Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement at any time for Cause (as defined below) by giving the Executive written notice of termination. Such termination shall become effective upon the giving of such notice. Upon any such termination for Cause, or in the event the Executive terminates his employment with the Company without Good Reason (as defined in Section 6(c)), then the Executive shall have no right to compensation, or reimbursement under Section 4, or to participate in any Executive benefit programs under Section 5, except as may otherwise be provided for by law, for any period subsequent to the effective date of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony related to the business of the Company; (ii) the Executive, in carrying out his duties hereunder, has acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct resulting, in any case, in material harm to the Company; (iii) the Executive misappropriates Company funds or otherwise defrauds the Company including a material amount of money or property; (iv) the Executive breaches his fiduciary duty to the Company resulting in material profit to him, directly or indirectly; (v) the Executive materially breaches any agreement with the Company and fails to cure such breach within 10 days of receipt of notice, unless the act is incapable of being cured; (vi) the Executive breaches any provision of Section 8 or Section 9; (vii) the Executive becomes subject to a preliminary or permanent injunction issued by a United States District Court enjoining the Executive from violating any securities law administered or regulated by the SEC; (viii) the Executive becomes subject to a cease and desist order or other order issued by the SEC after an opportunity for a hearing; (ix) the Executive refuses to carry out a resolution adopted by the Company’s Board at a meeting in which the Executive was offered a reasonable opportunity to argue that the resolution should not be adopted; or (x) the Executive abuses alcohol or drugs in a manner that interferes with the successful performance of his duties.
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason During the Term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Benefit. In addition, subject to the Executive signing a separation agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming fully effective, all within the time frame set forth in the Separation Agreement and Release but in no event more than 60 days after the Date of Termination:
(i) the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to nine months of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Severance Amount”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive breaches any of the provisions contained in the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, all payments of the Severance Amount shall immediately cease; and
(ii) if the Executive properly elects to receive benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), nine months of COBRA premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents at the Company’s normal rate of contribution for employees for the Executive’s coverage at the level in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; provided, however, if the Company determines that it cannot pay such amounts without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provided that the Executive is enrolled in the Company’s health care programs immediately prior to the Date of Termination, the Company will in lieu thereof provide to the Executive a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the portion of the COBRA premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents to continue the Executive’s group health coverage in effect on the Date of Termination at the Company’s normal rate of contribution for employee coverage at the level in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination for a period of nine months. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments described above may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA; and
(iii) the amounts payable under Section 4(b)(i) and (ii), to the extent taxable, shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over nine months commencing on the first payroll date following the effective date of the Separation Agreement and Release and, in any case, within 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, the Severance Amount to the extent it qualifies as “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, shall begin to be paid no earlier than the first Company payroll date in the second calendar year and, in any case, by the last day of such 60-day period; provided, further, that the initial payment shall include a catch-up payment to cover amounts retroactive to the day immediately following the Date of Termination. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (a) Employee shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to this Section 5.2 unless he executes a general release in favor of the Company, in a form acceptable to the Company and substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Schedule B (the “Release”) within the consideration period specified therein (the “Release Review Period”) and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Employee under its terms. Employee’s ability to receive benefits pursuant to this Section 5.2 is further conditioned upon his: returning all Company property; complying with his post termination obligations under this Agreement and the Proprietary Information, Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement; and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(b) In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2 by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Executive as severance twelve months of his annual Base Salary then in effect, together with an additional amount calculated by dividing by 365 the number of days employed in the year of termination and multiplying that number by the amount of the Executive’s previous year’s bonus (if any), such amount to be paid in one lump sum on the date the Release becomes effective, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings, provided, however, that if the Release Review Period begins in one tax year and ends in a later tax year, the payments under this Section 5.2(b) will be made following the date that the Release is effective that occurs in the later tax year . Additionally, if Executive timely elects and remains eligible for continued coverage under COBRA, the Company, as part of this Agreement, will pay that portion of Executive’s COBRA premiums it was paying prior to the Separation Date for twelve (12) months.
(c) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2, and not for Cause, death or Disability, all unvested equity awards shall become fully vested, all unvested stock options shall become fully vested and exercisable and any ISO’s issued to Executive will automatically convert to a non-qualified options on the 91st day following termination, provided it has not been exercised, subject to the terms of the applicable stock plan and option agreement.
Termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, the Executive shall have no rights or claims against the Company except to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 6(a).
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason Except as provided in Section 6(f) below, upon a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Benefits and, subject to Executive’s execution and non-revocation of the release described in Section 6(g) and Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Section 8, the following severance payments and benefits (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):
(i) an amount equal to nine (9) months of Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the date of termination, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices over the nine (9) month period following Executive’s termination date, commencing on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the Release Effective Date (as defined below), provided that the initial payment will include a catch-up payment to cover the period between Executive’s termination date and the date of such first payment and the remaining amounts shall be paid over the remainder of such nine (9) month period;
(ii) provided Executive and his eligible dependents timely and properly elect to continue health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), continued participation by Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents in the standard group medical, dental and vision plans of the Company as in effect from time to time, on substantially the same terms and conditions as such benefits are provided to employees during the applicable period, and reimbursement by the Company of the monthly COBRA premium paid by Executive for him and his eligible dependents for nine (9) months or, if earlier, until the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; provided, however, in the event the Company determines that such provisions would subject Executive to taxation under Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or otherwise violate any healthcare law or regulation, then, in lieu of reimbursing Executive, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the amount Executive would be required to pay for continuation of group health coverage for Executive and his eligible dependents through an election under COBRA for nine (9) months, which amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time payments under Section 5(e)(i) commence and is intended to assist Executive with costs of health coverage, which Executive may (but is not required to) obtain through an election to continue health care coverage under COBRA; and
Termination Without Cause by the Company During the term of this Agreement and at times following the Company’s successfully consummating its first equity financing of $10 million or more in gross proceeds following the Effective Date (the “First Financing”), if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Paragraph 4(d) of this Agreement (a “Termination without Cause”), under circumstances that constitute a Involuntary Separation from Service with the Company (as defined for purposes of §409A of the Internal Revenue Code), the Company shall pay the Executive that ratable amount of Annual Compensation which the Executive would earn in 12 months based on Executive’s then-current salary and target bonus level (the “Severance Period”). Executive shall continue to participate in all other benefit plans during the Severance Period, except to the extent prohibited by law or any applicable employee benefit plan. All Stock Options granted to Executive which have vested prior to the final day of Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Termination Date”) shall remain vested and exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement. The Company will continue to vest Stock Options and stock awards during the Severance Period in accordance with the following vesting schedule:
(1) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the first year of the term of this Agreement, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement; and
(2) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the second year of the term of this Agreement, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the two (2) calendar quarters after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement; and
(3) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the third year of the term of this Agreement or thereafter, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the three (3) calendar quarters after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(d), if Executive receives a Termination without Cause prior to the First Financing, Executive shall receive no severance. Payment of the Executive’s separation pay benefit under this Section 5(d), if any, shall be made as follows:
(i) Payment of the separation pay benefit shall commence as of the 30th day after the Executive’s Separation from Service, and shall continue in monthly installments thereafter until all 6 payments are made.
(ii) In the event the value of the separation pay benefit shall exceed two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case, as determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall not be paid as provided in (i), above, but instead shall be paid in 6 equal monthly installments commencing as of the first of the month after the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date.
(iii) In no event shall payments be accelerated, nor shall the Executive be eligible to defer payments to a later date.
Termination by the Company for Cause Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Company may terminate immediately the employment of Executive without notice and without pay in lieu of notice:
(i) if Executive commits an act of theft, fraud or material dishonesty or misconduct involving the property or affairs of the Company or the carrying out of Executive’s duties; or
(ii) if Executive commits a material breach or material non-observance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement provided that Executive is given written notice of any such breach or non-observance and fails to remedy the same within 15 days of receipt of such notice; or
(iii) if Executive is convicted of a felony; or
(iv) if Executive refuses or fails to implement any reasonable directive issued by the Company’s Board of Directors and Executive fails to remedy the refusal or failure within 15 days of receipt of written notice thereof; or
(v) if Executive or any member of his family makes any personal profit arising out of or in connection with a transaction to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or with which it is associated without making disclosure to and obtaining prior written consent of the Company. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Subsection (a), this Agreement and the employment of Executive hereunder shall be wholly terminated. Upon any such termination, Executive shall have no claim against the Company in respect of his employment for damages or otherwise except in respect of payment of base salary earned, due and owing and unused vacation time to the date of termination.
Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause (i) Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from terminating Employee’s Employment for Cause (as hereinafter defined). From and after the Date of Termination, Employee shall no longer be entitled to receive Base Salary and Bonus Compensation and the Company shall no longer be required to pay premiums on any life insurance or disability policy for Employee. Any rights and benefits which Employee may have in respect of any other compensation or any employee benefit plans or programs of the Company, whether pursuant to Section 4(c) or otherwise, shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such other compensation arrangements or plans or programs. The term “Cause,” as used herein, shall mean: (A) Employee’s conviction, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (B) Employee’s engaging in willful misconduct that is economically injurious to the Company (including, but not limited to, a willful violation of Sections 10 or 11 of this Agreement or the embezzlement of funds or misappropriation of other property of the Company or any subsidiary); or (C) Employee shall breach this Agreement in a material manner or engage in fraudulent conduct as regards the Company which results either in personal enrichment to Employee or material injury to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstances shall Employee’s refusal or unwillingness to make any of the certifications required of him as Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 or Section 906 of the Sxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any similar requirements of any federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority or agency, or of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of the Company’s capital stock is then traded or listed for quotation, constitute or give rise to a basis for termination for “Cause.”
(ii) The Company shall provide Employee with Notice of Termination stating that it intends to terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause under this Section 8(c) and specifying the particular act or acts on the basis of which the Board intends to terminate Employee’s Employment. Employee shall then be given the opportunity, within 15 days of his receipt of such notice, to have a meeting with the Board to discuss such act or acts (other than with respect to an action described in Sections 8(c)(i)(A) or (B) above as to which the Board may immediately terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause). Other than with respect to an action described in Sections 8(c)(i)(A) or (B) above, Employee shall be given seven days after his meeting with the Board to take reasonable steps to cease or correct the performance (or nonperformance) giving rise to such Notice of Termination. In the event the Board determines that Employee has failed within such seven-day period to take reasonable steps to cease or correct such performance (or nonperformance), Employee shall be given the opportunity, within 10 days of his receipt of written notice to such effect, to have a meeting with the Board to discuss such determination. Following that meeting, if the Board believes that Employee has failed to take reasonable steps to cease or correct his performance (or nonperformance) as above described, the Board may thereupon terminate the Employment of Employee for Cause.
Without Cause by the Company The Employment Term and this Agreement may be terminated by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of Employee’s death or Disability) following the delivery by the Company of a Notice of Termination to Employee at least 30 days prior to such termination. If Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, Employee shall be entitled to receive:
1. the Accrued Obligations; and
2. subject to Employee’s continued compliance with Sections X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV of this Agreement, and execution and delivery within 60 days after termination of Employee’s employment of a release and waiver of all claims Employee may have against the Company, Aveon, their subsidiaries and affiliates, predecessors and successors, and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Release”), which release must be effective when delivered after giving effect to any post-execution revocation period described therein, (a) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the full annual Base Salary then in effect, paid on the date the Release becomes irrevocable and effective in accordance with its terms, (b) the Annual Bonus for the year during which Employee’s employment is terminated paid on the date that Annual Bonuses are paid to the majority of other Company employees entitled to an Annual Bonus, however, if in the year of termination, the Hurdle is not attained, Employee will not be eligible for any future Annual Bonus notwithstanding any contrary provision in Section IV.A of this Agreement and (c) any unpaid Annual Bonus for any previously completed fiscal year, and shall have no claim to any Annual Bonus amount except as described in this Section VIII.C.2. Employee shall have no further rights to any compensation or benefits under this Agreement. All other benefits, if any, due Employee following a termination pursuant to this Section VIII.C shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company and any applicable statute or regulation; provided, however, that Employee shall not participate in any severance plan, policy or program of the Company or any affiliate of the Company. The expiration of the Employment Term on the last date of the Initial Employment Term or any Renewal Term thereof following proper advance notice as contemplated by Section I.B shall not be considered a termination without Cause by the Company and Employee shall be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) the Pro Rata Bonus, if any, with respect to the year the Employment Term expired, (iii) any unpaid Annual Bonus for any previously completed fiscal year, and (iv) all other benefits, if any, as determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company and any applicable statute or regulation; provided, however, that Employee shall not participate in any severance plan, policy or program of the Company or any affiliate of the Company
Termination by the Company for Good Cause The Company shall have the right to terminate the employment of the Executive for Good Cause (as such term is defined herein) by written notice to the Executive specifying the particulars of the circumstances forming the basis for such Good Cause.
