Exhibit 10.22(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of the 24th day of October, 1997, by and between Xxxxx'x
General Stores, Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
("Lamb").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of
Directors") recognizes that the dedication of Lamb as an officer and director to
the affairs and welfare of the Company since its organization has resulted in a
long and successful association; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors further recognizes that the Company has
grown and prospered as a result of its association with Lamb, and has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to preserve
this association so as to enable the Company to further benefit from Lamb's
superior knowledge and expertise in all of its present and future business
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Lamb are parties to an Employment Agreement
dated as of March 2, 1992, as amended by a First Amendment to Employment
Agreement dated as of January 16, 1997 (together, the "Original Agreement"),
providing for the employment of Lamb to serve as the President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company under the terms and conditions set forth
therein; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has further determined that it is
appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to
modify the existing contractual arrangements with respect to Lamb's employment
by the Company, with the concurrence of Lamb, and to amend and restate the
Original Agreement to reflect the same; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has further determined that it is in
the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company
will have the continued dedication of Lamb, notwithstanding the possibility,
threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company,
and to further encourage Lamb's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide Lamb with compensation arrangements upon a Change of Control which
provide him with compensation for expected losses that he would suffer in the
event of a Change of Control and which are competitive with those
of other corporations, and, in order to accomplish these objectives, has
determined to cause the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, and in
addition to the other definitions set forth herein, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
a) "Change of Control" shall mean:
(i) the acquisition (other than from the Company) by any
Person (as hereinafter defined), entity or "group" within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"), (excluding for this purpose, the Company or any employee benefit plan of
the Company, which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the
Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of either the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the Company or the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (hereinafter referred to as the
"Common Stock"), unless such beneficial ownership was acquired as a result of an
acquisition of shares of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the
number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares
beneficially owned by such Person, entity or "group" to twenty percent (20%) or
more of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding; provided, however,
that if a Person, entity or "group" shall become the beneficial owner of twenty
percent (20%) or more of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding by
reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases
by the Company, become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Common
Stock of the Company, then such Person, entity or "group" shall be deemed to
have met the conditions hereof; or
(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board of Directors (as of the date hereof, the "Incumbent Board") cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors, provided
that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof 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 (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial
assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election
contest relating to the election of the directors of the Company, as such terms
are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act)
shall be, for purposes of this Agreement considered as though such person were a
member of the
Incumbent Board; or
(iii) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger, consolidation (in each case, with respect to which
persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more
than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated
company's then outstanding voting securities) or a liquidation or dissolution of
the Company or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company.
(b) "Annual Increase" shall take effect on each January 1 for which the
benefit at issue is payable and shall mean fifty percent (50%) of the annual
increase in the National Consumer Price Index for the City of Des Moines, Iowa,
as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(c) "Annual Bonus" shall mean any bonus payable at the discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Company, on such terms and in such amounts as it
shall determine.
(d) "Employment Period" shall mean the term of Lamb's employment under
this Agreement, as set forth in Section 2 hereof.
(e) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(f) "Accrued Obligations" shall mean (i) Lamb's Salary through the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination, (ii) the
product of the Annual Bonus paid to Lamb for the last full fiscal year and 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 and
(iii) any compensation previously deferred (together with any accrued interest
thereon) and not yet paid by the Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet
paid by the Company.
(g) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) and all
"affiliates" and "associates" of such entity (as those terms are defined in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act).
2. EMPLOYMENT AND TERM. The Company agrees to employ Lamb, and Lamb agrees
to serve the Company, as Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company on
the terms and under the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The initial term
of employment under this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall
terminate on April 30, 2000 (the "Initial Term"), after which this Agreement and
the Employment Period hereunder shall be automatically renewed and extended for
successive periods of three years (each of which shall be a "Renewal Term"),
subject to the right of the Company and Lamb to terminate this Agreement during
the Initial Term or any such Renewal Term in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in subsequent sections of this Agreement, and further
subject to the right of the Company and Lamb to cause this Agreement and the
Employment Period hereunder to expire at the end of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term by giving written notice thereof at least one year prior to the end
of the Initial Term or the then current Renewal Term, as applicable; provided,
however, that in the event of a Change of Control during the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term, this Agreement and the Employment Period hereunder automatically
shall continue in full force and effect for the greater of (i) the remaining
term of employment then in progress or (ii) three years from the effective date
of the Change of Control. References herein to the Employment Period shall refer
to both the Initial Term and any successive Renewal Term.
3. DUTIES OF LAMB. During the period of his employment in the capacity
of Chief Operating Officer and President, Lamb will perform his duties to the
best of his ability, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. It is
agreed and understood that the position (including status, office, title and
reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities of Lamb shall be
substantially the same as those performed by Lamb as Chief Operating Officer and
President of the Company prior to the date of this Agreement, and that Lamb
shall at all times serve the best interests of the Company. The Company agrees
that Lamb shall at all times have such authority and discretion as is required
in the carrying out of Lamb's duties in a proper and efficient manner, subject
to review by the Board of Directors.
During the period of his employment, it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for Lamb to (i) serve on corporate, civil or charitable boards or
committees, (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements and (iii)
manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of Lamb'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 Lamb prior to
the date hereof, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the date hereof
shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of Lamb's
responsibilities to the Company.
4. COMPENSATION. The Company shall pay to Lamb an annual salary of Three
Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000), payable in equal monthly
installments, or such other amount as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
Company and Lamb (the "Salary"). In addition, Lamb and/or Lamb's family shall be
entitled to receive
all benefits presently provided or those which may hereafter be generally
provided by the Company to its employees, officers or directors, including
health insurance and life insurance. With respect to such health insurance
benefits, the Company agrees that at all times the health insurance coverages
available to Lamb and his spouse under such plans shall include provisions
providing for lifetime benefits payable on behalf of Lamb and his spouse of not
less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each, or such other amount as the
Company and Lamb may specifically agree upon in writing, subject, however, to
any limitations, restrictions or conditions that shall from time to time be
necessary to satisfy the requirements of applicable federal or state laws and
regulations.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) Death or Disability. Lamb's
employment under this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon Lamb's death.
If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of Lamb has occurred
(pursuant to the definition of "Disability" set forth below), it may give to
Lamb written notice of its intention to terminate Lamb's employment as Chief
Operating Officer and President. In such event, Lamb's employment with the
Company shall terminate effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of
such notice by Lamb (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the
thirty (30) days after such receipt, Lamb shall not have returned to full-time
performance of his duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" means
disability or incapacity of Lamb which, at least twenty-six (26) weeks after its
commencement, is determined by the Board of Directors upon competent medical
advice to be such as to prevent Lamb from performing substantially all of the
duties of Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate Lamb's employment for "Cause." For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal
dishonesty taken by Lamb and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Lamb at the expense of the Company, (ii) repeated violations by
Lamb of Lamb's obligations under Section 3 of this Agreement which are
demonstrably willful and deliberate on Lamb's part and which are not remedied in
a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company or
(iii) the conviction of Lamb of a felony when such conviction is no longer
subject to direct appeal.
(c) Good Reason. Lamb's employment may be terminated by Lamb for
Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means:
(i) the assignment to Lamb of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with Lamb's position (including status, office, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section
3 of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a
diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding
for this purpose 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 Lamb;
(ii) Any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions
of Section 4 of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Lamb;
(iii) the Company's requiring Lamb to be based at any office
or location other than the Company's Corporate Headquarters facility in Ankeny,
Iowa, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of Lamb's
responsibilities;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of Lamb's
employment otherwise than for death, Disability or Cause as expressly permitted
by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 13(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by Lamb shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or
by Lamb for Good Reason shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto given in accordance with Section 14(b) of this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of Lamb's employment under the provision so
indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than
the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date
shall be not more than fifteen (15) days after the giving of such notice). The
failure of Lamb to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason shall not waive any
right of Lamb hereunder or preclude Lamb from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the
case may be; provided, however, that (i) if Lamb'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 Lamb of such termination and (ii) if
Lamb's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of Lamb or the Disability Effective Date,
as the case may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) Death
of Lamb. In the event of the death of Lamb during the term hereof, the Company
shall pay to Lamb's spouse, commencing on the first day of the month following
his death and continuing for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter,
benefits equal to the monthly installments of Salary which was then being paid
to Lamb pursuant to Section 4 herein. Immediately following such two-year
period, the Company shall commence the payment of monthly benefits to Lamb's
spouse equal in amount to one-fourth (1/4) of the monthly installments of Salary
which was being paid to Lamb at the time of his death under Section 4 herein,
which monthly benefits shall be paid for a period of twenty (20) years or until
the death of Lamb's spouse, whichever occurs first. In addition, the Company
shall continue at all times to offer and provide health insurance coverage to
Lamb's spouse, in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
provided by the Company under the terms of this Agreement at the time of Lamb's
death, until the death of Lamb's spouse, except to the extent such coverage is
or otherwise becomes available to Lamb's spouse under the Medicare program of
benefits.
(b) Disability of Lamb. If Lamb's employment is terminated by reason of
the Disability of Lamb, Lamb's employment under this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to Lamb, other than those obligations accrued or
earned and vested (if applicable) by Lamb as of the Date of Termination,
including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations and those set forth herein.
All such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Lamb in a lump sum in cash within
thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, Lamb shall be entitled after the Disability Effective
Date to receive disability and other benefits in an amount equal to one-half
(1/2) of his Salary (adjusted on an annual basis by the amount of the Annual
Increase), which shall be payable in equal monthly installments until the close
of the calendar year during which Lamb attains sixty-five (65) years of age or
until the last day of the month in which Lamb is no longer deemed disabled
pursuant to this Agreement, or until Lamb's death, whichever shall first occur.
If Lamb shall receive any disability payments from any insurance
policies paid for by the Company, the payments to Lamb pursuant to this
provision shall be reduced by the amount of disability payments received by Lamb
under any such insurance policy or policies.
If, following the termination of Lamb's employment by reason of
Disability, the Board of Directors determines, upon competent medical advice,
that Lamb is no longer prevented by said Disability from performing
substantially all of the duties as Chief Operating Officer and President of the
Company, the Company shall give Lamb not less than thirty (30) days written
notice of its election to cease the payment of Disability benefits to him
pursuant to this Section 6(b), following which (i) the Company shall have
no further obligations to Lamb to make said Disability payments as provided
herein and (ii) Lamb thereafter shall be entitled to retire and terminate his
employment with the Company, without further action or notice on his part, and
to receive the benefits payable under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan of the Company (the "SERP") (or any successor plan), as and to
the extent set forth therein, and shall hold himself available to the Board of
Directors for consultation as provided in Section 10 hereof.
Notwithstanding any Disability on the part of Lamb, the Company shall
continue at all times to offer and provide health insurance coverages to Lamb
and his spouse, in accordance with the most favorable plans, programs, practices
and policies provided by the Company during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Disability Effective Date or, if more favorable to Lamb, as in
effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees and their
families, until the death of Lamb and his spouse, except to the extent such
coverage is or otherwise becomes available to Lamb and his spouse under the
Medicare program of benefits.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If Lamb's employment shall be
terminated for Cause, Lamb's employment under this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to Lamb (other than the obligation to pay to Lamb
his Salary through the Date of Termination plus the amount of any compensation
previously deferred by Lamb, together with accrued interest thereon). If Lamb
terminates employment other than for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to Lamb, other than those obligations accrued or
earned and vested (if applicable) by Lamb through the Date of Termination,
including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations. All such Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to Lamb in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days
of the Date of Termination.
(d) Good Reason; Other than for Cause or Disability. If the Company
shall terminate Lamb's employment other than for Cause, Disability, or death or
if Lamb shall terminate his employment for Good Reason at any time during the
Employment Period, except during a three-year period following any Change of
Control (in which case the provisions of Section 6(e) shall apply), then in such
event:
(i) the Company shall pay to Lamb in a lump sum in cash within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. to the extent not theretofore paid, Lamb's
Salary through the Date of Termination; and
B. the product of (x) the highest Annual Bonus
paid to Lamb during the three (3) fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in
which the Date of
Termination occurs (the "Recent Bonus") 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; and
C. the product of (x) two (2.0) and (y) the sum
of (i) the Salary and (ii) the Recent Bonus; and
D. in the case of compensation previously
deferred by Lamb, all amounts previously deferred (together with any accrued
interest thereon) and not yet paid by the Company, and any accrued vacation
pay not yet paid by the Company; and
(ii) for a two-year period following the Date of Termination,
the Company shall continue benefits to Lamb and/or Lamb's family at least equal
to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans,
programs, practices and policies provided under this Agreement if Lamb's
employment had not been terminated, including health insurance and life
insurance, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or
policies provided by the Company and its subsidiaries during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Date of Termination or, if more favorable to Lamb, as
in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees and their
families. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company shall continue at
all times to offer and provide the above-described health insurance coverages to
Lamb and his spouse until their respective dates of death, except to the extent
such coverage is or otherwise becomes available to Lamb and his spouse under the
Medicare program of benefits.
(e) Good Reason; Other than for Cause or Disability, following a Change
of Control. If, during a three year period following any Change of Control, the
Company shall terminate Lamb's employment other than for Cause, Disability, or
death or if Lamb shall terminate his employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to Lamb in a lump sum in cash on the
thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. to the extent not theretofore paid, Lamb's
Salary through the Date of Termination; and
B. the product of (x) the Recent Bonus 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; and
C. the product of (x) three (3.0) and (y) the sum of (i) the
Salary
and (ii) the Recent Bonus; and
D. in the case of compensation previously deferred by Lamb,
all amounts previously deferred (together with any accrued interest thereon)
and not yet paid by the Company, and any accrued vacation pay not yet
paid by the Company; and
(ii) for a three-year period following the Date of
Termination, the Company shall continue benefits to Lamb and/or Lamb's family at
least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with
the plans, programs, practices and policies provided under this Agreement if
Lamb's employment had not been terminated, including health insurance and life
insurance, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or
policies provided by the Company and its subsidiaries during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Date of Termination or, if more favorable to Lamb, as
in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees and their
families. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company shall continue at
all times to offer and provide the above-described health insurance coverages to
Lamb and his spouse until their respective dates of death, except to the extent
such coverage is or otherwise becomes available to Lamb and his spouse under the
Medicare program of benefits.
(f) Alternative Excise Tax Cap. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 6(e) hereof, if any payments or benefits received or to be received by
Lamb (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in a
Change of Control or any person affiliated with the Company or such person)
constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A) of
the Code and the value thereof exceeds 2.99 times Lamb's "base amount," as
defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, then, in lieu thereof, the Company
shall pay to Lamb, as soon as practicable following the Date of Termination but
in no event later than thirty (30) days thereafter, a lump sum cash payment
equal to 2.99 times his "base amount" (the "Alternative Severance Payment"),
reduced as provided below. The value of the payments to be made under Section
6(e) and Lamb's base amount shall be determined in accordance with temporary or
final regulations, if any, promulgated under Section 280G of the Code and based
upon the advice of the tax counsel referred to below.
The Alternative Severance Payment shall be reduced by the amount of any
other payment or the value of any benefit received or to be received by Lamb in
connection with a Change of Control of the Company or his termination of
employment unless (i) Lamb shall have effectively waived his receipt or
enjoyment of such payment or benefit prior to the date of payment of the
Alternative Severance Payment, (ii) in the opinion of tax counsel selected by
the Company's independent auditors, such other payment or benefit does not
constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code, or (iii) in the opinion of such tax counsel, the
Alternative Severance Payment plus all other payments or benefits which
constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code are reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code or are otherwise not subject to
disallowance as a deduction by reason of Section 280G of the Code. The value of
any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined in
accordance with the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
(g) Section 162(m) Limitation. In the event that the payments due to
Lamb under this Section 6 exceed the "reasonable compensation" limitations of
Section 162(m) of the Code, that portion thereof that would not be deductible by
the Company in the taxable year in which the payment is due shall be deferred by
the Company and paid to Lamb on the date that is sixteen (16) months following
the Date of Termination, together with interest thereon at the rate provided in
Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
or limit Lamb's continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus,
incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices, provided by the
Company and for which Lamb may qualify, including but not limited to the SERP,
nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Lamb may have
under the SERP or any stock option or other agreements with the Company. Amounts
which are vested benefits or which Lamb is otherwise entitled to receive under
any plan, policy, practice or program of the Company at or subsequent to the
Date of Termination, including but not limited to the SERP, shall be payable in
accordance with the SERP or such plan, policy, practice or program.
8. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Lamb
or others. In no event shall Lamb be obligated to seek other employment or take
any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Lamb under any
of the provisions of this Agreement, but such payments shall be reduced to the
extent of Lamb's other earned income (if any) during any remaining portion of
the Employment Period. Following any Change of Control, the Company agrees to
pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which Lamb
may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome
thereof) by the Company or others (including Lamb) of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof, plus in each case interest at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
9. RETIREMENT OF LAMB. It is understood that Lamb shall retire on the
last day of the calendar year during which he reaches sixty-five (65) years of
age. The Board of Directors of the Company, at its sole option, may offer to
extend Lamb's employment on a year-to-year basis after the calendar year in
which Lamb reaches age sixty-five (65). At the conclusion of each year it will
be presumed that Lamb will retire unless the Board of Directors determines to
offer to extend Lamb's employment for an additional year.
Following the retirement of Lamb, the Company shall continue at all
times to offer and provide health insurance coverages to Lamb and his spouse, in
accordance with the most favorable plans, programs, practices and policies
provided by the Company during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
effective date of Lamb's retirement or, if more favorable to Lamb, as in effect
at any time thereafter with respect to other key employees and their families,
until the death of Lamb and his spouse, except to the extent such coverage is or
otherwise becomes available to Lamb and his spouse under the Medicare program of
benefits.
10. AVAILABILITY OF LAMB AFTER RETIREMENT. Following his retirement,
Lamb shall at reasonable times and insofar as his physical condition may permit,
hold himself available at the written request of the Board of Directors of the
Company to consult with and advise the officers, directors, and other
representatives of the Company. Such requests for Lamb's service shall, however,
be structured so that reasonable allowances are made for Lamb's needs for
vacation time and for other considerations of his physical well-being. All such
services shall be provided by Lamb at his place of residence unless otherwise
agreed to by Lamb. Lamb shall not be required to devote any prescribed hours to
consulting with and giving advice to the officers, directors, and other
representatives of the Company in order to be entitled to the retirement
benefits as set out in the SERP, but all such benefits shall be considered as
earned in return for the consulting service and advice that Lamb may give from
time to time to the Company, its officers, directors, and other representatives.
If Lamb's physical condition shall prevent him from consulting and
advising with the officers, directors or other representatives of the Company,
the retirement benefits provided under the SERP shall nonetheless be paid as
therein provided.
Lamb shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable expenses
incurred as a consultant and advisor, including expenses for travel,
communication, entertainment and similar items, upon presentation of itemized
accounts of such expenditures.
11. DISCRETION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Notwithstanding any other term or
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, nothing stated herein is intended
to, nor shall it be construed, to abrogate, limit, alter or affect the
authority, rights and
privileges of the Board of Directors of the Company to remove Lamb as Chief
Operating Officer and President of the Company, without Cause, or during the
term of this Agreement to elect as Chief Operating Officer and President of the
Company a person other than Lamb, as provided by the laws of the State of Iowa;
provided, however, it is expressly agreed and understood that in the event any
one or any combination of such events occurs, unless Lamb is terminated for
Cause as defined in Section 5(b) hereof, Lamb may terminate his employment for
Good Reason, in which case the Company shall pay Lamb the benefits described in
either Section 6(d) or Section 6(e) of this Agreement, as applicable, in
consideration thereof.
12. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; RESTRICTIVE COVENANT. (a) During the
period of his employment, Lamb shall hold in fiduciary capacity for the benefit
of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by Lamb during Lamb's employment by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by Lamb or his representatives in violation of
this Agreement). During a three (3) year period following termination of Lamb's
employment with the Company, Lamb shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data
to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.
(b) While this Agreement remains in effect and Lamb is entitled to
compensation or benefits pursuant to Sections 4 through 6 hereof (or, in the
event of termination of his employment for Good Reason, for a period of three
(3) years thereafter), Lamb shall not directly or indirectly associate with,
participate in or render service to, whether as an employee, officer, director,
consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, any organization that is
engaged in business in competition with the Company, and he shall not himself
engage in any such business on his own account.
(c) In the event of a demonstrated breach of this Section 12, the
parties agree that the Company shall be entitled to seek equitable relief in a
court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any anticipated continuing breach of
the terms and conditions of this Section 12 and to secure the enforcement
thereof. The foregoing remedy shall be exclusive and in lieu of any other remedy
otherwise available to the Company under law.
13. SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to Lamb and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Lamb otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by Lamb's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company agrees and covenants to require (i) any successor or
assignee (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company through a Change of Control or otherwise, and, (ii) within its lawful
power to do so, any party effecting or taking steps to accomplish a Change of
Control, 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 or Change of Control 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.
14. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without reference to principles
of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If the Company, to Xxxxx'x General Stores, Inc., P. O. Xxx 0000, Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx., Xxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, Attention: President; and if to Lamb, to his address
appearing on the books of the Company, or to his residence, 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.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) 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.
(e) The Company's or Lamb's failure to insist upon strict compliance
with any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision
or any other provision thereof.
(f) This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the
Company and Lamb with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Original
Agreement between Lamb
and the Company, as defined in the preambles hereof, is hereby terminated and
shall be of no further force or effect.
(g) No change, amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be
valid unless the same be in writing and signed by the Company and Lamb.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument with the same force and effect as if all
the parties had executed the same document.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective parties have caused this Agreement
to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
XXXXX'X GENERAL STORES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Chief
Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Secretary
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
---------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
