EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.2
This Executive Change in Control Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made as of the 30th day of September, 2014 to be effective on October 1, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx (the “Executive”).
Recitals
A. The Executive has been promoted to President & Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2014.
B. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) acknowledges that consolidation within the industries in which the Company operates is likely to continue and the potential for a change in control of the Company, whether friendly or hostile, currently exists and from time to time in the future will exist, which potential can give rise to uncertainty among the senior executives of the Company. The Board considers it essential to the best interests of the Company to reduce the risk of the Executive’s departure and/or the inevitable distraction of the Executive’s attention from his duties to the Company, which are normally attendant to such uncertainties.
C. The Executive confirms that the terms of this Agreement reduce the risks of his departure and distraction of his attention from his duties to the Company and, accordingly, desires to enter into this Agreement.
D. Prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Executive and the Company were party to that certain Executive Change in Control Agreement dated March 29, 2008, as amended on March 4, 2013 (the “Prior CIC Agreement”), which agreement is cancelled and fully superseded by this Agreement.
Agreement
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings given to them in Annex A attached hereto, except where the context requires otherwise.
2. Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue in effect until September 30, 2015 (the “Initial Expiration Date”), provided, however, that the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended for one additional year effective as of the Initial Expiration Date and each anniversary thereof (each, a “Scheduled Expiration Date”), unless either the Company or the Executive provides written notice to the other that the term of this Agreement shall terminate on the upcoming Scheduled Expiration Date, provided such notice is received by the receiving party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Scheduled Expiration Date, and provided further that the Company shall not be entitled to deliver to the Executive such notice in the event of a Change in Control or a Pending Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the termination of the Executive’s employment prior to a Change in Control.
Upon effectiveness of this Agreement, the Prior CIC Agreement is terminated and fully superseded by this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date, the Executive shall not be entitled to any rights or benefits under the Prior CIC Agreement.
3. At Will Employment; Reasons for Termination.
The Executive’s employment shall be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason or no reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation, benefits, damages, awards or other payments in respect of such termination, except as provided in this Agreement or pursuant to the terms of any Applicable Benefit Plan. “Applicable Benefit Plan” means any written employee benefit plan in effect and in which the Executive participates as of the time of the termination of his employment.
4. Benefits Upon Separation.
(a) Compensation and Benefits Required by Law or Applicable Benefit Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Executive or his estate shall be entitled to any and all compensation, benefits, awards and other payments required by any Applicable Benefit Plan, the COBRA Act or other applicable law, after taking into account the agreements set forth herein.
(b) No Payments Without Release. The Executive shall not be entitled to any of the compensation (other than Accrued Compensation), benefits or other payments provided herein in respect of the termination of his employment, unless and until he has provided to the Company a full release of claims, substantially in the form of Appendix I attached hereto, which release shall be dated not earlier than the date of the termination of his employment, which release shall be executed within 30 days of Executive’s termination of employment.
(c) Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause.
(i) In the event of the Executive’s Voluntary Resignation or termination of his employment by the Company for Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation, benefits, awards or other payments in connection with such termination of his employment, except as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 4.
(ii) The Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause under this Agreement, unless the following procedures have been observed: To terminate the Executive for Cause, the Board must deliver to the Executive notice of such termination in writing, which notice must specify the facts purportedly constituting Cause in reasonable detail. The Executive will have the right, within 10 calendar days of receipt of such notice, to submit a written request for review by the Board. If such request is timely made, within a reasonable time thereafter, the Board (with all directors attending in person or by telephone) shall give the Executive the opportunity to be heard (personally or by counsel). Following such hearing, unless a majority of the directors then in office confirm that the Executive’s termination was for Cause, the Executive’s termination shall be deemed to have been made by the Company without Cause for purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Death or Long-Term Disability. In the event of the Executive’s death or Long-Term Disability, the Executive (or his estate or personal representative) shall be entitled to receive (i) the proceeds of any life insurance policy carried by the Company with respect to the Executive, or (ii) payments pursuant to any long-term disability insurance policy carried by the Company with respect to the Executive, as applicable.
(e) Involuntary Termination. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated under circumstances constituting an Involuntary Termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive:
(i) within fifteen (15) calendar days after the Date of Termination, the Executive’s Accrued Compensation and Pro-Rata Bonus through the Date of Termination; and
(ii) within fifteen (15) calendar days after the period for revocation of the release has elapsed, the amount in cash equal to the sum of (x) two (2) times the Executive’s annual Base Salary and (y) the Executive’s Target Bonus in effect as of the Date of Termination; and
(iii) for eighteen (18) months after the period for revocation of the release has elapsed continuation of the Benefits, as if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if the Executive commences employment with another employer during such eighteen (18) month period and is eligible to receive medical benefits under the new employer’s plan(s), the Benefits shall terminate as of the date the Executive becomes eligible to receive such benefits;
(iv) within fifteen (15) calendar days after the after the period for revocation of the release has elapsed, an amount equal to the contributions to the Company’s retirement plans on behalf of the Executive that would have been made for the benefit of the Executive if the Executive’s employment had continued for twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination, assuming for this purpose that all benefits under any such retirement plans were fully vested and that the Executive’s compensation during such twelve (12) months were the same as it had been immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and
(v) reimbursement, up to $15,000, for outplacement services reasonably selected by the Executive incurred by the end of the second calendar year after termination of employment such reimbursement to occur by the
end of the following calendar year.
5. Effect on Option and Restricted Unit Agreements.
(a) In the event Options held by the Executive are assumed by the surviving entity in connection with a Change in Control, if an Involuntary Termination of Executive’s employment occurs following the Change of Control before the end of the CIC Period, vesting of any and all assumed Options held by the Executive shall be accelerated so that all unexpired Options then held by the Executive shall be fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the Involuntary Termination.
(b) In the event RSUs held by the Executive are assumed by the surviving entity in connection with a Change in Control, if an Involuntary Termination of Executive’s employment occurs following the Change of Control before the end of the CIC Period, vesting of any and all assumed RSUs held by the Executive shall be accelerated so that all RSUs then held by the Executive shall be fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the Involuntary Termination.
(c) The termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause during a Pending Change in Control shall have no effect on the vesting of the Options or RSUs then held by the Executive, and no shares of Common Stock or common stock of any subsidiary of the Company shall be delivered to the Executive in connection with the RSUs held by the Executive at the time of the termination of his employment unless the Change in Control is effected within three (3) months following the Date of Termination. If the Change in Control is effected, then the Options and RSUs held by the Executive as of the Date of Termination shall be treated as if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated and the Executive shall have rights as set forth under Section 5(a) above. If the Change in Control is not effected within three (3) months following the Date of Termination, then the Options and RSUs held by the Executive as of the Date of Termination shall be treated as if the Executive’s employment had been terminated as of such three-month anniversary of the Date of Termination.
(d) In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under any circumstances other than those described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section 5, the effect of such termination of employment on the Options and/or RSUs then held by the Executive shall be as set forth in the agreements representing such Options and/or RSUs.
6. Mitigation. 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 except as set forth in Section 4, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
7. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive, and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall 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.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understanding, agreements, or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any away to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, this Agreement shall have no effect on any confidentiality agreements or assignment of inventions agreements between the parties. This Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand
delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
if to the Executive, to the address set forth as his principal residence in the records of the Company; and
if to the Company:
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such United States federal, state or local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) All claims by the Executive for payments or benefits under this Agreement shall be promptly forwarded to and addressed by the Compensation Committee and shall be in writing. Any denial by the Compensation Committee of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The Compensation Committee shall afford the Executive a reasonable opportunity for a review of the decision denying a claim and shall further allow the Executive make a written demand upon the Company to submit the disputed matter to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (g) below. The Company shall pay all expenses of the Executive, including reasonable attorneys and expert fees, in connection with any such arbitration. If for any reason the arbitrator has not made his award within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of Executive’s demand for arbitration, such arbitration proceedings shall be immediately suspended and the Company shall be deemed to have agreed to Executive’s position. Thereafter, the Company shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within 10 business days after the expiration of such 180-day period, pay Executive his reasonable expenses and all amounts reasonably claimed by him that were the subject of such dispute and arbitration proceedings.
(g) Subject to the terms of paragraph (f) above, any dispute arising from, or relating to, this Agreement shall be resolved at the request of either party through binding arbitration in accordance with this paragraph (g). Within 10 business days after demand for arbitration has been made by either party, the parties, and/or their counsel, shall meet to discuss the issues involved, to discuss a suitable arbitrator and arbitration procedure, and to agree on arbitration rules particularly tailored to the matter in dispute, with a view to the dispute’s prompt, efficient, and just resolution. Upon the failure of the parties to agree upon arbitration rules and procedures within a reasonable time (not longer than 15 business days from the demand), the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association shall be applicable. Likewise, upon the failure of the parties to agree upon an arbitrator within a reasonable time (not longer than 15 business days from demand), there shall be a panel comprised of three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and the third one to be selected by the two arbitrators jointly, or by the American Arbitration Association, if the two arbitrators cannot decide on a third arbitrator. At least 30 days before the arbitration hearing (which shall be set for a date no later than 60 days from the demand), the parties shall allow each other reasonable written discovery including the inspection and copying of documents and other tangible items relevant to the issues that are to be presented at the arbitration hearing. The arbitrator(s) shall be empowered to decide any disputes regarding the scope of discovery. The award rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding upon both parties. The arbitration shall be conducted in Larimer County in the State of Colorado. The Colorado District Court located in Larimer County shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between the parties in connection with such arbitration and the enforcement thereof, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such court for such purpose.
(h) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without giving effect to any choice of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Colorado or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Colorado.
9. Other Terms Relating to Section 409A
(a) Except as provided in Section 9(b), amounts payable under this Agreement following Executive’s termination of employment, other than those expressly payable on a deferred or installment basis or as reimbursement of expenses, will be paid as promptly as practicable after such a termination of employment and, in any event, within 2 1/2 months after the end of the year in which employment terminates and amounts payable as reimbursements of expenses to the Executive must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such expense was incurred.
(b) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (A) on the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or a subsidiary, any of the Company’s stock is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”)), (B) if Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, (C) the payments exceed the amounts permitted to be paid pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and (D) such delay is required to avoid the imposition of the tax set forth in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, as a result of such termination, the Executive would receive any payment that, absent the application of this Section 9(b), would be subject to interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be payable prior to the date that is the earliest of (1) six (6) months after the Executive’s termination date, (2) the Executive’s death or (3) such other date as will cause such payment not to be subject to such interest and additional tax (with a catch-up payment equal to the sum of all amounts that have been delayed to be made as of the date of the initial payment).
(c) It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. To the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to such Section, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving the Executive the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed.
(d) A termination of employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to occur only in circumstances that would constitute a separation from service for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii).
(e) Wherever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in the Preamble hereto.
ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx. X. XxXxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary | |||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||||
ANNEX A
DEFINITIONS
(a) “Accrued Compensation” means an amount including all amounts earned or accrued through the Date of Termination but not paid as of the Date of Termination including (i) Base Salary, (ii) reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the period ending on the Date of Termination, (iii) vacation and sick leave pay (to the extent provided by Company policy or applicable law), and (iv) incentive compensation (if any) earned in respect of any period ended prior to the Date of Termination. It is expressly understood that incentive compensation shall have been “earned” as of the time that the conditions to such incentive compensation have been met, even if not calculated or payable at such time.
(b) “Agreement” means this Executive Change in Control Agreement, as set forth in the Preamble hereto.
(c) “Applicable Benefit Plan” means any written employee benefit plan in effect and in which the Executive participates as of the time of the termination of his employment.
(d) “Base Salary” means the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect during the last regularly scheduled payroll period immediately preceding the occurrence of the Change in Control or termination of employment and does not include, for example, bonuses, overtime compensation, incentive pay, fringe benefits, sales commissions or expense allowances.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as set forth in the Recitals hereto.
(f) “Capital Stock” means capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(g) “Cause” means any of the following:
(i) the Executive’s (A) conviction of a felony; (B) commission of any other material act or omission involving dishonesty or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of the customers, vendors or suppliers of the Company or its Affiliates; (C) misappropriation of material funds or assets of the Company for personal use; or (D) engagement in unlawful harassment or unlawful discrimination with respect to any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(ii) the Executive’s continued substantial and repeated neglect of his duties, after written notice thereof from the Board, and such neglect has not been cured within 30 days after the Executive receives notice thereof from the Board;
(iii) the Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties hereunder that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; or
(iv) the Executive’s engaging in conduct constituting a breach of his written obligations to the Company in respect of confidentiality and/or the use or ownership of proprietary information.
(h) “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the consummation of any of the following transactions, unless the only parties to the transaction are the Company and/or one or more of its direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiaries and/or one or more companies directly or indirectly owning a majority interest in the Company immediately prior to the transaction:
(i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or a transaction in which 50% or more of the surviving entity’s outstanding voting stock following the transaction is held by holders who held 50% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock prior to such transaction; or
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(iii) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, but in which 50% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock is transferred to holders different from those who held the stock immediately prior to such merger; or
(iv) the acquisition by any person (or entity), other than Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and/or any of his affiliates or members of his immediate family, directly or indirectly of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock.
(i) “CIC Period” means the twelve (12) month period following the effective date of a Change in Control.
(j) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) “Common Stock” means common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company.
(l) “Company” means Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as set forth in the Preamble hereto.
(m) “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date of receipt by the Executive of written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer that the Executive has been terminated, 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, death or Long-Term Disability, the date specified in the Company’s written notice to the Executive of such termination, (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death or Long-Term Disability, the date of such death or the effective date of such Long-Term Disability, (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive’s resignation that constitutes Involuntary Termination under this Agreement, the date of the Company’s receipt of the Executive’s notice of termination or any later date specified therein.
(n) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the Preamble hereto.
(o) “Executive” means the individual identified in the Preamble hereto.
(p) “Good Reason” means any of the following:
(i) a material reduction in the Executive’s duties, level of responsibility or authority, other than (A) a change in title only, or (B) isolated incidents that are promptly remedied by the Company; or
(ii) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary, without (A) the Executive’s express written consent or (B) an increase in the Executive’s benefits, perquisites and/or guaranteed bonus, which increase(s) have a value reasonably equivalent to the reduction in Base Salary; or
(iii) a material reduction in the Executive’s Target Bonus, without (A) the Executive’s express written consent or (B) an corresponding increase in the Executive’s Base Salary; or
(iv) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of business to a location more than thirty-five (35) miles from the Executive’s principal place of business immediately prior to the Change in Control, without the Executive’s express written consent; or
(v) the Company’s (or its successor’s) material breach of this Agreement.
(q) “Involuntary Termination” means the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company at the time of or following a Change in Control before the end of the CIC Period:
(i) by the Company without Cause, or
(ii) by the Executive for Good Reason.
(r) “Long-Term Disability” is defined according to the Company’s insurance policy regarding long-term disability for its employees.
(s) “Option” means options to purchase Capital Stock granted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under a compensation plan adopted or approved by the Company.
(t) A “Payment” means any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
(u) “Pending Change in Control” means that one or more of the following events has occurred and a Change in
Control pursuant thereto is reasonably expected to be effected within 90 days of the date as of the determination as to whether there is a Pending Change in Control: (i) the Company executes a letter of intent, term sheet or similar instrument with respect to a transaction or series of transactions, the consummation of which transaction(s) would result in a Change in Control; (ii) the Board approves a transaction or series of transactions, the consummation of which transaction(s) would result in a Change in Control; or (iii) a person makes a public announcement of tender offer for the Common Stock, the completion of which would result in a Change in Control. A Pending Change in Control shall cease to exist upon a Change in Control.
(v) “Pro Rata Bonus” means an amount equal to 100% of the Target Bonus that the Executive would have been eligible to receive for the Company’s fiscal year in which the Executive’s employment terminates following a Change in Control, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365.
(w) “RSUs” means restricted stock units granted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under a compensation plan adopted or approved by the Company, pursuant to which the Executive has the right to receive Capital Stock upon the satisfaction of vesting and other conditions.
(x) “Target Bonus” means the bonus which would have been paid to the Executive for achievement of specific performance objectives pertaining to the business of the Company or any of its specific business units or divisions, or to individual performance criteria applicable to the Executive or his position, which objectives have been established by the Board of Directors (or the Compensation Committee thereof) for the Executive relating to such plan or budget for the year in question. “Target Bonus ” shall not mean the “maximum bonus” which the Executive might have been paid for overachievement of such plan.
(y) “Value” of a Payment means the economic present value of a Payment as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm using the discount rate required by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
(z) “Voluntary Resignation” means the termination of the Executive’s employment upon his voluntary resignation, which includes retirement, as set forth in Section 3 hereof.
APPENDIX I
Legal Release
This Legal Release (“Release”) is between Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx (“Executive ”) (each a “ Party ,” and together, the “ Parties ”).
Recitals
A. Executive and the Company are parties to an Executive Change In Control Agreement dated as of October 1, 2014 (the “ CIC Agreement ”).
B. Executive wishes to receive the compensation, benefits, awards and/or other payments described in the CIC Agreement.
C. Executive and the Company wish to resolve, except as specifically set forth herein, all claims between them arising from or relating to any act or omission predating the Final Separation Date of [ ].
Agreement
The Parties agree as follows:
Confirmation of CIC Agreement Obligations. The Company shall pay or provide to Executive the payments and benefits, as, when and on the terms and conditions specified in the CIC Agreement.
Legal Releases
(a) Executive, on behalf of Executive and Executive’s heirs, personal representatives and assigns, and any other person or entity that could or might act on behalf of Executive, including, without limitation, Executive’s counsel (all of whom are collectively referred to as “Executive Releasers”), hereby fully and forever releases and discharges the Company, its present and future affiliates and subsidiaries, and each of their past, present and future officers, directors, employees, shareholders, independent contractors, attorneys, insurers and any and all other persons or entities that are now or may become liable to any Releaser due to any Releasee’s act or omission, (all of whom are collectively referred to as “Executive Releasees”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of every kind and nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether now known or unknown, that Executive Releasers, or any person acting under any of them, may now have, or claim at any future time to have, based in whole or in part upon any act or omission occurring on or before the Final Separation Date, without regard to present actual knowledge of such acts or omissions, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, matters which may arise at common law, such as breach of contract, express or implied, promissory estoppel, wrongful discharge, tortious interference with contractual rights, infliction of emotional distress, defamation, or under federal, state or local laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the National Labor Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and any civil rights law of any state or other governmental body; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in this Agreement, the release set forth in this Section shall not extend to: (i) any rights arising under this Agreement; or; (ii) any vested rights under any pension, retirement, profit sharing or similar plan; (iii) Executive’s rights, if any, to indemnification, and/or defense under any Company certificate of incorporation, bylaw and/or policy or procedure, or under any insurance contract, in connection with Executive’s acts and omissions within the course and scope of Executive’s employment with the Company; or (iv) any rights or remedies that cannot by law be waived by private agreement. Executive hereby warrants that Executive has not assigned or transferred to any person any portion of any claim which is released, waived and discharged above. Executive further states and agrees that Executive has not experienced any illness, injury, or disability that is compensable or recoverable under the worker’s compensation laws of any state that was not reported to the Company by Executive before the Final Separation Date. Executive has specifically consulted with counsel with respect to the agreements, representations, and declarations set forth in the previous sentence. Executive understands and agrees that by signing this Agreement Executive is giving up any right to bring any legal claim against the Company concerning, directly or indirectly, Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, including Executive’s separation from employment. Executive agrees that this legal release is intended to be interpreted in the broadest possible manner in favor of the Company, to include all actual or potential legal claims that Executive may have against the Company, except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement.
(b) In order to provide a full and complete release, Executive understands and agrees that this Agreement is intended to include all claims, if any, covered under this Section 2 that Executive may have and not now know or suspect to exist in Executive’s favor against any Executive Releasee and that this Agreement extinguishes such claims. Thus, Executive expressly waives all rights under any statute or common law principle in any jurisdiction that provides, in effect, that a general release does not extend to claims which the releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in Executive’s favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by Executive must have materially affected Executive’s settlement with the party being released. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2, however, nothing in this Section 2 is intended or shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect in any way Executive’s rights under this Agreement.
(c) Executive agrees and acknowledges that Executive: (i) understands the language used in this Agreement and the Agreement’s legal effect; (ii) is specifically releasing all claims and rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621 et seq.; (iii) will receive compensation under this Agreement to which Executive would not have been entitled without signing this Agreement; (iv) has been advised by the Company to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement; and (v) will be given up to twenty one (21) calendar days to consider whether to sign this Agreement. For a period of seven days after Executive signs this Agreement, Executive may, in Executive’s sole discretion, rescind this Agreement by delivering a written notice of rescission to the Company’s General Counsel. If Executive rescinds this Agreement within seven calendar days after Executive signs the Agreement, or if Executive does not sign this Agreement within the twenty-one day consideration period, this Agreement shall be void, all actions taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be reversed, and neither this Agreement nor the fact of or circumstances surrounding its execution shall be admissible for any purpose whatsoever in any proceeding between the Parties, except in connection with a claim or defense involving the validity or effective rescission of this Agreement. If Executive does not rescind this Agreement within seven calendar days after the day Executive signs this Agreement, this Agreement shall become final and binding and shall be irrevocable.
Executive acknowledges that Executive has received all compensation to which Executive is entitled for Executive’s work up to Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, and that Executive is not entitled to any further pay or benefit of any kind, for services rendered or any other reason, other than the payments and benefits, to the extent not already paid, described in the CIC Agreement.
Executive agrees that the only thing of value that Executive will receive by signing this Supplemental Release is the payments and benefits described in the CIC Agreement.
The Parties agree that their respective rights and obligations under the CIC Agreement shall survive the execution of this Release.
NOTE: DO NOT SIGN THIS LEGAL RELEASE UNTIL AFTER EXECUTIVE’S FINAL DAY OF EMPLOYMENT.
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