Contract
This
Confidential Employment Separation Agreement and Release (the "Agreement")
is
between Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx ("Executive"),
on
the
one hand, and Fushi Copperweld, Inc. ("Fushi" or the "Company"), on the other
hand.
WHEREAS,
Executive
is currently employed as Chief Operating Officer of Fushi and serves on the
Boards of Directors of certain entities affiliated with
the
Company
pursuant
to an employment agreement between Executive
and Fushi;
WHEREAS,
Executive
has provided
notice to Fushi of his
intent
to voluntarily
resign
his employment with Fushi;
WHEREAS,
as
a
result of Executive's decision, Executive will resign from his
employment
with Fushi and his seats on the Boards of Directors of entities affiliated
with
the Company effective June 1,
2008
(the
"Separation Date"), and;
WHEREAS,
both
Fushi and Executive
desire to enter into this
Agreement to finally
resolve
all
questions
of compensation,
entitlement
to benefits,
and
any
and all other claims,
whether
known or unknown,
which
Executive could potentially have relating to Executive's
employment with and separation from his employment with Fushi.
In
exchange
for Fushi providing these benefits to which Executive is not otherwise
entitled,
Executive
agrees to waive and settle any and all potential legal claims and rights
relating to Executive's employment with and separation from Fushi.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual promises set forth below,
and
intending
to
be legally bound, Fushi and Executive
agree as follows:
1.
Current
Employment Agreement.
The
Parties acknowledge
and agree
that they are parties to an employment agreement titled Executive Employment
Agreement for Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx dated October 29,
2007
(the
"Employment Agreement"). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that the
Employment Agreement superceded and cancelled an earlier employment agreement
between Executive
and Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC dated January 1,
2007.
Finally,
the
Parties acknowledge and agree that the Employment Agreement is
the
only employment
agreement
in effect between them. The Parties agree that,
except
for
Executive's
post-employment
covenants and obligations in the Employment Agreement,
which
shall
continue in full force, this Agreement shall cancel and supercede the Employment
Agreement and that such Employment Agreement,
except
for Executive's
post-employment
covenants and obligations contained in sections
14,
15,
16
and
17,
shall
have no
further effect or force.
2.
Amendment
to Non-Competition Covenant. As
additional consideration
for the Severance and other benefits provided pursuant to this
Agreement,
Executive
agrees to the following amendment to the non-competition covenant set forth
in
section 15(a) of his Employment Agreement.
Specifically,
Executive
agrees
that
the
geographic scope of the non-competition
covenant shall be worldwide
and
not be limited to the continental United States or mainland China.
Executive
acknowledges that
Fushi's
operation and market is worldwide
in
scope and that a worldwide
geographic scope is reasonable.
In
addition,
Executive
acknowledges
that the Severance Period is equal to the non-competition
period
and, accordingly, he will not suffer hardship as a result of the broadening
of
the geographic scope of his non-competition covenant.
3.
Separation
of Employment.
Executive acknowledges that he has provided
notice to Fushi of his intent to resign his employment with the
Company
effective June 1, 2008. Employee acknowledges and agrees that his decision
to
resign his employment is entirely
voluntary
and not due to any request or requirement,
express
or implied, by Fushi.
Fushi
is
providing the compensation and benefits providing in this
Agreement to settle any claims and/or bona fide
disputes Executive may have and in exchange for Executive's releases and
covenants herein as well as Executive's good will.
4.
Resignation
from Boards of Directors.
As part
of Executive's resignation
of employment from FushL effective June 1,
2008,
Executive
shall resign his
seats
on the Boards of Directors
for any entity affiliated with FushL including:
Copperweld
Bimetallics,
LLC;
Copperweld Bimetallics Holdings,
LLC;
Copperweld International Holdings, LLC; International Manufacturing Equipment
Suppliers,
LLC;
and
Copperweld Bimetallics UK Ltd. In order to effect such resignations for the
relevant Boards of Directors, Executive shall timely submit written notices
of
such resignations in
a
format
requested by the applicable entities.
5.
Severance
Payment.
As
consideration
for
Executive's
releases and covenants
herein, Fushi agrees to pay Executive severance pay in the gross amount of
Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars and Sixteen Cents ($200,000.16),
subject to applicable withholdings and deductions ("Severance"). Fushi shall
pay
the Severance
in
twenty four (24) equal installments of Eight Thousand Three Hundred Thirty
Three
Dollars and Thirty Four Cents ($8,333.34)
semi-monthly. Accordingly, the Severance installment payments shall take
place
over twelve (12) months (the "Severance Period").
No
payment shall be owed or due under this Agreement until the expiration
of the revocation period set forth herein and only if this Agreement has been
executed and not revoked. Fushi shall issue the first installment payment within
fifteen (15) business days of the expiration of the revocation
period.
(a)
By
virtue of his resignation, Executive acknowledges that his coverage under
Fushi's group health and dental insurance plan
or any
other group health and dental insurance plan offered by any entity affiliated
with Fushi in which Executive
participates
ends effective May 31, 2008.
Thereafter,
he
is
entitled to continue his coverage and any dependent insurance coverage for
up to
18 months,
under
the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of
1985
("COBRA").
If
Executive elects to continue such coverage under the
applicable health and dental
insurance plan, the
effective date of the beginning of such continuation coverage is June
1,
2008.
(b)
If
Executive elects to continue health and dental insurance coverage under the
Company's plan, Fushi agrees to pay for such insurance coverage premiums for
Executive at the same level it pays for active employees for a period of twelve
(12) months
from
the date of his termination,
or
effective through May 31,
2009,
and
during this time period, Executive will be responsible only for
payment
of his
Executive
share of premiums charged by Fushi to active employees.
This
premium
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amount
will be deducted from Executive's severance payments. This amount may change
each Plan year depending on the premium charged to active employees.
(c)
After
that 12-month period, effective June 1,
2009,
Executive may continue his coverage through the date of the 18-month maximum
coverage,
or
through November 30, 2009, but during that time period, Executive will be
personally responsible for full coverage of premium payments -- up to 102%
of
the total cost of premiums incurred by Fushi for medical and dental insurance
coverage.
(d)
Per
the terms of COBRA,
continuation
coverage will be terminated before the end of the maximum period if any required
premium is not paid on time, if a qualified beneficiary becomes covered under
another group health plan that does not impose any pre-existing condition
exclusion for a pre-existing condition of the qualified beneficiary, if a
covered Executive enrolls in Medicare, or if the employer ceases to provide
any
group health plan for its employees. Continuation coverage may also be
terminated for any reason the Plan would terminate coverage of a participant
or
beneficiary not receiving continuation coverage (such as fraud).
(e)
Fushi
agrees to pay coverage premiums for Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D
Insurance for Executive at the same level of coverage prior to termination
for a
period of twelve (12) months from the date of his termination or effective
through May 31, 2009. Coverage will be terminated before the end of the
maximum
period if Executive becomes insured under another employer's
plan.
After
that 12-month period, effective June 1,
2009,
Executive
may elect to continue such coverage only if and pursuant to any conversion
benefits otherwise available.
(f)
Executive will be compensated for 2008 Vacation, less withholdings required
by
law. Payment will encompass three (3) weeks vacation pay accrued up through
the
effective date of termination from employment, and no further vacation pay
will
be due to him under this Agreement or otherwise.
Payment
will be made on the employee's Separation Date.
7.
Stock
Options.
As
further consideration for Executive's releases and covenants
herein, Fushi agrees that the stock options granted to Executive pursuant to
the
Employment Agreement shall continue to vest,
as
set
forth in Exhibit A to the Employment Agreement,
for
six
(6) months from the date of execution as if Executive had remained employed
through such period. In addition, Fushi agrees that Executive shall have a
period of fifteen (15) months from the date of his execution of this Agreement
to exercise such stock options. Any stock options not exercised during such
period shall expire. Executive acknowledges and agrees that all rights,
restrictions,
and
obligations relating to such vested or unvested shares shall be governed
by
the applicable stock option plan.
8.
Section
409A. The
Parties acknowledge and agree that the Severance
and other benefits provided in this Agreement are provided as a settlement
of
any potential claims Executive may have and are not required pursuant to the
Employment Agreement. In addition, Executive releases Fushi from any obligations
or responsibilities arising from or relating to Paragraph 26 of the Employment
Agreement.
Executive
further acknowledges and agrees that Fushi has not made any representation
regarding the applicable tax treatment of any compensation or benefits provided
herein and that Executive should consult with his tax advisor for any
possible
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tax
implication or treatment of such compensation and benefits. Executive further
acknowledges and agrees that Executive is solely responsible for any
taxes,
penalties,
or
fines
he may owe as a result of any payments or benefits provided under
this
Agreement.
9.
Transitional
Consultation.
During
the twelve (12) months following his
Separation Date,
Executive
agrees to provide transitional advisory/consultation services
to
Fushi
and/or
other entities affiliated with FushL upon the Company's request on an
independent contractor basis.
The
Parties agree and acknowledge that such transitional advisory/consultation
services shall be reasonable and not interfere
with
subsequent employment.
Executive
shall perform such services,
if
requested,
as
an
independent contractor,
and
that
Executive's shall not be due any additional payment for
such
services
except
that
Fushi agrees to reimburse Executive
for
reasonable,
necessary,
and
customary business expenses
incurred by him as part of providing
any
requested transitional
advisory/consultation services. Except for the
otherwise applicable post-employment restrictions and covenants, Executive
is
not restricted from pursuing
or
accepting other employment during this period of transitional advisory /
consultation services.
10.
Post-Employment
Covenants.
Executive specifically agrees to be bound
and
abide by all post-employment covenants set forth
in his
Employment Agreement including,
but not limited to, the covenants set forth in Paragraphs 14,
15,
16,
and
17 of
the Employment Agreement including
the
broadening of the geographic scope of his non-competition
covenant as addressed herein.
Executive
represents that he has reviewed such covenants, including the non-competition
covenant and that he will fully comply with such provisions.
Such
provisions are specifically incorporated
into
this Agreement for reference and enforcement purposes.
11.
Release.
Executive
hereby releases Fushi (Fushi Copperweld,
Inc.),
Copperweld
Bimetallics, LLC, Copperweld Bimetallics Holdings, LLC,
Copperweld
International
Holdings,
LLC,
Copperweld
Bimetallics UK,
Ltd.,
International
Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers,
LLC,
and
any other entity affiliated with
Fushi
as well as their respective subsidiaries, predecessors,
successors,
affiliates,
and
assigns,
and
the
shareholders,
directors,
officers,
employees,
and
agents of the foregoing (hereinafter also referred to collectively as "the
Released Parties"),
from
any
and all rights
and
claims that arose prior to Executive's
signing
of this
Agreement and that involve
or
in any way relate to Executive's
employment with Fushi or
the
termination
of
that
employment.
The
rights and claims that Executive
hereby releases include, but are not limited to, any and all rights and claims
arising under Title VII
of
the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII),
the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
the
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
Act (WARN), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
(USERRA), the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA) (except claims for vested benefits),
the
Fair
Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and any other federal,
state,
or
local
law or regulation,
and
any
and all claims for wrongful or unjust discharge or breach of contract or
promise,
express
or
implied.
12.
Covenant
Not to Xxx
Executive promises never to file
a
lawsuit
or
request
arbitration concerning,
and
promises not to otherwise assert.
any
claims that are released in this Agreement. This release shall not constitute
a
release of any claims
for
breach of this
Agreement.
nor
shall
it bar a lawsuit by Executive
to enforce
the
terms
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of
this
Agreement. Executive does not give up the right to file
a
Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
but
Executive expressly waives and releases any right to obtain monetary relief
relating to such a charge or subsequent lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission.
a.
In the
event that Executive brings an action against the Released Parties based on
any
other claim released in this Agreement,
the
Released Parties may,
at
their
option, and as applicable (a) stop making payments that would otherwise have
been due under this Agreement;
(b)
demand the return of any payments that have been made under this
Agreement;
(c)
plead
this Agreement in bar to any such action;
(d)
seek
any and all remedies available, including but not limited to injunctive
relief
and
monetary damages, costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees.
b.
In
the
event that the Released Parties breach this Agreement,
Executive
will be entitled to bring an action for breach of this Agreement but not for
any
claims released in this Agreement.
In
the
event that the Released Parties prevail in such an action, they will be entitled
to recover (as appropriate and applicable) monetary damages, injunctive
relief,
costs
and
reasonable attorneys' fees.
13.
Confidentiality.
Executive shall keep the details of this Agreement
in
strict
confidence, and shall not reveal details of the Agreement to anyone
except
members of the Executive's immediate family, the Executive's
attorney,
and
Executive's
tax advisor. Executive
further agrees and understands that he is responsible for ensuring that these
individuals also maintain the confidentiality of this Agreement and the
Confidential Employment Termination Letter.
14.
Notification
of Subpoena/Court Order.
Executive
agrees that Executive
will not voluntarily assist a party opposing the Released Parties in any
present,
potential,
or
future
legal proceedings by or against
the
Released Parties.
Executive
agrees
that he will provide information to a party opposing the Released
Parties in any
present,
potential,
or
future
legal proceedings by or against the Released Parties,
only
pursuant
to and to the extent required by subpoena or order of court. Executive further
agrees that.
if
Executive is served with any subpoena or order of court relating in any way
to
the business of Fushi,
Executive
will immediately notify Fushi of his receipt of that subpoena or order and
will
provide Fushi with a copy of such subpoena or order of court.
15.
Nondisparagement.
Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly
disparage
the Released Parties,
or
their
products or services,
or
engage
in any communications which could cause injury to or harm the business or
reputations of the Released Parties.
16.
Fushi
Property.
Executive acknowledges that the information,
observations,
data,
and
knowledge about business matters involving Fushi or the other Released Parties
which Executive obtained during the course of his employment with
Fushi,
and
which
are not generally known to the public,
constitute
confidential,
proprietary,
and trade
secret information of Fushi's and/or the other Released Parties'.
This
information
includes,
but
is
not limited to,
corporate
information,
including
contractual arrangements,
plans,
locations,
strategies,
tactics,
potential
acquisitions
or
business combinations, or joint venture possibilities, policies,
and
negotiations;
marketing
information,
including
sales,
purchasing,
and
inventory plans,
strategies,
tactics,
5
methods,
customers, advertising, promotion or market research data: financial
information, including operating results and statistics, cost and performance
data, projections, forecasts, investors, and holdings: and operational
information, including trade secrets, secret formulas, control and inspection
practices, accounting
systems and controls, computer programs and data, personnel lists, resumes,
personal data, organizational structure, and performance evaluations.
Executive
further acknowledges that the disclosure or use of all or any of Fushi's or
any
of the other Released Parties' confidential, proprietary, or trade secret
information by any party other than Fushi and/or other Released Party would
have
an immediate, material, and adverse effect on Fushi and/or the other Released
Parties.
Executive
further acknowledges that Executive is obligated under statutory and common
law
not to use or disclose, without Fushi's prior written consent,
any
confidential, proprietary,
or
trade
secret information of Fushi's or any of the other Released Parties.
Executive
agrees that he will abide by his statutory and common law
obligations not to use or disclose Fushi's or any of the other Released Parties'
confidential,
proprietary,
or trade secret information and further agrees not to otherwise take any action
that is injurious to Fushi or any of the other Released Parties.
17.
No
Admission of Wrongdoing.
Fushi
believes that,
in
its
employment of
Executive, Fushi and the other Released Parties have acted lawfully and
consistent with the Employment Agreement.
Executive
expressly agrees that by offering this Agreement or by entering into this
Agreement,
Fushi
and
the other Released Parties in no way admit that the Company or any of the other
Released Parties have acted unlawfully, breached the Employment Agreement or
otherwise treated Executive in any way unlawfully, discriminatorily, wrongly,
or
unfairly.
18.
Review
by Legal Counsel.
Fushi
hereby advises Executive to consult with
an
attorney about the requirements of this Agreement and the Agreement's release
before signing this Agreement.
19.
Consideration
Period.
Executive hereby acknowledges that he received
this Agreement on May 27,2008.
Executive
shall have a period of twenty-one
(21)
days
after Executive's receipt of the Agreement,
within
which to review, consider, and sign the Agreement.
If
Executive wishes to enter into this Agreement,
Executive
must sign the Agreement,
have
Executive's signature witnessed, and return the Agreement to Eddi~
Hall,at
the
offices of Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC, 000
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000,
no
later than 5:00 p.m. on June
18,
2008. If
Executive fails to return the signed and witnessed Agreement to Copperweld
by
5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2008, the offer of separation benefits set forth in this
Agreement shall be null and void.
20.
Revocation
Period.
Executive shall have a period of seven
(7)
days
following Executive's signing of this Agreement,
within
which to change his mind and revoke the Agreement. If Executive wishes to revoke
the Agreement after signing the Agreement,
Executive
must provide written notice of that revocation to Xxxxx
Xxxx (address
above) no later than the eighth (8) day after signing the Agreement (the
"Effective Date").
This
Agreement shall become effective and enforceable after the expiration of seven
days after Executive has signed the Agreement,
provided
that Executive has not revoked the Agreement during that seven-day period.
21
.
Executive
hereby represents that he has had an opportunity to review
and discuss the terms and meaning of this Agreement with Executive's legal
6
counsel,
that
Executive understands the terms and meaning of the Agreement.
and
that
Executive is entering into the Agreement freely and voluntarily.
(a)
If
any
provision of this Agreement
or
any application
of
this Agreement
is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity
of
that provision or application shall not affect the validity
or
enforceability of any other provision or application of this Agreement.
(b)
This
Agreement shall be governed by,
and
shall
be interpreted
in accordance with, the internal law,
and
not
the law of conflicts,
of
Tennessee.
(c)
Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the remedy at law available
to Fushi for breach by Executive of any of
Executive's
obligations under this Agreement and the
post-employment covenants in the Employment Agreement would be inadequate and
that damages flowing from such a breach would not readily be susceptible
to
being measured in monetary terms. Accordingly,
Executive
acknowledges, consents and agrees that.
in
addition to any other rights
or
remedies
which
Fushi
may have at law, in equity or under this Agreement.
upon
adequate proof of Executive's
violation of such provisions,
Fushi
shall be entitled to immediate injunctive
relief
and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened or further
breach without
the
necessity of proof of actual damages.
(d)
The
headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for
convenience only and are intended to have no effect
in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.
The
term
"including" is used in this Agreement to list items
by way
of example
and
shall not be deemed to constitute a limitation of any term or
provision
contained herein.
(e)
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more separate counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
shall
be part of the same Agreement. Furthermore, facsimile reproductions of original
signatures shall be deemed binding for purpose of enforcement
and execution of this Agreement.
(f)
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit
of the Parties hereto and the Released Parties and the respective
heirs,
executors,
administrators,
personal
representatives,
successors,
and
assigns of the Parties
and
Released Parties.
(g)
The
Parties agree that any rule of construction by which terms
of
an agreement are construed against the drafter of the agreement shall not apply
to any interpretation of this Agreement.
(h)
This
Agreement represents the entire agreement between Executive
and Fushi.
The
Released Parties have made no written or oral representations or promises
to,
or
agreements with,
Executive
other than the promises and agreements of Fushi that are set forth in this
Agreement.
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