EXHIBIT 10.1
RESTRUCTURING ADVISOR AGREEMENT
See attached.
EXECUTION COPY
March 29, 2001
Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Atlantic Gulf Communities Corp.
00000 XX 0xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: Consulting Services
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxx:
This letter agreement outlines the understanding between Xxxxx & Partners
Advisors Co., Inc., a Connecticut corporation ("A&P ADVISORS") and Atlantic Gulf
Communities Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") of the objectives,
tasks, work product and fees for the engagement of A&P ADVISORS to provide
consulting services to the Company.
OBJECTIVES
To serve as the office of the Chief Restructuring Officer for the Company,
reporting to the Board of Directors ("BOD"), and subject to the authority and
direction of the BOD, and to direct the Company's reorganization with an
objective of completing a plan of reorganization, improving operations, working
capital controls, and working directly with the Company's constituencies to
facilitate asset divestitures as necessary. The objectives of the Chief
Executive Officer are set forth in the letter agreement attached hereto as Annex
A and made a part hereof.
TASKS
o Perform the functions and duties of the office of Chief Restructuring
Officer of the Company as directed by the Board of Directors.
o Manage the Company's restructuring efforts, including negotiating with
parties in interest, under the direction of the BOD, and disseminating
information consistent with and fulfilling reporting requirements set forth
in the defaulted loan agreements of the Company and its subsidiaries.
March 29, 2001
Page 2
o Assist in the expedited development of an operating business plan to be
used in managing the Company for the current year.
o Recommend and implement, as authorized, cost savings consistent with the
business plan.
o Assist in overseeing financial performance in conformity with the Company's
business plan.
o Assist with the preparation of the regular reports required by the
Bankruptcy Court as well as providing assistance in such areas as testimony
before the Bankruptcy Court on matters that are within our areas of
expertise.
o Assist the Company in obtaining financing, debtor-in-possession financing
and exit financing to the extent necessary.
o Review and examine the acts, conduct, assets, liabilities and financial
condition of the Company and the operation of the Company's business in
accordance with its best interests.
o Assist in developing the Company's plan of reorganization.
o Assist with such other matters as may be mutually agreed that fall within
our expertise.
WORK PRODUCT
Our work product will be in the form of:
o Information to be discussed with you and others, as you may direct.
o Written reports and analysis worksheets to support our suggestions as we
deem necessary or as you may request.
STAFFING
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx will serve as the engagement principal and will direct the office
of Chief Restructuring Officer of the Company. A&P ADVISORS agrees to cause Xx.
Xxxxx to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to comply with the
obligations set forth in the letter agreement attached hereto as
March 29, 2001
Page 3
Annex A (the "CEO Letter"). The office will be assisted by experienced
consultants at various levels, all of whom have a wide range of skills and
abilities related to this type of assignment. In addition, we have relationships
with and periodically retain independent contractors with specialized skills and
abilities to assist us and who will be compensated under the Monthly Fees and/or
Additional Fees (as such terms are defined below), as applicable. We may, in our
business judgment, require the services of such independent contractors and
would seek to retain such professionals with the consent of the BOD.
FEES AND EXPENSES
It is agreed that the Company will promptly apply to the Bankruptcy Court upon
filing of a petition to obtain any necessary ongoing approval for our retention.
INITIAL PAYMENT.
A payment of $75,000 will be due and payable upon execution of this Agreement.
MONTHLY FEES.
This engagement will be staffed with professionals at various levels, as the
tasks require. For purposes of monthly xxxxxxxx, our fees will be $50,000 per
month or part thereof (the "Monthly Fee"), payable in advance, due on the 1st of
each month, beginning on April 1, 2001.
ADDITIONAL FEES.
Upon mutual agreement of the parties hereto, the services of other
professionals, including, but not limited to, accountants, appraisers and
attorneys, may be required or desirable. Should the services of these additional
professionals be required and requested or approved by the BOD, the related
charges shall be in addition to the Monthly Fee payable to A&P ADVISORS (the
"Additional Fees").
CASH EXPENSES.
In addition to the fees set forth above, the Company shall pay directly or
reimburse A&P ADVISORS upon receipt of periodic xxxxxxxx, for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this engagement, including,
but not limited to, all reasonable legal expenses, travel, lodging, postage,
telephone and facsimile charges.
March 29, 2001
Page 4
It is intended by the parties hereto that all amounts due A&P ADVISORS pursuant
to this Agreement, but remaining outstanding at any time postpetition shall be
in the nature of a claim for administrative expenses under 11 U.S.C. sections
503(b)(1) and 507(a)(1).
SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT
The Company and A&P Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("A&P CORPORATE") (an affiliate of
A&P ADVISORS) each hereby agree to execute a separate agreement (the "Asset
Management Agreement"), upon terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the
parties herein, with respect to A&P CORPORATE providing Asset Management
services to the successor to the Company following consummation of the plan of
reorganization of the Company.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
The parties intend that an independent contractor relationship will be created
by this Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth herein in respect of
indemnification provisions, neither A&P ADVISORS nor its professionals are to be
considered an employee or agent of the Company and the employees, affiliates and
agents of A&P ADVISORS are not entitled to any of the benefits that the Company
provides for the Company's employees.
The Company also agrees not to solicit, recruit or hire any employees or agents
of A&P ADVISORS for a period of two years subsequent to the completion and/or
termination of this Agreement without the prior written consent of A&P ADVISORS.
CONFIDENTIALITY
A&P ADVISORS agrees to keep confidential all information obtained from the
Company. A&P ADVISORS agrees that neither it nor its directors, officers,
principals, employees, agents or attorneys will disclose to any other person or
entity, or use for any purpose other than specified herein, any information
pertaining to the Company or any affiliate thereof which is either non-public,
confidential or proprietary in nature ("Information") which it obtains or is
given access to during the performance of the services provided hereunder. A&P
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ADVISORS may make reasonable disclosures of Information to third parties in
connection with their performance of their obligations and assignments
hereunder. In addition, A&P ADVISORS will have the right to disclose to others
in the normal course of business its involvement with the Company.
Information includes data, plans, reports, schedules, drawings, accounts,
records, calculations, specifications, flow sheets, computer programs, source or
object codes, results, models, or any work product relating to the business of
the Company, its subsidiaries, distributors, affiliates, vendors, customers,
employees, contractors and consultants.
The Company acknowledges that all advice (written or oral) given by A&P ADVISORS
to the Company in connection with A&P ADVISORS' engagement is intended solely
for the benefit and use of the Company (limited to its management and the BOD)
in considering the transactions to which it relates. The Company agrees that no
such advice shall be used for any other purpose or reproduced, disseminated,
quoted or referred to at any time in any manner or for any purpose other than
accomplishing the tasks and programs referred to herein, conducting the
Company's operations, or in discussions with the Company's lenders, shareholders
or debt holders, without A&P ADVISORS' prior approval (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld) except as required by law. The provisions and obligations
of this confidentiality section of this Agreement shall survive the termination
of the engagement.
FRAMEWORK OF THE ENGAGEMENT
The Company acknowledges that it is hiring A&P ADVISORS purely to assist and
advise the Company in business planning and restructuring. A&P ADVISORS's
engagement shall not constitute an audit, review or compilation, or any other
type of financial statement reporting engagement that is subject to the rules of
the AICPA, the SCCS, or other state and national professional or governmental
entities.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS
The Company agrees to indemnify A & P ADVISORS, its officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the "A&P
Indemnitees") from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages
and reasonable expenses (including reasonable fees and
March 29, 2001
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disbursements of counsel) (collectively, the Indemnification Costs") that may be
incurred by the A&P Indemnitees in any way arising out of the activities
undertaken by A&P ADVISORS pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be liable for any Indemnification Costs arising out of the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the A&P Indemnitees or out of any
breach by the A&P Indemnitees of the obligations of A & P ADVISORS set forth in
this Agreement.
The Company further agrees that it will (i) maintain adequate coverage (in an
amount not less than $10 million after reserving for any existing or threatened
claims as of the date hereof (the "Coverage Amount")) under the Company's policy
for directors' and officers' insurance and (ii) use its best efforts to include
and cover any A&P ADVISORS' representatives under such policy. In the event that
(a) the Company is unable to include A&P ADVISORS' representatives under the
Company's policy or (b) the available coverage under the policy is less than the
Coverage Amount, it is agreed that A&P ADVISORS shall have the right to purchase
a separate directors' and officers' policy that will cover A&P Indemnitees only
and that the cost of same shall be invoiced to the Company as an out-of-pocket
cash expense. If A&P ADVISORS is unable to purchase such directors' and
officers' insurance then A&P ADVISORS reserves the right to terminate this
Agreement, subject to the termination provisions below.
In addition, the A&P Indemnitees shall be reimbursed for all actual expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) as they
are incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, defending or settling
any such action or claim. In no event shall the A&P Indemnitees be subject to
any loss greater than the actual compensation received in this matter. If, at
the request of the Company or pursuant to any subpoena, deposition notice or
other form of discovery requested by any third party, any of the A&P Indemnitees
appears as a witness, is deposed or otherwise involved in the defense of any
action against the Company, its officers, the BOD, or any A&P Indemnitee, (i)
with respect to each day that one of the A&P Indemnitees appears as a witness or
is deposed and/or (ii) with respect to each day that one of the A&P Indemnitees
is involved in the preparation therefor, A&P ADVISORS shall be entitled to: (a)
payment equal to such A&P Indemnitee's then currently applicable hourly rate
multiplied by the number of hours actually spent by each professional in
connection with such proceeding, (b) all reasonable expenses incurred by such
A&P Indemnitee pursuant to such person's involvement in any such action and (c)
all reasonable legal costs and expenses incurred by the A&P Indemnitee.
March 29, 2001
Page 7
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any A&P Indemnitee is involved
in the defense of any action against any A&P Indemnitee and the result of the
action is the court of final jurisdiction finding that such A&P Indemnitee
engaged in willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of this Agreement,
then any and all payments received by any A&P Indemnitee for time spent or
reimbursement of legal and other expenses will be returned to the indemnifying
entity.
TERMINATION AND SURVIVAL
The term of this Agreement shall commence from the date of execution of this
Agreement. A&P ADVISORS may resign at any time and the Company may terminate A&P
ADVISORS' services at any time, each by giving 90 days prior written notice to
the other and to the Company. If terminated by the Company for any reason
whatsoever other than the gross negligence or willful misconduct of A&P
ADVISORS, A&P ADVISORS will be entitled to payment of all charges due under this
Agreement at the time of the termination, plus a payment equal to 3 times the
Monthly Fee. Such payment obligation shall inure to the benefit of any successor
or assignee of A&P ADVISORS. If terminated by A&P ADVISORS for any reason
whatsoever other than a breach of this Agreement by the Company, A&P ADVISORS
shall reimburse the Company for any part of an advance of the Monthly Fee paid
to A&P ADVISORS for services to be rendered after the date of such termination.
The obligations of the parties under the Indemnification of Officers and
Confidentiality sections of this Agreement shall survive the termination of the
agreement as well as the other sections of this Agreement which expressly
provide that they shall survive termination of this Agreement.
GOVERNING LAW
This agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York with respect to contracts made and to be performed entirely
therein and without regard to choice of law or principles thereof.
If any dispute arises between the parties hereto, including any dispute with
respect to this Agreement, its interpretation, performance or breach, and the
parties are unable to agree on a mutually satisfactory resolution with 30 days,
either party may require the matter to be settled by binding arbitration. If
such
March 29, 2001
Page 8
arbitration shall occur, it shall be in New York. The Parties shall attempt for
two weeks to agree on a single arbitrator. If that effort shall fail, each party
shall appoint one arbitrator. The two arbitrators so chosen shall attempt for
two weeks to select a third. If they are unable to agree, the American
Arbitration Association in New York City shall choose the third. The arbitration
shall occur using the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be final, binding and
non-appealable.
CONFLICTS AND DISCLOSURES
We know of no fact or situation that would represent a conflict of interest for
us with regard to the Company. However, we do wish to make the following
disclosures:
An affiliated company, A&P Corporate Advisors, Inc. was formerly an advisor to
Anglo American Financial, General Motors Employees Global Group Pension Trust,
by Magten Asset Management Corp., its agent and attorney-in-fact, and Los
Angeles Fire and Police Pension System, by Magten Asset Management Corp., its
agent and attorney-in-fact (together, the term loan lenders, "TLL") and is the
advisor to a creditors' committee in a non-related bankruptcy case wherein one
or more of the members of TLL or their agents are members of the committee.
While we are not currently aware of any other relationships that connect us to
any party in interest, because A&P ADVISORS is a consulting firm that serves
clients on a national basis in numerous cases, both in and out of court, it is
possible that A&P ADVISORS may have rendered services to or have business
associations with other entities which had or have relationships with the
Company, including creditors of the Company. A&P ADVISORS has not and will not
represent the interests of any of these aforementioned involving the Company.
SEVERABILITY
If any portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, we each agree that the remainder shall be valid and enforceable
to the maximum extent possible.
March 29, 2001
Page 9
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
All of the above contains the entire understanding of the parties relating to
the services to be rendered by A&P ADVISORS and may not be amended or modified
in any respect except in writing signed by the parties. A&P ADVISORS will not be
responsible for performing any services not specifically described in this
Agreement (including any and all annexes hereto) or in a subsequent writing
signed by the parties.
NOTICES
All notices required or permitted to be delivered under this Agreement shall be
sent, if to A&P ADVISORS, to the address set forth at the head of this letter to
the attention of Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, if to the Term Loan Lenders, to the
address for each set forth above, with a copy to Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. at
Torys, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 and if to the Company, to the
address for it set forth above to the attention of its General Counsel, with a
copy to Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq. at Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or to such other name or address as may be
given in writing to the other party. All notices under the agreement shall be
sufficient if delivered by facsimile or overnight mail. Any notice shall be
deemed to be given only upon actual receipt.
March 29, 2001
Page 10
If these terms meet with your approval, please sign and return the enclosed copy
of this proposal. This agreement may be executed in counterparts which, when
taken together, constitute one and the same agreement.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely yours,
XXXXX & PARTNERS ADVISORS CO., INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Gentlemen:
The foregoing agreement is acknowledged and agreed to by:
ATLANTIC GULF COMMUNITIES CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
Dated:
----------------------------
cc: Term Loan Lenders:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
MagTen Asset Management
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 000000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Anglo American Financial
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
