EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.2
THIS
AGREEMENT is entered into, effective April 9, 2007, by and between Limited
Brands, Inc. (the “Company”), and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx (the “Executive”)
(hereinafter collectively referred to as “the parties”).
WHEREAS,
the Executive is being promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer for Limited Brands, Inc. and is experienced in various phases of the
Company’s business and will possess an intimate knowledge of the business and
affairs of the Company and its policies, procedures, methods, and personnel;
and
WHEREAS,
the Company has determined that it is essential and in its best interests to
retain the services of key management personnel and to ensure their continued
dedication and efforts;
WHEREAS,
nothing in this Agreement shall cancel or modify any previous grant of stock
options or restrictive stock which was previously granted to the Executive
or
any rights to repurchase shares represented by such grants; and
WHEREAS,
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to
secure the services and employment of the Executive, and the Executive is
willing to render such services on the terms and conditions set forth
herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective agreements
of
the parties contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term.
The
initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period
commencing on April 9, 2007 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on the sixth
anniversary of the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”); provided,
however,
that
thereafter this Agreement shall be automatically renewed from year to year,
unless either the Company or the Executive 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 renewed.
2. Employment.
(a) Position.
The
Executive shall be employed as the Chief Financial Officer of Limited Brands,
Inc. or such other position of reasonably comparable or greater status and
responsibilities, as may be determined by the Board of Directors. The Executive
shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities, and exercise the
authority customarily performed, undertaken, and exercised by persons employed
in a similar executive capacity. The Executive shall report to either the
Company’s Chief Administration Officer, or the Chief Operating Officer or the
Chief Executive Officer or some combination thereof.
(b) Obligations.
The
Executive agrees to devote his full business time and attention to the business
and affairs of the Company. The foregoing, however, shall not preclude the
Executive from serving on corporate, civic, or charitable boards or committees
or managing
personal
investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance
of
the Executive’s responsibilities hereunder.
3. Base
Salary.
The
Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to the Executive an annual base salary
at the rate of $650,000, less applicable withholding. This base salary will
be
subject to annual review and may be increased from time to time by the Board
considering factors such as the Executive’s responsibilities, compensation of
similar executives within the Company and in other companies, performance of
the
Executive, and other pertinent factors (hereinafter referred to as the “Base
Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s
customary practices applicable to its executives.
4. Equity
Compensation.
The
Company shall use its best efforts to have the Compensation Committee grant
to
the Executive options to acquire 8,750 shares of the Company’s common stock as a
result of his promotion and 3,750 shares of the Company’s common stock as part
of the Company’s 2007 ACR Process (“ACR Process”). Such grant shall be subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Company’s Stock Option and
Performance Incentive Plan (“Plan”) and in the Company’s normal form of stock
option agreements. In addition, pursuant to the Plan, the Company shall use
its
best efforts to have the Compensation Committee grant to the Executive, 8,750
restricted shares of the Company’s common stock as a result of his promotion,
which shall thereafter 100% vest on the third year anniversary from the date
of
approval by the Compensation Committee and 3,750 performance based restricted
shares pursuant to the ACR process and for such other additional future
equity-based awards (if any) as may be commensurate with his position and
performance, if, when and as determined by the Compensation Committee in its
discretion.
5. Employee
Benefits.
The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans,
practices, and programs maintained by the Company and made available to senior
executives generally and as may be in effect from time to time. The Executive’s
participation in such plans, practices and programs shall be on the same basis
and terms as are applicable to senior executives of the Company
generally.
6. Bonus.
The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s applicable incentive
compensation plan at a target level of eighty (80%) of the Executive’s Base
Salary on such terms and conditions as outlined in the Executive’s Offer Letter
dated September 20, 2006 and as determined from time to time by the Board that
are consistent with the Offer Letter.
7. Other
Benefits.
(a) Benefits.
The
Executive shall be entitled to all benefits as similarly situated
executives.
(b) Expenses.
Subject
to applicable Company policies, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
prompt reimbursement of all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection
with the performance of his duties hereunder or for promoting, pursuing, or
otherwise furthering the business or interests of the Company.
2
(c) Office
and Facilities.
The
Executive shall be provided with appropriate offices and with such secretarial
and other support facilities as are commensurate with the Executive’s status
with the Company and adequate for the performance of his duties
hereunder.
8. Paid
Time Off (PTO) Program.
The
Executive shall be entitled to paid time off in accordance with the policies
as
periodically established by the Board for similarly situated executives of
the
Company.
9. Termination.
The
Executive’s employment hereunder is subject to the following terms and
conditions:
(a) Disability.
The
Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive’s employment after having
established the Executive’s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive’s
ability to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement for a period
of
at least six months in any twelve-month calendar period as determined in
accordance with Limited Brands, Inc. Long-Term Disability Plan.
(b) Cause.
The
Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive’s employment for “Cause”
without prior written notice. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean
that the Executive (1) willfully failed to perform his duties with the Company
(other than a failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical
or mental illness); or (2) has plead “guilty” or “no contest” to or has been
convicted of an act which is defined as a felony under federal or state law;
or
(3) engaged in willful misconduct in bad faith which could reasonably be
expected to materially harm the Company’s business or its reputation. “Cause”
shall not include acts which are cured by the Executive no later than thirty
(30) days from the date of receipt by the Executive of written notice from
the
Company identifying in reasonable detail the act or acts constituting “willfully
fail[ure] to perform his duties.”
The
Executive shall be given prompt written notice by the Company of termination
for
Cause, such notice to state in detail the particular act or acts or failure
or
failures to act that constitute the grounds on which the proposed termination
for Cause is based. The Executive shall be entitled to a hearing before the
Board or a committee thereof established for such purpose and to be accompanied
by legal counsel. Such hearing shall be held within 15 days of notice to the
Company by the Executive, provided the Executive requests such hearing within
30
days of the written notice from the Company of the termination for
Cause.
(c) Termination
by the Executive.
The
Executive may terminate employment hereunder for “Good Reason” by delivering to
the Company (1) a Preliminary Notice of Good Reason (as defined below), and
(2)
not earlier than thirty (30) days from the delivery of such Preliminary Notice,
a Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means (i)
the failure to continue the Executive in a capacity contemplated by Section
2
hereof; (ii) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially
inconsistent with the Executive’s positions, duties, authority, responsibilities
or reporting requirements as set forth in Section 2 hereof; (iii) a reduction
in
or a material delay in payment of the Executive’s total cash compensation and
benefits from those required to be provided in accordance with the provisions
of
this Agreement; (iv) the Company, the Board or any person controlling the
Company requires
3
the
Executive to be based outside of Columbus, Ohio, other than on travel reasonably
required to carry out the Executive’s obligations under the Agreement; or (v)
the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption in writing of its obligation
to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company within 15 days after a merger, consolidation, sale, or
similar transaction; provided,
however,
that
“Good Reason” shall not include (A) acts not taken in bad faith which are cured
by the Company in all respects not later than thirty (30) days from the date
of
receipt by the Company of a written notice from the Executive identifying in
reasonable detail the act or acts constituting “Good Reason” (a “Preliminary
Notice of Good Reason”) or (B) acts taken by the Company by reason of the
Executive’s physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive’s ability
to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement. A Preliminary Notice
of Good Reason shall not, by itself, constitute a Notice of
Termination.
(d) Notice
of Termination.
Any
purported termination for Cause by the Company or for Good Reason by the
Executive shall be communicated by a written Notice of Termination to the other
two weeks prior to the Termination Date (as defined below). For purposes of
this
Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which indicates the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set
forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
for
termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. Any
termination by the Company other than for Cause or by the Executive without
Good
Reason shall be communicated by a written Notice of Termination to the other
party four (4) weeks prior to the Termination Date. However, the Company may
elect to pay the Executive in lieu of four (4) weeks written notice. For
purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination of employment shall
be
effective without such Notice of Termination.
(e) Termination
Date, Etc.
“Termination Date” shall mean in the case of the Executive’s death, the date of
death, or in all other cases, the date specified in the Notice of Termination;
provided,
however,
that if
the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company due to Disability, the
date specified in the Notice of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days
from the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Executive.
10. Compensation
Upon Certain Terminations by the Company not Following a Change in
Control.
(a) If
during
the term of the Agreement (including any extensions thereof), whether or not
following a Change in Control (as defined below), the Executive’s employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause or by reason of the Executive’s death, or if
the Executive gives written notice not to extend the term of this Agreement,
the
Company’s sole obligations hereunder shall be to pay the Executive the following
amounts earned hereunder but not paid as of the Termination Date: (i) Base
Salary, (ii) reimbursement for any and all monies advanced or expenses incurred
pursuant to Section 7(b) through the Termination Date, and (iii) any earned
compensation which the Executive had previously deferred (including any interest
earned or credited thereon)(collectively, “Accrued Compensation”). The
Executive’s entitlement to any other benefits shall be determined in accordance
with the Company’s employee benefit plans then in effect.
4
(b) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by
the Executive for Good Reason, in each case other than during the 24-month
period immediately following a Change in Control, the Company’s sole obligations
hereunder shall be as follows:
(i) the
Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Compensation;
(ii) the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive the Base Salary for a period of
one
(1) year following the Termination Date;
(iii) in
consideration of the Executive signing a General Release, the Company shall
(A)
pay the Executive any incentive compensation under the plan described in Section
6 that the Executive would have received if he had remained employed with the
Company for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date; (B) pay the
Executive his Base Salary for one additional year after payments have ended
under Section 10(b)(ii); and
(iv)
provided, however, that in the event Executive becomes entitled to any payments
under Section 10(g), the Company’s obligations to Executive under Section 10
shall thereafter be determined solely under Section 10 (g).
(c) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company by reason of the Executive’s
Disability, the Company’s sole obligations hereunder shall be as
follows:
(i) the
Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Compensation; and
(ii) the
Executive shall be entitled to receive disability benefits available under
the
Company’s Executive Long Term Disability Plan.
(d) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Company’s written notice
to the Executive of its decision not to extend the Employment Agreement pursuant
to Section 1 hereof, the Company’s sole obligation hereunder shall be as
follows:
(i) the
Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Compensation;
(ii) the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive the Base Salary for a period of
one
(1) year following the expiration of such term; and
(iii) in
consideration of the Executive signing a General Release, the Company shall
(A)
pay the Executive any incentive compensation under the plan described in Section
6 that the Executive would have received if he had remained employed with the
Company for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date; and (B) pay
the
Executive his Base Salary for one additional year after payments have ended
under Section 10(d)(ii); and
(e) For
up to
eighteen (18) months during the period the Executive is receiving salary
continuation pursuant to Section 10(b)(ii), 10(c)(ii) or 10(d)(ii) hereof,
the
Company shall, at its expense, provide to the Executive and the Executive’s
beneficiaries medical and dental benefits substantially similar in the aggregate
to the those provided to the Executive immediately prior to the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that the
Company’s
5
obligation
to provide such benefits shall cease upon the earlier of Executive’s becoming
employed or the expiration of Executive’s rights to continue such medical and
dental benefits under COBRA.
(f) Executive
shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in
this
Section 10 by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment or
benefit shall be eliminated, offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation
provided to the Executive in any subsequent employment, except as provided
in
Section 10(e).
(g) In
the
event that (x) the Company enters into a binding agreement that, if consummated,
would constitute a Change in Control, (y) Executive’s employment is terminated
under the circumstances set forth in Section 10(b) and (z) within six months
after the execution of such agreement a Change in Control of the Company occurs
involving one or more of the other parties to such agreement, then the Company’s
sole obligations hereunder shall be as follows:
(i) the
Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment in cash no later than 10
business days after the Change in Control an amount equal to the sum of (A)
and
(B), where (A) is the difference between (x) the Severance Amount (as defined
in
Section 14(a)(ii)) and (y) the sum of the payments made to the Executive prior
to the change in Control pursuant to Section 10(b)(ii) and (B) is the difference
between (x) the Bonus Amount (as defined in the Section 14(a)(iii)) and (y)
the
payments, if any, made to Executive prior to the Change in Control pursuant
to
Section 10(b)(iii)(A);
(ii) the
Company shall reimburse Executive for any documented legal fees and expenses
to
the extent set forth in Section 14(a)(iv);
(iii) The
Company shall make available to Executive and Executive’s beneficiaries medical
and dental benefits to the extent provided in Section 14(a)(v); and
(iv)
each
of the Company and Executive shall have and be subject to, the rights, duties,
and obligations set forth in Sections 13(c) and (d).
11. Employee
Covenants.
(a) For
the
purposes of this Section 11, the term “Company” shall include Limited Brands,
Inc. and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates thereof.
(b) Confidentiality.
The
Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, make
any
Unauthorized Disclosure. For purposes of this Agreement, “Unauthorized
Disclosure” shall mean use by the Executive for his own benefit or disclosure by
the Executive to any person other than a person to whom disclosure is reasonably
necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the Executive
of
duties as an executive of the Company or as may be legally required, of any
confidential information relating to the business or prospects of the Company
(including, but not limited to, any information and materials pertaining to
any
Intellectual Property as defined below ; provided, however, that such term
shall
not include the use or disclosure by the Executive, without consent, of any
publicly available information (other than information available as a result
of
disclosure by the Executive in violation of this Section
6
11(b)).
This confidentiality covenant has no temporal, geographical or territorial
restriction, however, the parties acknowledge that unless the confidential
information constitutes a trade secret of the Company such confidential
information as a general rule ceases to be confidential after five
years.
(c) Non-Competition.
During
the Non-Competition Period described below, the Executive shall not, directly
or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, own, manage,
operate, join, control, be employed by, consult with or participate in the
ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected with (as a
stockholder, partner, or otherwise), any business, individual, partner, firm,
corporation, or other entity that competes or plans to compete, directly or
indirectly, with the Company, or any of its products; provided, however, that
the “beneficial ownership” by the Executive after termination of employment with
the Company, either individually or as a member of a “group,” as such terms are
used in Rule 13d of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of not more than two
percent (2%) of the voting stock of any publicly held corporation shall not
be a
violation of Section 11 of this Agreement.
The
“Non-Competition Period” means the period the Executive is employed by the
Company plus one (1) year from the Termination Date if the Executive’s
employment is terminated (i) by the Company for any reason, or (ii) by the
Executive for any reason.
(d) Non-Solicitation.
During
the No-Raid Period described below, the Executive shall not directly or
indirectly solicit, induce or attempt to influence any employee to leave the
employment of the Company, nor assist anyone else in doing so. Further, during
the No-Raid Period, the Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly,
alone or in conjunction with another party, interfere with or harm, or attempt
to interfere with or harm, the relationship of the Company, with any person
who
at any time was an employee, customer or supplier of the Company, or otherwise
had a business relationship with the Company.
The
“No-Raid Period” means the period the Executive is employed by the Company plus
one (i) year from the Termination Date if the Executive’s employment is
terminated (I) by the Company for any reason, or (ii) by the Executive for
any
reason.
(e) Intellectual
Property.
The
Executive agrees that all inventions, designs and ideas conceived, produced,
created, or reduced to practice, either solely or jointly with others, during
his employment with the Company including those developed on his own time,
which
relates to or is useful in the Company’s business (“Intellectual Property”)
shall be owned solely by the Company. The Executive understands that whether
in
preliminary or final form, such Intellectual Property includes, for example,
all
ideas, inventions, discoveries, designs, innovations, improvements, trade
secrets, and other intellectual property. All Intellectual Property is either
work made for hire for the Company within the meaning of the United States
Copyright Act, or, if such Intellectual Property is determined not to be work
made for hire, then the Executive irrevocably assigns all rights, titles and
interests in and to the Intellectual Property to the Company, including all
copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks. The Executive agrees that he will,
without any additional consideration, execute all documents and take all other
actions needed to convey his complete ownership of the Intellectual Property
to
the Company so that the Company may own and protect such Intellectual Property
and obtain patent, copyright and
7
trademark
registrations for it. The Executive also agrees that the Company may alter
or
modify the Intellectual Property at the Company’s sole discretion, and the
Executive waives all right to claim or disclaim authorship. The Executive
represents and warrants that any Intellectual Property that he assigns to the
Company, except as otherwise disclosed in writing at the time of assignment,
will be his sole exclusive original work. The Executive also represents that
he
has not previously invented any Intellectual Property or has advised the Company
in writing of any prior inventions or ideas.
(f) Remedies.
The
Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of this Section 11 would result
in
irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which the Company would have
no
adequate remedy at law; the Executive therefore also agrees that in the event
of
said breach or any threat of breach, the Company shall be entitled to an
immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent, such breach and/or
threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Executive and/or any and all
persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the Executive, without having
to
prove damages. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from
pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach
hereof, including but not limited to the recovery of damages from the Executive.
The Executive and the Company further agree that the provisions of the covenants
not to compete and solicit are reasonable and that the Company would not have
entered into this Agreement but for the inclusion of such covenants herein.
The
parties agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to all costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, in addition to any
other remedies to which either may be entitled at law or in equity. Should
a
court determine, however, that any provision of the covenants is unreasonable,
either in period of time, geographical area, or otherwise, the parties hereto
agree that the covenant should be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent
which such court deems reasonable.
The
provisions of this Section 11 shall survive any termination of this Agreement,
and the existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against
the
Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute
a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements
of
this Section 11; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not, in and of
itself, preclude the Executive from defending himself against the enforceability
of the covenants and agreements of this Section 11.
12. Employee
Representation.
The
Executive expressly represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive
is
not a party to any contract or agreement and is not otherwise obligated in
any
way, and is not subject to any rules or regulations, whether governmentally
imposed or otherwise, which will or may restrict in any way the Executive’s
ability to fully perform the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement.
13. Change
in Control.
(a) For
purposes of this Section 13, “Company” shall mean Limited Brands, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
(b) For
purposes of this Agreement “Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to
have occurred upon the first to occur of any of the following
events:
8
(i) Any
Person
(other than an Excluded Person)becomes, together with all “affiliates” and
“associates” (each as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act), “beneficial
owner” (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act)of securities
representing 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then
outstanding, unless such Person becomes “beneficial owner” of 33% or more of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding solely as a result
of
an acquisition of Voting Stock by the Company which, by reducing the Voting
Stock outstanding, increases the proportionate Voting Stock beneficially owned
by such Person (together with all “affiliates” and “associates” of such Person)
to 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then
outstanding; provided, that if a Person shall become the “beneficial owner” of
33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding
by
reason of such Voting Stock acquisition by the Company and shall thereafter
become the “beneficial owner” of any additional Voting Stock which causes the
proportionate voting power of Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person
to
increase to 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then
outstanding, such Person shall, upon becoming the “beneficial owner” of such
additional Voting Stock, be deemed to have become the “beneficial owner” of 33%
or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding other
than solely as a result of such Voting Stock acquisition by the
Company;
(ii) During
any
period of 24 consecutive months individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Board (and any new Director, whose election by the Board or
nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders 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
election was so approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
Directors then constituting the Board;
(iii)
A
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company is consummated, in each
case, unless, immediately following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, (i) more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares
of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger
or
consolidation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the “beneficial
owners” of the Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, (ii) no Person (but excluding for
this
purpose any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially owning, immediately
prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly,
33% or more of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock) beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization,
merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the
initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or
consolidation;
(iv)
The
consummation of (i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
(ii)
the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the
Company, other than to any corporation with respect to which, immediately
following such sale
9
or
other
disposition, (A) more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares
of
common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally
in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
“beneficial owners” of the Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such
sale or other disposition of assets, (B) no Person (but excluding for this
purpose any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially owning, immediately
prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, 33% or more
of
the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock) beneficially owns, directly
or
indirectly, 33% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of such corporation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of such corporation were members of the Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such
sale or other disposition of assets of the Company; or
(v) The
occurrence of any transaction or event that the Board, in its sole discretion,
designates a “Change in Control”.
Not
withstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a “Change in Control” be deemed to
have occurred (i) as a result of the formation of a Holding Company, or (ii)
with respect to an Executive, if Executive is part of a “group,” within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Effective
Date, which consummates the Change in Control transaction. In addition, for
purposes of the definition of “Change in Control” a Person engaged in business
as an underwriter of securities shall not be deemed to be the “beneficial owner”
of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person’s
participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the
expiration of forty days after the date of such acquisition. “Excluded Person”
shall mean (i) the Company; (ii) any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; (iii) any
Holding Company; (iv) any employee benefit plan of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or a Holding Company; or (v) any Person organized, appointed or
established by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or a Holding Company for
or
pursuant to the terms of any plan described in clause (iv). “Person” shall mean
any individual composition, partnership, limited liability company,
associations, trust or other entity or organization. “Holding Company” shall
mean an entity that becomes a holding company for the Company or its businesses
as a part of any reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction,
provided that the outstanding shares of common stock of such entity and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such entity
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is, immediately after
such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
and entities who were the “beneficial owners”, respectively, of the Voting Stock
outstanding immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation
or
other transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other
transaction, of such outstanding Voting Stock. “Voting Stock” shall mean
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of members
of the Company’s Board of Directors.
(c) Gross-Up
Payment. In the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution
of
any type to or for the benefit of the Executive, by the Company, any of
its
10
affiliates,
any Person who acquires ownership or effective control of the Company or
ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets (within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
and the regulations thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person, whether paid
or
payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise (the “Total Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such
excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are
collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest
or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments.
(d) All
determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments are “parachute payments”
(within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), whether a Gross-Up Payment
is
required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and any amounts relevant to the
last sentence of Subsection 13(c), shall be made by an independent accounting
firm selected by the Company from among the largest four accounting firms in
the
United States (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide its
determination (the “Determination”), together with detailed supporting
calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any other relevant
matter, both to the Company and the Executive within five (5) days of the
Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company or the Executive (if the Executive reasonably believes that any of
the
Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result
of 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
the
Company should have made Gross-Up Payments (“Underpayment”), or that Gross-Up
Payments will have been made by the Company which should not have been made
(“Overpayments”). In either such event, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the case of
an
Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. In the case of an Overpayment,
the Executive shall, at the direction and expense of the Company, take such
steps as are reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and claims
for refund), follow reasonable instructions from, and procedures established
by,
the Company, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to correct
such
Overpayment.
14. Compensation
Upon Certain Terminations During the 24-Month Period Following a Change in
Control
(a) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by
the Executive for Good Reason, in each case during the 24 consecutive month
period immediately following a Change in Control, the Company’s sole obligations
hereunder subject to the Executive’s execution of a General Release, shall be as
follows:
(i) the
Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Compensation;
11
(ii) the
Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment in cash no later than ten
business days after the Termination Date an amount equal to two times
Executive’s Base Salary (the “Severance Amount”);
(iii)
the
Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment in cash no later than ten
(10) business days after the date of termination an amount equal to the sum
of
the last four (4) bonus payments the Executive received under the Company’s
incentive compensation plan described in Section 6 and a pro-rata amount for
the
season in which the Executive’s employment is terminated based on the average of
the prior four (4) bonus payments and the number of days the Executive is
employed during such season (the “Bonus Amount”);
(iv)
the
Company shall reimburse the Executive for all documented legal fees and expenses
reasonably incurred by the Executive in seeking to obtain or enforce any right
or benefit provided by this Section 14; and
(v) the
Company shall provide the Executive and Executive’s beneficiaries medical and
dental benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was receiving
immediately prior to the date of termination for a period of eighteen (18)
months after the Termination Date; provided however,
that the
Company’s obligation with respect to the foregoing medical and dental benefits
shall cease in the event Executive becomes employed.
(b) Except
as
provided in Section 14(a)(v), the Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 14 by seeking other
employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided
for in this Section 14 be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive
as
the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset
against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or
otherwise.
15. Successors
and Assigns.
(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 successor or
assign 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. The term “the Company” as
used herein shall include any such successors and assigns to the Company’s
business and/or assets. The term “successors and assigns” as used herein shall
mean a corporation or other entity acquiring or otherwise succeeding to,
directly or indirectly, all or substantially all the assets and business of
the
Company (including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or
otherwise.
(b) Neither
this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable or
transferable by the Executive, the Executive’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 Executive’s
legal personal representative.
16. Arbitration.
Except
with respect to the remedies set forth in Section 11(f) hereof, any controversy
or claim between the Company or any of its affiliates and the Executive arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or its termination shall be settled and
determined by a single
12
arbitrator
whose award shall be accepted as final and binding upon the parties. The
American Arbitration Association, under its Employment Arbitration Rules, shall
administer the binding arbitration. The arbitration shall take place in
Columbus, Ohio. The Company and the Executive each waive any right to a jury
trial or to a petition for stay in any action or proceeding of any kind arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or its termination and agree that the
arbitrator shall have the authority to award cost and attorney fees to the
prevailing party.
17. Notice.
For the
purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for
in
the Agreement (including the Notice of Termination) shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
upon
receipt if overnight delivery service or facsimile is used, addressed as
follows:
To
the
Executive:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
|
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
|
To
the
Company:
Limited
Brands, Inc.
|
||
Three
Limited Parkway
|
||
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
|
||
Attn:
Secretary
|
||
18. Settlement
of Claims.
The
Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and
otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense, or other right which the Company may have against the
Executive or others.
19. 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
Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of
any
breach by the other party hereto of, 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 representations, 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.
20. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to the conflict of law
principles thereof.
21. 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.
22. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement along with the Executive’s Offer Letter constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
13
hereof
and
supersedes all prior agreements, if any, understandings and arrangements, oral
or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof. The parties agree that if there are any conflicts or inconsistencies
between the Offer Letter and this Agreement, the more favorable term(s) shall
be
applied to the Executive.
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly
authorized officer and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the
day
and year first above written.
LIMITED
BRANDS, INC.
|
|||||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
4/10/07
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Date
|
|||
Title:
|
Executive
Vice
President and
Chief
Administrative Officer
|
||||
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
4/10/07
|
||||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
Date
|
14