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EXHIBIT 10.3
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 20th day of December, 1996, by and
between Safelite Glass Corp., a Delaware corporation, with a principal business
address at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx (the "Company"), and Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx, an individual residing at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
(the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company desires the benefit of the experience, supervision and
services of the Executive and desires to employ the Executive upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing and able to accept such employment on
such terms and conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Executive
hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND ACCEPTANCE. The Company hereby employs the
Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve and accept employment, initially as
the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") and reporting directly to the Board. In connection
therewith, Executive shall, from and after January 1, 1997, have the authority
and responsibility to (i) oversee and direct the strategic planning for
acquisitions and the development of related services to be offered to insurance
clients, (ii) maintain and develop the Company's relationships with the
insurance and fleet sectors of the Company business, (iii) maintain and develop
the Company's relationships with financial institutions and the investment
community and (iv) to perform such other duties consistent with the
responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board, all subject to the direction and
control of the Board. During the term of the Executive's employment with the
Company hereunder, the Executive shall devote all of his working time to such
employment and appointment, shall devote his best efforts to advance the
interests of the Company and shall not engage in any other business activities,
as an employee, director, consultant or in any other capacity, whether or not he
receives any compensation therefor, without the prior written consent of the
Board; provided, however, that the Executive may continue his present
participation on the Board of Directors of First Data Corp., Quick Response
Services, Inc., Cybercash, Inc and Xxxxxx Aerospace Corporation , as well as the
Advisory Board of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and may engage in
any other investments or activities which does not, in the reasonable
determination of the Board, detract from the Executive's time, attention and
energy required to perform his duties to the Company hereunder.
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2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. The Executive's employment and appointment hereunder
shall commence on the date hereof and continue for a period of three years,
unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 4 hereof (the "Term").
Unless either party hereto shall give the other party written notice at least
thirty (30) and not more than (60) days prior to the end of the Term, the Term
shall automatically extend for an additional two year period, which additional
two year period shall then be referred to as the Term. The Term shall continue
to be extended pursuant to the previous sentence unless the required notice is
given by either party.
3. COMPENSATION. In consideration of the performance by the Executive of
his duties hereunder, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive the
following compensation which the Executive agrees to accept in full satisfaction
for his services provided pursuant hereto (necessary withholding taxes, FICA
contributions and the like shall be deducted from such compensation):
(a) BASE SALARY. A base salary, payable in accordance with the Company's
payroll practices, at the rate of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000) per
annum during the Term ("Base Salary"). The Board of Directors of the Company
will review from time to time the Base Salary payable to the Executive hereunder
and may, in its discretion, increase but not decrease, the Executive's rate of
compensation. Any such increased Base Salary shall be and become the "Base
Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) BONUS. A bonus (the "Bonus"), payable annually in arrears, of up to a
maximum of 100% of the Executive's Base Salary, as determined by the Board.
(c) STOCK OPTIONS. Pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan, the
Company shall grant the Executive 8,424 options (the "Options") to purchase
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share.
(d) INSURANCE COVERAGES AND PENSION PLANS. Such medical, dental, life
insurance and pension benefits as are generally made available by the Company to
its executive officers ("Management") from time to time shall be made available
to the Executive.
(e) VACATION. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks vacation
each year.
(f) EXPENSES. Reimbursement of all reasonable and documented expenses
actually incurred or paid by the Executive in the performance of the Executive's
duties under this Agreement, upon presentation of expense statements, vouchers
or other supporting information in accordance with Company policy. In addition,
the Company shall pay, consistent with the Company's past practices, (i) the
Executive's reasonable travel expenses from his residence in California to the
Company's principal executive offices and (ii) the Executive's reasonable
expenses associated with maintaining an apartment near the Company's principal
executive offices.
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(g) INDEMNIFICATION. The Executive shall be entitled to indemnification
from the Company to the extent provided in its charter and by-laws and shall be
covered by the terms of the Company's policy of insurance for directors and
officers in effect from time to time (the "D&O Insurance"). Copies of the
Company's charter, by-laws and D&O Insurance will be made available to the
Executive upon request.
4. Termination.
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(a) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITH CAUSE. The Company shall have the right
at any time to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder without prior
notice upon the occurrence of any of the following (any such termination being
referred to as a termination for "Cause"):
(i) the commission by the Executive of any deliberate and
premeditated act taken by the Executive in bad faith against the
interests of the Company;
(ii) the Executive has been convicted of, or pleads NOLO
CONTENDERE with respect to, any felony, or of any lesser crime or
offense having as its predicate element fraud, dishonesty, or
misappropriation of the property of the Company;
(iii) the habitual drug addiction or intoxication of the
Executive which negatively impacts his job performance;
(iv) the willful failure or refusal of the Executive to perform
his duties as set forth herein or the willful failure or refusal to
follow the direction of the Board; or
(v) the Executive breaches any of the terms of this Agreement or
any other agreement between the Executive and the Company which breach
is not cured within 30 days subsequent to notice from the Company to
the Executive of such breach.
(b) TERMINATION BY COMPANY FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Company shall have
the right at any time to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder without
prior notice if the Executive is unable to perform substantially all of his
duties and responsibilities hereunder by reason of any mental, physical or other
disability for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days during any period
of three hundred sixty (360) consecutive calendar days (for purposes hereof,
"disability" has the same meaning as is defined for such term in the Company's
disability policy). The Company's obligations hereunder shall, subject to the
provisions of Section 5(b), also terminate upon the death of the Executive.
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(c) TERMINATION BY COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE. The Company shall have the right
at any time to terminate the Executive's employment for any other reason without
Cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Executive.
(d) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. The Executive shall be entitled to
terminate his employment and appointment hereunder upon sixty (60) days prior
written notice to the Company. Any such termination shall be treated as a
termination by the Company for "Cause" under Section 5.
(e) CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive shall be
entitled to terminate his employment hereunder, upon notice delivered within
three (3) business days of the occurrence of a Constructive Termination. Any
such termination shall be treated as a termination by the Company without Cause.
For this purpose, a "Constructive Termination" shall mean:
(i) A reduction in Base Salary.
(ii) A reduction in annual Bonus opportunity.
(iii) Unless with the express written consent of the Executive,
(I) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
substantial respect with the Executive's position, authority or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 1 of this Agreement, or
(II) any other substantial change in such position, including titles,
authority or responsibilities from those contemplated by Section 1 of
this Agreement (it being specifically agreed that for so long as the
Executive's title includes either Chairman of the Board or Chief
Executive Officer, no change in Executive's title shall be a
Constructive Termination hereunder).
(iv) The acquisition of more than 50% of the then outstanding
Class A Common Stock of the Company by any of the following companies:
Apogee Enterprises, Inc., PPG Industries, Inc., Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.,
AFG Industries, Inc., Vistar, Inc., Belron International, Vitro
Sociedad Anonima, Guardian Industries, Saint- Gobian, Pilkington, PLC
or their affiliates.
(f) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause shall
be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with Section 9. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice given prior to the termination which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated, and (iii) if the termination date is other than the date of receipt
of such notice, specifies the termination date of this Agreement (which date
shall be not more than fifteen (15) days after the giving of such notice). The
failure by any party to set forth in the Notice of
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Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause
shall not waive any right of such party hereunder or preclude such party from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing its rights hereunder.
5. Effect of Termination of Employment.
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(a) WITH CAUSE. If the Executive's employment is terminated with Cause, the
Executive's salary and other benefits specified in Section 3 shall cease at the
time of such termination, and the Executive shall not be entitled to any
compensation specified in Section 3 which has not been paid prior to such
termination; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to continue
to participate in the Company's medical benefit plans to the extent required by
law.
(b) DEATH OR DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the
death or disability of the Executive (pursuant to Section 4(b)), the Executive's
compensation provided in Section 3 shall be paid to the Executive or, in the
event of the death of the Executive, the Executive's estate, as follows:
(i) the Executive's Base Salary specified in Section 3(a) shall
continue to be paid in monthly installments until the first to occur
of (i) six (6) months following such termination and (ii) such time as
the Executive breaches the provisions of Sections 6 or 7 of this
Agreement;
(ii) a pro rata portion (based on days worked) of the Bonus
payable to the Executive, if any, specified in Section 3(b) shall be
paid, unless the Board of Directors of the Company determines to pay a
greater amount in its sole discretion;
(iii) the Executive's additional benefits specified in Section
3(c) shall continue to be available to the Executive until the first
to occur of (i) twelve (12) months following such termination and (ii)
such time as the Executive breaches the provisions of Sections 6 or 7
of this Agreement.
(c) WITHOUT CAUSE. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (pursuant to Section 4(c) or 4(e)), the Executive's
compensation provided in Section 3 shall be paid as follows:
(i) the Executive's Base Salary specified in Section 3(a) shall
continue to be paid in monthly installments until the later to occur
of (i) the initial term of this Agreement or twenty-four (24) months
following such termination (it being specifically agreed that the
Executive has no obligation to mitigate the amounts otherwise payable
pursuant to this provision);
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(ii) a pro rata portion (based on days worked) of the Bonus
payable to the Executive, if any, specified in Section 3(b) shall be
paid, unless the Board of Directors of the Company determines to pay a
greater amount, in its sole discretion;
(iii) the Executive's additional benefits specified in Section
3(c) shall continue to be available to the Executive until the first
to occur of (i) twelve (12) months following such termination and (ii)
such time as the Executive breaches the provisions of Sections 6 or 7
of this Agreement; and
(iv) fifty percent (50%) of the Options granted to the Executive
which were not vested as of the date of such termination shall be
automatically vested.
6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.
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(a) The Executive agrees that during the Non-Competition Period (defined
below) he will not in any capacity, either separately, jointly, or in
association with others, as an officer, director, consultant, agent, employee,
owner, partner or stockholder, engage or have a financial interest in any
business which is involved in auto glass replacement or repair business or any
other business which competes with the Company's current or currently planned
products as of the date of the employee's termination of Employment with the
Company (excepting only the ownership of not more than 5% of the outstanding
securities of any class listed on an exchange or regularly traded in the
over-the-counter market). The "Non-Competition Period" is (i) the period of the
Executive's employment hereunder plus (ii) a period of one (1) year thereafter;
provided, however, that the Non-Competition Period shall in no events be shorter
than three years from the date hereof; and provided, further, however, that in
the event of a termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to Sections
4(c) or 4(e) hereof, the Non-Competition Period shall be the period during which
the Executive is receiving any benefits pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof. The
Executive further agrees that during the Non-Competition Period he will not in
any capacity, either separately, jointly or in association with others, solicit
or otherwise contact any of the Company's customers or prospects, as shown by
the Company's records, that were customers or prospects of the Company at any
time during the Non-Competition Period if such solicitation or contact is for
the general purpose of selling products or services that satisfy the same
general needs as any products or services that the Company had available for
sale to its customers or prospects during the Non-Competition Period. For
purposes of this Section 6 and Section 7, the "Company" refers to the Company
and any incorporated or unincorporated affiliates of the Company.
(b) During the Non-Competition Period, the Executive will not solicit or
attempt to solicit any officer, director, consultant, executive or employee of
the Company or any of its affiliates to leave his or her engagement with the
Company or such affiliate.
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7. Secret Processes and Confidential Information.
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(a) For the Term and thereafter, (i) the Executive will not divulge,
directly or indirectly, other than in the regular and proper course of business
of the Company, any confidential knowledge or information with respect to the
operation or finances of the Company or with respect to confidential or secret
processes, techniques, machinery, customers, plans and products manufactured or
sold by the Company and (ii) the Executive will not use, directly or indirectly,
any confidential information for the benefit of anyone other than the Company;
provided, however, that the Executive has no obligation, express or implied, to
refrain from using or disclosing to others any such knowledge or information
which is or hereafter shall become available to the public other than through
disclosure by the Executive.
(b) The Executive will promptly disclose to the Company and to no other
person, firm or entity all inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets,
formulas, techniques, processes, know-how and similar matters, whether or not
patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, which are conceived or
learned by the Executive during the period of the Executive's employment with
the Company, either alone or with others, which relate to or result from the
actual or anticipated business or research of the Company or which result, to
any extent, from the Executive's use of the Company's premises or property
(collectively called the "Inventions"). The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that all the Inventions shall be the sole property of the Company, and the
Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of the Executive's rights and
interests in and to all of the Inventions, it being acknowledged and agreed by
the Executive that all the Inventions are works made for hire. The Company shall
be the sole owner of all domestic and foreign rights and interests in the
Inventions. The Executive agrees to assist the Company at its expense to obtain
and from time to time enforce patents and copyrights on the Inventions.
(c) Upon the request of, and, in any event, upon termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall promptly deliver to
the Company all documents, data, records, notes, drawings, manuals and all other
tangible information in whatever form which pertains to the Company, and the
Executive will not retain any such information or any reproduction or excerpt
thereof.
(d) The Company and the Executive agree that the provisions of this Section
7 and Section 6 above shall, as of the date hereof, supersede the terms of
Section 4 of that certain letter from the Company to the Executive dated as of
November , 1996 regarding a bonus to be paid to the Executive.
8. NOTICES. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered
personally, (b) upon confirmation of receipt when such notice or other
communication is sent by facsimile or telex, (c) one day after delivery to an
overnight delivery courier, or (d) on the fifth day following the date of
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deposit in the United States mail if sent first class, postage prepaid, by
registered or certified mail. The addresses for such notices shall be as
follows:
(a) For notices and communications to the Company:
Safelite Glass Corp.
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President
with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
A Professional Corporation
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
(b) For notices and communications to the Executive:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
X.X. Xxx 000
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
with a copy to:
Seigfreid, Bingham, Levy, Xxxxxx & Xxx
A Professional Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Any party hereto may, by notice to the other, change its address for receipt of
notices hereunder.
9. General.
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9.1 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.
9.2 AMENDMENT; WAIVER. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded,
canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a
written instrument executed by all of the parties hereto or, in the case of a
waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of any party at any time or
times to require performance of
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any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to
enforce the same. No waiver by any party of the breach of any term or covenant
contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more
instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing
waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other term or
covenant contained in this Agreement.
9.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
Executive, without regard to the duration of his employment by the Company or
reasons for the cessation of such employment, and inure to the benefit of his
administrators, executors, heirs and assigns, although the obligations of the
Executive are personal and may be performed only by him. This Agreement shall
also be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its
subsidiaries, successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or
into which the Company or its successors may be merged or which may succeed to
their assets or business.
9.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be considered to have the force and effect of an original.
9.5 ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event that any action is brought to enforce any
of the provisions of this Agreement, or to obtain money damages for the breach
thereof, and such action results in the award of a judgment for money damages or
in the granting of any injunction in favor of one of the parties to this
Agreement, all expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, shall be paid by
the non-prevailing party.
9.6 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation during his employment
hereunder in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by
the Company or any of its affiliates and for which the Executive may qualify.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled
to receive under any plan or program of the Company or any affiliated company at
or subsequent to the date of the Executive's termination of employment with the
Company shall, subject to the terms hereof or any other agreement entered into
by the Company and the Executive on or subsequent to the date hereof, be payable
in accordance with such plan or program.
9.7 COOPERATION WITH REGARD TO LITIGATION. The Executive agrees to
cooperate with the Company during the Term and for a period of two years
thereafter by making himself reasonably available to testify on behalf of the
Company or its affiliates, in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative and to assist the Company or any of
its affiliates in any such action, suit or proceeding by providing information
and meeting and consulting with the Board of Directors or its counsel or counsel
to the Company or its affiliates, as reasonably requested by the Board or such
counsel. The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for any expenses
(including, but not limited to, legal fees) reasonably incurred by Executive in
connection with his compliance with the foregoing covenant.
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9.8 SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. Provisions of this Agreement shall
survive any termination of employment if so provided herein or if necessary or
desirable fully to accomplish the purposes of such provision, including without
limitation, the obligations of the Executive pursuant to Sections 6, 7 and 9.7
hereof.
9.9 REMEDIES. It is specifically understood and agreed that any breach of
the provisions of Section 6 or 7 of this Agreement would result in irreparable
injuries to the Company, that the remedy at law for any such breach will be
inadequate and that upon breach of this provision, the Company, in addition to
all other available remedies, shall be entitled as a matter of right to
injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity
of proving the actual damage to the Company.
9.10 SEVERABLE PROVISIONS. The provisions of this Agreement are severable
and the invalidity of any one or more provisions shall not affect the validity
of any other provision. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is
unenforceable in whole or in part because the duration or scope thereof are too
broad or otherwise unreasonable under applicable law, including with respect to
time or space, the parties hereto agree that said court in making such
determination shall have the power to reduce the duration and scope of such
provision to the extent necessary to make it enforceable, and that the Agreement
in its reduced form shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
9.11 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding
of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
all prior negotiations, discussions, writings and agreements between them.
9.12 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE EXECUTIVE,
BY ITS OR HIS EXECUTION HEREOF, WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF
ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION AND THE
RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO
BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND
THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER
COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THE COMPANY AND THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT
EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THE WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT
EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE WAIVER IN THEIR RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. THE
COMPANY AND THE EXECUTIVE FURTHER REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED
THIS WAIVER WITH ITS OR HIS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND
VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS OR HIS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING
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CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT
SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS
TO THIS AGREEMENT OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT
MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as an
instrument under seal as of the date first above written.
SAFELITE GLASS CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: President
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
12/18/96
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