ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT TIER I
Exhibit 10.5(a)
TIER I
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) made and entered into as of , by and
between ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the “Company”),
and
(“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the current business environment makes it difficult to
attract and retain highly qualified executives unless a certain degree of security can be offered
to such individuals against organizational and personnel changes which frequently follow Changes in
Control (as defined below) of a corporation; and
WHEREAS, even rumors of acquisitions or mergers may cause executives to consider major career
changes in an effort to assure financial security for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure fair treatment of its key executives in the event of a
Change in Control and to allow them to make critical career decisions without undue time pressure
and financial uncertainty, thereby increasing their willingness to remain with the Company
notwithstanding the outcome of a possible Change in Control transaction; and
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that its key executives will be involved in evaluating or
negotiating any offers, proposals or other transactions which could result in Changes in Control of
the Company and believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders for
such key executives to be in a position, free from personal financial and employment
considerations, to be able to assess objectively and pursue aggressively the interests of the
Company and its stockholders in making these evaluations and carrying on such negotiations; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes it is essential to
provide the Executive with compensation arrangements upon a Change in Control which provide the
Executive with individual financial security and which are competitive with those of other
corporations, and in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and conditions contained herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. TERM. This Agreement shall be effective immediately upon its execution, but,
anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither this Agreement nor any of its
provisions shall be operative unless and until there has been a Change in Control of the Company,
as such term is defined below. The term of this Agreement shall end on the third anniversary of
the date of execution of this Agreement; provided, however, that commencing on the
date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and
each annual anniversary thereof is hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), the term of this
Agreement shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least thirty (30) days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give written notice
that the term of the Agreement shall not be so extended; and provided, further,
that after a Change in Control of the Company during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement
shall remain in effect until three years after the Change in Control or until all of the
obligations of the parties hereunder are satisfied, whichever occurs later.
2. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
2.1 Change of Control Events. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control”
of the Company occurs upon a change in the Company’s ownership, its effective control or the
ownership of a substantial portion of its assets, as follows:
(a) Change in Ownership. A change in ownership of the Company occurs on the
date that any “Person” (as defined in Section 2.2(b) below), other than (1) the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, (2) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (3) an underwriter
temporarily holding stock pursuant to an offering of such stock, or (4) a corporation owned,
directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of the Company’s stock, acquires ownership of the Company’s
stock that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total
fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock. However, if any Person is
considered to own already more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power
of the Company’s stock, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person is not
considered to be a Change of Control. In addition, if any Person has effective control of
the Company through ownership of 30% or more of the total voting power of the Company’s
stock, as discussed in paragraph (b) below, the acquisition of additional control of the
Company by the same Person is not considered to cause a Change in Control pursuant to this
paragraph (a); or
(b) Change in Effective Control. Even though the Company may not have
undergone a change in ownership under paragraph (a) above, a change in the effective control
of the Company occurs on either of the following dates:
(1) the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month
period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) ownership
of the Company’s stock possessing 30 percent or more of the total
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voting power of the Company’s stock. However, if any Person owns 30% or more
of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, the acquisition of additional
control of the Company by the same Person is not considered to cause a Change in
Control pursuant to this subparagraph (b)(1); or
(2) the date during any 12-month period when a majority of members of the Board
is replaced by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority
of the Board before the date of the appointment or election; provided, however, that
any such director shall not be considered to be endorsed by the Board if his or her
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or
(c) Change in Ownership of Substantial Portion of Assets. A change in the
ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that a Person
acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent
acquisition by such Person) assets of the Company, that have a total gross fair market value
equal to at least 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the Company’s assets
immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. However, there is no Change in Control
when there is such a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the
Company immediately after the transfer, through a transfer to (i) a shareholder of the
Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the
Company’s stock; (ii) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; (iii) a Person that owns
directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the Company’s
outstanding stock; or (iv) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the
stock of which is owned by a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the
total value or voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock.
2.2 Definitions. For purposes of Section 2.1 above,
(a) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 7701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Person shall include more than one Person acting as
a group as defined by the Final Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code.
(b) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.3 Compliance with Code Section 409A. The provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.2 shall
be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of the Final Treasury Regulations under Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), it being the intent of the
parties that this Article 2 shall be in compliance with the requirements of said Code Section and
said Regulations.
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3. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL. If any of the events
described in Section 2.1 constituting a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred,
Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Article 4 upon the subsequent termination
of his employment that constitutes a separation from service (as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of
the Final Treasury Regulations under Code Section 409A, or any successor provision thereto)
(“Separation from Service”), provided that such termination occurs within three years after a
Change in Control of the Company, unless such termination is (a) because of his death, his
“Disability,” or “Retirement” (as defined in Section 3.1), (b) by the Company for “Cause” (as
defined in Section 3.2), or (c) by Executive other than for “Constructive Termination” (as defined
in Section 3.3) (any such termination qualifying for benefits under Article 4 hereof being
sometimes referred to herein as “CIC Termination”).
If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for any reason other
than for “Cause” prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs (whether or not the Change
in Control ever occurs), and such termination either (1) was at the request or direction of a
person who has entered into an agreement with the Company, the consummation of which would
constitute a Change in Control, or (2) was otherwise in connection with or in anticipation of a
Change in Control (whether or not the Change in Control ever occurs), then for all purposes hereof,
such termination shall be deemed to have occurred immediately following a Change in Control.
3.1 Disability; Retirement. Executive’s employment shall be terminated due to
“Disability” if Executive (i) is qualified for disability benefits under the Atmos Energy
Corporation Group Long-Term Disability Plan, as in effect from time to time; or, (ii) if such
Long-Term Disability Plan is not then in existence, is eligible for Social Security disability
benefits.
Termination by Executive of his employment based on “Retirement” shall mean termination in
accordance with the Company’s retirement policy generally applicable to its salaried employees, or
in accordance with any retirement arrangement established with Executive’s consent with respect to
him.
3.2 Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have “Cause” to
terminate Executive’s employment hereunder upon (1) the willful and continued failure by Executive
to substantially perform his duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from
incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance
is delivered to Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
believes that he has not substantially performed his duties, or (2) the willful engaging by
Executive in conduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.
For purposes of this Section 3.2, no act, or failure to act, on Executive’s part shall be
considered “willful” if, in Executive’s sole judgment, his action or omission was done, or omitted
to be done, in good faith and with a reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best
interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less
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than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire authorized membership of the Board at a meeting of the
Board called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for
Executive, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith
opinion of the Board Executive was guilty of conduct set forth above in clause (1) or (2) of the
first sentence of this Section 3.2, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
3.3 Constructive Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Constructive
Termination” shall mean:
(a) Without his express written consent, the assignment to Executive of any duties
inconsistent with his positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company
immediately prior to a Change in Control, or a change in his reporting responsibilities,
titles or offices as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control, or any removal of
Executive from or any failure to re-elect Executive to any of such positions, except in
connection with the termination of his employment for Cause, death, Disability or Retirement
or termination of employment by Executive for reasons other than Constructive Termination;
(b) A reduction by the Company in Executive’s base salary as in effect on the date of a
Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter;
(c) A reduction by the Company in the bonus payable to Executive in any year below a
percentage of Executive’s then base salary equal to the average percentage of Executive’s
base salary represented by the bonuses received by Executive for the three (3) years (or, if
shorter, the years of Executive’s employment by the Company) immediately preceding the year
in which a Change in Control occurs as percentages of his base salaries in each of such
three (3) years (or shorter number of years). By way of example, but not in limitation of
the provisions of this paragraph (c), assume a Change in Control occurs in 2008, and
Executive received bonuses for each of 2005, 2006 and 2007 as follows: 30% of his base
salary for 2005; 50% of his base salary for 2006; and 50% of his base salary for 2007. If
Executive receives a bonus for 2008 which is less than 43.33% of his 2008 base salary,
Executive may terminate his employment for “Constructive Termination” under this Section
3.3. If Executive was only employed during 2006 and 2007, using the same facts as recited
herein, Executive may terminate his employment for “Constructive Termination” if his 2008
bonus was less than 50% of his 2008 base salary;
(d) The Company’s requiring Executive to be based anywhere other than either the
Company’s offices at which he was based immediately prior to a Change in Control or the
Company’s offices which are no more than seventy-five (75) miles from the offices at which
Executive was based immediately prior to a Change in Control, except for required travel on
the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with his business travel
obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control (excluding, however, any travel
obligations prior to the Change in Control that are associated with or caused by the Change
in Control events or circumstances), or, in the
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event Executive consents to any relocation beyond such seventy-five-mile radius, the
failure by the Company to pay (or reimburse Executive) for all reasonable moving expenses
incurred by him relating to a change of his principal residence in connection with such
relocation and to indemnify Executive against any loss (defined as the difference between
the actual sale price of such residence and the higher of (a) his aggregate investment in
such residence or (b) the fair market value of such residence as determined by a real estate
appraiser designated by Executive and reasonably satisfactory to the Company) realized on
the sale of Executive’s principal residence in connection with any such change of residence;
(e) The failure by the Company to continue in effect any benefit or compensation plan
(including but not limited to any stock option plan, pension plan, deferred compensation
plan, life insurance plan, health and accident plan or disability plan) in which Executive
is participating at the time of a Change in Control of the Company (or plans providing
substantially similar benefits), the taking of any action by the Company which would
adversely affect Executive’s participation in, payment from, or materially reduce his
benefits under any of such plans or deprive him of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by
him at the time of the Change in Control, or the failure by the Company to provide Executive
with the number of days of paid time off to which he is then entitled on the basis of years
of service with the Company in accordance with the Company’s normal paid time off or
vacation policy in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(f) Any failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of, or the agreement to
perform, this Agreement by any successor as contemplated in Article 5;
(g) Any purported termination of Executive’s employment which is not effected pursuant
to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 3.4 (and, if applicable,
Section 3.2); and for purposes hereof, no such purported termination shall be effective; or
(h) The failure of the Company otherwise to honor all the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 3.3, any good faith determination of “Constructive Termination” made
by Executive shall be conclusive and binding on the parties.
3.4 Notice of Termination. Any termination pursuant to the foregoing provisions of
this Section (including termination due to Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written
Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes hereof, a “Notice of Termination”
shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision herein relied upon and
shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. In the event that
Executive seeks to terminate his employment with the Company pursuant to Section 3.3, he must
communicate his written Notice of Termination to the Company
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within sixty (60) days of being notified of such action or actions by the Company which
constitute Constructive Termination.
3.5 Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if this Agreement is
terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis during such
thirty (30)-day period); (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 3.3, the
date specified in the Notice of Termination; and (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated for
any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; provided, however, in no
event shall such Date of Termination be earlier than the date of the Executive’s Separation from
Service.
4. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION.
4.1 Termination Without Cause or for Constructive Termination. If Executive suffers a
CIC Termination, then, subject to Section 4.2, Executive shall be entitled, if such CIC Termination
occurred within three (3) years of a Change in Control, to the following benefits:
(a) The Company shall pay to Executive as severance pay in one lump sum an amount equal
to the product of (i) Executive’s Total Compensation (as defined below) multiplied by (ii)
the number two and one-half (2.5). Such severance pay shall be paid not later than the
tenth (10th) business day following the Date of Termination, unless Executive is a
“specified employee,” as defined in §1.409A-1(i) of the Final Treasury Regulations under
Code Section 409A, or any successor provision thereto, in which case, such severance pay
shall be paid on the date which is six (6) months following the Participant’s Date of
Termination (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Participant), provided the six months
delay requirements of Code Section 409A otherwise apply to the payments hereunder. All
severance pay that is delayed as provided in this paragraph (a) shall accrue interest for
the period from the tenth (10th) business day following the Date of Termination until the
date such payment is actually made. Said interest shall be equal to the applicable interest
rate as defined in Code Section 417(e)(3), without regard to the phase-in percentages
specified in Code Section 417(e)(3)(D)(iii), for the November preceding the first day of the
calendar year in which the participant retires or otherwise becomes entitled to payments
without regard to this Section 5.4(c).
For purposes of this Section 4.1(a), Executive’s “Total Compensation” shall mean the annual
base salary being paid to Executive at the Date of Termination plus Executive’s “Average
Bonus.” Executive’s “Average Bonus” shall mean the greater of (i) the bonus or incentive
award pursuant to any annual performance bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company
(the “Bonus”) last paid to or earned by Executive immediately prior to his Date of
Termination, or (ii) the average of the highest three Bonuses or incentive awards (whether
or not consecutive) paid to or earned by Executive.
(b)
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(i) The Company shall continue to provide Executive with all medical, dental,
vision, and any other health benefits which qualify for continuation coverage under
Code Section 4980B ( “COBRA Coverage”), for a period of 18 months from the Date of
Termination. Such benefits shall be equal to or economically equivalent to the
benefits in effect for Executive at the time of the Change in Control, and the
Company shall provide such benefits at the same cost to Executive as the cost, if
any, charged to Executive for those benefits immediately prior to the Date of
Termination. Within 10 business days following the end of said 18-month period,
Executive shall be paid a lump sum amount equal to the present value of the cost to
the Company of providing those benefits to Executive for an additional 18-month
period, with such cost being determined on the basis of the monthly cost to the
Company of providing such benefits during the 18th month following
Executive’s Date of Termination (net of the monthly cost, if any, charged to
Executive for those benefits in said 18th month).
(ii) On the date that Executive is paid the severance pay, as provided for in
Section 4.1(a), the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the
present value of the cost to the Company of providing Executive, for a period of 36
months from the Executive’s Date of Termination, with accident and life insurance
benefits, and disability benefits equal to such benefits in effect for Executive at
the time of the Change in Control, with such cost being determined on the basis of
the monthly cost to the Company of providing such benefits during the month
immediately preceding Executive’s Date of Termination (net of the monthly cost, if
any, charged to Executive for those benefits in the month immediately preceding
Executive’s Date of Termination).
4.2 Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be determined that any payment,
distribution, or benefits of any type by the Company 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 (the “Total Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999
or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that
after payment by Executive of all taxes (including additional excise taxes under said Section 4999,
and any interest and penalties imposed with respect to any taxes) imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Total Payments. The Company shall pay the Gross-Up Payment to Executive within thirty (30)
business days after Executive’s termination of employment.
4.3 Determination By Accountant. All determinations required to be made under this
Article 4, including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment, shall be made by the independent accounting firm retained by the Company on the date of
the Change in Control (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the Date of Termination , if
applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If
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the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall furnish
Executive with an opinion that he has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his
federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and 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
Gross-Up Payments which 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 the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 4.4 and Executive thereafter 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 Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.3, in
no event shall such Underpayment be paid to Executive later than the end of the calendar year next
following the calendar year in which Executive remits the related taxes to the Internal Revenue
Service.
4.4 Notification Required. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
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 no later than
ten (10) business days after Executive knows 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. Executive shall not
pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which it
gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to
the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall:
(a) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to
such claim,
(b) 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 reasonably selected by the
Company,
(c) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such
claim,
(d) 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 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 4.4, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and
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all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to
pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund, or contest the claim in any permissible manner,
and 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 Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold 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 Executive with respect to
which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect
to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and 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.
4.5 Repayment.
(a) If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 4.4, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim,
Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 4.4)
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 Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4.4, a determination is made that
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company
does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to
the expiration of thirty (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.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5 and Section 4.4, (i)
any payment made to or on behalf of Executive which relates to taxes imposed on Executive
shall be made not later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year
in which such taxes are remitted by or on behalf of Executive , and (ii) any payment made
to or on behalf of Executive which relates to reimbursement of expenses incurred due to a
tax audit or litigation addressing the existence or amount of a tax liability shall be made
by the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the taxes that are the
subject of the audit or litigation are remitted to the taxing authority, or where as a
result of such audit or litigation no taxes are remitted, the end of the calendar year
following the calendar year in which the audit is completed or there is a final and
non-appealable settlement or other resolution of the litigation, whichever is the last event
to occur.
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4.6 Mitigation or Set-off of Amounts Payable Hereunder. Executive shall not be
required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this
Article 4 by seeking other
employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in this Article 4 be
reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment by another employer
after the Date of Termination, or otherwise. The Company’s obligations hereunder also shall not be
affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which
the Company may have against Executive.
5. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
5.1 Successors of the Company. 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, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Executive, expressly to assume 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 there had been a Change in Control
but no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to
the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach hereof. As used herein, the “Company”
shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 5.1 or which
otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions hereof by operation of law.
5.2 Executive’s Heirs, etc. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive should die while any amounts
would still be payable to him hereunder as if he had continued to live, all such amounts, unless
otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms hereof to his designated
beneficiary or, if there be no such designated beneficiary, to his estate.
6. NOTICE. For the purposes hereof, notices and all other communications provided for
herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to
the Company at its principal place of business and to Executive at his address as shown on the
records of the Company, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention
of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company with a copy to the Secretary of the Company, or to
such other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
7. MISCELLANEOUS. No provisions hereof may be amended, modified, waived or discharged
unless such amendment, waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by
Executive and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Board (which shall in any event
include the Company’s Chief Executive Officer). No waiver by either party hereto at any time of
any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision hereof to
be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
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dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No
agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject
matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly herein.
8. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions hereof shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full
force and effect.
9. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing herein shall prevent or limit Executive’s
continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, practices,
policies or programs provided by the Company and for which Executive may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Executive may have under any stock option
or other agreements with the Company. Amounts which are vested benefits or which Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, practice, policy or program of the Company at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, practice,
policy or program. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 9, this Agreement
contains the entire agreement of the parties regarding the change in control severance benefits
provided for herein and shall supersede and replace any change in control severance agreements
previously entered into by the parties, and by execution of this Agreement, the parties understand
and agree that any other such agreement shall be and become null and void.
10. LEGAL EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay, upon written demand therefor by
Executive, all legal fees and expenses which Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
dispute or contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by or with the Company or others regarding
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision hereof (including as a result
of any contest about the amount of any payment pursuant to Section 4.2), plus in each case interest
at the “applicable Federal rate” (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code). In any such action
brought by Executive for damages or to enforce any provisions hereof, he shall be entitled to seek
both legal and equitable relief and remedies, including, without limitation, specific performance
of the Company’s obligations hereunder, in his sole discretion. The amount of fees and expenses
eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year shall not affect the fees and expenses eligible
for reimbursement in any other calendar year. Reimbursement of eligible fees and expenses shall be
made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the fees
or expenses were incurred.
11. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws
of the State of Texas.
13. CAPTIONS AND GENDER. The use of captions and Article and Section headings herein
is for purposes of convenience only and shall not effect the interpretation or
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substance of any provisions contained herein. Similarly, the use of the masculine gender with
respect to pronouns herein is for purposes of convenience and includes either sex who may be a
signatory.
14. TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid
in cash or other form under this Agreement any Federal, state, local or other taxes required by law
to be withheld.
15. AMENDMENT. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend this
Agreement in any manner it deems necessary or desirable in order to comply with or otherwise
address issues resulting from Code Section 409A or related Treasury regulations issued thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.
| ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION |
||||
| By: | ||||
| Xxxxxx X. Best | ||||
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| EXECUTIVE |
||||
| Name: | ||||
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