the
      Company the ability to provide those employees with incentives that are linked
      to the profitability of the Company&#8217;s businesses and increases in stockholder
      value. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
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      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following is a summary of the principal features of the Incentive Plan. This
      summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed terms
      and
      conditions of the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A
      to
      this Proxy Statement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Administration</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Initially,
      the Board of Directors will administer the Incentive Plan. All references herein
      to the Compensation Committee shall mean the Board unless and until such time
      as
      the Board designates a Compensation Committee to administer the Incentive Plan.
      The Compensation Committee will select the eligible employees, directors and
      other participants to whom awards are granted, determine the terms, conditions,
      form and amount of the awards, establish, where deemed applicable, performance
      goals with respect to awards and determine and certify the achievement thereof.
      The Compensation Committee will have full power to administer the Incentive
      Plan
      and to adopt or establish, and to modify and waive, rules, regulations,
      agreements, guidelines and procedures which it deems necessary or advisable
      for
      the administration of the Incentive Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Eligibility
      and Limits on Awards</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 54pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Employees,
      officers, directors and consultants of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries
      or affiliates, are eligible to receive awards under the Incentive Plan. Awards
      will be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Incentive Plan places limits on the maximum amount of awards that may be granted
      to any participant in any fiscal year. Under the Incentive Plan, no participant
      may receive awards of stock options that cover in the aggregate more than
      500,000 shares&#160;of common stock in any fiscal year.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Shares
      Authorized</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      total
      number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under
      the
      Incentive Plan is 5,000,000. The total number of shares authorized under the
      Incentive Plan is subject to adjustment in the event of a recapitalization,
      stock split, reorganization or similar transaction.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
      the
      extent that shares of common stock subject to an award under the Incentive
      Plan
      are not issued by reason of (i) the expiration, termination or forfeiture of
      such award, (ii) the withholding of shares to satisfy tax withholding
      requirements of an award, or (iii) the tendering of previously-owned shares
      to
      pay all or a portion of the exercise price of a stock option or satisfy the
      tax
      withholding requirements of an award, then such unissued shares shall again
      be
      available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The shares of common stock
      covered by an award are counted as used under the Incentive Plan only to the
      extent they are actually issued and delivered to a participant.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 54pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      source of common stock issued with respect to awards may be either authorized
      but unissued shares or previously issued shares held as treasury stock. The
      average for the high and low bid information for a share of the Company&#8217;s common
      stock as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic
      Quotation (NASDAQ) over-the-counter bulletin board system on May 4, 2006, was
      $0.195. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Awards</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following types of awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Stock
      Options.</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
      Stock options may be (i) options to purchase common stock intended to qualify
      as
      incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
      as amended (the <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Code<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>),
      or (ii) options
      that do not so qualify, or non-qualified stock options. The exercise price
      per
      share of each stock option will be determined by the Compensation Committee
      but
      may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock
      on
      the date of grant. Each stock option may be exercised in whole, at any time,
      or
      in part, from time to time, after the option becomes exercisable. Upon exercise,
      an option holder must pay the exercise price of the option in full, including
      applicable taxes. Payment of the exercise price may be in </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">any
      legal
      manner permitted by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the award
      agreement, which may include the use of shares of common stock already owned
      by
      the option holder or through a broker-assisted cashless exercise procedure.
      The
      Incentive Plan limits the term of any stock option to 10 years.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Restricted
      Stock.</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
      Restricted stock is an award of shares of common stock that is made subject
      to
      specified restrictions on transfer and subject to a substantial risk of
      forfeiture until certain conditions are met as determined by the Compensation
      Committee. Conditions may be based on continuing employment and/or achieving
      performance goals. Unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee,
      shares of restricted stock may be voted by the recipient.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Performance
        Shares.</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
        Performance shares are awards entitling the recipient to receive a number
        of
        shares of common stock upon the achievement of performance goals and such
        other
        conditions as established by the Compensation Committee. The minimum vesting
        period (i.e., performance cycle) for a performance share award is one year.
        A
        recipient of a performance share will have no right as a stockholder until
        shares of common stock are delivered to the recipient in settlement of such
        performance share.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Performance
      Goals</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
      allow
      certain awards granted under the Incentive Plan to the Company&#8217;s Chief Executive
      Officer and its four most highly compensated executive officers to qualify
      as
<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>performance-based
      compensation<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Incentive Plan provides that the
      Compensation Committee may establish performance goals with respect to an award
      based upon one or more of the following performance criteria: (i) total
      shareholder return, (ii) return on invested capital, equity or assets, (iii)
      operating profit, (iv) earnings per share, (v) sales or revenues, (vi) operating
      expenses, (vii) common stock price appreciation, (viii) cash flow, (ix) increase
      in economic value of a subsidiary, division, business unit, or asset or group
      of
      assets, (x) earnings of the Company (A) before interest, taxes, depreciation
      and
      amortization or (B) after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, (xi)
      reductions in expenses, expressed in specific amounts and/or as a percentage
      reduction, or (xii) backlog.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">At
      the
      end of each performance cycle, the Compensation Committee will determine and
      certify the extent to which the performance goal established for the performance
      cycle has been achieved and determine the number of shares to be delivered,
      if
      any, as a result thereof. </font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Award
      Agreements</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      terms
      and provisions of each award under the Incentive Plan award shall be evidenced
      by an award agreement. The award agreement will generally set forth the number
      of shares of common stock subject to the award, the exercise or purchase price
      (if applicable), vesting requirements, term and other restrictions applicable
      to
      an award and, in the case of performance-based awards, the applicable
      performance goals.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Change
      in Control</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      the
      event of a <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>change
      in
      control<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font> of
      the Company (as defined in the Incentive Plan), all stock options granted under
      the Incentive Plan shall vest and become exercisable immediately,&#160;awards of
      restricted stock shall vest immediately, and all performance goals established
      for outstanding performance shares shall be deemed immediately satisfied at
      the
      respective target levels. In addition, the Compensation Committee may adjust
      outstanding options by substituting stock or other securities of any successor
      or another party to the change in control transaction or cash out the
      outstanding stock options, in any such case, generally based on the
      consideration received by the Company&#8217;s stockholders in the
      transaction.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Amendment
      and Termination of Incentive Plan</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors may at any time terminate, suspend, amend or modify the Incentive
      Plan, provided that no such action may impair any outstanding award without
      the
      consent of the participant affected thereby. In addition, unless approved by
      the
      Company&#8217;s stockholders, no amendment or modification may increase the number of
      shares of common stock that may be issued under the Incentive Plan (except
      pursuant to an adjustment related to a corporate change affecting the common
      stock), reduce the minimum purchase price at which shares may be offered under
      stock options, change the class of persons eligible to participate in the
      Incentive Plan, or extend the termination date for making awards under the
      Incentive Plan. Also, no amendment or modification which is required to be
      approved by the Company&#8217;s stockholders under the requirements of Rule 16b-3
      under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law, regulation or rule
      may</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
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      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">become
      effective unless and until the Company&#8217;s stockholders approve it. No award may
      be granted under the Incentive Plan after the tenth anniversary date of its
      approval by the Company&#8217;s stockholders.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Tax
      Consequences</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following is a brief description of the federal income tax treatment that will
      generally apply to awards under the Plan based on current federal income tax
      rules.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Non-Qualified
      Stock Options</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      A
      participant who has been granted a non-qualified stock option will not realize
      taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to
      a
      tax deduction at that time. In general, when the option is exercised, the
      participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of
      the
      fair market value of the acquired shares over the exercise price for those
      shares, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction.
      Any
      gains or losses realized by the participant upon disposition of the shares
      will
      be treated as capital gains or losses, and the participant&#8217;s tax basis in such
      shares will equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of
      exercise.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Incentive
      Stock Options</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      A
      participant who has been granted an incentive stock option will not realize
      taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to
      a
      tax deduction at that time. The exercise of an incentive stock option will
      not
      result in taxable income to the participant provided that the participant was,
      without a break in service, an employee of the Company or a subsidiary during
      the period beginning on the date of the grant of the option and ending on the
      date three months prior to the date of exercise (one year prior to the date
      of
      exercise if the participant is disabled). The excess of the fair market value
      of
      the shares at the time of the exercise of an incentive stock option over the
      exercise price is included in calculating the participant&#8217;s alternative minimum
      taxable income for the tax year in which the incentive stock option is exercised
      unless the participant disposes of the shares in the year of
      exercise.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      the
      participant does not sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock
      received upon exercise of an incentive stock option within two years from the
      date of the grant of the incentive stock option or within one year after the
      exercise of the incentive stock option, then, upon disposition of such shares,
      any amount realized in excess of the exercise price will be taxed to the
      participant as capital gain and the Company will not be entitled to a tax
      deduction at the time of disposition. The participant will generally recognize
      a
      capital loss to the extent that the amount realized is less than the exercise
      price.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      the
      foregoing holding period requirements are not met, the participant will
      generally realize ordinary income at the time of the disposition of the shares,
      in an amount equal to the lesser of (i)&#160;the excess of the fair market value
      of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii)&#160;the
      excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition of the shares over
      the
      exercise price, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding tax
      deduction. Any amount realized in excess of the value of the shares on the
      date
      of exercise will be capital gain. If the amount realized is less than the
      exercise price, the participant will not recognize ordinary income, and the
      participant will generally recognize a capital loss equal to the excess of
      the
      exercise price over the amount realized upon the disposition of the
      shares.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Restricted
      Stock</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      In
      general, a participant who has been granted a restricted stock award will not
      realize taxable income at the time of grant and the Company will not be entitled
      to a tax deduction at that time, assuming that the shares are not transferable
      and that the restrictions create a &#8220;substantial risk of forfeiture<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font> for federal
      income tax purposes. Upon the vesting of the shares subject to a restricted
      stock award, the participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal
      to
      the then fair market value of the shares, and the Company will be entitled
      to a
      corresponding tax deduction. Any gains or losses realized by the participant
      upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains or losses,
      and
      the participant&#8217;s basis in such shares will be equal to the fair market value of
      the shares at the time of vesting. A participant may elect pursuant to
      section&#160;83(b) of the Code to have income recognized at the date of grant of
      a restricted stock award and to have the applicable capital gain holding period
      commence as of that date. If a participant makes this election, the Company
      will
      generally be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction in the year of
      grant.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Performance
        Shares.</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
        A
        participant who has been granted a performance share award will not realize
        taxable income at the time of grant and the Company will not be entitled
        to a
        tax deduction at that time. The participant will recognize taxable compensation
        income at the time of distribution of shares of common stock earned equal
        to the
        then fair market value of the distributed shares, and the Company will then
        be
        entitled to a corresponding tax deduction. Any gains or losses realized by
        the
        participant upon disposition of the shares will be treated as capital gains
        or
        losses, and the participant&#8217;s tax basis in such shares will equal to the fair
        market value of the shares at the time of issuance of the
        shares.</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Limitation
      in the Company&#8217;s Deductions.</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      Under
      Section 162(m) of the Code, a federal income tax deduction for certain awards
      under the Incentive Plan may be limited to the extent that the Company&#8217;s Chief
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Executive
      Officer or any of the four other most highly compensated officers receives
      compensation, other than performance-based compensation, in excess of $1,000,000
      in any year.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>New
      Plan Benefits</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
      determination has yet been made as to the amount or terms of any awards to
      be
      granted under the Incentive Plan and such grants will be determined at the
      discretion of the Compensation Committee. No awards will be granted under the
      Incentive Plan unless and until it is approved by the Company&#8217;s
      stockholders.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Required
      Vote of Stockholders</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal is required
      to
      approve the Incentive Plan, provided that the total votes cast represent over
      50% of all votes entitled to be cast on the proposal. Abstentions will be
      included in determining the number of votes cast on the proposal, thus having
      the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes are not counted
      in
      determining the number of votes cast on the proposal.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>The
      Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><em>&#160;</em></strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>FOR
      the approval of the Incentive Plan.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EQUITY
      COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2005,
      concerning outstanding stock options and rights to purchase common stock granted
      to participants in all of the Company&#8217;s equity compensation plans and the number
      of shares of common stock remaining available for issuance under such equity
      compensation plans. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="29%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="16%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="7%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;</td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="2%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="29%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Plan&#160;Category</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>&#160;&#160;</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Number&#160;of&#160;Shares&#160;to&#160;be</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Issued&#160;Upon&#160;Exercise&#160;of</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Outstanding&#160;Options</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>and
                Rights</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>&#160;&#160;</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="16%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Weighted-Average</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Exercise&#160;Price&#160;of</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Outstanding&#160;Options
                </strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>and
                Rights</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="7%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
            <td width="16%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">&#160;

              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Number&#160;of&#160;Shares</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Remaining&#160;Available</strong></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>For&#160;Future&#160;Issuance</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="2%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="29%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Equity
                compensation plans approved by stockholders </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="16%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">575,000</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;

              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">$&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                &#160;0.65</font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="7%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;

              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="2%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="29%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Equity
                compensation plans not approved by stockholders</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="16%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;

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            <td width="16%">&#160;</td>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;</font></div>
            </td>
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            <td align="left" valign="top" width="29%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Total</font></div>
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            <td width="16%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="7%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="16%">&#160;

              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
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            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="2%">&#160;</td>
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      </table>
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    <div>&#160;</div>
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    </div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="2%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="75%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Consists
                of the Company&#8217;s 1995 Stock Option Plan.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>AUDIT
      RELATED MATTERS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Audit
      Committee Report</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors does not have an audit committee. Instead, the full Board performs
      the equivalent functions of an audit committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
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      management. The Board of Directors has caused its Chief Executive Officer to
      discuss with the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm the
      matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as may be modified or supplemented.
      The Board of Directors has received the written disclosures and the letter
      from
      the</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;independent
      registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standards Board
      Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
      Discussions with Audit Committees), as may be modified or supplemented, and
      has
      caused its Chief Executive Officer to discuss with the independent registered
      public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm&#8217;s
      independence. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Board
      of Directors approved the inclusion of the audited financial statements in
      the
      Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the last fiscal year for filing with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 324pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Board
      of
      Directors</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 324pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Albert
      E.
      Whitehead</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">John
      C.
      Kinard</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Independent
      Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees</strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 225pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following is a summary of the fees billed or to be billed to the Company by
      Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP, the Company&#8217;s independent registered
      public accounting firm, for professional Services rendered for the fiscal years
      ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>
      <div align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="ftable" width="60%">

            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Fee
                  Category</strong></font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="19%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Fiscal
                  2005 Fees</strong></font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="19%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Fiscal
                  2004 Fees</strong></font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Audit
                  Fees </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">$</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">22,625</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">$</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16,750</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Audit-Related
                  Fees </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(2)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Tax
                  Fees</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                  Other Fees </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3)</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">0</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="30%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Total
                  Fees</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="22%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">$</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">22,625</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="9%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">$</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="18%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16,750</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Audit
      Fees consist
      of aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of
      the
      Company&#8217;s annual financial statements and review of the interim financial
      statements included in quarterly reports or services that are normally provided
      by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with
      statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended
      December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(2)<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Audit-Related
      fees consist of aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that
      are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our
      financial statements and are not reported under &#8220;Audit Fees.<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3)<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;All
      Other
      Fees consist of aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by
      Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP, other than those disclosed
      above.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      entire Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for the appointment,
      compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public
      accounting firm and approves in advance any services to be performed by the
      independent registered public accounting firm, whether audit-related or not.
      The
      entire Board of Directors reviews each proposed engagement to determine whether
      the provision of services is compatible with maintaining the independence of
      the
      independent registered public accounting firm. All of the fees shown above
      were
      pre-approved by the entire Board of Directors. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROPOSAL
      THREE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>AMENDMENT
      TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY&#8217;S
      AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 72pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">At
      the
      Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to
      the
      Company&#8217;s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the &#8220;Certificate of
      Incorporation<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>), to increase
      the
      authorized stock of the Company from Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares to One
      Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares (the &#8220;Amendment<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>). The
      Amendment
      was adopted, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board of Directors pursuant
      to a Unanimous Consent to Action in Lieu of a Special Meeting of the Board
      of
      Directors dated April 12, 2006.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      connection with the proposed Amendment, Article V of the Certificate of
      Incorporation would be amended to read in its entirety as follows:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 36pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;The
      Corporation shall have the authority to issue 100,000,000 (one hundred million)
      shares of stock each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001).
      All
      stock of the Corporation shall be of the same class and shall have the same
      rights and preferences. Fully paid stock of this Corporation shall not be liable
      for further call or assessment. The Board of Directors shall have the authority
      by resolution to grant rights or subscriptions for common stock and for such
      consideration as the Board of Directors may fix and determine, without action
      by
      the shareholders, provided such consideration be as allowed by the laws of
      the
      State of Delaware.<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 36pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">At
      any
      time prior to the effectiveness of the filing of the Amendment with the
      Secretary of State of Delaware, notwithstanding the prior authorization of
      such
      amendment by the stockholders of the Company, the Board of Directors may abandon
      the Amendment without any further action by the stockholders. The Amendment
      must
      be approved by at least a majority of the holders of the outstanding shares
      of
      common stock of the Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 36pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">As
      of May
      6, 2006, there were approximately: (i) 42,830,190&#160;shares issued and
      outstanding, (ii) 575,000 shares reserved for future issuance pursuant to
      outstanding options granted under the Company&#8217;s 1995 Stock Option Plan, and
      (iii) 1,500,000 shares reserved for future issuance pursuant to outstanding
      warrants granted by the Company in connection with a private placement. If
      this
      proposal is approved, taking into account the number of shares reserved for
      issuance, the Board will have the authority to issue approximately 55,094,810
      shares of common stock without further stockholder approval, except as may
      be
      required for a particular transaction by applicable law, regulatory agencies
      or
      the rules of any securities exchange on which the Company&#8217;s securities may then
      be listed.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      additional authorized shares of common stock may be used for such corporate
      purposes as may be determined by the Board from time to time to be necessary
      or
      desirable. These purposes may include, without limitation: raising capital
      through the sale of common stock; effecting a stock split or issuing a stock
      dividend; acquiring other businesses in exchange for shares of common stock;
      and
      attracting and retaining employees by the issuance of additional securities
      under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. At the present time, the Company has no
      commitments, agreements or undertakings to issue any such additional shares.
      The
      Board believes that the authorized number of shares of common stock should
      be
      increased to provide the Board with the ability to issue additional shares
      of
      common stock for the potential corporate purposes described above, without
      having to incur the delay and expense incident to holding a special meeting
      of
      the stockholders to approve an increase in the authorized shares of common
      stock
      at that time. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      authorization of the additional shares by this proposal would not have any
      immediate dilutive effect on the proportionate voting power or other rights
      of
      existing stockholders, but, to the extent that the additional authorized shares
      are issued in the future, they may decrease existing stockholders&#8217; percentage
      equity ownership and, depending on the price at which they are issued, could
      be
      dilutive to existing stockholders and have a negative effect on the market
      price
      of the Company&#8217;s common stock. Under the Company&#8217;s Certificate of Incorporation,
      stockholders do not have preemptive rights with respect to the issuance of
      shares of common stock, which means that current stockholders do not have a
      prior right to</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">purchase
      shares in any new issue of common stock in order to maintain their proportionate
      ownership of common stock.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock could have an
      anti-takeover effect, although this is not the intent of the Board. For example,
      if the Board issues additional shares in the future, such issuance could dilute
      the stock ownership and voting power of, or increase the cost to, a person
      seeking to obtain control of the Company, thereby deterring or rendering more
      difficult a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other extraordinary
      transaction. To the extent that it impedes any such attempts, the proposed
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Authorized
      Amendment</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      may
      serve to perpetuate the Board and the Company&#8217;s management. The proposed
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Authorized
      Amendment</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      is not
      being proposed in response to any known effort or threat to acquire control
      of
      the Company and is not part of a plan by management to adopt a series of
      amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Company&#8217;s bylaws having
      an anti-takeover effect.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>The
      Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><em>&#160;</em></strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>FOR
      the Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROPOSAL
      FOUR</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>RATIFICATION
      OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>REGISTERED
      PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors has selected Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP as the
      Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2006. Tullius
      Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP served as the Company&#8217;s independent registered
      public accounting firm during fiscal 2005.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
      proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting asking the stockholders to
      ratify the appointment of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP as the
      Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm. If the stockholders do
      not ratify the appointment of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP, the
      Board will reconsider the appointment.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person
      or
      by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required for the adoption
      of this proposal.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Company expects that a representative of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain
      LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will be given
      the
      opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be
      available to respond to appropriate questions.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>The
      Board of Directors recommends a vote </strong>&#8220;<strong>FOR<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      the ratification
      of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain LLP as the Company&#8217;s independent
      registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2006.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SECURITY
      OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of
      the
      Company&#8217;s common stock as of May 6, 2006 for: (i) </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">each
      person who is known to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company&#8217;s
      outstanding common stock; (ii) each of the Company&#8217;s executive officers and
      directors; and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. The
      percentage of beneficial ownership for the following table is based on
      42,830,190 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 6, 2006. Unless
      otherwise indicated below, to the Company&#8217;s knowledge, all persons and entities
      listed below have sole voting and investment power over their shares of Common
      Stock.</font></div>
    <div><br>&#160;</div>
    <div><br>&#160;</div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 36.8pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 36.8pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 36.8pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 36.8pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 36.8pt">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="ftable" width="70%">

            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div><font size="2"><strong>Name and address of beneficial owner
                  ownership</strong></font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2"><strong>Amount</strong></font></div>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2"><strong>and</strong></font></div>
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>nature
                  of</strong></font></div>
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>beneficial</strong></font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: black thin solid;">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2"><strong>Percent
                  of</strong></font></div>
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><strong><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">class
                  </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font></strong></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: #ffffff solid;">&#160;</td>
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                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">)</font></div>
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              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Chief
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3214
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              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Tulsa,
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              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">631,331</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3</font></div>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.47</font></div>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">%</font></div>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Director</font></div>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">240
                  Cook Street</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Denver,
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              </td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
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              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="34%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                  current directors and executive officers as a group (2
                  persons)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="25%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14,799,356</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(4</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="6%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">&#160;</td>
              <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="16%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">34.55</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="1%" style="border-bottom: medium none;">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">%</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)&#160;&#160;
      The percentage ownership for each person is calculated in accordance with the
      rules of the SEC, which provide that any shares a person is deemed to
      beneficially own by virtue of having a right to acquire shares upon the
      conversion of options or other rights are considered outstanding solely for
      purposes of calculating such person&#8217;s percentage ownership.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(2)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;This
      number includes: (i) 11,332,742 shares directly owned by the Albert E. Whitehead
      Living Trust, of which Mr. Whitehead is the trustee; and (ii) 2,835,283 shares
      directly owned by the Lacy E. Whitehead Living Trust, of which Ms. Whitehead,
      Mr. Whitehead&#8217;s wife, is trustee. Mr. Whitehead disclaims any interest in the
      shares owned by the Lacy E. Whitehead Living Trust.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3)&#160;&#160;&#160;
      This number includes: (i) 161,331 shares directly owned by Mr. Kinard;(ii)
      320,000 shares Mr. Kinard has the right to acquire pursuant to options granted
      to him under the 1995 Stock Option Plan; and (iii) 150,000 shares directly
      owned
      by Mr. Kinard&#8217;s wife, of which Mr. Kinard disclaims any interest.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(4)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;This
      number includes 320,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted
      under the 1995 Stock Option Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EXECUTIVE
      COMPENSATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
      the last three completed fiscal years, no executive officer received a salary
      or
      any other benefits as a part of executive compensation. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Albert E. Whitehead, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,&#160;the sole
      executive officer of the Company, devotes a considerable amount of time to
      the
      affairs of the Company and receives no compensation. For financial statement
      purposes, Mr. Whitehead&#8217;s services have been recorded as contributed capital and
      expense in the amount of $50,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. During
      the last three completed fiscal years, the Company did not grant any options
      to
      Mr. Whitehead. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>CERTAIN
      RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
      the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Mr. Whitehead
      advanced the Company an additional $60,190 and $84,312, respectively, to finance
      the operating expenses of the Company. As of December 31, 2005, the Company
      owed
      Mr. Whitehead $274,682 in connection with advances made to the
      Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">12</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SECTION
      16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Section
      16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company&#8217;s directors, executive officers,
      and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of a registered class
      of
      the Company&#8217;s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of
      ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity
      securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent
      stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies
      of all Section 16(a) forms they file. SEC regulations impose specific due dates
      for such reports, and the Company is required to disclose in this Proxy
      Statement any failure to file by these dates during and with respect to fiscal
      2005.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Based
      solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and
      any
      written representations that no other reports were required during the year
      ended December 31, 2005, to the Company&#8217;s knowledge, all Section 16(a) filing
      requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10%
      beneficial owners during the year ended December 31, 2005 were complied with
      on
      a timely basis.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>STOCKHOLDER
      PROPOSALS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Any
      stockholder proposal intended to be considered by the Company for inclusion
      in
      the proxy materials for the Company for the Company&#8217;s 2007 Annual Meeting of
      Stockholders must be submitted in accordance with the applicable regulations
      of
      the SEC and received by the Company at its principal executive offices no later
      than January 9, 2007.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>HOUSEHOLDING</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      proxy
      rules of the SEC permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers and banks,
      to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or
      more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy
      statement to those stockholders. This method of delivery, often referred to
      as
      householding, should reduce the amount of duplicate information that
      stockholders receive and lower printing and mailing costs for companies. The
      Company is not householding proxy materials for its stockholders of record
      in
      connection with the Annual Meeting. However, the Company is aware that certain
      intermediaries will household proxy materials. If you hold your shares of common
      stock through a broker or bank that has determined to household proxy
      materials:</font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
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            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Only
                one annual report and proxy statement will be delivered to multiple
                stockholders sharing an address;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
              &#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">You
                may request a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement
                for
                the Annual Meeting and for future meetings by calling (918) 488-8068
                or by
                writing to Empire Petroleum Corporation, 8801 S. Yale, Suite 120,
                Tulsa,
                Oklahoma 74137, or by contacting your bank or broker to make a similar
                request; and</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
              &#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">You
                may request to discontinue householding by notifying your broker
                or
                bank.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>OTHER
      MATTERS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Matters
      That May Come Before the Annual Meeting</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Board
      of Directors knows of no matters other than those described in this Proxy
      Statement which will be brought before the Annual Meeting for a vote of the
      stockholders. If, however, any other matter requiring a vote of stockholders
      arises, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon in
      accordance with their best judgment. The enclosed proxy confers discretionary
      authority to take action with respect to any additional matters that may come
      before the meeting.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Annual
      Report on Form 10-KSB</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Stockholders
      may obtain a copy of the Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for fiscal 2005
      (without exhibits or documents incorporated by reference) without charge by
      writing to the Empire Petroleum Corporation, 8801 S. Yale, Suite 120, Tulsa,
      Oklahoma 74137or by calling (918) 488-8068.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">By
                Order of the
                Board of Directors,&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
              <td colspan="2">&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td>&#160;</td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">/s/&#160;Albert
                E.
                Whitehead</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: " size="1">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="left">
                <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="80%"><font size="2">Albert
                E. Whitehead</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">Chairman
                and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Tulsa,
      Oklahoma</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
      10,
      2006</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PROXY</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EMPIRE
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>THIS
      PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      undersigned hereby appoints Albert E. Whitehead, as proxy, with the power to
      appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes him to represent and to vote,
      as
      designated below, all the shares of Common Stock of Empire Petroleum Corporation
      (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) held of record by the undersigned on May 4, 2006, at the Annual
      Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on June 5, 2006, and at any
      and all adjournments or postponements thereof.</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="left" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Election
                of directors.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">&#168;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FOR
                all nominees listed below (except as indicated to the contrary below
                and
                subject to the discretion of the proxy as provided
                herein).</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">John
      C.
      Kinard, Albert E. Whitehead</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">&#168;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">WITHHOLD
                AUTHORITY to vote for all the nominees
                above.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Instructions:
      To withhold authority for any individual nominee or nominees, write their
      name(s) here:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="1" width="100%">
      </div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Continued
      and to be signed on the reverse side)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="left" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Proposal
                to approve the adoption of the Company&#8217;s 2006 Stock Incentive
                Plan.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#168;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
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            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Proposal
                to approve the amendment to the Company&#8217;s Certificate of
                Incorporation.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#168;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
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        AGAINST</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">&#168;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
        ABSTAIN</font></div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="left" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Proposal
                to ratify the appointment of Tullius Taylor Sartain &amp; Sartain, LLP as
                our independent auditors.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
</font>&#168;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
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        AGAINST</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">&#168;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
        ABSTAIN</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="left" style="width: 36pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                his discretion, the Proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business
                as may properly come before the
                meeting.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">This
      Proxy when properly executed will be voted at the Annual Meeting or any
      adjournments or postponements thereof as directed herein by the undersigned
      stockholder. If no specifications are made, this Proxy will be voted
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>For</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.&#160; This Proxy is revocable at any time before it is
      exercised.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>IMPORTANT:&#160;&#160;
      Please date this and sign this Proxy exactly as name appears to the left. If
      shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
      executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give title as such. If
      a
      corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized
      officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized
      person.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%"><font size="2">Dated:&#160;<u><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;,
              2006</u></font></td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%"><font size="2">Signature(s)&#160;<u><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;</u></font></td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%"><font size="2">Signature(s)<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt"><u>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;</u></font></font></td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
            <td width="25%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>PLEASE
      MARK, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
      ENVELOPE.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>NO
      POSTAGE IS REQUIRED FOR MAILING IN THE UNITED STATES.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>APPENDIX
      A</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><br>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>EMPIRE
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>2006
      STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Purposes</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      The
      purposes of the Empire Petroleum Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
      are:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
      further the growth, development and success of the Company and its Affiliates
      by
      enabling the executive and other employees and directors of, and consultants
      to,
      the Company and its Affiliates to acquire a continuing equity interest in the
      Company, thereby increasing their personal interests in such growth, development
      and success and motivating such employees, directors and consultants to exert
      their best efforts on behalf of the Company and its Affiliates; and</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
      maintain the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain
      employees, directors and consultants of outstanding ability by offering them
      an
      opportunity to acquire a continuing equity interest in the Company and its
      Affiliates which will reflect the growth, development and success of the Company
      and its Affiliates.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Toward
      these objectives, the Committee may grant (i)&#160;Options and/or (ii)
      Restricted Stock to such employees, directors and consultants, all pursuant
      to
      the terms and conditions of the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Definitions</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      As used
      in the Plan, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth
      below:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Affiliate</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;</font>
      means, other than
      the Company, (i)&#160;any corporation or limited liability company in an
      unbroken chain of corporations or limited liability companies ending with the
      Company if each corporation or limited liability company owns stock or
      membership interests (as applicable) possessing more than fifty percent (50%)
      of
      the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
      corporations or limited liability companies in such chain; (ii)&#160;any
      corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership
      or
      limited liability company) which is more than fifty percent (50%) controlled
      (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest
      or
      voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; or (iii)&#160;any
      other entity, approved by the Committee as an Affiliate under the Plan, in
      which
      the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity
      interest.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Award</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean any Option or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Award
      Agreement</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a written agreement between the Company and an Award recipient
      memorializing the terms and conditions of an Award granted pursuant to the
      Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-1</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Award
      Limit</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean Options, subject to which the aggregate number of shares of Stock equals
      500,000 (as adjusted in accordance with Section&#160;11).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Beneficial
      Ownership</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
      (including correlative terms) shall have the same meaning given such term in
      Rule&#160;13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Board</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the Board of Directors of the Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(g)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Unless
      otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement,
      &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Change
      in Control</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the occurrence of any of the following:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">an
      acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any Voting Securities
      by
      any Person, immediately after which such Person has Beneficial Ownership of
      more
      than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company&#8217;s then
      outstanding Voting Securities; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      in
      determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which
      are acquired in a Non-Control Acquisition (as defined in Section&#160;2(p))
      shall not constitute an acquisition that would cause a Change in
      Control;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the
&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Incumbent
      Board</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;),
      cease
      for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that if
      the election, or nomination for election, by the Company&#8217;s common stockholders,
      of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
      Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of the Plan, be
      considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided
      further</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that no
      individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such
      individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or
      threatened &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Election
      Contest</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
(as
      described in Rule&#160;14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other
      actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of
      a
      Person other than the Board (a &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Proxy
      Contest</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;)
      including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election
      Contest or Proxy Contest; or</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      consummation of:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(A)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">a
      merger,
      consolidation or reorganization with or into the Company or in which securities
      of the Company are issued (a &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Merger</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;),
      unless such Merger is a &#8220;Non-Control Transaction;&#8221; a &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Non-Control
      Transaction</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a Merger if:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(1)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      stockholders of the Company, immediately before such Merger own, directly or
      indirectly, immediately following such Merger, at least fifty-one percent (51%)
      of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the
      corporation resulting from such Merger (the &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Surviving
      Corporation</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;)
      in
      substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities
      immediately before such Merger;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-2</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(2)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the
      execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least a
      majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation,
      or a corporation beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, a majority of
      the
      voting securities of the Surviving Corporation; and</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 108pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(3)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">no
      Person, </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>other
      than</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      (i)&#160;the Company, (ii)&#160;any Related Entity (as defined in
      Section&#160;2(p)), (iii)&#160;any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a
      part thereof) that, immediately prior to such Merger, was maintained by the
      Company or any Related Entity, or (iv)&#160;any Person who immediately prior to
      such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
      then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of more than fifty
      percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation&#8217;s then
      outstanding voting securities or its common stock;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(B)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">a
      complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (not including a &#8220;Non-Control
      Transaction&#8221;); or</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(C)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      sale
      or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
      to
      any Person (other than a transfer to a Related Entity or the distribution to
      the
      Company&#8217;s stockholders of the stock of a Subsidiary or any other
      assets).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Notwithstanding
      the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because
      any Person (the &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Subject
      Person</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;)
      acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then
      outstanding Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting
      Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities
      then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially
      Owned
      by the Subject Persons, </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      that if
      a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as
      a
      result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company, and after such
      share acquisition by the Company the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial
      Owner
      of any new or additional Voting Securities which increases the percentage of
      the
      then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person,
      then a Change in Control shall occur. Solely for purposes of this
      Section&#160;2(g), (x)&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font>Affiliate&#8221;
shall
      mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly,
      controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person;
      (y)&#160;any &#8220;Relative&#8221; (for this purpose, &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Relative</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      a
      spouse, child, parent, parent of spouse, sibling or grandchild) of an individual
      shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such individual for this purpose; and
      (z)&#160;neither the Company nor any Person controlled by the Company shall be
      deemed to be an Affiliate of any holder of Stock.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-3</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(h)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Code</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time,
      including regulations and rules thereunder and successor provisions and
      regulations and rules thereto.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Committee</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean the Board unless and until such time as the Board appoints a Compensation
      Committee of the Board or, in the event that the Board appoints a Compensation
      Committee of the Board, such subcommittee of the Compensation Committee as
      determined by the Compensation Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(j)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Company</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      Empire Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor
      entity.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(k)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Disability</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean the inability of an employee to perform substantially all the duties of
      his
      or her employment position with the Company or Subsidiary by reason of any
      medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to be
      permanent and continues for more than 180&#160;days. The Committee may require
      such proof of Disability as the Committee in its sole discretion deems
      appropriate and the Committee&#8217;s determination as to whether the award recipient
      is disabled shall be conclusive, final, and binding on all parties
      concerned.</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(l)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Effective
      Date</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the date on which the Plan is effective, as determined pursuant to
      Section&#160;16.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(m)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Exchange
      Act</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
      promulgated thereunder.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(n)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Fair
      Market Value</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
of
      a
      share of Stock as of a given date shall be the mean of the average of the high
      and low bid information for a share of Stock as reported by the the National
      Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation (NASDAQ) over-the-counter
      bulletin board system (or, if not so reported, such other recognized reporting
      source as the Board shall select) for such date, or, if no such information
      is
      reported for such date, the most recent day for which such prices are available
      shall be used.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(o)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>ISO</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
or
      &#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Incentive
      Stock Option</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      a
      right to purchase Stock granted to an Optionee under the Plan in accordance
      with
      the terms and conditions set forth in Section&#160;6 and which conforms to the
      applicable provisions of Section&#160;422 of the Code.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(p)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Non-Control
      Acquisition</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      an acquisition by (i)&#160;an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part
      thereof) maintained by (A)&#160;the Company or (B)&#160;any corporation or other
      Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities
      or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (a
&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Related
      Entity</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;);
      (ii)&#160;the Company or any Related Entity; or (iii)&#160;any Person in
      connection with a Non-Control Transaction.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-4</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(q)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Notice</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      written notice actually received by the Company at its executive offices on
      the
      day of such receipt, if received on or before 1:30&#160;p.m. (CST), on a day
      when the Company&#8217;s executive offices are open for business, or, if received
      after such time, such notice shall be deemed received on the next such day,
      which notice may be delivered in person to the Company&#8217;s Secretary or sent to
      the Company in accordance with an Award Agreement at the address indicated
      in
      such Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(r)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Option</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      a
      right to purchase Stock granted to an Optionee under the Plan in accordance
      with
      the terms and conditions set forth in Section&#160;6. Options may be either ISOs
      or stock options other than ISOs.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(s)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Optionee</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      an individual who is eligible, pursuant to Section&#160;5, and who has been
      selected to participate in the Plan, and who holds an outstanding Option granted
      to such individual under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions
      set forth in Section&#160;6.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(t)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Participant</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean an individual who has received a grant of an Award under the
      Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(u)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Performance
      Cycle</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean the period of one year or longer established by the Committee in connection
      with the grant of Performance Shares.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(v)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Performance
      Goals</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a target or targets of objective performance established by the Committee
      in its sole discretion. A Performance Goal shall be based on one or more of
      the
      following criteria: (i)&#160;total shareholder return, (ii)&#160;return on
      invested capital, equity, or assets, (iii)&#160;operating profit, </font><a name="page_lk5014_1_4"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iv)&#160;earnings
      per share, (v)&#160;sales or revenues, (vi)&#160;operating expenses,
      (vii)&#160;Stock price appreciation; (viii)&#160;cash flow; (ix)&#160;increase
      in economic value of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or asset or group
      of
      assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, division, or business unit;
      (x)&#160;pre-tax income or after-tax income, or (xi)&#160;reductions in
      expenses, which reductions may be expressed in terms of absolute numbers and/or
      as a percentage decrease. Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be
      expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria
      or
      the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria,
      may be a comparison of actual performance during a performance period against
      budget for such period, and may be applied to one or more of the Company, or
      Subsidiary, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company, or may
      be
      applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group
      of
      other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Committee.
      The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which
      no award will be earned, levels of performance at which specified awards will
      be
      earned, and a maximum level of performance at which the maximum level of awards
      will be earned. Each of the foregoing Performance Goals shall be determined
      in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be subject
      to
      certification by the Committee; provided that the Committee shall have the
      authority, to the extent consistent with the &#8220;qualified performance-based
      compensation&#8221; exception of Section&#160;162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
      Section&#160;1.162-27(e) of the Income Tax Regulations, to make equitable
      adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual </font></a></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-5</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">or
      non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or the financial
      statements of the Company or any Subsidiary in response to changes in applicable
      laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined
      to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related
      to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting
      principles. Once a Performance Goal is established and Performance Shares are
      granted to a Participant with respect to a Performance Cycle, the Committee
      shall have no discretion to increase the amount of compensation that would
      otherwise be payable to a Participant upon attainment of the Performance
      Goal.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(w)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Performance
      Share</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a contingent right to receive a share of Stock in the future pursuant
      to
      the terms of a grant made under Section&#160;8 and the relevant Award
      Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(x)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Performance
      Share Award</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a grant or one or more Performance Shares pursuant to the terms of
      Section&#160;8 and the relevant Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(y)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Person</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
- -
      &#8220;person&#8221; as such term is used for purposes of Section&#160;13(d) or 14(d) of the
      Exchange Act, including, without limitation, any individual, corporation,
      limited liability company, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization,
      government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
      or any group of such persons.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(z)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Plan</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      this Empire Petroleum Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(aa)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Plan
      Year</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean the Company&#8217;s fiscal year.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(bb)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Restricted
      Stock</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a share of Stock which is granted pursuant to, and subject to the terms
      of
      Section&#160;7 and is subject to such additional terms and restrictions as set
      forth in the relevant Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(cc)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Restricted
      Stock Award</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean a grant of one or more shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to the terms
      of
      Section&#160;7 and the relevant Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(dd)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Rule&#160;16b-3</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean Rule&#160;16b-3 as in effect under the Exchange Act on the effective date
      of the Plan, or any successor provision prescribing conditions necessary to
      exempt the issuance of securities under the Plan (and further transactions
      in
      such securities) from Section&#160;16(b) of the Exchange Act.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ee)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Target
      Level</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean, with respect to one or more Performance Goals established by the Committee
      in connection with an award under the Plan, the level of achievement designated
      by the Committee as the target level of performance.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ff)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Securities
      Act</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time, including
      the regulations and rules promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and
      regulations and rules thereto.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-6</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(gg)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Stock</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(hh)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Subsidiary</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
shall
      mean any present or future corporation which is or would be a &#8220;subsidiary
      corporation&#8221; of the Company as the term is defined in Section&#160;424(f) of the
      Code.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Voting
      Securities</strong></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8221;
means
      all the outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
      in the election of the Board.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Administration
      of the Plan</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      (a)&#160;The Committee shall have exclusive authority to operate, manage and
      administer the Plan in accordance with its terms and conditions. Notwithstanding
      the foregoing, in its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from
      time to time exercise any and all rights, duties and responsibilities of the
      Committee under the Plan, including, but not limited to, establishing procedures
      to be followed by the Committee, except with respect to matters which under
      any
      applicable law, regulation or rule, are required to be determined in the sole
      discretion of the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">At
      such
      time as the Board appoints a Committee, it shall consist of two or more members
      of the Board each of whom shall be a &#8220;non-employee director&#8221; within the meaning
      of Rule 16b-3, an &#8220;independent director&#8221; within the meaning of any applicable
      stock exchange rule and, to the extent that the Board has resolved to take
      actions necessary to enable compensation arising with respect to awards under
      the Plan to constitute performance-based compensation for purposes of Section
      162(m) of the Code, an &#8220;outside director&#8221; within the meaning of Section 162(m)
      of the Code. Appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon their
      acceptance of such appointment. Committee members may be removed by the Board
      at
      any time either with or without cause, and such members may resign at any time
      by delivering notice thereof to the Board. Any vacancy on the Committee, whether
      due to action of the Board or any other reason, shall be filled by the
      Board.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the
      Plan,
      Awards to those individuals who are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.
      In particular, the Committee shall have discretionary authority, in accordance
      with the terms of the Plan, to: determine eligibility for participation in
      the
      Plan; select, from time to time, from among those eligible, the employees,
      directors and consultants to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan, which
      selection may be based upon information furnished to the Committee by the
      Company&#8217;s or an Affiliate&#8217;s management; determine whether an Award shall take
      the form of Performance Shares, Restricted Stock, an ISO or an Option other
      than
      an ISO; determine the number of shares of Stock to be included in any Award,
      the
      periods for which Options will be outstanding, the Performance Goals and Target
      Levels to be attained to earn Performance Shares, and the restrictions to be
      placed on shares of Restricted Stock; establish and administer any terms,
      conditions, performance criteria, restrictions, limitations, forfeiture, vesting
      or exercise schedule, and other provisions of or relating to any Award; grant
      waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations under the Plan or
      applicable to any Award, or accelerate the vesting or </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-7</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">exercisability
      of any Option; amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any outstanding
      Award
      and/or adjust the number and/or class of shares of Stock subject to any
      outstanding Award; at any time and from time to time after the granting of
      an
      Award, specify such additional terms, conditions and restrictions with respect
      to any such Award as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance
      with any and all applicable laws or rules, including, but not limited to, terms,
      restrictions and conditions for compliance with applicable securities laws,
      regarding an Optionee&#8217;s exercise of Options by tendering shares of Stock or
      under any &#8220;cashless exercise&#8221; program established by the Committee, and methods
      of withholding or providing for the payment of required taxes; offer to buy
      out
      an Award previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee
      shall establish with and communicate to the Participant at the time such offer
      is made; and, to the extent permitted under the applicable Award Agreement,
      permit the transfer of an Award or the exercise of an Option by one other than
      the Participant who received the grant of such Award (other than any such
      transfer or exercise which would cause any ISO to fail to qualify as an
&#8220;incentive stock option&#8221; under Section&#160;422 of the Code unless the
      Participant acknowledges and consents in writing to such
      consequence).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee shall have all authority that may be necessary or helpful to enable
      it
      to discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Plan. Without limiting
      the
      generality of the foregoing sentence or Section&#160;3(a), and in addition to
      the powers otherwise expressly designated to the Committee in the Plan, the
      Committee shall have the exclusive right and discretionary authority to
      interpret the Plan and the Award Agreements; construe any ambiguous provision
      of
      the Plan and/or the Award Agreements and decide all questions concerning
      eligibility for and the amount of Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee
      may establish, amend, waive and/or rescind rules and regulations and
      administrative guidelines for carrying out the Plan and may correct any errors,
      supply any omissions or reconcile any inconsistencies in the Plan and/or any
      Award Agreement or any other instrument relating to any Award. The Committee
      shall have the authority to adopt such procedures and subplans and grant Awards
      on such terms and conditions as the Committee determines necessary or
      appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by individuals otherwise
      eligible to so participate who are foreign nationals or employed outside of
      the
      United States, or otherwise to conform to applicable requirements or practices
      of jurisdictions outside of the United States; and take any and all such other
      actions it deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation and/or
      administration of the Plan. The Committee shall have full discretionary
      authority in all matters related to the discharge of its responsibilities and
      the exercise of its authority under the Plan. Decisions and actions by the
      Committee with respect to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be final,
      conclusive and binding on all persons having or claiming to have any right
      or
      interest in or under the Plan and/or any Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
      Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be executed by
      the
      Company and the Participant to whom such Award has been granted, unless the
      Award Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Awards granted to a single
      Participant may, however, be combined in a single Award Agreement. An Award
      Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of an Award; no person
      shall have any rights under any Award, however, unless and until the Participant
      to whom the Award shall have been granted (i)&#160;shall have executed and
      delivered to the Company an Award Agreement or other instrument </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-8</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">evidencing
      the Award, unless such Award Agreement provides otherwise, and (ii)&#160;has
      otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Award. The
      Committee shall prescribe the form of all Award Agreements, and, subject to
      the
      terms and conditions of the Plan, shall determine the content of all Award
      Agreements. Any Award Agreement may be supplemented or amended in writing from
      time to time as approved by the Committee; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      that the
      terms and conditions of any such Award Agreement as supplemented or amended
      are
      not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
      majority of the members of the entire Committee shall constitute a quorum and
      the actions of a majority of the members of the Committee in attendance at
      a
      meeting at which a quorum is present, or actions by a written instrument signed
      by all members of the Committee, shall be the actions of the
      Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(g)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company. The
      Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ such other attorneys
      and/or consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers and other persons as it
      deems necessary or appropriate. Neither the Committee nor any member thereof
      shall incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon
      the advice of such counsel or other persons.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(h)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      serving on the Committee, the members thereof shall be entitled to
      indemnification as directors of the Company, and to any limitation of liability
      and reimbursement as directors with respect to their services as members of
      the
      Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Except
      to
      the extent prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, the
      requirements applicable under Section&#160;162(m) of the Code to any Award
      intended to be &#8220;qualified performance-based compensation,&#8221; or the requirements
      for any Award granted to an officer or director to be covered by any exemptive
      rule under Section&#160;16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule&#160;16b-3, or
      any successor rule, as the same may be amended from time to time), or the
      applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may, in its discretion,
      allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under this
      Section&#160;3 to any one or more of its members and/or delegate all or any part
      of its responsibilities and powers under this Section&#160;3 to any person or
      persons selected by it; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that
      the Committee may not delegate its authority to correct errors, omissions or
      inconsistencies in the Plan. Any such authority delegated or allocated by the
      Committee under this paragraph&#160;(i) of Section&#160;3 shall be exercised in
      accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any rules, regulations
      or administrative guidelines that may from time to time be established by the
      Committee, and any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee
      at any time.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Shares
      of Stock Subject to the Plan</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      (a)&#160;The shares of stock subject to Awards granted under the Plan shall be
      shares of Stock. Such shares of Stock subject to the Plan may be either
      authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares acquired by the
      Company or any Subsidiary. The total number of shares of Stock reserved and
      available for distribution pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan is
      5,000,000 shares.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Notwithstanding
      any of the foregoing limitations set forth in this Section&#160;4, the number of
      shares of Stock specified in this Section&#160;4 shall be adjusted as provided
      in Section&#160;11.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Shares
      of
      Stock covered by an Award shall only be counted as used to the extent they
      are
      actually issued and delivered to Participant. Any shares of Stock subject to
      an
      Award which for any reason expires or is terminated or forfeited without having
      been fully earned, vested or exercised, or payment is made to the Participant
      with respect to such shares in the form of cash or other property other than
      Stock, may again be granted pursuant to an Award under the Plan, subject to
      the
      limitations of this Section&#160;4. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      any
      portion of the exercise price of an Option or other Award or tax withholding
      requirements with respect to any Awards are paid by tendering to the Company
      shares of Stock already owned by the holder (or such holder and his or her
      spouse jointly), or, with respect to tax withholdings only, if shares are
      withheld to satisfy such requirements from the shares that would otherwise
      be
      delivered to a Participant, only the number of shares of Stock issued net of
      the
      shares of Stock so tendered or withheld, if any, shall be deemed delivered
      for
      purposes of determining the total number of shares of Stock that may be
      delivered under the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Any
      shares of Stock delivered under the Plan in assumption or substitution of
      outstanding stock options, or obligations to grant future stock options, under
      plans or arrangements of an entity other than the Company or an Affiliate in
      connection with the Company or an Affiliate acquiring such another entity,
      or an
      interest in such an entity, or a transaction otherwise described in
      Section&#160;6(j), shall not reduce the maximum number of shares of Stock
      available for delivery under the Plan; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that
      the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered pursuant to
      Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be the number of shares
      set
      forth in paragraph&#160;(a) of this Section&#160;4, as adjusted pursuant to
      paragraphs&#160;(b) and (c) of this Section&#160;4.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Eligibility</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      Executive employees and other employees, including officers, of the Company
      and
      the Affiliates, directors (whether or not also employees), and consultants
      of
      the Company and the Affiliates, shall be eligible to become Participants and
      receive Awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, subject
      to the limitations on the granting of ISOs set forth in
      Section&#160;6(h).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Stock
      Options</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      The
      Committee may make grants of Options to eligible persons, which grants may
      be
      either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan. All Options
      to purchase Stock granted under the Plan shall be either ISOs or Options other
      than ISOs. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an ISO (whether
      because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise),
      such Option, or the portion thereof which does not so qualify, shall constitute
      a separate Option other than an ISO. Each Option shall be subject to all the
      applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions,
      and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith as the
      Committee </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-10</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">shall
      determine and which are set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Options
      need not be uniform as to all grants and recipients thereof. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)
      The
      exercise price per share of shares of Stock subject to each Option shall be
      determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided,
      however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that,
      subject to paragraph (h)(iii) and/or (j) of this Section 6, if applicable,
      such
      exercise price applicable to any Option shall not be less than one hundred
      percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock at the time that
      the
      Option is granted. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)
      Each
      Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments, at such times
      and
      under such conditions, as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion
      in accordance with the Plan and stated in the Award Agreement, and, in any
      event, over a period of time ending not later than ten (10) years from the
      date
      such Option was granted, subject to paragraph (h)(iii) of this Section 6.
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)
      An
      Option shall not be exercisable with respect to a fractional share of Stock
      or
      the lesser of one hundred (100) shares and the full number of shares of Stock
      then subject to the Option. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued upon
      the exercise of an Option. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)
      Each
      Option may be exercised by giving Notice to the Company specifying the number
      of
      shares of Stock to be purchased, which shall be accompanied by payment in full
      including applicable taxes, if any, in accordance with Section 10. Payment
      shall
      be in any manner permitted by applicable law and prescribed by the Committee,
      in
      its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement, including, in the
      Committee&#8217;s discretion, and subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as
      the Committee may prescribe, payment in accordance with a <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>cashless
      exercise&#8217;
program (through broker accommodation) established by the Committee and/or
      in
      Stock owned by the Optionee or by the Optionee and his or her spouse jointly.
      </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)
      No
      Optionee or other person shall become the beneficial owner of any shares of
      Stock subject to an Option, nor have any rights to dividends or other rights
      of
      a shareholder with respect to any such shares until he or she has exercised
      his
      or her Option in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable
      Award Agreement. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)
      An
      Option may be exercised only if at all times during the period beginning with
      the date of the granting of the Option and ending on the date of such exercise,
      the Optionee was an employee, director or consultant of the Company or an
      Affiliate, as applicable. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee
      may determine in its discretion that an Option may be exercised prior to
      expiration of such Option or following termination of such continuous
      employment, directorship or consultancy, whether or not exercisable at the
      time
      of such termination, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
      </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(g)
      Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan,
      the
      Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding Options granted under the
      Plan, or accept the surrender of outstanding Options (up to the extent not
      theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Options in substitution
      therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(h)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;(i)
      Each Award Agreement relating to an Option shall state whether such Option
      will
      or will not be treated as an ISO. No ISO shall be granted unless such Option,
      when granted, qualifies as an <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>incentive
      stock
      option&#8217; under Section 422 of the Code. No ISO shall be granted to any individual
      otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan who is not an employee of the
      Company or a Subsidiary on the date of granting of such Option. Any ISO granted
      under the Plan shall contain such terms and conditions, consistent with the
      Plan, as the Committee may determine to be necessary to qualify such Option
      as
      an <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>incentive
      stock option&#8217; under Section 422 of the Code. Any ISO granted under the Plan may
      be modified by the Committee to disqualify such Option from treatment as an
      <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>incentive
      stock option&#8217; under Section 422 of the Code. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)
      Notwithstanding any intent to grant ISOs, an Option granted under the Plan
      will
      not be considered an ISO to the extent that it, together with any other <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>incentive
      stock
      options&#8217; (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to
      subsection (d) of such Section) under the Plan and any other <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>incentive
      stock
      option&#8217; plans of the Company, any Subsidiary and any <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>parent
      corporation&#8217; of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code,
      are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year
      with
      respect to Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000
      (or
      such other limit as may be required by the Code) as of the time the Option
      with
      respect to such Stock is granted. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence
      shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they
      were
      granted. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iii)
      No
      ISO shall be granted to an individual otherwise eligible to participate in
      the
      Plan who owns (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time
      the Option is granted, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
      power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Subsidiary or any <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8216;</font>parent
      corporation&#8217; of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.
      This restriction does not apply if at the time such ISO is granted the Option
      exercise price per share of Stock subject to the Option is at least 110% of
      the
      Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date such ISO is granted, and
      the
      ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from
      such
      date of grant. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)
      An
      Option and any shares of Stock received upon the exercise of an Option shall
      be
      subject to such other transfer and/or ownership restrictions and/or legending
      requirements as the Committee may establish in its discretion and which are
      specified in the Award Agreement and may be referred to on the certificates
      evidencing such shares of Stock. The Committee may require an Optionee to give
      prompt Notice to the Company concerning any disposition of shares of Stock
      received upon the exercise of an ISO within: (i) two (2) years from the date
      of
      granting such ISO to such Optionee or (ii) one (1) year from the transfer of
      such shares of Stock to such Optionee or (iii) such other period as the
      Committee may from time to time determine. The Committee may direct that an
      Optionee with respect to an ISO undertake in the applicable Award Agreement
      to
      give such Notice described in the preceding sentence, at such time and
      containing such information as the Committee may prescribe, and/or that the
      certificates evidencing shares of Stock acquired by exercise of an ISO refer
      to
      such requirement to give such Notice. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-12</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(j)
      In
      the event that a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code involving
      the Company or a Subsidiary is consummated, such as the acquisition of property
      or stock from an unrelated corporation, individuals who become eligible to
      participate in the Plan in connection with such transaction, as determined
      by
      the Committee, may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by
      another corporation that is a party to such transaction. If such substitute
      Options are granted, the Committee, in its discretion and consistent with
      Section 424(a) of the Code, if applicable, and the terms of the Plan, though
      notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section 6, shall determine the exercise
      price and other terms and conditions of such substitute Options. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(k)
      The
      Committee shall not grant Options to any individual Participant in any fiscal
      year that exceeds the Award Limit. To the extent required by Section 162(m)
      of
      the Code, shares of Stock subject to Options which are canceled shall continue
      to be counted against the Award Limit and if, after the grant of an Option,
      the
      exercise price is reduced and the transaction is treated as a cancellation
      of
      the Option and a grant of a new Option, both the Option deemed to be canceled
      and the Option deemed to be granted shall be counted against the Award
      Limit.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Restricted
      Stock</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      The
      Committee may make grants of Restricted Stock to eligible persons, which grants
      may be made either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.
      Each grant of Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award
      Agreement which shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and
      conditions: </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)
      Shares of Stock covered by an Award Agreement shall not be sold, assigned,
      transferred or otherwise disposed of, mortgaged, pledged or otherwise encumbered
      until such shares or have become fully vested pursuant to the Plan and the
      applicable Award Agreement. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)
      Except as provided in this Section 7 and unless the Committee provides otherwise
      in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect
      to
      the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the
      Company holding the Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock,
      including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive
      any cash dividends. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)
      Restricted Stock shall be issued in such form as the Committee may deem
      appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock
      certificates. Any stock certificate issued in respect of shares of Restricted
      Stock shall be registered in the name of such Participant and shall bear an
      appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions
      applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form: </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 36pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#8220;The
      transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby
      are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Empire
      Petroleum Corporation 2006 Incentive Stock Plan and an Award Agreement. Copies
      of such Plan and Award Agreement are on file at the headquarters offices of
      Empire Petroleum Corporation&#8221;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-13</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may require that the certificates evidencing such shares be held
      in
      custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and
      that, as a condition of any grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant
      shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock
      covered by such Restricted Stock Award. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)
      Shares of Stock covered by an Award Agreement granted to a Participant shall
      vest in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the applicable
      Award Agreement. In addition, the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
      accelerate the vesting of any or all grants of Restricted Stock under the Plan.
      </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)
      In
      the event of the termination of employment of the recipient of a grant of
      Restricted Stock, the recipient shall forfeit the shares of Stock covered by
      such grant which are not vested as of the date of termination. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)
      Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be subject to such additional
      provisions as may be deemed advisable by the Committee. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 22.5pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Performance
      Shares</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may make grants of Performance Shares to eligible persons, which
      grants may be made either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under
      the
      Plan. Each grant of Performance Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by
      an
      Award Agreement, which shall comply with and be subject to the following terms
      and conditions:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
      each
      grant of Performance Shares, the Committee shall establish a Performance Cycle
      and Performance Goals. The attainment of the Performance Goals determined as
      of
      the last day of the Performance Cycle shall be a condition to the settlement
      for
      Stock of the Performance Shares so granted. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Upon
      the
      expiration of the Performance Cycle, the Committee shall determine and certify
      the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved and shall determine
      the number of Performance Shares granted to a recipient that shall have been
      earned, and the Committee shall then cause to be delivered to the recipient
      the
      number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Performance Shares determined
      by the Committee to have been earned as soon as practicable thereafter or such
      later date as may be specified by the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">With
      respect to any grant of Performance Shares, the recipient of such Performance
      Shares shall acquire no rights of a shareholder of Stock unless and until the
      recipient becomes the holder of shares of Stock delivered to such recipient
      in
      settlement of such Performance Shares.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Unless
      otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of the
      termination of employment of a recipient of Performance Shares on or before
      the
      last day of the relevant Performance Cycle, the recipient will forfeit the
      Performance Shares granted with respect to such Performance Cycle.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-14</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Upon
      the
      occurrence of a Change of Control, the Performance Goals of all then outstanding
      Performance Shares granted under the Plan shall be deemed to have been achieved
      at Target Levels, all other terms and conditions related thereto shall be deemed
      to have been satisfied, and a recipient shall be entitled to a pro rata
      distribution of shares of Stock in settlement of the recipient&#8217;s outstanding
      Performance Share Awards. The pro rata distribution of shares of Stock to a
      recipient shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Stock
      that
      would be deliverable to the recipient in settlement of the recipient&#8217;s
      Performance Shares, at Target Level achievement, by a fraction, the numerator
      of
      which is equal to the number of full calendar months of the Performance Cycle
      that have elapsed on or before the date on which the Change of Control occurs
      and during which the recipient was a key employee, and the denominator of which
      is the number of months in the Performance Cycle. The Performance Shares of
      a
      recipient for which no delivery of common stock has been made shall be
      forfeited.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
      Performance Share may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed
      of, or mortgaged, pledged or otherwise encumbered; shares of Stock covered
      by a
      Performance Share Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise
      disposed of, or mortgaged, pledged or otherwise encumbered until such shares
      have been actually delivered to the recipient in settlement of the Performance
      Share Award to which they relate.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(g)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Performance
      Shares granted under this Plan shall be subject to such additional provisions
      as
      may be deemed advisable by the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><a name="page_lk5014_1_11"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Transfer,
      Leave of Absence</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      A
      transfer of an employee from the Company to an Affiliate (or, for purposes
      of
      any ISO granted under the Plan, a Subsidiary), or vice versa, or from one
      Affiliate to another (or in the case of an ISO, from one Subsidiary to another),
      and a leave of absence, duly authorized in writing by the Company or a
      Subsidiary or Affiliate, shall not be deemed a termination of employment of
      the
      employee for purposes of the Plan or with respect to any Award (in the case
      of
      ISOs, to the extent permitted by the Code).</font></a></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Rights
      of Employees and Other Persons</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
      person
      shall have any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the
      provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Nothing
      contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall be deemed to (i)&#160;give
      any employee or director the right to be retained in the service of the Company
      or any Affiliate nor restrict in any way the right of the Company or any
      Affiliate to terminate any employee&#8217;s employment or any director&#8217;s directorship
      at any time with or without cause or (ii)&#160;confer on any consultant any
      right of continued relationship with the Company or any Affiliate, or alter
      any
      relationship between them, including any right of the Company or an Affiliate
      to
      terminate its relationship with such consultant.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
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      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-15</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
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        </div>
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    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      adoption of the Plan shall not be deemed to give any employee of the Company
      or
      any Affiliate or any other person any right to be selected to participate in
      the
      Plan or to be granted an Award.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Nothing
      contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall be deemed to give any
      employee the right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Stock,
      or
      in any combination thereof, from the Company or any Affiliate, nor be construed
      as limiting in any way the right of the Company or any Affiliate to determine,
      in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee bonuses, and,
      if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">11.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Tax
      Withholding Obligations</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Company and/or any Affiliate are authorized to take whatever actions are
      necessary and proper to satisfy all obligations of Participants (including,
      for
      purposes of this Section&#160;10, any other person entitled to exercise an
      Option pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement) for the payment of all
      Federal, state, local and foreign taxes in connection with any Awards
      (including, but not limited to, actions pursuant to the following
      paragraph&#160;(b) of this Section&#160;10).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
      Participant shall (and in no event shall Stock be delivered to such Participant
      with respect to an Award until), no later than the date as of which the value
      of
      the Award first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for
      income tax purposes, pay to the Company in cash, or make arrangements
      satisfactory to the Company, as determined in the Committee&#8217;s discretion,
      regarding payment to the Company of, any taxes of any kind required by law
      to be
      withheld with respect to the Stock or other property subject to such Award,
      and
      the Company and any Affiliate shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the
      right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to
      such Participant. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its
      discretion and pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, permit the
      Participant to (i)&#160;elect withholding by the Company of Stock otherwise
      deliverable to such Participant pursuant to his or her Award (</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that
      the amount of any Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to
      satisfy the Company&#8217;s or any Affiliate&#8217;s required tax withholding obligations
      using the minimum statutory withholding rates for Federal, state and/or local
      tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental
      taxable income) and/or (ii)&#160;tender to the Company Stock owned by such
      Participant (or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly) and acquired
      more than six (6) months prior to such tender in full or partial satisfaction
      of
      such tax obligations, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the
      Stock
      on the payment date as determined by the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">12.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Changes
      in Capital</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      (a)&#160;The existence of the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not
      affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the
      Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization
      or
      other change in the Company&#8217;s capital structure or its business, any merger or
      consolidation of the Company or an Affiliate, any issue of debt, preferred
      or
      prior preference stock ahead of or affecting Stock, the authorization or
      issuance of additional shares of Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the
      Company or its Affiliates, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets
      or
      business or any other corporate act or proceeding.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)
      (i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Upon
      changes in the outstanding Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
      reverse stock split, subdivision, recapitalization, reclassification, merger,
      consolidation (whether or not the Company is a surviving corporation),
      combination or exchange of shares of Stock, separation, or reorganization,
      or in
      the event of an extraordinary dividend, &#8220;spin-off,&#8221; liquidation, other
      substantial distribution of assets of the Company or acquisition of property
      or
      stock or other change in capital of the Company, or the issuance by the Company
      of shares of its capital stock without receipt of full consideration therefor,
      or rights or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for shares
      of
      such capital stock, or any similar change affecting the Company&#8217;s capital
      structure, the aggregate number, class and kind of shares of stock available
      under the Plan as to which Awards may be granted, the Award Limit and the
      number, class and kind of shares under each outstanding Award and the exercise
      price per share applicable to any outstanding Options shall be appropriately
      adjusted by the Committee in its discretion to preserve the benefits or
      potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect
      to any outstanding Awards or otherwise necessary to reflect any such
      change.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Fractional
      shares of Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to
      Section&#160;12(b)(i) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of
      settlement of the Awards or, in the case of affected Options, exercise. Notice
      of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose
      Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such Notice is
      given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      the
      event of a Change in Control:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Except
      as
      provided in Section 8(e), immediately prior thereto, all outstanding Awards
      shall automatically be accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to
      all
      of the shares of Stock covered thereby.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      its
      discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the
      Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable
      to
      any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change in
      Control, that any outstanding Award shall be adjusted by substituting for each
      share of Stock subject to such Award immediately prior to the transaction
      resulting in the Change in Control the consideration (whether stock or other
      securities of the surviving corporation or any successor corporation to the
      Company, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or that may be issuable by another
      corporation that is a party to the transaction resulting in the Change in
      Control, or other property) received in such transaction by holders of Stock
      for
      each share of Stock held on the closing or effective date of such transaction,
      in which event, in the case of an Option, the aggregate exercise price thereof
      shall remain the same; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      that if
      such consideration received in the transaction is not solely stock of a
      successor, surviving or other corporation, the </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-17</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Committee
      may provide for the consideration to be received upon settlement of an Award,
      for each share of Stock subject to the Award, to be solely stock of the
      successor, surviving or other corporation, as applicable, equal in fair market
      value, as determined by the Committee, to the per share consideration received
      by holders of Stock in the Change in Control transaction.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      its
      discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the
      Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable
      to
      any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change in
      Control, that any outstanding Award shall be converted into a right to receive
      cash on or following the closing date or expiration date of the transaction
      resulting in the Change in Control in an amount equal to the highest value
      of
      the consideration to be received in connection with such transaction for one
      share of Stock, or, if higher, the highest Fair Market Value of the Stock during
      the thirty (30) consecutive business days immediately prior to the closing
      date
      or expiration date of such transaction, less, in the case of an Option, the
      per
      share exercise price of such Option, multiplied by the number of shares of
      Stock
      subject to such Option, or a portion thereof.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iv)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Option cannot be exercised
      after such a Change in Control, to the extent that such Option is or becomes
      fully exercisable on or before such Change in Control or is subject to any
      acceleration, adjustment or conversion in accordance with the foregoing
      paragraphs&#160;(i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section&#160;12.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
      Participant shall have any right to prevent the consummation of any of the
      foregoing acts affecting the number of shares of Stock available to such
      Participant. Any actions or determinations of the Committee under this
      subsection&#160;12(c) need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, nor
      treat all Participants identically. Notwithstanding the foregoing adjustments,
      in no event may any Option be exercised after ten (10) years from the date
      it
      was originally granted, and any changes to ISOs pursuant to this Section&#160;12
      shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, only be effective to the
      extent such adjustments or changes do not cause a &#8220;modification&#8221; (within the
      meaning of Section&#160;424(h)(3) of the Code) of such ISOs or adversely affect
      the tax status of such ISOs.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Miscellaneous
      Provisions</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      (a) The
      Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any
      special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure
      the issuance of shares of Stock or the payment of cash upon exercise or payment
      of any Award. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Stock pursuant to Awards
      granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the
      Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Except
      as
      otherwise provided in this paragraph&#160;(b) of Section&#160;13 or by the
      Committee, an Award by its terms shall be personal and may not be sold,
      transferred, pledged, assigned, encumbered or otherwise alienated or
      hypothecated otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
      and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of a Participant only by him or
      her. An Award Agreement may permit the exercise or payment of an Participant&#8217;s
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Option
      or
      settlement of an Award (or any portion thereof) after his or her death by or
      to
      the beneficiary most recently named by such Participant in a written designation
      thereof filed with the Company, or, in lieu of any such surviving beneficiary,
      as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and
      distribution. In the event any Option is exercised by the executors,
      administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Optionee,
      or
      such an Optionee&#8217;s beneficiary, or the transferee of an Option, in any such case
      pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award
      Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified
      from time to time by the Committee, the Company shall be under no obligation
      to
      issue Stock thereunder unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the
      person or persons exercising such Option is the duly appointed legal
      representative of the deceased Optionee&#8217;s estate or the proper legatee or
      distribute thereof or the named beneficiary of such Optionee, or the valid
      transferee of such Option, as applicable. The Company shall be under no
      obligation to issue Stock in satisfaction of an Award unless and until the
      Committee is satisfied that the person or persons requesting settlement of
      such
      Award is the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Participant&#8217;s
      estate or the proper legatee or distribute thereof or the named beneficiary
      of
      such Participant, or the valid transferee of such Award, as
      applicable.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      at any
      time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing,
      registration and/or qualification of shares of Stock upon any securities
      exchange or under any state or Federal or foreign law, or the consent or
      approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as
      a
      condition of, or in connection with, the sale or purchase of shares of Stock
      hereunder, no Award may be granted, exercised or paid in whole or in part unless
      and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent and/or approval
      shall have been effected or obtained, or otherwise provided for, free of any
      conditions not acceptable to the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
      at any
      time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery
      of
      shares of Stock pursuant to an Award is or may be in the circumstances unlawful
      or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any Affiliate
      under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the
      Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make
      any
      application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under
      the Securities Act, or otherwise with respect to shares of Stock or Options
      and
      the right to exercise any Option or settlement of any Award shall be suspended
      until, in the opinion of such counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful
      or
      will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any
      Affiliate.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(iii)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Upon
      termination of any period of suspension under this Section&#160;13(c), any Award
      affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated
      shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as
      to
      the shares of Stock which would otherwise have become available during the
      period of such suspension, but no suspension shall extend the term of any
      Award.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-19</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
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        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may require each person receiving Stock in connection with any Award
      under the Plan to represent and agree with the Company in writing that such
      person is acquiring the shares of Stock for investment without a view to the
      distribution thereof.&#160; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
      certificates for shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject
      to
      such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem
      advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities
      and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange upon which the Stock is then
      listed, and any applicable Federal or state securities laws, and the Committee
      may cause any legend to be put on any such certificates to reference any such
      restrictions. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By
      accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming
      under or through such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated
      their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and
      conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Committee,
      the
      Company or the Board, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions
      of
      the Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(f)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      the
      discretion of the Committee, a Participant may elect irrevocably (at a time
      and
      in a manner determined by the Committee) prior to settlement of an Award or
      exercising an Option that delivery of shares of Stock upon such settlement
      or
      exercise shall be deferred until a future date and/or the occurrence of a future
      event or events, specified in such election. Upon the settlement of an such
      Award or the exercise of any such Option and until the delivery of any deferred
      shares under this paragraph&#160;(f) of Section&#160;13, the number of shares
      otherwise issuable to the Participant shall be credited to a memorandum account
      in the records of the Company or its designee and any dividends or other
      distributions payable on such shares shall be deemed reinvested in additional
      shares of Stock, in a manner determined by the Committee, until all shares
      of
      Stock credited to such Participant&#8217;s memorandum account shall become issuable
      pursuant to the Participant&#8217;s election.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(g)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Except
      as
      prohibited by applicable law, the Committee may, in its discretion, extend
      one
      or more loans to Participants who are directors, key employees or consultants
      of
      the Company or an Affiliate in connection with the exercise or receipt of an
      Award granted to any such individual. The terms and conditions of any such
      loan
      shall be established by the Committee.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(h)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Neither
      the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other
      compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or any Affiliate,
      or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate to establish
      any
      other forms of incentives or compensation for their directors, employees or
      consultants or grant or assume options or other rights otherwise than under
      the
      Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Plan
      shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
      of
      Delaware, without regard to such state&#8217;s conflict of law provisions, and, in any
      event, except as superseded by applicable Federal law.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-20</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(j)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      words
&#8220;Section,&#8221; &#8220;subsection&#8221; and &#8220;paragraph&#8221; herein shall refer to provisions of the
      Plan, unless expressly indicated otherwise. Wherever any words are used in
      the
      Plan or any Award Agreement in the masculine gender they shall be construed
      as
      though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would
      so apply, and wherever any words are used herein in the singular form they
      shall
      be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases
      where
      they would so apply.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(k)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in administering the Plan,
      including expenses of issuing Stock pursuant to any Awards granted
      hereunder.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Limits
      of Liability</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      (a)&#160;Any liability of the Company or an Affiliate to any Participant with
      respect to any Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created
      by the Plan and the Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">None
      of
      the Company, any Affiliate, any member of the Committee or the Board or any
      other person participating in any determination of any question under the Plan,
      or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall
      have
      any liability, in the absence of bad faith, to any party for any action taken
      or
      not taken in connection with the Plan, except as may expressly be provided
      by
      statute.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">15.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Limitations
      Applicable to Certain Options Subject to Exchange Act Section 16 and Code
      Section 162(m)</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      Unless
      stated otherwise in a Participant&#8217;s Award Agreement, notwithstanding any other
      provision of the Plan, any Award granted to an officer or director of the
      Company who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject
      to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under
      Section&#160;16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule&#160;16b-3, or any successor
      rule, as the same may be amended from time to time) that are requirements for
      the application of such exemptive rule, and the Plan and applicable Award
      Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such
      limitations. Furthermore, unless stated otherwise in a Participant&#8217;s Award
      Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award granted
      to
      an employee of the Company or an Affiliate intended to qualify as &#8220;other
      performance-based compensation&#8221; as described in Section&#160;162(m)(4)(C) of the
      Code shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in
      Section&#160;162(m) of the Code or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder
      (including any amendment to any of the foregoing) that are requirements for
      qualification as &#8220;other performance-based compensation&#8221; as described in
      Section&#160;162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan and applicable Award
      Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such
      requirements.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Amendments
      and Termination</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      The
      Board may, at any time and with or without prior notice, amend, alter, suspend
      or terminate the Plan, retroactively or otherwise; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>provided</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      unless
      otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, no such amendment,
      alteration, suspension or termination shall be made which would impair the
      previously accrued rights of any holder of an Award theretofore granted without
      his or her written consent, or which, without first obtaining approval of the
      stockholders of the Company (where such approval is necessary to satisfy
      (i)&#160;any applicable requirements under the Code relating to ISOs or for
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-21</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">exemption
      from Section&#160;162(m) of the Code: (ii)&#160;the then-applicable requirements
      of Rule&#160;16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule, as
      the same may be amended from time to time; or (iii)&#160;any other applicable
      law, regulation or rule), would:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">except
      as
      is provided in Section&#160;12, increase the maximum number of shares of Stock
      which may be sold or awarded under the Plan or increase the limitations set
      forth in Section 6(k) on the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be
      subject to Options granted to a Participant;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">except
      as
      is provided in Section&#160;12, decrease the minimum option exercise price
      requirements of Section&#160;6(a); </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">change
      the class of persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; or</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">extend
      the duration of the Plan or the period during which Options may be exercised
      under Section&#160;6(b).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, including any
      Award Agreement, retroactively or prospectively, but no such amendment shall
      impair the previously accrued rights of any Participant without his or her
      written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of affected
      Participants, Awards may be amended, revised or revoked to the extent necessary
      to avoid any penalties under Section 409A of the Code.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">17.<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em><u>Effective
      Date and Term</u></em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      Following adoption of the Plan by the Board, the Plan shall become effective
      when it is approved by the holders of a majority of the Company&#8217;s outstanding
      Stock which is present and voted at a meeting, or by written consent in lieu
      of
      a meeting, which approval must occur within the period ending twelve (12) months
      after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. The effectiveness of any Awards
      granted prior to such stockholder approval shall be specifically subject to
      and
      conditioned upon, and no such Award shall be vested or, in the case of Options,
      exercisable until, such stockholder approval. If the Plan is not so approved
      by
      the Company&#8217;s stockholders, the Plan shall not become effective and shall
      terminate immediately, and any Awards previously granted shall thereupon be
      automatically canceled and deemed to have been null and void </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>ab
      initio</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">.
      The
      Plan shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      effective date of a resolution adopted by the Board terminating the Plan;
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">the
      date
      all shares of Stock subject to the Plan are delivered pursuant to the Plan&#8217;s
      provisions; or</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">ten
      (10)
      years from the date the Plan is approved by the Company&#8217;s
      stockholders.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
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        </div>
      </div>
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        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A-22</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
      Award
      may be granted under the Plan after the Plan&#8217;s termination; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>however</em></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      Awards
      theretofore granted may extend beyond such date. No such termination of the
      Plan
      shall affect the previously accrued rights of any Participant hereunder and
      all
      Awards previously granted hereunder shall continue in force and in operation
      after the termination of the Plan, except as they may be otherwise terminated
      in
      accordance with the terms of the Plan or the Award Agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
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