AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.22
AMENDED
AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of
October 1, 2005 (“Effective Date”), is between Competitive Technologies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the “Executive”).
RECITALS:
1.
The
Company and Executive previously entered into an Employment Agreement dated
as
of September 27, 2004 (the “Prior Agreement”).
2.
The
Company and Executive desire to make certain revisions to the terms and
conditions of Executive’s employment by the Company, such revised terms and
conditions to be effective as of the date of this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which
is acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Employment. The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby
accepts such employment with the Company, upon all the terms and conditions
set
forth below. Executive represents and warrants that: (a) he has full power
and
authority to enter into this Agreement, (b) he is not restricted in any manner
whatsoever from performing the duties described below, and (c) no agreement,
covenant or other matter prohibits or limits his ability or authority to
enter
into this Agreement or perform all of the duties described below. Executive’s
employment with the Company shall include service for the Company’s direct and
indirect subsidiaries and affiliated entities (the “Subsidiaries”).
2.
Employment Term. The “Employment Term” and Executive’s employment under this
Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the
date
on which the Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of
Section 6 below. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the Executive’s
employment is at will and can be terminated by either party at any time and
for
any reason. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, with or
without Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits,
damages, awards, or compensation other than as provided in Section 6 below.
The
parties acknowledge that certain obligations under this Agreement survive
the
end of Executive’s employment.
3.
Position and Duties.
(a)
President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company shall employ the Executive
as
its President and Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall report to the
Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), or the Board’s designee. Executive
previously was elected to the Board, and without any additional compensation,
Executive will continue to serve as a member of the Board and as an officer
and/or director of any Subsidiaries, as applicable. Executive shall have
such
responsibilities and duties as are commensurate with the position of chief
executive officer in an entity comparable to the Company, including, without
limitation, developing and implementing an overall strategic plan for the
Company and annual business plans, raising new capital and supervising
day-to-day operations of the Company. The Board shall have the right to modify
Executive’s duties and responsibilities from time to time as the Board may deem
necessary or appropriate.
(b)
Manner of Employment. Executive shall faithfully, diligently and competently
perform his responsibilities and duties. The Executive shall devote his
exclusive and full business efforts and time to the Company. This Section
3(b),
however, shall not preclude the Executive, outside normal business hours,
from
engaging in appropriate civic or charitable activities, or from serving as
a
director of any not-for profit entity, as long as such activities do not
interfere or conflict with his responsibilities to the Company. With the
Board’s
consent, Executive may serve as a director of a for-profit entity.
4.
Base
Compensation. The Company shall pay the Executive base compensation in the
gross
amount of $325,000 per year, subject to change as set by the Compensation
and
Stock Option Committee of the Board (“Base Compensation”). Base Compensation
shall be paid periodically in accordance with normal Company payroll
practices.
5.
Employment Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits
during the Employment Term:
(a)
Expense Allowance. Executive shall be reimbursed for business related expenses
reasonably and necessarily incurred and advanced by Executive in performing
his
duties for the Company, subject to and in accordance with Company policy
as it
exists from time to time.
(b)
Car
Allowance. The Company will provide Executive a car allowance in an amount
of
$800 per month.
(c)
Other
Benefits. Executive may participate in all other employee benefit plans and
programs as the Company may, from time to time, offer to its executive
employees, subject to the same terms and conditions as such benefits are
generally provided by the Company and the discretion of the Board, including
the
Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan. All such benefits are subject to plan
documents (where applicable) and the Company’s policies and procedures. Nothing
in this Section 5(c) guarantees that any specific benefit will be provided
or
offered by the Company which has the right to add, modify, or terminate benefits
at any time.
6.
Termination and Severance Benefits.
(a)
Death. The death of Executive shall automatically terminate the Company’s
obligations under this Agreement; provided however, that: (i) the Company
shall
pay to Executive’s estate Executive’s Base Compensation and accrued benefits
through the date of termination; and (ii) any unvested stock options granted
to
Executive under this Agreement, the Prior Agreement or any other agreement
(“Plan Options”) will upon such termination become fully vested and immediately
exercisable.
(b)
Disability. If Executive is unable, in the reasonable determination of the
Board, to render services of substantially the kind and nature, and to
substantially the extent, required to be rendered by Executive under this
Agreement due to illness, injury, physical or mental incapacity or other
disability, for ninety (90) days, whether consecutive or not, within any
twelve
(12) month period, Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company and:
(i) the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay to Executive his Base
Compensation and accrued benefits through the date of termination; (ii) subject
to plan documents (where applicable) and the Company’s policies and procedures,
the Company will provide a continuation of Executive’s medical benefits through
the end of the then current fiscal year; and (iii) any unvested Plan Options
will upon such termination become fully vested and immediately
exercisable.
(c)
Resignation. If Executive resigns his employment during the Employment Term
other than for Good Reason (as defined below), the Company shall have no
liability to Executive except to pay Executive’s Base Compensation and any
accrued benefits through his last day worked, and Executive shall not be
entitled to receive severance or other benefits.
(d)
Resignation for Good Reason. If Executive resigns his employment for Good
Reason
(as defined below), he shall be entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid
salary and benefits through the date of termination plus the Severance Benefit
(as defined below).
(e)
Termination By Company for Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated
for Cause (as defined below), the Company shall have no liability to Executive
except to pay Executive Base Compensation and any accrued benefits through
his
last day worked and Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance
or
other benefits.
(f)
Termination By Company Without Cause. If the Company terminates Executive’s
employment during the Employment Term without Cause (and for reasons other
than
death or Disability), Executive shall be entitled to receive all accrued
but
unpaid salary and benefits through the date of termination plus the Severance
Benefit.
(g)
Termination Due to Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s
employment without Cause (and for reasons other than death or Disability)
in
conjunction with a Change in Control (as defined below), Executive shall
be
entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid salary and benefits through the
date
of termination plus the Change in Control Benefit (as defined
below).
(h)
Cause. The following acts by Executive, as determined by the Board in its
reasonable discretion, shall constitute “Cause” for termination:
(i)
theft
or embezzlement, or attempted theft or embezzlement, of money or material
tangible or intangible assets or property of the Company or its employees
or
business relations;
(ii)
a
violation of any law or any act or acts of moral turpitude which negatively
affects the interests, property, business, operations or reputation of the
Company;
(iii)
other than as a result of a disability, a material failure to carry out
effectively Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company, or failure to
devote to the Company’s business the time required in Section 3(b) above, upon
not less than ten (10) days’ advance written notice of the asserted problem and
a reasonable opportunity to cure;
(iv)
gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of Executive’s
duties;
(v)
Executive’s failure to perform any of Executive’s material duties or
responsibilities under this Agreement or as assigned by the Board of Directors
by written resolution; and
(vi)
Executive’s material breach of this Agreement which, after written notice by the
Company of such breach, is not cured within ten (10) days of such
notice.
(i)
Resignation for Good Reason. Resignation by Executive of his employment for
“Good Reason” shall mean a resignation by Executive within sixty (60) days after
the following events which occur without Executive’s consent:
(i)
a
material diminution in Executive’s position, duties or
responsibilities;
(ii)
a
relocation of the Company’s headquarters more than fifty (50) miles from its
present location;
(iii)
a
reduction in Executive’s then Base Compensation; or
(iv)
the
Company’s material breach of this Agreement.
Prior
to
a Resignation for Good Reason, Executive shall give the Company written notice
of the basis for his claim that he has Good Reason to terminate his employment
and ten (10) days to cure.
(j)
Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)
a
merger or consolidation involving the Company or any subsidiary of the Company
after the completion of which: (A) in the case of a merger (other than a
triangular merger) or a consolidation involving the Company, the stockholders
of
the Company immediately prior to the completion of such merger or consolidation
beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or comparable
successor rules), directly or indirectly, outstanding voting securities
representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of
the
surviving entity in such merger or consolidation, and (B) in the case of
a
triangular merger involving the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, the
stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the completion of such merger
beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act, or comparable successor rules), directly or indirectly,
outstanding voting securities representing less than fifty percent (50%)
of the
combined voting power of the surviving entity in such merger and less than
fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the parent of the surviving
entity
in such merger;
(ii)
an
acquisition by any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section
13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any comparable successor provisions),
other than any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained
by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and other than in a merger
or
consolidation of the type referred to in clause “(i)” of this Section 6(j), of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the
Exchange Act, or comparable successor rules) of outstanding voting securities
of
the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting
power of the Company (in a single transaction or series of related
transactions); or
(iii)
in
the event that the individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members
of the
Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Board. (However, if the subsequent election, or nomination
by the Board for election by the Company’s stockholders, of any new member of
the Board is approved by a vote of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Incumbent
Board, such new member of the Board shall be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board.)
(k)
Severance Benefit. The “Severance Benefit” shall mean: (i) continuation of
Executive’s Base Compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination or
resignation for a period of six (6) months (“Severance Benefit Period”); (ii)
continuation of Executive’s group insurance benefits (to the extent such can be
continued under the terms of the governing plans) for the Severance Benefit
Period; and (iii) continued vesting of the Plan Options through the end of
the
Severance Benefit Period or the next employment anniversary date, whichever
is
longer.
(l)
Change in Control Benefit. The “Change in Control Benefit” shall mean: (i)
continuation of Executive’s Base Compensation in effect immediately prior to
such termination or resignation for a period of twelve (12) months (“Change in
Control Benefit Period”); (ii) continuation of Executive’s group insurance
benefits (to the extent such can be continued under the terms of the governing
plans) for the Change in Control Benefit Period; and (iii) any unvested Plan
Options will become fully vested and immediately exercisable.
(m)
Resignations. Upon the end of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive
shall be deemed to have resigned from any positions which he holds as a director
or officer of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or
affiliates.
(n)
Release. Payment of the Severance Benefit or the Change in Control Benefit
will
be subject to Executive signing an agreement reconfirming his post-employment
obligations contained in this Agreement and releasing the Company and all
Subsidiaries and related parties from any claims, such agreement to be prepared
by the Company or its designee.
7.
Key
Executive Insurance. The Company, at its discretion, may apply for and procure
in its own name for its own benefit life and/or disability insurance on
Executive in any amount specified by the Company. Executive agrees to cooperate
in any medical or other examination, supply information and execute such
applications as may be reasonably necessary to obtain and continue such
insurance at the Company’s expense. Executive represents that he has no reason
to believe his life is not insurable at prevailing rates for men of his
age.
8.
Confidential and Proprietary Information.
(a)
Executive agrees that he will not use or disclose to any person, entity,
association, firm or corporation, any of the Company’s Confidential Information
(as defined below), except with the written authorization of the Board or
as
necessary to perform his duties under this Agreement. The term “Confidential
Information” means information and data not generally known outside of the
Company (unless as a result of Executive’s breach of any of the obligations
imposed by this Agreement or the Prior Agreement or the duties imposed by
any
then existing statute, regulation, ordinance or common law) concerning the
Company’s business and technical information, and includes, without limitation,
information relating to: (i) the identities of clients and the Company’s other
Business Relations (as defined below) and their purchasing habits, needs,
business information, contact personnel and other information; (ii) suppliers’
and vendors’ costs, products, contact personnel and other information; and (iii)
the Company’s trade secrets, products, research and development, financial and
marketing information, personnel and compensation information, and business
plans. Executive understands that this Section 8 applies to computerized
as well
as written information and to other information, whether or not in written
form.
It is expressly understood, however, that the obligations of this Section
8
shall only apply for as long as and to the extent that the Confidential
Information has not become generally known to or available for use by the
public
other than by Executive’s act(s) or omission(s) in violation of this Agreement
or the Prior Agreement.
(b)
Executive agrees that upon the end of his employment with the Company for
any
reason, he will not take with him any Confidential Information that is in
written, computerized, machine readable, model, sample, or other form capable
of
physical delivery, without the prior written consent of the Board. The Executive
also agrees that upon the end of his employment with the Company for any
reason
or at any other time that the Company may request, he will deliver promptly
and
return to the Company all such documents and materials in his possession
or
control, along with all other property and documents of the Company or relating
to the Company’s employees, suppliers, customers, and business.
9.
Non-Solicitation. Executive agrees that he will not through the date one
(1)
year after the end of his employment with the Company for any reason, directly
or indirectly, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity,
without the express written permission of the Board: (a) solicit or attempt
to
solicit any employee or representative of the Company to terminate or modify
his
or her relationship with the Company or to work for or provide services to
another person or entity; or (b) solicit or attempt to solicit, any client,
vendor, service provider or other business relation of the Company (each
a
“Business Relation”), about whom he learned or with whom he came into contact
during his employment with the Company on behalf of any entity or with respect
to any service or products which is or may be competitive with the Company
or
its services or products.
10.
Non-Competition.
(a)
Executive agrees that during the Restrictive Period (as defined below), he
will
not, without the express written consent of the Board, be associated with
or
engage in, directly or indirectly, as employee, consultant, proprietor,
stockholder, partner, agent, representative, officer, or otherwise, the
operation of any business that directly competes with the Company in business
activities that are the same or substantially similar to the business activities
engaged in by the Company within the United States or any other geographic
area
in which the Company does business during the Restrictive Period (the
“Restricted Territory”).
(b)
The
term “Restrictive Period” shall mean the Employment Term plus a period of twelve
(12) months after the end of the Employment Term; provided that the twelve
(12)
month period following the end of the Employment Term shall apply if Executive’s
employment is terminated by reason of voluntary resignation, Disability,
Cause,
or Change of Control, and shall instead be a six (6) month period if Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or Employee resigns
his
employment for Good Reason.
(c)
Passive investment in less than two percent (2%) of the outstanding equity
securities of an entity which is listed on a national or regional securities
exchange shall not, in itself, constitute a violation of this Section
10.
11.
Intellectual Property Rights. Executive will, during the period of his
employment, disclose to the Company promptly and fully all Intellectual Property
(as defined below) made or conceived by Executive (either solely or jointly
with
others) including but not limited to Intellectual Property which relate to
the
business of the Company or the Company’s actual or anticipated research or
development, or result from work performed by him for the Company. All
Intellectual Property and all records related to Intellectual Property, whether
or not patentable, shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of
the
Company. “Intellectual Property” means all copyrights, trademarks, trade names,
trade secrets, proprietary information, inventions, designs, developments,
and
ideas, and all know-how related thereto. Executive hereby assigns and agrees
to
assign to the Company all his rights to Intellectual Property and any patents,
trademarks, or copyrights which may be issued with respect to Intellectual
Property. Executive further acknowledges that all work shall be work made
for
hire. During and after the Employment Term, Executive agrees to assist the
Company, without charge to the Company but at its request and expense, to
obtain
and retain rights in Intellectual Property, and will execute all appropriate
related documents at the request of the Company.
Executive
understands that this Section 11 shall not apply to any Intellectual Property
for which no equipment, supplies, facilities, trade secret, or other
confidential information of the Company was used and which was developed
entirely on his own time, and does not relate to the business of the Company,
its actual or anticipated research, and does not result from any work performed
by him for the Company.
12.
Successors and Assignees. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to
any
successor or assignee of a substantial portion of the business of the Company
(whether by transfer of assets or stock, merger or other business combination).
Executive may not assign his rights or obligations under this
Agreement.
13.
Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon
the parties and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives
and
permitted assigns.
14.
Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement
shall
be sufficient if in writing and either delivered in person by reputable
messenger or overnight delivery service, by telecopy (with confirmation of
receipt) or sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, if to the Company at
the
Company’s principal place of business, c/o Chairman of the Board, and if to the
Executive, at his home address most recently filed with the Company, or to
such
other address as either party shall have designated in writing to the other
party.
15.
Law
Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of Connecticut for contracts to be performed in that
State.
16.
Severability and Construction. If any provision of this Agreement is declared
void or unenforceable or against public policy, such provision shall be deemed
severable and severed from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect. If a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that any restriction in this Agreement is overbroad or unreasonable
under the circumstances, such restriction shall be modified or revised by
such
court to include the maximum reasonable restriction allowed by law.
17.
Reasonable Restrictions/Remedies. Executive acknowledges that the provisions
contained in Sections 8 through 11 of this Agreement are reasonable in scope,
area and duration and are necessary for the Company to protect its legitimate
business interests, including its Confidential Information and business
relationships. Executive and Company acknowledge and agree that damages would
not adequately compensate Company if Executive were to breach any of his
covenants contained in Sections 8 through 11 above. Consequently, Executive
agrees that in the event of any such breach, Company shall be entitled to
enforce this Agreement by means of an injunction or other equitable relief,
in
addition to any other remedies including without limitation monetary damages,
set off against any amounts due Executive by Company and termination of
Executive’s employment for Cause.
18.
Waiver. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms,
covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
covenant or condition.
19.
Entire Agreement; Modifications. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior
agreements, oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject
matter of this Agreement, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement.
This
Agreement may be modified or amended only by an instrument in writing signed
by
both parties.
20.
Employment and Income Taxes. All payments made to Executive by the Company
will
be subject to withholding of employment taxes and other lawful deductions,
as
applicable.
AGREED
EXECUTIVE
|
COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
By:/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Ph. D
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx, Ph. D.
|
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
President
and CEO
|
Chairman of the Board |