EXHIBIT 10.79
CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
This Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of March 22,
2004 (the "Effective Date"), between MTI Technology Corporation, a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Company"), and Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx (the "Employee").
RECITALS
A. Employee was hired on March 22, 2004 to serve as the Company's
Director of 404 Compliance.
B. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") recognizes that
the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and that
the threat or the occurrence of a Change in Control can result in significant
distractions to its key personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such
a situation;
C. The Board has determined that it is essential and in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders to obtain and retain the services
of the Employee in the event of a threat or occurrence of a Change in Control
and to ensure the Employee's continued dedication and efforts in such event
without undue concern for the Employee's personal, financial and employment
security; and
D. In order to induce the Employee to remain employed with the Company,
particularly in the event of a threat or the occurrence of a Change in Control,
the Company desires to enter into this Agreement with the Employee to provide
the Employee with certain benefits in the event that the Employee's employment
is terminated as a result of, or in connection with, a Change in Control.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the respective agreements of the parties contained
herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. Term Of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective
Date and shall continue in effect until one (1) year after the Effective Data;
provided, however, that commencing on each anniversary of the Effective Date,
the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one (1) year
unless the Company or the Employee shall have given written notice to the other
at least ninety (90) days prior thereto that the term of this Agreement shall
not be so extended; and provided, further, however, that notwithstanding any
such notice by the Company not to extend, the term of this Agreement shall not
expire prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the occurrence of a
Change in Control.
2. Definitions.
2.1. Accrued Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement, "Accrued
Compensation" shall mean an amount which shall include all amounts earned or
accrued through
1
the "Termination Date" (as hereinafter defined) but not paid as of the
Termination Date, including (i) base salary, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred by the Employee on behalf of the Company during
the period ending on the Termination Date, (iii) accrued, but unused vacation
pay and (iv) bonuses and incentive compensation (other than the Pro Rata Bonus
(as hereinafter defined)).
2.2. Base Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, "Base Amount" shall
mean the greater of the Employee's annual base salary (a) at the rate in effect
on the Termination Date or (b) at the highest rate in effect at any time during
the ninety (90) day period prior to the Change in Control, and shall include all
amounts of base salary that are deferred under the Employee benefit plans of the
Company or any other agreement or arrangement.
2.3. Bonus Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, "Bonus Amount" shall
mean 100% of the annual bonus payable to the Employee under any bonus program
applicable to Employee for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs.
2.4. Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement for Cause at any
time upon written notice. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall
mean: (i) a material breach of any term of this Agreement and failure to cure
such breach within ten (10) days after written notice thereof from the Company;
(ii) the failure by Employee to perform his duties for the Company (other than
any such failure resulting from his incapacity due to death or physical or
mental illness); (iii) the failure by Employee to follow the reasonable
instructions of the President or Board of Directors; (iv) the Employee's
engaging in misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily
or otherwise; (v) Employee's final conviction for fraud or of any felony; or
(vi) Employee's use of illegal drugs and/or abuse of alcohol; provided, however,
that as to alcohol abuse, Employee shall be given notice and a thirty (30) day
opportunity to remedy the problem.
2.5. Change In Control.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" shall
mean:
(i) any "person" as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), other than (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
Employee benefit plan of the Company, (2) a corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, or (3) any current
beneficial stockholder or group, as defined by Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act,
of securities possessing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total
combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities, hereafter becomes
the "beneficial owner," as defined in Rule 13d-3 under of the Exchange Act,
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five
percent (25%) or more of the total combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or
(ii) during any period of two (2) consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of
Directors of the Company
2
and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors
at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;
or
(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least eighty percent (80%) of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders
of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company, in one transaction or a
series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(iv) the sale of substantially all of the Company's assets.
2.6. Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the "Company" shall mean
MTI Technology Corporation and its Subsidiaries and shall include MTI's
Successors and Assigns (as hereinafter defined).
2.7. Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean
a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity of the
Employee and cannot be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship to the
Company.
2.8. Good Reason.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any
of the events or conditions described in the following subsections:
(i) a change in the Employee's status, title, position or
responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) that represents an
adverse change from the Employee's status, title, position or responsibilities
as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change
in Control or at any time thereafter; the assignment to the Employee of any
duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the Employee's status,
title, position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90)
days preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; or any
removal of the Employee from or failure to reappoint or reelect the Employee to
any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the termination of
the Employee's employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of the Employee's
death or by the Employee;
3
(ii) a reduction in the Employee's base salary or any
failure to pay the Employee any compensation or benefits to which the
Employee is entitled within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice
from Employee;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Employee to be based
at any place outside a 50-mile radius of Tustin, CA except for reasonably
required travel on the Company's business which is not materially greater
than such travel requirements prior to the Change in Control;
(iv) the failure by the Company to (A) continue in
effect (without reduction in benefit level and/or reward opportunities)
any material compensation or Employee benefit plan in which the Employee
was participating at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date
of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter unless such plan is
replaced with a plan that provides substantially equivalent compensation
or benefits to the Employee, or (B) provide the Employee with compensation
and benefits, in the aggregate, at least equal (in terms of benefit levels
and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under each other
Employee benefit plan, program and practice in which the Employee was
participating at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a
Change in Control or at any time thereafter;
(v) the insolvency or the filing (by any party,
including the Company) of a petition for bankruptcy of the Company, which
petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days;
(vi) any material breach by the Company of any
provision of this Agreement, and failure of the Company to cure such
breach within thirty (30) days from the Company's receipt of written
notice from the Employee setting forth the nature of the alleged breach;
(vii) any purported termination of the Employee's
employment for Cause by the Company which does not comply with the terms
of Section 2.4; or
(viii) the failure of the Company to obtain an
agreement, satisfactory to the Employee, from any Successors and Assigns
to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Section
6 hereof.
(b) The Employee's right to terminate the Employee's
employment pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall not be affected by the Employee's
incapacity due to physical or mental illness.
2.9. Notice Of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, "Notice
of Termination" shall mean a written notice of termination of the Employee's
employment from the Company, which notice indicates the date on which
termination is to be effective, the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon and which sets forth in reasonable detail the
4
facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Employee's employment under the provision so indicated.
2.10. Pro Rata Bonus. For purposes of this Agreement, "Pro Rata
Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the Bonus Amount multiplied by a fraction
the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year through the
Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365.
2.11. Successors And Assigns. For purposes of this Agreement
"Successors and Assigns" shall mean a corporation or other entity acquiring all
or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company (including this
Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.
2.12. Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement, "Termination
Date" shall mean in, the case of the Employee's death, the Employee's date of
death, in the case of Good Reason, the last day of the Employee's employment
and, in all other cases, the date specified in the Notice of Termination;
provided, however, that if the Employee's employment is terminated by the
Company for Cause or due to Disability, the date specified in the Notice of
Termination shall be at least fifteen (15) days from the date the Notice of
Termination is given to the Employee.
3. Termination Of Employment.
3.1. If, during the term of this Agreement, the Employee's
employment with the Company shall be terminated within twelve (12) months
following a Change in Control, the Employee shall be entitled to the following
compensation and benefits:
(a) If the Employee's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) by the Company for Cause or Disability, (2) by reason of the
Employee's death or (3) by the Employee other than for Good Reason, the Company
shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Compensation and, if such termination is
other than by the Company for Cause, the Company shall also pay the Employee a
Pro Rata Bonus.
(b) If the Employee's employment with the Company shall be
terminated for any reason other than as specified in Section 3.1(a) the Employee
shall be entitled to the following:
(i) the Company shall pay the Employee all Accrued
Compensation and a Pro Rata Bonus;
(ii) the Company shall pay the Employee as severance
pay and in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to the
Termination Date, in a single payment, an amount in cash equal to the sum
of (A) the Base Amount and (B) the Bonus Amount; and
5
(iii) for a number of months equal to twelve (12) (the
"Continuation Period"), the Company shall, at its expense, continue on
behalf of the Employee and the Employee's dependents and beneficiaries the
life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits
provided (A) to the Employee at any time during the 90-day period prior to
the Change in Control or at any time thereafter or (B) to other similarly
situated employees who continue in the employ of the Company during the
Continuation Period. The coverage and benefits (including deductibles and
costs) provided in this Section 3.1(b)(iii) during the Continuation Period
shall be no less favorable to the Employee and the Employee's dependents
and beneficiaries, than the most favorable of such coverages and benefits
during any of the periods referred to in clauses (A) and (B) above. The
Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits
shall be limited to the extent that the Employee obtains any such benefits
pursuant to a subsequent employer's benefit plans, in which case the
Company may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide
the Employee hereunder as long as the aggregate coverages and benefits of
the combined benefit plans are no less favorable to the Employee than the
coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder. This subsection
(iii) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the
Employee or the Employee's dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled
under any of the Company's Employee benefit plans, programs or practices
following the Employee's termination of employment, including without
limitation, retiree medical and life insurance benefits.
(c) The amounts provided for in Sections 3.1 (a) and
3.1(b)(i) and (ii) shall be paid in a single lump sum cash payment within
forty-five (45) days after the Employee's Termination Date (or earlier, if
required by applicable law).
(d) The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment
or otherwise, and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of
any compensation or benefits provided to the Employee in any subsequent
employment except as provided in Section 3.1(b)(iii).
3.2. (a) The severance pay and benefits provided for in this
Section 3 shall be in lieu of any other severance or termination pay to which
the Employee may be entitled under any Company severance or termination plan,
program, practice or arrangement.
(b) The Employee's entitlement to any other compensation or
benefits shall be determined in accordance with the Company's employee benefit
plans and other applicable programs, policies and practices then in effect.
4. Notice Of Termination. Within one (1) year following a Change in
Control, any purported termination of the Employee's employment shall be
communicated by Notice of Termination to the Employee. For purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective without such Notice
of Termination.
6
5. Excise Tax Limitation.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, in the
event that any payment, benefit or distribution (within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), to
the Employee or for the Employee's benefit paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in connection
with, or arising out of, the Employee's employment with the Company or a Change
in Control (a "Payment" or "Payments") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), the Payments shall be
reduced (but not below zero) if and to the extent necessary so that no Payment
to be made or benefit to be provided to the Employee shall be subject to the
Excise Tax (such reduced Payments being hereinafter referred to as the "Limited
Payment Amount"). Unless the Employee shall have given prior written notice
specifying a different order to the Company to effectuate the Limited Payment
Amount, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Payments by first reducing or
eliminating cash payments and then by reducing those payments or benefits which
are not payable in cash, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments
or benefits which are to be paid the farthest in time from the Determination (as
hereinafter defined). Any notice given by the Employee pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan,
arrangement or agreement governing the Employee's rights and entitlements to any
benefits or compensation.
(b) An initial determination as to whether the Payments shall be
reduced to the Limited Payment Amount and the amount of such Limited Payment
Amount shall be made, at the Company's expense, by the accounting firm that is
the Company's independent accounting firm as of the date of the Change in
Control (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its
determination (the "Determination,), together with detailed supporting
calculations and documentation, to the Company and the Employee within twenty
(20) days of the Termination Date if applicable, or such other time as requested
by the Company or by the Employee (provided the Employee reasonably believes
that any of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax), and if the
Accounting Firm determines that there is substantial authority (within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code) that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Employee with respect to a Payment or Payments, it shall furnish the Employee
with an opinion reasonably acceptable to the Employee that no Excise Tax will be
imposed with respect to any such Payment or Payments. Within ten (10) days of
the delivery of the Determination to the Employee, the Employee shall have the
right to dispute the Determination (the "Dispute"). If there is no Dispute, the
Determination shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the Company and the
Employee subject to the application of Section 6(c) below.
(c) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections
4999 and 280G of the Code, it is possible that the Payments to be made to, or
provided for the benefit of, the Employee either will be greater (an "Excess
Payment") or less (an "Underpayment") than the amounts provided for by the
limitations contained in Section 6(a). If it is established pursuant to a final
determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") proceeding
which has been finally and conclusively resolved that an Excess Payment has been
made, such Excess Payment shall be deemed for all purposes to be a loan to the
Employee made on the date the Employee received the Excess Payment and the
Employee shall repay the Excess Payment to the
7
Company on demand (but not less than ten (10) days after written notice is
received by the Employee) together with interest on the Excess Payment at the
"Applicable Federal Rate" (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code) from the
date of the Employee's receipt of such Excess Payment until the date of such
repayment. In the event that it is determined by (i) the Accounting Firm, the
Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company, or together with
its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return) or the IRS, (ii)
pursuant to a determination by a court, or (iii) upon the resolution to the
Employee's satisfaction of the Dispute that an Underpayment has occurred, the
Company shall pay an amount equal to the Underpayment to the Employee within ten
(10) days of such determination or resolution, together with interest on such
amount at the Applicable Federal Rate from the date such amount would have been
paid to the Employee until the date of payment.
6. Successors: Binding Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Company, its Successors and Assigns and the Company shall require
any Successors and Assigns to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder
shall be assignable or transferable by the Employee or the Employee's
beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Employee's legal personal representative.
7. Confidential Information. Employee understands and acknowledges that
his work as an employee of the Company involves access to and creation of
confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information of the Company and its
affiliates, consultants, customers, clients, and business associates
(collectively, as defined more extensively in Exhibit "A," "Proprietary
Information"). Employee acknowledges that he executed a Proprietary Information
Agreement on June 16,1998, to protect Proprietary Information and that he shall
continue to be bound by the Proprietary Information Agreement. A copy of the
Proprietary Information Agreement is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "A."
8. Notice. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in person, by facsimile,
or by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. Each such
notice, request, demand, or other communication shall be effective (a) if
delivered by hand, when delivered at the address specified in this Section; (b)
if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the telefacsimile
number specified in this Section and confirmation is received; or (c) if given
by certified or registered mail, three days after the mailing thereof. Notices
shall be delivered as follows: '
If to the Company:
MTI Technology Corporation
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
8
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Mainline: (000)000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
Strading Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx
Fax (000) 000-0000
If to the Employee:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
at the last residential address known by the Company
Any party may change its address by notice giving notice to the other party of a
new address in accordance with the foregoing provisions.
9. Non-Exclusivity Of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
or limit the Employee's continuing or future participation in any benefit,
bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company (except for
any severance or termination policies, plans, programs or practices) and for
which the Employee may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or reduce such
rights as the Employee may have under any other agreements with the Company
(except for any severance or termination agreement). Amounts which are vested
benefits or which the Employee is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan
or program of the Company shall be payable in accordance with such plan or
program, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
10. No Implied Employment Rights. Employee acknowledges and agrees that
nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to imply that his employment is
guaranteed for any period of time. Employee understands that his employment is
"at will," which means that either the Company or the Employee can terminate the
employment relationship at any time, with or without advance notice, for any
reason or no reason, with or without cause. Employee understands that the only
way that his "at will" employment relationship can be altered is by a written
agreement signed by the Employee and the President of the Company.
11. Settlement Of Claims. Employee agrees that the Company's obligation
to make payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall be reduced by any amounts owed by Employee to the
Company including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other right which the Company may have against Employee or others.
9
12. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged, unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing and signed by the Employee and the Company. No waiver by either party
hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto, or compliance with,
any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representation,
oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof
have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this
Agreement.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement has been negotiated and executed in
the State of California and is to be performed in Orange County, California.
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws
of the State of California, including all matters of construction, validity,
performance, and enforcement, without giving effect to principles of conflict of
laws. Any dispute, action, litigation, or other proceeding concerning this
Agreement shall be instituted, maintained, heard, and decided in Orange County,
California.
14. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
16. Severance And Release Agreement. The Employee's right to the
severance payments under this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the Employee's
execution and delivery of a release agreement in a form satisfactory to the
Company, which is not revoked by the Employee.
17. Remedies. All rights, remedies, undertakings, obligations, options,
covenants, conditions, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be
cumulative and no one of them shall be exclusive of any other.
18. Interpretation. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be
in all cases construed simply according to its fair meaning and not strictly for
or against any party. Whenever the context requires, all words used in the
singular will be construed to have been used in the plural, and vice versa. The
descriptive headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the interpretation
or construction of any of the provisions herein.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Further Documents and Acts. Each of the parties hereto agrees to
cooperate in good faith with the other and to execute and deliver such further
instruments and perform such
10
other acts as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to consummate and carry
into effect the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.
21. Consultation with Counsel. Employee acknowledges (a) that he has
been given the opportunity to consult with counsel of his own choice concerning
this Agreement, and (b) that he has read and understands the Agreement, is fully
aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based upon his own
judgment with or without the advice of such counsel.
EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS
CONTENTS. EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY HAS ADVISED HIM OF HIS
RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL OF HIS OWN CHOICE CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT.
BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized officer and the Employee has executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
MTI TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXX XXXXXXXXX
--------------------------------
Title:CFO
/s/ XXXX XXXXXXXX
--------------------------------
Employee Signature
11
