EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of July __, 1997
by GEOKINETICS INC, a Delaware corporation (the "EMPLOYER"), and XXXXXXX X.
XXXX, an individual resident of the State of Texas (the "EXECUTIVE").
INTRODUCTION
Employer, directly or through one or more subsidiaries, is engaged in the
business of (i) conducting 2-D and 3-D seismic surveys of oil and gas prospects
and (ii) exploring for and producing oil and gas in the United States. The
Employer desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive wishes to accept
such employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
Section 1. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.
1.1 "AFFILIATE" or "AFFILIATES" -- any Person that, directly or
indirectly, controls, or is controlled by or under common control with, the
Employer, including the Employer. For the purposes of this definition, "CONTROL"
(including the terms "CONTROLLED BY" and "UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH") means the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any
Person, directly or indirectly, through ownership of voting securities, by
contract, or otherwise.
1.2 "AGREEMENT" -- this Employment Agreement, including all Exhibits
attached hereto, as amended from time to time.
1.3 "BASIC COMPENSATION" -- Salary and Benefits.
1.4 "BENEFITS" -- as defined in Section 3.1(c).
1.5 "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" -- the board of directors of the Employer.
1.6 "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" -- any and all:
(a) trade secrets concerning the business and affairs of any
Affiliate, product specifications, data, know-how, formulae,
compositions, processes, designs, sketches, photographs,
graphs, drawings, samples, inventions and ideas, past,
current, and planned research and development, current and
planned manufacturing or distribution methods and processes,
customer lists, current and anticipated customer requirements,
price lists, market studies, business plans, seismic data
bases, computer software and programs (including object code
and source code), computer software and database technologies,
systems, structures, and architectures (and related formulae,
compositions,
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processes, improvements, devices, know-how, inventions,
discoveries, concepts, ideas, designs, methods and
information), and any other information, however documented,
that is a trade secret within the meaning of the common law of
the State of Texas; and
(b) information concerning the business and affairs of any
Affiliate (which includes historical financial statements,
financial projections and budgets, historical and projected
sales, capital spending budgets, exploration prospects and
plans, the names and backgrounds of key personnel, personnel
training and techniques and materials), however documented;
and
(c) notes, analysis, compilations, studies, summaries, and other
material prepared by or for any Affiliate containing or based,
in whole or in part, on any information included in the
foregoing.
1.7 "DISABILITY" -- as defined in Section 5.2.
1.8 "EFFECTIVE DATE" -- the date on which Executive actually commences his
employment herewith (but not later than September 1, 1997).
1.9 "EMPLOYEE INVENTION" -- any idea, invention, technique, modification,
process, or improvement (whether patentable or not), any industrial design
(whether registerable or not), any mask work, however fixed or encoded, that is
suitable to be fixed, embedded or programmed in a semiconductor product (whether
recordable or not), and any work of authorship (whether or not copyright
protection may be obtained for it) created, conceived, or developed by the
Executive, either solely or in conjunction with others, during the Employment
Period, or a period that includes a portion of the Employment Period, that
relates in any way to, or is useful in any manner in, the business then being
conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Employer or the Affiliates, and any
such item created by the Executive, either solely or in conjunction with others,
following termination of the Executive's employment with the Employer, that is
based upon or uses Confidential Information.
1.10 "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" -- the term of the Executive's employment under
this Agreement.
1.11 "FISCAL YEAR" -- the Employer's fiscal year, as it exists on the
Effective Date or as changed from time to time.
1.12 "FOR CAUSE" -- as defined in Section 5.3.
1.13 "INCENTIVE COMPENSATION" -- as defined in Section 3.2.
1.14 "OPTION PLAN" -- the Geokinetics Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Option
Plan.
1.15 "NONINCENTIVE COMPENSATION" -- as defined in Section 3.3.
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1.16 "PERSON" -- any individual, general or limited partnership, joint
venture, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), limited liability
company, bank, estate, trust, association, entity, unincorporated organization,
or government body.
1.17 "POST-EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" -- as defined in Section 7.2.
1.18 "PROPRIETARY ITEMS" -- as defined in Section 6.2(a)(iv).
1.19 "SALARY" -- as defined in Section 3.1(a).
1.20 "SIGNING BONUS" -- as defined in Section 3.1(b).
Section 2. EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND DUTIES.
2.1 EMPLOYMENT. The Employer hereby employs the Executive, and the
Executive hereby accepts employment by the Employer, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2.2 TERM. Subject to the provisions of Section 5, the term of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement will be five (5) years, beginning on
the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date.
Thereafter, the term may continue for additional one (1) year periods upon the
mutual written agreement of the Executive and the Employer.
2.3 DUTIES. The Executive will have such duties as are assigned or
delegated to the Executive by the Board of Directors (which duties shall be of a
senior management or executive level) and will initially serve as Vice President
and Chief Technology Officer of the Employer, with overall responsibility for
Employer's technology development and acquisition programs. The Executive will
devote his entire business time, attention, skill, and energy exclusively to the
business of the Employer, will use his best efforts to promote the success of
the Employer's business, and will cooperate fully with the Board of Directors in
the advancement of the best interests of the Employer. For the Executive's
service as a director of the Employer or as a director or officer of any of
Employer's Affiliates, the Executive will fulfill his duties as such director or
officer without additional compensation.
Section 3. COMPENSATION.
3.1 BASIC COMPENSATION.
(a) SALARY. The Executive will be paid an annual salary of
$150,000.00, subject to adjustment as provided below (the
"SALARY"), which will be payable in equal periodic
installments according to the Employer's customary payroll
practices, but no less frequently than monthly. The Salary
will be reviewed by the Board of Directors not less frequently
than annually, and may be adjusted upward or downward in the
sole discretion of the Board of Directors, but in no event
will the Salary be less than $150,000.00 per year.
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(b) SIGNING BONUS. In order to induce the Executive to accept
employment with the Employer, the Employer agrees to pay the
Executive a bonus of $90,000.00 ("SIGNING BONUS"). Subject to
the Executive's employment by the Employer, such bonus shall
be paid to the Executive on the Effective Date.
(c) BENEFITS. The Executive will, during the Employment Period, be
permitted to participate in such pension, profit sharing,
bonus, life insurance, hospitalization, major medical, and
other employee benefit plans of the Employer that may be in
effect from time to time, to the extent the Executive is
eligible under the terms of those plans (collectively, the
"BENEFITS").
3.2 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. As additional compensation (the "INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION") for the services to be rendered by the Executive pursuant to this
Agreement, the Executive will be entitled to participate in the following plans,
in the manner described below:
(a) The Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual bonus
("BONUS") based upon the amount of the Employer's earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA") in accordance with the terms of the Bonus Plan
attached hereto as Exhibit "A". The Employer's earnings before
EBITDA shall be computed by Geokinetics, for purposes of
calculation of the Bonus, for each twelve-month period
beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 during the term
hereof, and shall be determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
3.3 NONINCENTIVE COMPENSATION. As additional compensation (the
"NONINCENTIVE COMPENSATION") for the services to be rendered by the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall be permitted to participate in
the Option Plan. Upon the commencement of Executive's employment hereunder, the
Executive shall be granted two options to purchase an aggregate of 550,000
shares of Common Stock, at a price of $.75 per share, on the terms and
conditions set forth below:
(a) The Executive will have one option (the "First Option") to
purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock and will become
eligible to exercise 100,000 shares of the First Option on and
after each of July 15, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002,
provided the Executive continues to be employed by the
Employer hereunder on such dates, and the Executive exercises
such First Option prior to or on July 15, 2004.
(b) The Executive will have a second option (the "Second Option")
to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock and will be eligible
to exercise all or any part of the Second Option on and after
the Effective Date hereof, and, provided the Executive
continues to be employed by the Employer hereunder, prior to
or on July 15, 2002.
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3.4 VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS. The Executive will be entitled to four weeks'
paid vacation each Fiscal Year in accordance with the vacation policies of the
Employer in effect for its executive officers from time to time. Vacation must
be taken by the Executive at such time or times as approved by the Chairman of
the Board of Directors. The Executive will also be entitled to the paid holidays
and other paid leave set forth in the Employer's policies. Vacation days and
holidays during any Fiscal Year that are not used by the Executive during such
Fiscal Year may not be used in any subsequent Fiscal Year, but Executive shall
be paid at the end of each Fiscal Year for any vacation days which Executive was
unable to use as a result of a request for approval of a vacation having been
denied by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.1 FACILITIES AND EXPENSES. The Employer will furnish the
Executive office space, equipment, supplies, and such other facilities and
personnel as the Employer deems necessary or appropriate for the performance of
the Executive's duties under this Agreement and as are commensurate with
Executive's duties under Section 2.3. The Employer will pay the Executive's dues
in such professional societies and organizations as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Employer deems appropriate, and will pay on behalf of the
Executive (or reimburse the Executive for) reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive at the request of, or on behalf of, the Employer in the performance of
the Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement, and in accordance with the
Employer's employment policies, including reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in attending conventions, seminars, and other business meetings, in
appropriate business entertainment activities, and for promotional expenses. The
Executive must file expense reports with respect to such expenses in accordance
with the Employer's policies.
Section 4.2 AUTOMOBILE. The Executive will own his own automobile, and
maintain and insure it at his own expense for his business use in connection
with his employment under this Agreement. The Executive will, at his own
expense, maintain liability insurance on any automobile used in connection with
the Employer's business, including excess liability (umbrella) insurance
coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence with underlying
insurance coverage as required by such excess liability insurance policy. The
Executive will furnish proof of such insurance to the Employer as requested by
the Employer. The Employer will reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses
incurred by the Executive for the operation, repair and maintenance of
Executive's automobile in the performance of the Executive's duties pursuant to
this Agreement, in accordance with the Employer's employment policies, at a rate
of $.35 per mile. The Executive shall file expense reports with respect to such
expenses in accordance with Employer's policies.
Section 5. TERMINATION.
5.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION. The Employment Period, the Executive's Basic
Compensation, Incentive Compensation, Nonincentive Compensation, and any and all
other rights of the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise as an employee
of the Employer will terminate (except as otherwise provided in this Section 5):
(a) upon the death of the Executive;
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(b) upon the Disability of the Executive (as defined in Section
5.2) immediately upon notice from either party to the other;
(c) For Cause (as defined in Section 5.3), immediately upon notice
from the Employer to the Executive, or at such later time as
such notice may specify; or
(d) upon Executive's voluntary termination of employment, which
termination shall be effective thirty (30) days after
Employer's receipt of Executive's written resignation.
5.2 DISABILITY. For purposes of this Section 5, the Executive will be
deemed to have a "DISABILITY" if, for physical or mental reasons, the Executive
is unable to perform the Executive's duties under this Agreement for 120
consecutive days, or 180 days during any twelve month period, as determined in
accordance with this Section 5.2. The Disability of the Executive will be
determined by a medical doctor selected by written agreement of the Employer and
the Executive upon the request of either party by notice to the other. If the
Employer and the Executive cannot agree on the selection of a medical doctor,
each of them will select a medical doctor and the two medical doctors will
select a third medical doctor who will determine whether the Executive has a
Disability. The determination of the medical doctor selected under this Section
5.2 will be binding on both parties. The Executive must submit to a reasonable
number of examinations by the medical doctor making the determination of
Disability under this Section 5.2, and the Executive hereby authorizes the
disclosure and release to the Employer of such determination and all supporting
medical records. If the Executive is not legally competent, the Executive's
legal guardian or duly authorized attorney-in-fact will act on behalf of the
Executive, under this Section 5.2, for the purposes of submitting the Executive
to the examinations, and providing the authorization of disclosure, required
under this Section 5.2.
5.3 FOR CAUSE. For purposes of Section 5.1, the phrase "FOR CAUSE" means
any conduct or behavior by the Executive that, in the good faith judgment of the
Employer's Board of Directors, is materially detrimental to or materially
harmful to the business or reputation of the Employer including, without
limitation: (a) the Executive's breach of a material provision of this
Agreement, which breach is not substantially cured within ten (10) days after
Executive's receipt of written notice thereof from Employer; (b) the Executive's
repeated failure to adhere to any written Employer policy and Executive's
failure to cure such noncompliance within ten (10) days after receipt of written
notice thereof from Employer; (c) the appropriation (or attempted appropriation)
of a material business opportunity of the Employer, including attempting to
secure or securing any personal profit in connection with any transaction
entered into on behalf of the Employer; (d) the misappropriation (or attempted
misappropriation) of any of the Employer's funds or property; or (e) the
conviction of, the indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or the
entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony (other
than involving the misuse of alcohol) or the equivalent thereof.
5.4 TERMINATION PAY. Effective upon the termination of this Agreement, the
Employer will be obligated to pay the Executive (or, in the event of his death,
his designated beneficiary as defined below) only such compensation as is
provided in this Section 5.4, and in lieu of all other amounts and
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in settlement and complete release of all claims the Executive may have against
the Employer under this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 5.4, the
Executive's designated beneficiary will be such individual beneficiary or trust,
located at such address, as the Executive may designate by notice to the
Employer from time to time or, if the Executive fails to give notice to the
Employer of such a beneficiary, the Executive's estate. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, the Employer will have no duty, in any circumstances, to
attempt to open an estate on behalf of the Executive, to determine whether any
beneficiary designated by the Executive is alive or to ascertain the address of
any such beneficiary, to determine the existence of any trust, to determine
whether any person or entity purporting to act as the Executive's personal
representative (or the trustee of a trust established by the Executive) is duly
authorized to act in that capacity, or to locate or attempt to locate any
beneficiary, personal representative, or trustee.
(a) TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYER FOR CAUSE. If the Employer
terminates this Agreement For Cause, the Executive will be
entitled to receive his Salary and Benefits through the date
such termination is effective and the vested portion of any
Incentive Compensation and any Nonincentive Compensation.
(b) TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. If this Agreement is terminated
by either party as a result of the Executive's Disability, as
determined under Section 5.2, the Employer will pay the
Executive his Salary and Benefits through the remainder of the
calendar month during which such termination is effective and
for the lesser of (i) six consecutive months thereafter, or
(ii) the period until Disability insurance benefits commence
under the Disability insurance coverage, if any, furnished by
the Employer to the Executive. The Executive shall be entitled
to the vested portions of his Incentive Compensation and
Nonincentive Compensation and to a pro rata portion of his
Incentive Compensation and Nonincentive Compensation for the
year during which such Disability occurs, but shall not be
entitled to any other Incentive Compensation or Nonincentive
Compensation.
(c) TERMINATION UPON DEATH. If this Agreement is terminated
because of the Executive's death, the Executive will be
entitled to receive his Salary and Benefits through the end of
the calendar month in which his death occurs. The Executive
shall be entitled to receive the vested portions of his
Incentive Compensation and Nonincentive Compensation and to a
pro rata portion of his Incentive Compensation and
Nonincentive Compensation for the year during which the
Executive's death occurs, but shall not be entitled to any
other Incentive Compensation or Nonincentive Compensation for
or any subsequent year.
(d) TERMINATION UPON RESIGNATION. If this Agreement is terminated
because of the voluntary resignation of the Executive
hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to receive his
Salary and Benefits through the effective date of his
termination and any vested portions of his Incentive
Compensation or
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Nonincentive Compensation. The Executive shall not be entitled
to any other Incentive Compensation or to any other
Nonincentive Compensation.
(e) TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYER NOT FOR CAUSE. If the Employer
terminates this Agreement not For Cause, the Executive, at the
option of the Employer, will be entitled to either: (i)
receive all of the compensation and Benefits provided by
Section 3.1, and the Incentive Compensation provided by
Section 3.2 and the Nonincentive Compensation provided by
Section 3.3 for the remainder of the Employment Term, and the
Executive shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7.2
hereof; or (ii) the Executive shall be entitled to receive all
of the compensation and Benefits provided by Section 3.1 and
the vested portions of any Incentive Compensation provided by
Section 3.2 and Nonincentive Compensation provided by Section
3.3 through the end of the calendar month in which such
termination occurs, and the Executive shall not be subject to
the provisions of Section 7.2.
(f) BENEFITS. The Executive's accrual of, or participation in
plans providing for, the Benefits will cease at the effective
date of the termination of this Agreement, and the Executive
will be entitled to accrued Benefits pursuant to such plans
only as provided in such plans. The Executive will not
receive, as part of his termination pay pursuant to this
Section 5, any payment or other compensation for any vacation,
holiday, sick leave, or other leave unused on the date the
notice of termination is given under this Agreement.
(g) EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Employer agrees to notify the
Executive not less than sixty (60) days prior to the
expiration of the initial term of this Agreement or any
subsequent continuation thereof as to whether Employer desires
to extend the Employment Period of this Agreement.
Section 6. NON-DISCLOSURE COVENANT; EMPLOYEE INVENTIONS.
6.1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive acknowledges that
during the Employment Period and as a part of his employment, the Executive will
be afforded access to Confidential Information; public disclosure of such
Confidential Information could have an adverse effect on the Employer and its
business; because the Executive possesses substantial technical expertise and
skill with respect to the Employer's business, the Employer desires to obtain
exclusive ownership of each Employee Invention, and the Employer will be at a
substantial competitive disadvantage if it fails to acquire exclusive ownership
of each Employee Invention; and the provisions of this Section 6 are reasonable
and necessary to prevent the improper use or disclosure of Confidential
Information and to provide the Employer with exclusive ownership of all Employee
Inventions.
6.2 AGREEMENTS OF THE EXECUTIVE. In consideration of the compensation and
benefits to be paid or provided to the Executive by the Employer under this
Agreement, the Executive covenants as follows:
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(a) CONFIDENTIALITY.
(i) During and for a period of three (3) years following the
Employment Period, the Executive will hold in confidence
the Confidential Information and will not disclose it to
any person except with the specific prior written
consent of the Employer or except as otherwise expressly
permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) Any trade secrets of any Affiliate will be entitled to
all of the protections and benefits under the common law
of the State of Texas and any other applicable law. If
any information that the Employer deems to be a trade
secret is found by a court of competent jurisdiction not
to be a trade secret for purposes of this Agreement,
such information will, nevertheless, be considered
Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement.
The Executive hereby waives any requirement that the
Employer submit proof of the economic value of any trade
secret or post a bond or other security.
(iii) None of the foregoing obligations and restrictions
applies to any part of the Confidential Information that
the Executive demonstrates either (x) was known by
Executive prior to the date of his employment by the
Employer, (y) was or became generally available to the
public other than as a result of a disclosure by the
Executive, or (z) was made known to Executive on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than Employer
or its representatives or agents, provided that such
source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with,
or other obligation of secrecy to, Employer or another
party.
(iv) The Executive will not remove from the premises of the
Employer or any Affiliate (except to the extent such
removal is for purposes of the performance of the
Executive's duties at home or while traveling, or except
as otherwise specifically authorized by the Employer or
such Affiliate) any document, record, notebook, plan,
model, component, device, or computer software or code,
whether embodied in a disk or in any other form
(collectively, the "PROPRIETARY ITEMS"). The Executive
recognizes that, as between the Employer or any
Affiliate and the Executive, all of the Proprietary
Items, whether or not developed by the Executive, are
the exclusive property of the Employer or the
Affiliates. Upon termination of this Agreement by either
party, or upon the request of the Employer or any
Affiliate during the Employment Period, the Executive
will return to the Employer or the Affiliates all of the
Proprietary Items in the Executive's possession or
subject to the Executive's control, and the Executive
shall not retain any copies, abstracts, sketches, or
other physical embodiment of any of the Proprietary
Items.
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(b) EMPLOYEE INVENTIONS. Each Employee Invention will belong
exclusively to the Employer. The Executive acknowledges that
all of the Executive's writing, works of authorship, specially
commissioned works, and other Employee Inventions are works
made for hire and the property of the Employer, including any
copyrights, patents, or other intellectual property rights
pertaining thereto. If it is determined that any such works
are not works made for hire, the Executive hereby assigns to
the Employer all of the Executive's right, title, and
interest, including all rights of copyright, patent, and other
intellectual property rights, to or in such Employee
Inventions. The Executive covenants that he will promptly:
(i) disclose to the Employer in writing any Employee
Invention;
(ii) assign to the Employer or to a party designated by
the Employer, at the Employer's request and
without additional compensation, all of the
Executive's right to the Employee Invention for
the United States and all foreign jurisdictions;
(iii) execute and deliver to the Employer such
applications, assignments, and other documents as
the Employer may request in order to apply for and
obtain patents or other registrations with respect
to any Employee Invention in the United States and
any foreign jurisdictions;
(iv) sign all other papers necessary to carry out the
above obligations; and
(v) give testimony and render any other assistance in
support of the Employer's rights to any Employee
Invention.
(c) COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEE INVENTIONS. In the event that any
Employee Invention results in the issuance to the Employer of
a patent or copyright for the United States or any foreign
jurisdiction, Executive shall be entitled to receive from the
Employer a royalty equal to 2.0% of Employer's revenues
directly arising from the sale or licensing of one or more
products utilizing the Employee Invention covered by such
patent or copyright. Such royalty shall be payable to
Executive annually, within one hundred and twenty (120) days
after the end of each Fiscal Year during the Employment
Period.
6.3 DISPUTES OR CONTROVERSIES. The Executive recognizes that should a
dispute or controversy arising from or relating to this Agreement be submitted
for adjudication to any court, arbitration panel, or other third party, the
preservation of the secrecy of Confidential Information may be jeopardized. All
pleadings, documents, testimony, and records relating to any such adjudication
will be maintained in secrecy and will be available for inspection by the
Employer, the Executive, and
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their respective attorneys and experts, who will agree, in advance and in
writing, to receive and maintain all such information in secrecy, except as may
be limited by them in writing.
Section 7. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-INTERFERENCE.
7.1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the limitations set forth in this Section 7 are a necessary part of
and ancillary to the Executive's agreement not to disclose Confidential
Information, reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint on the activities
of the Executive than is necessary to protect the business interest of the
Employer. In the event that any such territorial, scope, or time limitation are
deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Executive
agrees to the reduction of the territorial, scope or time limitation to the
area, scope or time which such court shall have deemed reasonable.
7.2 COVENANTS OF THE EXECUTIVE. In consideration of the acknowledgments by
the Executive, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits to be paid
or provided to the Executive by the Employer in the event this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 5.4(a), 5.4(d) or 5.4(e)(i), the Executive
covenants that he will not, directly or indirectly:
(a) during the Employment Period, except in the course of his
employment hereunder, and during the Post-Employment Period
(as defined below), engage or invest in, own, manage, operate,
finance, control, or participate in the ownership, management,
operation, financing, or control of, be employed by,
associated with, or in any manner connected with, lend the
Executive's name or any similar name to, lend Executive's
credit to or render services or advice to, any business whose
products or activities compete in whole or in part with the
products or activities of the Employer or any Affiliate of
Employer anywhere within the geographic areas in which the
Employer or any such Affiliate now or hereafter conducts its
business; provided, however, that the Executive may purchase
or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent of
any class of securities of any enterprise (but without
otherwise participating in the activities of such enterprise)
if such securities are listed on any national or regional
securities exchange or have been registered under Section
12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(b) whether for the Executive's own account or for the account of
any other person, at any time during the Employment Period and
the Post-Employment Period, solicit business of the same or
similar type being carried on by the Employer or any Affiliate
of Employer, from any person known by the Executive to be a
customer of the Employer or any such Affiliate, whether or not
the Executive had personal contact with such person during and
by reason of the Executive's employment with the Employer;
(c) whether for the Executive's own account or the account of any
other person at any time during the Employment Period and the
Post-Employment Period, (i) solicit, employ, or otherwise
engage as an employee, independent
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contractor, or otherwise, any person who is or was an employee
of the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer at any time
during the Employment Period or in any manner induce or
attempt to induce any employee of the Employer and any such
Affiliate to terminate his employment with the Employer; or
(ii) interfere with the Employer's or any Affiliate's
relationship with any person, including any person who at any
time during the Employment Period was an employee, contractor,
supplier, or customer of the Employer or any such Affiliate;
or
(d) at any time during or after the Employment Period, disparage
the Employer or any of its shareholders, directors, officers,
employees, or agents.
For purposes of this Section 7.2, the term "POST-EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" means
the two-year period beginning on the date of termination of the Executive's
employment with the Employer.
If any covenant in this Section 7.2 is held to be unreasonable, arbitrary,
or against public policy, such covenant will be considered to be divisible with
respect to scope, time, and geographic area, and such lesser scope, time, or
geographic area, or all of them, as a court of competent jurisdiction may
determine to be reasonable, not arbitrary, and not against public policy, will
be effective, binding, and enforceable against the Executive.
The period of time applicable to any covenant in this Section 7.2 will be
extended by the duration of any violation by the Executive of such covenant.
The Executive will, while the covenant under this Section 7.2 is in
effect, give notice to the Employer, within ten days after accepting any other
employment, of the identity of the Executive's new employer. The Employer may
notify such new employer that the Executive is bound by this Agreement.
Section 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
8.1 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND ADDITIONAL REMEDY. The Executive acknowledges
that the injury that would be suffered by the Employer as a result of a breach
of the provisions of this Agreement (including any provision of Sections 6 and
7) would be irreparable and that an award of monetary damages to the Employer
for such a breach would be an inadequate remedy. Consequently, the Employer will
have the right, in addition to any other rights it may have, to obtain
injunctive relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach or otherwise to
specifically enforce any provision of this Agreement, and the Employer will not
be obligated to post bond or other security in seeking such relief. Any such
remedy shall be in addition to any damages which the Employer may be legally
entitled to recover as a result of any breach by the Employee of any provision
of this Agreement. The Employer may pursue any of the remedies described in this
Section concurrently or consecutively and in any order as to such breach or
violation, and the pursuit of any one of such remedies at any time will not be
deemed an election of remedies or a waiver of the right to pursue any other
available remedy.
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8.2 ESSENTIAL AND INDEPENDENT COVENANTS. The covenants by the Executive in
Sections 6 and 7 are essential elements of this Agreement supported by the
payment of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Executive, and without the
Executive's agreement to comply with such covenants, the Employer would not have
entered into this Agreement or employed or continued the employment of the
Executive. The Employer and the Executive have independently consulted their
respective counsel and have been advised in all respects concerning the
reasonableness and propriety of such covenants, with specific regard to the
nature of the business conducted by the Employer.
If the Executive's employment hereunder expires or is terminated, this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect as is necessary or appropriate
to enforce the covenants and agreements of the Executive in Sections 6 and 7.
8.3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive
represents and warrants to the Employer that the execution and delivery by the
Executive of this Agreement do not, and the performance by the Executive of the
Executive's obligations hereunder will not, with or without the giving of notice
or the passage of time, or both: violate any judgment, writ, injunction, or
order of any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency applicable to the
Executive; or conflict with, result in the breach of any provisions of or the
termination of, or constitute a default under, any agreement to which the
Executive is a party or by which the Executive is or may be bound. The Executive
further represents and warrants to the Employer that no agreements or
understandings, whether written or oral, are currently in force and effect
between the Executive and the Employer, or any other Person concerning the
subject matter of this Agreement.
8.4 OBLIGATIONS CONTINGENT ON PERFORMANCE. The obligations of the Employer
hereunder, including its obligation to pay the compensation provided for herein,
are contingent upon the Executive's performance of the Executive's obligations
hereunder.
8.5 WAIVER. The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are
cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by either
party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement will
operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no single or partial
exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude any other or
further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise of any other
right, power, or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law,
no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party,
in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in
writing signed by the other party; no waiver that may be given by a party will
be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and no
notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation
of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take
further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement.
8.6 NOTICES. All notices pertaining to this Agreement must be in writing,
must be sent to the addressee at the address set forth in this Section, or at
such other address as the addressee has designated by a notice given in the
manner set forth in this Section, and must be sent by telegram, telex,
facsimile, electronic mail, courier, or prepaid, certified U.S. Mail. Notices
will be deemed given when received, if sent by telegram, telex, electronic mail
or facsimile and if received between the
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hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time of the destination address, on a
business day (with confirmation of completed transmission sufficing as prima
facie evidence of receipt of a notice sent by telex, telecopy, electronic mail,
or facsimile), and when delivered and receipted for (or when attempted delivery
is refused at the address where sent) if sent by courier or by certified U.S.
Mail. Notices sent by telegram, telex, electronic mail, or facsimile and
received between 12:01 a.m. and 7:59 a.m., local time of the destination
address, on a business day will be deemed given at 8:00 a.m. on that same day.
Notices sent by telegram, telex, electronic mail, or facsimile and received at a
time other than between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time of the
destination address, on a business day will be deemed given at 8:00 a.m. on the
next following business day after the day of receipt. The addresses for notice
are as follows:
If to Employer: Geokinetics Inc.
0000 Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: President
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to: Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxx X. Spring, III
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
and
If to the Executive: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
0000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
8.7 BINDING EFFECT; DELEGATION OF DUTIES PROHIBITED. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties hereto and their
respective successors, assigns, heirs, and legal representatives, including any
entity with which the Employer may merge or consolidate or to which all or
substantially all of its assets may be transferred. The duties and covenants of
the Executive under this Agreement, being personal, may not be delegated.
8.8 INTERPRETATION. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law. A determination that any provision of this Agreement is
unenforceable or invalid shall not affect the enforceability or validity of any
other provision.
8.9 HEADINGS. The section headings appearing in this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience only and shall be given no substantive meaning or
significance whatever in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
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8.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the final and entire
agreement and understanding between the parties to this Agreement concerning the
subject matter of this Agreement, and this Agreement supersedes and replaces all
prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between such
parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement. No alleged
representation, warranty, promise, inducement, or statement of intention not
expressly set forth in this Agreement is binding on any party to this Agreement.
8.11 ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RELEASE BY THE EXECUTIVE. By his execution of this
Agreement, the Executive acknowledges that this Agreement supersedes and
replaces all other agreements and understandings, whether written or oral,
between the Executive and any other Person concerning the subject matter of this
Agreement. In consideration for the rights and obligations arising under this
Agreement, the Executive hereby voluntarily, knowingly, fully, finally,
completely, and forever releases, relinquishes, and forever discharges the
Employer and its Affiliates, their officers, directors, employees, and agents,
from any and all claims, actions, demands, and causes of action of whatever kind
or character, whether known or unknown, joint or several, which the Executive
might have or might claim to have against the Employer for any and all injuries,
harm, damages, penalties, costs, losses, expenses, attorneys' fees, liabilities,
or other detriments, if any, whatsoever and whenever incurred, suffered, or
claimed by the Executive arising from any prior agreement or understanding,
whether written or oral, between the Executive and the Employer, or any other
Person concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.
8.12 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of Texas without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
8.13 JURISDICTION. Any action or proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any right arising out of, this Agreement may be
brought against either of the parties in the courts of the State of Texas,
County of Xxxxxx, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United
States District Court for the District of Texas, and each of the parties
consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate
courts) in any such action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid
therein. Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the preceding
sentence may be served on either party anywhere in the world.
8.14 CASHLESS EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. The Executive shall be entitled to
exercise the options granted pursuant to Section 3.3: (i) in cash or by
certified or cashier's check payable to Employer; or (ii) by delivery to
Employer of certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock then
owned by the Executive, the Designated Value of which equals the option price of
the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the option or options being
exercised. (For purposes of this Agreement, the Designated Value of any shares
of Common Stock delivered in payment of the option price payable upon exercise
of any option granted hereunder shall be the Designated Value as of the exercise
date, and the exercise date shall be the date of delivery of the certificates
for the Common Stock used as payment of such option price. The "Designated
Value" of the shares of Common Stock on a given date shall mean the average of
the closing prices of the Common Stock on the principal market or registered
exchange on which the Common Stock is traded (or the average of the closing bid
and asked prices, if a single closing price is not reported for such market) on
the ten (10) consecutive trading days preceding the date for the determination
of such value, provided
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that the Common Stock is then traded on the over-the-counter market or on the
NASDAQ National Market System or any registered securities exchange.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
EMPLOYER:
GEOKINETICS INC.
BY:
XXX X. XXXXX, PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE:
XXXXXXX X. XXXX
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