Executive’s Release of the Company Executive understands that by agreeing to this Release, Executive is agreeing not to xxx, or otherwise file any claim against, the Company or any of its employees or other agents for any reason whatsoever based on anything that has occurred as of the date Executive signs this Release. (a) On behalf of Executive and Executive’s heirs and assigns, Executive hereby releases and forever discharges the “Releasees” hereunder, consisting of the Company, and each of its owners, affiliates, divisions, predecessors, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, and insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, loss, cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called “Claims”), which Executive now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims arising out of, based upon, or relating to Executive’s hire, employment, remuneration or resignation by the Releasees, or any of them, including Claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, Claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, any Claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. § 621, et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.; the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d); the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the False Claims Act , 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq. the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 215 et seq., the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002; the California Labor Code; the employment and civil rights laws of California; Claims for breach of contract; Claims arising in tort, including, without limitation, Claims of wrongful dismissal or discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, libel, infliction of emotional distress, violation of public policy, and/or breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and Claims for damages or other remedies of any sort, including, without limitation, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. (b) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Executive does not release the following claims: (i) Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law; (ii) Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms of any worker’s compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company; (iii) Claims to continued participation in certain of the Company’s group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of COBRA; (iv) Claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of Executive’s employment termination, pursuant to written terms of any Company employee benefit plan; (v) Claims for indemnification under any indemnification agreement with the Company, the Company’s Bylaws, California Labor Code Section 2802 or any other applicable law; and (vi) Executive’s right to bring to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims of discrimination; provided, however, that Executive does release Executive’s right to secure any damages for alleged discriminatory treatment. (c) In accordance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Executive has been advised of the following: (i) Executive has the right to consult with an attorney before signing this Release; (ii) Executive has been given at least [twenty-one (21) OR forty-five (45)] days to consider this Release; (iii) Executive has seven (7) days after signing this Release to revoke it, and Executive will not receive the severance benefits provided by that certain Employment Agreement between the Parties (the “Employment Agreement”) unless and until such seven (7) day period has expired. If Executive wishes to revoke this Release, Executive must deliver notice of Executive’s revocation in writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 7th day following Executive’s execution of this Release to [_________]. (d) EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS: BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, EXECUTIVE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS EXECUTIVE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
Release of the Company Executive, for himself, his successors, assigns, attorneys, and all those entitled to assert his rights, now and forever hereby releases and discharges the Company and its respective officers, directors, stockholders, trustees, employees, agents, parent corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, estates, successors, assigns and attorneys (the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, sums of money due, suits, debts, liens, covenants, contracts, obligations, costs, expenses, damages, judgments, agreements, promises, demands, claims for attorney’s fees and costs, or liabilities whatsoever, in law or in equity, which Executive ever had or now has against the Released Parties arising by reason of or in any way connected with any employment relationship which existed between the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, or predecessors, and Executive. It is understood and agreed that this Release is intended to cover all actions, causes of action, claims or demands for any damage, loss or injury arising from the aforesaid employment relationship, or the termination of that relationship, that Executive has, had or purports to have, from the beginning of time to the date of this Release, whether known or unknown, that now exists related to the aforesaid employment relationship including but not limited to claims for employment discrimination under federal or state law, except as provided in Paragraph 2; claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2002(e), et seq. or the Americans With Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. § 00000 et seq.; claims for statutory or common law wrongful discharge, including any claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; claims for attorney’s fees, expenses and costs; claims for defamation; claims for wages or vacation pay; claims for benefits, including any claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1001, et seq.; and provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Company of their obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement or any other contractual obligations between the Company or its affiliates and Executive, or any indemnification obligations to Executive under the Company’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, Florida law or otherwise.
Executive’s Release (a) Executive hereby forever releases and discharges the Company and its parents, affiliates, successors and assigns, as well as each of their respective past, present and future officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Company Released Parties”), from any and all claims, charges, complaints, liens, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages and liabilities, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive had, now has, or may hereafter claim to have against the Company Released Parties arising out of or relating in any way to Executive’s employment with, or resignation and termination from, the Company, from the beginning of time to the date Executive signs this Release (the “Executive’s Release”). (b) Executive’s Release specifically extends to, without limitation, any and all claims or causes of action as an officer, employee or shareholder of the Company or for wrongful termination, breach of an express or implied contract, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement (as defined in the Settlement Agreement), interference with contractual relationships, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of fiduciary duty, employment discrimination, including harassment, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, slander, infliction of emotional distress, disability, loss of future earnings, and any claims under any applicable state, federal or local statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (the “ADA”), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (“ADEA”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended (the “WARN Act”), the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other federal or state laws relating to employment or employment discrimination, and any claims for attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, however, that Executive’s Release does not waive, release or otherwise discharge (i) any claim or cause of action that cannot legally be waived by private agreement between Executive and the Company, including, but not limited to, any claim for unpaid wages, workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment benefits; (ii) any claims or rights the Executive has with respect to any of the items described in the second paragraph of Section 3 of the Settlement Agreement; and (iii) any claim or cause of action to enforce any of Executive’s rights under the Settlement Agreement. (c) Except as specified in Paragraph 1(b), this Release means that Executive will not bring any claim whatsoever against the Company Released Parties arising out of or associated with Executive’s employment or the termination thereof, and this Release will bar any and all claims, causes of action, and obligations of any kind and nature whatsoever, initiated by Executive, or in which Executive is otherwise named as a party, against the Company Released Parties. Pursuant to this Release, unless excepted in Paragraph 1(b), Executive promises that he will never institute any claim or lawsuit whatsoever against the Company Released Parties for any reason arising out of his employment relationship or the termination thereof. The severance benefits provided under Section 2 of the Settlement Agreement are provided in exchange for Executive’s release and promise not to institute any such claim against the Company Released Parties.
Consulting Agreement Effective upon Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than Executive’s termination by the Company for Cause, HCC hereby retains Executive as a consultant (an independent contractor and not as an employee) for a period of five (5) years (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, Executive shall serve as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. Termination of the Term shall not effect the Parties’ rights and obligations under this Section 6, subject to the following: Executive agrees to provide, if requested, 1,000 hours of service (the “Consulting Services”) per year, as required by the Company. Prior to a Change of Control, the Company shall use its best effort to cause Executive to continue as a Director and Chairman of the Board during the term of the Consulting Period. HCC shall pay Executive $450,000 per year of the Consulting Period, payable quarterly, in advance. Executive may elect to delay payment for services, but not the services themselves. During such Consulting Period, Executive shall receive, to the extent permitted by law and the terms of any existing plan, all of the Company’s benefits as if Executive was a full time employee. In addition, the terms of this Section 6 shall remain in full force and effect whether or not Executive dies or suffers a Disability pursuant to the terms hereof during the Consulting Period. Further, if at any time during the Term of this Agreement Executive shall elect, at his sole option, to cease being a full time employee, then and in that event, Executive shall become a consultant pursuant to the terms of this Section. During the Consulting Period, Executive shall have the right to the same benefits for the same purposes and to the same extent as were in effect during the term of this Agreement, provided, however, if Executive ceases to be the Executive Chairman, Executive shall no longer receive Deferred Compensation. The Consulting Services to be provided shall be commensurate with Executive’s training, background, experience and prior duties with the Company Executive shall receive such stock options or cash bonuses as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion shall determine. Executive agrees to make himself reasonably available to provide such Consulting Services during the Consulting Period; provided, however, the Company agrees that it shall provide reasonable advance notice to Executive of its expected consulting needs and any request for Consulting Services hereunder shall not unreasonably interfere with Executive’s other business activities and personal affairs as determined in good faith by Executive. In addition, Executive shall not be required to perform any requested Consulting Services which, in Executive’s good faith opinion, would cause Executive to breach any fiduciary duty or contractual obligation Executive may have to another employer. Further, during the Consulting Period, Executive shall not be subject to any non-competition provisions except for the two-year period provided for in Section 5(c). Unless waived by Executive, Executive shall not be required to perform Consulting Services for more than four (4) days during any week or for more than eight (8) hours during any day. Executive’s travel time shall constitute hours of Consulting Services for purposes of this Section 6. The Parties contemplate that, when appropriate, the Consulting Services shall be performed at Executive’s office or residence and at the Company’s executive offices in Houston, Texas and may be performed at such other locations only as they may mutually agree upon. Executive shall be properly reimbursed for all travel and other expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in rendering the Consulting Services.
Consulting Arrangement At the Company’s option, the Company and Employee will enter into a consulting arrangement for a period of six (6) months from the date of such termination the “Consulting Period”), which arrangement will provide for (A) payment by the Company based upon a full-time monthly rate equal to 100% of Employee’s monthly base salary as of the date of such termination and (B) such other terms of service as shall be negotiated in good faith by the Company and Employee; provided, however, that if the Company determines not to enter into the negotiation of a consulting arrangement, or the Company and Employee cannot, following good-faith negotiation, agree upon the terms of such consulting arrangement, then promptly following such determination or the termination of such negotiations, as the case may be, Employee will be paid a lump-sum amount of cash equal to six (6) months of Employee’s base salary as of the date of such termination, less applicable withholding; provided further, however, that if during the Consulting Period Employee engages in Competition or breaches the covenants in Section 6 or in the separation agreement and release of claims, all payments pursuant to this subsection will immediately cease.
Closing of the Company’s Transfer Books At the Effective Time: (a) all shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and all holders of certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company; and (b) the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed with respect to all shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. No further transfer of any such shares of Company Common Stock shall be made on such stock transfer books after the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, a valid certificate previously representing any shares of Company Common Stock (a "Company Stock Certificate") is presented to the Exchange Agent (as defined in Section 1.7) or to the Surviving Corporation or Parent, such Company Stock Certificate shall be canceled and shall be exchanged as provided in Section 1.7.
Notice of Change in Control The Company will, within five Business Days after any Responsible Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change in Control, give written notice of such Change in Control to each holder of Notes. Such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.8 and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (e) of this Section 8.8.
Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control Subject to Section 11(a) hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to the Change in Control Severance Benefits (as defined in Section 4(c) below) set forth in this Section 4, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3 of this Agreement, if there has been a Change in Control and the Executive has incurred a Termination of Employment. The severance benefit provided under this Section 4 is in lieu of cash severance payments offered under the Company's documented severance policy, if any. (a) For purposes of Section 4 of the Agreement, "Termination of Employment" shall be defined as: (i) The Executive's involuntary termination by the Company for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause; or (ii) The Executive's termination for "Good Reason," defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's written consent, if the Executive terminates employment within one (1) year following the occurrence of such event: (A) Any reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided that the fact that the Company is no longer a publicly traded company or the Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities associated exclusively with a publicly traded company, such as Securities and Exchange Commission or stock exchange reporting responsibilities or investor or analyst relations responsibilities, shall not be deemed to be a reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control; (B) Any reduction in the Executive's base salary or targeted incentive bonus or commissions in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or failure by the Company to continue any bonus, stock or other incentive plans in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable award opportunities/benefits), or any removal of the Executive from participation in such aforementioned plans; (C) The discontinuance or reduction in benefits to the Executive under any qualified or nonqualified retirement or welfare plan maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits), or the discontinuance of any fringe benefits or other perquisites that the Executive received immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits); (D) Required relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment more than 50 miles from the Executive's place of employment prior to the Change in Control; or (E) The Company's breach of any provision in this Agreement, provided that the Company has not cured such breach within 10 days following written notice by the Executive to the Company of such breach. (b) The Executive who believes the Executive is entitled to a Termination of Employment for Good Reason, as defined in Section 4 above, may apply in writing to the Company for confirmation of such entitlement prior to the Executive's actual separation from employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section 15 hereof. The submission of such a request by the Executive shall not constitute "Cause" for the Company to terminate the Executive as defined under Section 2(a) hereof. If the Executive's request for a Good Reason Termination of Employment is denied under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 15 hereof, then the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim within 90 days after the claim is submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 15(d). (c) Upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Sections 4 or 11(a) hereof and with respect to any one or more Changes in Control that may occur during the term of this Agreement, upon the Executive's execution of a release (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A), the Executive shall be entitled to (the "Change in Control Severance Benefits"): (i) A cash severance benefit equal to one times the Executive's current annual base salary, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control; (ii) A prorated portion of the Executive's target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination; (iii) Subject to Section 6, continuation of Company-provided health (including vision and dental, if provided by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control) and welfare benefits (including executive life insurance coverage, if provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control) for one year, on the terms (or comparable terms) provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control. Health benefits shall be provided through continued coverage under the Company's group health plan, if allowed under the terms of such plan, or by the reimbursement of COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Executive, as determined by the Company; provided, however, if the health plan is self-insured by the Company, then the determination shall be made by the Executive. Any continuation of group health plan coverage under this paragraph shall run concurrently with the period of required COBRA continuation coverage under the Code. If COBRA continuation coverage is not available, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for premiums for comparable coverage, provided, however, that the reimbursement shall not exceed the greater of (i) two times the annual premium paid by the Company for such coverage at the date of termination or (ii) two times the amount of the COBRA premium under the Company's group health plan for coverage comparable to that elected by the Executive, (A) at the time of the Change of Control or (B) at the time of the required payment, whichever is greater. Welfare benefits (other than health benefits) shall be continued only to the extent permitted under the terms of such plans; (iv) Continuation of the Executive's then current car benefit for one year in accordance with the Company car policy in effect at the time of termination. (v) Continued coverage, during the six (6) years following the Executive's termination for his actions or omissions as an officer and, if applicable, director of the Company prior to the date of termination of his employment, under any directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company (or, if the Company does not maintain such a policy, by its affiliates) for its former directors and officers or, at the Company's election, for the current directors and officers. If the Company or its affiliates does not otherwise maintain such a policy, then the Company shall be required to provide the Executive with such a policy, to the extent available. The policy dollar coverage limits of any such policy shall be not less than the policy limit under any Company policy in place within the one (1) year prior to the Executive's termination of employment (the "Existing Policy") or, if less, the policy dollar coverage limit that can be purchased by the Company for all of its current and former directors and officers at an annual premium equal to two times the Company's annual premium for the Existing Policy. (d) Subject to Section 11(a) hereof, the Executive's cash severance benefit under Section 4(c)(i) and (ii) shall be paid in a lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days following the Executive's Termination of Employment, as defined in Section 4. Any payment made later than 10 days following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof) for whatever reason, shall include interest at the prime rate plus two percent, which shall begin accruing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof). For purposes of this Section 4, "prime rate" shall be determined by reference to the prime rate established by Comerica Bank (or its successor), in effect from time to time commencing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof). (e) Section 4 of this Agreement shall terminate upon the first of the following events to occur: (i) Three years from the date hereof if a Change in Control has not occurred within such three-year period; (ii) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company prior to a Change in Control, provided, however, if there is a Change in Control within six months after the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, other than a termination due to the Executive's death or Disability, an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause or a termination of employment by the Executive, then the Agreement shall not be deemed to have terminated and the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Change in Control Severance Benefits provided in Section 4, less any Regular Severance Benefits the Executive has been paid under Section 3, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3; (iii) The expiration of two years following a Change in Control; (iv) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company following a Change in Control due to the Executive's death or Disability; (v) Termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Cause following a Change in Control; or (vi) Termination of employment by the Executive for other than Good Reason following the date of a Change in Control. Unless Section 4 of this Agreement has first terminated under clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, commencing on the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and on each one-year anniversary thereafter, Section 4 of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless at least 180 days prior to any such anniversary, the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it shall not extend the term of Section 4 of this Agreement.
Executive Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executive’s estate.
Termination of Merger Agreement This Agreement shall be binding upon Holder upon Holder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective upon the Closing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Closing, this Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.