EXHIBIT 10.17
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made,
entered into and is effective as of January 1, 2001 (the "Effective Date") by
and between iPCS Wireless, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx ("Executive") and, for the limited purposes specified herein, iPCS,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent").
WITNESSETH THAT:
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WHEREAS, Illinois PCS, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company ("LLC"),
Executive and the Parent previously entered into an Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2000 (the "Prior Agreement");
WHEREAS, pursuant to a reorganization, LLC was merged into the Company, a
subsidiary of Parent, the Company was the survivor of the merger and the Company
was thereafter substituted for LLC under the Prior Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend, restate and continue
the Prior Agreement in the form of this Agreement, all effective as of the
Effective Date;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth below, it is hereby covenanted and agreed by the Company, Executive and,
for the limited purposes specified, the Parent, as follows:
1. Employment Period. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
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Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to employ Executive during the Employment
Period (as defined below) and Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of
the Company and to provide services during the Employment Period in accordance
with this Agreement. The "Initial Employment Period" shall be the period
beginning on March 20, 2000 and ending on the third anniversary thereof, unless
sooner terminated as provided herein. At the conclusion of the Initial
Employment Period this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one
year terms (each a "Renewal Employment Period" and together with the Initial
Employment Period, the "Employment Period") unless either party gives notice of
intent not to renew at least 90 days prior to the beginning of any Renewal
Employment Period.
2. Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined
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below), the provisions of Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and which forms
part of this Agreement, shall apply. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Change in Control" shall mean a change in the
beneficial ownership of the voting stock of the Parent or a change in the
composition of the Parent's Board of Directors (the "Board") that occurs as
follows:
(a) any "Person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")),
other than the Parent, any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by
the stockholders of the Parent in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of stock of the Parent, or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Parent or its subsidiaries or such proportionately owned corporation)
becomes through acquisitions of securities of the Parent after the
Effective Date, the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Parent representing 50% or more of the combined
voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Parent having
the right to vote for the election of directors;
(b) the completion of a merger, consolidation or other business
combination of the Parent with any other corporation or other entity
(consummated in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions) which has been approved by the stockholders of the
Parent, other than (i) a merger, consolidation or other business
combination which would result in the voting securities of the Parent
(including, for all purposes of this paragraph (b), securities
convertible into common stock on an as-converted basis) outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
voting securities of the Parent or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger, consolidation or business combination,
or (ii) a merger, consolidation or business combination effected to
implement a recapitalization of the Parent (or similar transaction) in
which no Person acquires more than 15% of the then outstanding
securities of the Parent having the right to vote for the election of
directors;
(c) the completion of a plan of complete liquidation of the Parent which
has been approved by the Parent's stockholders or the sale or
disposition by the Parent of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Parent (or any transaction having a similar effect); or
(d) during any 24 month period, individuals who at the beginning of such
period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a
director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with
the Parent to effect a transaction described in paragraph (a), (b) or
(c) of this Section 2) whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Parent was approved by a vote of
at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either
were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or
nomination for
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election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof.
3. Duties. Executive agrees that during the Employment Period, from and
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after the Effective Date, while Executive is employed by the Company, Executive
will devote Executive's full business time, energies and talents to serving as
the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Company and the
Parent and providing services for the Company at the direction of the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer, or his designee (the "CEO"). Executive
shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to Executive from
time to time by the CEO, shall perform all duties assigned to Executive
faithfully and efficiently, subject to the direction of the CEO, and shall have
such authorities and powers as are inherent to the undertakings applicable to
Executive's position and necessary to carry out the responsibilities and duties
required of Executive hereunder. Executive will perform the duties required by
this Agreement at the Company's principal place of business unless the nature of
such duties requires otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the
Employment Period, Executive may devote reasonable time to activities other than
those required under this Agreement, including activities involving
professional, charitable, educational, religious and similar type activities to
the extent such activities do not, in the reasonable judgment of the CEO,
inhibit, prohibit, interfere with or conflict with Executive's duties under this
Agreement or conflict in any material way with the business of the Parent, the
Company and their respective affiliates; provided, however, that Executive shall
not serve on the board of directors of any business (other than the Parent or
the Company) or hold any other position with any business without receiving the
prior written consent of the CEO, which consent may not be unreasonably
withheld.
4. Compensation and Benefits. Subject to the terms and conditions of
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this Agreement, during the Employment Period while Executive is employed by the
Company, the Company shall compensate Executive for Executive's services as
follows for periods following the Effective Date:
(a) Executive shall be compensated at an annual rate of $185,000 (the
"Annual Base Salary"), which shall be payable in accordance with the
normal payroll practices of the Company. Beginning on January 1, 2002
and on each anniversary of such date, Executive's rate of Annual Base
Salary shall be reviewed by the CEO and/or the Compensation Committee
of the Board (the "Compensation Committee") and following such review,
the Annual Base Salary may be adjusted upward but in no event will be
decreased.
(b) Executive shall be entitled to receive performance based annual
incentive bonuses ("Incentive Bonus") from the Company in accordance
with the Company's Executive Compensation Strategy and Incentive
Design Plan as in effect from time to time (the "Incentive Bonus
Plan"). The annual Incentive Bonus at the
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target level of performance will be 35% of the Annual Base Salary for
the year to which the bonus relates (the "Target Incentive Bonus").
The annual Incentive Bonus may range from 50% to 200% of the Target
Incentive Bonus based the level of the Company's and Executive's
performance. In addition, the Incentive Bonus is subject to further
adjustment as described below.
After discussions with Executive, the CEO shall establish annual
incentive goals that provide Executive with the opportunity to earn an
annual Incentive Bonus. Such goals will be delivered in writing to
Executive annually on or about December 15 of each year. Within 45
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the CEO shall
review the goals for the prior year and develop recommendations as to
the amount of Incentive Bonus Executive is eligible to receive based
on the satisfaction of the applicable criteria. The CEO's,
recommendation may include recommendations to increase or decrease the
Incentive Bonus by up to an additional 20% based on individual
performance. All such recommendations will be submitted to the Board
for review and amendment (if necessary) and will be submitted to the
Compensation Committee for final approval. Promptly after review by
the Board and approval by the Compensation Committee. Executive shall
be notified of the outcome and, if applicable, any Incentive Bonus
that was awarded shall be paid. Notwithstanding the Board's review of
the CEO's recommendations, the Compensation Committee shall have the
final authority to determine any Incentive Bonus actually payable to
Executive hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Incentive Bonus Plan.
(c) Executive shall be entitled to the "Retention Bonus" as set forth in
Exhibit B, which is attached hereto and which forms a part of this
Agreement.
(d) For each year, the Compensation Committee shall consider granting to
Executive stock options under the Parent's Amended and Restated 2000
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). Executive will
participate in stock option grants generally awarded to senior
executives of the Company. Any Stock Options (as defined in the Prior
Agreement) granted to Executive shall fully vest and become
exercisable in accordance with the provisions of the Prior Agreement
and the terms of the agreement evidencing the grant of the Stock
Options.
(e) Except as otherwise specifically provided to the contrary in this
Agreement, Executive shall be provided with pension and welfare fringe
benefits to the same extent and on the same terms as those benefits
are provided by the Company from time to time to the Company's other
senior management employees and Executive shall be entitled to no less
than four weeks' vacation for each calendar year.
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(f) Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company, on terms and conditions
that are substantially similar to those that apply to other similarly
situated senior management employees of the Company, for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses for entertainment, travel, meals, lodging and
similar items which are consistent with the Company's expense
reimbursement policy and actually incurred by Executive in the
promotion of the Company's business.
(g) The Company shall provide Executive with all other perquisites
approved by the CEO from time to time, including without limitation, a
car allowance of $600 per month. In addition, Executive shall be
provided with the relocation assistance that is (i) awarded under the
Company's relocation plan in effect from time to time, and (ii)
communicated by the Company in writing to Executive.
(h) Executive shall be entitled to the "Gross-Up Payment" as described in
Exhibit C, which is attached hereto and which forms a part of this
Agreement.
5. Rights and Payments Upon Termination. Executive's right to benefits
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and payments, if any, for periods after the date on which Executive's employment
with the Company and its affiliates terminates for any reason (the "Termination
Date") shall be determined in accordance with this paragraph 5:
(a) Minimum Payments. If Executive's Termination Date occurs during the
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Employment Period for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to the
following payments, in addition to any payments or benefits to which
Executive may be entitled under the following provisions of this
paragraph 5 (other than this paragraph (a)) or the express terms of
any employee benefit plan or as required by law:
(i) Executive's earned but unpaid Annual Base Salary for the period
ending on Executive's Termination Date;
(ii) Executive's earned but unpaid Incentive Bonus for the prior
fiscal year;
(iii) Executive's accrued but unpaid vacation pay for the period
ending with Executive's Termination Date, as determined in
accordance with the Company's policy as in effect from time to
time; and
(iv) Executive's unreimbursed business expenses and all other items
earned and owed to Executive through and including or benefits
which have vested as of the Termination Date; and
(v) the Gross-Up Payment to the extent provided by Exhibit C.
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Payments to be made to Executive pursuant to this paragraph 5(a) shall
be made within 30 days after Executive's Termination Date. Except as
may be otherwise expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement
or as otherwise provided by law, nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as requiring Executive to be treated as employed by the
Company following Executive's Termination Date for purposes of any
employee benefit plan or arrangement in which Executive may
participate at such time.
(b) Termination By Company for Cause. If Executive's Termination Date
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occurs during the Employment Period and is a result of the Company's
termination of Executive's employment on account of Cause (as defined
in paragraph 5(f) below), then, except as described in paragraph 5(a)
or as agreed in writing between Executive and the Company, Executive
shall have no right to payments or benefits under this Agreement (and
the Company shall have no obligation to make any such payments or
provide any such benefits) for periods after Executive's Termination
Date.
(c) Termination for Death or Disability. If Executive's Termination Date
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occurs during the Employment Period and is a result of Executive's
death or Disability, then, except as described in paragraph 5(a) or as
agreed in writing between Executive and the Company, Executive (or in
the event of Executive's death, Executive's estate) shall be entitled
to the following:
(i) continuing payments of Executive's Annual Base Salary (payable
in accordance with paragraph 4(a)) for the Continuation Period
(as defined below);
(ii) continuation of health benefits for Executive and Executive's
dependents for the Continuation Period at a cost which is no
greater than is charged to active employees of the Company and
their dependents, which continuing health benefits shall be in
addition to, and not part of, any health benefits required to be
provided to Executive and Executive's dependents under Section
4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code");
(iii) immediate vesting of any and all stock options held by
Executive;
(iv) a lump sum payment equal to the Target Incentive Bonus for the
year in which the Termination Date occurs; and
(v) a lump sum payment of all Deferred Amounts (as described in
Exhibit B).
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For purposes of this Agreement, the "Continuation Period" shall be the
period commencing on Executive's Termination Date and ending on the
earlier of (A) the first anniversary of Executive's Termination Date,
or (B) if applicable, the date on which Executive violates the
provisions of paragraphs 6 or 7 of this Agreement. All lump sum
payments required under this paragraph 4(c) shall be made no later
than 15 days after the Termination Date.
(d) Certain Terminations by the Company or Executive. If Executive's
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Termination Date occurs during the Employment Period and is a result
of Executive's termination of employment (i) by the Company for any
reason other than Cause (and is not on account of Executive's death,
Disability, or voluntary resignation, the mutual agreement of the
parties or pursuant to paragraph 5(e)), (ii) by Executive following
the Company's breach of this Agreement in any material respect and
failure to cure the breach within 30 days after notice thereof from
Executive, or (iii) by Executive within 60 days after Executive's
principal place of employment with the Company is relocated outside of
the greater Chicago metropolitan area, then, except as described in
paragraph 5(a) or as agreed in writing between Executive and the
Company, Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and
benefits:
(A) continuing payments of Executive's Annual Base Salary (payable in
accordance with paragraph 4(a)) for the Continuation Period;
(B) continuation of health benefits for Executive and Executive's
dependents for the Continuation Period at a cost which is no
greater than is charged to active employees of the Company and
their dependents, which continuing health benefits shall be in
addition to, and not part of, any health benefits required to be
provided to Executive and Executive's dependents under Section
4980B of the Code;
(C) a lump sum payment equal to the Target Incentive Bonus for the
year in which the Termination Date occurs;
(D) immediate vesting of any and all stock options held by Executive;
and
(E) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (I) the Deferred Amounts,
and (II) any portion of the Retention Bonus for the year in which
the Termination Date occurs and any future years which has not
been paid to Executive.
All lump sum payments required under this paragraph 5(d) shall be made
within 15 days after the Termination Date. Notice by the Company that
the term of this Agreement will not be renewed will not result in
Executive being eligible for any
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payments or benefits contemplated by this paragraph 5(d); provided,
however, that Executive shall be entitled to the payments described in
clause (E). If Executive is entitled to payments and benefits pursuant
to Exhibit A, he shall not also be entitled to payments and benefits
under this paragraph 5(d).
(e) Termination for Voluntary Resignation, Mutual Agreement or Other
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Reasons. If Executive's Termination Date occurs during the Employment
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Period and is a result of Executive's voluntary resignation, the
mutual agreement of the parties, or any reason other than those
specified in paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) above or Exhibit A, then,
except as described in paragraph 5(a) or as agreed in writing between
Executive and the Company, Executive shall have no right to payments
or benefits under this Agreement (and the Company shall have no
obligation to make any such payments or provide any such benefits) for
periods after Executive's Termination Date.
(f) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
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(i) the term "Cause" shall mean (A) the continuous failure by
Executive to substantially perform Executive's duties under this
Agreement, as determined by the CEO and the Board and after
expiration of a cure period of 30 days following Executive's
receipt of written notice from the CEO describing such failure;
(B) the willful engaging by Executive in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its
affiliates, monetarily or otherwise, as determined by the Board ,
(C) conduct by Executive that involves theft, fraud or
dishonesty, (D) repeated instances of drug or alcohol abuse or
unauthorized absences during scheduled work hours, or (E)
Executive's violation of the provisions of paragraph 6 or 7 of
this Agreement; and
(ii) the term "Disability" shall mean the inability of Executive to
continue to perform Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis as a result of mental or physical illness,
sickness or injury for a period of 120 days within any 12-month
period, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Executive shall
automatically cease to be an officer of the Parent, the Company and their
respective affiliates as of Executive's Termination Date and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, any and all monies that Executive owes to the
Company shall be repaid to the extent possible, through deduction of such
amounts from any post-termination payments owed to Executive pursuant to this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
may suspend Executive from performing Executive's duties under this Agreement;
provided, however, that during the period of suspension (which shall end no
later than Executive's Termination Date), Executive
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shall continue to be treated as an employee of the Company for other purposes,
and Executive's rights to compensation or benefits hereunder shall be in effect.
Other than as expressly provided in paragraphs 5(c) and (d), post-termination
benefits may not be suspended or not paid.
6. Confidential Information. Executive agrees that:
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(a) Except as may be required by the lawful order of a court or agency of
competent jurisdiction, or except to the extent that Executive has
express authorization from the Company, Executive agrees to keep
secret and confidential indefinitely all non-public information
(including, without limitation, information regarding litigation and
pending litigation) concerning the Company and its affiliates
(collectively, "Confidential Information") which was acquired by or
disclosed to Executive during the course of Executive's employment
with the Company and not to disclose the same, either directly or
indirectly, to any other person, firm, or business entity, or to use
it in any way.
(b) Confidential Information does not include (i) information which, at
the time of disclosure is published, known publicly or is otherwise in
the public domain, through no fault of Executive; (ii) information
which, after disclosure is published or becomes known publicly or
otherwise becomes part of the public domain, through no fault of
Executive; and (iii) information which is required to be disclosed in
compliance with applicable laws or regulations or by order of a court
or other regulatory body of competent jurisdiction.
(c) To the extent that any court or agency seeks to have Executive
disclose Confidential Information, Executive shall promptly inform the
Company, and Executive shall take such reasonable steps to prevent
disclosure of Confidential Information until the Company has been
informed of such requested disclosure, and the Company has an
opportunity to respond to such court or agency. To the extent that
Executive obtains information on behalf of the Company or any of its
affiliates that may be subject to attorney-client privilege as to the
Company's attorneys, Executive shall follow the guidelines provided by
the Company's legal counsel on maintaining the confidentiality of such
information and to preserve such privilege.
(d) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 6 shall be
construed so as to prevent Executive from using, in connection with
Executive's employment for himself or an employer other than the
Company and its affiliates, knowledge which was acquired by Executive
during the course of Executive's employment with the Company and its
affiliates and which is generally known to persons of Executive's
experience in other companies in the same industry.
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7. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. While Executive is employed by
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the Company and its affiliates, and for a period of 12 months after Executive's
Termination Date (except as provided in Exhibit A), Executive agrees that:
(a) Executive will not, directly or indirectly engage in, assist, perform
services for, establish or open, or have any equity interest (other
than ownership of 5% or less of the outstanding stock of any
corporation listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange or
included in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System) in any person, firm, corporation, partnership or
business entity (whether as an employee, officer, partner, director,
agent, security holder, creditor, consultant, or otherwise) that
engages in the Restricted Business (as defined below) in the
Restricted Territory (as defined below);
(b) Executive will not, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf
of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, corporation,
partnership or business entity, solicit or attempt to solicit any
party who is then or, during the 12-month period prior to such
solicitation or attempt by Executive was (or was solicited to become),
a customer of the Company, provided that the restriction in this
paragraph 7(b) shall not apply to any activity on behalf of a business
that is not a Restricted Business; and
(c) Executive will not (and will not attempt to) solicit, entice, persuade
or induce any individual who is employed by the Company or its
affiliates to terminate or refrain from renewing or extending such
employment or to become employed by or enter into contractual
relations with any other individual or entity other than the Company
or its affiliates, and Executive shall not approach any such employee
for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the
taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity.
For purposes of this Agreement the term (A) "Restricted Business" means the
business of providing wireless telecommunication services or any other business
in which the Company is materially engaged on Executive's Termination Date, and
(B) "Restricted Territory" means all of the basic trading areas (as defined in
the Rand XxXxxxx Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide or the successor thereto)
in which the Company has been granted the right to carry on the Restricted
Business.
8. Equitable Remedies. Executive acknowledges that the Company would be
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irreparably injured by a violation of paragraphs 6 or 7 hereof and Executive
agrees that the Company, in addition to any other remedies available to it for
such breach or threatened breach, shall be entitled to a preliminary injunction,
temporary restraining order, or other equivalent relief, restraining Executive
from any actual or threatened breach of either paragraph 6 or 7. If a bond is
required to be posted in order for the Company to secure an injunction or other
equitable remedy, the parties agree that said bond need not be more than a
nominal sum.
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9. Notices. Any notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in
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writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received when delivered in person
or sent by facsimile transmission, on the first business day after it is sent by
air express courier service or on the second business day following deposit in
the United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid and addressed, in the case of Executive, to the most recent home
address reflected in the Company's records and, in the case of the Company, to
its principal executive offices (attention CEO) or such other address as either
party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except
that a notice of change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt.
In addition, on and after Executive's Termination Date, the Company shall notify
Executive of the person or persons Executive should contact regarding matters
relating to this Agreement (and the address and telephone number of such person
or persons) and any changes to such contact information. All notices pursuant
to the preceding sentence shall be given in accordance with this Section 9.
10. Withholding. All compensation payable under this Agreement (other
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than amounts payable pursuant to Exhibit A for periods following Executive's
Termination Date) shall be subject to customary withholding taxes and other
employment taxes as required with respect to compensation paid by a corporation
to an employee and the amount of compensation payable hereunder shall be reduced
appropriately to reflect the amount of any required withholding. Except as
specifically required herein, the Company shall have no obligation to make any
payments to Executive or to make Executive whole for the amount of any required
taxes.
11. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to the
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benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns and any person acquiring,
whether by merger, reorganization, consolidation, by purchase of assets or
otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. To the extent
applicable, this Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the
Parent and its successors and assigns and any person acquiring, whether by
merger, reorganization, consolidation, by purchase of assets or otherwise, all
or substantially all of the assets of the Parent.
12. Nonalienation. The interests of Executive under this Agreement are
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not subject to the claims of Executive's creditors, other than the Company, and
may not otherwise be voluntarily or involuntarily assigned, alienated or
encumbered.
13. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by the Company, the Parent or Executive
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of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be deemed
a waiver by such party of any subsequent breach. Continuation of payments
hereunder by the Company following a breach by Executive of any provision of
this Agreement shall not preclude the Company from thereafter terminating said
payments based upon the same violation.
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14. Severability. It is mutually agreed and understood by the parties
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that should any of the agreements and covenants contained herein be determined
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid by virtue of being vague or
unreasonable, including but not limited to the provisions of paragraphs 6 or 7,
then the parties hereto consent that this Agreement shall be amended retroactive
to the date of its execution to include the terms and conditions said court
deems to be reasonable and in conformity with the original intent of the parties
and the parties hereto consent that under such circumstances, said court shall
have the power and authority to determine what is reasonable and in conformity
with the original intent of the parties to the extent that said covenants and/or
agreements are enforceable.
15. Prevailing Party. In the event of any action, proceeding or
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litigation (collectively, the "Action") between the parties arising out of or in
relation to this Agreement, the prevailing party in such Action, shall be
entitled to recover, in addition to any damages, injunctions, or other relief
and without regard to whether the Action is prosecuted to final appeal, all of
its costs and expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's
fees, from the non-prevailing party.
16. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
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the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict of law principles.
17. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or cancelled by mutual
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Agreement of the parties in writing without the consent of any other person.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
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counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature
pages, each signed by one party hereto, but together signed by both of the
parties hereto.
19. Other Agreements. This Agreement constitutes the sole and complete
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Agreement between or among the Company, the Parent and Executive and supersedes
all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, both oral and written, between or
among the Company, the Parent and Executive with respect to the matters
contained herein including, without limitation the Prior Agreement, and any
severance agreements or arrangements between or among the parties. No verbal or
other statements, inducements, or representations have been made to or relied
upon by Executive. The parties have read and understand this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS THEREOF, Executive has hereunto set Executive's hand, and the
Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf,
all as of the day and year first above written.
iPCS Wireless, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
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EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the Parent has caused these presents to be executed in
its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written, for
the limited purposes specified herein.
iPCS, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit A
Change in Control
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The provisions of this Exhibit A shall apply if Executive's Termination Date (i)
occurs during the Employment Period, (ii) occurs on or within the one year
period after the effective date of a Change in Control and (iii) is a result of
the termination of Executive's employment by the Company (or its successor) for
any reason other than Cause or is a result of Executive's termination of his
employment with the Company (or its successor) for Good Reason (as defined in
Section 2 of this Exhibit A).
1. Benefits and Payments on Termination. If the provisions of this Exhibit A
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apply, then Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and
benefits (in addition to any payments and benefits to which he is entitled
under paragraph 5(a) of the Agreement and the following provisions of this
Exhibit A):
(a) a lump sum payment equal to two times Executive's Annual Base Salary;
(b) continuation of health benefits for Executive and Executive's
dependents, at the Company's expense, for the period beginning on the
Termination Date and ending on the later of (i) the first anniversary
of the Termination Date, or (ii) December 31, 2002, which continuing
health benefits shall be in addition to, and not part of, any health
benefits required to be provided to Executive and Executive's
dependents under Section 4980B of the Code;
(c) a lump sum payment equal to one year of Executive's Target Incentive
Bonus for the year in which the Termination Date occurs;
(d) immediate vesting of any and all stock options or other incentive
awards held by Executive;
(e) an amount equal to the Incentive Bonus that would have been payable to
Executive for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs
assuming all applicable performance targets had been satisfied, pro
rated (on a daily basis) through Executive's Termination Date; and
(f) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) the Deferred Amounts, and
(ii) any portion of the Retention Bonus for the year in which the
Termination Date occurs which has not been paid to Executive, pro
rated (on a daily basis) through the Termination Date.
Payments to be made to Executive pursuant to this Section 1 shall be made
no later than 15 days after Executive's Termination Date.
A-1
2. Definition of Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Good
-------------------------
Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following in anticipation of or
within the one year period immediately following a Change in Control: (a)
the assignment to Executive of duties that are materially inconsistent with
Executive's duties described in paragraph 3 of the Agreement, including,
without limitation, a material diminution or reduction in Executive's
office or responsibilities or a reduction in Executive's rate of Annual
Base Salary, bonus (including Retention Bonus as described in Exhibit B) or
other compensation or an adverse change in Executive's reporting
relationship, (b) the relocation of Executive to a location that is not
within 50 miles of Executive's then current principal place of business, or
(c) the failure of the Company to continue in effect any of the Company's
annual and long-term incentive compensation plans or employee benefit or
retirement plans, policies, practices, or other compensation arrangements
in which Executive participates unless such failure to continue the plan,
policy, practice or arrangement (i) is required by law, or (ii) pertains to
all plan participants generally and the lost value is being replaced by a
new plan, policy, practice or arrangement of reasonably equivalent value.
3. Consulting Services. For the period beginning on Executive's Termination
-------------------
Date described in this Exhibit A and ending on December 31, 2002 (the
"Consulting Term"), Executive shall use his reasonable best efforts to
provide to the Company such consulting services (the "Consulting Services")
as are reasonably requested by the Board relating to Executive's expertise
in the wireless communication industry. Executive shall devote such time
as Executive and the Board deem appropriate to performing the Consulting
Services; provided, however, that in no event shall Executive be required
to devote more than 80 hours per calendar month to the performance of the
Consulting Services. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, for any
calendar month beginning after the first day of the sixth month of the
Consulting Term, the hours that Executive is required to devote to
Consulting Services hereunder for such month shall not exceed the average
of the number of hours devoted by Executive for the three month period
ending immediately prior to such month. Executive shall perform the
Consulting Services during normal business hours, at such times as
reasonably requested by the Board, taking into account reasonable
scheduling requests by Executive (including time designated by Executive as
vacation time) and he shall perform the Consulting Services from such
locations as Executive determines to be appropriate, subject to reasonable
travel which Executive determines is necessary to effectively provide the
Consulting Services required of him hereunder. Subject to the provisions of
paragraph 6 of the Agreement or Section 8 of this Exhibit A, nothing in
this Agreement shall preclude Executive from performing services for
persons or entities other than the Company during the Consulting Term to
the extent such services do not interfere with his obligations under the
Agreement.
4. Consulting Fee. For the Consulting Term, Executive shall be entitled to an
--------------
annual "Consulting Fee" in the amount of $200,000. The Consulting Fee
shall be paid monthly no later than the 15/th/ day of each month. Any
compensation that Executive otherwise
A-2
receives from the Company or its affiliates, including but not limited to,
compensation as a director of the Company or the compensation described in
Section 1 of this Exhibit A, shall not reduce his Consulting Fee hereunder
and the fact that he receives a Consulting Fee hereunder shall not reduce
the compensation that he would otherwise receive for services rendered to
the Company and its affiliates which are in addition to the Consulting
Services.
5. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for all
-------------------------
expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties
hereunder during the Consulting Term.
6. Exercisability of Stock Options. The Parent agrees that for purposes of
-------------------------------
determining the exercisability of Executive's stock options under the
Incentive Plan outstanding on the Termination Date, Executive's service
with the Company (as defined in the Incentive Plan) shall not be considered
to have terminated until the fifth anniversary of the Termination Date, the
Parent agrees to take any and all actions necessary, if any, to amend the
Incentive Plan to reflect the foregoing and the Parent agrees that each
option agreement evidencing the options outstanding under the Incentive
Plan are hereby amended to reflect the foregoing. Nothing in this
paragraph shall be deemed to extend the expiration date of any stock option
granted under the Incentive Plan past the original expiration date of such
option as determined at the time of grant.
7. Noncompetition. For periods after Executive's Termination Date pursuant to
--------------
this Exhibit A, the provisions of paragraph 7 of the Agreement shall not
apply. Executive agrees, however, that for the Noncompetition Period (as
defined below), Executive will not, directly or indirectly engage in,
assist, perform services for, establish or open, or have any equity
interest (other than ownership of 10% or less of the outstanding stock) in
any person, firm, corporation, partnership or business entity (whether as
an employee, officer, partner, director, agent, security holder, creditor,
consultant, or otherwise) that engages in the Restricted Business (as
defined below) in the Restricted Territory (as defined below). For purposes
of this Exhibit A:
(a) the term "Noncompetition Period" means the period beginning on the
Termination Date and ending on the first anniversary of the
Termination Date;
(b) the term "Restricted Territory" means the basic trading areas set
forth in Exhibit D hereto; and
(c) the term "Restricted Business" means the business of providing PCS
mobile wireless services.
A-3
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be considered to be in
breach of this Section 7 to the extent that Executive engages in any
otherwise prohibited activity in one-third or less of the Restricted
Territory.
8. Relationship of Parties. It is agreed and understood between the parties
-----------------------
that the services performed by Executive pursuant to this Exhibit A for
periods after his Termination Date will be performed as an independent
contractor and not as an employee of the Company or its affiliates.
A-4
Exhibit B
Retention Bonus
---------------
Subject to the provisions of this Exhibit B, beginning with the calendar
year ending on December 31, 2001 and each calendar year thereafter through
the calendar year ending on December 31, 2002, the Company shall pay to
Executive an annual "Retention Bonus" which Retention Bonus shall be
payable in accordance with the provisions of this Exhibit B.
1. Amount and Payment of Retention Bonus. The annual Retention Bonus
-------------------------------------
payable to Executive shall be $100,000. A portion of the Retention
Bonus for a year is payable in that year (the "Current Amount") and
payment of a portion (the "Deferred Amount") is deferred until the
subsequent year. The amount payable in each year shall be determined
as follows:
Current Amount Deferred Amount Total Payable
------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2001 $ 50,000 $50,000 $ 50,000
December 31, 2002 $150,000 $ 0 $150,000
To illustrate, for calendar year 2001, the Retention Bonus is
$100,000; the Current Amount of $50,000 is payable on December 31,
2001 and payment of the Deferred Amount of $50,000 is deferred until
December 31, 2002. On December 31, 2002, the total amount payable is
$150,000, which reflects the Deferred Amount of $50,000 from 2001 plus
the Retention Bonus ($100,000) for calendar year 2002.
2. Termination. In the event Executive's Termination Date occurs for any
-----------
reason, then, except as specifically provided in the Agreement or
Exhibit A, Executive shall have no rights to any Retention Bonus after
his Termination Date (including the Deferred Amount relating to any
period ending on or prior to the Termination Date).
B-1
Exhibit C
Gross-Up Payment
----------------
Subject to the provisions of this Exhibit C, Executive shall be eligible for the
benefits described in this Exhibit C, and shall be subject to the terms of this
Exhibit C, regardless of whether Executive is employed by the Company on or
after the occurrence of a Change in Control and, if Executive's Termination Date
shall have occurred, regardless of the reason for such termination.
1. Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be determined that any payment,
----------------
benefit or distribution (or combination thereof) from the Company, any
affiliate, or trusts established by the Company or by any affiliate, for
the benefit of its employees, to Executive or for Executive's benefit
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the
terms of the Agreement or otherwise, and with a "payment" including,
without limitation, the vesting of an option or other non-cash benefit or
property) (any of which are referred to as a "Payment") would be subject to
the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or
penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), Executive shall be entitled
to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such
that, after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes and payroll taxes (and any interest and
penalties imposed with respect thereto) and the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal
to the sum of: (a) the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments; plus (b) an
amount equal to the product of any deductions disallowed for federal,
state, or local income tax purposes because of the inclusion of the Gross-
up Payment in Executive's adjusted gross income multiplied by the highest
applicable marginal rate of federal, state, or local income taxation,
respectively, for the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be
made.
2. Determinations Relating to Gross-Up Payment. All determinations required
-------------------------------------------
to be made under this Exhibit C, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by the nationally recognized certified public accounting firm that
performed the last annual audit of the Company in the normal course of
business immediately prior to the Change in Control (the "Accounting
Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of
notice from the Company that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time
as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Exhibit C shall be paid by the Company to
Executive within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax
is payable by Executive, it shall so
C-1
indicate to Executive in writing. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and 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 Company should
have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required
to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies
pursuant to Section 3 of this Exhibit C and 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 paid by the Company to Executive or for Executive's
benefit within five (5) days after such determination is made.
3. Notification of Claim. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of
---------------------
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would
require the payment by the Company of the 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 the 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 the Company (or such shorter period ending on
the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If
the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall:
(a) give the Company any information requested by the Company relating to
such claim;
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
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 the
Company;
(c) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively
contest such claim; and
(d) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;
provided, however, that the Company 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 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 limiting
the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option,
may pursue or forego any and all
C-2
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 xxx for 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 the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the
Company directs Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the
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
provided, further, that if Executive is required to extend the statute of
limitations to enable the Company to contest such claim, Executive may
limit this extension solely to such contested amount. The 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.
4. Refunds. If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the
-------
Company pursuant to Section 3, Executive becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall promptly pay to the
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 the Company pursuant to Section 3, a
determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the 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, then 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.
C-3
Exhibit D
Basic Trading Areas
-------------------
Illinois Bloomington, IL BTA# 46
---------
Champaign, Urbana, IL BTA# 00
Xxxxxxx, XX-Xxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 86
Danville, IL BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX-Xxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 213
Kankakee, IL BTA# 225
LaSalle-Peru-Ottawa-Streator, IL BTA# 000
Xxxxxxx, XX BTA# 286
Mt. Xxxxxx-Centralia, IL BTA# 000
Xxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xx. Xxxxx, XX (Macoupin County, IL only) BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX (partial)* BTA# 332
--------
Lincoln, NE (partial)* BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, XX BTA# 000
----
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 00
Xxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxx Xxxxxx, XX (partial)* BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX XXX# 000
Xxxxx Xxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX XXX# 00
Xxxx Xxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX BTA# 000
--------
Xxxxxxx-Xxx Xxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX BTA# 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX BTA# 307
Lansing, MI (partial)* BTA# 000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, XX (partial)* BTA# 33
D-1
