EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of the ____ day of ___________, 2000 (this
"Agreement"), by and between The Titan Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and ____ (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined herein). The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable
distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks
created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the
Executive's full attention and dedication to the current Company and in the
event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control
that ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and that are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. (a) "Effective Date" means the
first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined herein) on which a
Change of Control occurs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with
the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control
occurs, and if it is reasonably believed by the Executive that such termination
of employment (1) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (2) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then "Effective Date"
means the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) "Change of Control Period" means the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof, the "Renewal Date"), the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date.
(c) "Affiliated Company" means any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(d) "Change of Control" means:
(1) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (B) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the
election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, for purposes of this Section 1(d), the following acquisitions
shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the
Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or any affiliated company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to
a transaction that complies with Sections 1(d)(3)(A), 1(d)(3)(B) and 1(d)(3)(C).
(2) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.
(3) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a
"Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business
Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that
were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the
then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of
such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least
a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board
providing for such Business Combination; or
(4) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
SECTION 2. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the
2
"Employment Period"). The Employment Period shall terminate upon the
Executive's termination of employment for any reason.
SECTION 3. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (1)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the
Executive's services shall be performed at the office where the Executive was
employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or at any other location less
than 20 miles from such office.
(2) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that, to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION. (1) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall receive an annual base salary and the highest car allowance
then in effect during the Change of Control Period (collectively the "Annual
Base Salary") at an annual rate at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly
base salary (inclusive of car allowance) paid or payable, including any base
salary that has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and
the affiliated companies in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding
the month in which the Effective Date occurs. The Annual Base Salary shall be
paid at such intervals as the Company pays executive salaries generally. During
the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least
annually, beginning no more than 12 months after the last salary increase
awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date. Any increase in the
Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to
the Executive under this Agreement. The Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced
after any such increase and the term "Annual Base Salary" shall refer to the
Annual Base Salary as so increased.
(2) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the
Executive's highest bonus earned under the Company's Incentive Plan, or any
comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last three
full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (or for such lesser number of full
fiscal years prior to the Effective Date for which the Executive was eligible to
earn such of
3
bonus, and annualized in the case of any bonus earned for a partial fiscal year)
(the "Recent Annual Bonus"). (If the Executive has not been eligible to earn
such a bonus for any period prior to the Effective Date, the "Recent Annual
Bonus" shall mean the Executive's target annual bonus for the year in which the
Effective Date occurs.) Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the
end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for
which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the
receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(3) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all cash incentive,
equity incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies, and
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and the
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if
any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of those provided by the Company and the Affiliated Companies for
the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated
Companies.
(4) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and the Affiliated
Companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies, but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits
that are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such
plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated
Companies.
(5) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and the affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the
affiliated companies.
(6) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and
financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an
automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and the
Affiliated Companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period
4
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(7) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided
to the Executive by the Company and the Affiliated Companies at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(8) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and the Affiliated Companies as in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and the Affiliated Companies.
SECTION 4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY.
The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically if the Executive dies
during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability (as defined herein) of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of "Disability"), it may give to
the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of its intention
to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after
receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"),
PROVIDED that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not
have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. "Disability"
means the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company
on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity
due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent
by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause. "Cause" means:
(1) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties (as contemplated by Section
3(a)(1)(A)) with the Company or any Affiliated Company (other than any such
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or
following the Executive's delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good
Reason), provided that the Company demonstrates that such failure has a
material and injurious effect on the Company and provided, further, that a
written demand for substantial performance is first delivered to the
Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company believes that the Executive has not
5
substantially performed the Executive's duties and the resulting material,
injurious effect on the Company, or
(2) the willful engaging by the Executive in gross misconduct or the
conviction of the Executive of a felony (such conviction having been
finally adjudicated without further appeal) that is materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this Section 4(b), no act, or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of
counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be
for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board (excluding the Executive,
if the Executive is a member of the Board) at a meeting of the Board called and
held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and
the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel for the Executive,
to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in Section 4(b)(1) or
5(b)(2), and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
the Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive voluntarily without Good
Reason. "Good Reason" means:
(1) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities
as contemplated by Section 3(a), or any other diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities (whether or not occurring solely as a
result of the Company's ceasing to be a publicly traded entity), excluding
for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(2) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 3(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent
failure not occurring in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(3) the Company ceasing to be a publicly traded company, or the
Company's requiring the Executive (i) to be based at any office or location
other than as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(B), (ii) to be based at a
location other than the principal executive offices of the Company if the
Executive was employed at such location immediately preceding
6
the Effective Date, or (iii) to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(4) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(5) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
10(c).
For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of Good Reason
made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason
whatsoever (or for no reason) pursuant to a Notice of Termination given during
the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective
Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of
this Agreement. The Executive's mental or physical incapacity following the
occurrence of an event described above in clauses (1) through (5) shall not
affect the Executive's ability to terminate employment for Good Reason.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b).
"Notice of Termination" means a written notice that (1) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated, and (3) if the Date of Termination (as defined herein)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Date of
Termination (which Date of Termination shall be not more than 30 days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to
a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's respective rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (1) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified in the Notice of Termination, (which date shall not be
more than 30 days after the giving of such notice), as the case may be, (2) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be 30 days after the date on which the
Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (3) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
SECTION 5. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. (a) GOOD
REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company terminates the Executive's employment other than for Cause
or Disability or the Executive terminates employment for Good Reason:
(1) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash on
the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
7
(A) the sum of (i) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) the
product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the
Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof
that has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than 12 full months or during which the Executive
was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most recently
completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such
higher amount, the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365,
and (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any
accrued vacation pay, in each case, to the extent not theretofore paid
(the sum of the amounts described in subclauses (i), (ii) and (iii),
the "Accrued Obligations"); and
(B) the amount equal to the product of (i) three and (ii) the
sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest
Annual Bonus;
(2) for three years after the later of: (x) the Executive's Date of
Termination; or (y) expiration of the Executive's Cobra benefits rights
following the Executive's Date of Termination, (or such longer period as
may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or
policy), the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family at least equal to those that would have been provided to
them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 3(b)(4) if the Executive's employment had not been
terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and the affiliated companies and their families, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible
to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer
provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility
(but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree
benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until three years
after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such
period;
(3) all options that have previously been granted to the Executive
to acquire shares of any affiliate of the Company that have not previously
been forfeited or exercised shall vest and be exercisable in full and shall
remain exercisable for the remainder of their original terms; provided,
that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that it would cause a
Change of Control transaction ineligible for pooling-of-interests
accounting under XXX Xx. 00 that is intended to be, and would but for the
application of the foregoing be, eligible for such accounting treatment;
(4) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall
be selected by the
8
Executive in the Executive's sole discretion PROVIDED, that the cost of
such outplacement shall not exceed $100,000; and
(5) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or that the Executive is eligible to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and the Affiliated Companies (such other amounts
and benefits, the "Other Benefits"). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement or otherwise: (x) upon any Change in Control,
the Executive shall be deemed to have attained not less than six years of
service and all rights and privileges under The Titan Supplemental
Retirement Plan for Key Executives ("SERP") shall be deemed to be "vested"
for all purposes; and (y) the SERP may not be amended after a Change in
Control, or before a Change in Control but in anticipation thereof or at
the request of a person seeking to effectuate a Change in Control, in any
manner that reduces the then-existing account balances of the Executive or
the rates of interest with which such account balances are credited.
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, the Company shall provide
the Executive's estate or beneficiaries with the Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other
severance obligations under this Agreement. The Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 10 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision
of the Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section
5(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or
beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most
favorable benefits provided by the Company and the Affiliated Companies to the
estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated
Companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death
benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their
beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the
Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, the Company
shall provide the Executive's estate or beneficiaries with the Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall
have no other severance obligations under this Agreement. The Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash on the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term
"Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the
Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive,
disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those
generally provided by the Company and the Affiliated Companies to disabled
executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally
with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
9
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the
Affiliated Companies and their families.
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's
employment is terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, the Company
shall provide to the Executive (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, (2) the amount of any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive, and (3) the Other Benefits, in each case, to the extent
theretofore unpaid, and shall have no other severance obligations under this
Agreement. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, the Company shall
provide to the Executive the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other severance obligations
under this Agreement. In such case, all the Accrued Obligations shall be paid
to the Executive in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination.
SECTION 6. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or the Affiliated
Companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section
11(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the
Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with the Company or the
affiliated companies. Amounts that are vested benefits or that the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or the Affiliated Companies at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement, except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive
receives payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Agreement, the
Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any
severance plan, program or policy of the Company and the Affiliated Companies,
unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific reference to this
Agreement.
SECTION 7. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense, or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred (within 10 days following the Company's
receipt of an invoice from the Executive), to the full extent permitted by law,
all legal fees and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a result
of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive
or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including
as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus, in each case, interest on any delayed payment
at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
SECTION 8. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
10
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any Payment
would be subject to the Excise Tax, then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (the "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that,
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income
taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise
Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(a), if it shall be
determined that the Executive is entitled to the Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Parachute Value of all Payments do not exceed 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount,
then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the amounts payable
under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all
Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. The reduction of the
amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the
payments under Section 5(a)(i)(B), unless an alternative method of reduction is
elected by the Executive, and in any event shall be made in such a manner as to
maximize the Value of all Payments actually made to the Executive. For purposes
of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under
this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction of
the amount payable under this Agreement would not result in a reduction of the
Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, no amounts payable
under the Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this Section 8(a). The
Company's obligation to make Gross-Up Payments under this Section 8 shall not be
conditioned upon the Executive's termination of employment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to
be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Ernst & Young,
LLP, or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may
be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm
shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 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. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the
Executive may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). 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 8, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within
5 days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. 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 of the Code at
the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the Company
should have been made (the "Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations
required to be made hereunder. In the event the Company exhausts its remedies
pursuant to Section 8(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 and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid
by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
11
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as
soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim. The Executive shall apprise the Company of
the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. 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 the Company desires to
contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(1) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(2) 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,
(3) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(4) 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 tax (including interest and
penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and
expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c),
the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest,
and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, 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, HOWEVER, 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 tax (including interest or penalties) imposed with respect to such
advance or with respect to any imputed income in connection with such advance;
and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any extension of the 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 the Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder,
and the Executive shall be entitled to
12
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 8(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 8(c)) 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 8(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 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.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8, the
Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal
Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the
Executive, all or any portion of the Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby
consents to such withholding.
(f) DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Section 8.
(i) "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999
of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to
such excise tax.
(ii) The "Net After-Tax Amount" of a Payment shall mean the Value of
a Payment net of all taxes imposed on the Executive with respect thereto under
Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and applicable state and local law, determined
by applying the highest marginal rates that are expected to apply to the
Executive's taxable income for the taxable year in which the Payment is made.
(iii) "Parachute Value" of a Payment shall mean the present value as
of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of
the portion of such Payment that constitutes a "parachute payment" under Section
280G(b)(2), as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining
whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.
(iv) A "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature
of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for
the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise.
(v) The "Safe Harbor Amount" means the maximum Parachute Value of
all Payments that the Executive can receive without any Payments being subject
to the Excise Tax.
13
(vi) "Value" of a Payment shall mean the economic present value of a
Payment as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of
the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm using the discount rate required
by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
SECTION 9. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or the Affiliated
Companies, and their respective businesses, which information, knowledge or data
shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by
the Company or the affiliated companies and which information, knowledge or data
shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be
required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those persons designated
by the Company. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
SECTION 10. SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to the
Executive, and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be
assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section
10(c), without the prior written consent of the Executive this Agreement shall
not be assignable by the Company.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. "Company" means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
14
if to the Executive:
if to the Company:
The Titan Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such United States federal, state or local or foreign taxes as shall
be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Sections 4(c)(1) through 4(c)(5), shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a), prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's
employment may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time
prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further
rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date, except as
specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, including without
limitation the Agreement dated _____________, ____, by and between the Executive
and the Company pursuant to the Company's Executive Severance Plan.
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused
these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
-------------------------------------
[EXECUTIVE]
THE TITAN CORPORATION
By
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
16