EXHIBIT 10.10
CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Mosinee Paper Corporation, a
Wisconsin corporation (the "Company") and Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (the
"Executive"), dated as of the 24th day of August, 1997.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders to 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 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 shall be
hereinafter referred to as
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the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of Control
Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years
from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date
the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control
Period shall not be so extended.
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 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
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
shareholders, 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
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(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger,
share exchange 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 entity (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 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
with respect to the Company 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 shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the approval by the
shareholders of the Company, nor the consummation, of the
transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of August 24, 1997, by and among Wausau Paper Xxxxx
Company, WPM Holdings, Inc. and the Company on substantially the
terms and conditions set forth therein as of August 24, 1997 shall
constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement.
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3. EMPLOYMENT 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
"Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (i)
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 to the Executive 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 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 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. (i) BASE SALARY. During the Employment
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 Employment Period, the
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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 Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash
at least equal to the Executive's highest bonus under the Company's
annual management incentive plans for the last 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 Employment 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 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 its affiliated companies
(including, without limitation,
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medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, 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 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
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 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 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.
(vii) 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 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 Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in ac-
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cordance 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 Employment Period. If the Company
determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment 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 Employment 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;
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(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 beginning on the
180th day after 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 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 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
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate
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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
Employment 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
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) three
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 difference between (1)
the aggregate benefit under the Company's qualified defined
benefit retirement plans (collectively, the "Retirement
Plan") and any excess or supplemental defined benefit
retirement plans in which the Executive participates other
than the Company's Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "SERP")
(collectively, the "Nonqualified Plans") which the Executive
would have accrued (whether or not vested) if the Executive's
employment had continued for three years after the Date of
Termination and (2) the actual vested benefit, if any, of the
Executive under the Retirement Plan and the SERP, determined
as of the Date of Termination (with the foregoing amounts to
be computed on an actuarial present value basis, using
actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than
the most favorable of those in effect for purposes of
computing benefit entitle-
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ments under the Retirement Plan and the Nonqualified Plans at any
time from the day before the Effective Date through the Date of
Termination, and in the case of the amount described in clause
(1), treating the Executive as having earned as compensation in
each of the three years following the Date of Termination the
compensation that would have been that required by Section
4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii) if his employment had continued
during those three years); and
D. an amount equal to the difference between (1)
the amount that would have been paid to the Executive upon
the Change of Control pursuant to Section 4.6(a) of the SERP
if the Executive's Average Compensation had been determined
by reference to the Executive's compensation for the five
calendar years during which the Executive's aggregate
compensation was the largest out of the thirteen calendar
years consisting of (A) the most recent ten years of
Continuous Service (as defined in the SERP) before the Change
of Control and (B) three additional hypothetical year of
Continuous Service during which the Executive's compensation
equalled that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section
4(b)(ii), and (2) the amount that was actually paid to the
Executive pursuant to said Section 4.6(a) (with the foregoing
amounts to be computed on an actuarial present value basis as
of the Date of Termination);
(ii) for three 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, and for purposes of determining eligibility (but
not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for
retiree benefits pursu-
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ant 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;
(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 the
Executive's 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 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 Employment 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 Employment 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
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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 Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to
the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x)
the 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
Employment 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.
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; LEGAL FEES. 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 Ex-
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ecutive 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 except as specifically provided in
Section 6(a)(ii), 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 or
entitlement under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee
of performance thereof (whether such contest is between the Company
and the Executive or between either of them and any third party, and
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, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company 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 corresponding provisions of state or local tax
laws, 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.
(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 Ernst & Young LLP or such
other certified public accounting
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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 the Executive gives such notice to the
Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment
of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies
the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that
it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such
claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from
time to time, including,
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without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties)
incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or
income 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
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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 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
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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 Wisconsin,
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:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
IF TO THE COMPANY:
Mosinee Paper Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
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 hereof or any other 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 Execu-
-18-
tive 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, 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.
(g) The Company and the Executive hereby acknowledge that
any and all amounts that may become payable under Sections 6 and 9
hereof are intended as stipulated damages for the termination of the
Executive's employment, with the understanding that the actual
damages incurred by the Executive in such circumstances will be
difficult or impossible to determine.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
this Agreement shall terminate, shall be void AB INITIO, and shall be
of no further force or effect from and after August 24, 1998, unless
a Change of Control has previously occurred or a proposal with
respect to a Change of Control is then pending.
-19-
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 this Agreement to be executed in
its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above
written.
__________________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
MOSINEE PAPER CORPORATION
By________________________________
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