CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Table of Contents
Page | ||||
1. Employment Period |
1 | |||
2. Terms of Employment |
2 | |||
(a) Position and Duties |
2 | |||
(b) Compensation |
2 | |||
(i) Base Salary |
2 | |||
(ii) Annual Bonus |
3 | |||
(iii) Qualified Plans |
3 | |||
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans |
3 | |||
(v) Expenses |
4 | |||
(vi) Fringe Benefits and Perquisites |
4 | |||
(vii) Office and Support Staff |
4 | |||
(viii) Vacation |
4 | |||
(ix) Equity and Performance Based Awards |
4 | |||
3. Termination of Employment |
5 | |||
(a) Death or Disability |
5 | |||
(b) Cause |
5 | |||
(c) Good Reason; Window Period |
5 | |||
(d) Notice of Termination |
6 | |||
(e) Date of Termination |
6 | |||
4. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination |
6 | |||
(a) Good Reason or During a Window Period; Other than for Cause, Death or Disability |
6 | |||
(b) Death |
10 | |||
(c) Disability |
10 | |||
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason or During a Window Period |
11 | |||
5. Non-exclusivity of Rights |
11 | |||
6. Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes |
11 | |||
7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company |
12 | |||
8. Confidential Information; Certain Prohibited Activities |
15 | |||
9. Change of Control; Potential Change of Control |
16 | |||
10. Successors |
20 | |||
11. Miscellaneous |
21 |
i
This CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) by and between Lennox
International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (the “Executive”),
dated as of the day of , 200 , to be effective as of the Agreement Effective
Date (as defined in Section 11(h) hereof).
The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that, in the event of a Change of Control
or Potential Change of Control (in each case as defined in Section 9 hereof), the Company will have
the continued services of the Executive and the Executive will be provided with compensation and
benefits arrangements that meet his expectations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these
objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement. It is understood that
the Executive has an existing employment agreement (the “Existing Agreement”) with the Company.
This Agreement is intended to provide certain protections to Executive that are not afforded by the
Existing Agreement. This Agreement is not, however, intended to provide benefits that are
duplicative of the Executive’s current benefits. To the extent that this Agreement provides
benefits of the same types as those provided under the Existing Agreement, the Company shall
provide the better of the benefits in each case during the Employment Period. If Executive remains
employed by the Company at the conclusion of an Employment Period, the Existing Agreement shall
continue in effect in accordance with its terms thereafter, except that Executive’s Base Salary for
purposes of the Existing Agreement shall be equal to the Executive’s Annual Base Salary under this
Agreement at the conclusion of the Employment Period.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Employment Period. Upon a Change of Control or Potential Change of Control, the
Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to
remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, for the period (the “Employment Period”) commencing on the date upon which there
occurs a Change of Control or a Potential Change of Control and ending on (i) if a Change of
Control has occurred, the second anniversary of the Employment Effective Date or (ii) if a
Potential Change of Control has occurred but a Change of Control has not occurred, the earliest of
(x) the date upon which the Board determines in good faith that a Change of Control is unlikely to
occur, (y) any anniversary of the Potential Change of Control, if at least 30 days prior to such
anniversary the Executive notifies the Company in writing that he elects to terminate his
employment with the Company as of such anniversary and (z) the second anniversary of the Employment
Effective Date. If the Employment Period commences by reason of a Potential Change of Control and
the Employment Period is thereafter terminated pursuant to clause (ii) (x) of the preceding
sentence, this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in effect and a new Employment Period shall
commence upon a subsequent Change of Control or Potential Change of Control. The Company shall
promptly notify the Executive in writing of the occurrence of a Change of Control or Potential
Change of Control and of any determination
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made by the Board pursuant to clause (ii)(x) above
that a Change of Control is unlikely to occur. As used herein, the term “Employment Effective
Date” shall mean, with respect to any Employment Period, the date upon which such Employment Period
commences in accordance with this Section 1.
2. | Terms of Employment. |
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the
most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Employment Effective Date, and (B) the Executive’s
services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed
immediately preceding the Employment Effective Date or at another location within 35
miles thereof.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and
sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote
reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and
affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities.
During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the
Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B)
deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions
and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of
the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and
agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the
Executive prior to the Employment Effective Date, the continued conduct of such
activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Employment Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary equal to the base salary in effect immediately prior
to the Employment Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, the base
salary in effect at any time after the Employment Effective Date (“Annual Base
Salary”), which shall be paid in accordance with the normal business practice of the
Company. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at
least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to
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time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the
ordinary course of business to executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce
any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary
shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term “Annual Base Salary” as
utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As
used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include, when used
with reference to the Company, any company controlled by, controlling or under
common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year or portion thereof during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in cash equal to the greater of (A) the
greatest dollar amount of annual bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the
Executive in respect of any of the preceding three fiscal years or (B) an amount
comparable to the annual bonus awarded to other Company executives taking into
account Executive’s position and responsibilities with the Company, prorated in the
case of either (A) or (B) for any period consisting of less than twelve full months.
The Annual Bonus awarded for a particular fiscal year shall (unless the Executive
elects to defer receipt thereof) be paid no later than the last day of the third
month after the end of such year.
(iii) Qualified Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all profit-sharing, savings and retirement plans
that are tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (“Code”), and all plans that are supplemental to any such tax-qualified
plans, in each case to the extent that such plans are applicable generally to other
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such
plans provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities that are, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable plans of the Company and its affiliated companies. As used in this
Agreement, the term “most favorable” shall, when used with reference to any plans,
practices, policies or programs of the Company and its affiliated companies, be
deemed to refer to the most favorable plans, practices, policies or programs of the
Company and its affiliated companies as in effect at any time during the three
months preceding the Employment Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, provided generally at any time after the Employment Effective Date to
other executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive’s
family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall
receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without
limitation, medical, prescription, dental, vision,
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disability, salary continuance,
group life and supplemental group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits that are less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable such plans, practices, policies
and programs of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits and Perquisites. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and perquisites in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and
its affiliated companies applicable to similarly situated executives, which, in the
aggregate, shall not be less than Executive’s benefits and perquisites in effect
prior to the commencement of the Employment Period or, if more favorable to the
Executive, the benefits and perquisites in effect at any time after the Employment
Effective Date .
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings
and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance,
at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by
the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the three months
preceding the Employment Effective Date.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies, but not less
than the amount of vacation time to which Executive was entitled prior to the
commencement of the Employment Period.
(ix) Equity and Performance Based Awards. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be granted on an annual basis a long-term incentive
package consisting of stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units and
other equity-based awards and performance grants, as selected by the Company, with an
aggregate value (as determined by an independent consulting firm selected by
Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company) that shall be not less than the
aggregate value of the long-term incentive package awarded the Executive in any of
the three years immediately preceding such Employment Period.
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3. | Termination of Employment. |
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company
determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to
the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 11(d) of this Agreement of its
intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days
after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the
Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its
insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative (such
agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the
Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i)
dishonesty by Executive which results in substantial personal enrichment at the expense of
the Company or (ii) demonstratively willful repeated violations of Executive’s obligations
under this Agreement which are intended to result and do result in material injury to the
Company.
(c) Good Reason; Window Period. The Executive’s employment may be terminated
during the Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason or during a Window Period by
the Executive without any reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Window Period” shall
mean the 90-day period commencing 366 days after any Change of Control as defined in Section
9 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:
(i) any change in the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 2 of this Agreement, excluding for this purpose any de minimus changes
and excluding an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad
faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive, or any other assignment to the
Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, other than de minimus inconsistencies or
other than, in each case, any such change in duties or such assignment that would
clearly constitute a promotion or other improvement in Executive’s position;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
5
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or
location other than that described in Section 2(a)(i)(B) hereof;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment
otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement;
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy the requirements of
Section 10 of this Agreement, provided that (A) the successor described in Section
10(c) has received, at least ten days prior to the Date of Termination (as defined
in subparagraph (e) below), written notice from the Company or the Executive of the
requirements of such provision and (B) such failure to be in compliance and satisfy
the requirements of Section 10 shall continue as of the Date of Termination; or
(vi) in the event that the Executive is serving as a member of the Board
immediately prior to the Employment Effective Date, any failure to reelect Executive
as a member of the Board, unless such reelection would be prohibited by the
Company’s By-laws as in effect at the beginning of the Employment Period.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason or without any reason during a Window Period, shall be
communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 11(d) of this Agreement. The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth
in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good
Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Date of
Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive during a Window Period or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the
Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and
(iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date
of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date,
as the case may be.
4. | Obligations of the Company Upon Termination. |
(a) Good Reason or During a Window Period; Other than for Cause, Death or
Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the
6
Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason or his employment shall be terminated for any reason during a
Window Period:
(i) the Company shall pay or provide to or in respect of the Executive the
following amounts and benefits:
A. in a lump sum in cash, undiscounted, within 10 days after the Date
of Termination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual
Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (2) the product of (x) the
highest Annual Bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of Executive
during the three fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal
year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365,
(3) any deferred compensation previously awarded to or earned by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and (4)
any compensation for unused vacation time for which the Executive is
eligible in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and
practices of the Company and its affiliated companies, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
(1), (2), (3) and (4) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued
Obligation”);
B. in a lump sum in cash, undiscounted, within 10 days after the Date
of Termination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) one and one-half times the
Annual Base Salary, if the Date of Termination occurs before the third
anniversary of Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter,
three times the Annual Base Salary and (2) one and one-half times the
highest Annual Bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the Executive,
if the Date of Termination occurs before the third anniversary of
Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter, three times the
highest Annual Bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the Executive
during the three fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination;
C. an additional one and one-half Years of Vesting Service and Years of
Credited Service, if the Date of Termination occurs before the third
anniversary of Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter, an
additional three Years of Vesting Service and Years of Credited Service, as
well as an incremental one and one-half years added to the Executive’s age,
if the Date of Termination occurs before the third anniversary of
Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter, three years added
to Executive’s age, for purposes of the Company’s Supplemental Retirement
Plan and Profit Sharing Restoration Plan;
7
D. in a lump sum in cash, undiscounted, within 10 days after the Date
of Termination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) one and one-half times the
Annual Base Salary, if the Date of Termination occurs before the third
anniversary of Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter,
three times the Annual Base Salary and (2) one and one-half times the
highest Annual Bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the Executive,
if the Date of Termination occurs before the third anniversary of
Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter, three times the
highest Annual Bonus paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the Executive
during the three fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination (the amounts
in this clause D. to reflect the equity component of Executive’s overall
compensation);
E. in a lump sum in cash, undiscounted, within 10 days after the Date
of Termination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) 15% of the Annual Base
Salary (this amount being paid in lieu of the provision of out placement
services) and (2) three times 15% of the Annual Base Salary that would have
been paid or awarded to or for the benefit of the Executive during the
fiscal year that includes the Date of Termination (this amount to reflect
the perquisites component of Executive’s overall compensation);
F. effective as of the Date of Termination, (x) immediate vesting and
exercisability of, termination of any restrictions on sale or transfer
(other than any such restriction arising by operation of law) with respect
to and treatment of any performance goals as having been satisfied at the
highest possible level with respect to each and every stock option,
restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award and other equity-based
award and performance award (each, a “Compensatory Award”) that is
outstanding as of a time immediately prior to the Date of Termination, (y)
the extension of the term during which each and every Compensatory Award may
be exercised by the Executive until the earlier of (1) the third anniversary
of the Date of Termination or (2) the date upon which the right to exercise
any Compensatory Award would have expired if the Executive had continued to
be employed by the Company under the terms of this Agreement until the
second anniversary of the Employment Effective Date and (z) at the sole election of Executive, in exchange
for any or all Compensatory Awards that are either denominated in or payable
in Common Stock, an amount in cash equal to the number of shares of Common
Stock that are subject to the Compensatory Award multiplied by the excess of
(i) the Highest Price Per Share (as defined below) over (ii) the exercise or
purchase price, if any, of such Compensatory Awards. As used herein, the
term “Highest Price Per Share” shall mean the highest price per share that
can be determined to have been paid or agreed to be paid for any share of
Common Stock by a Covered Person (as defined below) at any time during the
Employment Period or the six-month period
8
immediately preceding the
Employment Effective Date. As used herein, the term “Covered Person” shall
mean any Person other than an Exempt Person (in each case as defined in
Section 9 hereof) who (i) is the Beneficial Owner (as defined in Section 9
hereof) of 35% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 35% or
more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock (as
defined in Section 9 hereof) of the Company at any time during the
Employment Period or the two-year period immediately prior to the Employment
Effective Date, or (ii) is a Person who has any material involvement in
proposing or effecting the Change of Control or Potential Change of Control
(but excluding any Person whose involvement in proposing or effecting the
Change of Control or Potential Change of Control resulted solely from such
Person’s voting or selling of Common Stock in connection with the Change of
Control or Potential Change of Control, from such Person’s status as a
director or officer of the Company in evaluating and/or approving a Change
of Control or Potential Change of Control or both). In determining the
Highest Price Per Share, the price paid or agreed to be paid by a Covered
Person will be appropriately adjusted to take into account (W) distributions
paid or payable in stock, (X) subdivisions of outstanding stock, (Y)
combinations of shares of stock into a smaller number of shares and (Z)
similar events.
(ii) for the eighteen month period, if the Date of Termination occurs before
the third anniversary of Executive’s employment with the Company or, if thereafter,
three-year period commencing with the Date of Termination, and in the case of
medical and health benefits for the COBRA continuation period commencing thereafter,
the Company shall continue medical and health benefits and group life and
supplemental group life benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at
least equal to those that would have been provided to them in accordance with the
plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 2(b)(iv) of this
Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated (such continuation
of such benefits for the applicable period herein set forth shall be hereinafter
referred to as “Welfare Benefit Continuation”). For purposes of determining
eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices,
programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed
until the second anniversary, if the Date of
Termination occurs before the third anniversary of Executive’s employment with
the Company or, if thereafter, third anniversary of Executive’s Date of Termination
and to have retired on such date; and
(iii) the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the
Executive’s family any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or
which the Executive and/or the Executive’s family is eligible to receive pursuant to
this Agreement and under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect and applicable
generally to other executives and their families on the
9
Employment Effective Date (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other
Benefits”).
(b) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s death during the Employment Period, and other than during a Window Period in
which event the provisions of Section 4(a) shall govern and the Executive shall be entitled
to the amounts and benefits set forth therein, this Agreement shall terminate and the
Company shall be obligated to pay to the Executive’s legal representatives under this
Agreement the greater of (i) such benefits as would be provided to Executive under the
Existing Agreement or (ii)(A) the payment of the Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to
the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination), (B) the payment of an amount equal to the Annual Salary that
would have been paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement for the period beginning on
the Date of Termination and ending on the first anniversary thereof if the Executive’s
employment had not terminated by reason of death (which shall be paid to the Executive’s
estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination), (C) the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and
Other Benefits and (D) effective as of the Date of Termination, (x) immediate vesting and
exercisability of, and termination of any restrictions on sale or transfer (other than any
such restriction arising by operation of law) with respect to, each and every Compensatory
Award outstanding as of a time immediately prior to the Date of Termination, (y) the
extension of the term during which each and every Compensatory Award may be exercised or
purchased by the Executive until the earlier of (I) the second anniversary, if the Date of
Termination occurs before the third anniversary of Executive’s employment with the Company
or, if thereafter, third anniversary of the Date of Termination or (II) the date upon which
the right to exercise or purchase any Compensatory Award would have expired if the Executive
had continued to be employed by the Company under the terms of this Agreement until the
second anniversary of the Employment Effective Date and (z) at the sole election of
Executive’s legal representative, in exchange for any Compensatory Award that is either
denominated in or payable in Common Stock, an amount in cash equal to the excess of (I) the
Highest Price Per Share over (II) the exercise or purchase price, if any, of such
Compensatory Award.
(c) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s Disability during the Employment
Period, and other than during a Window Period in which event the provisions of Section
4(a) shall govern and the Executive shall be entitled to the amounts and benefits set forth
therein, this Agreement shall terminate and the Company shall be obligated to pay to the
Executive, the greater of (i) such benefits as would be provided to Executive under the
Existing Agreement or (ii)(A) the payment of the Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to
the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination), (B) the
payment of an amount equal to the Annual Salary that would have been paid to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement for the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on
the first anniversary thereof if the Executive’s employment had not terminated by reason of
Disability (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the
Date of Termination), (C) the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit
10
Continuation and Other Benefits and (D) effective as of the Date of Termination, (x)
immediate vesting and exercisability of, and termination of any restrictions on sale or
transfer (other than any such restriction arising by operation of law) with respect to, each
and every Compensatory Award outstanding as of a time immediately prior to the Date of
Termination, (y) the extension of the term during which each and every Compensatory Award
may be exercised or purchased by the Executive until the earlier of (I) the third
anniversary of the Date of Termination or (II) the date upon which the right to exercise or
purchase any Compensatory Award would have expired if the Executive had continued to be
employed by the Company under the terms of this Agreement until the second anniversary of
the Employment Effective Date and (z) at the sole election of Executive, in exchange for any
Compensatory Award that is either denominated in or payable in Common Stock, an amount in
cash equal to the excess of (I) the Highest Price Per Share over (II) the exercise or
purchase price, if any, of such Compensatory Award.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason or During a Window Period . If the
Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, and other
than during a Window Period in which event the provisions of Section 4(a) shall govern and
the Executive shall be entitled to the amounts and benefits set forth therein, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations under this Agreement to the Executive
other than for Accrued Obligations. If the Executive terminates employment during the
Employment Period other than for Good Reason and other than during a Window Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for the
payment of Accrued Obligations. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
5. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Except as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, nothing
in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and
for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as such plan, policy, practice or
program is expressly superseded by this Agreement.
6. | Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes. |
(a) The Company’s obligation to make payments provided for in this Agreement and
otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense, mitigation or other claim, right or action which the
Company may have against the Executive or others. The Company agrees to pay promptly as
incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (unless the
11
Executive’s claim is
found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been frivolous) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement (other than Section 8 hereof) or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any such payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
Applicable Federal Rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive concerning (i)
in the event of any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company, whether such
termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment by the
Executive, whether Good Reason existed or whether such termination occurred during a Window
Period, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that the
determination by the Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith or
that the termination by the Executive did not occur during a Window Period, the Company
shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the Executive’s
family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be required to pay
or provide pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof as though such termination were by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason or during a Window Period; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this
paragraph except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay
all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be
entitled; provided further that such undertaking need not be secured, whether by bond or
otherwise.
7. | Certain Additional Payments by the Company. |
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall
be determined that any payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 7) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, hereinafter
collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by
the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 7(c), all determinations required to be made
under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required
12
and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by the Company’s independent accounting firm (the “Accounting
Firm”); provided, however, that the Accounting Firm shall not determine that no Excise Tax
is payable by the Executive unless it delivers to the Executive a written opinion (the
“Accounting Opinion”) that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive’s applicable
Federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. In the event that the Accounting Firm has served, at any time during the two years
immediately preceding a Change of Control Date, as accountant or auditor for the individual,
entity or group that is involved in effecting or has any material interest in the Change of
Control, the Executive, at his option, shall appoint another nationally recognized
accounting firm to make the determinations and perform the other functions specified in this
Section 7 (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm
hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Company. Within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company, the Accounting Firm
shall make all determinations required under this Section 7, shall provide to the Company
and the Executive a written report setting forth such determinations, together with detailed
supporting calculations, and, if the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable, shall deliver the Accounting Opinion to the Executive. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within
five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. Subject to the remainder
of this Section 7, any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section
4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder,
it is possible that a Gross-Up Payment that will not have been made by the Company should
have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that it is ultimately determined in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Section 7(c) that the Executive is required to make a payment of any Excise
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of
the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claims by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the
Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but not later
than 30 days after the Executive actually receives notice in writing of such claim and shall
apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
requested to be paid; provided, however, that the failure of the Executive to notify the
Company of such claim (or to provide any required information with respect thereto) shall
not affect any rights granted to the Executive under this Section 7 except to the extent
that the Company is materially prejudiced in the defense of such claim as a direct result of
such failure. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with
13
respect to such claim is due). If
the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it
desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim;
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company
shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without
limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive;
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest
such claim; and
(iv) if the Company elects not to assume and control the defense of such claim,
permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax
or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of
such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 7(c), the Company shall have the right, at its sole option, to
assume the defense of and control all proceedings in connection with such contest, in which
case it may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may either direct the
Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination
before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more
appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that
if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company
shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax
or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further
provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for
the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to
be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s right to
assume the defense of and control the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company
pursuant to Section 7(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund
14
with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements
of Section 7(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any
interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 7(c), a determination
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim
and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such
denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such
advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be
paid.
8. Confidential Information; Certain Prohibited Activities.
(a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all
secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the
Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the
Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After the
Executive’s Date of Termination, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. Except as provided in subsection (c) below, in no event shall an asserted
violation of the provisions of this Section 8 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to Executive under this Agreement. Also, within
14 days of the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall return
to the Company all documents and other tangible items of or containing Company information
which are in Executive’s possession, custody or control.
(b) Executive agrees that for a period of 24 complete calendar months following his
Date of Termination, Executive will not, either directly or indirectly, call on, solicit,
induce or attempt to induce any of the employees or officers of the Company whom Executive
had knowledge of or association with during Executive’s employment with the Company to
terminate their association with the Company either personally or through the efforts of his
or her subordinates.
(c) In the event of a breach by Executive of any provision of this Section 8, the
Company shall be entitled to (i) cease any Welfare Benefit Contribution entitlement provided
pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) hereof, (ii) relief by temporary restraining order, temporary
injunction and/or permanent injunction, (iii) recovery of all attorneys’ fees and costs
incurred in obtaining such relief and (iv) any other legal and equitable relief to which it
may be entitled, including monetary damages.
15
9. Change of Control; Potential Change of Control.
(a) As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following
respective meanings:
“Beneficial Owner” shall mean, with reference to any securities, any Person if:
(i) such Person is the “beneficial owner” of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of
this Agreement) such securities; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed
the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” any security under this subsection
(i) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security if
such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (x) arises solely from a revocable proxy
or consent given in response to a public (i.e., not including a solicitation exempted by
Rule 14a-2(b)(2) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) proxy or
consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act and (y) is not then
reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or
successor report); or
(ii) such Person is a member of a group (as that term is used in Rule 13d-5(b) of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) that includes any other Person
(other than Exempt Persons) that beneficially owns such securities;
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially
own” any security held by a Xxxxxx Family Trust with respect to which such Person acts in the
capacity of trustee, personal representative, custodian, administrator, executor, officer, partner,
member, or other fiduciary; provided, further, that nothing in this definition shall cause a
Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to
“beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in a
firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty days after the date of such
acquisition. For purposes hereof, “voting” a security shall include voting, granting a proxy,
consenting or making a request or demand relating to corporate action (including, without
limitation, a demand for a stockholder list, to call a stockholder meeting or to inspect corporate
books and records) or otherwise giving an authorization (within the meaning of Section 14(a) of the
Exchange Act) in respect of such security.
The terms “beneficially own” and “beneficially owning” shall have meanings that are
correlative to this definition of the term “Beneficial Owner.”
“Change of Control” shall mean any of the following occurring on or after the Agreement
Effective Date:
(i) Any Person (other than an Exempt Person) shall become the Beneficial Owner of
35% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or 35% or more of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then
16
outstanding; provided, however, that no Change of Control shall be deemed to occur for purposes of this
subsection (i) if such Person shall become a Beneficial Owner of
35% or more of the shares of Common Stock or 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock
of the Company solely as a result of (x) an Exempt Transaction or (y) an acquisition by
a Person pursuant to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (x), (y)
and (z) of subsection (iii) of this definition are satisfied;
(ii) Individuals who, as of the Agreement Effective Date, constitute the Board (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Agreement
Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders,
was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided, further, that there shall be excluded, for this purpose, any
such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of any actual or
threatened election contest that is subject to the provisions of Rule 14a-11 under the
Exchange Act;
(iii) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, unless, following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, (x) more than 65% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of such corporation is beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the Persons who were the
Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation (ignoring, for purposes of this clause (x), the
first proviso in the definition of “Beneficial Owner” set forth in Section 9(a)) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the outstanding Common Stock, (y)
no Person (excluding any Exempt Person or any Person beneficially owning,
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or
indirectly, 35% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding or 35% or more of the
combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding) beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, 35% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock
of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the
combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of such corporation and (z)
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or initial action
by the Board providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation; or
(iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (x) a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, unless such liquidation or dissolution is
17
approved as part of a plan of liquidation and dissolution involving a sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company to a corporation with respect to which,
following such sale or other disposition, all of the requirements of clauses (y)(A), (B)
and (C) of this subsection (iv) are satisfied, or (y) the sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation, with
respect to which, following such sale or other disposition, (A) more than 65% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting
power of the Voting Stock of such corporation is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the Persons who were the Beneficial Owners of
the outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to such sale or other disposition
(ignoring, for purposes of this clause (y)(A), the first proviso in the definition of
“Beneficial Owner” set forth in Section 9(a)) in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the outstanding
Common Stock, (B) no Person (excluding any Exempt Person and any Person beneficially
owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, 35%
or more of the Common Stock then outstanding or 35% or more of the combined voting power
of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 35% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of such
corporation and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such
corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the
initial agreement or initial action of the Board providing for such sale or other
disposition of assets of the Company.
“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, and
shall include, for purposes of Section 4 hereof, stock of any successor, within the meaning of
Section 10(c).
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exempt Person” shall mean (i) the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and any Person organized, appointed
or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, (ii) any Person who is
shown under the caption “Principal and Selling Stockholders” in the Company’s final prospectus
dated July 28, 1999 relating to its initial public offering of the Common Stock as beneficially
owning (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of this Agreement) one percent or more of the Common Stock
and (iii) any lineal descendant and any spouse of any such lineal descendant of X.X. Xxxxxx, but
only if such lineal descendant and any spouse of any such lineal descendant shall not at any time
hold shares of Common Stock or Voting Stock of the Company with the primary purpose of effecting
with respect to the Company (A) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, (B) a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets, (C) any
material change in the capitalization, (D) any other material change in the business or corporate
structure or operations, (E) changes in the
18
corporate charter or bylaws or (F) a change in the
composition of the Board or of the members of senior management.
“Exempt Transaction” shall mean an increase in the percentage of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock or the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the
Company beneficially owned by any Person solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares
of Common Stock then outstanding due to the repurchase of Common Stock by the Company, unless and
until such time as such Person shall purchase or otherwise become the Beneficial Owner of
additional shares of Common Stock constituting 3% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock or additional Voting Stock representing 3% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock.
“Xxxxxx Family Trust” shall mean any trust, estate, custodianship, other fiduciary
arrangement, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other business entity
(collectively, a “Family Entity”) formed, owned, held, or existing primarily for the benefit of the
lineal descendants of X.X. Xxxxxx and any spouses of such lineal descendants, but only if such
Family Entity shall not at any time hold Common Stock or Voting Stock of the Company with the
primary purpose of effecting with respect to the Company (i) an extraordinary corporate
transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation (ii) a sale or transfer of a material
amount of assets, (iii) any material change in capitalization, (iv) any other material change in
business or corporate structure or operations, (v) changes in corporate charter or bylaws, or (vi)
a change in the composition of the Board or of the members of senior management.
“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity.
“Potential Change of Control” shall mean any of the following:
(i) a tender offer or exchange offer is commenced by any Person which, if
consummated, would constitute a Change of Control;
(ii) an agreement is entered into by the Company providing for a transaction which,
if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control;
(iii) any election contest is commenced that is subject to the provisions of Rule
14a-11 under the Exchange Act; or
(iv) any proposal is made, or any other event or transaction occurs or is
continuing, which the Board determines, if consummated, would result in a Change of
Control.
“Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to a corporation, all securities of such corporation
of any class or series that are entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such
corporation (excluding any class or series that would be entitled so to vote by reason of the
occurrence of any contingency, so long as such contingency has not occurred).
19
(a) In the event that the Company is a party to a transaction that is otherwise
intended to qualify for “pooling of interests” accounting treatment, such transaction
constitutes a Change of Control within the meaning of this Agreement and individuals who
satisfy the requirements in clauses (i) and (ii) below constitute at least 51% of the number
of directors of the entity surviving such transaction or any parent thereof: individuals
who (i) immediately prior to such transaction constituted the Board and (ii) 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 relating
to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or
nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote
of at least 51% 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 recommended, then this Section 9 and other Agreement provisions concerning a Change of
Control shall, to the extent practicable, be interpreted so as to permit such accounting
treatment, and to the extent that the application of this sentence does not preserve the
availability of such accounting treatment, then, to the extent that any provision or
combination of provisions of this Section 9 and other Agreement provisions concerning a
Change of Control disqualifies the transaction as a “pooling” transaction (including, if
applicable, all provisions of the Agreement relating to a Change of Control), the Board
shall amend such provision or provisions if and to the extent necessary (including declaring
such provision or provisions to be null and void as of the date hereof, which declaration
shall be binding on Executive) so that such transaction may be accounted for as a “pooling
of interests.” All determinations with respect to this paragraph shall be made by the
Company, based upon the advice of the accounting firm whose opinion with respect to “pooling
of interests” is required as a condition to the consummation of such transaction.
10. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent
of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by the Executive’s heirs, executors and other legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and
may only be assigned to a successor described in Section 10(c).
(c) 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 assume expressly 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. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
20
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws that would
require the application of the laws of any other state or jurisdiction.
(b) The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have
no force or effect.
(c) This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and heirs, executors and other
legal representatives.
(d) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given, if by the Executive to the Company, by telecopy or facsimile transmission at the
telecommunications number set forth below and, if by either the Company or the Executive,
either by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
[Name]
[Address]
[Address]
[Address]
[Address]
If to the Company:
Lennox International Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Telecommunications Number: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Telecommunications Number: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(e) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(f) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable
law or regulation.
21
(g) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right
the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of
the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason or during a Window Period pursuant to
Section 3(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or
right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(h) This Agreement shall become effective as of , 200 (the “Agreement
Effective Date “).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his hand and, pursuant to the authorization
from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on
its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
LENNOX INTERNATIONAL INC. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
EXECUTIVE | ||||||
[Name] |
22