Exhibit 10.8
AGREEMENT
---------
AGREEMENT made as of this 20th day of August, 2004, (the "Agreement"),
by and between Conseco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and R.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive has served the Company in the capacity of
Non-Executive Chairman from September 10, 2003, through August 11, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to appoint the Executive as Executive
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and enter into
an agreement with the Executive with respect to such appointment, and his
subsequent reassumption of the role of Non-Executive Chairman; and
WHEREAS, the Executive wishes to accept such appointment and to serve
the Company on the terms set forth herein, and in accordance with, the
provisions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Term. The effective date of this Agreement shall be August 12, 2004
(the "Effective Date"). Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 8,
the term of the Executive's service under this Agreement shall be the period
beginning on the Effective Date, and ending on September 10, 2007 (the "Term").
2. Position. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
the Company shall cause the Executive to be appointed, as of the Effective Date,
as Executive Chairman of the Board ("Executive Chairman") and the Executive
hereby agrees to serve the Company in that position upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. Executive shall serve as Executive Chairman
through September 10, 2005, provided that, upon mutual agreement between
Executive and the Board, the Executive shall continue to serve as Executive
Chairman for an additional six-month period. When Executive ceases to serve as
Executive Chairman, he shall serve as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
("Non-Executive Chairman") for the remainder of the Term. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Chairman" shall refer to the Executive in his capacity
either as Executive Chairman or Non-Executive Chairman. It is expressly agreed
that the conversion of Executive's status from Non-Executive Chairman to
Executive Chairman as of August 12, 2004, does not constitute a termination of
Executive's service for purposes of Sections 8 or 9 of Executive's Agreement
with the Company dated June 18, 2003.
3. Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall regularly attend and
preside at Board meetings, serve on and preside over appropriate committees as
reasonably requested by the Board, set meetings schedules and agendas, manage
information flow to the Board to assure appropriate understanding of and
discussion regarding matters of interest or concern to the Board, make himself
available to the Company at mutually convenient times and places, attend
external meetings and presentations, as appropriate and convenient, and perform
such duties,
services and responsibilities and have the authority commensurate to such
position. In addition, while the Executive serves as Executive Chairman, his
duties shall include those specified on Appendix A hereto. While the Executive
serves as Non-Executive Chairman, the Executive's duties shall include those
specified on Appendix B hereto.
It is expected, subject to the formal approval by the Board, that the Executive
will serve in a leadership role on the key committees of the Board to the extent
consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company and the
Executive agree that the Executive shall be permitted to engage in other
business, civic and charitable activities (subject to the restrictions in
Section 10), as long as such activities do not materially interfere with the
performance of his duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive agrees that he shall not commence full-time employment outside of the
Company while he serves as Executive Chairman.
4. Monetary Remuneration.
(a) Fees and Compensation.
(i) From the Effective Date through December 31, 2004, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive a salary of $250,000, payable in
accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices. Commencing January 1,
2005 and while he remains Executive Chairman, he shall be entitled to receive a
salary at the annual rate of $1,000,000, payable in accordance with the
Company's normal payroll practices.
(ii) After he becomes Non-Executive Chairman, the Executive
shall receive director's fees. Such fees shall be comparable to the director's
fees paid to similarly situated Non-Executive Chairman of other corporations as
determined by the Board.
(b) Retention Bonuses. As soon as practicable following September
10, 2004, the Company shall pay to the Executive a retention bonus of $1,500,000
so long as the Executive has continuously remained in the service of the Company
as Chairman through that date (the "First Year Retention Bonus"). The parties
hereto acknowledge that of the $1,500,000, $1,380,000 is attributable to the
Executive's service prior to the Effective Date as Non-Executive Chairman of the
Company, and thus is covered by the provisions of Section 4(e) as it applies to
compensation paid in respect of the Executive's service as Non-Executive
Chairman. As soon as practicable following September 10, 2005, the Company shall
pay to the Executive a retention bonus of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($750,000) so long as the Executive has continuously remained in the service of
the Company as Chairman through that date (the "Second Year Retention Bonus").
(c) Benefits. While the Executive serves as Executive Chairman, he
shall be entitled, unless and to the extent he waives such benefits, to those
employee benefits generally afforded by the Company to its senior executive
officers.
(d) Expense Reimbursement. During the Term, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
the Executive in carrying out the Executive's duties, services and
responsibilities under this Agreement (including, without limitation, commuting
expenses to and from the Company's offices) so long
2
as the Executive complies with the generally applicable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company for submission of expense reports, receipts or similar
documentation of such expenses.
(e) Status. (i) While he serves as Executive Chairman, the
Executive shall be a common law employee of the Company; and (ii) while he
serves as Non-Executive Chairman, the Executive shall be an independent
contractor and not, for any purposes, an employee or agent with authority to
bind the Company in any respect. All payments made to the Executive in respect
of his service as Executive Chairman shall be subject to such withholding as may
be required by applicable law. All payments made or provided to the Executive in
respect of his service as Non-Executive Chairman shall be made or provided
without withholding or deduction of any kind, and the Executive shall have sole
responsibility for discharging all of his tax or other obligations associated
therewith.
(f) No Other Compensation. The Executive agrees and acknowledges
that, during the Term and thereafter, he will not be entitled to any
compensation and/or benefits from the Company other than those items
specifically provided for under this Agreement.
5. Equity Awards.
(a) Option Award and Restricted Stock Award. As soon as practicable
following September 10, 2004, the Company shall grant the Executive the right
and option (the "Option Award") to purchase 255,000 shares of common stock of
the Company, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's
common stock on the date of grant. In addition, as soon as practicable after
September 10, 2004, the Company shall grant the Executive 255,000 restricted
shares of common stock of the Company (the "Restricted Stock Award").
(b) Terms of Option and Restricted Stock Awards. The Option Award
and the Restricted Stock Award shall be granted to the Executive under, and
governed by the terms and conditions of, the 2003 Long-Term Equity Incentive
Plan; provided that such options shall vest, and the restrictions on such
restricted stock shall lapse, in equal increments on each of the first three
anniversaries of September 10, 2004, in each case so long as the Executive has
continuously remained in the service of the Company as Chairman through each
such anniversary; and provided further that the vesting of options and lapsing
of restrictions shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8 hereof.
(c) Other Equity Awards. After September 10, 2005, to the extent
that the Term is then in effect, the Executive shall receive the same
equity-based compensation (at the same time and on the same terms and
conditions) as non-employee members of the Board.
6. Office Space/Assistant. During the Term, the Company will provide
the Executive with office space in Atlanta, Georgia at a cost not to exceed the
initial amount of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) per month, subject to upward
modification by the Board. In addition, during the Term, at the Company's
expense, the Company shall provide the Executive with an assistant who shall be
an employee of the Company.
7. Termination. The Executive's service with the Company as Chairman
and the Term shall terminate upon the expiration of the Term or upon the earlier
occurrence of any of the following events:
3
(a) The death of the Executive.
(b) The Executive becomes Disabled. For the purposes of this
Agreement, the Executive will be deemed to be "Disabled" if, due to a physical
or mental disability, his ability to perform his duties and services hereunder
is materially and adversely impaired and such disability (as confirmed by
competent medical evidence) continues for at least nine (9) consecutive months.
(c) The removal of the Executive from the Board pursuant to the
Company's by-laws and/or certificate of incorporation other than for Cause (as
defined below).
(d) The termination of the Executive by the Company for Cause.
Termination of the Executive for "Cause" shall mean termination based on: (i)
the Executive's conviction of, or pleas of guilty or nolo contendere to, any
felony, (ii) the Executive's willful misconduct in the performance of the duties
set forth in Section 3, or (iii) the Executive's material breach of this
Agreement which breaches is not cured within fifteen (15) days of receipt of
written notice from the Board specifying the actions constituting Cause.
(e) The resignation by the Executive from the Board.
(f) The failure of the Company's shareholders to approve the
reelection of the Executive to the Board as set forth in the Company's by-laws
and/or certificate of incorporation.
8. Effect of Termination.
(a) Upon the termination of the Executive's service with the
Company as Chairman (whether voluntary or involuntary), the Executive shall be
deemed to have voluntarily resigned from the Board and from all other positions
that the Executive may then hold with the Company and any of its subsidiaries,
effective upon the date of termination of the Executive's service as Chairman
(the "Termination Date").
(b) If the Executive's service with the Company as Chairman is
terminated pursuant to Section 7(d) (termination for Cause) or 7(e)
(resignation), the obligation of the Company to make any future payments
pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement shall cease; provided that the Executive
will be entitled to receive payment of all unpaid amounts to which the Executive
has become entitled under this Agreement. In addition, no restrictions that
remain as to any shares of restricted stock shall lapse after the Termination
Date, and the Executive shall forfeit any still restricted shares to the
Company, and no option previously awarded but not yet vested shall vest after
the Termination Date.
(c) If the Executive's service with the Company as Chairman is
terminated pursuant to Section 7(a) (death), Section 7(b) (disability), Section
7(c) (removal) or 7(f) (failure to re-elect) (each a "Qualifying Termination"),
the obligation of the Company to make any future payments pursuant to Section 4
of this Agreement shall cease; provided that the Executive will be entitled to
receive payment of all unpaid amounts to which the Executive has become entitled
under this Agreement, and provided further that if the Qualifying Termination
occurs before September 10, 2005, the Executive shall be entitled to (x) the
First Year Retention
4
Bonus, to the extent not already paid, and (y) a pro-rata portion of the Second
Year Retention Bonus determined by multiplying the amount of such retention
bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days after the
first anniversary of the Effective Date through the Termination Date and the
denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365). In addition, upon a
Qualifying Termination a portion of the Option Award and the Restricted Stock
Award (if already granted prior to the Termination Date), and any
previously-granted option and restricted stock grants by the Company to the
Executive, shall vest, and become free of restrictions, respectively, as if the
Termination Date had occurred on the day after the next anniversary of September
10, 2003, but no additional portion of such options and restricted stock awards
that had not yet become vested or free of restrictions, as the case may be,
shall vest or become free of restrictions after the Termination Date.
(d) If the Executive's service with the Company as Chairman is
terminated pursuant to Section 6(c) (removal) or 7(f) (failure to re-elect), the
Executive shall receive the lesser of (i) the office allowance as provided in
Section 6 until the next following expiration date of the lease and (ii) a
payment in respect of the three months immediately following the Termination
Date.
9. Executive's Representation and Acknowledgement. The Executive
represents to the Company that his execution and performance of this Agreement
shall not be in violation of any agreement or obligation (whether or not
written) that he may have with or to any person or entity, including without
limitation, any prior employer.
10. Executive Covenants.
(a) Unauthorized Disclosure. The Executive acknowledges that in and
as a result of his service with the Company as Chairman, he will be making use
of, acquiring and/or adding to confidential information of the Company and its
subsidiaries of a special and unique nature and value. As a material inducement
to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to pay to the Executive the
compensation stated in Sections 4 and 5, the Executive covenants and agrees that
he shall not, at any time while he is Chairman or at any time thereafter,
directly or indirectly, divulge or disclose for any purpose whatsoever, any
confidential information (whether or not specifically labeled or identified as
"confidential information"), in any form or medium, that has been obtained by or
disclosed to him as a result of his service with the Company and which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has taken appropriate steps to safeguard,
except to the extent that such confidential information (a) becomes a matter of
public record or is published in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical
available to the general public, other than as a result of any act or omission
of the Executive, (b) is required to be disclosed by any law, regulation or
order of any court or regulatory commission, department or agency, in which
event the Executive shall give prompt notice of such requirement to the Company
to enable the Company to seek an appropriate protective order or confidential
treatment, or (c) must be disclosed to enable the Executive properly to perform
his duties under this Agreement. Upon the termination of the Executive's service
with the Company as Non-Executive Chairman, the Executive shall return such
information (in whatever form) obtained from or belonging to the Company or any
of its subsidiaries which he may have in his possession or control.
5
(b) Covenants Against Competition and Solicitation. The Executive
acknowledges that the services he is to render to the Company and its
subsidiaries are of a special and unusual character, with a unique value to the
Company and its subsidiaries, the loss of which cannot adequately be compensated
by damages or an action at law. In view of the unique value to the Company and
its subsidiaries of the services of the Executive for which the Company has
contracted hereunder, because of the confidential information to be obtained by,
or disclosed to, the Executive as set forth in Section 10(a) above, and as a
material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to pay to
the Executive the compensation stated in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, as well as any
additional benefits stated herein, and other good and valuable consideration,
the Executive covenants and agrees that throughout the Term and for one year
thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, anywhere in the
United States of America (i) render any services, as an agent, independent
contractor, consultant or otherwise, or become employed or compensated by, any
other corporation, person or entity that derives a material portion of its
revenue from any Restricted Business (as defined below); (ii) solicit any
customers or policyholders of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with who
the Executive had material business contact as the result of his services as
Chairman of the company, for the purpose of offering insurance products or
services competitive with those offered by the Company; or (iii) solicit for
employment or employ any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. For
the purposes of this agreement, the term "Restricted Business" shall mean the
businesses of selling or providing annuity, life, health, or accident insurance
products or services directed primarily at the senior market, except that
"Restricted Business" on any date shall not include any of the foregoing lines
of business to the extent that the Company is no longer actively involved in
such business line on such date.
(c) Remedies. The Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of
this Section 10 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for
which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; the Executive therefore
also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach, the
Company shall be entitled to an immediate injuction and restraining order to
prevent such breach and/or threatened breach hereof, including but not limited
to the recovery of damages from the Executive. The Executive acknowledges that
the Company would not have entered into this Agreement had the Executive not
agreed to the provisions of this Section 10. The Executive and the Company agree
that the provisions of the covenant not to compete set forth in this Section 10
are reasonable. Should a court or arbitrator determine, however, that any
provision of the covenant not to compete is unreasonable or unenforceable,
either in period of time, geographical area, or otherwise, the parties hereto
agree that the covenant should be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent
possible in accordance with law.
11. Tax Indemnity Payments.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in
the event that it shall be determined that the aggregate payments or
distributions by the Company or its affiliated companies to or for the benefit
of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or otherwise but determined without
regard to any additional payments required under this Section 11 (a "Payment"),
constitute "parachute payments" (as such term is defined under Section 280G of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any successor
provision, and the regulations
6
promulgated thereunder (collectively, "Section 280G")) which exceed three times
the Executive's "base amount" (as such term is defined under Section 280G) by at
least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and are therefore subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any successor provision
(collectively, "Section 4999") or any interest or penalties with respect to such
excise tax (the total excise tax, together with any interest and penalties, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax")), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in the
amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any Federal, state or local income and self-employment taxes and
Excise Tax (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect to any such
taxes) imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excite Tax imposed upon the Payments. If the
Payments exceed three times the Executive's "base amount," but by an amount of
less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), such Payments shall be
reduced by the least amount necessary to bring such Payments below three times
the Executive's "base amount."
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(c) hereof, all
determinations required to be made under this Section 11, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by the Company's public accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive
within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by
the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 11,
shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five (5) business days of
the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination (it being understood,
however, that the Gross Up Payment may, if permitted by law, be paid directly to
the applicable taxing authorities). If the Accounting Firm determines that no
Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a
written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's
applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a
negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in
the application of Section 4999 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 by the Company
("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Company
which should not have been made ("Overpayment"), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder. In either such event, the Accounting
Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has
occurred. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 12(c) and the 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 an any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive. In the case of an Overpayment, the
Executive shall, at the direction and expense of the Company, take such steps as
are reasonably necessary (including, if reasonable, the filing of returns and
claims for refund), and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to
correct such Overpayment; provided, however, that (i) the Executive shall not in
any event be obligated to return to the Company an amount greater than the net
after-tax portion of the Overpayment that
7
he has retained or has recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing
authorities and (ii) this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent
with the intent of Section 11(a) hereof to make the Executive whole, on an
after-tax basis, from the application of Section 4999.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require a payment by
the Company, or a change in the amount of the payment by the Company of, the
Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable after
the Executive is informed in writing 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; provided that the failure to give any notice pursuant to this Section
11(c) shall not impair the Executive's rights under this Section 11 except to
the extent the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Executive shall not
pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date
on which the Executive 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 the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) 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,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) 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 the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income,
self-employment or other 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 11(c)
hereof, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such
contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the 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 further, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income,
self-employment or other tax (including interest or penalties with respect to
any such taxes) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any
imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided further, that any
extension of the
8
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
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 the 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.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof, the Executive becomes entitled to
receive, and receives, any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive
shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 11(c)
hereof) 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 the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 11(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled
to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the
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.
12. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive for
his activities as a director and Chairman of the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by law. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek
and obtain directors and officers liability insurance (which includes a six (6)
year "discovery period" following the Executive's service as a director for the
Company) under which the Executive will be a covered person throughout the
Executive's service as an director or Chairman of the Company. Such liability
insurance shall be obtained prior to the Effective Date, and the terms and
policy limits of such coverage shall be subject to approval by the Board.
13. Non-Waiver of Rights. The failure to enforce at any time the
provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other
party of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a
waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or
any part hereof, or the right of either party to enforce each and every
provision in accordance with its terms. No waiver by either party hereto of any
breach by the other party hereto of any provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions at that time or at any prior or subsequent time.
14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered mail to
his residence, in the case of the Executive, or to the business office of its
General Counsel, in the case of the Company.
15. Binding Effect/Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, personal representatives, estates, successors (including, without
limitation, by way of merger) and assigns. Notwithstanding the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence, neither the Executive nor
9
the Company shall assign all or any portion of this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the other party.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, between them as to such
subject matter, except for any agreements with regard to option or restricted
stock grants previously entered into between the Executive and the Company. For
purposes of such grants dated September 29, 2003, the provisions of Section 8
hereof shall take the place of those of Section 9 of the "Agreement" referred to
therein.
17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any
application thereof to any circumstances, is invalid, in whole or in part, such
provision or application shall to that extent be severable and shall not affect
other provisions or applications of this Agreement.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Indiana, without reference
to the principles of conflict of laws.
19. Arbitration of Disputes. Except as set forth in Section 10(c), the
parties hereto agree that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration in
the City of Indianapolis, Indiana, in accordance with the laws of the State of
Indiana by three arbitrators, who shall be selected in accordance with the
then-current arbitrator selection procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. In the event that it shall be necessary or desirable for
the Executive to retain legal counsel and/or incur other costs and expenses in
connection with the enforcement of any and all of his rights under this
Agreement, the Company shall pay (or the Executive shall be entitled to recover
from the Company, as the case may be) his reasonable attorneys' fees and costs
and expenses in connection with the enforcement of any arbitration award in
court, regardless of the final outcome, unless the arbitrators shall determine
that under the circumstances recovery by the Executive of all or a part of any
such fees and costs and expenses would be unjust.
20. Expenses of the Executive. The Company agrees to reimburse the
Executive for all reasonable attorneys' fees he incurred in connection with the
preparation of this Agreement, up to $10,000.
21. Modifications. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may
be modified, altered, amended or waived except by an instrument in writing duly
signed by the party to be charged.
22. Tense and Headings. Whenever any words used herein are in the
singular form, they shall be construed as though they were also used in the
plural form in all cases where they would so apply. The headings contained
herein are solely for the purposes of reference, are not part of this Agreement,
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
10
23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
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]
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written, effective as of the Effective Date.
THE COMPANY (Conseco, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation)
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President,
Human Resources
THE EXECUTIVE
/s/ R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
12
Appendix A
----------
Additional Executive Chairman Duties
------------------------------------
o Leading the Board of Directors, with primary responsibility for
corporate governance and establishing and maintaining best practices
o Working closely with the CEO, providing support and advice
o Directly assisting the CEO in setting a strategic direction for
Conseco as well as related goals and objectives
o Making recommendations to the Board, jointly with the CEO, on any
acquisitions, divestitures or major decisions affecting the company's
capital structure
o Providing oversight in the execution of the business plan
o Actively supporting and promoting key business relationships
o Serving as a sounding board in the creation and development of a
high-performance team, with particular emphasis on placing talented
insurance executives in key operating and staff positions
Appendix B
----------
Additional Non-Executive Chairman Duties
----------------------------------------
(a) Consulting with the Company's Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO")
regarding the corporate strategy of the Company and its divisions and
subsidiaries and monitoring that strategy on an ongoing basis;
(b) Consulting with the CEO on how to improve the operating and
financial performance of the Company and its divisions and subsidiaries
(including but not limited to the development of appropriate incentive
compensation policies);
(c) Consulting with the CEO regarding the Company's business plan (it
being understood that, consistent with the CEO's employment agreement, the CEO
will present and recommend the business plan to the Board but will consult with
the Executive in developing the same);
(d) In consultation with the CEO, taking an active role in the
exploring the development of opportunities (both internal and external) for
growing the Company's businesses;
(e) Consulting with the CEO regarding the identification and
recruitment of candidates for senior management positions (consistent with the
CEO's employment agreement);
(f) Assisting the CEO, in any manner that the CEO believes to be
advisable, in managing the Company's relationship with regulatory and financial
rating agencies; and
(g) Consulting with the CEO regarding the Company's capital
management, capital allocation and debt management plans as developed by the
CEO.
The Company and the Executive agree that final approval of the business plan and
corporate strategy and other decisions relating to items (a) through (g) rest
with the full Board, it being understood that the Executive is authorized and
expected to have a leading and active role in these matters independent of the
Board and to organize and lead the Board in discussing and deciding these
issues.
