EXHIBIT 10ss
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into by and between KMART CORPORATION, a
Michigan corporation (together with its successors and assigns permitted under
this Agreement, the "Company"), and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company in the
position of President and Chief Operating Officer; and
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company have previously entered into a certain
Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated as of
December 4, 2000 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company have also entered into a certain letter
agreement dated September 6, 2000, providing for severance benefits to the
Executive (the "Severance Letter"); and
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company desire to enter into an Employment
Agreement providing for certain new and additional benefits to the Executive in
replacement and substitution of the terms and provisions of the Confidentiality
Agreement and the Severance Letter;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a
"Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Base Salary" shall mean the salary granted to the Executive
pursuant to Section 4.
(b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Cause" shall mean termination of the Executive based on (i)
conduct which is a material violation of Company policy or which is fraudulent
or unlawful or which materially interferes with the ability of the Executive to
perform his duties, (ii) misconduct which results in damage or injury to the
Company, including damage to its reputation, or (iii) gross negligence in the
performance of, or willful failure to perform, the Executive's duties and
responsibilities.
(d) A "Change in Control" of the Company is deemed to have occurred
as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have
been satisfied:
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(I) The "beneficial ownership" of securities representing more
than thirty-three percent (33%) of the combined voting power of the
Company is acquired by any "person" (as defined in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of stock of the Company); or
(II) The stockholders of the Company approve a definitive
agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another
corporation or to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
its assets, or adopt a plan of liquidation; or
(III) During any period of three consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period were members of the Board
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof (unless the
election, or the nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, of
each new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such
period or whose election or nomination was previously so approved).
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Potential
Change in Control involves a transaction proposed by the Executive (or a group
which includes the Executive), either as a first proposal or a competing
proposal, and a Change in Control does occur (whether or not the transaction
constituting such Change of Control is the same transaction proposed by the
Executive and whether or not the Executive participates as an equity investor in
the acquiring entity in such transaction), then for purposes of this Agreement,
no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to any such
Executive.
(e) "Committee" shall mean the Compensation and Incentives Committee
of the Board or any other committee of the Board performing similar functions.
(f) "Constructive Termination" by the Executive shall mean
termination based on the occurrence without the Executive's express consent of
any of the following: (i) a significant diminution by the Company of the
Executive's role with the Company or a significant detrimental change in the
nature and/or scope of the Executive's status with the Company, other than for
Cause or Disability, or (ii) a reduction in the Executive's base salary, other
than for Cause or Disability and other than as part of an across-the-board
salary reduction generally imposed on executives of the Company. The Executive
shall further be required to comply with the provisions of Section 9(d)(i) of
this Agreement with respect to a Constructive Termination.
(g) "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability to
substantially perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement by
reason of any physical or mental incapacity for a period of 180 consecutive
days.
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(h) A "Potential Change in Control" shall mean the happening of any
of the following:
(I) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of
which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
(II) any person (including the Company) publicly announces an
intention to take or to consider taking actions which if consummated would
constitute a Change in Control;
(III) any person, other than a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company (or an entity
owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company),
who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing 9.5% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities, increases his beneficial ownership of
such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such person on the
date hereof; or
(IV) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for
purposes of this Plan, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.
(i) "Pro Rata Balance" shall mean that sum resulting from the
multiplication of the principal amount of the Loan by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of fiscal years of the Company between the Effective Date
and the fiscal year in which the Executive's employment with the Company has
been terminated for any reason (the fiscal year in which termination occurs
shall be included in the numerator) and the denominator of which is 4. The
Executive shall be deemed to be employed by the Company for one fiscal year as
of January 31, 2002.
(j) "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.
(k) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which the Company
owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding securities then
entitled to vote.
2. Term of Employment. Subject to Section 9, the Company hereby employs
the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, for the period
commencing on December 3, 2001 (the "Effective Date") and ending on January 31,
2006 (the "Term of Employment"); provided, however, that the Term of Employment
shall be automatically extended for an additional year on the first anniversary
of the Effective Date and on each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter,
unless written notice of non-extension is provided by either Party to the other
Party at least 60 days prior to the applicable succeeding anniversary date.
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3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities. During the Term of Employment,
the Executive shall be employed and serve as the President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company (or such other position or positions as may be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company) and be responsible for the
management of the affairs of the Company as directed by the Board and/or the
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). The Executive shall devote substantially all of
his business time, attention and skill to the performance of such duties and
responsibilities, and shall use his best efforts to promote the interests of the
Company. The Executive shall have all authority commensurate with such position.
The Executive shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, engage
in any other business activity which is in violation of policies established
from time to time by the Company. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, nothing shall preclude the Executive from (i) serving on the
boards of directors of a reasonable number of other corporations or the boards
of a reasonable number of trade associations and/or charitable organizations
(subject to the reasonable approval of the Board), (ii) engaging in charitable
activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing his personal investments
and affairs, provided that such activities do not materially interfere with the
proper performance of his duties and responsibilities as an executive officer of
the Company.
4. Base Salary. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be paid
an annualized Base Salary, payable in accordance with the regular payroll
practices of the Company, in an amount established by the Committee upon the
recommendation of the CEO. The Base Salary shall be reviewed no less frequently
than annually for increase in the discretion of the Board and/or the Committee.
The Base Salary, including any increase, shall not be decreased during the Term
of Employment. The Base Salary shall not be required to be deferred by the
Executive under any Company plan or program.
5. Annual Incentive Awards. During the Term of Employment, the Executive
shall have an annual target bonus opportunity of a percentage of his
then-current Base Salary under the Company's Annual Incentive Bonus Plan or any
successor plan, such percentage to be established by the Committee upon the
recommendation of the CEO (the "Target Bonus"), payable if the performance goals
established by the Committee for the relevant year are met. The Target Bonus
percentage shall not be decreased during the Term of Employment.
6. Long-Term Incentive Programs.
(a) General. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in the long-term incentive programs of the Company, with
any awards under such programs to be in the sole discretion of the Committee.
(b) Annual Stock Option Awards. During the Term of Employment, the
Executive will have an annual opportunity to be granted an option (the "Annual
Option") for shares of Stock at a target level value of a percentage of Base
Salary established by the Committee upon recommendation of the CEO, based upon
the achievement of
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performance goals established by the Committee. The determination of the value
of the Annual Option will be determined using the valuation method employed by
the Committee generally with respect to annual option grants to other senior
executives of the Company.
(c) Performance Options. As of December 3, 2001, the Company shall
grant the Executive a 10-year option to purchase an aggregate of 525,000 shares
of Stock (the "Performance Option"), which may be granted under the terms of the
Company's stock option plans, or outside the terms of such plans, with terms and
conditions consistent in all respects with the provisions of this Agreement and
otherwise substantially the same as those granted under the Company's stock
option plans. The Performance Option shall be divided into three tranches, with
each tranche consisting of 1/3 of the Performance Option shares and each tranche
being subject to the performance requirements described below:
(i) The performance requirement with respect to the first
tranche, covering 1/3rd of the Performance Options, shall be based upon the
Company's achieving a target level of earnings per share to be established by
the Committee, which target must be attained by the Company for any four
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on or before January 31, 2004;
(ii) The performance requirement with respect to the second
tranche, covering 1/3rd of the Performance Options, shall be based upon the
Company's achieving the "Inventory Turnover" target established and administered
by the Committee for purposes of the Company's Long-Term ELT Performance Share
Plan for the performance period ending as of January 31, 2004; and
(iii) The performance requirement with respect to the third
tranche, covering 1/3rd of the Performance Options, shall be based upon the
Company's achieving the "Customer Super Service Index" target established and
administered by the Committee for purposes of the Company's Long-Term ELT
Performance Share Plan for the performance period ending as of January 31, 2004.
In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or
similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the
calculation of earnings per share, or any other performance objective
established hereunder, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to
the performance requirements established hereunder as the Committee in its sole
discretion deems equitable or appropriate. Any tranche of the Performance Option
for which the applicable performance requirement shall have been satisfied shall
become vested and exercisable in three equal installments, each relating to one
third of the number of shares covered by such tranche, on each of January 31,
2004, 2005 and 2006, provided the Executive remains employed by the Company on
the applicable vesting date. Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the
requirements set forth in the preceding sentence:
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(i) In the case of a termination of employment that occurs on
or prior to January 30, 2004, all tranches of the Performance Option shall also
become vested and exercisable if, under the circumstances of the Executive's
termination of employment or if there is a Change in Control, any other options
then held by him become vested and exercisable, or would have become vested and
exercisable if such options were not then already vested and exercisable, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof (an "Acceleration Event");
and
(ii) In the case of an Acceleration Event that occurs after
January 30, 2004 and prior to January 31, 2006, any tranche of the Performance
Option as to which the applicable performance requirement has been satisfied as
of January 31, 2004 shall also become vested and exercisable.
All tranches of the Performance Option for which the applicable
performance requirement shall not have been satisfied as of January 31, 2004
shall nevertheless become vested and exercisable on the ninth (9th) anniversary
of the Grant Date, provided the Executive remains employed by the Company on
such date (notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9 hereof, which shall not
apply after January 31, 2004 to accelerate the vesting of any particular tranche
of the Performance Option to the extent the performance conditions relating to
such tranche were not satisfied as of January 31, 2004, except in the
circumstances set forth in Section 9(e)). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 6(c) or in the 1997 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan,
as amended (the "1997 Plan"), if the Executive violates the provisions of
Section 10 hereof, the Performance Option shall immediately terminate and
regardless of whether the Performance Option has been earned or vested shall be
cancelled.
As soon as practicable following the date hereof, the Company and the
Executive will enter into a stock option agreement with terms and conditions
consistent in all respects with the provisions of this Section 6(c) and this
Employment Agreement and otherwise substantially the same as nonqualified stock
options granted under the terms of the Company's 1997 Plan.
(d) Cash Payment. The Executive has previously deferred a cash
payment in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the "Cash Payment"),
pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement. The parties agree that, in
consideration of the parties entering into this Employment Agreement, the
Confidentiality Agreement is hereby cancelled and rescinded and neither party
shall have any further rights, property or obligations thereunder except that
the Executive shall be entitled to retain the Cash Payment received pursuant to
the Confidentiality Agreement subject to the obligation of repayment as set
forth in this Employment Agreement. If the Executive remains employed by the
Company through January 31, 2004 (the "Award Date"), the Executive shall be
entitled to retain the Cash Payment and the Company shall provide additional
payments to the Executive on a fully grossed up basis to cover applicable
federal, state and local income and excise taxes, when and to the extent, if
any, that such taxes are payable by the Executive with respect to the vesting of
the Executive's right to retain the Cash Payment, including, without limitation,
any tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
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Code or any similar tax. If the Executive is required to repay the Cash Payment
to the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Employment Agreement, the
Company will reduce the amount of such repayment to cover any taxes previously
paid and/or payable by the Executive and not refunded or refundable by any
applicable state or local taxing entity such that there is no net impact to the
Executive as a result of such transactions.
(e) Loan. As soon as practicable following the effective date
hereof, the Company will provide the Executive a loan in the principal amount of
Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) (the "Loan") that shall be due and payable on
January 31, 2006 (the "Loan Forgiveness Date"), and that shall bear interest at
the minimum rate necessary on the date the loan is extended to avoid imputation
of tax under Section 7872 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
Company and the Executive will enter into a full recourse, unsecured promissory
note with respect to the Loan, with customary terms and conditions consistent in
all respects with the provisions of this Agreement. Interest on the Loan
accruing during the term of the Loan shall be compounded annually and shall be
deferred until the Loan Forgiveness Date. The outstanding principal and accrued
interest under the Loan shall automatically and without further action on the
part of the Company or the Executive be forgiven in full by the Company,
provided the Executive remains employed by the Company through the Loan
Forgiveness Date. The Company shall provide additional payments to the Executive
on a fully grossed up basis to cover applicable federal, state and local income
and excise taxes, when and to the extent, if any, that such taxes are payable by
the Executive, including, without limitation, any tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code or any similar tax. The Executive agrees that in consideration of the
Loan and the other terms and provisions of the Employment Agreement, the
restricted stock grant made to the Executive pursuant to the Confidentiality
Agreement is cancelled and rescinded.
(f) Hold Harmless Payment. In the event that the Internal Revenue
Service determines at any time prior to the Award Date or the Loan Forgiveness
Date, that the Cash Payment or the Loan, or any portion thereof, should be taken
into account as taxable income by the Executive at the time the Cash Payment was
made or the Loan was entered into, any resulting tax, including any resulting
state and local taxes (collectively "Associated Taxes"), and any related
interest and penalties, will be either paid by the Company directly to the IRS
or to the Executive, at his election, when due. In addition, the Company shall
make additional payments to the Executive to hold him harmless from: (i) any tax
liabilities attributable to its payment of such related interest and penalties,
and (ii) any imputed income associated with the interest-free component of the
Executive's repayment obligation (the "Hold Harmless Payments"). Should the
Company wish to contest with the IRS the accelerated inclusion of such income or
any issue related to penalties, interest or the Hold Harmless Payments, then the
Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company as to such contest, and at
the time that they are then due, the Company shall pay to the IRS (or at his
election to the Executive) the Associated Taxes, and any related interest and
penalties, and to the Executive, the Hold Harmless Payments. Any such Associated
Taxes shall be repaid by the Executive to the Company (without interest) if and
when the Cash Payment and the Loan are otherwise repayable by the Executive.
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7. Employee Benefit Programs. During the Term of Employment, the Executive
shall be eligible to participate in all employee pension and welfare benefit
plans and programs made available generally to the Company's senior-level
executives (other than the CEO) or to its employees generally, as such plans or
programs may be in effect from time to time, including, without limitation,
pension, profit sharing, savings and other retirement plans or programs,
medical, dental, hospitalization, short-term and long-term disability and life
insurance plans, accidental death and dismemberment protection, travel accident
insurance, and any other pension or retirement plans or programs and any other
employee welfare benefit plans or programs that may be sponsored by the Company
from time to time, including any plans that supplement the above-listed types of
plans or programs, whether funded or unfunded.
8. Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses: Perquisites; Vacations.
(a) The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in
carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the
Company shall promptly reimburse him for all reasonable business expenses
incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to
documentation in accordance with the Company's policy.
(b) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse the
Executive for personal financial (including tax) counseling (other than legal
fees) by a firm or consultant to be chosen by the Executive, such reimbursement
to be no more than the amount authorized under Company policy in effect from
time to time.
(c) The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation per
year.
(d) The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the
Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers or former
officers.
9. Termination of Employment.
(a) Termination Due to Death. In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated due to his death, his estate or his beneficiaries as
the case may be, shall be entitled to the following:
(i) Base Salary through the date of death;
(ii) a prorata annual bonus for the year in which the
Executive's death occurs, based on the Target Bonus for such year, payable in a
single installment promptly after his death;
(iii) the balance of any annual or long-term cash incentive
awards (if any) earned (but not yet paid) pursuant to the terms of the
applicable programs;
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(iv) any restricted stock award outstanding at the time of his
death shall become fully vested and any forfeiture provisions set forth in the
relevant restricted stock agreement based on the continued employment of the
Executive shall immediately lapse;
(v) any stock option or other equity award outstanding at the
time of death shall become fully vested, and his estate shall have the right to
exercise any such award for the lesser of (a) 12 months from the date of death
or (b) the remainder of the full original term of the option (notwithstanding
any contrary provision of any plan or agreement);
(vi) any amounts earned, accrued or owing to the Executive but
not yet paid under this Agreement;
(vii) the Executive shall be relieved of any obligation to
repay the Cash Payment to the Company;
(viii) the Executive shall be relieved of any obligation to
repay the Loan to the Company; and
(ix) other or additional benefits in accordance with
applicable plans and programs of the Company.
(b) Termination Due to Disability. In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated due to his Disability, he shall be entitled in such
case to the following:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) through the Company's long-term disability plans or
otherwise, an amount equal to 60% of the Base Salary for the period beginning on
the date of termination through the Executive's attainment of age 65;
(iii) the annual bonus for the year in which termination due
to Disability occurs, based on the Target Bonus for such year, payable in a
single installment promptly following termination due to Disability;
(iv) the balance of any annual or long-term cash incentive
awards (if any) earned (but not yet paid) pursuant to the terms of the
applicable programs;
(v) any restricted stock award outstanding at the time of his
termination due to Disability shall become fully vested and any forfeiture
provisions set forth in the relevant restricted stock agreement based on the
continued employment of the Executive shall immediately lapse;
(vi) any stock option or other equity award outstanding at the
time of termination due to Disability shall become fully vested, and he shall
have the right to
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exercise any such award for the lesser of (a) 12 months from the date of
Disability or (b) the remainder of the full original term of the option
(notwithstanding any contrary provision of any plan or agreement);
(vii) any amounts earned, accrued or owing to the Executive
but not yet paid under this Agreement;
(viii) the Executive shall be relieved of any obligation to
repay the Cash Payment to the Company;
(ix) the Executive shall be relieved of any obligation to
repay the Loan to the Company; and
(x) other or additional benefits in accordance with applicable
plans and programs of the Company.
In no event shall a termination of the Executive's employment for
Disability occur unless the Party terminating his employment gives written
notice to the other Party in accordance with Section 16 below.
(c) Termination by the Company for Cause.
(i) In the event the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause, he shall be entitled to:
(A) Base Salary through the date of the termination of
his employment;
(B) the balance of any annual or long-term cash
incentive awards (if any) earned (but not yet paid) pursuant to the terms of the
applicable programs;
(C) any amounts earned, accrued or owing to the
Executive but not yet paid under this Agreement; and
(D) other or additional benefits in accordance with
applicable plans or programs of the Company.
(ii) In the event the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause on or before January 31, 2004, the Executive shall
immediately forfeit the Cash Payment which shall be repaid as set forth in
Section 9(g) below.
(iii) In the event the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause on or before January 31, 2006, the Executive shall
immediately repay the Loan as set forth in Section 9(g) below.
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(d) Termination Without Cause or Constructive Termination.
(i) A Constructive Termination shall not take effect unless
the provisions of this paragraph 9(d)(i) are complied with. The Company shall be
given written notice by the Executive of the intention to terminate his
employment on account of a Constructive Termination, such notice (A) to state in
detail the particular act or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute
the grounds on which the proposed Constructive Termination is based and (B) to
be given within six months of the Executive learning of such act or acts or
failure or failures to act. The Company shall have 30 days after the date that
such written notice has been given to the Company in which to cure such conduct,
to the extent such cure is possible.
(ii) In the event the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company without Cause, other than due to Disability or death, or in the
event there is a Constructive Termination, the Executive shall be entitled to:
(A) Base Salary through the date of termination of the
Executive's employment;
(B) Base Salary, at the monthly rate in effect on the
date of termination of the Executive's employment (or in the event a reduction
in Base Salary is the basis for a Constructive Termination, then the Base Salary
in effect immediately prior to such reduction), payable each month for an
additional twenty four (24) months following such termination (the "Severance
Period").
(C) pro-rata annual bonus for the year in which
termination occurs, based on the Target Bonus for such year, payable in a single
installment promptly following termination;
(D) an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the Target
Bonus amount for the year in which termination occurs, payable each month over
the Severance Period;
(E) the balance of any annual or long-term cash
incentive awards earned (but not yet paid) pursuant to the terms of the
applicable programs;
(F) any restricted stock award outstanding at the time
of such termination of employment shall become fully vested, and any forfeiture
provisions set forth in the relevant restricted stock agreement based on the
continued employment of the Executive shall immediately lapse;
(G) any amounts earned, accrued or owing to the
Executive but not yet paid under this Agreement;
(H) continued participation in all medical, dental,
hospitalization and life insurance coverage and in other employee welfare
benefit plans or
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programs in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his
employment until the end of the Severance Period; provided that the Company's
obligations under this clause (J) shall be reduced to the extent that the
Executive receives similar coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of
a subsequent employer: and provided, further, that (x) if the Executive is
precluded from continuing his participation in any employee benefit plan or
program as provided in this clause, he shall be provided with the after-tax
economic equivalent of the benefits provided under the plan or program in which
he is unable to participate for the period specified in this clause (J) of this
Section 9(d), (y) the economic equivalent of any benefit foregone shall be
deemed to be the lowest cost that would be incurred by the Executive in
obtaining such benefit himself on an individual basis, and (z) payment of such
after-tax economic equivalent shall be made quarterly in advance;
(I) the Executive shall not be required to repay the
Company the amount of the Cash Payment;
(J) the Executive shall not be required to repay the Pro
Rata Balance of the Loan; and
(K) other or additional benefits in accordance with
applicable plans and programs of the Company.
(e) Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control. If,
within two years following a Change in Control, the Executive's employment is
terminated without Cause or there is a Constructive Termination, (in either
event, a "CIC Termination") the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and
benefits provided in Section 9(d) above, provided that all cash payments
provided therein shall be paid in a lump sum without any discount and all of
such payments shall be grossed up to cover applicable federal, state and local
income and excise taxes thereon, including, without limitation, any tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code or any similar tax. In addition, immediately
following a CIC Termination, the entire amount of the Loan shall be forgiven,
all accrued or earned amounts that are not otherwise vested, as well as all
options, restricted stock and other equity-based awards in which he is not yet
vested, shall become fully vested, including, without limitation, the
Executive's accrued benefits under any supplemental retirement plan maintained
by the Company. All accrued benefits under such plans shall be paid as a
lump-sum cash payment, except for amounts, if any, payable to the Executive
under the Company's tax qualified pension plan.
(f) Voluntary Termination. In the event of a termination of
employment by the Executive on his own initiative, other than a termination due
to death or Disability or a Constructive Termination, the Executive shall have
the same entitlements as provided in Section 9(c) above for a termination for
Cause. A voluntary termination under this Section 9(f) shall be effective upon
30 days' prior written notice to the Company and shall not be deemed a breach of
this Agreement.
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(g) Repayment of Cash Payment and/or Loan. In the event of the
Executive's termination of employment under circumstances that require the
Executive to repay the Cash Payment or the Loan at any time as set forth in
Section 6(d) and (e) and the foregoing Section 9(a)-(f), the Cash Payment and/or
the unpaid principal and accrued interest under the Loan, as applicable, shall
be repayable in full immediately upon such termination in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and/or the promissory note. Any cash compensation then
owed to the Executive by the Company, as well as any cash funds or the fair
market value of any vested shares held in any of the Executive's accounts under
any of the Company's nonqualified benefit plans, may be offset against any
amounts then owed by the Executive to the Company with respect to the Cash
Payment and/or the Loan; provided, however, that in the event there is any
dispute between the Company and the Executive as to whether or what amount of
the Cash Payment and/or the Loan are repayable or shall be forgiven based on the
underlying circumstances of termination, no offset shall be applied by the
Company until such dispute has been finally resolved in accordance with the
provisions of Section 15 hereof and all amounts subject to offset shall be held
by the Company pending such resolution. For purposes of such offset, "fair
market value" of the stock shall be defined as the mean of the highest price and
lowest price at which the stock shall have been sold, regular way, on the date
of termination of employment, as reported on the Composite Transactions
reporting system.
(h) Payment Following a Change in Control. In the event of a CIC
Termination and if the aggregate of all payments of benefits made or provided to
the Executive under Section 9(e) above and under all other plans and programs of
the Company (the "Aggregate Payment") is determined to constitute a Parachute
Payment, as such term is deemed in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code, the Company shall pay to the Executive, prior to the time an excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Excise Tax") is payable
with respect to such Aggregate Payment, an additional amount which, after the
imposition of all income and excise taxes thereon, is equal to the Excise Tax on
the Aggregate Payment. The determination of whether the Aggregate Payment
constitutes a Parachute Payment and, if so, the amount to be paid to the
Executive and the time of payment pursuant to this Section 9(h) shall be made by
an independent auditor (the "Auditor") jointly selected by the Company and the
Executive and paid by the Company. The Auditor shall be a nationally recognized
United States public accounting firm which has not, during the two years
preceding the date of its selection, acted in any way on behalf of the Company
or any Affiliate thereof. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree on the
firm to serve as the Auditor, then the Executive and the Company shall each
select one accounting firm and those two firms shall jointly select the
accounting firm to serve as the Auditor.
(i) No Mitigation: No Offset. In the event of any termination of
employment under this Section 9, the Executive shall be under no obligation to
seek other employment and there shall be no offset against amounts due the
Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to
any subsequent employment that he may obtain except as specifically provided in
this Section 9.
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(j) Nature of Payments. Any amounts due under this Section 9 are in
the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company.
Failure to qualify for any such payment is not in the nature of a penalty.
(k) Exclusivity of Severance Payments. Upon termination of the
Executive's employment during the Term of Employment, he shall not be entitled
to any payments or benefits from the Company, other than as provided herein, or
any payments by the Company on account of any claim by him of wrongful
termination, including claims under any federal, state or local human and civil
rights or labor laws, other than the payments and benefits provided hereunder,
except for any benefits which may be due the Executive in normal course under
any employee benefit plan of the Company which provides benefits after
termination of employment.
(l) Non-competition. The Executive agrees that any right to receive
any payments and/or benefits hereunder, other than Base Salary and/or any other
compensation already earned by the Executive and required to be paid by state
law other than under this Agreement, will cease and be immediately forfeited if
the Executive breaches the provisions of Section 10 below. The Executive agrees
that any violation of the provisions of Section 10 below will result in the
immediate forfeiture of any rights to exercise or receive stock options or
restricted stock. The foregoing is in addition to the rights of the Company
under Section 10.
(m) Release of Claims. As a condition of the Executive's entitlement
to the payment and/or delivery of any of the severance rights and benefits
provided in this Section 9 (other than in the event of the Executive's death or
in the event of a Change in Control), the Executive shall be required to execute
and honor a release of claims in the form reasonably requested by the Company.
(n) Termination at Will. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Executive's employment with the Company is terminable at will with
or without Cause; provided, however, that a termination of the Executive's
employment shall be governed in accordance with the terms hereof.
10. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Non-Compete. By and in consideration of the substantial
compensation and benefits provided by the Company hereunder, and further in
consideration of the Executive's exposure to the proprietary information of the
Company, the Executive agrees that he shall not, during the Term of Employment
and for a period ending with the earlier of twelve (12) months following
termination of employment for any reason or a Change in Control, directly or
indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate
in the ownership, management, operation or control of or be connected in any
manner, including, but not limited to, holding the positions of officer,
director, shareholder, consultant, independent contractor, employee, partner, or
investor, with any Competing Enterprise; provided, however, that the Executive
may invest in stocks, bonds or other securities of any corporation or other
entity (but without
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participating in the business thereof) if such stocks, bonds, or other
securities are listed for trading on a national securities exchange or
NASDAQ-National Market and the Executive's investment does not exceed 1% of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, or in the case of bonds or other
securities, 1% of the aggregate principal amount thereof issued and outstanding.
For purposes of this Section 10, "Competing Enterprise" shall mean any and/or
all of the following: (i) Xxxxxxxxx'x Inc., American Retail Group, Inc.,
American Stores Company, Carrefour se, Xxxxxxx Companies, Inc., Xxxx'x
Corporation, The May Department Store Company, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx & Co., Inc., X.X.
Xxxxx Company, Royal Ahold, Safeway, Inc., Sears, Xxxxxxx and Co., Service
Merchandise Company, ShopKo Stores, Inc., Supervalue Inc., Target Corp., The
Home Depot, Inc., Toys R Us Inc., TJX Companies, Inc., and Wal-Mart Stores,
Inc., and (ii) an entity or enterprise whose business is in competition with the
business of the Company which operates retail stores selling general merchandise
and/or food if at least 10 of such stores have an area of 50,000 or more square
feet and at least 10 of such stores with 50,000 or more square feet are within
25 miles of any one or more Kmart stores.
(b) Nonsolicitation. By and in consideration of the substantial
compensation and benefits to be provided by the Company hereunder, and further
in consideration of the Executive's exposure to the proprietary information of
the Company, the Executive agrees that he shall not, during the Term of
Employment and for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months following
termination of employment for any reason, without the express prior written
approval of the Company, (i) directly or indirectly, in one or a series of
transactions, recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence any proprietor,
partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales agent, joint
venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, agent, representative or any other person
which has a business relationship with the Company, or had a business
relationship with the Company within the 24 month period preceding the date of
the incident in question, to discontinue, reduce or modify such employment,
agency or business relationship with the Company, or (ii) directly or
indirectly, employ or seek to employ (including through any employer of the
Executive) or cause any Competing Enterprise to employ or seek to employ any
person or agent who is then (or was at any time within six months prior to the
date the Executive or the Competing Enterprise employs or seeks to employ such
person) employed or retained by the Company.
(c) Confidential Information. During the Term of Employment and at
all times thereafter, Executive agrees that he will not divulge to anyone or
make use of any Confidential Information except in the performance of his duties
as an executive of the Company or when legally required to do so (in which case
the Executive shall give prompt written notice to the Company in order to allow
the Company the opportunity to object or otherwise resist such disclosure).
"Confidential Information" shall mean any knowledge or information of any type
relating to the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates, as well as any information obtained from customers, clients or other
third parties, including, without limitation, all types of trade secrets and
confidential commercial information. The Executive agrees that he will return to
the Company immediately upon termination, any and all documents, records or
reports (including electronic information) that contain any Confidential
Information.
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Confidential Information shall not include information (i) that is or becomes
part of the public domain, other than through the breach of this Agreement by
the Executive or (ii) regarding the Company's business or industry properly
acquired by the Executive in the course of his career as an executive in the
Company's industry and independent of the Executive's employment by the Company.
The Executive acknowledges that the Company has expended, and will continue to
expend, significant amounts of time, effort and money in the procurement of its
Confidential Information, that the Company has taken all reasonable steps in
protecting the secrecy of the Confidential Information, that said Confidential
Information is of critical importance to the Company.
(e) Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that, during the term of
employment and thereafter (including following the Executive's termination of
employment for any reason), the Executive will not make statements or
representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing,
orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly,
disparage the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate or their respective
officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses or reputations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either
the Executive or the Company from making truthful statements or disclosures that
are required by applicable law, regulation or legal process.
(f) Cooperation. The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company,
during the term of employment and thereafter (including following the
Executive's termination of employment for any reason), by being reasonably
available to testify on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate in
any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative, and to assist the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate, in any
such action, suit or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and
consulting with the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives
or counsel to the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate, as reasonably
requested. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for all expenses
actually incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.
(g) Remedies. The Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of
this Section 10 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for
which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; the Executive therefore
also agrees that in the event of said breach or any reasonable threat of breach,
the Company shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order
to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the
Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the
Executive. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from
pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach
hereof, including, but not limited to, remedies available under this Agreement
and the recovery of damages. The Executive and the Company further agree that
the provisions of the covenant not to compete are reasonable. Should a court or
arbitrator determine, however, that any provision of the covenant not to compete
is unreasonable, either in period of time, geographical area, or otherwise, the
parties hereto agree that the covenant shall be interpreted and enforced to the
maximum extent which such court or arbitrator deems reasonable.
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(h) Continuing Operation. The provisions of this Section 10 shall
survive any termination of this Agreement and the Term of Employment, and the
existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against the Company,
whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a
defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements of
this Section. The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during the
term of employment and thereafter (including following the Executive's
termination of employment for any reason), by being reasonably available to
testify on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate in any action,
suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
and to assist the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate, in any such action,
suit or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the
Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the
Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate, as reasonably requested. The Company
agrees to reimburse the Executive for all expenses actually incurred in
connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.
(i) Notice to Employer. The Executive agrees that as long as the
provisions of Section 10(a) or 10(b) continue to bind the Executive, he will
provide written notice of the terms and provisions of this Section 10 to any
prospective employer.
11. Effect of Agreement on Other Benefits. The Executive hereby agrees
that this Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all other agreements by and
between the Executive and the Company, including but not limited to any letters
or other documents setting forth the terms of the Executive's employment, the
Confidentiality Agreement and the Severance Letter and the Executive shall not
be entitled to any right or benefit under such other agreements, plans or
documents and hereby releases any rights thereunder; provided however that the
Executive shall be entitled to all of the benefits set forth herein whether
pursuant to a Company plan or otherwise provided.
12. Assignability; Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs
(in the case of the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the
Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company
except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred pursuant
to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity,
or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee
assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in
this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The Company further
agrees that, in the event of a sale or reorganization transaction as described
in the preceding sentence, it shall take whatever action it legally can in order
to cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. No rights or obligations of the
Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive
other than his rights to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred
only by will or operation of law, except as otherwise provided herein.
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13. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) This Agreement contains the final and entire understanding and
agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior representations, agreements, discussions, negotiations and
undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parries with respect thereto;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not supersede any separate written
commitments by the Company with respect to indemnification.
(b) No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such
amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized
officer of the Company. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other
Party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed
by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar
condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver
must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorized officer of the
Company, as the case may be.
(c) In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement
shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or
in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby
and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
(d) The respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder
shall survive any termination of the Executive's employment to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
(e) The Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under
any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to
receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following the Executive's
death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of the
Executive's death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in
this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to
his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.
(f) All amounts required to be paid by the Company shall be subject
to reduction in order to comply with applicable Federal, state and local tax
withholding requirements, except as otherwise provided herein.
(g) The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.
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14. Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Michigan without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. Subject to Section 15, the Company
and the Executive hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any or all of the
following courts for purposes of resolving any dispute under this Agreement: (i)
the United States District Court of Detroit, Michigan or (ii) the State of
Michigan Courts of Oakland County, Michigan. The Company and the Executive
further agree that any service of process or notice requirements in any such
proceeding shall be satisfied if the rules of such court relating thereto have
been substantially satisfied. The Company and the Executive hereby waive, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it or the
Executive may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and any defense of
inconvenient forum.
15. Resolution of Disputes. Any controversy or claim of any kind arising
out of or relating to the Executive's employment with the Company, this
Agreement, any breach or asserted breach hereof, or questioning the validity and
binding effect hereof arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any
agreement executed pursuant hereto, other than seeking injunctive relief under
Section 10, including any claim in tort or for violation of any federal, state
or local statue, regulation, or ordinance providing protection against
discrimination, retaliation or interference of any kind, including
discrimination, retaliation or interference on account of race, color,
ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender, disability, other protected
characteristics, or protected activities of any kind, shall be resolved by
binding arbitration, by a neutral arbitrator selected from the Employment
Dispute panel of the American Arbitration Association and to be held at an
office closest to the Company's principal offices in accordance with the
Employment rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The
arbitrator selected shall have no authority to modify or add to the terms of the
Agreement, provided however, the arbitrator shall have authority to provide any
other remedy provided by federal, state, or local law should Executive prove
such a claim. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on the
Executive and the Company. Judgement upon the award rendered by the arbitrator
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. All costs and expenses
of any arbitration or court proceeding (including fees and disbursements of
counsel) shall be borne by the respective party incurring such costs and
expenses, but the Company shall reimburse the Executive for such reasonable
costs and expenses in the event the Executive substantially prevails in such
arbitration or any court proceeding to enforce an award. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, following a Change in Control, all reasonable costs and expenses
(including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Executive pursuant
to this section 15 shall be paid on behalf of or reimbursed to the Executive
promptly by the Company, provided, however, that no reimbursement shall be made
of such expenses if and to the extent the arbitrator(s) determine(s) that any of
the Executive's litigation assertions or defenses were in bad faith or
frivolous.
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16. Notices. Any notice given to a Party shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when delivered personally or sent by certified or
registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to
the Party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as
such Party may subsequently give such notice of:
If to the Company: Kmart Corporation
0000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Executive: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on
the dates provided below.
KMART CORPORATION
By: ________________________________
Dated: _____________________________
EXECUTIVE
____________________________________
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Dated: _____________________________
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