1
EXHIBIT 10.1
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated October 21, 1999, is made by and between UNION
PACIFIC RESOURCES GROUP INC., a Utah corporation (the "Company"), and XXXXXX
XXXXXXX III (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of
its shareholders to facilitate the recruitment and xxxxxx the continuous
employment of senior executive officers; and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly
held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such
possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it raises, may result in
the departure or distraction of the Company's senior executive officers to the
detriment of the Company and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be
taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of the
Company's senior executive officers, including the Executive, to their assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances
arising from the possibility of a Change in Control;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as
follows:
1. DEFINED TERMS. The definitions of capitalized terms used in this
Agreement are provided in the last Section hereof.
2. COMPANY'S COVENANTS SUMMARIZED. In order to induce the Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company and in consideration of the Executive's
covenants set forth in Section 3 hereof, the Company agrees, under the
conditions described herein, to pay the Executive the Severance Payments and the
other payments and benefits described herein in the event the Executive's
employment with the Company is (or, under the terms of this Agreement, is deemed
to have been)
-1-
2
terminated following a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement.
Except as provided herein, no amount or benefit shall be payable under this
Agreement unless there shall have been (or, under the terms of this Agreement,
there shall be deemed to have been) a termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company following a Change in Control and during the term of this
Agreement. This Agreement shall not be construed as creating an express or
implied contract of employment and, except as otherwise agreed in writing
between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall not have any right to
be retained in the employment of the Company.
3. THE EXECUTIVE'S COVENANTS. The Executive agrees that, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event of a Potential Change in
Control during the term of this Agreement, the Executive will remain in the
employ of the Company until the earliest of (i) a date which is six (6) months
following the date of such Potential Change in Control, (ii) the date of a
Change in Control, (iii) the date of termination by the Executive of the
Executive's employment for Good Reason or by reason of death, Disability or
Retirement, or (iv) the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment
for any reason.
4. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof
and shall continue in effect for a period of thirty-six (36) months beyond the
month in which a Change in Control occurs (or, if later, thirty-six (36) months
beyond the consummation of the transaction the approval of which by the
Company's shareholders constitutes a Change in Control under Section 15(E)(III)
or (IV) hereof).
5. COMPENSATION OTHER THAN SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
5.1 Following a Change in Control and during the term of this
Agreement, if the Executive fails to perform the Executive's full-time duties
with the Company as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness,
the Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive at the rate
in effect at the commencement of the relevant period, together with all
compensation and benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of any
compensation or benefits plan, program or
-2-
3
arrangement maintained by the Company during such period, until the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company for Disability.
5.2 If the Executive's employment is terminated for any reason
following a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement, the Company
shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive through the Date of
Termination at the rate in effect at the time the Notice of Termination is
given, together with all compensation and benefits to which the Executive is
entitled in respect of all periods preceding the Date of Termination under the
terms of the Company's compensation and benefits plans, programs or
arrangements.
5.3 If the Executive's employment is terminated for any reason
following a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement, the Company
shall pay the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits to
the Executive as such payments become due. Such post-termination compensation
and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, the
Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans,
programs and arrangements.
5.4 Notwithstanding any provision herein or any provision in the
Company's 1995 Stock Option and Retention Stock Plan (or any agreement entered
into thereunder) to the contrary (except any contrary provision dealing with a
pooling of interests transaction), (A) upon a Change in Control, any Option then
held by the Executive (other than an Option the exercisability of which is based
exclusively on the attainment of performance targets which, at the time of the
Change in Control, have not been met), shall be fully exercisable and any
restriction on any Retention Share then held by the Executive (other than a
Retention Share the vesting of which is based exclusively on the attainment of
performance targets, which, at the time of the Change in Control, have not been
met) shall lapse or be deemed fully satisfied, as applicable, and (B) if,
following a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement, the
Executive is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause or the
Executive terminates with Good Reason, then, with respect to any Option then
held by the Executive, the Executive (or his Beneficiary, if applicable) shall
have the right to exercise such Option at any time during the earlier or (i) the
five-year period following such termination or (ii) the term of the Option;
-3-
4
provided, however, that, with respect to any provision in (A) or (B) in this
Section 5.4, if it is intended that the transaction constituting a Change in
Control be accounted for as a pooling of interests under Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 16 (or any successor thereto), and if the existence and/or
operation of any such provision would violate Paragraph 47(c) thereof (or any
successor thereto), then any such provision shall (in whole or in part to the
minimum extent necessary to avoid a violation) be deemed null and void ad initio
and/or any operation of such provision shall (in whole or in part to the minimum
extent necessary to avoid a violation) be deemed to have no force or effect
under law; provided further, however, that the foregoing proviso shall apply
only if the transaction is otherwise eligible to be accounted for as a pooling
of interests.
6. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
6.1 Subject to Section 6.2 hereof, the Company shall pay the
Executive the payments described in this Section 6.1 (the "Severance Payments")
upon the termination of the Executive's employment following a Change in Control
and during the term of this Agreement, in addition to any payments and benefits
to which the Executive is entitled under Section 5 hereof, unless such
termination is (i) by the Company for Cause, (ii) by reason of the Executive's
death or Disability, or (iii) by the Executive without Good Reason. For purposes
of this Agreement, the Executive's employment shall be deemed to have been
terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason
following a Change in Control if, following a Potential Change in Control, (i)
the Executive's employment is terminated without Cause prior to a Change in
Control and such termination was at the request or direction of a Person who has
entered into an agreement with the Company the consummation of which would
constitute a Change in Control, (ii) the Executive terminates his employment
with Good Reason prior to a Change in Control and the circumstance or event
which constitutes Good Reason occurs at the request or direction of such Person,
or (iii) the Executive's employment is terminated without Cause prior to a
Change in Control and such termination is otherwise in connection with or in
anticipation of a Change in Control which actually occurs. For purposes of any
determination regarding the applicability of the immediately preceding sentence,
any position taken by the Executive shall be presumed to be correct unless the
Company establishes to the
-4-
5
Board by clear and convincing evidence that such position is not correct.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive terminates employment with the
Company by means of a Discretionary Termination, he shall be entitled to 50% of
the Severance Benefits set forth in (A) - (F) below.
(A) In lieu of any further salary payments to the Executive for
periods subsequent to the Date of Termination and in lieu of any
severance benefit otherwise payable to the Executive, the Company shall
pay to the Executive a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to
three (3) times the sum of (i) the greater of the Executive's annual
base salary in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the event
or circumstance upon which the Notice of Termination is based or the
Executive's annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control, and (ii) the greater of the average of the annual
bonuses earned or received by the Executive from the Company or its
subsidiaries in respect of the two (2) consecutive fiscal years
immediately preceding that in which the Date of Termination occurs or
the average of the annual bonuses so earned or received in respect of
the two (2) consecutive fiscal years immediately preceding that in
which the Change in Control occurs.
(B) Notwithstanding any provision of any annual or long-term
incentive plan to the contrary, the Company shall pay to the Executive
a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) any incentive
compensation which has been allocated or awarded to the Executive for a
completed fiscal year or other measuring period preceding the Date of
Termination under any such plan but which, as of the Date of
Termination, is contingent only upon the continued employment of the
Executive to a subsequent date or otherwise has not been paid, and (ii)
a pro rata portion to the Date of Termination of the aggregate value of
all contingent incentive compensation awards to the Executive for all
then uncompleted periods under any such plan, calculated as to each
such award by multiplying the award that the Executive would have
earned on the last day of the performance award period, assuming the
achievement, at the target level, of the individual and corporate
performance goals established with respect to such award, by the
fraction obtained by dividing the number of full months and
-5-
6
any fractional portion of a month during such performance award period
through the Date of Termination by the total number of months contained
in such performance award period.
(C) Notwithstanding any provision of the Company's supplemental
pension and thrift plans (the "Supplemental Plans") to the contrary,
upon the termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive for
Good Reason or by the Company, in either case at any time following the
occurrence of a Change in Control and during the term of this
Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have an additional
thirty-six (36) months of benefit credit under each of the Supplemental
Plans and shall be entitled to receive such additional credit either
(1) as part of the benefit otherwise payable under the Supplemental
Plan or (2) as a lump sum.
(D) For the thirty-six (36) month period immediately following
the Date of Termination, the Company shall arrange to provide the
Executive with life, disability, accident and health insurance benefits
substantially similar to those which the Executive is receiving
immediately prior to the Notice of Termination (without giving effect
to any amendment to such benefits made subsequent to a Change in
Control which amendment adversely affects in any manner the Executive's
entitlement to or the amount of such benefits); provided, however,
that, unless the Executive consents to a different method (after taking
into account the effect of such method on the calculation of "parachute
payments" pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof), such health insurance
benefits shall be provided though a third-party insurer. Benefits
otherwise receivable by the Executive pursuant to this Section 6.1(D)
shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually
received by the Executive without cost during the thirty-six (36) month
period following the Executive's termination of employment (and any
such benefits actually received by the Executive shall be reported to
the Company by the Executive).
(E) If the Executive would have become entitled to benefits
under the Company's post-retirement health care or life insurance plans
had the Executive's employment
-6-
7
terminated at any time during the period of thirty-six (36) months
after the Date of Termination, the Company shall provide such
post-retirement health care or life insurance benefits to the Executive
commencing on the later of (i) the date that such coverage would have
first become available and (ii) the date that like benefits described
in subsection (D) of this Section 6.1 terminate.
(F) From and after the occurrence of Change in Control and
notwithstanding any provision in the Company's 1995 Stock Option and
Retention Stock Plan (or any agreement entered into thereunder or any
successor stock compensation plan or agreement thereunder) to the
contrary, any Option held by the Executive shall be fully exercisable
and any restriction on any Retention Share held by the Executive shall
lapse or be deemed fully satisfied, as applicable.
6.2 (A) Whether or not the Executive becomes entitled to the
Severance Payments, if any payment or benefit received or to be received by the
Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of the
Executive's employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any
other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions
result in a Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such
Person) (all such payments and benefits, including the Severance payments, being
hereinafter called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the
Excise Tax, then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount
(the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive,
after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state
and local income and employment tax and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up-Payment,
shall be equal to the Total Payments. For purposes of determining the amount of
the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income and
employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and employment
taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and
state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the
state and locality of the Executive's residence on the Date of Termination, net
of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.
-7-
8
(B) For purposes of determining whether any of the Total
Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax,
(i) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within
the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the opinion of tax
counsel (the "Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive and selected
by the accounting firm (the "Auditor") which was, immediately prior to the
Change in Control, the Company's independent auditor, such other payments or
benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, including
by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (ii) all "excess parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated
as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, such excess
parachute payments (in whole or part) represent reasonable compensation for
services actually rendered, within the meaning of section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the
Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such reasonable compensation, or
are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (iii) the value of any noncash
benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Auditor
in accordance with the principles of section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
Prior to the payment date set forth in Section 6.3 hereof, the Company shall
provide the Executive with its calculation of the amounts referred to in this
Section 6.2(B) and such supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the
Executive to evaluate the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the
Company's calculations (in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax
Counsel with respect to the matter in dispute shall prevail.
(C) In the event that (i) amounts are paid to the Executive
pursuant to subsection (A) of this Section 6.2, and (ii) the Excise Tax is
subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder
at the time of termination of the Executive's employment, the Executive shall
repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise
Tax is finally determined, the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to
such reduction plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate
provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax
is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of
the termination of the Executive's employment (including by reason of any
payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the
Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall
-8-
9
make an additional Gross-Up Payment to the Executive in respect of such excess
(plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by the Executive with respect
to such excess and such portion) at the time that the amount of such excess is
finally determined.
6.3 The payments provided for in subsections (A), (B) and, if
applicable, (C) of Section 6.1 hereof and Section 6.2 hereof shall be made not
later than the fifth day following the Date of Termination; provided, however,
that if the amounts of such payments, or, if applicable, the Excise Tax, cannot
be finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the
Executive on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive
or, in the case of Gross-Up Payments under Section 6.2 hereof, in accordance
with Section 6.2 hereof, of the minimum amount of such payments to which the
Executive is clearly entitled and shall pay the remainder of such payments
(together with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the
Code) as soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than
the thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the
amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to
have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the
Executive, payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company
(together with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2) (B) of the
Code). At the time that payments are made under this Section, the Company shall
provide the Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which
such payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including,
without limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from
outside counsel, auditors or consultants (and any such opinions or advice which
are in writing shall be attached to the statement). In the event the Company
should fail to pay when due the amounts described in subsections (A), (B) and,
if applicable, (C) of Section 6.1 hereof or Section 6.2 hereof, the Executive
shall also be entitled to receive from the Company an amount representing
interest on any unpaid or untimely paid amounts from the due date, as determined
under this Section 6.3 (without regard to any extension of the Date of
Termination pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof), to the date of payment at a rate
equal to the prime rate of Citibank as in effect from time to time after such
due date.
6.4 The Company also shall pay to the Executive all legal fees and
expenses incurred by the Executive in disputing in good faith any issue relating
to the termination of the
-9-
10
Executive's employment following a Change in Control (including a termination of
employment following a Potential Change in Control if the Executive alleges in
good faith that such termination will be deemed to have occurred following a
Change in Control pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.1 hereof) or in
seeking in good faith to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this
Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent
attributable to the application of section 4999 of the Code to any payment or
benefit provided hereunder. Such payments shall be made as such fees and
expenses are incurred by the Executive, but in no event later than five (5)
business days after delivery of the Executive's written requests for payment
accompanied with such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company
reasonably may require.
7. TERMINATION PROCEDURES AND COMPENSATION DURING DISPUTE.
7.1 NOTICE OF TERMINATION. After a Change in Control and during the
term of this Agreement, any purported termination of the Executive's employment
(other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of
Termination from one party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with
Section 10 hereof. For purpose of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon and shall set 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. Further, a Notice of Termination
for Cause is required to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire membership
of the Board at a meeting of the Board which was called and held for the purpose
of considering such termination (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an
opportunity for the Executive, together with the Executive's counsel, to be
heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,
the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the
definition of Cause herein, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
7.2 DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination," with respect to any
purported termination of the Executive's employment after a Change in Control
and during the term of this
-10-
11
Agreement, shall mean (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that
the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the
Executive's duties during such thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in
the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a termination by the Company,
shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of a termination for
Cause) and, in the case of a termination by the Executive, shall not be less
than fifteen (15) days nor more than sixty (60) days, respectively, from the
date such Notice of Termination is given).
7.3 DISPUTE CONCERNING TERMINATION. If within fifteen (15) days
after any Notice of Termination is given, or, if later, prior to the Date of
Termination (as determined without regard to this Section 7.3), the party
receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute
exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be extended
until the earlier of (i) the date on which the term of this Agreement ends
(taking into account any extensions thereof that shall have occurred) or (ii)
the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written
agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the
time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected);
provided, however, that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of
dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and
the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
7.4 COMPENSATION DURING DISPUTE. If a purported termination occurs
following a Change in Control and during the term of this Agreement and the Date
of Termination is extended in accordance with Section 7.3 hereof, the Company
shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation in effect when the
notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to,
salary) and continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation, benefit
and insurance plans in which the Executive was participating when the notice
giving rise to the dispute was given, until the Date of Termination, as
determined in accordance with Section 7.3 hereof. Amounts paid under this
-11-
12
Section 7.4 are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement s and
shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this
Agreement.
8. NO MITIGATION. The Company agrees that, if the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates during the term of this Agreement, the
Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to
reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 6
hereof or Section 7.4 hereof. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit
provided for in this Agreement (other than Section 6.1(D) hereof) shall not be
reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment
by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount
claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.
9. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
9.1 In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor
to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement
prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this
Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in
the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to
hereunder if the Executive were to terminate the Executive's employment for Good
Reason after a Change in Control, except that, for purposes of implementing the
foregoing, the date on which such succession becomes effective shall be deemed
the Date of Termination.
9.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall
die while any amount would still be payable to the
-12-
13
Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon
the death of the Executive) if the Executive had continued to live, all such
amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or
administrators of the Executive's estate.
10. NOTICES. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to the
Executive, to the address shown for the Executive in the personnel records of
the Company and, if to the Company, to the address set forth below, or to such
other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective
only upon actual receipt:
To the Company:
Union Pacific Resources Group Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Vice President and General Counsel
11. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer as may be specifically
designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at
any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement supersedes any other agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof (i.e., benefits payable to the Executive by reason of the
occurrence of a Change in Control) which have been made by either party. The
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall
be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. All references to sections of the
Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor
provisions
-13-
14
to such sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any
applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any
additional withholding to which the Executive has agreed. The obligations of the
Company and the Executive under Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall survive the
expiration of the term of this Agreement. All obligations of the Company under
this Agreement shall remain unfunded and unsecured for federal income tax
purposes and the Executive's right to any payments shall be that of a general
creditor of the Company. Nevertheless, the Company shall establish a so-called
"rabbi trust" for purposes of providing payments hereunder and, in the event of
a Potential Change in Control, the Company shall immediately transfer to such
rabbi trust sufficient funds to satisfy all payment obligations to the
Executives hereunder.
12. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
13. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
14. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES; ARBITRATION. All claims by the Executive
for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to and determined by the
Board and shall be in writing. Any denial by the Board of a claim for benefits
under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall
set forth the specific reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of
this Agreement relied upon. The Board shall afford a reasonable opportunity to
the Executive for a review of the decision denying a claim and shall further
allow the Executive to appeal to the Board a decision of the Board within sixty
(60) days after notification by the Board that the Executive's claim has been
denied. Any further dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or the interpretation or alleged breach thereof, shall be
settled by arbitration in accordance with the Center for Public Resources, Inc.
Non-Administered Arbitration Rules, by three arbitrators, none of whom shall be
appointed by either party. The arbitration shall be governed by United States
Arbitration Act 9 U.S.C. Section 1-16, and judgment upon the award rendered by
the arbitrators may be entered by any court having
-14-
15
jurisdiction thereof. The place of the arbitration shall be Ft. Worth, Texas.
Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the Executive's
right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
15. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated below:
(A) "Base Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in section
280G(b)(3) of the Code.
(B) "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(C) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(D) "Cause" for termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to
substantially perform the Executive's duties with the Company (other than any
such failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice
of Termination for Good Reason by the Executive pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof)
after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive
by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's
duties, or (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries,
monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of this
definition, (x) no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be
deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in
good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive's act, or failure to
act, was in the best interest of the Company and (y) in the
-15-
16
event of a dispute concerning the application of this provision, no claim by the
Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes
to the Board by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.
(E) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if
the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
(I) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in
the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities
acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates other than
in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its
affiliates of a business) representing 15% or more of either the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; or
(II) the following individuals cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving:
individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and
any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption
of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election
contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation,
relating to the election of directors of the Company (as such
terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the
Exchange Act)) whose appointment or election by the Board or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors
then still in office who either were directors on the date
hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election
was previously so approved; or
(III) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or
approve the
-16-
17
issuance of voting securities of the Company in connection with
a merger or consolidation of the Company (or any direct or
indirect subsidiary of the Company) pursuant to applicable stock
exchange requirements, other than (i) a merger or consolidation
which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity
or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any
trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee
benefit plan of the Company, at least 50% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation
effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or
similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by
such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or
its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by
the Company or its affiliates of a business) representing 15% or
more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or
(IV) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an
agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, other than a sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by
Persons in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
-17-
18
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of integrated
transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock
of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions
continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity
which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately
following such transaction or series of transactions.
(F) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
(G) "Company" shall mean Union Pacific Resources Group Inc. and,
except in determining under Section 15(E) hereof whether or not any Change in
Control of the Company has occurred, shall include its subsidiaries and any
successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform this
Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(H) "Date of Termination" shall have the meaning stated in
Section 7.2 hereof.
(I) "Disability" shall be deemed the reason for the termination
by the Company of the Executive's employment, if, as a result of the Executive's
incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been
absent from the full-time performance of the Executive's duties with the Company
for a period of six (6) consecutive months, the Company shall have given the
Executive a Notice of Termination for Disability following such consecutive six
(6) month period, and within thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination
is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of
the Executive's duties.
(J) "Discretionary Termination" shall mean a voluntary
termination of employment by the Executive at any time during the 30-day period
immediately following the first anniversary of the Change in Control.
-18-
19
(K) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time.
(L) "Excise Tax" shall mean any excise tax imposed under section
4999 of the Code.
(M) "Executive" shall mean the individual named in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
(N) "Good Reason" for termination by the Executive of the
Executive's employment shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive's
express written consent) after any Change in Control, or after any Potential
Change in Control under the circumstances described in the second sentence of
Section 6.1 hereof (treating all references in paragraphs (I) and (VII) below to
a "Change in Control" as references to a "Potential Change in Control"), of any
one of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act,
unless, in the case of any act or failure to act described in paragraph (I),
(V), (VI) or (VII) below, such act or failure to act is corrected prior to the
Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination given in respect
thereof:
(I) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive's status as a senior executive
officer of the Company or a substantial alteration in the nature
or status of the Executive's responsibilities from those in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control other than any
such alteration primarily attributable to the fact that the
Company may no longer be a public company;
(II) a reduction by the Company in the Executive's
compensation (annual base salary plus bonus) as in effect on the
date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time;
-19-
20
(III) the relocation of the Company's principal executive
offices to a location more than 50 miles from the location of
such offices immediately prior to the Change in Control or the
Company's requiring the Executive to be based anywhere other
than the Company's principal executive offices except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive's present business
travel obligations;
(IV) the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any
portion of the Executive's current compensation or to pay to the
Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation
under any deferred compensation program of the Company, within
seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;
(V) the failure by the Company to continue in effect any
compensation plan in which the Executive participates
immediately prior to the Change in Control which is material to
the Executive's total compensation, including but not limited to
the Company's stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation
right, incentive compensation, bonus and other plans or any
substitute plans adopted prior to the Change in Control, unless
an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or
alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan, or
the failure by the Company to continue the Executive's
participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative
plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms of
the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Executive's
participation, relative to other participants, as existed
immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(VI) the failure by the Company to continue to provide the
Executive with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed
by the Executive under any
-20-
21
of the Company's pension, life insurance, medical, health and
accident, or disability plans in which the Executive was
participating immediately prior to the Change in Control, the
taking of any action by the Company which would directly or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the
Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the
Executive at the time of the Change in Control, or the failure
by the Company to maintain a vacation policy with respect to the
Executive that is at least as favorable as the vacation policy
(whether formal or informal) in place with respect to the
Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control; or
(VII) any purported termination of the Executive's
employment which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of
Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1 hereof;
for purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination
shall be effective.
The Executive's right to terminate the Executive's employment for Good
Reason shall not be affected by the Executive's incapacity due to physical or
mental illness. The Executive's continued employment shall not constitute
consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act
constituting Good Reason hereunder.
For purposes of any determination regarding the existence of Good
Reason, any claim by the Executive that Good Reason exists shall be presumed to
be correct unless the Company establishes to the Board by clear and convincing
evidence that Good Reason does not exist.
(O) "Gross-Up Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2 hereof.
(P) "Notice of Termination" shall have the meaning stated in
Section 7.1 hereof.
-21-
22
(Q) "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof,
except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its affiliated
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), (ii) a trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company
or any of its affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities
pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned,
directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(R) "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall
have occurred:
(I) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation
of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
(II) the Company or any Person publicly announces an
intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if
consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;
(III) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, or securities of the Company representing 10% or
more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or
(IV) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for
purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has
occurred.
(S) "Retirement" shall be deemed the reason for the termination
of the Executive's employment if such employment is terminated in accordance
with the Company's
-22-
23
retirement policy generally applicable to its salaried employees, as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control, or in accordance with any retirement
arrangement established with the Executive's consent with respect to the
Executive.
(T) "Severance Payments" shall mean those payments described in
Section 6.1 hereof.
(U) "Total Payments" shall mean those payments described in
Section 6.2 hereof.
UNION PACIFIC RESOURCES GROUP INC.
By: /S/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
----------------------------------------------
XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, XX.
VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
EXECUTIVE
By: /S/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx III
----------------------------------------------
XXXXXX XXXXXXX III
-23-
