EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), effective as of February 18, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between AIRGAIN, INC. (the “Company”), and XXXXX XXXXX (“Employee”).
WHEREAS, Employee is employed by the Company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to continue to employ Employee as the Company’s Senior Vice-President, Global Product and Marketing under the following revised terms and conditions; and
WHEREAS, Employee desires to continue to be employed by the Company as the Company’s Senior Vice-President, Global Product and Marketing and to accept such revised terms and conditions of employment as are contained in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and Employee (individually a “Party” and together the “Parties”) agree as follows:
Employee’s employment under the terms of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date.
Employee’s employment relationship with the Company under this Agreement (“Employment”) is at-will, terminable at any time and for any reason by either the Company or Employee. While certain sections of this Agreement describe events that could occur at a particular time in the future, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a guarantee of employment of any length.
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Section 4 to which Employee was not previously entitled, Employee will execute and deliver to the Company the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (the “Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement”) attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
i. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, subject to approval by the Board or its Compensation Committee, the Company shall grant to Employee stock options to purchase an aggregate of 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Stock Option”). The Stock Option shall be granted pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”). The Stock Option will have an exercise price per share equal to the then-current fair market value per share of the common stock of the Company (as determined pursuant to the Plan) on the date of grant. The Stock Option shall be an incentive stock option to the extent permitted under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Stock Option shall have a ten-year term. The Stock Option shall vest as follows: 25% of the original number of shares subject to the Stock Option shall vest on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and 1/48th of the original number of shares subject to the Stock Option shall vest following each one-month period thereafter, subject to Employee’s continued service to the Company through each such vesting date, so that all of the shares subject to the Stock Option shall be vested on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date. The Stock Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the award agreement pursuant to which such award is granted.
ii. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, subject to approval by the Board or its Compensation Committee, the Company shall grant to Employee 8,000 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”). The RSUs shall vest as follows: 25% of the original number of shares subject to the RSUs shall vest on each of March 1, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to Employee’s continued service to the Company through each such vesting date. The RSUs shall be granted pursuant to the Plan. The RSUs shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the award agreement pursuant to which such award is granted.
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iii. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stock Option and the RSUs (and all Equity Awards held by Employee (as defined below)) shall become fully vested and/or exercisable, in the event of Employee’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined below), or Employee’s Resignation for Good Reason (as defined below), in each case following a Change in Control (as defined below). In addition, with respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, all such Equity Awards held by Employee shall become fully vested in the event of Employee's termination of employment by the Company without Cause, or Employee's Resignation for Good Reason, in each case within sixty (60) days prior to a Change in Control or at any time following a Change in Control. For the avoidance of doubt, any acceleration in the event of Employee's termination of employment by the Company without Cause or Employee's Resignation for Good Reason within sixty (60) days prior to a Change in Control will be effective on the date of the Change in Control occurring within such sixty (60) day period following such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means all stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and such other awards granted pursuant to the Company's stock option and equity incentive award plans or agreements and any shares of stock issued upon exercise thereof, including the Stock Option and the RSUs.
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which the date of termination occurs if such Bonus has been determined but not paid as of the date of termination (payable at the time such Bonus would otherwise have been paid to Employee, but in no event later than March 15 of the year in which the date of termination occurs) (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). Employee shall not be eligible for severance payments under Sections 6, 7 or 8 below, or any continuation of benefits (other than as required by law), or any other compensation pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
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provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the condition that could constitute a “Good Reason” event within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such condition and such condition must not have been remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days (the “Cure Period”) of such written notice. Employee’s Resignation for Good Reason must occur within six (6) months following the initial existence of such condition.
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Employee’s Disability, Employee or his heirs shall be entitled to (a) the Accrued Obligations, plus (b) payment of an amount equal to Employee’s “earned” Bonus for the calendar year during which Employee’s date of termination occurs calculated as of the date of termination (wherein “earned” means that Employee has met the applicable bonus metrics as of date of such termination, as determined by the Board), prorated for such portion of the calendar year during which such termination occurs that has elapsed through the date of termination, payable in a lump sum on the date that is thirty (30) days following the date of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Employee’s failure to perform his duties hereunder, for a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days because of Employee’s incapacitation due to physical or mental injury, disability, or illness.
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instead of providing continued health insurance benefits as set forth above, the Company shall instead pay to Employee an amount equal to the monthly premium payment for Employee and his eligible dependents who were covered under the Company’s health plans as of the date of Employee’s termination of employment (calculated by reference to the premium as of the date of termination) as currently taxable compensation in substantially equal monthly installments over the CIC COBRA Coverage Period (or the remaining portion thereof).
i. A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of the Company's common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (iii) below) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
ii. During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections (i) or (iii)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two (2)-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
iii. The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (A) a merger, consolidation,
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reorganization, or business combination or (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (C) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
x. which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
y. after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (y) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.
In addition, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any payment under this Agreement which provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) with respect to such payment must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code.
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the Company's payroll records.
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is sought to be enforced.
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separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Employee’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
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Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the U.S. Department of Justice. Employee acknowledges that the Company has provided Employee with the following notice of immunity rights in compliance with the requirements of the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information of the Company that is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, (ii) Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information of the Company that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and (iii) if Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the proprietary information to my attorney and use the proprietary information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the proprietary information under seal, and does not disclose the proprietary information, except pursuant to court order.
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date(s) set forth below.
AIRGAIN, INC.
Dated: By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
EMPLOYEE
Dated: ___________________________________
XXXXX XXXXX
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Exhibit 1
EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION and Inventions Assignment Agreement
[Attached]
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EXHIBIT 2
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
[The language in this Release may change based on legal developments and evolving best practices; this form is provided as an example of what will be included in the final Release document.]
This General Release of Claims (“Release”) is entered into as of this _____ day of ________, ______, between XXXXX XXXXX (“Employee”), and AIRGAIN, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company are parties to that certain Employment Agreement effective as of February 18, 2021 (the “Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Parties agree that Employee is entitled to certain severance benefits under the Agreement, subject to Employee’s execution of this Release; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee now wish to fully and finally to resolve all matters between them.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of, and subject to, the severance benefits payable to Employee pursuant to the Agreement, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by Employee, and which Employee acknowledges that he would not otherwise be entitled to receive, Employee and the Company hereby agree as follows:
1. General Release of Claims by Employee.
(a) Employee, on behalf of himself and his executors, heirs, administrators, representatives and assigns, hereby agrees to release and forever discharge the Company and all predecessors, successors and their respective parent corporations, affiliates, related, and/or subsidiary entities, and all of their past and present investors, directors, shareholders, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which Employee is or has been a participant by virtue of his employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “Company Releasees”), from any and all claims, debts, demands, accounts, judgments, rights, causes of action, equitable relief, damages, costs, charges, complaints, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, suits, expenses, compensation, responsibility and liability of every kind and character whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees and costs), whether in law or equity, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, suspected or unsuspected (collectively, “Claims”), which Employee has or may have had against such entities based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof or on or prior to the date hereof, arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever Employee’s employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative
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agency including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ADEA”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Government Code Section 12940, et seq.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Employee does not release the following claims:
(i) Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law;
(ii) Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms of any worker’s compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company;
(iii) Claims pursuant to the terms and conditions of the federal law known as COBRA;
(iv) Claims for indemnity under the bylaws of the Company, as provided for by California or Delaware law or under any applicable indemnification agreement or insurance policy with respect to Employee’s liability as an employee, director or officer of the Company;
(v) Employee’s right to bring to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or any other federal, state or local government agency claims of discrimination, or from participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local government agency; provided, however, that Employee does release his right to secure any damages for alleged discriminatory treatment;
(vi) Claims based on any right Employee may have to enforce the Company’s executory obligations under the Agreement;
(vii) Claims Employee may have to vested or earned compensation and benefits; and
(viii) Employee’s right to communicate or cooperate with any government agency.
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(b) EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT he HAS BEEN ADVISED OF AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”
BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, EMPLOYEE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS he MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
[Note: Clauses (c), (d) and (e) apply only if Employee is age 40 or older at time of termination]
(c) Employee acknowledges that this Release was presented to him on the date indicated above and that Employee is entitled to have twenty-one (21) days’ time in which to consider it. Employee further acknowledges that the Company has advised him that he is waiving his rights under the ADEA, and that Employee should consult with an attorney of his choice before signing this Release, and Employee has had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. Employee represents and acknowledges that if Employee executes this Release before twenty-one (21) days have elapsed, Employee does so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of Employee’s legal counsel (if any), and that Employee voluntarily waives any remaining consideration period.
(d) Employee understands that after executing this Release, Employee has the right to revoke it within seven (7) days after his execution of it. Employee understands that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven (7) day revocation period passes and Employee does not revoke the Release in writing. Employee understands that this Release may not be revoked after the seven (7) day revocation period has passed. Employee also understands that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven (7) day period.
(e) Employee understands that this Release shall become effective, irrevocable, and binding upon Employee on the eighth (8th) day after his execution of it, so long as Employee has not revoked it within the time period and in the manner specified in clause (d) above.
(f) Employee further understands that Employee will not be given any severance benefits under the Agreement unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is thirty (30) days following the date of Employee’s termination of employment.
2. No Assignment. Employee represents and warrants to the Company Releasees that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim that Employee may
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have against the Company Releasees. Employee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company Releasees from any liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred as a result of any such assignment or transfer from Employee.
3. Whistleblower Provision. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit Employee from communicating directly with, cooperating with, or providing information to, any government regulator, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the U.S. Department of Justice. Employee acknowledges that the Company has provided Employee with the following notice of immunity rights in compliance with the requirements of the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information of the Company that is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, (ii) Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information of the Company that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and (iii) if Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the proprietary information to my attorney and use the proprietary information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the proprietary information under seal, and does not disclose the proprietary information, except pursuant to court order.
4. Severability. In the event any provision of this Release is found to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law. If a deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such arbitrator or court, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.
5. Interpretation; Construction. The headings set forth in this Release are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Release has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but Employee has participated in the negotiation of its terms. Furthermore, Employee acknowledges that Employee has had an opportunity to review and revise the Release and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Release. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Release shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Release.
6. Governing Law; Venue. This Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. Employee and the Company agree that any litigation regarding this Release shall be conducted in San Diego, California. Employee and the Company hereby consent to the
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jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
7. Entire Agreement. This Release and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Parties in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and supersede all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions, negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral. This Release may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Employee and an authorized representative of the Company. No oral waiver, amendment or modification will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.
8. Counterparts. This Release may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Release as of the date(s) set forth below.
AIRGAIN, INC.
Dated: By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
EMPLOYEE
Dated: ___________________________________
XXXXX XXXXX
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