EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.2
This
Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is hereby entered into by and between
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXXX,
a
resident of the State of Georgia (the “Executive”) and WEST
GEORGIA NATIONAL BANK,
a
national banking association (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s sole shareholder,
WGNB
CORP.,
a
Georgia Bank Holding Company (“WGNB”).
WHEREAS,
the
Executive is a new employee of the Bank and WGNB; and
WHEREAS,
the
Bank, WGNB and the Executive desire to enter into a new written agreement to
replace her current employment agreement and document the complete terms and
conditions pursuant to which the Executive shall continue to be employed by
WGNB
and the Bank; and
WHEREAS,
the
Bank, WGNB and the Executive intend that this Agreement will supersede any
and
all previous oral or written employment agreements between WGNB, the Bank and
the Executive;
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
DEFINITIONS
As
used
in this Agreement, the following words and/or phrases shall have the meanings
set forth below unless a different meaning plainly is required by the
context:
1.1 Agreement shall
mean this Employment Agreement between the Bank, WGNB and the
Executive.
1.2 Affiliate shall
mean any parent, brother-sister or subsidiary corporation of the Bank or WGNB,
any joint venture in which the Bank or WGNB owns at least a 50 percent interest,
and any partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability
corporation in which the Bank or WGNB or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries
owns at least a 50 percent interest.
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1.3 Bank
shall
mean West Georgia National Bank, a national banking association.
1.4 Base
Salary
shall
mean the annual base compensation paid to the Executive as provided in Section
3.1.
1.5 Board shall
mean the Board of Directors of WGNB and/or the Bank.
1.6 Business
of the Bank
shall
have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.10(a).
1.7 Business
Opportunities
shall
mean any specialized information or plans of WGNB and/or the Bank concerning
the
business of WGNB and/or the Bank, including but not limited to, the financing
of
or investment in any target person or business, or the availability of any
such
business, by WGNB and/or the Bank, together with all related information
concerning the specifics of any contemplated acquisition, purchase or investment
(including price, terms, and the identity of such business) regardless of
whether WGNB or the Bank has entered any agreement, made any commitment, or
issued any bid or offer to such business.
1.8 Cause shall
mean (i) the Executive’s willful failure to perform her material duties and
responsibilities; (ii) the Executive’s unlawful or willful misconduct which is
economically injurious to WGNB or the Bank or to any entity in control of,
controlled by or under common control with WGNB, the Bank and its successors;
(iii) the Executive’s conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere,
to a
felony charge; (iv) habitual drug or alcohol abuse that impairs the Executive’s
ability to perform the essential duties of her position; (v) the Executive’s
removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the
Bank or WGNB by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or 8 (g)(1) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) and (g)(1)); (vi) the Executive’s
willful disclosure to unauthorized persons of Confidential Information or Trade
Secrets of WGNB or the Bank; or (vii) the Executive’s failure to comply with the
Code of Ethics or other personnel policies of WGNB and/or the Bank provided
such
failure is economically injurious to WGNB or the Bank or to any entity in
control of, controlled by or under common control with WGNB, the
Bank.
1.9 Change
in Control shall
mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(i) Change
in Ownership.
A
change in the ownership of WGNB or the Bank (each being individually referred
to
in this Section as a “Corporation”) that occurs on the date that any one person,
or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of a
Corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting
power of the stock of such Corporation. However, if any one person or more
than
one person acting as a group is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%)
of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of a
Corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons
is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of such Corporation (or
to
cause a change in the effective control of such Corporation (within the meaning
of subsection (ii) herein). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by
any
one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which
a Corporation acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as
an
acquisition of stock for purposes of this section. This applies only when there
is a transfer of stock of a Corporation (or issuance of stock of a Corporation)
and stock in such Corporation remains outstanding after the
transaction.
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(ii) Change
in Effective Control.
A change
in the effective control of a Corporation that occurs on the date that
either:
(A) Any
one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired
during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition
by
such person or persons) ownership of stock of such Corporation possessing 35
percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of such Corporation;
or
(B) a
majority of members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by
directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the
members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.
(iii) Change
in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of Assets.
A change
in the ownership of a substantial portion of a Corporation’s assets shall occur
on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group,
acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of
the
most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from such Corporation
that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40 percent
of
the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of such Corporation
immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross
fair market value means the value of the assets of the Corporation, or the
value
of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities
associated with such assets.
In
determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, the following rules shall
apply:
(A)
Stock
Attribution Rules.
For
purposes of this section, Code Section 318(a) applies to determine stock
ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the
individual who holds the vested option (and the stock underlying an unvested
option is not considered owned by the individual who holds the unvested option).
For purposes of the preceding sentence, however, if a vested option is
exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested (as defined by Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.83-3(b) and (j)), the stock underlying the option is
not
treated as owned by the individual who holds the option. In addition, mutual
and
cooperative corporations are treated as having stock for purposes of this
subsection.
(B)
Persons
Acting as a Group.
For
purposes of this section, persons will not be considered to be acting as a
group
solely because they purchase or own stock of the same Corporation at the same
time or as a result of the same public offering. However, persons will be
considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that
enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or
similar business transaction with one of the Corporations. If a person,
including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger,
consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such
shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in
a
corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with
respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.
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(C)
Transfers
to a Related Person.
There
is no Change in Control event with respect to subsection (iii) when there is
a
transfer by a Corporation to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders
of
the transferring Corporation immediately after the transfer. A transfer of
assets by a Corporation is not treated as a change in the ownership of such
assets if the assets are transferred to:
(1) A
shareholder of the Corporation (immediately before the asset transfer) in
exchange for or with respect to its stock;
(2) An
entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
(3) A
person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or
indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of all the
outstanding stock of the Corporation; or
(4) An
entity, at least 50 percent of the total value or voting power of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in subsection
(3).
For
purposes of this subsection (C) and except as otherwise provided, a person’s
status is determined immediately after the transfer of the assets. For example,
a transfer to a corporation in which the transferor Corporation has no ownership
interest before the transaction, but which is a majority owned subsidiary of
the
transferor Corporation after the transaction is not treated as a change in
the
ownership of the assets of the transferor Corporation.
1.10 Code shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.11 Committee
shall
mean the Executive Compensation and Management Succession Committee of the
Board, or such other committee to which the Board delegates authority regarding
executive compensation.
1.12 Confidential
Information
shall
mean, other than Trade Secrets, any data or information, which (a) the Bank
and/or WGNB marks or otherwise identifies as “confidential” or (b) is of
tangible or intangible value to the Bank and/or WGNB and not generally known
by
the public. Confidential Information shall include, but not be limited to,
the
taking of deposits, making loans and extensions of credit, cashing checks,
and
other Business of the Bank, any information pertaining to the identity of
customers, depositors, or borrowers served by the Bank, Business Opportunities
of the Bank, the details of this Agreement, WGNB’s and the Bank’s business,
marketing and acquisition plans and financial statements and projections, and
the costs of the services the Bank may offer or provide to the customers,
depositors or borrowers it serves, to the extent such information is material
to
WGNB and the Bank and not generally known to the public.
1.13 Disability
means
the Executive’s eligibility to receive income replacement benefits for a period
of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering
employees of WGNB or the Bank due to a medically-determinable physical or mental
impairment, or if no such plan is applicable, the Executive ’s inability to
engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a medically-determinable
physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to result in death or
can
be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.
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1.14 Effective
Date shall
mean the date of closing of the merger between First Xxxxxxxx Corporation and
WGNB Corp.
1.15 ERISA shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
1.16 Executive shall
mean Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx.
1.17 Good
Reason
shall
mean:
(a) A
reduction of the Executive’s Base Salary unless substantially similar reductions
are applicable to other executive officers of the Bank; or
(b) Without
the express written agreement of the Executive, any assignment or change in
duties that would require the relocation of the Executive’s work place to a
location that is either (i) more than fifty (50) miles from the Executive’s work
place immediately prior to such assignment; provided however, the relocation
of
the Executive’s work place must also increase the regular commute distance
between the Executive’s resident and work place by more than fifty (50) miles
(one-way); or (ii) inside the Interstate 285 perimeter around Atlanta, Georgia;
or
(c) The
assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent with the Executive’s
position (including offices and reporting relationships), authority, duties
or
responsibilities as contemplated by this Agreement, or any other action by
WGNB
or the Bank 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 Bank
or
WGNB promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; or
(d) Any
failure by WGNB or the Bank to comply with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Bank or WGNB promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; or
(e) Any
failure of the Bank to pay Base Salary, a Bonus (as defined in Section 3.3),
or
a Profit Sharing Bonus (as defined in Section 3.3), but only to the extent
that
such Base Salary, Executive Bonus or Profit Sharing Bonus has in fact become
due
and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable bonus plan or program
or this Agreement; or
(f) After
the
date of a Change in Control, any material reduction, in the aggregate, by WGNB
or the Bank in the basis and/or level of the plans, programs, policies and
practices, and benefits, that are described in this Agreement and that were
maintained and/or provided during the ninety (90) day period immediately
preceding the date of the Change in Control.
Page-5
For
the
purposes of this Agreement, if the Executive’s title with WGNB is altered, such
alteration or change alone shall not constitute Good Reason, unless such an
alteration or change disqualifies the Executive from serving as Chairman of
the
Community Bankers Association..
1.18 Term shall
mean the period during which this Agreement is wholly effective, as more fully
described in Section 2.4.
1.19 Termination
Date shall
mean the last day of actual employment of the Executive by WGNB or the
Bank.
1.20 Trade
Secret
shall
mean the whole or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical
information, design, process, procedure, formula or improvement of WGNB or
the
Bank that is valuable and secret (in the sense that it is not generally known
to
competitors of WGNB and the Bank) and any information that meets the definition
of “trade secret” under the Georgia Trade Secrets Act of 1990, O.C.G.A.
§10-1-760 through §10-1-767.
2.
DUTIES
AND AUTHORITY
2.1 Duties
and Authority.
The
Executive is engaged and agrees to perform services for and on behalf of the
Bank as its Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of its Board , and for
and on behalf of WGNB Corp. as its Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman
of
its Board and shall report directly to the President of WGNB and the Bank.
The
Executive shall have such duties and authority as customarily performed by
persons acting in such capacities or as may be assigned to her by the Bank’s or
WGNB’s bylaws or by the President. The Executive agrees to perform such duties
diligently and efficiently and in accordance with the reasonable directions
of
the President. The Executive shall conduct herself at all times in a
business-like and professional manner as appropriate for her position and shall
represent WGNB and the Bank in all respects in compliance with good business
and
ethical practices. In addition, the Executive shall be subject to and abide
by
the policies and procedures of WGNB and the Bank applicable to personnel of
WGNB
and the Bank, as may be adopted from time to time.
2.2 Best
Efforts.
During
the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall devote her full business
attention, energies and best efforts to rendering services on behalf of WGNB
and
the Bank (or subsidiaries or Affiliates thereof), and shall not engage in any
outside employment without the express written consent of the Board or as
otherwise expressly provided herein. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Executive is not prohibited (a) from investing or trading
in
stocks, bonds, commodities or other forms of investment, including real
property, so long as the Executive does not (i) own more than two percent (2%)
of the outstanding ownership interest of an entity, and (ii) “participate”
(within the meaning of Treas. Reg. §§1.469-5(f) and 1.469-5T(f), as in effect as
of the date this Agreement is executed) in such investments, unless such
investment is approved by the Board or the Executive Committee of the Board
in
advance or shown on Exhibit “B” hereto or (b) from engaging in any activity
approved by the Board or the Executive Committee of the Board in advance or
shown on Exhibit “B” hereto.
Page-6
2.3 Outside
Activities.
The
Executive may devote time to the management of her personal affairs and may
pursue personal interests so long as such activities do not interfere with
the
Executive’s performance of her duties hereunder, and the Executive may
participate in industry, civic and charitable activities so long as such
activities do not materially interfere with the performance of her duties
hereunder. The Executive may also participate in any interest or activity which
is approved in writing by the President of WGNB or the Bank subject only to
such
conditions and limitations as may be specified by the writing granting the
approval to the interest or activity. At least once each year during the term
of
this Agreement, and at any time upon the President’s request, the Executive
shall provide a full disclosure to the President of her participation in any
industry, civic and charitable activities (including service on corporate or
charitable boards of directors or trustees). Prior to pursuing or accepting
any
activity other than those in which she is engaged on the Effective Date, the
Executive agrees to discuss such activity with the President.
2.4 Term.
The
Term of this Agreement shall be the period during which this Agreement
(including any amendments and/or extensions of this Agreement) remains
effective. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the execution date
hereof and shall expire on December 31, 2009, subject to earlier termination
only as provided in this Agreement.
3.
COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS
3.1 Annual
Base Salary.
The Bank
shall pay to the Executive as compensation for her services provided hereunder
a
base salary of
$75,000 per
year
(“Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Bank’s normal payroll
procedures. The Committee shall review the Executive’s Base Salary annually, and
in its sole discretion, subject to approval of the Board, may increase the
Executive’s Base Salary from year to year. The Committee shall not decrease the
amount of the Executive’s Base Salary unless substantially similar decreases are
applicable to other executive officers of the Bank or WGNB. The annual review
of
the Executive’s salary by the Committee will consider, among other things, the
Executive’s own performance as well as WGNB’s and the Bank’s
performance.
3.2 Signing
Bonus.
As soon
as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, the Executive shall
receive a single lump-sum payment in the amount of $183,000.00.
3.3 Annual
Incentive Compensation.
The
Executive shall be eligible to participate in any annual short-term incentive
compensation program that the Committee and/or the Board shall approve for
her
for any particular year or incentive period (the “Bonus”). For each full or
partial calendar year during the Term, the Executive’s Bonus shall be
$30,000.00. In addition, for each full or partial calendar year during the
Term,
the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the annual profit sharing
bonus program that is available to all employees of the Bank (the “Profit
Sharing Bonus”).
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3.4 Long-Term
Incentive Compensation.
The
Executive shall be eligible to participate in any long-term incentive
compensation program and/or equity-based compensation program that the Committee
and/or the Board shall approve for her for any particular year or
period.
Any
grants or awards of equity-based compensation shall be governed by the terms
and
conditions of the plan or plans under which such grants are made.
3.5 Employee
Benefit Plans and Policies.
The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in each employee benefit plan, policy
or arrangement which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Bank
and
in which current similarly-situated officers of the Bank may participate, in
accordance with the terms and provisions of such plans and on the same terms
and
conditions as other similarly-situated officers of the Bank. Contributions
by
the Executive to such plans shall be required only to the extent required of
other similarly-situated officers of the Bank.
3.6 Term
Life Insurance Policy.
If the
Executive is determined to be insurable by an insurance company of the Bank’s
choosing, the Bank shall, on the Executive’s behalf, both obtain and pay the
premiums of a term-life insurance policy until the Executive’s death. Such
policy shall pay a death benefit in an amount that is no less than an amount
equal to the death benefit that would have been payable on the death of the
Executive pursuant to the life insurance plan maintained by the First National
Bank of Georgia immediately prior its acquisition by WGNB less the death benefit
payable under the life insurance plan maintained by the Bank (the “Policy
Amount”). In the event that the insurance company determines that the Executive
is not insurable, the Bank will pay to the Executive an amount equal to the
premiums necessary to obtain term life insurance coverage for the above Policy
Amount and continue such coverage in effect until the Executive’s death, payable
in accordance with the Bank’s normal payroll procedures.
3.7 Automobile
Allowance.
The
Bank
shall provide the Executive with a monthly cash allowance in the amount of
$800.00 for the purpose of reimbursement of expenses related to the use of
an
automobile for business purposes. The Executive shall otherwise be solely
responsible for all costs and liabilities related to such automobile, including
but not limited to lease and/or purchase payments, insurance, maintenance,
gasoline/oil and repair costs, subject, however, to the Executive’s right to
seek reimbursement for business mileage pursuant to Section 3.9.
3.8 Club
Dues.
For
general business purposes (and not as compensation to the Executive), the Bank
shall pay the Executive’s periodic dues for membership in the Sunset Hills
Country Club and for membership in the Carrollton Rotary Club and, as approved
by the Committee, other various civic clubs and other
organizations.
3.9 Expense
Reimbursement.
The Bank
shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable and necessary travel and other
business related expenses, including cellular phone expenses and charges,
incurred by her in performance of the business of the Bank in accordance with
the Bank’s standard expense reimbursement practices and policies in existence
from time to time, subject to such dollar limitations, verification and record
keeping requirements as may be established from time to time by the
Bank.
Page-8
3.10 Withholding,
FICA, FUTA, Etc.
Any
amount to be paid to the Executive under the provisions of this Agreement for
her services rendered as an employee and which represents taxable income to
her
shall be subject to, and reduced by, withholding for any applicable federal,
state or local taxes imposed by law, including, but not limited to, employment
taxes imposed under Subtitle C of the Code.
4.
RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS
4.1 Confidentiality.
In the
Executive’s position as an executive officer of WGNB and the Bank, the Executive
has had and will have access to Confidential Information, Trade Secrets and
other proprietary information of vital importance to WGNB and the Bank and
has
and will also develop relationships with customers, employees and others who
deal with WGNB and the Bank which are of value to the Bank and WGNB. WGNB and
the Bank require as a condition of Executive’s employment that Executive agree
to certain restrictions on Executive’s use of the proprietary information and
valuable relationships developed during Executive’s employment with WGNB and the
Bank. WGNB, the Bank and the Executive therefore agree and acknowledge that
WGNB
and the Bank may entrust the Executive with highly sensitive confidential,
restricted and proprietary information concerning various Business
Opportunities, customer lists, and personnel matters. The Executive acknowledges
that she shall bear a fiduciary responsibility to WGNB and the Bank to protect
such information from use or disclosure that is not necessary for the
performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, as an essential incident of the
Executive’s employment with WGNB and the Bank.
4.2 Exclusions.
Notwithstanding the definitions of Trade Secrets, Confidential Information
and
Business Opportunities set forth in Section 1, Trade Secrets, Confidential
Information and Business Opportunities shall not include any information
that:
(a) is
or
becomes generally known to the public;
(b) is
developed by Executive after termination of employment through entirely
independent efforts;
(c) the
Executive obtains from an independent source having a bona fide right to use
and
disclose such information;
(d) is
required to be disclosed by law, except to the extent eligible for special
treatment under an appropriate protective order; or
(e) the
Bank
or WGNB approves for unrestricted release by express written
authorization.
Page-9
4.3 New
Developments.
Any
discovery, invention, process, development, concept, work of authorship,
improvement or Trade Secret, whether or not patentable or registrable under
copyright or similar laws, which the Executive, solely or jointly, conceives
or
develops, reduces to practice, or causes to be conceived or developed or reduced
to practice, during the term of this Agreement in connection with or in any
way
affecting or relating to the business of WGNB or the Bank or any of its
Affiliates (as then carried on or under active consideration) shall forthwith
be
disclosed to WGNB and the Bank and shall belong to and be the absolute property
of WGNB and the Bank. The preceding sentence does not apply to any invention
for
which no equipment, supplies, facility, or Trade Secret information of WGNB
or
the Bank was used and which was developed entirely on the Executive’s own time,
unless the invention relates directly to the business of the Bank or WGNB or
its
Affiliates or to its or their actual or demonstrably anticipated research or
development, or the invention results from any work performed by the Executive
for WGNB or the Bank.
4.4 Security
Measures.
During
the Executive’s employment with WGNB and the Bank, the Executive is required to
observe all security measures adopted to protect Trade Secrets, Confidential
Information and Business Opportunities of WGNB and the Bank.
4.5 Use
and Return of Documents and Property.
The
Executive acknowledges that in the course of her employment with WGNB and the
Bank, she will have the opportunity to inspect and use certain property, both
tangible and intangible, of WGNB and the Bank and its Affiliates. All such
property shall remain the exclusive property of WGNB, the Bank and its
Affiliates, and the Executive has and shall have no right or interest in such
property. The Executive shall use WGNB’s and the Bank’s property only during
employment and only in the performance of her job and to further WGNB’s and the
Bank’s interests, and she will not remove such property from the Bank’s premises
except to the extent necessary to perform her duties and to the extent approved
by the Bank and/or WGNB, either expressly or generally under its policies.
Upon
the request of WGNB or the Bank, and, in any event, promptly upon the
Executive’s Termination Date, the Executive shall return to the Bank all
property of the Bank and WGNB including, but not limited to, memoranda, notes,
records, data, books, manuals, computer programs, audio-visual materials,
correspondence, lists, every piece of information recorded in any form,
including all copies of such materials, identification cards, credit cards,
parking cards, badges, keys, computers, phones, fax machines, and all other
tangible property.
4.6 Nonsolicitation
of Customers, Borrowers or Depositors.
The
Executive agrees that during the term of her employment with WGNB and the Bank,
she will not, directly or indirectly, without the Bank’s prior written consent,
contact any customer, depositor or borrower of the Bank or any of its Affiliates
for business purposes unrelated to furthering the Business of the Bank.
Executive further agrees that for a period of twenty-four (24) months following
her Termination Date, she will not directly or indirectly, (a) contact, solicit
or divert, or attempt to contact, solicit, divert or take away, any customer,
depositor or borrower of the Bank or its Affiliates for purposes of, or with
respect to, providing such customer, depositor or borrower services which
constitute the Business of the Bank; or (b) take any affirmative action with
a
customer, depositor or borrower of the Bank or its Affiliates for the purposes
of providing a customer, depositor or borrower to a business competing with
the
Bank or its Affiliates. The prohibitions of the preceding sentence shall apply
only to customers, depositors or borrowers of the Bank with whom the Executive
had Material Contact during her term of employment. For purposes of this
Agreement, the Executive had “Material Contact” with a customer, depositor or
borrower if (a) she had business dealings with the customer, depositor or
borrower on the Bank’s behalf; (b) she was responsible for supervising or
coordinating the dealings between the Bank and the customer, depositor or
borrower; or (c) she obtained Confidential Information about the customer,
depositor or borrower as a result of her association with the Bank.
Page-10
4.7 Nonsolicitation
of Employees.
The
Executive agrees that during her employment with WGNB and the Bank and for
twenty-four (24) months after her Termination Date, the Executive will not,
directly or indirectly, solicit or attempt to recruit or hire any employee
of
WGNB or the Bank or its Affiliates to provide services similar to those
performed by the employee for WGNB or the Bank on behalf of another entity
or
person.
4.8 Nondisclosure
of Trade Secrets.
Except
to the extent reasonably necessary for the Executive to perform her duties
for
WGNB and the Bank, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose,
communicate, transfer, copy for, or otherwise convey to any person, use in
any
way, or negligently permit any unauthorized person who is not an employee of
WGNB or the Bank to use, disclose or gain access to any Trade Secrets of WGNB
or
the Bank or its Affiliates, or any other person or entity making Trade Secrets
available for WGNB’s or the Bank’s use, for so long as such Trade Secrets remain
“trade secrets” under applicable state law.
4.9 Nondisclosure
of Confidential Information.
During
the term of her employment with WGNB and the Bank and for a period of three
(3)
years following the Executive’s Termination Date, except to the extent
reasonably necessary for the Executive to perform her duties for WGNB and the
Bank, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of WGNB or
the
Bank, directly or indirectly, disclose, communicate, transfer, copy for, or
otherwise convey to any person, use in any way, or negligently permit any
unauthorized person who is not employed by the Bank or WGNB to use, disclose
or
gain access to, for personal benefit or the benefit of others, any Confidential
Information of WGNB or the Bank or its Affiliates, which remains competitively
sensitive.
4.10 Covenant
Not to Compete.
(a) Territories:
WGNB
transacts business as a bank holding company with the Bank as its subsidiary
bank which accepts deposits, makes loans, cashes checks and otherwise engages
in
the business of banking (“Business of the Bank”). WGNB and the Bank do business
in the counties of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Paulding and Haralson in the State of
Georgia, and Executive performs the duties described in Section 2.1 throughout
those counties. Executive has established business relationships and performs
the duties described in Section 2.1 in the geographic area covered by the
counties of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Paulding and Haralson in the State of
Georgia.
(b) Covenants:
For a
period of twenty-four (24) months after the termination of her employment with
WGNB and the Bank, Executive shall not directly or indirectly provide the duties
described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement (including as an advisor, consultant,
or independent contractor) for any entity or person conducting the Business
of
the Bank within the counties of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Paulding and Haralson in
the
State of Georgia.
Page-11
4.11 Notification
of Subsequent Employment.
During
a period of one (1) year after the termination of the Executive’s employment
with WGNB and the Bank, Executive shall notify WGNB and the Bank in writing
of
the name and address of the Executive’s new employer and the Executive’s
functions with her new employer within thirty (30) days after accepting
employment with any other corporation, partnership, association, person,
organization or other entity.
4.12 Reasonableness.
Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions
upon her rights and the rights and remedies conferred on the Bank under this
Agreement, and the Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) the
restrictions and covenants contained herein, and the rights and remedies
conferred upon WGNB and the Bank, are necessary to protect the goodwill and
other value of the business of WGNB and the Bank;
(b) the
restrictions placed upon the Executive hereunder are fair and reasonable in
time, will not prevent her from earning a livelihood, and place no greater
restraint upon the Executive than is reasonably necessary to secure the business
and goodwill of WGNB and the Bank;
(c) WGNB
and
the Bank are relying upon the restrictions and covenants contained herein in
continuing to make available to the Executive information concerning the
Business of the Bank and WGNB;
(d) Executive’s
employment hereunder places her in a position of confidence and trust with
WGNB
and the Bank and its employees, customers, depositors and borrowers;
and
(e) the
provisions of this section shall be interpreted so as to protect the
Confidential Information, and to secure for WGNB and the Bank the exclusive
benefits of the work performed on behalf of WGNB and the Bank by the Executive
under this Agreement, and not to unreasonably limit her ability to engage in
employment and consulting activities in noncompetitive areas which do not
endanger WGNB’s and the Bank’s legitimate interests expressed in this
Agreement.
4.13 Remedy
for Breach.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that her breach of any of the covenants
contained in this Article of this Agreement will cause irreparable injury to
WGNB and the Bank and that remedies at law available to WGNB and the Bank for
any actual or threatened breach by the Executive of such covenants will be
inadequate and that WGNB and the Bank shall be entitled to specific performance
of the covenants in this Article or injunctive relief against activities in
violation of this Article by temporary or permanent injunction or other
appropriate judicial remedy, writ or order, without the necessity or proving
actual damages. This provision with respect to injunctive relief shall not
diminish the right of WGNB and the Bank to claim and recover monetary damages
against the Executive for any breach of this Agreement, in addition to
injunctive relief. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants
contained in this Article shall be construed as agreements independent of any
other provision of this or any other contract between the parties hereto, and
that the existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against
WGNB
or the Bank, whether predicated upon this or any other contract, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by WGNB and the Bank of said
covenants.
Page-12
5.
TERMINATION
OF EMPLOYMENT
5.1 Termination
by WGNB.
(a) For
Cause.
Except
as otherwise provided in this 5.1 and as provided in Section 5.3, during the
Term of this Agreement, WGNB or the Bank may only terminate the Executive’s
employment for Cause. Such
termination shall be effective immediately upon written notice to the
Executive.
In the
event of the Executive’s termination pursuant to this Section 5.1(a), the
Executive shall be entitled to any earned but unpaid Base Salary, any accrued
but unused vacation, any earned but unpaid Bonus for the fiscal year which
ended
prior to the Termination Date, any unpaid Profit Sharing Bonus for the fiscal
year which ended prior to the Termination Date, and unreimbursed expenses
through the Termination Date. Subject to the waiver of claims as provided in
Section 5.1(d), the Executive shall also be entitled to continued coverage
under
the Bank’s group health plan as provided in 5.1(c). Except as provided under
Sections 3.6, 5.5 and 5.6 and as required by law, Executive shall not be
entitled to any other compensation, bonus, severance pay or post-termination
benefits. Other than the amounts payable pursuant to Sections 3.6 and 5.1(c),
all amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.1(a) shall be paid in a
single-sum cash payment as soon as practicable after the Termination
Date.
(b) Upon
Change in Control.
During
the twelve (12) month period immediately following the date of the Change in
Control, the Executive may be terminated for reasons other than for Cause.
Such
termination shall be effective immediately upon written notice to the Executive.
In the event of a termination pursuant to this 5.1(b), the Executive shall
be
entitled to any accrued but unpaid Base Salary, any earned but unpaid Bonus
and
Profit Sharing Bonus for the fiscal year which ended prior to the Termination
Date, any accrued but unused vacation, any unreimbursed expenses through the
Termination Date and Base Salary, Bonuses and Profit Sharing Bonuses that would
have been payable for the balance of the remaining Term. Subject to the waiver
of claims as provided in Section 5.1(d), the Executive shall also be eligible
to
receive the continued coverage under the Bank’s group health plan as provided in
Section 5.1(c). Except as provided under Sections 3.6, 5.5 and 5.6 and as
required by law, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation,
bonus, severance pay or post-termination benefits. Other than the amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 3.6 and 5.1(c), all amounts payable pursuant to
this Section 5.1(b) shall be paid in a single-sum cash payment as soon as
administratively practicable after the Termination Date and in determining
the
amount of Profit Sharing Bonuses that would have been payable, the Bank shall
use the average of Profit Sharing Bonuses paid to similarly situated executives
for the three full fiscal years immediately preceding the Termination Date.
Page-13
(c) Group
Health Benefits. Subject
to Section 5.1(d) below, the Executive will be eligible to continue to
participate in Bank’s group health plan until the attainment of age 65, provided
that the Bank continues to sponsor a group health plan (the “Healthcare Plan”),
upon the Executive’s timely election to do so. In the event the Executive elects
such continued coverage, the Executive may elect continued coverage for her
dependents who are participating in the Healthcare Plan on the Termination
Date
for the duration of the Executive’s continued coverage to the extent such
dependents remain eligible for dependent coverage under the terms of the
Healthcare Plan. The Bank shall pay for the continued coverage for the Executive
and, if elected, her eligible dependents provided for pursuant to this Section
5.1(c) by making payment of both the Bank’s and Executive’s premiums under the
Healthcare Plan, including any applicable administrative processing fees
directly to the Healthcare Plan administrator. Notwithstanding the above, the
entitlement to this continued coverage under the Healthcare Plan will cease
immediately upon the Executive’s entitlement to coverage under any
employer-sponsored group health plan or any government-sponsored health program,
except as may be required by law, and shall not be renewed. The Executive has
the duty to immediately inform the Company of her entitlement to such other
health plan or program coverage. The continued coverage under the Healthcare
Plan provided for in this Section 5.1(c) shall be a part of, and not in addition
to, any COBRA coverage which the Executive may elect and shall run concurrently
therewith.
(d) Waiver
of Claims.
The
Executive agrees that in the event of any termination of this Agreement that
results in the continued coverage under the Bank’s group health plan as provided
in Section 5.1(c) (the “Severance Package”), except to the extent required by
law, prior to such coverage and as a condition to and as consideration for
such
coverage, the Executive shall sign a general release of any and all claims
that
the Executive, her heirs and assigns and/or her estate may have against WGNB
or
the Bank or its related parties related to her employment and such payment
in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”. Such waiver of claims
must be executed and returned to the Bank by the Executive no later than the
twenty-first (21st)
calendar day following the Termination Date, or the Executive will have waived
her right to the Severance Package.
5.2 Termination
by Executive for Good Reason.
The
Executive may terminate her employment for “Good Reason” upon sixty (60) days’
prior written notice to the Bank and WGNB; provided, however, that prior to
delivering such 60-day notice, the Executive has provided an advance written
notice to WGNB or the Bank that identifies the manner in which the Executive
believes that she is eligible for Good Reason termination, and WGNB and the
Bank
have had at least fifteen (15) business days following delivery of the advance
written notice to correct the situation to the satisfaction of the Executive
and
have not done so. Upon a termination for Good Reason, the Executive shall be
entitled to any accrued but unpaid Base Salary, any earned but unpaid Bonus
and
Profit Sharing Bonus for the fiscal year which ended prior to the Termination
Date, any accrued but unused vacation, any unreimbursed expenses through the
Termination Date, and Base Salary, Bonuses and Profit Sharing Bonuses that
would
have been payable for the balance of the remaining Term. Subject to the waiver
of claims as provided in Section 5.1(d), the Executive shall also be eligible
to
receive the continued coverage under the Healthcare Plan as provided in Section
5.1(c). Except as provided under Sections 3.6, 5.5 and 5.6 and as required
by
law, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation, bonus, severance
pay or post-termination benefits. Other than the amounts payable pursuant to
Sections 3.6 and 5.1(c), all amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall
be paid in a single-sum cash payment as soon as administratively practicable
after the Termination Date and in determining the amount of Profit Sharing
Bonuses that would have been payable, the Bank shall use the average of Profit
Sharing Bonuses paid to similarly situated executives for the three full fiscal
years immediately preceding the Termination Date.
Page-14
5.3 Termination
of Agreement by Reason of Executive’s Death or Disability.
This
Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the termination of the Executive’s
employment due to the death of the Executive or due to written notice from
WGNB
or the Bank to the Executive if she shall at any time become incapacitated
by
reason of a Disability. Upon the Executive’s termination due to death or
Disability, the Executive, or her estate in the case of her death, shall be
entitled to any earned but unpaid Base Salary, any accrued but unused vacation,
any earned but unpaid Bonus and/or Profit Sharing Bonus for the fiscal year
which ended prior to the Termination Date, and unreimbursed expenses through
the
Termination Date. Except as provided under Sections 3.6 (to the extent
applicable), 5.5 and 5.6 and as required by law, neither the Executive nor
the
Executives estate, heirs and other legal representatives shall be entitled
to
any other compensation, bonus, severance pay or post-termination benefits.
Other
than the amounts payable pursuant to Sections 3.6 and 5.1(c), all amounts
payable pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be paid in a single-sum cash payment
as soon as administratively practicable after the Termination Date
5.4 Termination
by Executive.
Executive may terminate this Agreement and her employment with the Bank and
WGNB
upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to each of the Bank and WGNB. Upon such a
termination, the Executive shall be entitled to any accrued but unpaid Base
Salary, any accrued but unused vacation, and any unreimbursed expenses through
the Termination Date. Except as provided under Sections 5.5 and 5.6 and as
required by law, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation,
bonus, severance pay or post-termination benefits. Other than the amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 3.6 and 5.1(c), all amounts payable pursuant to
this Section 5.4 shall be paid in a single-sum cash payment as soon as
administratively practicable after the Termination Date.
5.5 Equity
Compensation After Termination Date.
Any
outstanding equity-based compensation grants or awards held by the Executive
shall be governed by the terms of the plan under which such grants or awards
were made.
5.6 Other
Benefits After Termination Date.
Except
for the payments and benefits, if any, provided under this Article 5, no other
benefits, compensation or other remuneration of any type, whether taxable or
nontaxable, shall be payable to the Executive after her Termination Date, except
as required by law or by the applicable terms and provisions of any employee
benefit plan applicable to the Executive.
Page-15
5.7 Specified
Employee.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions under this Article 5 to
the
contrary, in the event that, in order to comply with the provisions of Code
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), a payment under this Article 5 must be made no earlier
than six (6) months following the Executive’s separation of service as a result
of her status as a “specified employee,” such payment shall be accordingly
delayed and shall be paid (without any interest) as soon as administratively
possible following the six (6) month anniversary of the Executive’s separation
of service.
5.8 Excess
Parachute Payment.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither WGNB nor the Bank
shall
pay to the Executive any amount which shall be deemed to constitute an “excess
parachute payment” in accordance with Code Section 280G. Either WGNB or the Bank
shall reduce any amount due hereunder by such minimum amount necessary to cause
the total amount payable to the Executive in the applicable year not to
constitute an “excess parachute payment.”
6.
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
6.1 Invalidity
of Any Provision.
It is
the intention of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement shall
be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of each state
and
jurisdiction in which such enforcement is sought, but that the unenforceability
(or the modification to conform with such laws) of any provision hereof shall
not render unenforceable or impair the remainder of this Agreement which shall
be deemed amended to delete or modify, as necessary, the invalid or
unenforceable provisions. The parties further agree to alter the balance of
this
Agreement in order to render the same valid and enforceable. The terms of the
restrictive covenant provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed modified
to
the extent necessary to be enforceable and, specifically, without limiting
the
foregoing, if the term of the applicable restrictive covenant is too long to
be
enforceable, it shall be modified to encompass the longest term which is
enforceable and, if the scope of the geographic area of the applicable
restrictive covenant is too great to be enforceable, it shall be modified to
encompass the greatest area that is enforceable.
6.2
Applicable
Law.
This
Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of Georgia.
6.3
Waiver
of Breach. The
waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by a party hereto shall
not operate or be construed as a wavier of any subsequent breach by the other
party hereto.
6.4
Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of WGNB, the Bank and its Affiliates,
and
their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s estate and/or legal
representatives.
6.5
Assignment
of Agreement.
This
Agreement may not be assigned by any of the parties without the express written
consent of the other parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that the
provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
each successor of WGNB and/or the Bank, whether by merger, consolidation,
transfer of all or substantially all assets, or otherwise.
Page-16
6.6
Notices.
All
notices, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be delivered in person or deposited in the United States mail, certified
or registered, with return receipt requested, as follows:
(a) If
to the Executive:
|
Xx.
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
|
|||
(b) If
to the Bank:
|
West
Georgia National Bank
|
||
X.X.
Xxx 000
|
|||
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
|||
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
|
|||
(c)
If
to WGNB:
|
|||
X.X.
Xxx 000
|
|||
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
|||
Attention:
Chairman
|
6.7 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. All understanding and agreements heretofore made between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement are
merged into this document which alone fully and completely expresses their
agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement
in
writing signed by both parties.
6.8 Survival
of Provisions.
The
provisions of Section 3.6 “Term Life Insurance Policy”, Section 4 “Restrictive
Covenants” and Section 5.1(c) “Group Health Benefits” shall survive termination
of this Agreement.
6.9 Application
of Code Section 409A.
It is
the intent of the parties to this Agreement that this Agreement shall be
interpreted, construed and operated in compliance with any applicable provisions
of Code Section 409A. To the extent that future regulations issued pursuant
to
Code Section 409A require any amendments to this Agreement, the parties agree
that they will consent to, and make, such amendments.
6.10 Captions.
The
captions appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of
convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or
intent of any provisions of this Agreement or in any way affect this
Agreement.
Page-17
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement under seal as of this 1st day of
July, 2007.
EXECUTIVE: | ||
|
|
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
|
||
WEST
GEORGIA NATIONAL BANK
|
WGNB CORP. | |||
By: | /s/ X. X. Xxxxxx, III | By: | /s/ X. X. Xxxxxx, III | |
X. X. Xxxxxx, III |
X. X. Xxxxxx, III |
|||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Page-18
EXHIBIT
“A”
GENERAL
RELEASE
In
accordance with the terms of that certain Employment Agreement (the “Employment
Agreement”) dated ________ ___, 2007, between WEST GEORGIA NATIONAL BANK, a
national Banking Association (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s Sole Shareholder, WGNB
CORP., a Georgia Bank Holding Company (“WGNB”),
and
XXXX X. XXXXXXXXX (the “Executive”), the Executive hereby enters into this
General Release, in consideration of the Severance Package (as defined in the
Employment Agreement) that she will receive as a result of her termination
of
employment effective as of ________________, 20___, to which she would not
otherwise be entitled, as follows:
The
Executive agrees, for herself, her spouse, heirs, executor or administrator,
assigns, insurers, attorneys and other persons or entities acting or purporting
to act on her behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and
unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the Bank and WGNB, their
Affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders,
partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers,
attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Bank and WGNB and said plans’
fiduciaries, agents, related trusts and trustees (the “Bank’s Parties”), from
any and all actions, cause of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities,
debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies and executions of any
kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s
Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Bank’s
Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from Executive’s
employment with the Bank or the termination thereof. This release specifically
includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim
based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim
arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion,
national origin, handicap, disability or other forms of discrimination, any
claim arising under federal, state or local law concerning employment practices,
and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. This specifically includes,
without limitation, any claim which the Executive has or has had under Title
VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, as amended (“ADEA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act, as
amended, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act,
the Civil Rights Act of 1966, the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. §
1981, the Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and the Rehabilitation Act of
1973.
It
is
understood and agreed that the above waiver of benefits and claims do not
include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, nonforfeitable benefits
to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under
the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the Bank or WGNB which
have accrued as of the termination date and does not include a waiver of the
right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be
entitled under the Employment Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that she
is
only entitled to the severance benefits and compensation set forth in the
Employment Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or
compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding
sentence.
Page-19
This
paragraph shall apply only if the Executive has attained age 40 or over at
the
time of her termination of employment. The Executive hereby acknowledges that
she is knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights she may have
under ADEA and that the consideration given under the Employment Agreement
for
this General Release is in addition to anything of value to which she was
already entitled. She further acknowledges that she has been advised by this
writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (A) the waiver and release do not apply
to any rights or claims that may arise on or after the date she executes this
Release; (B) she has the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing
this Release; (C) she has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release
(although she may choose to voluntarily execute this Release earlier); (D)
she
has seven (7) days following her execution of this Release to revoke the
Release; and (E) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which
the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after she
executes this Release.
Agreed
to, acknowledged and executed by the Executive this ___________ day of
____________________, 20______.
________________________________________
XXXX
X.
XXXXXXXXX
Page-20
EXHIBIT
“B”
APPROVED
INVESTMENTS/ACTIVITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2
General
Partner, XxXxxxxx Limited Partnership
Managing
Partner, Healing Properties LLC
Page-21