Potential Change in Control A “Potential Change in Control” shall exist during any period in which the circumstances described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d), below, exist (provided, however, that a Potential Change in Control shall cease to exist not later than the occurrence of a Change in Control):
(a) The Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control, provided that a Potential Change in Control described in this paragraph (a) shall cease to exist upon the expiration or other termination of all such agreements;
(b) Any Person (without regard to the exclusions set forth in subsections (i) through (iv) of such definition) publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control; provided that a Potential Change in Control described in this paragraph (b) shall cease to exist upon the withdrawal of such intention, or upon a determination by the Board that there is no reasonable chance that such actions would be consummated;
(c) Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;
(d) The Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control exists; provided that a Potential Change in Control described in this paragraph (d) shall cease to exist upon a determination by the Board that the reasons that gave rise to the resolution providing for the existence of a Potential Change in Control have expired or no longer exist.
Change in Control Period “Change in Control Period” means the period of time beginning three (3) months prior to and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.
Change of Control Period “Change of Control Period” means the period beginning on the date three (3) months prior to, and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months following, a Change of Control.
Prior to a Change in Control Resignation by Executive for Good Reason; Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, prior to a Change in Control or on or after the second (2nd) anniversary of the date of a Change in Control, the Company terminates Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then (and with respect to the payments and benefits described in clauses (ii) through (x) of this § 8(a), only if Executive executes (and does not revoke) a Release in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Release”) within sixty (60) days of the Date of Termination):
(i) the Company will pay to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination) earned through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (B) Executive’s business expenses for which reimbursement has been requested pursuant to the Company’s expense reimbursement policy but which have not been reimbursed before Executive’s applicable Date of Termination and (C) Executive’s Annual Bonus, if any, earned for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, if such bonus has been certified as payable by the Committee but has not been paid before the Date of Termination (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) shall be referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and
(ii) (A) if the Applicable Pay Date is the Delayed Pay Date, the Company will pay Executive on the Delayed Pay Date a lump sum equal to the amount of the Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination or, if Executive terminates employment pursuant to § 7(c)(ii) upon a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such reduction in Base Salary) Executive would have earned if Executive had been continuously employed by Company from the Date of Termination until the Delayed Pay Date or (B) if the Applicable Pay Date is the Immediate Pay Date, the Company will continue to pay Executive an amount equal to his monthly Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination or, if Executive terminates employment pursuant to § 7(c)(ii) upon a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such reduction in Base Salary) until payments begin under § 8(a)(iii) without any duplication of payments between this § 8(a)(ii) and § 8(a)(iii); and
(iii) commencing on the seven (7)-month anniversary of the date Executive has a Separation from Service, the Company will continue to pay Executive an amount equal to Executive’s monthly Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination or, if Executive terminates employment pursuant to § 7(c)(ii) upon a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such reduction in Base Salary), payable in equal monthly or more frequent installments in accordance with the Company’s then standard payroll practices for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months; and
(iv) as additional severance (and not in lieu of any bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs), the Company will pay Executive a lump sum equal to one and one-half (1½) times the amount of Executive’s Target Bonus Opportunity (as in effect on the Date of Termination or, if Executive terminates employment pursuant to § 7(c)(ii) as in effect immediately prior to such reduction in Executive’s Target Bonus Opportunity) on the date that is nine (9) months and one (1) day after the date of Executive’s Separation from Service; and
(v) the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum cash amount within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination equal to the product of (A) eighteen (18) multiplied by (B) one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly premiums for continuation of health care coverage under the Company’s group health plan for purposes of continuation coverage under § 4980B of the Code (“COBRA”) with respect to the maximum level of coverage in effect for Executive and his spouse and dependents as of immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and
(vi) the Company will pay Executive a pro-rated annual bonus for the fiscal-year in which the Date of Termination occurs equal to (i) the amount Executive would have earned, if any, under § 5(b)(i) for the year of termination based on actual financial performance for such fiscal year, times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full months in the fiscal year preceding the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is twelve (12); provided that such bonus shall be paid only if the pre-established performance targets are in fact certified by the Committee to have been met, and such bonus shall be paid in a single lump sum cash payment no later than two and one-half (2½) months after the end of the fiscal year in which the bonus is earned; provided further that if Executive terminates employment pursuant to § 7(c)(ii) upon a reduction in Executive’s Target Bonus Opportunity, such prorated bonus shall be calculated based on Executive’s Target Bonus Opportunity as in effect immediately prior to such reduction in Executive’s Target Bonus Opportunity; and
(vii) all restricted Company Common Stock or units which represent shares of Company Common Stock, excluding those that are subject to performance conditions (“Restricted Stock”), granted to Executive following the Effective Date and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination will become immediately vested as of the Date of Termination and, in the case of units, shall be settled within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination (or any later date required by § 409A of the Code); and
(viii) all options to acquire Company Common Stock or appreciation rights with respect to shares of Company Common Stock (“Options”) granted to Executive following the Effective Date and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination that would have become vested (by lapse of time) within the twenty-four (24) month period immediately following the Date of Termination had Executive remained employed during such period will become immediately vested as of the Date of Termination; and
(ix) all vested but unexercised Options granted to Executive following the Effective Date and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination (including those with accelerated vesting pursuant to § 8(a)(viii)) shall remain exercisable through the earlier of (A) the original expiration date of the Option, (B) the ninetieth (90th) day following the Date of Termination, or (C) the date that is the tenth (10th) anniversary of the original date of grant of the Option; and
(x) any restricted Company Common Stock or units which represent shares of Company Common Stock contingent on the satisfaction of the related performance requirements (“Performance Restricted Stock”) granted to Executive following the Effective Date and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination shall be treated as follows:
(1) If the Date of Termination occurs during the first year of a Performance Cycle (as defined in the applicable award agreement), a portion of the total shares of Company Common Stock subject to such award, pro-rated based on the number of days elapsed in the Performance Cycle as of the Date of Termination, shall vest assuming target levels of performance, and such award shall be settled no later than two and one-half (2½) months after the Date of Termination (or any later date required by § 409A of the Code); and
(2) If the Date of Termination occurs after the first year of a Performance Cycle, a portion of the total shares of Company Common Stock subject to such award, pro-rated based on the number of days elapsed in the Performance Cycle as of the Date of Termination (it being understood that proration shall not apply if the Date of Termination occurs after the end of the Performance Cycle but prior to the settlement date of the award), shall vest based on actual performance at the end of the full Performance Cycle, and such award shall be settled no later than two and one-half (2½) months after the end of the Performance Cycle (or any later date required by § 409A of the Code); provided, however, if Executive is Retirement-eligible on the Date of Termination, such Performance Restricted Stock shall be treated in accordance with § 8(d)(v)(1) and not this § 8(a)(x); and
(xi) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company will timely pay or provide to Executive pursuant to the timing rules of the controlling terms of any plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company any other amounts or benefits, including but not limited to, previously earned but unpaid annual incentive awards, previously earned but unpaid long-term incentive awards, and properly documented and approved but unpaid business expenses, required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any such plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”);
Change in Control For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean any of the following events:
Change in Control Termination (a) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company on account of its failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Sections 1 and 5, or without Cause (other than on account of the Executive’s death or Disability), in each case within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 6, Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement, and his execution of a Release which becomes effective within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:
(i) a lump sum payment equal to two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or if greater, the year immediately preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurs), which shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date: provided that, if the Release Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year; and,
(ii) a lump sum payment equal to the Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date (as determined in accordance with Section 5.6) occurs (or if greater, the year in which the Change in Control occurs), which shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date; provided that, if the Release Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year.
(b) Notwithstanding the terms of any equity incentive plan or award agreements, as applicable:
(i) all outstanding unvested stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to the Executive during the Employment Term shall become fully vested and exercisable for the remainder of their full term;
(ii) all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options or stock appreciation rights that are not intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall become fully vested and the restrictions thereon shall lapse; provided that, any delays in the settlement or payment of such awards that are set forth in the applicable award agreement and that are required under Section 409A shall remain in effect; and,
(iii) all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall remain outstanding and shall vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements, if the applicable performance goals are satisfied.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:
Change in Control Severance Except as otherwise set forth herein, if a Change in Control occurs, and on, or at any time during the 24 months following, the Change in Control, (i) the Company terminates Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause or Disability, or (ii) Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:
(i) The Company shall pay Executive, in a lump sum within 60 days following termination of Executive’s employment, severance equal to two times the sum of Executive’s Base Salary and Bonus (the full, non- prorated Bonus for the year of termination assuming attainment of the targeted performance goals at the 100% payout level).
(ii) Executive also shall be entitled to receive any and all vested benefits accrued under any other incentive plans to the date of termination of employment, the amount, entitlement to, form, and time of payment of such benefits to be determined by the terms of such incentive plans. For purposes of calculating Executive’s benefits under the incentive plans, Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have terminated under circumstances that have the most favorable result for Executive under the applicable incentive plan.
(iii) If, upon the date of termination of Executive’s employment, Executive holds any awards with respect to securities of the Company, (i) all such awards that are options shall immediately become vested and exercisable upon such date and shall be exercisable thereafter until the earlier of the third (3rd) year anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment or the expiration of the term of the options; (ii) all restrictions on any such awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other awards shall terminate or lapse, and all such awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other awards shall be vested and payable; and (iii) all performance goals applicable to any such performance-based awards that are “in cycle” (i.e., the performance period is not yet complete) shall be deemed satisfied at the “target” level (assuming 100% payout), and (iv) all such awards shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement. The provisions of this subsection shall be subject (and defer) to the provisions of any incentive plan, award agreement or other agreement as it relates to an individual award to the extent such provisions provide treatment that is more favorable to Executive than the treatment described in this subsection and such more favorable provisions in such incentive plan, award agreement or other agreement shall supersede any inconsistent or contrary provision of this subsection. All of Executive’s awards with respect to securities of the Company that are outstanding upon the date of termination of Executive’s employment shall continue to be subject to, and enjoy the benefits and protections under, the terms of the incentive plan, the award agreement and any other plan, agreement, policy or other arrangement to which such awards are subject as of the effective date of Executive’s participation, including any employment security agreement or other written compensation arrangement (even if the remaining terms thereof are waived), without application of this subsection.
(iv) Executive and Executive’s spouse and other qualified beneficiaries shall be eligible for continued coverage as follows:
(A) If the Executive, Executive’s spouse and/or Executive’s other qualified beneficiaries are enrolled under a group health plan as defined by COBRA, on the date of termination of Executive’s employment, Executive, Executive’s spouse and/or Executive’s qualified beneficiaries may elect to continue such coverage under COBRA, except that the maximum coverage period shall be extended to no less than the Severance Period (but no more than 2 years) for that Executive, unless, after electing COBRA, the individual attains age 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare, in which case COBRA shall end for that individual. If Executive, Executive’s spouse and/or Executive’s other qualified beneficiaries elect COBRA coverage, the Company shall pay a portion of the COBRA costs for the Severance Period for that Executive (subject to any earlier termination of COBRA). The portion to be paid by the Company shall equal the amount necessary so that the total of the COBRA costs paid by Executive is equal to the costs that would have been paid by Executive for such coverage as an active employee immediately prior to termination of Executive’s employment or, if less, prior to the Change in Control. The cost of COBRA coverage paid by the Company may be taxable income to the Executive and reported on Executive’s Internal Revenue Service Form W-2. Executive, Executive’s spouse and/or Executive’s qualified beneficiaries may continue coverage under COBRA after the Severance Period for that Executive, provided they pay the full COBRA costs and COBRA otherwise remains available.
(B) The benefits and/or extended coverage provided under this subsection shall cease prior to the date such benefits and/or extended coverage would otherwise end under subsection if and when Executive (A) obtains employment with another employer during the Severance Period and becomes eligible for coverage under any substantially similar plan provided by his/her new employer or (B) fails to pay the required active employee portion of the cost of coverage provided under this subsection in the time and manner specified by the Company or its designee.
(v) Executive shall be entitled to payment for any accrued but unused vacation in accordance with the Company’s policy in effect at the time of termination of Executive’s employment, in a lump sum within 60 days following such termination. Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or other compensation attributable to vacation that would have been earned had Executive’s employment continued during the Severance Period, and Executive waives any right to receive any such compensation.
(vi) The Company shall, at the Company’s expense, provide Executive with 12 months of executive outplacement services with a professional outplacement firm selected by the Company; provided that Executive must use the outplacement services by no later than the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the termination of Executive’s employment occurred and the total cost of such outplacement services must not exceed any per individual cap on such amounts in the Company’s agreement with the professional outplacement firm selected by the Company.
(vii) Executive shall not be entitled to reimbursement for any other fringe benefits or perquisite payments during the Severance Period, including but not limited to dues and expenses related to club memberships, automobile, cell phone, expenses for professional services, executive physicals, and other similar perquisites.
(viii) The Company shall pay as incurred (within ten calendar days following the Company’s receipt of an invoice from Executive) Executive’s out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Executive at any time from the date of this Agreement through Executive’s remaining lifetime or, if longer, the statute of limitations for contract claims under applicable state law, in connection with any action taken to enforce the Executive’s rights under this Agreement or construe or determine the validity of this Agreement or otherwise in connection herewith, including any claim or legal action or proceeding, whether brought by Executive or the Company or another party; provided, Executive must be successful through judgment in his/her favor with respect to such action in order to recover fees under this Section 5(f)(viii); provided further, that Executive shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least fifteen calendar days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred. The amount of such legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any given calendar year shall not affect the legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any other calendar year, and Executive’s right to have the Company pay such legal fees and expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit. The Company’s obligation to pay Executive’s eligible legal fees and expenses under this Section 5(f)(viii) shall not be conditioned upon the termination of Executive’s employment.
Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control (a) If this Agreement shall be terminated within two years after a Change in Control which occurs during the term of this Agreement, provided such termination is by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company Without Cause (which includes delivery by the Company of a notice of nonrenewal of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3 hereof), in lieu of any obligation the Company may have pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof:
(1) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within five (5) days after the Date of Termination, if not theretofore paid, the Executive's Base Salary (as in effect on the Date of Termination) through the Date of Termination, and in the case of compensation previously deferred and bonuses previously earned by the Executive, all amounts of such compensation previously deferred and earned and not yet paid by the Company.
(2) The Company shall, promptly upon submission by the Executive of supporting documentation, pay or reimburse to the Executive any costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Executive which would have been payable under Section 4.6 hereof if the Executive's employment had not terminated.
(3) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within five (5) days after the Date of Termination a severance payment equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the sum of (i) the Executive's Base Salary (as in effect on Date of Termination) and (ii) the Executive's most recent Annual Bonus. If the most recent Annual Bonus was a stock option or a stock grant, the value of the bonus will be deemed to be the number of option shares times the closing price of the Common Stock for the 20 trading days prior to the Date of Termination.
(4) During the 18-month period commencing on the Date of Termination, the Company shall continue benefits (other than disability benefits), at the Company's expense to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them under Section 4.5 hereof if the Executive's employment had not been terminated (without giving effect to any reduction in such benefits subsequent to the Change in Control which reduction constitutes or may constitute Good Reason).
(b) The Company shall pay to the Executive all legal fees and expenses incurred by the Executive as a result of a termination which entitles the Executive to any payments under Section 6.4 hereof including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting or disputing any Notice of Termination under Section 5.3 hereof or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by Section 6.4 hereof. Such payments shall be made within five (5) days after delivery of the Executive's respective written requests for payment accompanied by such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company reasonably may require.
(c) Any determination by the Executive pursuant to this Section 6.4 that Good Reason exists for the Executive's termination of employment and that adequate remedy has not occurred shall be presumed correct and shall govern unless the party contesting the determination shows by a clear preponderance of the evidence that it was not a good faith reasonable determination.
(d) Notwithstanding any dispute concerning whether Good Reason exists for termination of employment or whether adequate remedy has occurred, the Company shall immediately pay to the Executive any amounts otherwise due under this Section 6.4. The Executive may be required to repay such amounts to the Company if any such dispute is finally determined adversely to the Executive.
(e) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages with respect to the amount of any payment provided under this Section 6.4 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided under this Section 6.4 be reduced by retirement benefits, deferred compensation or any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer.
Termination of Employment; Change in Control (i) For purposes of the grant hereunder, any transfer of employment by the Optionee among the Corporation and the Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment. Except as set forth below in this Section 4(c)(i), if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation shall terminate for any reason, (a) the Option (to the extent then vested) may be exercised at any time within ninety (90) days after such termination (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (b) the Option, to the extent not then vested, shall immediately expire upon such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation is terminated for Cause (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option, whether or not then vested, shall be automatically terminated as of the date of such termination of employment, (b) if the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall remain exercisable for three years from the date of such termination of employment (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (c) if the Optionee dies or becomes Disabled (A) while employed by the Corporation or (B) within 90 days after the termination of his or her employment (other than a termination described in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence), the Option may be exercised at any time within one year after the Optionee's death or Disability (but not beyond the Term of the Option).
(ii) If the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of death, Disability, Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason, the Option shall become fully and immediately vested and exercisable. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable.
Termination After Change in Control Sections 9.2 and 9.3 set out provisions applicable to certain circumstances in which the Term may be terminated after Change in Control.
