EXHIBIT 10
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 3rd day of
November, 1997, but is effective for all purposes as of January 05, 1998, by and
between ECHELON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (the
"Company"), and XXXXX X. XXXXX, residing at 000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX
00000 (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby
accepts such employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement.
2. TERM
Subject to the provisions for termination as hereinafter provided, the
term of employment under this Agreement shall begin as of January 05, 1998 and
shall continue through December 31, 2000 (the "Employment Term"), provided,
however, that this Employment Agreement shall thereafter automatically be
renewed for successive one year terms of employment unless either party gives
the other written notice of termination at least one hundred twenty (120) days
prior to the end of any such term.
3. COMPENSATION
(a) BASE SALARY. Effective as of the Employment Date, the Company shall
pay to the Executive as basic compensation for all services rendered by the
Executive during the term of this Agreement a basic annualized salary of
$150,000 per year, or such other sum in excess of that amount as the parties may
agree on from time to time or as provided in the next sentence (as in effect
from time to time, the "Base Salary"), payable monthly or in other more frequent
installments, as determined by the Company. The Board of Directors shall have no
authority to reduce the Executive's Base Salary in effect from time to time. In
addition, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may award a bonus or
bonuses to the Executive in addition to the bonuses provided for in Section
3(b).
(b) BONUSES. In addition to the Base Salary to be paid pursuant to
Section 3(a), for and after the close of each fiscal year of the Company ending
on December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, provided that the Executive is then
employed by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall pay as incentive
compensation the Management Incentive Compensation Plan ("MICP") bonuses, to the
extent earned, specified on Exhibit A to this Agreement. For each fiscal year
ending after December 31, 2000, provided the Executive continues to be employed
by the Company under this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible for
incentive compensation annual bonus plan(s)
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time in accordance
with the terms of such plans.
(c) CERTAIN PLANS; INITIAL AND PERIODIC AWARDS. (i) The Company has
adopted certain incentive compensation plans including a long term incentive
plan (the "LTIP") providing for annual or other periodic awards to key employees
of, among other things, restricted stock and stock options (collectively, the
"Plans").
(ii) The Company hereby agrees to issue to the Executive under the
LTIP, effective upon the Employment Date, seven thousand five hundred (7,500)
shares of the Company's common stock (the "Restricted Stock"), which Restricted
Stock shall be subject to risk of forfeiture, which risk will lapse as to
one-fifth of the shares of the Restricted Stock on the first anniversary of the
Employment Date and as to an additional one-fifth of the Restricted Stock on
each of the then following four anniversaries of the Employment Date.
(iii) In addition to the Restricted Stock, the Company hereby
agrees to grant to the Executive under the LTIP, (1) effective as of the
Employment Date, options to purchase ten thousand (10,000) shares of the
Company's common stock (the "Initial Options"), and (2) for and after the close
of the fiscal year of the Company ending on December 31, 2000, provided that the
Executive is then employed by the Company under this Agreement, to the extent
earned, options to purchase a number of shares of the Company's common stock
specified on Exhibit A to this Agreement ("Periodic Options"). Initial Options
shall be exercisable as to one-fifth of the shares of common stock covered by
such options on the first anniversary of the date of grant thereof (the "Grant
Date") and as to an additional one-fifth of such shares on each of the then
following four anniversaries of the applicable Grant Date; Periodic Options
shall be immediately exercisable as to all shares of common stock covered
thereby. All Initial Options and Periodic Options shall expire ten (10) years
after the applicable Grant Date. The exercise price for each such option shall
be the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other market on
which the Company's stock trades if it is not listed on the New York Stock
Exchange) on the applicable Grant Date or, if such Grant Date is not a trading
day, the first trading day thereafter.
(iv) Any and all risks of forfeiture shall lapse as to all of the
Restricted Stock and the Initial Options shall be fully vested and shall be
exercisable as to all of the shares of common stock covered by the Initial
Options upon (i) the death of the Executive or termination of employment upon
the "Permanent Disability" (as that term is defined in Section 7(b)(ii) of this
Agreement) of the Executive, (ii) the termination of employment of the Executive
by the Company "Without Good Cause" (as that term is defined in Section 8(b)(ii)
of this Agreement) or (iii) the exercise by the Executive of his rights to
terminate his employment under Section 8(d)(ii) following a "Change of Control"
(as that term is defined in Section 8(d)(i) of this Agreement). Except as
provided in the preceding sentence, elsewhere in this Agreement, in an
applicable Plan or, as to any stock option, in the applicable certificate or
award agreement therefor, upon termination of the Executive's employment with
the Company, any shares of Restricted Stock as to which risk of forfeiture shall
not have lapsed shall be forfeited to the Company and canceled, and the Initial
Options, but only if and to the extent then not fully vested, shall not
thereafter become further vested.
(d) REIMBURSEMENT. The Company shall reimburse the Executive, in
accordance with the Company's policies and practices for senior management, for
all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of the
Executive's duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that the Executive
must furnish to the Company an itemized account, satisfactory to the Company, in
substantiation of such expenditures.
(e) CERTAIN BENEFITS. Effective as of the effective date of this
Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to such medical and other health
benefits as may be provided from to time to time to other senior officers of the
Company. Effective as of the Employment Date the Executive shall be entitled, in
addition to medical and other health benefits, to such fringe benefits
including, but not limited to, life insurance benefits and other benefits as may
be provided from time to time by the Company to other senior officers of the
Company. In addition, without restricting the foregoing, effective as of the
Employment Date the Company shall provide the Executive at the Company's sole
cost and expense with (i) a policy or policies of term life insurance (the
"Basic Life Insurance") providing, among other things, basic death benefits of
not less than two times the Base Salary in effect from time to time, (ii)
directors and officers liability insurance with coverage, terms and limits
suitable for a vice president of a New York Stock Exchange listed company
comparable in financial size and wherewithal to that of the Company, and (iii) a
monthly allowance of $500 cash to reimburse the Executive for the use and
maintenance of his automobile in furtherance of the business and affairs of the
Company, provided that the Executive shall at all times insure the Executive and
the Company in such amounts as may be reasonably requested by the Company
against claims for bodily injury, death and property damages occurring as a
result of its use. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to make
available to the Executive in connection with providing and paying for the Basic
Life Insurance the opportunity to purchase at the Executive's sole cost and
expense additional life insurance with a basic death benefit (the "Optional Life
Insurance") equal to two times the Executive's Base Salary in effect from time
to time (affording the Executive the opportunity to have basic death benefit
life insurance coverage equal to four times such Base Salary). The Company shall
use its reasonable best efforts to effect the transfer of the ownership to the
Executive of the policy or policies for the Basic Life Insurance and the
Optional Life Insurance, if any, upon the termination of the Executive's
employment by the Company. After the Executive's termination, payment of any
premiums would be the obligation of the Executive.
(f) OTHER INCENTIVE AND BENEFIT PLANS. Effective as of the Employment
Date the Executive shall be eligible to participate, in accordance with the
terms of such plans as they may be adopted, amended and administered from time
to time, in incentive, bonus, benefit or similar plans, including without
limitation, any stock option, bonus or other equity ownership plan, any short,
mid or long term incentive plan and any other bonus, pension or profit sharing
plans established by the Company from time to time.
3.
4. DUTIES
(a) GENERAL. The Executive is engaged as a Vice President of the
Company. In addition, at the request of the Board of Directors, the Executive
shall serve in any positions in any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company,
without any additional compensation. The Executive shall have such duties and
hold such other offices as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to him
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the
Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive for all liabilities,
costs, expenses and damages arising out of or in connection with the Executive's
employment by or service to the Company under this Agreement. In furtherance of
this indemnity, the Company shall enter into an indemnification agreement, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive and the Company. In
addition, the indemnity provided hereunder shall extend to service by the
Executive as an officer or director, or service in a similar capacity, for any
civic, community or charitable organization, provided such service is undertaken
at the request of or with the knowledge and acquiescence of the Company. The
foregoing indemnification shall be in addition to any rights or benefits the
Executive may have under statute, the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the
Company, under a policy of insurance, or otherwise.
5. EXTENT OF SERVICES; VACATIONS AND DAYS OFF
(a) EXTENT OF SERVICES. Effective as of the Employment Date, except
during customary vacation periods and periods of illness, the Executive shall
devote full-time energy and attention during regular business hours to the
benefit and business of the Company as may be reasonably necessary in performing
the Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) VACATIONS. Effective as of the Employment Date the Executive shall
be entitled to vacations with pay and to such personal and sick leave with pay
in accordance with the policy of the Company as may be established from time to
time by the Company and applied to other senior officers of the Company.
However, in no event shall the Executive be entitled to less than three weeks
vacation with pay per year during the first two years of employment and four
weeks of vacation with pay per year after two years of employment. Unused
vacation days may be carried over from one year to the next for a period of up
to two years. Any vacation days which remain unused on the second anniversary of
the end of the fiscal year to which they originally related shall expire and
shall thereafter no longer be useable by the Executive.
6. FACILITIES
The Company shall provide the Executive with a fully furnished office,
and the facilities of the Company shall be generally available to the Executive
in the performance of the Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement, it
being understood and contemplated by the parties that all
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equipment, supplies and office personnel required in the performance of the
Executive's duties under this Agreement shall be supplied by and at the sole
expense of the Company.
7. ILLNESS OR INCAPACITY, TERMINATION ON DEATH, ETC.
(a) DEATH. If after the Employment Date the Executive dies during the
term of the Executive's employment, the Company shall pay to the estate of the
Executive within 30 days after the date of death such Base Salary and any cash
bonus compensation earned pursuant to the provisions of any incentive
compensation plan then in effect but not yet paid, as would otherwise have been
payable to the Executive up to the end of the month in which the Executive's
death occurs. After receiving the payments provided in this Section 7(a) the
Executive and the Executive's estate shall have no further rights under this
Agreement (other than those rights already accrued).
(b) DISABILITY. (i) During any period of disability, illness or
incapacity after the Employment Date and during the term of this Agreement which
renders the Executive temporarily unable to perform the services required under
this Agreement, the Executive shall receive the Base Salary payable under
Section 3(a) of this Agreement plus any cash bonus compensation earned pursuant
to the provisions of any incentive compensation plan then in effect but not yet
paid, less any cash benefits received by him under any disability insurance
carried by or provided by the Company. Upon the Executive's "Permanent
Disability" (as defined below),the Executive shall receive the Base Salary
payable under Section 3(a) of this Agreement plus any cash bonus compensation
earned pursuant to the provisions of any incentive compensation plan then in
effect but not yet paid, as would otherwise have been payable to the Executive
up to the end of the month in which the Executive's Permanent Disability occurs.
Upon "Permanent Disability" (as that term is defined in Section 7(b)(ii) below)
of the Executive, except as provided in this Section 7(b), all rights of the
Executive under this Agreement (other than rights already accrued) shall
terminate.
(ii) The term "Permanent Disability" as used in this Agreement
shall mean, in the event a disability insurance policy is maintained by the
Company covering the Executive at such time and is in full force and effect, the
definition of permanent disability set forth in such policy. In the event no
disability insurance policy is maintained at such time and in full force and
effect, "Permanent Disability" shall mean the inability of the Executive, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, by reason of physical or
mental disability to perform the duties required of him under this Agreement for
a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days in any one-year period. Successive
periods of disability, illness or incapacity will be considered separate periods
unless the later period of disability, illness or incapacity is due to the same
or related cause and commences less than six months from the ending of the
previous period of disability. Upon such determination, the Board of Directors
may terminate the Executive's employment under this Agreement upon ten (10)
days' prior written notice. If any determination of the Board of Directors with
respect to permanent disability is disputed by the Executive, the parties hereto
agree to abide by the decision of a panel of three physicians. The Executive and
Company shall each appoint one member, and the third member of the panel shall
be appointed by the other two members. The
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Executive agrees to make herself
available for and submit to examinations by such physicians as may be directed
by the Company. Failure to submit to any such examination shall constitute a
breach of a material part of this Agreement.
8. OTHER TERMINATIONS
(a) BY THE EXECUTIVE. (i) The Executive may terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder upon giving at least ninety (90) days' prior written
notice. In addition, the Executive shall have the right to terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder on the conditions and at the times provided for
in Section 8(d) of this Agreement.
(ii) If the Executive gives notice pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)
above, the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the
Executive, in whole or in part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement,
or direct the Executive to no longer perform such duties, or direct that the
Executive should no longer report to work, or any combination of the foregoing.
In any such event, the Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base
Salary not yet paid, as would otherwise have been payable to the Executive up to
the end of the month specified as the month of termination in the termination
notice. In the event the Executive gives notice pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)
above but specifies a termination date in excess of ninety (90) days from the
date of such notice, the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation)
to accelerate the termination date to any date prior to the date specified in
the notice that is in excess of ninety (90) days from the date of the notice,
and the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the
Executive, in whole or in part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement,
or direct the Executive to no longer perform such duties, or direct that the
Executive should no longer report to work, or any combination of the foregoing;
provided, however, that in any such event the Executive shall be entitled to
receive the Base Salary, as would otherwise have been payable to the Executive
up to the end of the month of the termination date properly selected by the
Company. Upon receiving the payments provided for under this Section 8(a), all
rights of the Executive under this Agreement (other than rights already accrued)
shall terminate.
(b) TERMINATION FOR "GOOD CAUSE". (i) Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive
hereunder only for "good cause," which shall mean: (A) the Executive's
conviction of either a felony involving moral turpitude or any crime in
connection with the Executive's employment by the Company which causes the
Company a substantial detriment, but specifically shall not include traffic
offenses; (B) the Executive's taking action as an executive officer of the
Company which, at the time such action is taken, the Executive knows or
reasonably should know to be contrary to the best interests of the Company; (C)
the Executive's willful failure to take actions not prohibited by law and
necessary to implement policies of the Company's Board of Directors which
actions the Board of Directors has communicated to him in writing, provided that
minutes of a Board of Directors meeting attended in its entirety by the
Executive shall be deemed communicated to the Executive; (D) the Executive's
continued failure to attend to the Executive's duties as an executive officer of
the Company; or (E) the Executive's use of or substantial dependence on alcohol
or any narcotic drug
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or other controlled or illegal substance, if such use or dependence renders the
Executive unable to perform his duties under this Agreement with or without
reasonable accommodation, or any illegal use of such substance during working
hours or while performing services under this Agreement. If any determination of
substantial dependence is disputed by the Executive, the parties hereto agree to
abide by the decision of a panel of three physicians appointed in the manner and
subject to the same penalties for noncompliance as specified in Section 7(b)(ii)
of this Agreement.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the foregoing
bases for termination specified in (A) through (E) of Subsection 8(b)(i) shall
constitute "Good Cause" only if (1) the Executive has been provided with written
notice of any assertion that there is a basis for termination for good cause
which notice shall specify in reasonable detail specific facts regarding any
such assertion and the Executive has been given a reasonable period of time
within which to remedy or cure the problem or complaint, (2) such notice is
provided to the Executive a reasonable time before the Board of Directors meets
to consider any possible termination for cause, (3) at or prior to the meeting
of the Board of Directors to consider the matters described in the written
notice, an opportunity is provided to the Executive and his counsel to be heard
by the Board of Directors with respect to the matters described in the written
notice, before it acts with respect to such matter, (4) any resolution or other
action by the Board of Directors with respect to any deliberation regarding or
decision to terminate the Executive for good cause is duly adopted by a vote of
a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Company at a meeting of the
Board duly called and held and (5) the Executive is promptly provided with a
copy of the resolution or other corporate action taken with respect to such
termination.
(iii) If the employment of the Executive is terminated for
good cause under Section 8(b)(i) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the
Executive any Base Salary earned prior to the effective date of termination but
not yet paid and any cash bonus compensation earned pursuant to the provisions
of any incentive compensation plan then in effect but not paid to the Executive
prior to the effective date of such termination. Under such circumstances, such
payments shall be in full and complete discharge of any and all liabilities or
obligations of the Company to the Executive hereunder, and the Executive shall
be entitled to no further benefits under this Agreement (other than rights
already accrued).
(iv) Termination of the employment of the Executive other than
as expressly specified above in this Section 8(b) for good cause shall be deemed
to be a termination of employment "Without Good Cause."
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE. (i) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive's employment Without Good Cause pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 8(c). If after the Employment Date the Company shall terminate the
employment of the Executive Without Good Cause effective on a date earlier than
the termination date provided for in Section 2 (with the effective date of
termination as so identified by the Company being referred to herein as the
"Accelerated Termination Date"), the Executive, until the end of the term of
this Agreement then in effect as provided for in Section 2 or until the date
which is 24 months after the Accelerated Termination Date, whichever is greater,
shall continue to receive, paid in the same monthly or other periodic
installments or at the otherwise same
7.
applicable times as in effect prior to the Accelerated Termination Date, (1) the
Base Salary, (2) an amount equal to the target level of the annual MICP cash
bonus payable to the Executive as described on Exhibit A or any similar bonus or
incentive plans or programs then in effect (the "MICP Target Amount") in respect
of the year during which the Executive's employment terminates or, if greater,
the MICP Target Amount multiplied times the number of years (or fractions
thereof) remaining in the then unexpired term of this Agreement, and (3) any
other cash or other bonus compensation earned prior to the date of such
termination pursuant to the terms of all incentive compensation plans then in
effect other than under the MICP as described on Exhibit A or any similar bonus
or incentive plans or programs then in effect; provided that, notwithstanding
such termination of employment, the Executive's covenants set forth in Section
10 and Section 11 are intended to and shall remain in full force and effect and
provided further that in the event of such termination, the Company shall have
the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the Executive, in whole or in
part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement, or direct the Executive to
no longer perform such duties, or direct that the Executive no longer be
required to report to work, or any combination of the foregoing.
(ii) The parties agree that, because there can be no exact
measure of the damage that would occur to the Executive as a result of a
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment Without Good Cause, the
payments and benefits paid and provided pursuant to this Section 8(c) shall be
deemed to constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty for the Company's
termination of the Executive's employment Without Good Cause.
(d) CHANGE OF CONTROL. (i) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in
Control" shall mean the first to occur of:
(1) a change in control of the Company of a nature that
is required, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), to be reported in response
to Item 1(a) of a Current Report on Form 8-K or Item
6(e) of Schedule 14A under the 1934 Act (in each case
under this Agreement, references to provisions of the
1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder being understood to refer to such law,
rules and regulations as the same are in effect on
November 1, 1996); or
(2) the acquisition of "Beneficial Ownership" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the 0000 Xxx) of the Company's
securities comprising 35% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's outstanding securities
by any "person" (as that term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, but not including
any trustee or fiduciary acting in that capacity for
an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company)
and such person's "affiliates" and "associates" (as
those terms are defined under the 1934 Act), but
excluding any ownership by the Executive and his
affiliates and associates; or
8.
(3) the failure of the "Incumbent Directors" (as defined
below) to constitute at least a majority of all
directors of the Company (for these purposes,
"Incumbent Directors" means individuals who were the
directors of the Company on November 1, 1996, and,
after his or her election, any individual becoming a
director subsequent to November 1, 1996, whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Directors, except that no individual shall
be considered an Incumbent Director who is not
recommended by management and whose initial
assumption of office as a director is in connection
with an actual or threatened "election contest"
relating to the "election of directors" of the
Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A under the 0000 Xxx); or
(4) the closing of a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company;
(5) the Company's adoption of a plan of dissolution or
liquidation; or
(6) the closing of a merger or consolidation involving
the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or if, immediately following such merger
or consolidation, less than seventy-five percent
(75%) of the surviving corporation's outstanding
voting stock is held or is anticipated to be held by
persons who are stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation.
(ii) If after the Employment Date a Change in Control of the
Company occurs, the Executive shall have the right, exercisable for a period of
one year thereafter by delivering a written statement to that effect to the
Company, to immediately terminate this Agreement and upon such a determination
the Executive shall have the right to receive and the Company shall be obligated
to pay to Executive in cash a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the sum of
(1) two times the annual Base Salary then in effect, (2) two times the MICP
Target Amount (as that term is defined in Section (8)(c)) in the year in which
employment terminates and (3) the additional payments necessary to discharge
certain tax liabilities (the "Gross Up") as that term is defined in Section 13
of this Agreement (the sum of the foregoing amounts other than the Gross Up
being referred to as the "Change in Control Payment"). If the Executive fails to
exercise his rights under this Section 8(d) within one year following a Change
in Control, such rights shall expire and be of no further force or effect.
(e) INTENTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN STOCK AND BENEFIT PLANS. Except as
otherwise provided herein, upon any termination of the Executive's employment
upon the Without Good Cause or upon the exercise by the Executive of his rights
to terminate his employment following a Change of Control, it is the intention
of the parties that any and all vesting or performance requirements or
conditions affecting any outstanding restricted stock, performance stock, stock
option, stock appreciation right, bonus, award, right, grant or any other
incentive compensation under any of the
9.
Plans, under this Agreement, or otherwise received, shall be deemed to be fully
satisfied and any risk of forfeiture with respect thereto shall be deemed to
have lapsed.
(f) CERTAIN RIGHTS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. The provisions of Section 8(c)
and Section 8(d) are mutually exclusive, provided, however, that if within one
year following commencement of an 8(c) payout there shall be a Change in Control
as defined in Section 8(d)(i), then the Executive shall be entitled to the
amount payable to the Executive under Section 8(d)(ii) reduced by the amount
that the Executive has received under Section 8(c) up to the date of the change
in control. The triggering of the lump sum payment requirement of Section 8(d)
shall cause the provisions of Section 8(c) to become inoperative.
9. DISCLOSURE
The Executive agrees that during the term of the Executive's employment
by the Company, and except as otherwise required by law, the Executive will
disclose and disclose only to the Company all ideas, methods, plans,
developments or improvements known by him which relate directly or indirectly to
the business of the Company, whether acquired by the Executive before or during
the Executive's employment by the Company. Nothing in this Section 9 shall be
construed as requiring any such communication where the idea, plan, method or
development is lawfully protected from disclosure as a trade secret of a third
party or by any other lawful prohibition against such communication. The
covenants of this Section 9 shall not be violated by ordinary and customary
communications with reporters, bankers and securities analysts and other members
of the investment community.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY
Except as otherwise required by law, the Executive agrees to keep in
strict secrecy and confidence any and all information the Executive assimilates
or to which the Executive has access during the Executive's employment by the
Company and which has not been publicly disclosed and is not a matter of common
knowledge in the fields of work of the Company. The Executive agrees that both
during and after the term of the Executive's employment by the Company, the
Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose
any such confidential information to any third person, partnership, joint
venture, company, corporation or other organization. The foregoing covenants
shall not be breached to the extent that any such confidential information
becomes a matter of general knowledge other than through a breach by the
Executive of the Executive's obligations under this Section 10.
10.
11. NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION
(a) GENERAL. The Executive hereby acknowledges that, during and solely
as a result of the Executive's employment by the Company, the Executive has
received and shall continue to receive: (1) special training and education with
respect to the operations of the Company's real estate development and
management businesses and its leasing, lending and financing activities, and
other related matters, and (2) access to confidential information and business
and professional contacts. In consideration of the special and unique
opportunities afforded to the Executive by the Company as a result of the
Executive's employment, as outlined in the previous sentence, the Executive
hereby agrees to the restrictive covenants in this Section 11.
(b) NONCOMPETITION. During the term of the Executive's employment,
whether pursuant to this Agreement, any automatic or other renewal hereof or
otherwise, and, except as may be otherwise herein provided, for a period of two
(2) years after the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
regardless of the reason for such termination, the Executive shall not, directly
or indirectly, enter into, engage in, be employed by or consult with any
business which competes with the Company's real estate lending, leasing,
development or management businesses in Florida. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
however, if the Executive's employment by the Company terminates on account of
the giving by the Company of notice of termination pursuant to Section 2 of this
Agreement, then (i) the two (2) year period referred to in the preceding
sentence shall be shortened to one (1) year, and (ii) the geographic region
referred to in the preceding sentence shall be reduced from Florida to the
greater Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota
Counties) and the greater Orlando area (Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake
Counties). The Executive shall not engage in such prohibited activities, either
as an individual, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, advisor,
independent contractor, joint venturer, consultant, agent, or representative or
salesman for any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity so
competing with the Company. The restrictions of this Section 11 shall not be
violated by (i) the ownership of no more than 2% of the outstanding securities
of any company whose stock is listed, traded or quoted on a national securities
exchange or any market maintained or operated by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, or (ii) other outside business investments that do not in
any manner conflict with the services to be rendered by the Executive for the
Company and that do not diminish or detract from the Executive's ability to
render the Executive's required attention to the business of the Company.
(c) NONSOLICITATION. During the Executive's employment with the Company
and, except as may be otherwise herein provided, for a period of two (2) years
following the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
regardless of the reason for such termination, the Executive agrees the
Executive will refrain from and will not, directly or indirectly, as an
individual, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, advisor,
independent contractor, joint venturer, consultant, agent, representative,
salesman or otherwise solicit any of the employees of the Company to terminate
their employment.
11.
(d) TERM EXTENDED OR SUSPENDED. The period of time during which the
Executive is prohibited from engaging in certain business practices pursuant to
Sections 11(b) or (c) shall be extended by any length of time during which the
Executive is in breach of such covenants.
(e) ESSENTIAL ELEMENT. It is understood by and between the parties
hereto that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth in Sections 11(a)
through (c) are essential elements of this Agreement, and that, but for the
agreement of the Executive to comply with such covenants, the Company would not
have agreed to enter into this Agreement. Such covenants by the Executive shall
be construed as agreements independent of any other provision in this Agreement.
The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the
Company, whether predicated on this Agreement, or otherwise, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants.
(f) SEVERABILITY. It is agreed by the Company and Executive that if any
portion of the covenants set forth in this Section 11 are held to be invalid,
unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then such portion of such
covenants shall be considered divisible both as to time and geographical area.
The Company and Executive agree that, if any court of competent jurisdiction
determines the specified time period or the specified geographical area
applicable to this Section 11 to be invalid, unreasonable, arbitrary or against
public policy, a lesser time period or geographical area which is determined to
be reasonable, non-arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced
against the Executive. The Company and the Executive agree that the foregoing
covenants are appropriate and reasonable when considered in light of the nature
and extent of the business conducted by the Company.
12. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE
The Executive agrees that damages at law will be an insufficient remedy
to the Company if the Executive violates the terms of Sections 9, 10 or 11 of
this Agreement and that the Company would suffer irreparable damage as a result
of such violation. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Company shall be entitled,
upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, to obtain injunctive
relief to enforce the provisions of such Sections, which injunctive relief shall
be in addition to any other rights or remedies available to the Company. The
Executive agrees to pay to the Company all reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by the Company relating to the enforcement of the terms of Sections 9,
10 or 11 of this Agreement, including reasonable fees and reasonable
disbursements of counsel selected by the Company (during investigation and
before and at trial and in appellate proceedings).
12.
13. PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES
(a) PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES. If the Executive is to receive any Change
of Control Payment under Section 8(d), or any benefit or payment under the Plans
as a result of a Change of Control, following the death or Permanent Disability
of the Executive or following the termination of employment hereunder Without
Good Cause (such sections being referred to as the "Covered Sections" and the
benefits and payments to be received thereunder being referred to as the
"Covered Payments", the Executive shall be entitled to receive the amount
described below to the extent applicable. If any Covered Payment(s) under any of
the Covered Sections or by the Company under another plan or agreement
(collectively, the "Payments") are subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended from time to time, the
"Code"), or any successor or similar provision of the Code (the "Excise Tax"),
the Company shall pay the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross Up") such
that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax
on the Payments and the federal income tax on any amounts paid under this
Section 13 shall be equal to the Payments.
(b) CERTAIN ADJUSTMENT PAYMENTS. For purposes of determining the Gross
Up, the Executive shall be deemed to pay the federal income tax at the highest
marginal rate of taxation (currently 39.5%) in the calendar year in which the
payment to which the Gross Up applies is to be made. The determination of
whether such Excise Tax is payable and the amount thereof shall be made upon the
opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the
Executive. The Gross Up, if any, that is due as a result of such determination
shall be paid to the Executive in cash in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of
such computation. If such opinion is not finally accepted by the Internal
Revenue Service upon audit or otherwise, then appropriate adjustments shall be
computed (without interest but with Gross Up, if applicable) by such tax counsel
based upon the final amount of the Excise Tax so determined; any additional
amount due the Executive as a result of such adjustment shall be paid to the
Executive by his or her Company in cash in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of
such computation, or any amount due the Executive's Company as a result of such
adjustment shall be paid to the Company by the Executive in cash in a lump sum
within thirty (30) days of such computation.
14. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by either party to this Agreement of a
breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party shall not
be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
(b) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding the fact that
certain provisions of this Agreement and/or Exhibit A reference a three year
cycle or provide for benefits upon a third year of employment, this Agreement
shall have a two year term with annual one year renewal terms subject to the
termination provisions contained herein.
13.
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Executive represents and
warrants that the execution of this Agreement by him and the Executive's
performance of the Executive's obligations hereunder will not conflict with,
result in the breach of any provision 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.
(d) BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the
Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the Company. This Agreement is a personal
employment contract and the rights, obligations and interests of the Executive
hereunder may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated.
(e) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be changed only by an
agreement in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver, change,
amendment, modification or discharge is sought.
(f) NO DUTY TO MITIGATE. The Executive shall be under no duty to
mitigate any loss of income as result of the termination of his employment
hereunder and any payments due the Executive upon termination of employment
shall not be reduced in respect of any other employment compensation received by
the Executive following such termination.
(g) FLORIDA LAW. This Agreement shall be construed pursuant to and
governed by the substantive laws of the State of Florida (except that any
provision of Florida law shall not apply if the law of a state or jurisdiction
other than Florida would otherwise apply).
(h) VENUE; PROCESS. The parties to this Agreement agree that
jurisdiction and venue in any action brought pursuant to this Agreement to
enforce its terms or otherwise with respect to the relationships between the
parties shall properly lie in and only in the Circuit Court of the Sixth
Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida in and for Pinellas County (the
"Circuit Court") and the parties agree that jurisdiction shall not properly lie
in any other jurisdiction provided, however, if jurisdiction does not properly
lie with the Circuit Court, the parties agree that jurisdiction and venue shall
properly lie in and only in the United States District Court for the Middle
District of Florida, Tampa Division. The parties hereby waive any objections
which they may now or hereafter have based on venue and/or forum non conveniens
and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any such court in any legal suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties
further agree that the mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, of any process required by any such court shall constitute valid and
lawful service of process against them, without the necessity for service by any
other means provided by statute or rule of court.
(i) HEADINGS. The headings of the various sections in this Agreement
are inserted for the convenience of the parties and shall not affect the
meaning, construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(j) SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prohibited, unenforceable or not
authorized in any jurisdiction shall,
14.
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition,
unenforceability or non-authorization without invalidating the remaining
provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such
provision in any other jurisdiction. In any such case, such determination shall
not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions
of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision or
term of this Agreement is susceptible to two or more constructions or
interpretations, one or more of which would render the provision or term void or
unenforceable, the parties agree that a construction or interpretation which
renders the term or provision valid shall be favored.
(k) DEDUCTION FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Company's obligations to make
payments under this Agreement are independent of whether any or all of such
payments are deductible expenses of the Company for federal income tax purposes.
(l) ENFORCEMENT. If, within 10 days after demand to comply with the
obligations of one of the parties to this Agreement served in writing on the
other, compliance or reasonable assurance of compliance is not forthcoming, and
the party demanding compliance engages the services of an attorney to enforce
rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party in any action shall be
entitled to recover all reasonable costs and expenses of enforcement (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and reasonable expenses during investigation, before
and at trial and in appellate proceedings). In addition, each of the parties
agrees to indemnify the other in respect of any and all claims, losses, costs,
liabilities and expenses, including reasonable fees and reasonable disbursements
of counsel (during investigation prior to initiation of litigation and at trial
and in appellate proceedings if litigation ensues), directly or indirectly
resulting from or arising out of a breach by the other party of their respective
obligations hereunder. The parties' costs of enforcing this Agreement shall
include prejudgment interest. Additionally, if any party incurs any
out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, all
such amounts shall accrue interest at 18% per annum (or such lower rate as may
be required to avoid any limit imposed by applicable law) commencing 30 days
after any such expenses are incurred.
(m) NOTICES. All notices which are required or may be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
received if personally delivered; when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy or
similar electronic transmission method; one working day after it is sent, if
sent by recognized expedited delivery service; and three days after it is sent,
if mailed, first class mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, with
postage prepaid. In each case notice shall be sent to:
To the Company: Echelon International Corporation
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Chairman of the Board
Telecopy:(000) 000-0000
To the Executive at the Executive's address herein first above written,
or to such other address as either party may specify by written notice to the
other.
15.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the
day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ECHELON INTERNATIONAL
CORPORATION
(Corporate Seal)
By:
--------------------------------- -------------------------------
Secretary President
Witnesses: EXECUTIVE
--------------------------------- -------------------------------
XXXXX X. XXXXX
---------------------------------
As to Executive
16.
EXHIBIT A
TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH XXXXX XXXXX
MICP
For and after the close of each fiscal year of the Company ending on
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, provided that the Executive is then employed
by the Company under this Agreement, the MICP will provide for a cash bonus, if
and to the extent earned, based upon satisfaction by the Executive of specific
threshold, target and maximum individual goals ("Executive Performance Goals")
and upon achievement by the Company of specific threshold, target and maximum
net income goals ("Company Net Income Goals"). To the extent applicable,
Executive Performance Goals and Company Net Income Goals will be determined each
year by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and shall be set
forth in writing and attached as a schedule hereto no later than January 31 of
the applicable fiscal year. For each such fiscal year, a portion of the
applicable MICP bonus amount shall be based upon satisfaction of the applicable
Executive Performance Goals (the "Executive-Based MICP Award") and a portion of
the applicable MICP bonus amount shall be based upon satisfaction of the
applicable Company Net Income Goals (the "Company-Based MICP Award"). All MICP
bonuses shall be paid only in cash.
For each fiscal year covered by the MICP as provided on this Exhibit A,
(i) if the threshold Executive Performance Goal is not achieved, no
Executive-Based MICP Award will be paid, (ii) if actual Executive performance
exceeds the threshold Executive Performance Goal but is less than the target
Executive Performance Goal, or if actual Executive performance exceeds the
target Executive Performance Goal but is less than the maximum Executive
Performance Goal, the Executive-Based MICP Award shall be proportionately
increased above the applicable threshold or target Executive-Based MICP Award,
as the case may be, and (iii) if actual Executive performance equals or exceeds
the maximum Executive Performance Goal, the maximum Executive-Based MICP Award
will be paid, but no additional Executive-Based MICP Award will be payable for
such fiscal year regardless of the amount by which actual Executive performance
for such fiscal year exceeds the maximum Executive Performance Goal.
For each fiscal year covered by the MICP as provided on this Exhibit A,
(i) if the threshold Company Net Income Goal is not achieved, no Company-Based
MICP Award will be paid, (ii) if actual net income exceeds the threshold Company
Net Income Goal but is less than the target Company Net Income Goal, or if
actual net income exceeds the target Company Net Income Goal but is less than
the maximum Company Net Income Goal, the Company-Based MICP Award shall be
proportionately increased above the applicable threshold or target Company-Based
MICP Award, as the case may be, and (iii) if actual net income equals or exceeds
the maximum Company Net Income Goal, the maximum Company-Based MICP Award will
be paid, but no additional Company-Based MICP Award will be payable for such
fiscal year regardless of the amount by which actual net income for such fiscal
year exceeds the maximum Company Net Income Goal.
17.
For each fiscal year ending after December 31, 2000, provided the
Executive continues to be employed by the Company under this Agreement, the
Executive shall be eligible for incentive compensation annual cash bonus plan(s)
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and applicable to the Executive
from time to time in accordance with the terms of such plans, which may include
annual cash bonuses under the MICP as set forth on this Exhibit A.
The following table sets forth information regarding the MICP cash
bonuses to be paid for each year covered by the MICP as provided on this Exhibit
A, upon satisfaction of threshold, target and maximum levels of Executive
Performance Goals and Company Net Income Goals and subject to adjustment as
provided above, in each case expressed as a percentage of Base Salary in effect
as of the end of the applicable fiscal year.
INDIVIDUAL- COMPANY- TOTAL
BASED MICP BASED MICP MICP
PERFORMANCE AWARD AWARD AWARD
LEVEL (60%) (40%) (100%)
----------- ------------ ---------- ------
THRESHOLD 10.5% 7.0% 17.5%
TARGET 21.0% 14.0% 35.0%
MAXIMUM 31.5% 21.0% 52.5%
18.
LTIP
All LTIP awards of Periodic Options pursuant to this Agreement shall be
based on three year cycles (each an "LTIP Cycle"), with each LTIP Cycle ending
as of the last day of each fiscal year ending on or after December 31, 2000. For
each LTIP Cycle, any award of Periodic Options shall be determined based upon
the Executive's cumulative performance for the three fiscal years in such LTIP
Cycle ("Executive Cycle Performance") as compared to the sums of the threshold,
target and maximum Executive Performance Goals for the three fiscal years in
such LTIP Cycle ("Executive Cycle Goals"), and the Company's cumulative net
income for the three fiscal years in such LTIP Cycle ("Company Cycle Net
Income") as compared to the sum of the Company Net Income Goals for the three
fiscal years in such LTIP Cycle ("Company Cycle Net Income Goals").
For and after the close of the three fiscal year period ending December
31, 2000 (the "Initial LTIP Cycle"), provided that the Executive is then
employed by the Company under this Agreement, the LTIP will provide for an award
of Periodic Options, if and to the extent earned, based upon satisfaction by the
Executive of the Executive Performance Goals and upon achievement by the Company
of the Company Net Income Goals. For such period, a portion of the number of
shares covered by the applicable Periodic Options shall be based upon
satisfaction of the applicable Executive Performance Goals (the "Executive-Based
LTIP Award") and a portion of the number of shares covered by the applicable
Periodic Options shall be based upon satisfaction of the applicable Company Net
Income Goals (the "Company-Based LTIP Award").
For each LTIP Cycle covered by the LTIP as provided on this Exhibit A,
(i) if the threshold Executive Cycle Goal is not achieved, no Executive-Based
LTIP Award will be paid, (ii) if Executive Cycle Performance exceeds the
threshold Executive Cycle Goal but is less than the target Executive Cycle Goal,
or if actual Executive Cycle Performance exceeds the target Executive Cycle Goal
but is less than the maximum Executive Cycle Goal, the Executive-Based LTIP
Award shall be proportionately increased above the applicable threshold
Executive-Based LTIP Award or target Executive-Based LTIP Award, as the case may
be, and (iii) if actual Executive Cycle Performance equals or exceeds the
maximum Executive Performance Goal, the maximum Executive-Based LTIP Award will
be paid, but no additional amount of Executive-Based LTIP Award will be granted
under the LTIP regardless of the amount by which actual Executive Cycle
Performance for such LTIP Cycle exceeds the maximum Executive Cycle Goal.
For each LTIP Cycle covered by the LTIP as provided on this Exhibit A,
(i) if the threshold Company Cycle Net Income Goal is not achieved, no
Company-Based LTIP Award will be paid, (ii) if actual Company Cycle Net Income
exceeds the threshold Company Cycle Net Income Goal but is less than the target
Company Cycle Net Income Goal, or if actual Company Cycle Net Income exceeds the
target Company Cycle Net Income Goal but is less than the maximum Company Cycle
Net Income Goal, the Company-Based LTIP Award shall be proportionately increased
above the applicable threshold Company-Based LTIP Award or target Company-Based
LTIP Award, as the case may be, and (iii) if actual Company Cycle Net Income
equals or exceeds the maximum Company Cycle Net Income Goal, the maximum
Company-Based LTIP Award will be paid, but no additional amount of Company-Based
LTIP Award will be granted under the LTIP regardless of the
19.
amount by which actual Company Cycle Net Income for such LTIP Cycle exceeds the
maximum Company Cycle Net Income Goal.
For fiscal years ending after December 31, 2000, provided the Executive
continues to be employed by the Company under this Agreement, the Executive
shall be eligible for incentive compensation periodic stock option plan(s)
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time in accordance
with the terms of such plans, which may include annual grants of Periodic
Options under the LTIP as set forth on this Exhibit A.
The following tables set forth information regarding the threshold,
target and maximum levels of Executive Performance Goals and Company Net Income
Goals and the number of shares of the Company's common stock to be covered by
Periodic Options issued under the LTIP for each LTIP Cycle covered by the LTIP
for LTIP Cycles beyond the Initial LTIP Cycle as provided on this Exhibit A upon
satisfaction of such goals and subject to adjustment as provided above.
INITIAL LTIP CYCLE
THREE-YEAR CYCLE ENDING 12/31/2000
----------------------------------------------------------------
INDIVIDUAL- COMPANY- TOTAL
BASED LTIP BASED LTIP LTIP
PERFORMANCE AWARD AWARD AWARD
LEVEL (60%) (40%) (100%)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
THRESHOLD 1,800 shares 1,200 shares 3,000 shares
TARGET 3,600 shares 2,400 shares 6,000 shares
MAXIMUM 5,400 shares 3,600 shares 9,000 shares
SUBSEQUENT LTIP CYCLES (IF APPLICABLE)
THREE-YEAR CYCLES ENDING EACH FISCAL YEAR 12/31/2001 AND THEREAFTER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
INDIVIDUAL- COMPANY- TOTAL
BASED LTIP BASED LTIP LTIP
PERFORMANCE AWARD AWARD AWARD
LEVEL (60%) (40%) (100%)
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
THRESHOLD 600 shares 400 shares 1,000 shares
TARGET 1,200 shares 800 shares 2,000 shares
MAXIMUM 1,800 shares 1,200 shares 3,000 shares
20.
