AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.22
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is by and between Tyson Foods, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“Company”), and Xxxx Xxxxx (“Xx. Xxxxx”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and Xx. Xxxxx previously entered into an agreement dated as of September 28, 2007 (the “2007 Agreement”), whereby Xx. Xxxxx provided advisory services in a non-officer capacity; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Xx. Xxxxx desire to enter into a new agreement to provide advisory services in a non-officer capacity upon the terms, provisions and conditions herein provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | (a) | Except as expressly provided herein, the 2007 Agreement shall be of no further force and effect after October 2, 2010. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall begin October 3, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) and shall end on the earlier of (i) ten (10) years thereafter and (ii) the termination of this Agreement as otherwise expressly provided herein. |
| (b) | Notwithstanding any other provision of that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 29, 2003 by and between Xx. Xxxxx and the Company, the 2007 Agreement or any stock option award agreement under which Xx. Xxxxx’x outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock described in Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference were received, such options shall remain in full force and effect and shall continue to vest on the earlier of (i) those vesting dates set forth under Schedule 1 as occurring during the Term; (ii) the termination of this Agreement by the Company for any reason other than for “Cause;” (iii) Xx. Xxxxx’x death or Xx. Xxxxx’x “Permanent Disability” (as defined and determined under the Company’s Long-Term Disability Benefit Plan applicable to the most senior officers of the Company as in effect on the effective date of the 2007 Agreement); (iv) any material breach by the Company |
| (including, without limit, any reduction in the payment or benefits owed to Xx. Xxxxx) of this Agreement; or (v) any earlier date as provided under Section 17 or the otherwise applicable (but not inconsistent) provisions of the governing plan and stock option award agreement under which such options were issued or received. Once vested, such options shall remain fully vested and immediately exercisable, subject to the Company’s internal securities trading policy as generally applicable to its directors, officers and employees, and in accordance with the otherwise applicable (but not inconsistent) provisions of the stock option award agreement under which such options were issued or received. |
| (c) | Upon completion of the Term or any earlier termination of the Term, Xx. Xxxxx will receive those retirement and/or continuing payments and benefits, as specified herein, in the amounts and upon the terms hereinafter contained. |
| 2. | During the Term, Xx. Xxxxx will provide services to the Company based on the following: |
| (a) | Xx. Xxxxx may be required to provide up to twenty (20) hours per month of advisory services to the Company and perform certain public relations duties, each upon the Company’s reasonable request. Such hourly requirement shall not be cumulative, and Xx. Xxxxx shall have no obligation to the Company to provide over twenty (20) hours of services in any month. Xx. Xxxxx may perform such advisory services hereunder at any location but may be required to be at the offices of the Company and/or its subsidiaries upon reasonable advance notice and after taking into account Xx. Xxxxx’x other personal and professional obligations. Xx. Xxxxx shall not be obligated to render advisory services under this Agreement during any period when he is disabled due to illness or injury, and this Agreement and the Term hereof shall nonetheless continue in full force and effect with Xx. Xxxxx remaining entitled to receive all compensation and benefits, and stock options vested or continuing to thereupon and thereafter vest and be exercisable, as provided hereunder. |
| (b) | If Xx. Xxxxx’x employment under this Agreement is terminated for “Cause,” all further obligations of the Company (other than the Company’s obligation to make any payments or extend any benefits accrued and owed to Xx. Xxxxx up to and including such date of termination) under this Agreement will immediately cease. As used herein, the term “Cause” shall be limited to (i) willful malfeasance or willful |
| misconduct committed by Xx. Xxxxx in connection with his performance of his duties hereunder; (ii) gross negligence committed by Xx. Xxxxx in connection with his performance of his duties hereunder which results in material and demonstrable damage or injury to the Company; (iii) any willful and material breach by Xx. Xxxxx of Section 7 of this Agreement; or (iv) the conviction of Xx. Xxxxx of any felony. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not terminate Xx. Xxxxx’x employment under this Agreement for “Cause” under sub-clause (i), (ii) or (iii) hereof unless and until the Company shall have provided Xx. Xxxxx with written notice of the commission of any event or conduct constituting “Cause” hereunder and providing Xx. Xxxxx with reasonable opportunity to cure such event or conduct. In addition to such cure, termination of Xx. Xxxxx’x employment under this Agreement for “Cause” shall be made only upon and after delivery to Xx. Xxxxx of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the then members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) at a meeting called and held for purposes of considering such termination (and which meeting was conducted only after providing Xx. Xxxxx with 30 days’ prior written notice thereof and reasonable opportunity to attend such meeting and be heard before the Board with respect to such matter prior to the Board undertaking such vote) and finding that in the reasonable judgment of the Board, Xx. Xxxxx was guilty of conduct constituting “Cause” under this Agreement and specifying the particulars of such conduct. If the Board determines Xx. Xxxxx was guilty of conduct constituting “Cause,” Xx. Xxxxx will reimburse the Company for any benefits and payments received under the terms of this Agreement between the date of the notice provided pursuant to this Section 2(c) and the determination of the Board. |
| (c) | Except for “Cause,” the Company may not terminate this Agreement. |
| (d) | Xx. Xxxxx may terminate this Agreement and his employment with the Company hereunder at any time, with or without reason, upon providing the Company with written notice of such termination which notice shall specify the date of such termination. Upon receipt of such notice by the Company, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall immediately cease; any unvested options will immediately terminate and expire, and any vested options will be exercisable pursuant to the terms thereof. In the event of a termination of this Agreement by Xx. Xxxxx, his obligations under Section 7 of the Agreement will continue after the termination. |
| 3. | During the Term, the Company shall pay Xx. Xxxxx $500,000 annually for his services provided under this Agreement. The Company shall pay Xx. Xxxxx the foregoing amount through its regular payroll processes and shall convert the annual amount shown above into level payments for each payroll cycle occurring during the applicable period. |
| 4. | In addition to the compensation paid pursuant to Section 3, throughout the entire Term, (i) Xx. Xxxxx shall be eligible to participate in any benefit plan or program maintained by the Company other than plans or programs related to equity compensation or long-term disability, provided, however, that Xx. Xxxxx is eligible to receive a cash bonus if so approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board in its sole discretion, (ii) the Company shall provide Xx. Xxxxx with coverage under all employee pension and welfare benefit programs, plans and practices in accordance with the terms thereof and which the Company generally makes available to its most senior officers, and (iii) the Company shall provide Xx. Xxxxx, his spouse and his eligible dependents with healthcare, hospitalization, medical, long term care, vision, dental, and other similar insurance coverage or benefits (collectively, “Health Coverage”) under the Tyson Healthcare Continuation Plan or any successor or additional plan maintained by the Company and at such coverage levels and upon such terms and conditions as shall otherwise be made available to any of the most senior officers of the Company (including, without limitation, the provision of Health Coverage at a monthly cost to Xx. Xxxxx that is equal to the monthly premium cost paid by other similarly situated participants). Unless this Agreement is terminated by the Company for “Cause” or voluntarily by Xx. Xxxxx (other than by reason of the Company’s breach of this Agreement), from and after the expiration or termination of the Term of this Agreement, the Company shall continue to provide Health Coverage to Xx. Xxxxx, his spouse and his eligible dependents consistent with the terms of this Section 4(iii) (the “Post Termination Health Coverage”). In addition, during the Term the Company shall permit Xx. Xxxxx to participate in any benefit plan or arrangement generally made available to employees of the Company, including reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the business of the Company or in the performance of Xx. Xxxxx’x obligations under this Agreement including without limitation, expenses for travel and similar items related to Xx. Xxxxx’x performance of his services and duties hereunder, in accordance with the policies of the Company. During the Term, the Company shall also provide Xx. Xxxxx with the following perquisites: |
| (a) | Reimbursement of dues incurred by Xx. Xxxxx for one annual country club membership consistent with the past practices of Xx. Xxxxx at the Company; |
| (b) | Use of, and the payment of all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, insurance, repairs, maintenance, fuel and oil) for, an automobile. The monthly lease payment or allowance for such automobile shall be consistent with past practices under the 2007 Agreement; |
| (c) | Personal use of the Company-owned aircraft for up to one hundred fifty (150) hours per year during the Term; provided, however, that Xx. Xxxxx’x personal use of the Company-owned aircraft shall be approved pursuant to the Company’s then existing aircraft approval policy and shall not interfere with Company use of the Company-owned aircraft. If Xx. Xxxxx does not use all of such hours in a given year, he may use those unused hours in future years during the Term. As part of such personal use, Xx. Xxxxx may designate such number of additional passengers on such Company-owned aircraft as seating permits, and Xx. Xxxxx need not be one of the passengers; |
| (d) | Payment of or reimbursement from the Company for reasonable costs incurred by Xx. Xxxxx for tax and estate planning advice; |
| (e) | Reimbursement from or payment by the Company for the annual premium payment on that certain existing $7,500,000 life insurance policy on the life of Xx. Xxxxx consistent with past practice. If during the Term Xx. Xxxxx chooses to replace the existing policy with a different life insurance policy, the Company’s obligation to reimburse Xx. Xxxxx for the annual premium will not exceed the amount paid to Xx. Xxxxx for the last year under the existing policy. The Company has no interest in any such policy nor the proceeds payable under any such policy; |
| (f) | Use of, and the payment of all reasonable expenses associated with, mobile telephone (Xx. Xxxxx will pay the same monthly fee charged other employees of the Company for a mobile telephone), e-mail or other communication devices, home telephone and internet lines, and secretarial, administrative and bookkeeping support and services similar to or consistent with those previously provided by the Company to Xx. Xxxxx; |
| (g) | Reasonable personal use of the Company-owned entertainment assets; provided, however, such use shall be approved pursuant to the Company’s then existing approval policy and such personal use of these assets shall not interfere with the Company’s business use thereof; |
| (h) | Up to 1,500 hours per year of security services to be designated by Xx. Xxxxx, to be valued at $40 per hour; and |
| (i) | The Company will reimburse and gross-up Xx. Xxxxx for any and all tax liability (including interest and penalties) imposed upon Xx. Xxxxx in connection with the provision of the services and benefits sets forth in Sections 4(a)-(h) in an amount sufficient so that the services and benefits will be provided hereunder without reduction for taxes. |
The expenses described in this Section 4 must be incurred by Xx. Xxxxx during the Term to be eligible for reimbursement. All reimbursement shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred, nor shall the amount of reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.
| 5. | Xx. Xxxxx shall continue to be eligible to receive benefit payments under the Company SERP. The annual payment made to Xx. Xxxxx under the SERP will be $175,195.70 (which represents the total grossed-up benefit amount) less any required tax withholdings. |
| 6. | If this Agreement is terminated early due to Xx. Xxxxx’x death, the compensation and benefits described in Sections 3, 4 (other than the Post Termination Health Coverage which shall continue) and 5 above shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement except as provided in this Section 6. In the event of Xx. Xxxxx’x death during the Term, the Company shall, within thirty (30) days of Xx. Xxxxx’x death, pay his designated beneficiary a lump sum payment equal to the remaining payments that would have been made to Xx. Xxxxx under Section 3 of this Agreement for the period of time between Xx. Xxxxx’x death and October 2, 2020. Additionally, from and after the earlier of the expiration or termination of this Agreement or the date of Xx. Xxxxx’x death, the Company shall thereafter, upon written notice given to the Company by Xx. Xxxxx or his legal representative, as applicable, terminate and redeem all outstanding and unexercised options to purchase any Company stock, whether or not then vested, held by Xx. Xxxxx in exchange for a lump sum payment equal to the aggregate difference between (i) the fair market value of the stock represented by such options as determined as of the close of the Company’s business on the date of the occurrence of the event giving rise to application hereof less (ii) the strike price for such stock under the applicable options. |
| 7. | Xx. Xxxxx agrees to the following terms and conditions regarding the nondisclosure of confidential information; non-competition; and non-disparagement: |
| (a) | Xx. Xxxxx shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use, divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity any Confidential Information (as defined below) pertaining to the business of the Company or any of its affiliates, except (i) while employed by the Company, in the business of and for the benefit of the Company, or (ii) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with jurisdiction to order Xx. Xxxxx to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information, or (iii) disclosures to Xx. Xxxxx’x professional or legal advisors to permit his obtainment of their applicable advice, or (iv) use or disclosure of Confidential Information as necessary to permit Xx. Xxxxx to defend against any claim or prosecute any rights dependent upon the Confidential Information so used or disclosed. For purposes of this Section 7(a), “Confidential Information” shall mean non-public information concerning the financial data, strategic business plans, product development (or other proprietary product data), customer lists, marketing plans and other non-public, proprietary and confidential information of the Company or its affiliates (the “Restricted Group”) or customers, that, in any case, is not otherwise available to the public (other than by Xx. Xxxxx’x breach of the terms hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is acknowledged and agreed that an insubstantial or inadvertent disclosure or use of any Confidential Information by Xx. Xxxxx shall not be deemed a breach of this provision. |
| (b) | Xx. Xxxxx agrees that during the Term and so long as he remains employed by the Company hereunder and serves as the Chairman of the Board, without the prior written consent of the Company, (A) he will not, directly or indirectly, in the United States, participate in any Position (as defined below) in any business which is in direct competition with any business of the Restricted Group, (B) he shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm or company, directly or indirectly, solicit or offer employment to any person who has been employed by the Restricted Group at any time during the 13 months immediately preceding such solicitation, and (C) he shall not, on his |
| own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm or company, solicit, call upon, or otherwise communicate in any way with any client, customer, prospective client or prospective customer of the Company or of any member of the Restricted Group for the purposes of causing or attempting to cause any such person to purchase products sold or services rendered by the Company or by any member of the Restricted Group from any person other than the Company or any member of the Restricted Group. The term “Position” shall include, without limitation, a partner, director, holder of more than 5% of the outstanding voting shares, principal, executive, officer, manager or any employment or consulting position. It is acknowledged and agreed that the scope of the clause as set forth above is essential, because (i) a more restrictive definition of “Position” (e.g. limiting it to the “same” position with a competitor) will subject the Company to serious, irreparable harm by allowing competitors to describe positions in ways to evade the operation of this clause, and substantially restrict the protection sought by the Company, and (ii) by the allowing Xx. Xxxxx to escape the application of this clause by accepting a position designated as a “lesser” or “different” position with a competitor, the Company is unable to restrict Xx. Xxxxx from providing valuable information to such competing company to the harm of the Company. For purposes of clarification, it is acknowledged and agreed that the covenants and restrictions imposed and required of Xx. Xxxxx under this section 7(b) shall not apply from and after the date on which either Xx. Xxxxx is no longer employed by the Company (irrespective of the reason why such employment no longer continues or exists) or Xx. Xxxxx no longer serves as Chairman of the Board (irrespective of the reason why Xx. Xxxxx no longer serves in such capacity). |
| (c) | Xx. Xxxxx agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, individually or in concert with others, engage in any conduct or make any statement that has the effect of undermining or disparaging the reputation of the Company or any member of the Restricted Group, or their good will, products, or business opportunities; or that has the effect of undermining or disparaging the reputation of any officer, director, agent, representative or employee, past or present, of the Company or any member of the Restricted Group. Notwithstanding the above, Xx. Xxxxx will not be in violation of this provision if he (i) in good faith engages in conduct or makes any statement in the performance of providing advice to the Company under this Agreement or his duties as a Board member; or (ii) makes any such statement which is not publicly disseminated, or which Xx. Xxxxx could not reasonably have expected to be publicly disseminated, and was not intended to hurt or damage the |
| Company. It is acknowledged and agreed that the provisions of this Section 7(c) are intended for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and there are no third party beneficiaries hereof. As a result, the provisions hereof do not create any right or claim in favor of any person or entity other than the Company nor shall any third party or individual, including without limit, any officer, director, agent, representative or employee of the Company or any member of the Restricted Group, have any right to individually or separately enforce or seek or assert any claim based upon the provisions hereof (or any alleged breach or violation hereof) as against Xx. Xxxxx. The Company agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any conduct or make any statement that is likely to have the effect of undermining or disparaging the reputation of Xx. Xxxxx. |
| (d) | For purposes of this Section 7, a business shall be deemed to be in competition with the Restricted Group if it is principally involved in the purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or the rendering of any service purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by the Restricted Group as a material part of the business of the Restricted Group within the same geographic area in which the Restricted Group effects such purchases, sales or dealings or renders such services. Nothing in this Section 7 shall be construed so as to preclude Xx. Xxxxx from investing in any company if in compliance with Section 7(b) hereof. |
| (e) | Xx. Xxxxx and the Company agree that this covenant not to compete is a reasonable covenant under the circumstances, and further agree that if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and authority to excise or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant as to the court shall appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant as so modified. Xx. Xxxxx agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in this Section 7 would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, Xx. Xxxxx agrees that the Company may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it or they may have in law or in equity, cease making any payments otherwise required by this Agreement and obtain an injunction against Xx. Xxxxx from any court having jurisdiction over the matter restraining any further violation of this Agreement by Xx. Xxxxx. |
| 8. | This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs and legal representatives of Xx. Xxxxx and the assigns and successors of the Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by either (i) Xx. Xxxxx except by will, by operation of the laws of |
| intestate succession, or with the permission of the Company (which permission the Company may withhold in its sole and absolute discretion) or (ii) the Company; provided, however, that the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or business(es) of the Company provided that no such assignment by the Company shall relieve the Company from any direct, continuing and primary liability or responsibility owed to Xx. Xxxxx from or in connection with any such assignee’s breach, default or violation hereof. |
| 9. | The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement, such federal, state or local taxes that are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. |
| 10. | This Agreement represents the complete agreement between the Company and Xx. Xxxxx concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior employment or benefit agreements or understandings, written or oral. No attempted modification or waiver of any of the provisions hereof shall be binding on either party unless in writing and signed by both Xx. Xxxxx and the Company. |
| 11. | It is the intention of the parties hereto that all questions with respect to the construction and performance of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any state’s conflicts of laws principles. |
| 12. | It is the intention of the parties that this Agreement complies with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury Regulations and other Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”). Accordingly, this Agreement may be amended from time to time with the consent of Xx. Xxxxx (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) as may be necessary or appropriate to comply with, and to avoid adverse tax consequences under, Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall reimburse and gross-up Xx. Xxxxx for any and all excise or other tax liability (including interest and penalties) that may be assessed by the IRS pursuant to Section 409A and imposed upon Xx. Xxxxx under or in connection with the Company’s making of any payment or provision of any benefits to Xx. Xxxxx hereunder all in an amount sufficient so that such payments and benefits received by Xx. Xxxxx hereunder will be so received without reduction for any such taxes, interest or penalties. |
| 13. | If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof which shall remain in full force and effect. |
| 14. | Each party hereto shall be solely responsible for any and all legal fees incurred by him or it in connection with this Agreement, including the enforcement hereof. |
| 15. | This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original. |
| 16. | Xx. Xxxxx will continue to be indemnified by the Company pursuant to each of (i) that certain Indemnity Agreement between Xx. Xxxxx and the Company dated May 9, 1997 and (ii) that certain Indemnity Agreement between Xx. Xxxxx and the Company dated September 28, 2007. Xx. Xxxxx will receive all rights of indemnification and related benefits consistent with and on terms no less favorable than those extended by the Company or any member of the Restricted Group to any other former, then current or future officer, director, or fiduciary of the Company or any member of the Restricted Group including, without limit, coverage under any errors and omissions, directors and officers or other liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company or any member of the Restricted Group. |
| 17. | Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (defined below), any options previously granted to Xx. Xxxxx to purchase Company stock which are unvested at the time of the Change in Control will vest sixty (60) days after the Change in Control event occurs (unless vesting earlier pursuant to the terms of the applicable grant). If Xx. Xxxxx is terminated by the Company other than for “Cause” during such sixty (60) day period, all of such unvested options will vest on the date of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall have the same meaning as the term “Change in Control” as set forth in the Tyson Foods, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not include any event as a result of which one or more of the following persons or entities possess, immediately after such event, over fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company or, if applicable, a successor entity: (a) Xxx Xxxxx; (b) individuals related to Xxx Xxxxx by blood, marriage or adoption, or the estate of any such individual; or (c) any entity (including, but not limited to, a partnership, corporation, trust or limited liability company) in which one or more individuals or estates described in clauses (a) and (b) hereof possess over fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power or beneficial interests of such entity. The Compensation Committee of the Board shall have the sole discretion to interpret the foregoing provisions of this paragraph. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date written above.
| TYSON FOODS, INC. | XXXX XXXXX | |||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx 10/1/10 | ||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
|||||
SCHEDULE 1
| Grant Date |
Shares |
Strike Price | Expiration |
Vesting Date(s) | ||||||
| 03/29/01 |
200,000 | $ | 11.50 | 03/29/2011 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 10/15/01 |
200,000 | $ | 9.32 | 10/15/2011 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 10/10/02 |
200,000 | $ | 9.64 | 10/10/2012 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 07/29/03 |
500,000 | $ | 11.23 | 07/29/2013 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 09/19/03 |
500,000 | $ | 13.33 | 09/19/2013 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 09/29/04 |
500,000 | $ | 15.96 | 09/29/2014 | Fully Vested | |||||
| 11/16/05 |
500,000 | $ | 16.35 | 11/16/2015 | •80% Vested •20% Vests on 11/16/10 | |||||
| 11/17/06 |
500,000 | $ | 15.37 | 11/17/2016 | •60% Vested •20% Vests on each of 11/17/10 and 11/17/11 | |||||
