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EXHIBIT 10.23
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement")
is effective June 1, 2001, by and between Meadowbrook, Inc., and Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive").
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth their
respective rights and obligations in connection with the employment of the
Executive by the Company by entering into a contract of employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants, agreements and understandings contained herein, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
AGREEMENT:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company agrees to employ the Executive during the
Employment Term (as such term is hereinafter defined in Paragraph 5.) and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment by the Company, subject to the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth and the Company's Associate Manual
(hereinafter referred to as the "Manual"). To the extent that the terms and
Conditions of this Agreement conflict with the Manual, this Agreement shall
control while in effect.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES. The Executive shall be employed as the
Company's President and Chief Operating Officer or in such other position(s) and
with such responsibilities and duties as the Board of Directors of the Company
may from time to time determine. The Executive shall devote his full working
time to the performance of his responsibilities and duties hereunder.
3. COMPENSATION. In consideration of the performance by Executive of
his obligations during the Employment Term, the Company will during the
Employment Term pay the Executive:
(A) BASE SALARY. A base salary of not less than $29,166.00 per
month. Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with
the normal payroll practices of the Company then in effect.
Any increases in the Base Salary shall be determined by the
Company.
(B) DISCRETIONARY BONUS. A discretionary bonus targeted at forty
percent (40%) of Executive's Base Salary. This discretionary
bonus may be paid at the sole discretion of the Company and
will be based on attainment of:
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(1) Corporate Goals (growth & profit);
(2) Profit Center Goals; and
(3) Personal Goals and Objectives.
The Company reserves the right to amend the Discretionary
Bonus target of the Executive and/or the bonus formula
described in Section 3 (B)(1)-(3).
(C) STOCK OPTIONS. The Executive has been, and shall continue to
be, eligible for the stock options, in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the 1995 Stock Option Plan of
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. In the event of any Change
in Control, all stock options previously issued, or to be
issued, to the Executive shall immediately vest ownership in
the Executive.
(D) BONUS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of any Change in
Control during the Employment Term, or any subsequent
extension thereof, the Executive shall be granted a bonus
that is the equivalent of the value of stock rights of the
Company equal to five percent (5.0%) of the value of the
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., immediately prior to the
Change in Control, minus the value of all owned shares and
the value of the vested options of the Executive.
(E) DEMAND NOTE - NON-RECOURSE. The Demand Note between the
Company and Executive and his spouse, dated November 9,
1998, shall hereinafter be deemed a non-recourse loan with
the Company's sole legal remedy in the event of a default
being the reclamation of the shares of Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc., pledged pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreement,
dated November 9, 1998. In the event of a Change in Control
during the Executive's Employment Term, this Demand Note
shall be cancelled and deemed paid in full.
(F) SEVERANCE.
(1) WITHOUT CAUSE OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TERMINATION. In the
event Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
during the Employment Term without Cause or as a result of
Change in Control of the Company:
A. Executive shall be paid a severance equal to
eighteen (18) months of his Base Salary. This
severance shall be paid bi-monthly in accordance
with the Company's regular payment schedule of its
employees. The Company's obligation to pay this
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severance shall immediately cease on the date the
Executive commences any subsequent comparable
employment;
B. The Demand Note between the Company and Executive
and his spouse, dated November 9, 1998, shall be
cancelled and considered paid in full; and
C. The Executive shall also be entitled to retain his
shares of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.,
pledged pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreement,
dated November 9, 1998, or, at the Executive's
discretion, sell these shares back to the Company
at the then current market price or their book
value, whichever is greater.
(2) FOR CAUSE TERMINATION.
A. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(I) the failure by the Executive to obey the
reasonable and lawful orders of the Board of
Directors of the Company or his direct supervisor;
(II) misconduct by the Executive that is materially
injurious to the Company; or
(III) the Executive engaging in dishonest
activities injurious to the Company.
B. Should the Executive's employment be terminated by
the Company for Cause during the Employment Term, this
Agreement shall be terminated forthwith without notice
or payment in lieu thereof and the Executive shall not
be entitled to receive any other consideration (beyond
consideration accrued to the date of dismissal that is
owing but not yet paid) from the Company.
C. Further, in the event the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company during the Employment Term for
Cause:
(I) Executive shall be paid no severance payments;
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(II) The Demand Note between the Company and
Executive and his spouse, dated November 9, 1998,
shall be cancelled and considered paid in full; and
(III) The Executive and his spouse shall forfeit
the shares of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.,
pledged pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreement,
dated November 9, 1998, or at the Company's
discretion sell these shares back to the Company
for the total sum of one dollar ($1.00).
(G) CHANGE IN CONTROL. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change
in Control" shall be defined as any purchaser acquiring 50%
or more of the outstanding shares of Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc.
4. OTHER BENEFITS. The Executive shall also be entitled to such
additional benefits as outlined in the Manual during the Employment Term or
severance period, with the exception of 401-K participation during the severance
period.
5. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The period of the Executive's employment by the
Company under this Agreement (the "Employment Term") shall commence on June 1,
2001 and shall continue through December 31, 2004 (and annually thereafter as
provided below) or the earliest date on which any of the following events
occurs:
(A) the death or retirement of the Executive;
(B) the date on which the Company discharges the Executive by
reason of the Executive's Total Disability. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Total Disability" shall have the same
meaning as used in the Manual and consistent with the Long
Term Disability Benefits of the Company;
(C) a mutual written agreement between the Company and the
Executive regarding an early termination date; or
(D) the date on which the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause as recited in Paragraph 3 (F)(2).
Either party hereto may elect not to renew this Employment Agreement by giving
the other party written notice on or before June 30, 2004. If written notice of
the election not to renew this Agreement is not provided on or before June 30,
2004, and annually thereafter, this Agreement shall renew for an employment term
of one (1) year commencing January 1, 2005, and annually thereafter.
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6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AGREEMENT. Executive agrees that the
Confidential Information Agreement, executed by him and dated March 9,1987,
shall remain in full force and effect;
7. BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. The Company may assign this Agreement to
any of its affiliates or their successors or assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its affiliates and
their successors and assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the Executive. Neither this Agreement nor any right or
interest hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, his
beneficiaries or legal representatives.
8. 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 the Company. 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 similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any or subsequent time. No agreement or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set
forth in this Agreement.
9. NOTICES. All notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed sufficient if delivered
by hand (including by courier), mailed by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid (return receipt requested), or sent by facsimile transmission, as
follows:
If to the Executive: If to the Company:
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To the address on file MEADOWBROOK, INC
with the Company's Attn: Human Resources
Human Resources 00000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Department as the Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Executive's home address.
or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by such party, and any
such notice or communication shall be effective and be deemed to have been given
as of the date so delivered or, if mailed upon receipt thereof; provided,
however, that any notice or communication changing any of the addresses set
forth above shall be effective and deemed given only upon its receipt.
10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement, or any
application thereof to any circumstance, is invalid, in whole or in part, such
provision or application shall to that extent be severable and shall not affect
other provisions or applications of this Agreement.
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11. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, excluding any choice of law
rule requiring application of the law or any other jurisdiction. Any action
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, its performance, enforcement or
breach, will be venued in the Circuit Court for the County of Oakland, State of
Michigan.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Confidential Information
Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference, sets forth the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, written or oral,
between them as to such subject matter. Further, this Agreement modifies and
amends the Demand Note between the Company and Executive and his spouse, dated
November 9, 1998, and the Stock Pledge Agreement between the Company and
Executive and his spouse, dated November 9, 1998.
13. HEADINGS. The headings contained herein are solely for the purpose
of reference, are not part of this Agreement and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and effective as of the date first written above.
WITNESSES: MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE
GROUP, INC.
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By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Its: Chairman & CEO
MEADOWBROOK, INC.
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By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Its: Vice Chairman
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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