HUNT GLOBAL RESOURCES INC. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1 Employment Agreement of Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
XXXX GLOBAL RESOURCES INC.
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made by and between Xxxx Global Resources, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Company”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Executive”).
ARTICLE 1 : EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES
1.1 Employment: This employment agreement shall continue for the period of time set forth in Article 2 of this Agreement. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be April 1, 2012.
ARTICLE 2 : TERM AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
(i) upon Executive’s death;
(ii) upon Executive’s becoming incapacitated by accident, sickness, or other circumstances which, in the opinion of a physician reasonably selected by Company which selection is reasonably agreed to by Executive, renders him mentally or physically incapable of performing the duties and services required of him hereunder;
(iii) for “Cause,” which shall mean Executive (A) has engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties required of him hereunder, (B) has willfully refused without proper legal reason to perform the duties and responsibilities required of him hereunder, (C) has materially breached any material provision of this Agreement or any material corporate policy maintained and established by Company that is of general applicability to Company’s executive employees, (D) has willfully engaged in conduct that he knows or should know is materially injurious to Company or any of its affiliates, (E) has been convicted of a crime involving any felony, or (F) has engaged in any act of serious dishonesty which adversely affects, or reasonably could in the future adversely affect, the value, reliability, or performance of Executive in a material manner; provided, however, that Executive’s employment may be terminated for Cause only if such termination is approved by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors (excluding Executive) after Executive has been given written notice by Company of the specific reason for such termination and a reasonable opportunity for Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board of Directors;
(iv) for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.
Members of the Board of Directors may participate in any hearing that is required pursuant to paragraph 2.2(iii) by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the hearing can hear and speak to each other.
(i) for “Good Reason,” which shall mean, within 60 days of and in connection with or based upon (A) a material breach by Company of any material provision of this Agreement (provided, however, that a reduction in Executive’s annual base salary that is consistent with reductions taken generally by other executives of Company shall not be considered a material breach of a material provision of this Agreement), (B) a material diminution in the nature or scope of Executive’s duties and responsibilities, (C) the assignment to Executive of duties and responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with the positions referred to in paragraph 1.2 and that result in a material negative change to Executive, (D) any material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform services, (E) Executive not being offered the same position of the “resulting entity” (as defined in paragraph 4.1) in connection with a Change in Control or (F) a material diminution in the Executive Specific Benefits (as defined in paragraph 3.3(iii)) that results in a material negative change to Executive. Prior to Executive’s termination for Good Reason, Executive must give written notice to Company of the reason for his termination and the reason must remain uncorrected for 30 days following such written notice; or
(ii) at any time for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of Executive.
ARTICLE 3 : COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
a)
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The Amount of the Award: The Executive shall be granted an award of Restricted Common Stock of the Company, in the amount of 2,000,000 shares.
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c)
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All awards of Restricted Common Stock listed above in 3.3 (iv) a) and b) above will be adjusted for any type of stock split.
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“Change in Control” means (i) a merger of Company with another entity, a consolidation involving Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Company to another entity if, in any such case, (A) the holders of equity securities of Company immediately prior to such transaction or event do not beneficially own immediately after such transaction or event equity securities of the resulting entity entitled to 50% or more of the votes then eligible to be cast in the election of directors generally (or comparable governing body) of the resulting entity in substantially the same proportions that they owned the equity securities of Company immediately prior to such transaction or event or (B) the persons who were members of the Board of Directors immediately prior to such transaction or event shall not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the resulting entity immediately after such transaction or event, (ii) the dissolution or liquidation of Company, (iii) when any person or entity, including a “group” as contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), acquires or gains ownership or control (including, without limitation, power to vote) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of, (A) if Company has not engaged in a merger or consolidation, Company, or (B) if Company has engaged in a merger or consolidation, the resulting entity, or (iv) as a result of or in connection with a contested election of directors, the persons who were members of the Board of Directors immediately before such election shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors. For purposes of the preceding sentence, (1) “resulting entity” in the context of a transaction or event that is a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets shall mean the surviving entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) unless the surviving entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) is a subsidiary of another entity and the holders of common stock of Company receive capital stock of such other entity in such transaction or event, in which event the resulting entity shall be such other entity, and (2) subsequent to the consummation of a merger or consolidation that does not constitute a Change in Control, the term “Company” shall refer to the resulting entity and the term “Board of Directors” shall refer to the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the resulting entity.
“Change in Control Benefits” means (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of: (A) 2 times the annual base salary; (B) 2 times the higher of (1) Executive’s highest annual bonus paid during the three most recent fiscal years or (2) Executive’s Target Bonus (deemed to be 100% of base salary for this purpose) for the fiscal year in which Executive’s date of termination occurs, and (C) any bonus that Executive has earned and accrued as of the date of termination of Executive’s employment which relates to periods that have ended on or before such date and which have not yet been paid to Executive by Company; (ii) all of the outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity based awards granted by Company to Executive shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable in full on the date of termination of Executive’s employment; (iii) if such Change in Control occurs within a twelve month period of the date of this contract an additional $500,000 lump sum payment. (iv) Health Coverage for Executive a period of 24 months following a Change in Control.
“Health Coverage” means that if Executive elects to continue coverage for himself or his eligible dependents under Company’s group health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), then during the required period of COBRA continuation coverage with respect to Executive’s termination of employment from Company (but no more than eighteen months) (the “COBRA Period”), Company shall promptly reimburse Executive on a monthly basis for the difference between the amount Executive pays to effect and continue such coverage and the employee contribution amount that active senior executive employees pay for the same or similar coverage under Company’s group health plans. Further, if Executive has continued his COBRA coverage throughout the COBRA Period, then, for the thirty-six-month period beginning on the day immediately following the last day of the COBRA Period (the “Extended Coverage Period”), Company shall provide Executive (and his eligible dependents) with health benefits substantially similar to those provided under its group health plans for active employees for the remainder of the Extended Coverage Period at a cost to Executive that is no greater than the cost of COBRA coverage; provided, however, that such health benefits shall be provided to Executive through an arrangement that satisfies the requirements of sections 105 and 106 of the Code such that the benefits or reimbursements under such arrangement are not includible in Executive’s income. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, Company’s obligation to reimburse Executive during the COBRA Period and to provide health benefits to Executive during the Extended Coverage Period shall immediately end if and to the extent Executive becomes eligible to receive health plan coverage from a subsequent employer (with Executive being obligated hereunder to promptly report such eligibility to Company). “Termination Benefits” means (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of: (A) 2 times the Executive’s annual base salary (2) Executive’s Target Bonus (deemed to be 100% of base salary for this purpose) for the fiscal year in which Executive’s date of termination occurs, and (C) any bonus that Executive has earned and accrued as of the date of termination of Executive’s employment which relates to periods that have ended on or before such date and which have not yet been paid to Executive by Company; (iii) ) all of the outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity based awards granted by Company to Executive shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable in full on the date of termination of Executive’s employment (iv) a lump sum payment of $1,000,000 if such termination occurs within a twelve month period following the date of this contract and (v) Health Coverage.
(ii) Executive shall notify Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which he gives such notice to Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall:
(A) give Company any information reasonably requested by Company relating to such claim,
(B) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as Company 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 Company,
(C) cooperate with Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim,
(D) permit Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim, and provided, however, that Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest, penalties, accountant’s and legal fees) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold 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, Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo 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 direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and commence a proceeding to obtain a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and 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 Company shall determine; provided, however, that if Company directs Executive to pay such claim and seek a refund, Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and 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.
(iii) If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by Company pursuant to the foregoing, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to Company’s complying with the requirements of the foregoing) promptly pay to Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by Company pursuant to the previous subsection, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company may use reasonable tax planning options with respect to Executive’s outstanding equity awards, if any, to mitigate the effects of the Excise Tax and Executive agrees to cooperate fully with Company in using all available tax planning options with respect to Executive’s equity awards to mitigate the effects of the Excise Tax; provided, however, Company shall ensure that Executive will receive additional equity awards and/or cash consideration that is at least equal to the reduction, if any, in the value (on an after-tax basis) of Executive’s equity awards as a result of Company’s implementation of such tax planning options; provided further, however, that Company shall bear and pay directly or indirectly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with using such tax planning options and shall indemnify and hold 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 Company’s use of such tax planning options.
5.1 Disclosure to Executive: Executive acknowledges that Company promises in this Agreement to disclose to Executive, or place Executive in a position to have access to or develop, more detailed information concerning trade secrets or confidential information of Company and its affiliates; and/or entrust Executive with business opportunities of Company and its affiliates; and/or place Executive in a position to develop business good will on behalf of Company and its affiliates. Executive acknowledges that this information will be new to him and more detailed and extensive than that provided to him prior to his employment under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 6 : NON-COMPETITION OBLIGATIONS
6.1 Non-competition Obligations: In return for Company’s provision to Executive hereunder the trade secrets and confidential information of Company and its affiliates relating to the business good will of Company and its affiliates, Company and Executive agree to the provisions of this Article 6. Executive agrees that during the period of Executive’s non-competition obligations hereunder, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly for Executive or for others, in any geographic area or market where Company or its affiliates are conducting any business as of the date of termination of the employment relationship or have during the previous 12 months conducted any business, engage in any business that directly competes with the business of the Company.
This non-competition obligation shall apply during the period that Executive is employed by Company and shall continue for six months following the termination of Executive’s employment. Executive understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit Executive’s ability to engage in certain businesses anywhere in the United States during the period provided for above, but acknowledges that Executive will receive sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits under this Agreement to justify such restriction.
ARTICLE 7 : MISCELLANEOUS
If to Company to: Xxxx Global Resources, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: CEO
If to Executive to: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
or to such other address as either party may furnish to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices or changes of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
7.2 Applicable Law: This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by, the laws of the State of Texas.
XXXX GLOBAL RESOURCES, INC.
By:
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: President
EXECUTIVE
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx