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EXHIBIT 10.5
CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Rockwell International Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and ___________ (the "Executive"), dated
as of the 29th day of June, 2001.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareowners 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 below) of the Company. 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 Company
currently 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 which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which 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:
1. Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the
first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on
which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, 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 demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change
of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall
mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending on January 15, 2005.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) 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 (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to
vote generally in the election
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of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however,
that for purposes of this subsection (a), 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
corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) 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 shareowners, 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; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company or the acquisition of assets of another corporation (a "Business
Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i)
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of,
respectively, 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 which 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 Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) 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 (iii) 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
(d) Approval by the shareowners of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
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3. Protected Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third
anniversary of such date (the "Protected Period").
4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During
the Protected 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 location where the Executive
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or
location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Protected 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 Protected 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. (i) Base Salary. During the Protected Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the
month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Protected Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last
salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to
Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or
under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Protected Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's
highest bonus under the Company's annual incentive plans, or any comparable
bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last
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three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event
that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such
fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). 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.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Protected
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its 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 its 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 its
affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Protected 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 its
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 its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which 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 its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Protected 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 its 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 its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Protected 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 its
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
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any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Protected 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 its 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 its affiliated
companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Protected Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its 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 its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's
death during the Protected Period. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Protected Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement 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.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean 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 which 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 Protected Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or
mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief
Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed
the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
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For purposes of this provision, 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 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 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, 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
subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean:
(i) 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 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(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 during the 30-day period immediately following the first
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anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good
Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.
(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 12(b)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision
in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) 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
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be
not more than thirty 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 which 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 rights
hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) 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 therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability,
the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) 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.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason;
Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Protected Period,
the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore
paid, (2) 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 which has been earned
but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of
less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was
employed for less than twelve full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Protected Period, if
any (such higher amount being referred to as 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 (3) any
compensation
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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 clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) two and
(2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y)
the Highest Annual Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (a) the
actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Company's
qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement
Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to
the Executive than those in effect under the Company's
Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective Date), and
any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the
Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which the
Executive would receive if the Executive's employment continued
for two years after the Date of Termination assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and,
assuming that the Executive's compensation in each of the two
years is that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii),
over (b) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual
benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan
and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for two years after 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 which would
have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices
and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement 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 its 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 two years
after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such
period;
(iii) 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 Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) 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 which the Executive is eligible to receive
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract
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or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts
and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Protected Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision
of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(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 affiliated companies to
the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such
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 its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability during the Protected Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the
provision of 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 its
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
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Protected Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent
theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during
the Protected Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
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7. 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 any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
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.
8. 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 which 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, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which 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").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(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 or distribution by the Company or its affiliates to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without
regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment")
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such
excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such 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 an 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 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 9(a), if it shall be determined that the
Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not
exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced Amount") that could be paid
to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not give rise to any
Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the
Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount.
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(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, 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
Deloitte & Touche LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be
designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which 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
shall 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 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five 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 which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(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.
(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 ten business days 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. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which it 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
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(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 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 9(c), 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, 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 with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed
income with respect to such advance; and further provided 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 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 9(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 9(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 9(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.
10. 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 any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies and which 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
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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 designated by it. In no
event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable
to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. 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 otherwise 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.
(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. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
12. 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 otherwise 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:
If to the Executive:
If to the Company:
Rockwell International Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
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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 Federal, state, 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 Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, 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) hereof, 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 this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, 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
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ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By
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Senior Vice President
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