SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
Exhibit
10.110
SEVERANCE
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
AGREEMENT
dated as of July 1, 2005, between Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (“Xxxxxxx”) and Glimcher
Realty Trust, its affiliated and subsidiary entities, and its shareholders,
directors, officers, agents, employees, successors and assigns (collectively,
“Glimcher”). The Effective Date of this Agreement is the day on which it ceases
to be revocable, as described in Paragraph 15, below.
WHEREAS,
Xxxxxxx is terminating his employment with Glimcher;
WHEREAS,
Xxxxxxx and Glimcher previously entered into an Employment Agreement with
Glimcher (the “Employment Agreement”), which, in part, governed the terms and
conditions of Xxxxxxx’x compensation upon departure from Glimcher;
WHEREAS,
Xxxxxxx and Glimcher have disputed their respective rights and obligations
toward one another concerning the terms and conditions of Xxxxxxx’x compensation
upon departure from Glimcher and desire to mutually and finally resolve their
dispute in order to avoid the inconvenience and expense of further controversy
and for no other reason;
WHEREAS,
Xxxxxxx and Glimcher desire to set forth their mutual agreement concerning
the
terms and conditions of Xxxxxxx’x departure from his employment, including the
exact nature and the amount of compensation to be provided to Xxxxxxx and any
other rights of Glimcher and Xxxxxxx following Xxxxxxx’x separation from
Glimcher;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the parties
contained herein, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties
hereto acknowledge and agree as follows:
1.
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Termination
Date.
Xxxxxxx’x employment with Glimcher shall terminate effective June 30,
2005 (the “Termination Date”).
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2.
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Compensation
Pursuant to Existing Employment Agreement. Subject
to Paragraph 4 below, Glimcher shall pay Xxxxxxx a lump sum of $481,852.80
(excluding fringe benefits and other compensation), minus any income
taxes
or other amounts required by law to be withheld therefrom as calculated
and withheld as of the Termination Date or, if later, on the date
distributed from the Rabbi Trust described in Paragraph 4 below.
There
shall be no mitigation or offset against such payments to Xx. Xxxxxxx,
regardless of whether Xx. Xxxxxxx obtains other employment or other
sources of income prior to or after the Termination Date. Although
Glimcher and Xxxxxxx have disputed the amount Xxxxxxx is entitled
to under
the Employment Agreement, the parties acknowledge that the payment
described in this Paragraph satisfies any obligation Glimcher may
have to
Xxxxxxx as contained in the parties’ existing Employment
Agreement.
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3.
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Additional
Consideration. In
addition to the payment described in Paragraph 2 above, and as additional
consideration for the promises contained herein, subject to Paragraph
4
below, Glimcher shall pay to Xxxxxxx a lump sum of $818,147.20, minus
any
income taxes or other amounts required by law to be withheld therefrom
as
calculated and withheld as of the Termination Date or, if later,
on the
date distributed from the Rabbi Trust described in Paragraph 4
below.
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4.
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Rabbi
Trust. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 3 above, the parties
acknowledge that Xx. Xxxxxxx has asserted that Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) may apply to the
payment(s) set forth in Paragraph 2 and/or Paragraph 3 (the “Payment”),
and that as a result, and at Xx. Xxxxxxx’x request, Glimcher will deposit
the Payment into a grantor “rabbi” trust established within ten (10) days
after this Agreement ceases to be revocable (as defined in paragraph
15)
(the “Rabbi Trust”). Said trust shall be between Glimcher and an
institutional trustee mutually acceptable to Glimcher and Xxxxxxx.
Xxxxxxx
has requested, and Glimcher agrees, that either Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co.,
Inc., or Huntington National Bank may serve as the institutional
trustee
and that (i) upon information and belief, each of these identified
trusteees will be willing to serve as trustee of the Rabbi Trust,
and (ii)
each of these trustees is acceptable to Xxxxxxx. Upon the establishment
of
the Rabbi Trust, Xxxxxxx will specify the investment of the Rabbi
Trust’s
assets. The amounts then credited to the Rabbi Trust shall be paid
by the
trustee of the Rabbi Trust to Xxxxxxx on January 17, 2006 (the “Payment
Date”). However, in the event that Xx. Xxxxxxx (or, in the event of his
death, Xx. Xxxxxxx’x estate) concludes that an earlier distribution is
permitted under the provisions of Section 409A, and notifies Glimcher
of a
desire for an earlier Payment Date pursuant to that conclusion, the
trustee shall distribute such payment to Xx. Xxxxxxx (or his estate)
within ten (10) days of Glimcher’s receipt of such notification. On the
Payment Date, the amount then credited to the Rabbi Trust (which
may be
more or less than the Payment deposited by Glimcher based upon the
investment performance of the Rabbi Trust) will be distributed from
the
Rabbi Trust (minus any income taxes or other amounts required by
law to be
withheld therefrom) to Xxxxxxx.
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5.
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Medical
Benefit Plans. Xxxxxxx
may remain a participant in Glimcher’s medical, dental and vision plans in
which Xxxxxxx is eligible to participate until the Termination Date.
Until
the Termination Date, the cost for Xxxxxxx’x remaining a participant will
be shared by Glimcher and Xxxxxxx in the same manner and extent as
the
cost is currently shared between the
parties.
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6.
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COBRA. As
of the Termination Date, Xxxxxxx will be entitled to elect continued
health care benefits coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), for up to eighteen (18) months beginning on
the Termination Date, by completing and returning the required
application. If Xxxxxxx elects to continue his benefits pursuant
to COBRA,
he shall do so at his own expense.
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7.
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Options. Xxxxxxx
and Glimcher acknowledge that the payments made in accordance with
the
foregoing sections of this Agreement satisfy any obligation Glimcher
may
have to compensate Xxxxxxx for any stock options which will lapse
as of
the Termination Date in accordance with any stock option agreement
to
which Xxxxxxx was a party and any stock option plan in which Xxxxxxx
was
eligible to participate.
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8.
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Bonuses. Xxxxxxx
and Glimcher acknowledge that the payments made in accordance with
the
foregoing sections of this Agreement satisfy any obligation Glimcher
may
have to compensate Xxxxxxx for any bonuses to which Xxxxxxx may have
been
entitled in accordance with any incentive compensation plan in which
he
was eligible to participate.
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9.
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Employee
Conduct. Except
as required by law, pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or pursuant
to
any governmental or law enforcement inquiry or investigation, Xxxxxxx
will
not make public statements or publish or make (under circumstances
reasonably likely to result in such statement being published) any
statement about Glimcher, or any affiliate of Glimcher or any of
its
directors, officers, or employees that maligns or disparages the
business
or reputation of Glimcher or any affiliate thereof. Similarly, except
as
required by law, pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or pursuant
to any
governmental or law enforcement inquiry or investigation, Glimcher
agrees
that neither Glimcher nor any of its officers, directors, or employees
will make any public statements or publish or make (under circumstances
reasonably likely to result in such statement being published) any
statement about Xxxxxxx that maligns or disparages the business interests
or reputation of Xxxxxxx. However, the restrictions imposed under
this
paragraph will not, in any way, preclude Xxxxxxx from enforcing his
rights
under this Agreement.
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10.
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Confidential,
Proprietary Information. Xxxxxxx
acknowledges that Xxxxxxx has received and had access to Glimcher’s
confidential business information, that Glimcher has made substantial
investments in the development of such information and that Glimcher
would
be irreparably harmed by the disclosure to third persons of that
information. Accordingly, Xxxxxxx will not (other than as required
by law,
pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or pursuant to any governmental
or
law enforcement inquiry or investigation) divulge, disclose, reveal,
sell
or otherwise communicate to any business entity or other person such
information or any trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary
information Xxxxxxx may have obtained during the term of Xxxxxxx’x
employment with Glimcher concerning any matters affecting or relating
to
the business of Glimcher, including without limitation any confidential
information relating to any of Glimcher’s existing or prospective tenants
or real estate purchasers or sellers, lease and other transaction
terms,
costs, plans, technology, formulas, processes, policies, techniques,
trade
practices, finances, accounting methods, methods of operations, trade
secrets or other data. Xxxxxxx acknowledges that he has surrendered
and
delivered to Glimcher all property of Glimcher, including any and
all
personal property, computer equipment, electronically stored data,
information relating in any way to existing or prospective tenants
or real
estate purchasers or sellers, manuals, policies, blueprints, operating
plans, books, and similar items (including all copies thereof in
his
possession, but excepting those then in the custody of his legal
counsel)
that contain information regarding the business of Glimcher. By returning
this signed Agreement to Glimcher, Xxxxxxx warrants and represents
that
Xxxxxxx has fulfilled his obligations under this
Paragraph.
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11.
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Acknowledgments
and Agreements. Xxxxxxx
acknowledges and agrees that (a) Xxxxxxx freely and voluntarily entered
into this Agreement, (b) before entering into this Agreement, Xxxxxxx
was
encouraged to consult an attorney of Xxxxxxx’x choice, (c) Xxxxxxx had an
opportunity and sufficient time to review this Agreement with Xxxxxxx’x
attorney, (d) Xxxxxxx fully understands the terms of this Agreement,
and
(e) Xxxxxxx is receiving consideration in amounts exceeding amounts
to
which he is already entitled.
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12.
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Release
of All Claims by Xxxxxxx. To
induce Glimcher to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder, Xxxxxxx hereby promises to not xxx and forever
releases and discharges Glimcher from any and all charges, claims,
demands, actions, causes of action, or suits at law or in equity,
of
whatsoever kind or nature, whether presently known or unknown, suspected
or unsuspected, arising on or before the Termination Date of this
Agreement including but not limited to, any and all claims relating
to
Xxxxxxx’x employment with Glimcher or the cessation of Xxxxxxx’x
employment with Glimcher, whether now known or unknown, including
but not
limited to claims for discrimination or unequal pay or retaliation
under
state or federal law, in particular Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act, the
Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair
Labor
Standards Act, the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act
of
2002, Title VIII of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, Title VII of
the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, Ohio Revised Code Chapters 4111, 4112 and 4113,
claims
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, claims for emotional distress
or other
damages, claims in tort or contract, claims under any applicable
federal,
state, or local whistleblower law and any similar federal, state
or local
statute, and claims for libel, slander, defamation, promissory estoppel
and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Xxxxxxx waives
all
rights to assert a claim for relief available under any and all such
laws,
including but not limited to, claims for attorneys’ fees, damages,
reinstatement, back pay, or injunctive or other equitable relief.
However,
the release described in this paragraph will not apply to any claim
arising under this Agreement.
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Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver or release by Xxxxxxx of any
protection from liability otherwise provided to him by operation of state or
federal law or by applicable by-laws, resolutions, or insurance applicable
to
former officers or executives of Glimcher.
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13.
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Release
of All Claims by Glimcher and Indemnification. Glimcher
hereby promises to not xxx and forever releases and discharges Xxxxxxx
from any and all charges, claims, demands, actions, causes of action,
or
suits at law or in equity, of whatsoever kind or nature, whether
presently
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising on or before
the
Effective Date of this Agreement including, but not limited to, any
and
all claims relating to any omissions, acts, or events that have occurred
until and including the Effective Date, whether now known or unknown.
Glimcher waives all rights to assert a claim for relief available
under
any law, including but not limited to, claims for attorneys’ fees,
damages, or injunctive or other equitable relief. However, the release
described in this paragraph will not apply to any claim arising under
this
Agreement.
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14.
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Review
of Agreement. Xxxxxxx
acknowledges that, before entering into this Agreement, Xxxxxxx had
a
twenty-one (21) day period to review and consider it. Xxxxxxx further
acknowledges that Xxxxxxx used as much of the twenty-one (21) day
period
as Xxxxxxx desired before entering into this
Agreement.
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15.
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Revocation. Xxxxxxx
may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of the date of his
execution hereof, in which case this Agreement shall be null and
void.
Revocation can be made by providing notice to Glimcher no later than
the
close of business on the seventh (7th) day after the date of Xxxxxxx’x
execution hereof.
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16.
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Invalidity
of Provision. The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
in any
jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity
or
enforceability of this Agreement, including that provision, in any
other
jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is held unreasonable,
unlawful, or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be
interpreted, revised, or applied in a manner that renders it lawful
and
enforceable to the fullest extent
possible.
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17.
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Governing
Law and Forum Selection. 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 conflicts
of law principles thereof. Any action to enforce this Agreement or
in any
way relating to this Agreement shall be commenced and maintained
in either
the state or federal court located in Franklin County,
Ohio.
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18.
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Notice. Notices
and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall
be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally
delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid:
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(a)
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if
to Xxxxxxx, addressed to Xxxxxxx at Xxxxxxx’x most recent address as
provided to Glimcher in writing;
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(b)
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if
to Glimcher, addressed to Glimcher at its principal office;
or
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(c)
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to
such other address as any party may have furnished to any other in
accordance herewith.
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19.
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Miscellaneous. No
provision of this Agreement may be modified or discharged unless
such
modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Xxxxxxx
and Glimcher. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless
such
waiver is in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith.
No
waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other
party
hereto of any provision of this Agreement to be performed by such
other
party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provisions at the same
or at
any prior or subsequent time.
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20.
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Entire
Agreement; Agreement Supersedes Prior Agreements. No
agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied,
with
respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by any party
not
expressly set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes
and
renders null and void any and all previous agreements executed between
Glimcher and Xxxxxxx, including but not limited to any previously
executed
employment agreements. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement
to
the contrary, this Agreement shall not supersede or render null and
void
the Indemnification Agreement entered into between Glimcher and Xxxxxxx
on
November 11, 2003, and such Indemnification Agreement shall
remain in
full force and effect.
Glimcher also agrees to continue to provide Xx. Xxxxxxx with coverage
under its existing policy of officers' and directors' liability insurance,
and further agrees that he shall continue to have the same coverage
as is
available to former directors, officers and executives of Glimcher.
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21.
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Non-Admission. The
parties understand and agree that neither the payment of monies to
Xxxxxxx
nor the agreement to, and carrying out, of any of the terms of this
Agreement shall constitute an admission of any violation of any law
or
breach of any duty by either Xxxxxxx or Glimcher, nor does it constitute
an admission of any allegation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct on
the
part of either Xxxxxxx or Glimcher. The parties recognize that Xxxxxxx
and
Glimcher are entering into this Agreement order to avoid the expense
and
inconvenience of further controversy and for no other
reason.
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22.
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Successors. This
Agreement shall be binding upon any successor of
Glimcher.
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23.
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Board
Approval. This
Agreement shall not be effective unless and until it is approved
by the
Board of Trustees of Glimcher Realty Trust in accordance with the
bylaws
and policies governing the operation of the Board of Trustees of
Glimcher
Realty Trust. Glimcher agrees to present this Agreement to its Board
for
approval no later than six (6) days after its execution by Xx. Xxxxxxx,
and further agrees to deliver to Xx. Xxxxxxx’x counsel, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx,
written notice of the outcome of the Board’s vote on the Agreement by no
later than the close of business on the day of that vote by the Board.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and entered into by the
parties hereto as of the date first written above.
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
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/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, President
&
Chief Executive Officer
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July
1, 2005
Date
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July
5, 2005
Date
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