EX-10.4 5 a50442053_ex104.htm EXHIBIT 10.4 Unassociated Document
Exhibit 10.4

 
AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT
 
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated as of October 11, 2012 (this “Guaranty Agreement”), is being entered into among EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND EACH OTHER PERSON WHO SHALL BECOME A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a “Guarantor” and collectively the “Guarantors”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Bank Creditors (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below).  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

RECITALS:
 
A.           The Guarantors (other than the Company) and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, are parties to that certain Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 22, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Guaranty Agreement”), pursuant to which the Guarantors guaranteed the extensions of credit made or maintained under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 22, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among Granite Construction Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Granite Construction Company, a California corporation (“GCC”), GILC Incorporated, a California corporation (“GILC” and, together with the Company and GCC, collectively, the “Borrowers”), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, and certain Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements (each as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

B.           Pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”), the Lenders have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and to continue to provide to the Borrowers a revolving credit facility with a swing line facility and a letter of credit sublimit.
 
C.           Certain additional extensions of credit may be made from time to time for the benefit of the Guarantors pursuant to certain Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).
 
D.           It is a condition precedent to the Secured Bank Creditors’ obligations to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and to continue and to make and maintain such extensions of credit that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement to the Administrative Agent.

 
 

 
 
E.           Each Guarantor (other than the Company) is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary of the Company and will materially benefit from such extensions of credit.

In order to induce the Lenders to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and to induce the Secured Bank Creditors to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and under the Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, that the Existing Guaranty Agreement is hereby amended and restated by this Guaranty Agreement, with the effect that the Existing Guaranty Agreement as so amended and restated is hereby continued into this Guaranty Agreement, and this Guaranty Agreement shall constitute neither a release nor novation of any obligation or liability arising under the Existing Guaranty Agreement, and such obligations shall continue in effect on the terms hereof, all as follows:

1.           Guaranty.      Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, unconditionally, absolutely, continually and irrevocably guarantees to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors the payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities (as defined below).  For all purposes of this Guaranty Agreement, “Guaranteed Liabilities” means:  (a) each Borrower’s prompt payment in full, when due or declared due and at all such times, of all Obligations and all other amounts pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, and all other Loan Documents heretofore, now or at any time or times hereafter owing, arising, due or payable from such Borrower to any one or more of the Secured Bank Creditors, including principal, interest, premiums and fees (including all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (collectively, “Attorneys’ Costs”)); (b) each Borrower’s prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge of each and every agreement, undertaking, covenant and provision to be performed, observed or discharged by such Borrower under the Credit Agreement, the Notes and all other Loan Documents; and (c) the prompt payment in full by each Loan Party, when due or declared due and at all such times, of obligations and liabilities now or hereafter arising under the Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements.  The Guarantors’ obligations to the Secured Bank Creditors under this Guaranty Agreement are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Guarantors’ Obligations” and, with respect to each Guarantor individually, the “Guarantor’s Obligations”.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to its Guarantor’s Obligations shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

Each Guarantor agrees that it is jointly and severally, directly and primarily liable (subject to the limitation in the immediately preceding sentence) for the Guaranteed Liabilities.

The Guarantors’ Obligations are secured by various Security Instruments referred to in the Credit Agreement.

 
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2.           Payment.      If a Borrower shall default in payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, whether principal, interest, premium, fees (including, but not limited to, Attorneys’ Costs), or otherwise, when and as the same shall become due, and after expiration of any applicable grace period, whether according to the terms of the Credit Agreement, by acceleration, or otherwise, or upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under the Credit Agreement, then any or all of the Guarantors will, upon demand thereof by the Administrative Agent, (a) fully pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, subject to any restriction on each Guarantor’s Obligations set forth in Section 1 hereof, an amount equal to all the Guaranteed Liabilities then due and owing or declared or deemed to be due and owing, including for this purpose, in the event of any Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) of the Credit Agreement (and irrespective of the applicability of any restriction on acceleration or other action as against any other Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Laws), the entire outstanding or accrued amount of all Obligations or (b) perform such Guaranteed Liabilities, as applicable.  For purposes of this Section 2, the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that “Guaranteed Liabilities” shall be deemed to include any amount (whether principal, interest, premium or fees) which would have been accelerated in accordance with Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement but for the fact that such acceleration could be unenforceable or not allowable under any Debtor Relief Law.

3.           Absolute Rights and Obligations.     This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.  The Guarantors’ Obligations under this Guaranty Agreement shall be joint and several, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby expressly waives, to the extent permitted by law, any defense to its obligations under this Guaranty Agreement and any other Loan Document to which it is a party by reason of:

(a)           any lack of legality, validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, of any of the Notes, of any other Loan Document, or of any other agreement or instrument creating, providing security for, or otherwise relating to any of the Guarantors’ Obligations, any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, or any other guaranty of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities (the Loan Documents and all such other agreements and instruments being collectively referred to as the “Related Agreements”);

(b)           any action taken under any of the Related Agreements, any exercise of any right or power therein conferred, any failure or omission to enforce any right conferred thereby, or any waiver of any covenant or condition therein provided;

(c)           any acceleration of the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, of the Guarantor’s Obligations of any other Guarantor, or of any other obligations or liabilities of any Person under any of the Related Agreements;
 
(d)           any release, exchange, non-perfection, lapse in perfection, disposal, deterioration in value, or impairment of any security for any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, for any of the Guarantor’s Obligations of any Guarantor, or for any other obligations or liabilities of any Person under any of the Related Agreements;

(e)           any dissolution of any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other party to a Related Agreement, or the combination or consolidation of any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other party to a Related Agreement into or with another entity or any transfer or disposition of any assets of any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other party to a Related Agreement;

 
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(f)           any extension (including without limitation extensions of time for payment), renewal, amendment, restructuring or restatement of, any acceptance of late or partial payments under, or any change in the amount of any borrowings or any credit facilities available under, the Credit Agreement, any of the Notes or any other Loan Document or any other Related Agreement, in whole or in part;
 
(g)           the existence, addition, modification, termination, reduction or impairment of value, or release of any other guaranty (or security therefor) of the Guaranteed Liabilities (including without limitation the Guarantor’s Obligations of any other Guarantor and obligations arising under any other Guaranty or any other Loan Document now or hereafter in effect);
 
(h)           any waiver of, forbearance or indulgence under, or other consent to any change in or departure from any term or provision contained in the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Related Agreement, including without limitation any term pertaining to the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, any of the Guarantor’s Obligations of any other Guarantor, or any of the obligations or liabilities of any party to any other Related Agreement; or
 
(i)           any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of any Guarantor) which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor, or might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable defense available to, or discharge of, a surety or a guarantor, including without limitation any right to require or claim that resort be had to any Borrower or any other Loan Party or to any collateral in respect of the Guaranteed Liabilities or Guarantors’ Obligations.

It is the express purpose and intent of the parties hereto that this Guaranty Agreement and the Guarantors’ Obligations hereunder and under each Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be discharged except by payment and performance or release of such Guarantors’ Obligations as herein provided.

4.           Currency and Funds of Payment.     All Guarantors’ Obligations for payment will be paid in lawful currency of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, regardless of any law, regulation or decree now or hereafter in effect that might in any manner affect the Guaranteed Liabilities, or the rights of any Secured Bank Creditor with respect thereto as against any Borrower, or cause or permit to be invoked any alteration in the time, amount or manner of payment by any Borrower of any or all of the Guaranteed Liabilities.  If, for the proposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.  The obligation of each Guarantor in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Bank Creditor hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Guaranty Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Bank Creditor, as the case may be, of any sum adjudicated to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Secured Bank Creditor, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Bank Creditor from any Guarantor in the Agreement Currency, such Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Secured Bank Creditor, as the case may be, against such loss.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Bank Creditor in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Secured Bank Creditor, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Guarantor (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 
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5.           Events of Default.     Without limiting the provisions of Section 2 hereof, in the event that there shall occur and be continuing an Event of Default, then notwithstanding any collateral or other security or credit support for the Guaranteed Liabilities, at the Administrative Agent’s election (which shall be exercised in accordance with Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement) and without notice thereof or demand therefor, each of the Guaranteed Liabilities and the Guarantors’ Obligations shall immediately be and become due and payable; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the Guarantors’ Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

6.           Subordination.     Until this Guaranty Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 22 hereof, each Guarantor hereby unconditionally subordinates all present and future debts, liabilities or obligations now or hereafter owing to such Guarantor (a) of any Borrower, to the payment in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities, (b) of every other Guarantor (an “obligated guarantor”), to the payment in full of the Guarantors’ Obligations of such obligated guarantor, and (c) of each other Person now or hereafter constituting a Loan Party, to the payment in full of the obligations of such Loan Party owing to any Secured Bank Creditor and arising under the Loan Documents or any Secured Cash Management Agreement, Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Card Related Products Agreement.  All amounts due under such subordinated debts, liabilities, or obligations shall, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, be collected and, upon request by the Administrative Agent, paid over forthwith to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors on account of the Guaranteed Liabilities, the Guarantors’ Obligations, or such other obligations, as applicable, and, after such request and pending such payment, shall be held by such Guarantor as agent and bailee of Secured Bank Creditors separate and apart from all other funds, property and accounts of such Guarantor.

 
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7.           Suits.     Each Guarantor from time to time shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, on demand, at the Administrative Agent’s Office or such other address as the Administrative Agent shall give notice of to such Guarantor, the Guarantors’ Obligations as they become or are declared due, and in the event such payment is not made forthwith, the Administrative Agent may proceed to suit against any one or more or all of the Guarantors.  At the Administrative Agent’s election, one or more and successive or concurrent suits may be brought hereon by the Administrative Agent against any one or more or all of the Guarantors, whether or not suit has been commenced against any Borrower, any other Guarantor, or any other Person and whether or not the Secured Bank Creditors have taken or failed to take any other action to collect all or any portion of the Guaranteed Liabilities or have taken or failed to take any actions against any collateral securing payment or performance of all or any portion of the Guaranteed Liabilities, and irrespective of any event, occurrence, or condition described in Section 3 hereof.

8.           Set-Off and Waiver.     Each Guarantor waives any right to assert against any Secured Bank Creditor as a defense, counterclaim, set-off, recoupment or cross claim in respect of its Guarantor’s Obligations, any defense (legal or equitable) or other claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against any Borrower or any other Loan Party or any or all of the Secured Bank Creditors without waiving any additional defenses, set-offs, counterclaims or other claims otherwise available to such Guarantor.  Each Guarantor agrees that each Secured Bank Creditor can exercise set-off rights as set forth in Section 10.08 of the Credit Agreement.  For the purposes of this Section 8, all remittances and property shall be deemed to be in the possession of a Secured Bank Creditor as soon as the same may be put in transit to it by mail or carrier or by other bailee.

9.           Waiver of Notice; Subrogation.

(a)           Each Guarantor hereby waives to the extent permitted by law notice of the following events or occurrences:  (i) acceptance of this Guaranty Agreement; (ii) the Lenders’ heretofore, now or from time to time hereafter making Loans and issuing Letters of Credit and otherwise loaning monies or giving or extending credit to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, or otherwise entering into arrangements with any Loan Party giving rise to Guaranteed Liabilities, whether pursuant to the Credit Agreement or the Notes or any other Loan Document or Related Agreement or any amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto, or replacements or extensions thereof; (iii) presentment, demand, default, non-payment, partial payment and protest; and (iv) any other event, condition, or occurrence described in Section 3 hereof.  Each Guarantor agrees that each Secured Bank Creditor may heretofore, now or at any time hereafter do any or all of the foregoing in such manner, upon such terms and at such times as each Secured Bank Creditor, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems advisable, without in any way or respect impairing, affecting, reducing or releasing such Guarantor from its Guarantor’s Obligations, and each Guarantor hereby consents to each and all of the foregoing events or occurrences.

 
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(b)           Each Guarantor hereby agrees that payment or performance by such Guarantor of its Guarantor’s Obligations under this Guaranty Agreement may be enforced by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Bank Creditors upon demand by the Administrative Agent to such Guarantor without the Administrative Agent being required, such Guarantor expressly waiving to the extent permitted by law any right it may have to require the Administrative Agent, to (i) prosecute collection or seek to enforce or resort to any remedies against any Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Liabilities, or (ii) seek to enforce or resort to any remedies with respect to any security interests, Liens or encumbrances granted to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or other party to a Related Agreement by any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person on account of the Guaranteed Liabilities or any guaranty thereof, including in either case any defense based upon an election of remedies by any Secured Bank Creditor under the provisions of Sections 580a, 580b, 580d, and 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar law of the State of California or any other jurisdiction.  In making this waiver, each Guarantor specifically acknowledges that it understands and is aware that, under Sections 580b and 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure, if the Secured Bank Creditors (or any of them) conducted a nonjudicial foreclosure sale of real property collateral:  (i) such Secured Bank Creditor(s) would lose the right to pursue the Borrowers for any deficiency that might remain following such sale; (ii) if such Guarantor were to pay such deficiency following such sale, it would be precluded from pursuing the Borrowers for reimbursement; and (iii) as a result, such Secured Bank Creditor(s) would be prevented from pursuing such Guarantor for such deficiency following such sale.  IT IS FURTHER EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD, ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO BY SUCH GUARANTOR THAT DEMAND UNDER THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT MAY BE MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AND THE PROVISIONS HEREOF ENFORCED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EFFECTIVE AS OF THE FIRST DATE ANY EVENT OF DEFAULT OCCURS AND IS CONTINUING UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.
 
(c)           Each Guarantor further agrees with respect to this Guaranty Agreement that it shall have no right of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution or indemnity, nor any right of recourse to security for the Guaranteed Liabilities unless and until 93 days immediately following the Facility Termination Date shall have elapsed without the filing or commencement, by or against any Loan Party, of any state or federal action, suit, petition or proceeding seeking any reorganization, liquidation or other relief or arrangement in respect of creditors of, or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, trustee or conservator in respect to, such Loan Party or its assets.  This waiver is expressly intended to prevent the existence of any claim in respect to such subrogation, reimbursement, contribution or indemnity by any Guarantor against the estate of any other Loan Party within the meaning of Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code, in the event of a subsequent case involving any other Loan Party.  If an amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such rights at any time prior to termination of this Guaranty Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 hereof, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, to be credited and applied upon the Guarantors’ Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement or otherwise as the Secured Bank Creditors may elect.  The agreements in this subsection shall survive repayment of all of the Guarantors’ Obligations, the termination or expiration of this Guaranty Agreement in any manner, including but not limited to termination in accordance with Section 22 hereof, and occurrence of the Facility Termination Date.

 
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For purposes of this Guaranty Agreement, “Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred:  (a) the Aggregate Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than (x) contingent indemnification obligations and (y) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank or Card Related Products Bank have been made), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made).

10.           Effectiveness; Enforceability.     This Guaranty Agreement shall be effective as of the date first above written and shall continue in full force and effect until termination in accordance with Section 22 hereof.  Any claim or claims that the Secured Bank Creditors may at any time hereafter have against a Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement may be asserted by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Bank Creditors by written notice directed to such Guarantor in accordance with Section 24 hereof.

11.           Representations and Warranties.     Each Guarantor warrants and represents to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable), and to perform its obligations under this Guaranty Agreement, that this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable) has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Guarantor by its duly authorized representatives; that this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party) is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles; and that such Guarantor’s execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party) do not violate or constitute a breach of any of its Organization Documents, any agreement or instrument to which such Guarantor is a party, or any law, order, regulation, decree or award of any governmental authority or arbitral body to which it or its properties or operations is subject.

12.           Expenses and Indemnity.     Each Guarantor shall, jointly and severally, (a) pay all reasonable fees and expenses, including Attorneys’ Costs, incurred by any Secured Bank Creditor in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty Agreement, whether or not suit be brought, and (b) indemnify each Indemnitee (which for purposes of this Guaranty Agreement shall include, without limitation, all Secured Bank Creditors), in each case, to the extent any Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement.  The obligations of each Guarantor under this Section shall survive the payment in full of the Guarantors’ Obligations and termination of this Guaranty Agreement.

 
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13.           Reinstatement.     Each Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, at any time payment received by any Secured Bank Creditor in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities is rescinded or must be restored for any reason, or is repaid by any Secured Bank Creditor in whole or in part in good faith settlement of any pending or threatened avoidance claim.

14.           Attorney-in-Fact.     To the extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, as such Guarantor’s attorney-in-fact for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Guaranty Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise rights under this power of attorney only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

15.           Reliance.     Each Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors, that:  (a) such Guarantor has adequate means to obtain on a continuing basis (i) from the Borrowers, information concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Parties’ financial condition and affairs and (ii) from other reliable sources, such other information as it deems material in deciding to provide this Guaranty Agreement and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement (“Other Information”), and has full and complete access to the Loan Parties’ books and records and to such Other Information; (b) such Guarantor is not relying on any Secured Bank Creditor or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, to provide any such information, now or in the future; (c) such Guarantor has been furnished with and reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and such other Loan Documents and Related Agreements as it has requested, is executing this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable) freely and deliberately, and understands the obligations and financial risk undertaken by providing this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement); (d) such Guarantor has relied solely on the Guarantor’s own independent investigation, appraisal and analysis of the Borrowers and other Loan Parties, such Persons’ financial condition and affairs, the Other Information, and such other matters as it deems material in deciding to provide this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement) and is fully aware of the same; and (e) such Guarantor has not depended or relied on any Secured Bank Creditor or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, for any information whatsoever concerning any Borrower or any other Loan Party or such Person’s financial condition and affairs or any other matters material to such Guarantor’s decision to provide this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement), or for any counseling, guidance, or special consideration or any promise therefor with respect to such decision.  Each Guarantor agrees that no Secured Bank Creditor has any duty or responsibility whatsoever, now or in the future, to provide to such Guarantor any information concerning any Borrower, any other Loan Party or such Persons’ financial condition and affairs, or any Other Information, other than as expressly provided herein, and that, if such Guarantor receives any such information from any Secured Bank Creditor or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, such Guarantor will independently verify the information and will not rely on any Secured Bank Creditor or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, with respect to such information.

 
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16.           Rules of Interpretation.     The rules of interpretation contained in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference.  All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the delivery of documents and any extension of credit referred to herein or guaranteed hereby.
 
17.           Entire Agreement.     This Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement, together with the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, constitutes and expresses the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations, agreements, understandings, inducements, commitments or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein contained.  The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.  Except as provided in Section 22, neither this Guaranty Agreement nor any Guaranty Joinder Agreement nor any portion or provision hereof or thereof may be changed, altered, modified, supplemented, discharged, canceled, terminated, or amended orally or in any manner other than as provided in the Credit Agreement.

18.           Binding Agreement; Assignment.     This Guaranty Agreement, each Guaranty Joinder Agreement and the terms, covenants and conditions hereof and thereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto, and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however, that no Guarantor shall be permitted to assign any of its rights, powers, duties or obligations under this Guaranty Agreement, any Guaranty Joinder Agreement or any other interest herein or therein except as expressly permitted herein or in the Credit Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence of this Section 18, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons, or grant to one or more Persons participations in or to, all or any part of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement); and to the extent of any such assignment or participation such other Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, subject however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, including Article IX thereof (concerning the Administrative Agent) and Section 10.06 thereof concerning assignments and participations.  All references herein to the Administrative Agent shall include any successor thereof.

 
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19.           Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements.     No Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank or Card Related Products Bank that obtains the benefit of this Guaranty Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder (including the release, impairment or modification of any Guarantors’ Obligations or security therefor) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangement have been made with respect to, the Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements except to the extent expressly provided in the Credit Agreement and unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as it may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank or Card Related Products Bank, as the case may be.  Each Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank or Card Related Products Bank not a party to the Credit Agreement that obtains the benefit of this Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and that with respect to the actions and omissions of the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise relating hereto that do or may affect such Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank or Card Related Products Bank, the Administrative Agent and each of its Related Parties shall be entitled to all the rights, benefits and immunities conferred under Article IX of the Credit Agreement.  The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.
 
20.           Severability.     The provisions of this Guaranty Agreement are independent of and separable from each other.  If any provision hereof shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, but this Guaranty Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
 
21.           Counterparts.     This Guaranty Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Guaranty Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Guarantors against whom enforcement is sought.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 21, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Agreement.

22.           Termination.     Subject to reinstatement pursuant to Section 13 hereof, this Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement, and all of the Guarantors’ Obligations hereunder (excluding those Guarantors’ obligations relating to Guaranteed Liabilities that expressly survive such termination) shall terminate on the Facility Termination Date; provided, however, that any Guarantor shall be automatically released from its Guarantor’s Obligations and this Guaranty Agreement if such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary after the date hereof pursuant to a Disposition of all of the capital stock or other equity interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries in such Guarantor as permitted under the Credit Agreement (to any Person other than a Borrower or Guarantor).

 
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23.           Remedies Cumulative; Late Payments.     All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Bank Creditor provided by law or under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or other applicable agreements or instruments.  The making of the Loans and other credit extensions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and other Related Agreements shall be conclusively presumed to have been made or extended, respectively, in reliance upon each Guarantor’s guaranty of the Guaranteed Liabilities pursuant to the terms hereof.  Any amounts not paid when due under this Guaranty Agreement shall bear interest at the Default Rate.
 
24.           Notices.     Any notice required or permitted hereunder or under any Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall be given, (a) with respect to each Guarantor, at the address of the Company indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement and (b) with respect to the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Bank Creditor, at the Administrative Agent’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.  All such addresses may be modified, and all such notices shall be given and shall be effective, as provided in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement for the giving and effectiveness of notices and modifications of addresses thereunder.
 
25.           Joinder.     Each Person that shall at any time execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty Joinder Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto shall thereupon irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally become a party hereto and obligated hereunder as a Guarantor, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the Guarantors or to the parties to this Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include such Person as a Guarantor hereunder.

26.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
 
(a)  GOVERNING LAW.     THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT AND EACH GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
 
(b)  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.     EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SITTING IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH CALIFORNIA STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED BANK CREDITOR MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE GUARANTORS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
 
 
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(c)  WAIVER OF VENUE.     EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
 
(d)       SERVICE OF PROCESS.     EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

27.           Arbitration and Waiver of Jury Trial.
 
(a)        This Section concerns the resolution of any controversies or claims between the parties, whether arising in contract, tort or by statute, including but not limited to controversies or claims that arise out of or relate to: (i) this Guaranty Agreement (including any renewals, extensions or modifications); or (ii) any document related to this Guaranty Agreement (collectively a “Claim”).  For the purposes of this arbitration provision only, the term “parties” shall include any parent corporation, subsidiary or affiliate of the Administrative Agent involved in the servicing, management or administration of the Obligations or any other obligation described in this Guaranty Agreement.
 
(b)        At the request of any party to this Guaranty Agreement, any Claim shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9, U.S. Code) (the “Act”).  The Act will apply even though this Guaranty Agreement provides that it is governed by the law of a specified state.  The arbitration will take place on an individual basis without resort to any form of class action.
 
 
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(c)        Arbitration proceedings will be determined in accordance with the Act, the then-current rules and procedures for the arbitration of financial services disputes of the American Arbitration Association or any successor thereof (“AAA”), and the terms of this Section.  In the event of any inconsistency, the terms of this Section shall control.  If AAA is unwilling or unable to (i) serve as the provider of arbitration or (ii) enforce any provision of this arbitration clause, the Administrative Agent may designate another arbitration organization with similar procedures to serve as the provider of arbitration.
 
(d)        The arbitration shall be administered by AAA and conducted, unless otherwise required by law, in the State of California.  All Claims shall be determined by one arbitrator; however, if Claims exceed $5,000,000, upon the request of any party, the Claims shall be decided by three arbitrators.  All arbitration hearings shall commence within ninety (90) days of the demand for arbitration and close within ninety (90) days of commencement and the award of the arbitrator(s) shall be issued within thirty (30) days of the close of the hearing.  However, the arbitrator(s), upon a showing of good cause, may extend the commencement of the hearing for up to an additional sixty (60) days.  The arbitrator(s) shall provide a concise written statement of reasons for the award.  The arbitration award may be submitted to any court having jurisdiction to be confirmed, judgment entered and enforced.
 
(e)        The arbitrator(s) will give effect to statutes of limitation in determining any Claim and may dismiss the arbitration on the basis that the Claim is barred. For purposes of the application of the statute of limitations, the service on AAA under applicable AAA rules of a notice of Claim is the equivalent of the filing of a lawsuit.  Any dispute concerning this arbitration provision or whether a Claim is arbitrable shall be determined by the arbitrator(s).  The arbitrator(s) shall have the power to award legal fees pursuant to the terms of this Guaranty Agreement.
 
(f)         This Section does not limit the right of any party to: (i) exercise self-help remedies, such as but not limited to, setoff; (ii) initiate judicial or non-judicial foreclosure against any real or personal property collateral; (iii) exercise any judicial or power of sale rights, or (iv) act in a court of law to obtain an interim remedy, such as but not limited to, injunctive relief, writ of possession or appointment of a receiver, or additional or supplementary remedies.
 
(g)        The filing of a court action is not intended to constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the suing party, thereafter to require submittal of the Claim to arbitration.
 
(h)        BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM.  FURTHERMORE, WITHOUT INTENDING IN ANY WAY TO LIMIT THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE, TO THE EXTENT ANY CLAIM IS NOT ARBITRATED, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF SUCH CLAIM.  THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES ENTERING INTO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT.
 
 
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28.           California Judicial Reference.     If any action or proceeding is filed in a court of the State of California by or against any party hereto in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document, (a) the court shall, and is hereby directed to, make a general reference pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 to a referee (who shall be a single active or retired judge) to hear and determine all of the issues in such action or proceeding (whether of fact or of law) and to report a statement of decision, provided that at the option of any party to such proceeding, any such issues pertaining to a “provisional remedy” as defined in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.8 shall be heard and determined by the court, and (b) without limiting the generality of Section 12, the Guarantors shall be solely responsible to pay all fees and expenses of any referee appointed in such action or proceeding.

[Signature pages follow.]
 
 
 
 
 
 
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           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
 
  GUARANTORS:
     
  GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
     
  By:
/s/ Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Name: 
Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Title
VP and CFO
     
     
  By:
/s/ Jigisha Desai
  Name:
Jigisha Desai
  Title:
VP Treasurer
     
     
  GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
     
  By:
/s/ Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Name:
Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Title:
VP and CFO
     
     
  By: 
/s/ Jigisha Desai
  Name:
Jigisha Desai
  Title:
VP Treasurer
     
     
  GRANITE CONSTRUCTION NORTHEAST,
  INC.
     
  By:
/s/ Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Name:
Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Title:
VP and CFO
     
     
  By:
/s/ Jigisha Desai
  Name:
Jigisha Desai
  Title:
VP Treasurer
 
 
Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement
Signature Page
 
 
 

 
 
  INTERMOUNTAIN SLURRY SEAL, INC.
     
  By:
/s/ Kathleen Schreckengost
  Name:
Kathleen Schreckengost
  Title:
VP Treasurer
     
  By:
/s/ Darren S. Beevor
  Name:
Darren S. Beevor
  Title: 
VP Controller
     
     
  GILC INCORPORATED
     
  By:
/s/ Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Name:
Laurel J. Krzeminski
  Title:
President and CEO
     
  By:
/s/ Jigisha Desai
  Name:
Jigisha Desai
  Title: 
VP and CFO
 
 
Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement
Signature Page
 
 
 

 
 
  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
     
  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative
 
Agent
     
     
  By:
/s/ Bridgett J. Manduk
  Name:
Bridgett J. Manduk
  Title:
Assistant Vice President
 
 
Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement
Signature Page

 
 

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Guaranty Joinder Agreement


GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Guaranty Joinder Agreement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Joining Guarantor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Bank Creditors (as defined in the Guaranty Agreement referenced below; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Guaranty Agreement).

RECITALS:

A.           Granite Construction Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and certain of Subsidiaries of the Company are party to an Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement dated as of October 11, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “Guaranty Agreement”).

B.           The Joining Guarantor is a Subsidiary of the Company and is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement to be joined as a party to the Guaranty Agreement as a Guarantor.
 
C.           The Joining Guarantor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements.

In order to induce the Secured Bank Creditors to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements, the Joining Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:

1.           Joinder.     The Joining Guarantor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally becomes a party to the Guaranty Agreement as a Guarantor and bound by all the terms, conditions, obligations, liabilities and undertakings of each Guarantor or to which each Guarantor is subject thereunder, including without limitation the joint and several, unconditional, absolute, continuing and irrevocable guarantee to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Bank Creditors of the payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities (as defined in the Guaranty Agreement) whether now existing or hereafter arising, all with the same force and effect as if the Joining Guarantor were a signatory to the Guaranty Agreement.

2.           Affirmations.     The Joining Guarantor hereby acknowledges and reaffirms as of the date hereof with respect to itself, its properties and its affairs each of the waivers, representations, warranties, acknowledgements and certifications applicable to any Guarantor contained in the Guaranty Agreement.

 
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3.           Severability.     The provisions of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement are independent of and separable from each other.  If any provision hereof shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, but this Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

4.           Counterparts.     This Guaranty Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Joining Guarantor.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Joinder Agreement.

5.           Delivery.     The Joining Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement and acknowledges that the Guaranteed Liabilities are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and credit extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Card Related Products Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Guaranty Joinder Agreement and the Joining Guarantor’s joinder as a party to the Guaranty Agreement as herein provided.

6.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial; Etc.     The provisions of Sections 26 and 27 of the Guaranty Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.


[Signature page follows.]
 

 
 
A-2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Joining Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
 
 
JOINING GUARANTOR:
 
     
     
       
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 
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