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EXHIBIT 10.24
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
This Pledge Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of June 17, 1996, by
and between Xxxxx Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("PSC"), and
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx ("Pledgor").
WHEREAS, PSC has granted Pledgor the option to purchase 100,000 shares
of PSC's common stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of June
17, 1996 (the "Restricted Stock Agreement");
WHEREAS, PSC has extended credit to Pledgor and may extend additional
credit pursuant to the terms of a Promissory Note, dated as of the date hereof,
in the amount of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) to finance
in part the acquisition of the Restricted Stock purchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Agreement (the "Note");
NOW, THEREFORE, to secure the Obligations (as defined below), Pledgor
and PSC hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in
this Agreement have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Restricted Stock
Agreement or the Note, as appropriate.
2. Pledge of Securities. Pledgor hereby pledges and grants to PSC a
security interest in the following:
(a) the Restricted Stock purchased by Pledgor pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Agreement, together with any other shares of capital
stock of PSC that may be distributed with respect to such Restricted
Stock (collectively, the "Securities"), and all rights and privileges
pertaining thereto;
(b) all proceeds, products, cash, securities, dividends,
increases, distributions and profits received from or on the Securities
(the "Proceeds"), including without limitation distributions or payments
in partial or complete liquidation or redemption, or as a result of
reclassifications, readjustments, reorganizations or changes in the
capital structure of the issuer of the Securities; and
(c) all subscriptions, warrants, options, preemptive rights
and other rights issued or otherwise granted by the issuer of the
Securities or any other person on or in connection with the Securities
or any other item of the Collateral (as defined below);
(all of such property and rights described in items (a), (b) and (c)
above are herein collectively called the "Collateral");
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TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Collateral, together with all rights, titles,
interests, privileges and preferences appertaining to or incidental thereto,
unto PSC, and its respective successors and assigns, forever, subject, however,
to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth. The security
interest granted and the assignments made hereunder are made as security only
and shall not subject PSC to, or transfer or in any way affect or modify, any
obligation of Pledgor with respect to any of the Collateral or any transaction
involving or giving rise thereto.
3. Obligations Secured. The pledge and security interest in the
Collateral granted hereby secures payment and performance of the following
obligations of Pledgor to PSC, whether now outstanding or incurred after the
date hereof (the "Obligations"): (a) all principal, interest, fees, expenses,
obligations and liabilities of Pledgor arising pursuant to or represented by
the Note; (b) all taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, brokerage fees,
reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses of sale of the Collateral; (c)
Pledgor's performance of his obligations under the Note, this Agreement and the
Restricted Stock Agreement; and (d) all renewals, extensions and modifications
of the indebtedness and obligations referred to in the foregoing clauses, or
any part thereof.
4. Pledgor's Warranties and Indemnity. Pledgor represents, warrants
and covenants to PSC (a) that Pledgor is and will be the lawful owner of the
Securities, (b) that the Securities are and will remain free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances and security interests other than the security interest
granted by Pledgor hereunder, and (c) that Pledgor has the right and authority
to pledge the Securities and otherwise to comply with the provisions hereof.
If any adverse claim is asserted in respect of the Securities or any portion
thereof, except such as may result from an act of PSC not authorized hereunder,
Pledgor shall indemnify PSC and hold PSC harmless from and against any losses,
liabilities and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by PSC in
exercising any right, power or remedy of PSC hereunder or defending, protecting
or enforcing the security interests created hereunder. Any such loss,
liability or expense so incurred shall be paid by Pledgor upon demand, and
shall become part of the Obligations of Pledgor secured pursuant to this
Agreement. Pledgor agrees to execute a stock power in blank for each
certificate evidencing any of the Securities and to deliver all such Securities
certificates with stock powers to PSC. PSC hereby consents to the pledge of
the Securities to PSC hereunder, notwithstanding any restrictions on transfer
of the Securities set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement.
5. Negative Covenants. Pledgor covenants and agrees that, unless
PSC otherwise consents in writing Pledgor will not: (a) sell, assign or
transfer any rights of Pledgor in the Collateral; or (b) create any lien in, or
security interest in, or otherwise encumber, the Collateral, or any part
thereof, or permit the same to be or become subject to any lien, attachment,
execution, sequestration, other legal or equitable process, or any encumbrance
of any kind or character, except the security interest herein created in favor
of PSC.
6. Dividends and Other Distributions.
(a) Pledgor shall cause all non-cash dividends and
distributions with respect to the Securities (including without
limitation any stock dividends and any distributions made on or in
respect of the Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision,
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combination or reclassification of the Securities or received in
exchange for or in respect of the Securities or any part thereof or as a
result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other transaction)
to be distributed directly to PSC, to be held by PSC as additional
Collateral; and if any such distribution is made to Pledgor, he shall
receive such distribution in trust for PSC and shall immediately
transfer it to PSC.
(b) So long as no Event of Default or Potential Default has
occurred and is continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled to receive any
cash dividends payable in respect of the Securities; provided that, upon
receipt of any such cash dividend, Pledgor will promptly (and in any
event within 30 days) pay to PSC in respect of the Obligations (to the
extent of the Obligations then outstanding) the full amount of such cash
dividend less any income taxes payable by Pledgor as a result of such
cash dividend, and, pending such payment, such cash dividend will
continue to constitute Collateral hereunder.
7. Voting Rights. So long as no Event of Default or Potential
Default has occurred and is continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise
any and all voting rights pertaining to the Securities for any purpose not
inconsistent with the terms of the Note or this Agreement.
8. Termination of Rights. During any period when an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, all rights of Pledgor to receive
dividends pursuant to Section 6(b) or to exercise voting rights pursuant to
Section 7 shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in PSC,
which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to dispose of the
Securities and to receive dividends and exercise voting rights in respect of
the Securities. Further, PSC shall have the right, during the continuance of
any Event of Default, to notify and direct the issuer of the Securities to make
all payments, distributions, dividends and any other distributions payable in
respect thereof directly to PSC. The issuer of the Securities making any
payment or distribution to PSC hereunder shall be fully protected in relying on
the written statement of PSC that it then holds a security interest that
entitles PSC to receive such payments and distributions. Any and all money and
other property paid over to or received by PSC pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 8 shall be retained by PSC as additional collateral hereunder and
may be applied in accordance with the provisions hereof.
9. Rights and Remedies of PSC Upon and After Default.
(a) Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and
in addition to any and all other rights and remedies which PSC may then
have under this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Agreement, the laws of
the United States or the Uniform Commercial Code, as then in effect in
Texas (the "Code"), or otherwise, PSC may: (i) declare the entire unpaid
balance of principal of and all accrued interest on the Obligations
immediately due and payable, without notice (including notice of
intention to accelerate and notice of acceleration) except as required
under the Note, demand or presentment, which are hereby waived; (ii)
reduce its claim to judgment, foreclose or otherwise enforce its
security interest in all or any part of the Obligations by any available
judicial procedure; (iii) after notification, if any, expressly provided
for herein, sell or otherwise dispose of, at the office of PSC, or
elsewhere as chosen by PSC, all or
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any part of the Collateral, and any such sale or other disposition may
be as a unit or in parcels, by public or private proceedings, and by way
of one or more contracts, (it being agreed that the sale of any part of
the Collateral shall not exhaust the power of sale granted hereunder,
but sales may be made from time to time until all of the Collateral has
been sold or until the Obligations have been paid in full), and at any
such sale it shall not be necessary to exhibit the Collateral; (iv) at
PSC's discretion, retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the
Obligations whenever the circumstances are such that PSC is entitled to
do so under the Code; (v) apply by appropriate judicial proceedings for
appointment of a receiver for the Collateral, or any part thereof, and
Pledgor hereby consents to any such appointment; (vi) purchase the
Collateral at any public sale; (vii) purchase the Collateral at any
private sale if permitted by the Code; and/or (viii) exercise the rights
set forth in Section 10 hereof.
(b) Sale of Securities. Pledgor recognizes that PSC may be
unable to effect a public sale of any or all of the Securities by reason
of certain prohibitions contained in the federal securities laws and
applicable state or foreign securities laws, and thus may resort to one
or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers who
will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities
for their own account for investment and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof. Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that
any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less
favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale and,
notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale
shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.
PSC shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the
Securities for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such
securities to register such securities for public sale under the federal
securities laws, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such
issuer would agree to do so. Upon the consummation of any private or
public sale, PSC shall have the right to deliver, assign, and transfer
to the purchaser thereof the Securities so sold. Each purchaser at any
such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or
right of whatsoever kind, and Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent
permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which
it has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or
statute now existing or hereafter enacted. PSC shall give Pledgor notice
of PSC's intention to make any such public or private sale at broker's
board or on a securities exchange to the extent required hereunder or by
the Code. Such notice, in case of sale at broker's board or on a
securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at which such
sale is to be made and the day on which the Securities, or that portion
thereof so being sold, will first be offered for sale at such board or
exchange. At any such sale the Securities may be sold in one lot as an
entirety or in separate parcels, as PSC may determine. PSC shall not be
obligated to make any such sale pursuant to any such notice if PSC shall
determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of
the Securities may have been given. PSC may without notice or
publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be
adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed
for the sale, and such sale may be made at any time or place to which
the same may be so adjourned. In case of any sale of all or any part of
the Securities on credit or for future delivery, the Securities so sold
may be
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retained by PSC until the selling price is paid by the purchaser
thereof, but PSC shall not incur any liability in case of the failure of
such purchaser to take up and pay for the Securities so sold and, in
case of any such failure, such Securities may again be sold upon like
notice. PSC may also, at its discretion, proceed by a suit or suits at
law, or in equity to foreclose its security interest and sell the
Securities, or any portion thereof, under a judgment or decree of a
court or courts of competent jurisdiction. If any consent, approval or
authorization of any state, municipal or other governmental department,
agency or authority should be necessary to effectuate any sale or other
disposition of the Securities or any part thereof, Pledgor shall execute
all such applications and other instruments as may be required in
connection with securing any such consent, approval or authorization,
and will otherwise use Pledgor's best efforts to secure the same.
(c) Notification. Reasonable notification of the time and
place of any public sale of the Collateral, or reasonable notification
of the time after which any private sale or other intended disposition
of the Collateral is to be made, shall be sent to Pledgor and to any
other person entitled under the Code to notice; provided, that if the
Collateral threatens to decline quickly in value, or if otherwise
permitted by the Code, PSC may (but shall not be obligated to) sell or
otherwise dispose of the Collateral without notification, advertisement
or other notice of any kind. It is agreed that notice sent or given not
less than ten calendar days prior to the taking of the action to which
the notice relates is reasonable notification and notice for the
purposes of this section.
(d) Application of Proceeds. Upon the maturity of the
Obligations or any part thereof, whether such maturity be by such terms
of such instruments or through the exercise of any power of
acceleration, PSC is authorized and empowered to apply any and all funds
realized from the sale of the Collateral not previously credited against
the Obligations first toward the payment of the costs, charges and
expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the collection of such
funds hereunder, and then toward the payment of the Obligations in such
order as PSC, in its sole discretion, shall deem appropriate, and shall
pay the balance remaining (if any) to Pledgor as prescribed by the Code
or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
10. Attorney-in-Fact. Pledgor hereby appoints PSC as the attorney-
in-fact for Pledgor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this
Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which PSC may deem
necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is
irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, PSC shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and
collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to
Pledgor and included within the Collateral and to give full discharge for the
same. Neither PSC nor any director or officer of the issuer of the Securities
shall have any liability for the distribution to and collection of the Proceeds
by PSC, but shall be fully protected in relying on the written statement of PSC
as to its authorization pursuant to this paragraph. Any and all amounts
collected by PSC pursuant hereto shall be applied against the Obligations in
the manner that PSC shall determine, in PSC's sole and absolute discretion.
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11. Certain Other Rights of PSC.
(a) Duty of Care. PSC's only duty with respect to the
Collateral shall be to exercise reasonable care to secure the safe
custody thereof. PSC shall not have a duty to fix or preserve rights
against prior parties to the Collateral, and shall never be liable for
its failure to use diligence to collect any amount payable with respect
to the Collateral, but shall be liable only to the account of Pledgor
for what PSC may actually collect or receive thereon.
(b) Financing Statement. PSC shall have the right at any time
to execute and file this Agreement or a copy of this Agreement as a
financing statement, but the failure of PSC to do so shall not impair
the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
(c) Payment of Expenses. At PSC's option, PSC may discharge
taxes, liens and interest, perform or cause to be performed, for and on
behalf of Pledgor, any actions and conditions, obligations or covenants
which Pledgor has failed or refused to perform and may pay for the
repair, maintenance or preservation of any of the Collateral, and all
sums so expended, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, court
costs, agents' fee or commissions, or any other costs or expenses, shall
bear interest from the date of payment at the highest legal rate and
shall be deemed to constitute part of the Obligations secured by this
Agreement.
12. Cumulative Rights and Remedies. All rights and remedies of PSC
hereunder are cumulative of each other and of every other right or remedy which
PSC may otherwise have at law or in equity or under any other contract or other
writing for the enforcement of the security interest herein or the collection
of the Obligations, and the exercise by PSC of one or more rights or remedies
shall not prejudice or impair the concurrent or subsequent exercise of other
rights or remedies. Should Pledgor have heretofore executed or hereafter
executed any other security agreement in favor of PSC in which a security
interest is created as security for the debts of another or others, in respect
of which Pledgor may not be personally liable, the security interest therein
created and all other rights, powers and privileges vested in PSC by the terms
thereof shall exist concurrently with the security interest created herein,
and, in addition, all property in which PSC holds a security interest under any
such other security agreement shall also be part of the Collateral hereunder,
and all or any part of the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of such
property may, in the discretion of PSC, be applied by PSC in accordance with
the terms hereof, and of such other security agreement, or agreements, or any
of them.
13. Termination. Upon payment in full by Pledgor of all Obligations
in accordance with their terms, this Agreement shall terminate and PSC shall
return to Pledgor all certificates evidencing the Securities (and any related
stock powers) then held under this Agreement.
14. Repurchase Option. If PSC exercises its right to cancel or
repurchase any of the Securities under the Restricted Stock Agreement, PSC
shall be entitled to release such Securities from the pledge under this
Agreement and cancel or repurchase such Securities in accordance with the terms
of the Restricted Stock Agreement.
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15. Further Assurances. Pledgor agrees to execute and deliver such
further instruments and take such further actions as PSC may reasonably request
from time to time to preserve or give effect to its rights under this
Agreement.
16. Action by PSC. Any election, consent, waiver or other action
that may be taken by PSC hereunder will be taken by the Chairman of the Board,
unless Pledgor is then serving in such capacity, in which case such action will
be taken by the Board.
17. Notices. Any notice to PSC that is required or permitted by this
Agreement must be addressed to PSC at its principal office to the attention of
the President, with a copy to the General Counsel. Any notice to Pledgor that
is required or permitted by this Agreement must be addressed to Pledgor at the
most recent address for Pledgor reflected in the appropriate records of PSC.
Either party may at any time change its address for notification purposes by
giving the other prior written notice of the new address and the date upon
which it will become effective. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits
any notice from one party to another, the notice must be in writing and must be
sent by courier, overnight delivery service, facsimile or certified mail,
return receipt requested, and such notice will be deemed to be given (a) if
sent by courier, on the date actually delivered, (b) if sent by overnight
delivery service, one day after being sent, (c) if sent by telecopy, on the
date that confirmation of transmission is received by the sender, or (d) if
sent by certified mail, on the third business day after being mailed.
18. Enforcement. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the choice of
law rules thereof. PSC will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies it
may have at law or in equity, to temporary and permanent injunctive and other
equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Any action to
enforce the provisions of, or otherwise relating to, this Agreement may be
brought in the appropriate courts in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, and Pledgor
hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts in any such action;
provided that, at the request of PSC or Pledgor, any claim or dispute arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or Pledgor's employment by PSC or the
termination of such employment, including any federal or state statutory
claims, will be resolved without resort to the courts solely through mediation
and, if mediation is not successful, through binding arbitration pursuant to
the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Neither party will be
liable to the other for punitive damages for any such claim or dispute. If any
action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of
this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys'
fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to
which that party may be entitled; provided that, if Pledgor becomes liable for
any such fees, costs or other disbursements, such amounts will become
Obligations under the applicable Note secured by this Agreement.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other documents and
instruments specifically referenced herein constitute the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof, and except as expressly set forth herein or therein, there are no
agreements or representations, written or oral, express or implied, with
respect to such subject matter. No provision of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or
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discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in
writing signed by Pledgor and PSC. No waiver by either party hereto of any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party
will be deemed a waiver of any other provisions or conditions at the same or at
any prior or subsequent time.
20. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the validity and enforceability of all
other provisions of this Agreement will not be affected thereby.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
multiple counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, all of
which when taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.
22. Assignment. Pledgor may not assign this Agreement or any rights
or obligations hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, Pledgor and a
duly-authorized representative of PSC have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
/s/ XXXXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
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Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx ("Pledgor")
XXXXX SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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