EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT dated as of the 1st day of January, 2001 by and between
Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal office at
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxx,
residing at 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has engaged Executive as the chief executive
officer of its subsidiary, Creative Socio-Medics Corp. ("CSM"), and as an
officer of the Company and desires to continue to obtain the benefits of
Executive's knowledge, skill and ability in connection with managing the
operations of the Company and to continue to employ Executive on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to provide his services to the Company and to
accept employment by the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth in
this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties.
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(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
the Company hereby employs the Executive as a senior executive officer. During
the Employment Term, as hereinafter defined, the Executive shall report to the
Company's chief executive officer. The Executive shall work in coordination with
the Company's chief executive officer in such areas as the planning,
organization and direction of the Company's business, and he shall be
responsible for the implementation of the Company's marketing program. The
Executive's initial position shall be as President of the Company. He shall also
continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of CSM. The Executive shall also
perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the
Company's board of directors (the "Board") or chief executive officer, as long
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as such duties and responsibilities are consistent with those of the senior
executive officer.
(b) The Executive shall serve as a director of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, if elected, and in such executive capacity or capacities
with respect to any affiliate of the Company to which he may be elected or
appointed, provided that such duties are consistent with those of a senior
executive officer of the Company. During the Employment Term, the Executive
shall receive no additional compensation for services rendered pursuant to this
Paragraph 1(b).
(c) Unless terminated earlier as provided for in Paragraph 1(d)
or 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement shall have an initial term (the "Initial
Term") commencing as of the date of this Agreement and expiring on December 31,
2002. The Executive shall have the right, on notice given not later than sixty
(60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term, to extend the term for a period
of one (1) year. The Initial Term and the one-year extension are collectively
referred to as the "Employment Term."
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 1(c) of this
Agreement, as long as this Agreement shall not have been terminated pursuant to
Paragraph 5(a), (b) or (c) of this Agreement, the Executive, on ninety (90) days
written notice to the Board, shall have the right to terminate the Employment
Term, in which event the Employment Term shall end on the date set forth in such
notice with the same effect as if such date were the last day of the Employment
Term set forth in Paragraph 1(c) of this Agreement.
(e) Immediately following the Employment Term, whether the
Employment Term shall have expired pursuant to Paragraph 1(c) of this Agreement
or terminated by the Executive pursuant to Paragraph 1(d) of this Agreement, but
excluding any termination by the Company pursuant to Paragraph 5(a), (b) or (c)
of this Agreement, the Executive shall serve as a consultant to the Company
during the Consulting Term. The Consulting Term shall mean the five (5) year
period immediately following the expiration or termination of the Employment
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Term. The Employment Term and the Consulting Term are collectively referred to
as the Term.
(f) During the Consulting Term the Executive shall serve as a
consultant to the Company and shall report to such executive officer as shall be
designated by the Company's chief executive officer. The nature of the
Executive's services during the Consulting Term shall be as mutually agreed upon
by the Company's chief executive officer and the Executive. The Executive shall
be required to devote such time to his services for the Company as he may
determine, it being understood that the services being rendered during the
Consulting Term shall not be the Executive's principal activity and that the
Executive may engage in such business, charitable and personal activities as he
may determine, subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of this
Agreement. In rendering services during the Consulting Term, the Company shall
not require the Executive to perform services which would interfere with his
other business, charitable and personal activities or which would require him to
return from or change his plans for any vacations, and, if he so elects, the
Executive may perform such services from his residence.
2. Executive's Performance. Executive hereby accepts the employment
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contemplated by this Agreement. During the Employment Term, Executive shall
devote substantially all of his business time to the performance of his duties
under this Agreement, and shall perform such duties diligently, in good faith
and in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company.
3. Compensation and Other Benefits.
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(a) (i) For his services to the Company during the Employment
Term, the Company shall pay the Executive an annual salary ("Salary") for the
year 2001 at the rate of $148,959.00 to be increased on January 1, 2002 and on
each January 1st thereafter by a percentage equal to the greater of five percent
(5%) or the cost of living increase. All Salary payments shall be payable in
such installments as the Company regularly pays its executive officers, but not
less frequently than semi-monthly.
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(ii) The cost of living increase shall be computed as
follows:
(A) The cost of living index, as hereinafter
defined, for each January, commencing January 2002, shall be compared with the
cost of living index for January of the previous year. The cost of living
increase shall mean the percentage increase in the cost of living index from the
previous January to the January as of which the computation is made. Such
determination shall be made as soon as possible after release of the cost of
living index for which the computation is being made, and the Company shall, on
the next payroll date, pay to the Executive as additional Salary, any back
Salary not paid pending determination of the cost of living increase.
(B) The cost of living index shall mean the
"Consumers Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (Revised
Series) - New York Metropolitan Area," published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. If the cost of living index
in its form as of the date of this Agreement or the calculation basis thereof
shall be revised therefrom or discontinued, the parties shall make an
appropriate adjustment in the provisions of this Paragraph 3(a).
(C) As used in this Agreement, the term "Salary"
shall mean the salary in effect at the time of the relevant event after giving
effect to any adjustments made pursuant to this Paragraph 3(a).
(b) If the Compensation Committee of the Board establishes a
bonus pool for the Company's key management employees, which plan may be based
on a percentage of the Company's net income or such other formula as the
Compensation Committee may determine, the Executive shall participate in the
bonus pool. The size of the bonus pool and the extent of Executive's
participation in the bonus pool will be determined by the Compensation
Committee, whose determination shall be final, binding and conclusive on the
Company and Executive. If for any year no bonus pool is established, the
Executive shall be eligible for a discretionary bonus by the Compensation
Committee or the Board. Any bonus payments made to the Executive shall
hereinafter be referred to as a "Bonus."
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(c) During the Consulting Term, the Executive shall receive
compensation at the annual rate of $75,000, payable in regular monthly
installments payable the first day of each month. In addition, if the Executive
is elected as a director of the Company during the Consulting Term, he shall be
entitled to such compensation and other benefits as are provided to other
independent directors.
(d) In addition to Salary and Bonus, the Executive shall receive
the following benefits during the Term:
(i) Major medical health insurance for the Executive and
members of his immediate family.
(ii) Accident and life insurance and officer's life
insurance to the extent such benefits are provided to the Company's executive
officers and long-time disability insurance which is presently in effect for the
Executive; provided that during the Consulting Term such insurance shall only be
provided to Executive and members of his immediate family to the extent
permitted by the Company's insurers.
(iii) Long-term medical care insurance to the extent that
the Company is able, by using reasonable efforts, to obtain such coverage for an
annual premium which does not exceed $3,000. To the extent that the annual
premium for such coverage exceeds $3,000, if the Executive desires such
coverage, he shall be responsible for the additional premiums.
(iv) An automobile allowance of $1,000 per month payable
monthly.
(v) Vacation in accordance with Company policy.
(e) Subsequent to the Term, and for the balance of the
Executive's life, the Company will obtain major medical health insurance for the
Executive and his spouse which, to the extent practical, is comparable with the
major medical health insurance provided from time to time by the Company to its
employees; provided, that to the extent that such insurance costs the Company
more than $400 per month, any excess shall be paid by the Executive. In the
event that the Executive is or can be covered by major medical insurance by
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another company during the Consulting Term or thereafter, the Company shall not
be required to provide such benefits to the Executive.
(f) In the event of a termination of Executive's employment as a
result of his death or Disability, as hereinafter defined, the Company shall
continue to pay to Executive or his beneficiary, his Salary at the annual rate
in effect at the date of death or termination resulting from a Disability, until
the earlier of (i) six (6) months from the date of death or such termination or
(ii) the expiration of the Term.
(g) Any payments ("disability insurance payments") received by
Executive pursuant to a disability policy obtained through the Company (whether
paid for by the Company or Executive) shall be applied on a dollar-for-dollar
basis to reduce the Salary or disability payments payable by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement during the period when such disability insurance
payments are being made.
(h) As used in this Agreement, the term "Cash Compensation" shall
include Salary, Bonus, automobile expenses and vacation pay. One month's Cash
Compensation shall mean one twelfth (1/12) of the sum of (i) the annual Salary,
(ii) the Bonus for previous year, (iii) the annual automobile allowance plus
(iv) the annual vacation pay. During the Consulting Term, references to "Salary"
shall mean the annual compensation payable pursuant to Paragraph 3(c) of this
Agreement.
(i) In the event that, during the Fee Payment Period, the Company
consummates a Covered Transaction, the Company shall (x) issue to the Executive
the Warrants in respect of the Equity Consideration paid by Company in the
Covered Transaction and (y) pay to the Executive the Cash Fee with respect to
Other Consideration in the Covered Transaction which is either paid by or
received by the Company, its stockholders or any other party to the Covered
Transaction or the stockholders of any other party to the Covered Transaction.
As used in this Paragraph 3(i), the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
(i) The Fee Payment Period shall mean the period
commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the first to occur of (A)
December 31, 2003, (B) the date on which the Executive resigns from the Company
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other than (x) pursuant to Paragraph l(d) or 5(e) of this Agreement or (y) upon
expiration of the Term, or (C) the date of termination of employment if this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Paragraph 5(c).
(ii) A Covered Transaction shall mean a Transaction (other
than an Excluded Transaction) with another party who is introduced to the
Company directly or indirectly by the Executive during the Fee Payment Period if
the Transaction is closed during the Fee Payment Period. If the Transaction
involves more than one closing or the issuance of securities or other
consideration on more than one occasion, the Transaction shall be a Covered
Transaction if the initial closing or the initial payment or issuance of
consideration occurs during the Fee Payment Period.
(iii) A Transaction shall mean any of the following:
(A) Any merger, consolidation, sale by the Company
of all or substantially all of its business or assets or the sale of the stock,
business or assets of any subsidiary; regardless of whether the consideration is
paid to the Company or its stockholders.
(B) The acquisition by the Company of any the stock
or assets of any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
regardless of whether the consideration is paid to the other entity or its
stockholders, partners, members or other holders of beneficial interests
therein, other than the purchase of capital assets or other assets by the
Company in the normal course of business.
(C) Any joint venture or similar transaction
pursuant to which the Company and one or more other parties contribute funds or
assets, including intellectual property rights, to a third party.
(D) Any licensing, distribution or similar
transaction in which the Company pays or receives consideration for the grant or
receipt of licensing, distribution, marketing or similar rights.
(E) Any other transaction which results in a
business combination.
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(iv) An Excluded Transaction shall mean a Transaction with
respect to which either (x) the Executive introduced the Company to an
investment banker or finder or other third party who receives a commission, fee
or other compensation with respect to the Transaction or (y) a Transaction which
is brought to the attention of the Executive in the Executive's position of
chief executive officer or a director of or a consultant to the Company. With
respect to Excluded Transaction, the Board or the Compensation Committee shall
have the right to issue to the Executive Warrants or pay a Cash Fee which is
less than the amount provided for in this Paragraph 3(i).
(v) The Equity Consideration shall mean the shares of the
Company's common stock or Convertible Securities issued by the Company in a
Covered Transaction.
(vi) Convertible Securities shall mean warrants,
convertible debt, convertible preferred stock or other debt or equity
instruments or agreements upon the exercise or conversion of which or pursuant
to the terms of which shares of the Company's common stock may be issued.
(vii) Warrants shall mean warrants to purchase such number
of shares of common stock as equals two percent (2%) of the total number of
shares of common stock issued in the Covered Transaction. The number of shares
of common stock to be issued in the Covered Transaction shall include all shares
of common stock which are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of or
pursuant to the terms of Convertible Securities which are issued in the Covered
Transaction. The Warrants shall have a term of five years from the date of
issuance, provide for a cashless exercise and shall include provisions which
protect the holder in the event that the Company shall (A) pay a dividend or
make a distribution on its shares of common stock in shares of common stock or
convertible securities, (B) subdivide or reclassify its outstanding common stock
into a greater number of shares or otherwise effect a stock split, or (C)
combine or reclassify its outstanding common stock into a smaller number of
shares or otherwise effect a reverse split. The exercise price of the Warrants
shall be equal to the closing price of the common stock as reported on the
principal market on which the common stock is traded on the date of the
execution of the definitive agreement relating to the Transaction or the closing
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date (or initial closing date if there are more than one closing), whichever
price is lower. The holder of the Warrants shall have piggyback registration
rights with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants, subject to the customary right of the Company's underwriters' to
exclude such shares from the registration statement as long as the holders of
the Warrants are not treated less favorably than any other persons with
piggyback registration rights. If the Covered Transaction requires the filing of
a registration statement in connection with the issuance by the Company of
shares of common stock or Convertible Securities in the Transaction, the shares
of common stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of the Warrant shall be
included in such registration statement.
(viii) The Cash Fee shall be one percent (1%) of the Other
Consideration.
(ix) The Other Consideration shall mean any consideration
of any kind and description, including equity (other than Equity Consideration),
cash, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, Convertible Securities, assets
which are issued or paid by the Company, the other party to the Transaction or a
third party; provided, however, that liabilities assumed by the acquiring party
shall not be included in Other Consideration. In the case of a joint venture or
similar Covered Transaction in which both the Company and one or more other
parties issue or pay consideration, the Other Consideration shall include the
consideration paid by all parties. Other consideration shall be valued as
follows:
(A) If the Other Consideration consists of
promissory notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness which are not
Convertible Securities, the Other Consideration with respect thereto shall be
the principal amount thereof.
(B) Any consideration paid to any party in respect
of a covenant not to compete or similar covenant and any consideration paid to
executives to the extent that the consideration exceeds the amount which would
otherwise be paid to such executive based on his or her compensation package in
effect prior to the negotiations relating to the Covered Transaction shall be
included in Other Consideration.
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(C) Any equity consideration, including Convertible
Securities, shall be based on the closing price of the common stock on the
principal market on which the common stock is traded on the date of the closing
of the Covered Transaction. For purpose of determining the Other Consideration,
Convertible Securities shall have a value equal to the value of the shares of
common stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Convertible Securities,
less any consideration required to be paid pursuant to the term of the
Convertible Securities for the issuance of the common stock; provided, that if
Convertible Securities are issued and there is a public market for the
Convertible Securities, then the Convertible Securities shall be based on the
closing price of the Convertible Security on the principal market on which the
Convertible Securities are traded on the date of the closing of the Covered
Transaction.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph
3(i)(viii)(C), if the securities to be issued in the Covered Transaction are to
be publicly traded commencing on or about the closing date, the securities shall
be valued based on the average of the closing prices of the securities for the
twenty (20) consecutive trading days commencing five (5) trading days after the
closing of the Covered Transaction.
(x) If all or a portion of the Equity Consideration or
Other Consideration payable in connection with a Covered Transaction includes
future payments, then the Company shall issue to the Executive any additional
Warrants and pay to the Executive any additional cash fee, determined in
accordance with this Agreement, when, and if such payments are paid.
(xi) In the event that there is a conflict as to whether a
Transaction was brought to the attention of the Company by the Executive or
another person or in the event that more than one person brought the Transaction
to the attention of the Company, the determination of the persons entitled to
compensation as a result of the Transaction shall be determined by the Board, it
being understood that the total compensation payable to the Executive and any
other officers, directors or consultants under this provision or similar
provisions contained in the employment or consulting agreement shall not exceed
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(A) Warrants to purchase two percent (2%) of the Equity Consideration and (B) a
Cash Fee of one percent (1%) of the Other Consideration.
(xii) The Board may, with the consent of the Executive,
provide compensation to the Executive for services rendered in connection with a
business transaction which is different from the compensation described in this
Paragraph 3(i), including, by way of illustration, a phantom stock program in
which the Executive and other executives of the Company participate.
4. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive,
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upon presentation of proper expense statements, for all authorized, ordinary and
necessary out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Executive during the
Term in connection with the performance of his services pursuant to this
Agreement hereunder in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement
policy.
5. Termination of Employment.
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(a) This Agreement and Executive's employment and consulting
relationship hereunder shall terminate immediately upon the death of the
Executive.
(b) This Agreement and Executive's employment and consulting
relationship pursuant to this Agreement, may be terminated by the Executive or
the Company on not less than thirty (30) days' written notice in the event of
Executive's Disability. The term "Disability" shall mean any illness, disability
or incapacity of the Executive which prevents him from substantially performing
his regular duties for a period of three (3) consecutive months or four (4)
months, even though not consecutive, in any twelve (12) month period. However,
if the Executive is covered by long-term disability insurance, the Company may
not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Paragraph 5(b) unless the
Executive is eligible for disability payments under his long-term disability
insurance.
(c) The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Executive's
employment and consulting relationship pursuant to this Agreement for cause, in
which event no further Cash Compensation shall be payable to Executive
subsequent to the date of such termination. The term "Cause" shall mean (i)
repeated failure to perform material instructions from the Company's chief
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executive officer, provided that such instructions are reasonable and consistent
with Executive's duties as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Agreement, (ii) a
breach of Paragraphs 6, 7 or 8 of this Agreement; (iii) a breach of trust
whereby the Executive obtains personal gain or benefit at the expense of or to
the detriment of the Company; or (iv) a conviction of the Executive of any
felony. If the Company proposes to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clauses
(i), (ii) or (iii) of this Paragraph 5( c), the Company shall notify the
Executive in writing setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the
proposed termination, and the Executive shall have a reasonable opportunity to
respond to the Board and to be represented before the Board by counsel. If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (iv) of this Agreement, and the
conviction is subsequently reversed on appeal, the Company shall pay the
Executive his Salary for the balance of the Employment Term. For purposes of
clauses (iv) of this Agreement, a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere or
similar plea shall be deemed to be a conviction.
(d) In the event that the Company terminates Executive's
employment other than (i) as provided in Paragraphs 5(a), (b) and (c) or (ii) as
a result of or following a change of control (other than as provided in
Paragraph 5(e) of this Agreement), the Company shall pay to Executive as
severance payments (A) his Salary as provided in this Agreement for the balance
of the Term, (B) the Bonus paid to Executive for the previous year, both of
which shall be paid in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing within
the month following the month in which Executive's termination occurs.
(e) (i) In the event that, following a change of control, as
hereinafter defined, Executive is either dismissed other than for cause, or
resigns for any reason, or his employment is terminated as a result of a
Disability, the Company shall pay Executive severance pay in an amount
(determined at the rate in effect on the date of dismissal or resignation) equal
to the sum of (A) twelve (12) months' Cash Compensation plus (B) the applicable
number of months' Cash Compensation, all of which shall be paid to the Executive
on the date of the termination of his employment or consulting relationship. The
applicable number of months shall be the greater of (x) thirty (30) or (y) one
and one-half (1.5) multiplied by the number of full or partial years during
which the Executive served as an officer or director of or consultant to the
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Company, with service as an officer of Creative Socio-Medics Corp. ("CSM") and
its predecessor being counted as service as an officer of the Company; provide,
that in no event shall the applicable number of months exceed thirty six (36).
(ii) A change of control shall occur or be deemed to have
occurred if (A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is or becomes the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing twenty five (25%) percent or more of the combined voting power of
the Company's then outstanding securities, or (B) during any period of two (2)
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
the Board cease for any reason to constitute a least a majority thereof unless
the election of each new director was nominated, ratified or approved by at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who were either
directors at the beginning of such period or who were elected or appointed with
the approval or ratification of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who
were directors at the beginning of such period, or (C) the Board of Directors
shall have determined that an event, other than as described in clauses (A) and
(B) of this Paragraph 5(e)(ii), results in a change of control, or (D) a CSM
Disposition, as hereinafter defined. For purposes of clause (B) of this
Paragraph 5(e)(ii), the directors at the beginning of the initial period shall
mean Messrs. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X Xxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx.
(iii) A CSM Disposition shall mean a transaction, however
structured, as a result of which the Company ceases to own the business
presently being conducted by CSM, as the same business may be developed in the
future, and includes, but is not limited to, a sale by CSM of all or a
substantial portion of its business and assets, the sale by the Company of all
or substantially all of the stock of CSM (provided that a public offering by CSM
shall not be treated as a CSM Disposition), the merger or consolidation of CSM
with or into another corporation if, as a result thereof, the Company ceases to
own a controlling interest in CSM.
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(f) In the event of any termination of Executive's employment or
consulting relationship hereunder, including termination for cause as provided
for herein, Executive shall be entitled to all rights under the Company's
benefit plans which had vested as of the date of termination of his employment
or his consulting relationship. In addition, for a period of eighteen (18)
months after any such termination, the Company shall provide Executive and, to
the extent permitted by the Company's insurance plans, his eligible family
members with the hospitalization, life insurance, medical and major medical
benefits which would have been provided to Executive if he had continued in the
employ of or as a consultant to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, except
that the Company shall not be required to provide life insurance coverage for
any family member.
6. Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information. Executive recognizes and
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acknowledges that the Company, through the expenditure of considerable time and
money, has developed and will continue to develop in the future information
concerning customers, clients, marketing, products, services, business, research
and development activities and operational methods of the Company and its
customers or clients, contracts, financial or other data, technical data or any
other confidential or proprietary information possessed, owned or used by the
Company, the disclosure of which could or does have a material adverse effect on
the Company, its business, any business it proposes to engage in, its
operations, financial condition or prospects and that the same are confidential
and proprietary and considered "confidential information" of the Company for the
purposes of this Agreement. In consideration of his employment and engagement as
a consultant, Executive agrees that he will not, during or after the Term,
without the consent of the chief executive officer, make any disclosure of
confidential information now or hereafter possessed by the Company, to any
person, partnership, corporation or entity either during or after the term here
of, except that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit
Executive from using or disclosing such information (a) if such disclosure is
necessary in the normal course of the Company's business in accordance with
Company policies or instructions or authorization from the chief executive
officer, (b) such information shall become public knowledge other than by or as
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a result of disclosure by a person not having a right to make such disclosure,
(c) complying with legal process; provided, that in the event Executive is
required to make disclosure pursuant to legal process, Executive shall give the
Company prompt notice thereof and the opportunity to object to the disclosure,
or (d) subsequent to the Term, if such information shall have either (i) been
developed by Executive independent of any of the Company's confidential or
proprietary information or (ii) been disclosed to Executive by a person not
subject to a confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of
confidentiality to the Company. For the purposes of Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of
this Agreement, the term "Company" shall include the Company, its parent, its
subsidiaries and affiliates.
7. Covenant Not To Solicit or Compete.
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(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement until one
(1) year following the date on which Executive's employment or consulting
relationship is terminated, Executive will not, directly or indirectly:
(i) Persuade or attempt to persuade any person or entity
which is or was a customer, client or supplier of the Company to cease doing
business with the Company, or to reduce the amount of business it does with the
Company (the terms "customer" and "client" as used in this Paragraph 7 to
include any potential customer or client to whom the Company submitted bids or
proposals, or with whom the Company conducted negotiations, during the term of
Executive's employment or consulting relationship hereunder or during the twelve
(12) months preceding the termination of his employment or consulting
relationship, as the case may be);
(ii) solicit for himself or any other person or entity
other than the Company the business of any person or entity which is a customer
or client of the Company, or was a customer or client of the Company within one
(1) year prior to the termination of his employment or consulting relationship;
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(iii) persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of the
Company, or any individual who was an employee of the Company during the one (1)
year period prior to the lawful and proper termination of this Agreement, to
leave the Company's employ, or to become employed by any person or entity other
than the Company; or
(iv) engage in any business in the United States whether
as an officer, director, consultant, partner, guarantor, principal, agent,
employee, advisor or in any manner, which directly competes with the business of
the Company as it is engaged in at the time of the termination of this
Agreement, unless, at the time of such termination or thereafter during the
period that the Executive is bound by the provisions of this Paragraph 7, the
Company ceases to be engaged in such activity, provided, however, that nothing
in this Paragraph 7 shall be construed to prohibit the Executive from owning an
interest of not more than five (5%) percent of any public company engaged in
such activities.
(b) The Executive acknowledges that the restrictive covenants
(the "Restrictive Covenants") contained in Paragraphs 6 and 7 of this Agreement
are a condition of his employment and his consulting relationship are reasonable
and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects. If any
court determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part of any of
the Restrictive Covenants, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
Restrictive Covenants and parts thereof shall not thereby be affected and shall
remain in full force and effect, without regard to the invalid portion. If any
court determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is
invalid or unenforceable because of the geographic or temporal scope of such
provision, such court shall have the power to reduce the geographic or temporal
scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such
provision shall then be enforceable.
(c) The Company acknowledges that the payment of Cash
Compensation to Executive is a necessary prerequisite to Executive being bound
by the Restrictive Covenants. If the Company fails to pay to Executive his Cash
Compensation, or any part hereof, within ten business days after receipt of
16
written notice of such failure, Executive shall be relieved of his obligations
to comply with the Restrictive Covenants.
8. Inventions and Discoveries. Executive agrees promptly to disclose in
--------------------------
writing to the Company any invention or discovery made by him during the period
of time that this Agreement remains in full force and effect, whether during or
after working hours, in any business in which the Company is then engaged or
which otherwise relates to any product or service dealt in by the Company and
such inventions and discoveries shall be the Company's sole property. Upon the
Company's request, Executive shall execute and assign to the Company all
applications for copyrights and letters patent of the United States and such
foreign countries as the Company may designate, and Executive shall execute and
deliver to the Company such other instruments as the Company deems necessary to
vest in the Company the sole ownership of all rights, title and interest in and
to such inventions and discoveries, as well as all copyrights and/or patents. If
services in connection with applications for copyrights and/or patents are
performed by Executive at the Company's request after the termination of his
employment hereunder, the Company shall pay him reasonable compensation for such
services rendered after termination of this Agreement.
9. Injunctive Relief. Executive agrees that his violation or threatened
-----------------
violation of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 6, 7 or 8 of this Agreement
shall cause immediate and irreparable harm to the Company. In the event of any
breach or threatened breach of any of said provisions, Executive consents to the
entry of preliminary and permanent injunctions by a court of competent
jurisdiction prohibiting Executive from any violation or threatened violation of
such provisions and compelling Executive to comply with such provisions. This
Paragraph 9 shall not affect or limit, and the injunctive relief provided in
this Paragraph 9 shall be in addition to, any other remedies available to the
Company at law or in equity or in arbitration for any such violation by
Executive. In the event an injunction is issued against any such violation by
Executive, the period referred to in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement shall
continue until the later of the expiration of the period set forth therein or
one (1) month from the date a final judgment enforcing such provisions is
17
entered and the time for appeal has lapsed. Subject to Paragraph 7(c) of this
Agreement, the provisions of Paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall
survive any termination of this Agreement and Executive's employment and
consulting relationship pursuant to this Agreement.
10. Indemnification. The Company shall provide Executive with payment of
---------------
legal fees and indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, and the Delaware General Corporation Law.
11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) (i) Executive represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that
he has a right to enter into this Agreement, that he is not a party to any
agreement or understanding, oral or written, which would prohibit performance of
his obligations under this Agreement, and that he will not use in the
performance of his obligations hereunder any proprietary information of any
other party which he is legally prohibited from using.
(i) The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it
has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform
its obligations hereunder. The Company further represents, warrants and agrees
that the Agreement: (A) has been duly authorized by the Board and no other
corporate action is required of the Company to enter into this Agreement and
perform its obligations hereunder; (B) does not require the consent of any third
party; and (C) does not violate any law, regulation, rule or material agreement,
mortgage, bond, pledge, note or other instrument to which it or its properties
are bound.
(b) Executive will cooperate with the Company in connection with
the Company's application to obtain key-man life insurance on his life, on which
the Company will be the beneficiary. Such cooperation shall include the
execution of any applications or other documents requiring his signature and
submission of insurance applications and submission to a physical.
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(c) Any notice, consent or communication required under the
provisions of this Agreement shall be given in writing and sent or delivered by
hand, overnight courier or messenger service, against a signed receipt or
acknowledgment of receipt; or by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, or te1ecopier or similar means of communication if receipt is
acknowledged or if transmission is confirmed by mail as provided in this
Paragraph 11 (c), to the parties at their respective addresses set forth at the
beginning of this Agreement or by telecopier to the Company at (000) 000-0000 or
to Executive at (000) 000-0000, with notice to the Company being sent to the
attention of the individual who executed this Agreement on behalf of the
Company. Either party may, by like notice, change the person, address or
telecopier number to which notice is to be sent. If no telecopier number is
provided for Executive, notice to him shall not be sent by telecopier.
(d) This Agreement shall in all respects be construed and
interpreted in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed
by, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be
performed wholly within such State, without regard to principles of conflicts of
laws except that the provisions of Paragraph 10 shall be governed by the
Delaware General Corporation law.
(e) Except for actions, suits, or proceedings taken pursuant to
or under Paragraph 6, 7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement, any dispute concerning this
Agreement or the rights of the parties hereunder shall be submitted to binding
arbitration in New York City before a single arbitrator under the rules of the
American Arbitration Association. The award of the arbitrator shall be final,
binding and conclusive on all parties, and judgment on such award may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall have the power, in his
discretion, to award counsel fees and costs to the prevailing party. The
arbitrator shall have no power to modify or amend any specific provision of this
Agreement except as expressly provided in Paragraph 11(f) of this Agreement.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 11(e) of this
Agreement, with respect to any claim for injunctive relief or other equitable
remedy pursuant to Paragraph 9 of this Agreement or any claim to enforce an
19
arbitration award or to compel arbitration, the parties hereby (i) consents to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern
or Eastern District of New York and Supreme Court of the State of New York in
the County of New York or Suffolk, (ii) agree that ally process in any action
commenced in such court under this Agreement may be served upon him personally,
either (A) by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by
Federal Express or other courier service which obtains evidence of delivery,
with the same full force and effect as if personally served upon him in New York
City or Suffolk County, as the case may be, or (B) by any other method of
service permitted by law, and (iii) waives any claim that the jurisdiction of
any such court is not a convenient forum for any such action and any defense of
lack of in personam jurisdiction with respect thereof.
(g) If any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any party or circumstance shall, to any extent, be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or
the application of such term, covenant or condition to parties or circumstances
other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be
affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this Agreement shall be
valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law, and any court or
arbitrator having jurisdiction may reduce the scope of any provision of this
Agreement, including the geographic and temporal restrictions set forth in
Paragraph 7 of this Agreement, so that it complies with applicable law.
(h) This Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Company
and Executive as to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior or
contemporaneous written or oral understandings or agreements, including any and
all previous employment agreements or understandings, all of which are hereby
terminated, with respect to the subject matter covered in this Agreement. This
Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor may any right be waived, except by
a writing which expressly refers to this Agreement, states that it is intended
to be a modification, amendment or waiver and is signed by both parties in the
case of a modification or amendment or by the party granting the waiver. No
course of conduct or dealing between the parties and no custom or trade usage
20
shall be relied upon to vary the terms of this Agreement. The failure of a party
to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion
shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter
to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this
Agreement.
(i) Neither party hereto shall have the right to assign or
transfer any of its or his rights hereunder except in connection with a merger
of consolidation of the Company or a sale by the Company of all or substantially
all of its business and assets.
(j) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, executors,
administrators and permitted assigns.
(k) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect in any way the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
(1) No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy
accruing to either party hereto shall impair any such right, power or remedy or
shall be construed to be a waiver of or an acquiescence to any breach hereof. No
waiver of any breach hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach
hereof theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver of any provision hereof
shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in an applicable
writing. All remedies afforded to either party under this Agreement, by law or
otherwise, shall be cumulative and not alternative and shall not preclude
assertion by such party of any other rights or the seeking of any other rights
or remedies against any other party.
[Signatures on following page]
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
NETSMART TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: /*/
-------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Chairman, Compensation Committee
By: /*/
-------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:
/*/
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
