SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into
by and between NexCen Brands,
Inc. (the “Company”) and Xxx X. Xxx (the
“Executive”).
All
capitalized terms used herein unless otherwise defined in this Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to them in the Employment Agreement (as defined
below).
WHEREAS,
the Company and Executive entered into an employment agreement made as of August
29, 2007, Amendment No. 1 to the employment agreement as of June 30, 2008,
Amendment No. 2 as of September 26, 2008 and Amendment No. 3 as of
June 30, 2009 (collectively, with
any exhibits attached thereto, the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
on July 30, 2010 the Company completed the sale of substantially all of its
assets under the Acquisition Agreement, dated May 13, 2010, by and between the
Company and Global Franchise Group, LLC (the “Sales Transaction”);
WHEREAS,
effective as of August 17, 2010 (“Termination Date”), Executive will be
terminated by the Company without Cause based upon a Change in Control, and
Executive will cease to hold any position as an officer of the Company or any
Subsidiary;
WHEREAS, Executive desires to receive
separation pay and benefits, and the Company is willing to provide separation
pay and benefits on the condition that Executive enters into this
Agreement.
THEREFORE,
in consideration of the mutual agreements and promises set forth within this
Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
Company and Executive agree as follows:
1.
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Consideration
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In
consideration of Executive's agreements and promises set forth below, the
Company will provide to Executive the following separation payments in
accordance with the Employment Agreement:
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a.
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Base Salary, Bonus and Accrued
Paid Time Off. The Company shall pay to Executive
any unpaid Base Salary and Quarterly Bonus (prorated based upon the number
of days that the Executive is employed during the third calendar quarter
of 2010) through and including the Termination
Date.
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Executive
shall be paid all accrued but unused paid time off during the Employment Period
through and including the Termination Date. The parties
acknowledge and agree that as of the Termination Date, Executive has accrued 13
days of paid time off. The Company shall pay all amounts for such
paid time off, less deductions for federal and/or state income tax withholding,
FICA and any other deduction from wages required by law or regulation, by
including such net amount in a payroll payment to be made pursuant to the
Company’s normal payroll practices, following the Termination Date.
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b.
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Lump Sum Severance
Payment. The Company shall pay to Executive a Severance
Payment totaling Five
Hundred Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($516,000.00) (less standard
statutory deductions for federal and state taxes and withholdings) in a
lump sum by including such net amount in a payroll payment immediately
following the Termination Date in accordance with the Company’s normal
payroll practices.
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c.
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Continued Participation in
Company’s Group Medical Plan. Subject to Executive’s
timely election under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(“COBRA”), Executive shall continue to be eligible to participate in the
group medical plan of the Company or its successor sponsor on the same
basis as she previously participated, until the earlier of twelve months
from the Terminate Date or the date Executive is provided with health
insurance coverage by a successor employer. Executive shall
promptly inform the Company’s wind down consultant XRoads Solutions Group,
attention Xxxxxx Xxxxx, if and when she is provided with health insurance
coverage by a successor employer.
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d.
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Reimbursable
Expenses. The Company shall pay to Executive all
reimbursable expenses due and owing to the Executive through the
Termination Date in accordance with the
Company’s expense reimbursement policy. Executive agrees
to use best efforts to submit all expense reports no later than 30 days
following her Termination Date.
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e.
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Computer and
Blackberry. The Company agrees to allow Executive to
retain the computer equipment and the Blackberry device provided to her,
at no cost to her. All data contained on the retained computer
equipment and Blackberry device shall be subject to the confidentiality
provision of Section 1.5 of the Employment
Agreement.
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f.
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Stock Options. Executive
shall be fully vested as of the Termination Date in her outstanding Option
Grants to purchase shares of the Company’s common
stock.
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g.
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Other
Benefits. Executive shall receive any vested benefits to
which Executive is entitled in accordance with the terms of any of the
Company's employee benefit plans or programs, including without limitation
the Company's 401(k) plan.
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The terms of Paragraph 1 shall have no
force if Executive revokes her acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to
Paragraph 11 (Special Provisions for Age Discrimination).
2.
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No
Further Payments
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Except as provided for in Paragraph 1,
Executive is not entitled to and will not receive any further salary, wages,
benefits, severance or separation payments from the Company.
3.
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General
Release
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Executive
on behalf of himself and her heirs, successors and assigns, in consideration of
the performance by the Company of its material obligations under the Employment
Agreement and this Agreement, do hereby release and forever discharge as of the
date hereof the Company, its Subsidiaries, its Affiliates, each such Person’s
respective successors and assigns and each of the foregoing Persons’ respective
present and former directors, officers, partners, stockholders, members,
managers, agents, representatives, employees (and each such Person’s respective
successors and assigns) (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the
extent provided below.
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a.
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Executive
understands that payments or benefits paid or granted to him under this
Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this Agreement and
are not salary, wages or benefits to which she was already
entitled. Executive understands and agrees that she will not
receive the payments and benefits specified in Paragraph 1 of this
Agreement unless she executes this Agreement and does not revoke this
Agreement within the time period permitted hereafter or breach this
Agreement.
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b.
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Executive
knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges the Company and
the other Released Parties from any and all claims, controversies,
actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts,
compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages,
other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any
nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the
date of this Agreement), whether under the laws of the United States or
another jurisdiction and whether known or unknown, suspected or claimed
against the Company or any of the Released Parties which Executive, her
spouse, or any of her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, have or
may have, which arise out of or are connected with her employment with, or
her separation from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any
allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended;
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave
Act of 1993; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended; the Worker
Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair
Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any
other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any
other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any
public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any
policies, practices or procedures of the Company or any of the Released
Parties; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract,
infliction of emotional distress, or defamation; or any claim for costs,
fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these
matters (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the
“Claims”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement
shall apply to, or release the Company from, (i) any obligation of
the Company contained in the Employment Agreement and this Agreement to be
performed after the date hereof or (ii) any vested or accrued
benefits pursuant to any employee benefit plan, program or policy of the
Company.
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c.
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Executive
represents that she has made no assignment or transfer of any right,
claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by Paragraph 3.b.
above.
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d.
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Executive
agrees that this Agreement does not waive or release any rights or claims
that she may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
which arise after the date she executes this Agreement. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that her separation from employment with the
Company in compliance with the terms of the Employment Agreement and this
Agreement shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including,
without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act of 1967).
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e.
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In
signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges and intends that the
Agreement shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims
hereinabove mentioned or implied. Executive expressly consents that this
General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and
all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to
unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that
expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown,
unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating
to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that this waiver is an essential and material term
of this Agreement and that without such waiver the Company would not have
agreed to the terms of the Agreement. Executive covenants that she shall
not directly or indirectly, commence, maintain or prosecute or xxx any of
the Released Persons either affirmatively or by way of cross-complaint,
indemnity claim, defense or counterclaim or in any other manner or at all
on any Claim covered by this General Release. Executive further agrees
that in the event she should bring a Claim seeking damages against the
Company, or in the event she should seek to recover against the Company in
any Claim brought by a governmental agency on her behalf, this Agreement
shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims. Executive further agree
that she is not aware of any pending charge or complaint of the type
described in Paragraph 3.b. as of the execution of this
Agreement.
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4.
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No
Admission of Liability
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Executive
agrees that neither this Agreement, nor the furnishing of the consideration for
this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by
the Company, any Released Party or Executive of any improper or unlawful
conduct.
5.
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Affirmation
of Employment Agreement; Waiver of Non-Compete
Covenant.
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Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the parties hereby expressly re-affirm the
Employment Agreement, including but not limited to the Executive’s obligations
under Sections 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 (except as provided in Paragraph 1.e hereof),
1.8(b), 1.10 and 3.1 of the Employment Agreement and the Company’s obligations
under Section 1.3(g) of the Employment Agreement.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the Employment Agreement, the parties acknowledge
that pursuant to the Sales Transaction the Company no longer has a continuing
business. The Company hereby waives the non-compete covenant in
Section 1.8(a) of the Employment Agreement, and the Executive shall not be
precluded from participating in or otherwise being employed by or providing
services to any Person.
6.
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Validity
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Whenever
possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner
as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under
any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction,
but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such
jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never
been contained herein.
7.
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Successors
and Assigns
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This
Agreement shall inure to and be binding upon the parties hereto and to their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
8.
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Governing
Law
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This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New
York and any applicable federal laws.
9.
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Special
Notification
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Because
this Agreement includes a waiver and release of claims arising under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, federal law provides that Executive may have
forty-five (45) days from receipt of the Agreement to review and consider this
Agreement and the disclosure information attached
hereto as Exhibit A (which is provided pursuant to the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act) before
executing it. Federal law also provides that the Company must advise
Executive to consult with an attorney before signing this
Agreement. Executive understands that it is Executive’s decision
whether or not to consult an attorney.
Pursuant
to federal law, Executive is further advised that the release and covenant not
to xxx contained herein do not apply to claims that arise after the execution of
this Agreement. Executive further understands and agrees that
Executive is receiving additional consideration that Executive would not be
entitled to receive under the Employment Agreement, any Company policy, practice
or plan of if Executive did not execute this Agreement which includes the waiver
and release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act.
Executive
represents and warrants that she has had ample opportunity to consider this
Agreement and has had an opportunity to consult an attorney before executing
this Agreement.
10.
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Revocation
of Agreement
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Federal
law also provides that, because this Agreement waives and releases claims
arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, that Executive may
revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days after Executive executes
it. For this revocation to be effective, written notice must be
received by XRoad Solutions Group, attention Xxxxxx Xxxxx, no later than the
close of business on the seventh day after Executive has executed this
Agreement. If Executive revokes the Agreement, it will not be
effective or enforceable, and Executive will not receive the payments or
benefits described in Paragraph 1.
11.
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Acknowledgement.
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BY
SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTIVE REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT:
(a) EXECUTIVE
HAS READ IT CAREFULLY;
(b) EXECUTIVE
UNDERSTANDS ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT SHE IS GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED;
THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;
(c) EXECUTIVE
VOLUNTARILY CONSENTS TO EVERYTHING IN THE AGREEMENT;
(d) EXECUTIVE
HAS BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY (VIA THIS AGREEMENT) BEFORE
EXECUTING IT AND EXECUTIVE HAS DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND
CONSIDERATION, EXECUTIVE HAS CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF HER OWN
VOLITION;
(e) EXECUTIVE
HAS HAD AT LEAST 45 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF HER RECEIPT OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE
GENERAL RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON AUGUST 5, 2010 TO CONSIDER IT AND THE DISCLOSURE INFORMATION ATTACHED HERETO AS
EXHIBIT A (WHICH IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION
ACT); AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE AUGUST 5, 2010 VERSION OF THE GENERAL RELEASE ARE NOT
MATERIAL AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 45-DAY PERIOD;
(f) THE
CHANGES TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE GENERAL RELEASE SINCE AUGUST 5, 2010 EITHER ARE
NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT HER REQUEST.
(g) EXECUTIVE
HAS SIGNED THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY
COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE HIM WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND
(h) EXECUTIVE
AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED
OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY EXECUTIVE.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
indicated below.
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Date:
August 5, 2010
EXHIBIT
A
DISCLOSURE
INFORMATION PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE
OLDER
WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT
Eligibility
Factors and Time Limitations Applicable to
Eligible Employees for
Severance Benefits
NexCen Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) has
decided to terminate the employment of certain of its
employees. Employees receiving notification of termination of their
employment in connection therewith may be eligible to receive severance benefits
in exchange for their execution of (and subject to) the attached Separation
Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) in accordance with the terms set
forth therein.
Each selected employee age 40 or over
will have at least forty-five (45) days from such employee’s receipt of the
Agreement and this disclosure information to provide the Company with a fully
executed Agreement in order to receive the severance benefits pursuant to the
Agreement. Employees age 40 or over who timely execute and return the
Agreement will have a period of seven (7) calendar days from the date that the
Agreement is signed to revoke it by delivering written notice of revocation as
provided in the Agreement.
The job titles and ages of all of the
Company employees at the decisional unit affected by the terminations who are,
and are not, selected for termination are listed below.
Titles
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Age
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Selected
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Not
Selected
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Chief
Executive Officer
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52
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X
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General
Counsel and Secretary
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40
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X
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Chief
Accounting Officer
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48
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X
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Vice
President, Corporate Development
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30
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X
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Director
of Financial Reporting
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45
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X
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Corporate
Staff Accountant
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34
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X
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Corporate
Senior Accountant
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47
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X
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