AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
THIS AGREEMENT made this day of , 2008 (the “Agreement”) by and between
(the “Executive”) and VF CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation (the
“Corporation”). This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes the prior agreement dated
, 2004, and any amendments to and restatements thereof between the Executive and
the Corporation.
BACKGROUND
The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) considers the establishment and
maintenance of a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best
interests of the Corporation and its shareholders. In this connection, the Corporation recognizes
that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control
may exist and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among
management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of
the Corporation and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps
should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of certain
members of the Corporation’s management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without
distraction in the face of the potentially disturbing circumstances that could arise from the
possibility of a change in control of the Corporation.
In order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the Corporation, the Corporation
wishes to provide the Executive with certain severance benefits in the event his employment with
the Corporation terminates subsequent to a change in control of the Corporation under the
circumstances described herein.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. TERM. The term of this Agreement commences as of the date and year first above
written and shall continue until the second anniversary of the date set forth above. The prior
sentence notwithstanding, commencing on the first day after the second anniversary of the date set
forth above and on the first day of each subsequent twelve-month period
thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one additional
year beyond the then existing term. This Agreement shall terminate (except as set forth in the next
sentence) if (a) the Corporation gives the Executive notice that it wishes to terminate this
Agreement, in which case this Agreement shall terminate as of the date set forth in such
notice or (b) the Executive’s employment with the Corporation is terminated for any reason,
including transfer to a subsidiary company of the Corporation, in which case this Agreement shall
terminate on the last day of the Executive’s employment with the Corporation; provided, however,
that, if the Executive is transferred to a subsidiary company of the Corporation, the Corporation
may waive the termination of this Agreement, by a written amendment of this Agreement, executed by
both the Corporation and the Executive, which shall refer to this clause and shall be limited to
the Executive’s transfer to the subsidiary company of the Corporation named in the amendment,
unless another amendment is executed upon the Executive’s subsequent transfer to another subsidiary
company of the Corporation. The Corporation may not give such notice and this Agreement shall not
automatically terminate in the event the Executive’s employment with the Corporation terminates for
any reason, including a transfer to a subsidiary company of the Corporation, (x) at any time while
the Corporation has knowledge that any third person has taken steps or announced an intention to
take steps reasonably calculated to effect a “Change in Control” (as hereinafter defined) of the
Corporation, unless or until such third party has, in the reasonable opinion of the Corporation,
abandoned its efforts or intention to effect a Change in Control of the
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Corporation or (y) within twenty-four months after the date a Change in Control occurs. It is
understood that the Corporation may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time, subject to
providing, if required to do so in accordance with the terms hereof, the severance benefits
hereinafter specified.
2. CHANGE IN CONTROL. No benefits shall be payable hereunder unless there shall have
been a Change in Control of the Corporation and the Executive’s employment by the Corporation shall
thereafter have been terminated by the Corporation or by the Executive under the circumstances
described in paragraph 3(iii) hereof.
(i) Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the
first to occur of:
(A) an individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other entity or “person,”
as such term is defined in Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange
Act”) (a “Person”), other than (i) the Corporation, (ii) those certain trustees under Deeds of
Trust dated August 21, 1951 and under the Will of Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, deceased (a “Trust” or the
“Trusts”), and (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any subsidiary company of the
Corporation, or any entity holding voting securities of the Corporation for or pursuant to the
terms of any such plan (a “Benefit Plan” or the “Benefit Plans”), or any employee benefit plan(s)
sponsored by the Corporation, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the
Corporation’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors;
(B) individuals who constitute the Board on the effective date of this Agreement (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof,
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provided that any Approved Director, as hereinafter defined, shall be, for purposes of this
subsection (B), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board. An
“Approved Director,” for purposes of this subsection (B), shall mean any person becoming a director
subsequent to the effective date of this Agreement whose election, or nomination for election by
the Corporation’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the directors
comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of
the Corporation in which such person is named as a nominee of the Corporation for director), but
shall not include any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of
either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board; or
(C) the approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of a plan or agreement providing for
a merger or consolidation of the Corporation other than with a wholly-owned subsidiary and other
than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Corporation
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or
by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 65% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or for a sale, exchange or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.
(ii) Exceptions. (A) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control of the
Corporation shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement (I) in the event of
a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation to, or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization involving the Corporation and
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the Executive, alone or with other officers of the Corporation, or any entity in which the
Executive (alone or with other officers) has, directly or indirectly, at least a 5% equity or
ownership interest or (II) in a transaction otherwise commonly referred to as a “management
leveraged buy-out.”
(B) Clause 2(i)(A) above to the contrary notwithstanding, a Change in Control shall not be
deemed to have occurred if a Person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Corporation representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the
Corporation’s then outstanding securities solely as the result of an acquisition by the Corporation
or any subsidiary company of the Corporation of voting securities of the Corporation which, by
reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares
beneficially owned by such Person to 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s
then outstanding securities; provided, however, that if a Person becomes the beneficial owner of
20% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities by reason
of share purchases by the Corporation or any subsidiary company of the Corporation and shall, after
such share purchases by the Corporation or a subsidiary company of the Corporation, become the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of any additional voting securities of the Corporation,
then a Change in Control of the Corporation shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to such
Person under clause 2(i)(A)above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Change in
Control of the Corporation be deemed to occur under clause 2(i)(A) above if the Person acquiring
such shares is the Trusts or Benefit Plans.
(C) Clauses 2(i)(A) and 2(i)(B) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board may, by resolution
adopted by at least two thirds of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, declare that a
Change in Control described in clauses 2(i)(A)(a) or 2(i)(B) has become ineffective for purposes of
this Agreement if all of the following conditions then exist: (I) the
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declaration is made prior to the death or termination of employment of the Executive and within 120
days following the Change in Control; and (II) no Person, except for (x) the Trusts, and (y) the
Benefit Plans, either is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Corporation representing 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding
securities or has the ability or power to vote securities representing 10% or more of the combined
voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities. If such a declaration shall be
properly made, no benefits shall be payable hereunder as a result of such prior but now ineffective
Change in Control, but benefits shall remain payable and this Agreement shall remain enforceable as
a result of any other Change in Control unless it is similarly declared to be ineffective.
3. TERMINATION FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Executive shall be entitled to the
severance benefits provided in Section 4 hereof if his employment is terminated within the 24-month
period following a Change in Control of the Corporation (even if such 24-month period shall extend
beyond the term of this Agreement or any extension thereof) unless his termination is (i) because
of his death, (ii) by the Corporation for Cause or due to the Executive’s Disability or (iii) by
the Executive other than for Good Reason.
(i) Disability. The Corporation may terminate the Executive’s employment due to the
Executive’s “Disability” if, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or
mental illness, he shall have been absent from his duties with the Corporation on a full-time basis
for 26 consecutive weeks, and within 30 days after written notice of termination is given he shall
not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties.
(ii) Cause. The Corporation may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. For
the purpose of this Agreement, the Corporation shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s
employment hereunder upon (A) the willful and continued refusal by the Executive
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substantially to perform his duties with the Corporation (other than any such refusal resulting
from his incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a demand for substantial performance
is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the
Board believes that the Executive has refused substantially to perform his duties or (B) the
willful engaging by the Executive in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Corporation. For purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part
shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good
faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the
Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the entire
members of the Board, at a meeting of the Board called and held for that purpose (after reasonable
notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with his counsel, to be
heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was
guilty of conduct set forth above in clauses (A) or (B) of the second sentence of this paragraph
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(iii) Good Reason. The Executive shall be entitled to terminate his employment, and
receive benefits hereunder, for Good Reason at any time within 24 months after the date of a
Change in Control of the Corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean,
unless the Executive shall have consented in writing thereto, any of the following:
(A) a material reduction in the Executive’s authority or responsibilities, as compared to his
authority or responsibilities immediately prior to the Change in Control or as the same may be
increased after the Change in Control;
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(B) a material diminution in the budget for which the Executive is responsible;
(C) a material reduction by the Corporation in the Executive’s compensation as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control or as the same may be increased after the Change in
Control;
(D) a material change in the geographic location where the Executive is to provide services;
or
(E) a material breach of this Agreement on the part of the Corporation.
(iv) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph
3(i) or 3(ii) hereof, or otherwise, or by the Executive pursuant to paragraph 3(iii) hereof, which,
in any case, occurs within 24 months after a Change in Control of the Corporation, shall be
communicated by written Notice of Termination (as hereinafter defined) to the other party hereto;
provided that, in the case of a termination for Cause, there shall also have been delivered to the
Executive the resolution required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph 3(ii) hereof. For purposes
of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment
under the provision so indicated. In the case of termination by the Executive for Good Reason
pursuant to paragraph 3(iii) hereof, the Corporation shall have 30 days from its receipt of the
Notice of Termination to remedy the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for
termination of the Executive’s employment for Good Reason, and the Executive shall not be deemed to
have terminated employment for Good Reason unless and until the Corporation fails to remedy such
circumstances during the 30 days following its receipt of the Notice of Termination.
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(v) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (A) if this Agreement is
terminated for Disability, the 31st day after Notice of Termination is given (provided
that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis
during the 30-day period preceding such 31st day), (B) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated pursuant to paragraph 3(ii) above, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, and
(C) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of
Termination is given, or, if the Corporation terminates the Executive’s employment without giving a
Notice of Termination, the date on which such termination is effective.
4. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION OR DURING DISABILITY.
(i) During any period in which the Executive fails to perform his duties as a result of
incapacity due to physical or mental illness, he shall continue to receive his full base salary at
the rate then in effect until his employment is terminated pursuant to paragraph 3(i) hereof.
Thereafter, his benefits, if any, shall be determined in accordance with whatever disability income
insurance plan or plans the Corporation may then have in effect; provided, however, that, if at the
time Disability of the Executive is established the disability benefits then available are less
advantageous to the Executive than the disability benefits which were available on the date the
Change in Control became effective, then his termination of employment shall be deemed to have
occurred as a voluntary termination for Good Reason under paragraph 3(iii) hereof and not by reason
of Disability, and the provisions of paragraph 4(iii) hereof shall apply in lieu of the provisions
of this paragraph 4(i).
(ii) If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause, the Corporation shall pay to
him his full base salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in
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effect at the time Notice of Termination is given and the Corporation shall have no further
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.
(iii) If the Corporation shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than pursuant to
paragraph 3(i) or 3(ii) hereof within 24 months after a Change in Control of the Corporation, or if
the Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason pursuant to paragraph 3(iii) hereof
within 24 months after a Change in Control, then:
(A) The Corporation shall pay to the Executive, not later than thirty (30) days following the
Date of Termination, the Executive’s accrued but unpaid base salary through the Date of Termination
plus compensation for current and carried-over unused vacation and compensation days in accordance
with the Corporation’s personnel policy.
(B) In lieu of any further payments of salary to the Executive after the Date of Termination,
the Corporation shall pay to the Executive, not later than thirty (30) days following the Date of
Termination and notwithstanding any dispute between the Executive and the Corporation as to the
payment to the Executive of any other amounts under this Agreement or otherwise, a lump sum
severance payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to 2.99 times an amount equal to the sum of (1)
the greater of the Executive’s highest annual base salary in effect at any time within the
twelve-month period preceding a Change in Control or the Date of Termination, and (2) the greater
of (I) the Target Incentive Award or Target Amount to which the Executive would have been entitled
under the Corporation’s Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “EICP”) or Annual Discretionary
Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ADMICP”), as applicable, and the base or target amount
to which the Executive would have been entitled under any other annual cash bonus program of the
Corporation, had he been employed by the Corporation at the end of the fiscal year in which the
Date of Termination occurs,
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or (II) the highest amount awarded to the Executive under the EICP or ADMICP and under any other
annual cash bonus program of the Corporation during the last three fiscal years prior to the Date
of Termination.
(C) In addition to the foregoing amounts payable under paragraph 4(iii)(A) and (B) above, the
Executive will be entitled to the following:
(1) a pro rata bonus for the year of termination equal to the Target Incentive Award or
Target Amount under the EICP or ADMICP, as applicable, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of calendar days that have elapsed from the beginning of
the fiscal year in which such termination occurs through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is the number of calendar days in the fiscal year, payable not later
than thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination;
(2) any stock option rights held by the Executive which were not fully exercisable on
the Date of Termination shall immediately become fully exercisable by the Executive and any
restricted stock rights held by the Executive which were not fully vested on the Date of
Termination shall immediately become fully vested;
(3) the Corporation shall maintain in full force and effect, for the Executive’s
continued benefit, until the earlier of (I) 36 months after the Date of Termination or (II)
the Executive’s 65th birthday, all life, medical and dental insurance programs in which the
Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to the Date of Termination; provided
that his continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such
programs; provided, further, that, in the event the Executive’s participation in any such
program is barred, the Corporation shall arrange to provide the
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Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he was entitled to receive
under such programs;
(4) in addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under the
Corporation’s retirement plans in which he participates or any successor plans or programs
in effect on the Date of Termination, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive in one lump
sum in cash, an amount equal to the actuarial equivalent of the retirement pension to which
the Executive would have been entitled under the terms of such retirement plan or programs
had he accumulated 36 additional months of continuous service after the Date of Termination
(or, if less, the number of months between the Date of Termination and the date on which the
Executive attains normal retirement age under the plan) at his base salary rate in effect on
the Date of Termination reduced by the single sum actuarial equivalent of any amounts to
which the Executive is entitled pursuant to the provisions of said retirement plans and
programs, discounted to reflect its then present value, paid at the same time as the
Severance Payment; provided that, for purposes of this subparagraph (3), the actuarial
equivalents shall be determined, and all other calculations shall be made, using the same
methods and assumptions utilized under the Corporation’s retirement plan or programs;
provided, however, that such methods and assumptions shall be no less favorable to the
Executive than those in effect on the date of the Change in Control; and
(5) the Executive shall become fully vested and have a nonforfeitable interest in any
benefit which he has accrued under the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), including any
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Supplemental Annual Benefit Determinations or similar determinations or benefit grants under
the SERP adopted at any time prior to termination of the Executive’s employment.
(D) (1) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Corporation to or for the
benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
or similar section, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an
additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to all Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of the Payments that would be treated as
“parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code (the “280G Parachute Value”) is greater
than the maximum amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to the
Excise Tax (the “Parachute Limit”), but does not exceed 105% of the Parachute Limit, then
(i) no Gross-Up Payment shall be made and (ii) the Payments shall be reduced such that the
280G Parachute Value that the Executive is entitled to receive shall be one dollar ($1) less
than the 280G Parachute Limit, provided that the Payments shall not be so reduced if the
Executive elects to be subject to and pay the Excise Tax and so notifies the Company prior
to the date the Payments are made. Any reduction in the Payments
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pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be first made, pro rata, from any cash Payments.
The Corporation’s obligation to make the Gross-Up Payment under this subsection (D) shall
not be conditioned upon the Executive’s termination of employment.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (D)(4) hereof, all determinations required
to be made under this subsection (D), including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and
the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by the firm of independent auditors
acting as such for the Corporation immediately prior to the Change in Control (the
“Accounting Firm”); provided, however, that, if the Accounting Firm has performed services
for the person, entity or group who caused the Change in Control, or an affiliate thereof,
the Executive may select an alternative accounting firm from any nationally recognized firm
of certified public accountants, which shall be treated as the Accounting Firm for purposes
hereof. The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
Corporation and the Executive within 30 days of termination of employment under this
Agreement, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Executive or the
Corporation. When calculating the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be
deemed to pay:
(I) federal income taxes at the highest applicable marginal rate of federal
income taxation for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be
made, and
(II) any applicable state and local income taxes at the highest applicable
marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up
Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
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taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes
if paid in such year.
(3) If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive,
the Corporation shall request the Accounting Firm to furnish the Executive with an opinion
that the Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal
income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Corporation and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section
4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder,
it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Corporation
should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Corporation exhausts its remedies pursuant to subsection
(D) (4) hereof, and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Corporation to or for the benefit of
the Executive, but in no event shall such payment be made later than the end of the year
after the year in which the obligation to pay the Underpayment was incurred.
(4) The Executive shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Corporation of the
Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than
ten business days after the Executive knows of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation
of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
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the thirty-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Corporation
(or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such
claim is due). If the Corporation notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration
of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(I) give the Corporation any information reasonably requested by the
Corporation relating to such claim,
(II) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to time
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Corporation,
(III) cooperate with the Corporation in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(IV) permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;
provided, however, that the Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or
income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this subsection, the Corporation shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either pay the tax claimed to the
appropriate
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taxing authority on behalf of the Executive or direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and
direct the Executive to xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and
the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative
tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Corporation shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Corporation directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Corporation shall advance the amount of
such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and the Corporation shall indemnify
and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax,
including interest or penalties, imposed with respect to such payment or advance, as the case
may be, or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such payment or advance, as the
case may be; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the
Corporation’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any
other taxing authority.
(5) If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation
pursuant to this subsection the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with
respect to the Excise Tax to which such Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such
claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Corporation’s complying with the requirements of
subsection (D)(4)) promptly pay to the Corporation the amount of such refund (together with
any interest paid or credited thereon by the taxing authority after
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deducting any taxes applicable thereto). If, after payment by the Corporation of an amount
on the Executive’s behalf or the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Corporation, as the case may be, pursuant to subsection (D)(4), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the
Corporation does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of
refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance,
if any, shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such
payment or such advance, as the case may be, shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount
of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid under subsection (D)(4). The forgiveness of such
advance shall be considered part of the Gross-Up Payment and subject to gross-up for any
taxes (including interest or penalties) associated therewith.
(6) Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this subsection (D) shall be paid
by the Corporation to the Executive within thirty days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm’s determination; provided that the Gross-Up Payment shall in all events be paid no
later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s taxable
year in which the Excise Tax (and any income or other related taxes or interest or penalties
thereon) on a Payment are remitted to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable
taxing authority or, in the case of amounts relating to a claim described in subsection (D)
that does not result in the remittance of any federal, state, local and foreign income,
excise, social security and other taxes, the calendar year in which the claim is finally
settled or otherwise resolved. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection (D),
the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue
Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
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Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to
such withholding.
(iv) The Executive’s right to receive payments under this Agreement shall not decrease the
amount of, or otherwise adversely affect, any other benefits payable to the Executive under any
plan, agreement or arrangement relating to employee benefits provided by the Corporation.
(v) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in
this paragraph 4 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this paragraph 4 be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as
the result of employment by another employer or by reason of the Executive’s receipt of or right to
receive any retirement or other benefits after the date of termination of employment or otherwise.
(vi) The Corporation may, but shall not be obligated to, provide security for payment of the
amounts set forth in this Agreement in a form that will cause such amounts to be includible in the
Executive’s gross income only for the taxable year or years in which such amounts are paid to the
Executive under the terms of this Agreement. The form of security may include a funded irrevocable
grantor trust established so as to satisfy any published Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
(vii) the Corporation may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal,
state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
5. FEES AND EXPENSES. The Corporation shall pay all reasonable legal fees and related
expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel and other such expenses
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included in connection with any litigation or appeal) incurred by the Executive as a result of (i)
his termination of employment (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting
or disputing any such termination of employment) or (ii) his seeking to obtain or enforce any right
or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the
Corporation under which he is or may be entitled to receive benefits. The Corporation further
agrees to pay prejudgment interest on any money judgment against the Corporation obtained by the
Executive in any arbitration or litigation against it to enforce such rights calculated at the
prime interest rate of Wachovia Bank, N.A., or its successor, in effect from time to time from the
date it is determined that payment(s) to him should have been made under this Agreement. In order
to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (i) in no event shall the payments by the Corporation
under this paragraph 5 be made later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar
year in which such fees and expenses were incurred; provided that the Executive shall have
submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days before the end of the calendar
year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred, (ii) the
amount of such legal fees and expenses that the Corporation is obligated to pay in any given
calendar year shall not affect the legal fees and expenses that the Corporation is obligated to pay
in any other calendar year, (iii) the Executive’s right to have the Corporation pay such legal fees
and expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit and (iv) the fees and
expenses described herein shall be reimbursed until the 5th anniversary of the Change in
Control.
6. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
(i) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on any successor to all or
substantially all of the Corporation’s business and/or assets.
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(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to him
hereunder if he had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to his devisee, legatee or other designee or,
if there be no such designee, to his estate.
7. NOTICES. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed in the case of the Executive, to
and in the case of the Corporation, to its principal executive offices, provided that all notices
to the Corporation shall be directed to the attention of its Chief Executive Officer with copies to
the Secretary of the Corporation and to the Board, or to such other address as either party
may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.
8. MISCELLANEOUS. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the
Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Corporation. No waiver by either party hereto at
any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision
of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements
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or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter
hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. This
Agreement shall not be assigned in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the
non-assigning party; provided, however, this sentence shall not be construed to relieve the
Corporation or any successor (whether direct or indirect) from liability hereunder as provided in
paragraph 6. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws (but not the law of conflicts of laws) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the
corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms.
9. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which
shall remain in full force and effect.
10. SECTION 409A. The Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A
of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and shall in all respects be administered in
accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the
Agreement, if the Executive is deemed at the time of his separation from service to be a “specified
employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement
of any portion of the termination benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is
required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code,
such portion of Executive’s termination benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the
earlier of (a) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s
“separation from service” (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section
409A of the Code) with the Corporation or (b) the date of the
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Executive’s death (the “Delayed Payment Date”). Upon the expiration of the applicable Code
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) deferral period (including, without limitation, upon the Delayed Payment
Date, where applicable), all payments deferred pursuant to this paragraph 10 shall be paid in a
lump sum and any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided
herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date and year
first above written.
| EXECUTIVE | ||||||
Witness:
|
||||||
| (SEAL) | ||||||
| VF CORPORATION | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
Attest:
|
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||||
| Chairman, President and | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx |
||||||||
Secretary |
||||||||
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