EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
This
Employment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2007 (“Agreement”)
is
made by and between ECO2
Plastics, Inc.,
a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the “Company”),
and
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
(“Executive”)
(referred to collectively herein as the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the
Company desires to hire Executive and Executive desires to become employed
by
the Company; and
WHEREAS,
the
Company and Executive have determined that it is in their respective best
interests to enter into this Agreement on the terms and conditions as set
forth
herein;
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and promises contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree
as
follows:
1. Nature
of Agreement.
Any and
all prior oral understandings, offers, and/or representations (if any)
with
respect to the employment of Executive are deemed by the Parties to be
either
canceled and void and/or are deemed to be superseded by this final written
Agreement.
2. |
Employment
Terms and Duties.
|
2.1.
Term
of Employment.
The
employment of Executive under this Agreement shall be deemed effective
on the
date first written above (the “Effective
Date”).
Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have commenced on or before August 27,
2007 and shall continue until terminated in accordance with Section 5 hereof
(the “Employment
Term”).
This
Agreement shall be deemed definitive upon the Effective Date.
2.2.
Position
and Primary Responsibility.
(a) The
Executive shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company.
(b)
In
connection with the employment of Executive, Company agrees that, during
the
Employment Term, neither the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, nor
the
Bylaws, of the Company shall at any time be amended in a manner inconsistent
with the foregoing or the additional provisions of this Agreement, unless
otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
2.3.
Exclusivity.
Executive agrees to devote his full time, attention, energies, solely and
exclusively in the performance of his duties under the terms of this Agreement.
However, the expenditure of reasonable amounts of time for educational,
charitable, or professional activities shall not be deemed a breach of
this
Agreement if those activities do not materially interfere with the services
required under this Agreement, and shall not require the prior written
consent
of the Company’s Board of Directors. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to
prohibit Executive from making passive personal investments or conducting
private business affairs, or serving on the boards of directors of other
companies or other entities, if those activities do not materially interfere
with the services required under this Agreement and do not violate Sections
4, 8
and 10 of this Agreement.
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3. Compensation.
3.1.
Base
Salary.
In
consideration for the services rendered to the Company hereunder by Executive,
the Company shall, during his employment, pay Executive a salary at the
annual
rate of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) (as may be adjusted
pursuant to this Section 3.1 and/or Section 3.5, the “Base
Salary”),
less
statutory deductions and withholdings, payable to Executive on a bi-monthly
basis.
3.2.
Payment.
All
compensation payable to Executive hereunder shall be subject to all applicable
state and federal employment law(s); it being understood that Executive
shall be
responsible for the payment of all taxes resulting from a determination
that any
portion of the compensation and/or benefits paid/received hereunder is
a taxable
event to Executive; it being further understood that Executive shall hold
the
Company harmless from any governmental claim(s) for Executive’s personal tax
liabilities, including interest or penalties, arising from any failure
by
Executive to pay his individual taxes when due.
3.3.
Reimbursement
of Expenses.
During
the Employment Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred by Executive while performing his duties
under
this Agreement in accordance with the Company’s customary practices for its
executive employees, subject to provision by Executive of documentation
reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors.
3.4.
Cash
Bonuses.
Executive shall be eligible for a bonus entitlement during each calendar
year
(or portion thereof) of the Employment Term with a target of fifty percent
(50%)
of his Base Salary for such year (or portion thereof) (the “Bonus”).
The
Bonus shall be guaranteed at a minimum amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($25,000) for the first year of employment. Within sixty (60) days of the
Effective Date, the Company and Executive shall concur, within their respective
reasonable discretion, on the criteria and procedures applicable to
establishment of Executive’s entitlement to such amount for the then current
calendar year; and, thereafter, within thirty (30) days prior to the
commencement of each calendar year of the Employment Term, the Company
and
Executive shall concur, within their respective reasonable discretion,
on the
criteria and procedures applicable to establishment of Executive’s entitlement
to such amount for the ensuing calendar year. Such criteria shall include,
without limitation: (i) specified revenue targets for the Company during
the
applicable period; (ii) specified EBITDA targets for the Company during
the
applicable period (as defined pursuant to consensus between the Company
and
Executive); and (iii) such additional specified targets as the Company
and
Executive mutually determine. Any such cash bonuses shall be paid by the
Company
no later than March 15th
of the
taxable year commencing after the year in which the Executive’s right to such
payment becomes vested.
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3.5.
Compensation
Review.
It is
understood and agreed that Executive’s performance will be reviewed by the
Company’s Board of Directors at the end of each calendar year during which this
Agreement is in force for the purpose of determining whether or not Executive’s
Base Salary and/or cash bonuses should be increased; it being further understood
that the decision to increase Executive’s compensation shall be at the sole and
exclusive option of the Compensation Committee with the Board of Directors
approval.
3.6.
Equity
Awards.
(a) The
Executive shall be entitled to a combination of (x) restricted grants
of common
stock, $0.001 par value (“Common
Stock”),
of
the Company and (y) a common stock purchase warrant to acquire Common
Stock of
the Company, a form of warrant is attached hereto as Exhibit
B,
exercisable over a period of four (4) years after grant with respect
to shares
of Common Stock, in the aggregate covering five million (5,000,000)
shares
(collectively, the “Executive
Shares”).
(b) The
market price of the stock at close of market on the day preceding the Effective
Date will determine the fair market value per share (the “Market
Value”)
of
Common Stock issuable to Executive under this Section 3.6, at the respective
dates of issuance of the Executive Shares (as those terms are defined below).
As
soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days of the date
of
this Agreement, the Company shall issue and deliver to Executive the following
equity awards based upon the following vesting schedule:
(i)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common Stock shall
vest
immediately upon issuance;
(ii)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common Stock shall
vest
on the first anniversary of Effective Date;
(iii)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares shall vest on the
second
anniversary of the Effective Date; and
(iv)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares shall vest on the
third
anniversary of the Effective Date.
(c) The
Company shall cooperate with Executive in the making by Executive of a
timely
election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with
respect
to any restricted share grant of Common Stock. Executive shall submit a
copy to
the Company of any such election if made.
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(d) In
the
event that the Company, at its expense, registers with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to one or more effective registration statements
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”),
(the
“Registration
Statement”)
in the
manner prescribed by Executive, the Company shall include the Executive
Shares
(the “Registrable
Securities”)
in the
Registration Statement, and shall maintain the effectiveness and currency
of
each such Registration Statement, including any related prospectus until
the
resale of such shares by Executive or any successor thereof; and shall
take all
such further action (including, without limitation, any registration of
such
shares under applicable state securities laws and the listing of such shares
on
any and all trading markets or stock exchanges as the Company’s common shares
may trade from time to time) as shall permit the resale of such shares,
or any
portion thereof, as aforesaid. The Company shall from time to time furnish
to
Executive sufficient copies of any such prospectus, and any supplements
thereto,
so as to permit the resale of such shares, or any portion thereof, in the
manner
prescribed by Executive. In addition, prior to the grant of the Executive
Shares, the Company shall enter into an additional agreement with Executive
extending to Executive incidental registration rights covering the resale
of the
Registrable Securities on terms no less favorable to Executive than have
then
been extended to any other stockholder of the Company. The Company shall
pay the
costs and expenses incurred by Executive in connection with any such
registration, including the reasonable legal fees and expenses that Executive
may incur in connection therewith. The obligations of the Company pursuant
to
this Section 3.6(f) are referred to herein as the “Registration
Obligations.”
The
amount of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement filed is, however,
subject to the right of the Company and its underwriters to reduce the
number of
shares proposed to be registered pro-rata in view of market conditions
or legal
considerations, pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, which may limit
the
total number of shares included on a Registration Statement to thirty percent
(30%) of the then issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. In
the
event the total number of shares registered is required to be adjusted
to comply
with Rule 415 of the Securities Act, the Executive agrees to the allocation
of
such adjustment on a pro-rata basis.
(e)
On
or
prior to the first anniversary following the Effective Date, the Company
and
Executive shall have concurred, in their respective reasonable discretion,
on
the terms and conditions of a long-term equity incentive award program
pursuant
to which Executive and the other members of executive management of the
Company
shall be entitled to grants of shares of Common Stock based upon achievement
of
specified performance objectives.
(f)
Any
restricted stock granted shall be granted and issued pursuant to a Restricted
Stock Agreement, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
3.7
Relocation
Expenses. In
connection with the employment of Executive, the Company shall provide
relocation expenses in the amount of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000)
(the
“Relocation
Expenses”)
in
connection with Executive’s move to a new permanent residence. The Relocation
Expenses shall be paid to Executive at the relocation occurs. Executive
shall
only receive Relocation Expenses upon completion of Executive’s relocation to a
new permanent residence.
(a) Executive
may, at his discretion, elect to convert, via written notice to the Company
within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, the full amount of the Relocation
Expenses into shares of common stock in an amount equivalent to Seventy
Thousand
Dollars ($70,000) in value as determined by the closing price of the stock
on
the date of election.
(b) In
the
event that Executive is terminated pursuant to Section 5 prior to the first
anniversary of the Effective Date, the Relocation Expenses or the conversion
of
the Relocation Expenses shall be subject to forfeiture.
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(c) Executive
shall be responsible for providing documentation of all expenses associated
with
the relocation and the Company shall gross up compensation for the Relocation
Expenses to account for taxes paid on any additional income. Compensation
for
taxes shall be made in accordance with the manner Executive elects to receive
payment for the Relocation Expenses of either cash or shares.
3.8
Travel
Expenses. In
connection with the employment of Executive, the Company shall reimburse
hotel
expenses in an amount not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) (the
“Travel
Expenses”)
per
month for Executive’s costs of hotel rooms while traveling from Modesto, CA to
the Company’s offices in San Francisco, CA during the first four (4) months of
the Employment Term. Executive must provide receipts for reimbursement
of travel
expenses.
4. Benefits.
Within
thirty (30) days of the date of this Agreement, the Company and Executive
shall
determine, in their respective reasonable discretion, the terms of the
“Welfare
Benefits”
(as
hereinafter defined) to which Executive shall be entitled. For purposes
hereof,
“Welfare
Benefits”
shall
mean medical, prescription and dental plans, in no event less favorable
than
those applicable to any other executive of the Company, and in all events
extending to (x) paid vacation per annum equal to three (3) weeks (accruing
ratably each year) and eleven (11) paid holidays and (y) a non-accountable
monthly allowance of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) (the “Monthly
Allowance”).
5. Termination.
Executive’s employment and this Agreement (except as otherwise provided
hereunder) shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following,
at the
time set forth therefor (the “Termination
Date”):
5.1.
Death
or Disability.
Immediately upon the death of Executive or after six (6) months of Executive’s
inability to perform the essential functions of his duties, with or without
reasonable accommodation (defined under applicable law), due to a mental
or
physical illness or incapacity (“Disability”)
(termination pursuant to this Section 5.1 being referred to herein as
termination for “Death
or Disability”).
Upon
the Death of Executive, Executive’s heirs or assigns shall be entitled to (i)
fifty percent (50%) of the annual Base Salary and (ii) on pro-rated amount
of
any and all outstanding Executive Shares that Executive is entitled to
receive
from the Effective Date to the date of Death (the “Earnings
Entitlement”).
In
the event Executive commits suicide, Executive’s heirs or assigns shall not be
entitled to the Earnings Entitlement.
5.2.
Termination
for Good Reason.
Immediately following notice of termination for “Good
Reason”
(as
defined below), specifying such Good Reason, given by Executive (termination
pursuant to this Section 5.2 being referred to as termination for “Good
Reason”).
As
used herein, “Good Reason” means (i) any reduction in Base Salary or other
benefits specified hereunder; (ii) a substantial diminution or dilution
of the
responsibilities, functions and duties attached to the position with the
Company
held by Executive; (iii) the Company fails to provide any of the compensation
or
other benefits required hereunder; (iv) any representation made by the
Company
herein is materially untrue or the Company otherwise is in material breach
of
this Agreement; or (v) the Company and Executive fail to effectuate the
matters
contemplated by Sections 3.4, 3.6 or 4 within the respective periods
contemplated thereunder.
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5.3.
Voluntary
Termination.
Thirty
(30) days following Executive’s written notice to the Company of voluntary
termination of employment other than for Good Reason; provided, however,
that
the Company may suspend, with no reduction in pay or benefits (including,
without limitation, bonuses, options and vesting), Executive from his duties
as
set forth herein (including, without limitation, Executive’s position as a
representative and agent of the Company) until the 30th
day
following Notice of Voluntary termination) (termination pursuant to this
Section
5.3 being referred to herein as “Voluntary”
termination).
5.4.
Termination
For Cause.
Immediately following notice of termination for “Cause”
(as
defined below), specifying such Cause, given by the Company (termination
pursuant to this Section 5.4 being referred to herein as termination for
“Cause”).
As
used herein, “Cause”
means
(i) termination based on Executive’s conviction or plea of “guilty” or “no
contest” to any crime constituting a felony in the jurisdiction in which the
crime constituting a felony is committed, or any other conviction by a
court of
competent jurisdiction for a violation of criminal law involving dishonesty
that
materially injures the Company (whether or not a felony); (ii) Executive’s
substance abuse that in any manner that materially interferes with the
performance of his duties; (iii) Executive’s failure to perform in any material
respect the responsibilities, functions and duties attached to his position
with
the Company or a refusal to perform his duties at all or in a reasonably
acceptable manner; and (iv) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement. The
Board of Directors shall provide Executive thirty (30) days written notice
of
any determination to terminate Executive for Cause and shall afforded Executive
the opportunity to be heard by the full Board of Directors. Notwithstanding
any
other provision in this Agreement, if Executive is terminated pursuant
to
subsections (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 5.4 for poor job performance,
excluding refusal to perform his duties, Executive shall have sixty (60)
days to
cure the behavior upon which the threatened termination is based and during
which time Executive shall have no reduction in pay or benefits (including
without limitation, bonuses, options and vesting).
5.5.
Termination
Without Cause.
Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, the Company may
terminate
Executive’s employment thirty (30) days following notice of termination without
Cause given by the Company; provided, however, that during any such thirty
(30)
day notice period, the Company may suspend, with no reduction in pay or
benefits
(including, without limitation, bonuses, options and vesting), Executive
from
his duties as set forth herein (including, without limitation, Executive’s
position as a representative and agent of the Company) (termination pursuant to
this Section 5.5 being referred to herein as termination “Without
Cause”).
5.6.
Other
Remedies.
Termination pursuant to Section 5.2 above shall be in addition to and without
prejudice to any other right or remedy to which Executive may be entitled
at
law, in equity, or under this Agreement. Termination pursuant to Section
5.4
above shall be in addition to and without prejudice to any other right
or remedy
to which the Company may be entitled at law, in equity, or under this
Agreement.
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5.7.
Salary
Continuation During Disability.
Notwithstanding Section 5.1 above, if Executive suffers any physical or
mental
disability that would prevent the performance of his essential job duties,
the
Company agrees to pay Executive one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s salary
and other benefits (including, without limitation, bonuses, options and
vesting), payable in the same manner as provided for the payment of salary
and
benefits (including, without limitation, bonuses, options and vesting)
herein,
for the duration of the disability, or six (6) months, whichever is less.
6. Severance
and Termination.
6.1.
Voluntary
Termination,
Termination
for Cause, Termination for Death or Disability.
In the
case of a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for Death in
accordance with Section 5.1 above, or Executive’s Voluntary termination of
employment hereunder in accordance with Section 5.3 above, or a termination
of
Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause in accordance with Section 5.4 above,
(i) Executive shall not be entitled to receive payment of, and the Company
shall
have no obligation to pay, any severance or similar compensation attributable
to
such termination, other than the Earnings Entitlement earned but unpaid,
accrued
but unused vacation to the extent required by the Company’s policies and any
non-reimbursed expenses pursuant to Section 4 hereof incurred by Executive
as of
the termination date, and (ii) the Company’s obligations under this Agreement
shall immediately cease except (x) as required by law and (y) as provided
in
Section 15.1 below. Provided further, in the event of a termination of
Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause in accordance with Section 5.4 above,
Executive shall tender back to the Company all unexercised options granted
to
Executive by the Company in connection with Executive’s employment.
6.2.
Termination
for Good Reason, Termination Without Cause.
(a) In
the
case of a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for Good Reason in
accordance with Section 5.2 above, or Without Cause in accordance with
Section
5.4 above, the Company shall, within thirty (30) days of the Termination
Date,
pay Executive, in a lump-sum, cash in the amount (the “Severance
Payment”)
of the
sum of fifty percent (50%) of his annual Base Salary; provided, however,
that,
in the event such termination of Executive’s employment follows a
“Change-of-Control” (as defined below), the Severance Payment shall be an amount
equal to the sum of one hundred percent (100%) of his annual Base Salary.
As
used herein, “Change-of-Control”
means:
(i) the
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) under the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within
the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent
(20%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities
of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute
a
Change-of-Control: (w) any original issuance by the Company, (x) any acquisition
by the Company after which the holders of the Company’s voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company
(the
“Voting
Stock”)
outstanding immediately prior to consummation of such acquisition continue
to
hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s Voting Stock after such
acquisition, (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company, or (z) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (w),
(x) and
(y) immediately preceding; or
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(ii) individuals
who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
(the “Incumbent
Board”)
cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors
of
the Company unless they are replaced with a slate nominated by at least
a
majority of the Incumbent Board and further provided that any individual
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination
for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at
least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall, for
purposes of this sub-paragraph (ii), be considered as though such individual
were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose,
any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an
actual or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors
or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or
on
behalf of an individual, entity or group other than the Board of Directors
of
the Company acting by at least a majority thereof; or
(iii) consummation
of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or disposition of
all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business
Combination”),
in
each case, unless, following such transaction: (x) all or substantially
all of
the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively,
of
the outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in
the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%)
(20% in
the case of any Business Combination being proposed and implemented by
at least
a majority of the Incumbent Board) of the Voting Stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation,
a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all
or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one
or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding Voting
Stock,
(y) no individual, entity or group beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
twenty percent (20%) or more of the Voting Stock of such corporation except
to
the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination,
and
(z) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board, or were nominated by at least a majority of the members
of the
Incumbent Board, at the time of the execution of the initial agreement,
or by
the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) approval
by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution
of
the Company.
(b) In
addition, in the event Paragraph (a) immediately preceding applies, for
six (6)
months after the Termination Date (or such longer period as may be provided
by
the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy), the Company
shall continue the Welfare Benefits to Executive and/or his family at least
equal to those which would have been provided if Executive’s employment had not
been terminated (provided, however, that such period shall be eighteen
months in
the event such Paragraph (a) applies following a
Change-of-Control).
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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, the payment of the Severance Payment
under
this Section 6.2 shall be made no earlier than six (6) months after the
Termination Date.
7. Severance
Conditioned on Mutual Release of Claims.
The
Company’s obligation to provide Executive with the Severance Payments set forth
in Section 6.2 is contingent upon Executive’s execution of a release of mutual
claims. Any release of claims shall not include any independently verifiable
criminal acts or civil fraud committed by either the Company and/or its
officers
or directors.
8. Non-competition,
Non-solicitation.
8.1.
Non-Competition.
Executive agrees that he shall not, during the Employment Term and for
twelve
(12) months subsequent thereto, without both the disclosure to and the
written
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, directly or indirectly,
engage or be interested in (whether as a principal, lender, employee, officer,
director, partner, venturer, consultant or otherwise) any business(es)
that is
competitive with the business being conducted by the Company through the
Termination Date, without the express written approval of the Board of
Directors.
8.2.
Non-Solicitation.
Executive agrees that he will not, without the prior written consent of
the
Company’s Board of Directors, for a period of twelve (12) months after the
Termination Date, directly or indirectly disturb, entice, or in any other
manner
persuade, any employee(s) or consultant(s) of the Company to discontinue
that
person’s or firm’s relationship with the Company if the employee(s) and/or
consultant(s) were employed by the Company at any time during the twelve
(12)
month period prior to the Termination Date.
8.3.
Customers.
Executive agrees that he will not, for a period of twelve (12) months following
the Termination Date, contact or solicit orders, sales or business from
any
customer of the Company so as to induce or attempt to induce such customer
to
cease doing business with the Company.
8.4.
Public
Investments.
The
provisions of Section 8.1 through 8.3, inclusive, shall not be deemed breached
by reason of Executive’s ownership of five percent (5%) or less of the equities
of any entity with a class of publicly traded securities.
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9. Inventions,
Discoveries and Improvements.
Any and
all invention(s), discovery(ies) and improvement(s), whether protectible
or
unprotectible by patent, trademark, copyright or trade secret, made, devised,
or
discovered by Executive, whether by Executive alone or jointly with others,
from
the time of entering the Company’s employ until the earlier of the Termination
Date of this Agreement or the actual date of termination of employment,
relating
or pertaining in any way to Executive’s employment with the Company, shall be
promptly disclosed in writing to the Board of Directors of the Company,
and
become and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Executive
agrees to execute any assignments to the Company, or its nominee, of Executive’s
entire right, title, and interest in and to any such inventions, discoveries
and
improvements and to execute any other instruments and documents requisite
or
desirable in applying for and obtaining patents, trademarks or copyrights
at the
cost of the Company, with respect thereto in the United States and in all
foreign countries, that may be requested by the Company. Executive further
agrees, whether or not then in the employment of the Company, to cooperate
to
the fullest extent and in the manner that may be reasonably requested by
the
Company in the prosecution and/or defense of any suit(s) involving claim(s)
of
infringement and/or misappropriation of proprietary rights relevant to
patent(s), trademark(s), copyright(s), trade secret(s), processes, and/or
discoveries involving the Company’s product(s); it being understood that all
reasonable costs and expenses thereof shall be paid by the Company. The
Company
shall have the sole right to determine the treatment of disclosures received
from Executive, including the right to keep the same as a trade secret,
to use
and disclose the same without a prior patent application, to file and prosecute
United States and foreign patent application(s) thereon, or to follow any
other
procedure which the Company may deem appropriate. In accordance with this
provision, Executive understands and is hereby further notified that this
Agreement does not apply to an invention which the employee developed entirely
on his own time without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or
trade secret information.
10. |
Confidential
Information and Trade Secrets.
|
10.1. Non-Disclosure.
Executive hereby acknowledges that all confidential or proprietary trade,
engineering, production, and technical data, information or “know-how”
including, but not limited to, customer lists, sales and marketing techniques,
vendor names, purchasing information, processes, methods, investigations,
ideas,
equipment, tools, programs, costs, product profitability, plans, specifications,
patent application(s), drawings, blueprints, sketches, layouts, formulas,
inventions, processes and data, whether or not reduced to writing, used
in the
development and manufacture of the Company’s products and/or the performance of
services, or in research or development, are the exclusive property of
the
Company, and shall be at all times, whether after the Effective Date or
after
the Termination Date, be kept strictly confidential and secret by Executive;
it
being understood, however, that information which was publicly known, or
which
is in the public domain, or which is generally known, shall not be subject
to
this restriction (and Executive’s duties of non-disclosure shall further not
extend to (i) disclosures to other employees, executives, officers and/or
directors of the Company, or as may be required or appropriate in connection
with performance hereunder, and (ii) the requirements of legal process,
subpoena
or other court order).
10.2. Return
of Property.
Executive agrees not to remove from the Company’s office or copy any of the
Company’s confidential information, trade secrets, books, records, documents or
customer or supplier lists, or any copies of such documents, without the
express
written permission of the Board of Directors of the Company or as may be
required or appropriate in connection with performance hereunder. Executive
agrees, at the Termination Date, to return any property belonging to the
Company, including, but not limited to, any and all records, notes, drawings,
specifications, programs, data and other materials (or copies thereof)
pertaining to the Company’s businesses or its product(s) and service(s),
generated or received by Executive during the course of his employment
with the
Company.
10
11. Information
of Others.
Executive agrees that the Company does not desire to acquire from Executive
any
secret or confidential information or “know-how” of others. Executive,
therefore, specifically represents to the Company that he will not bring
to the
Company any materials, documents, or writings containing any such information.
Executive represents and warrants that from the Effective Date of this
Agreement
he is free to divulge to the Company, without any obligation to, or violation
of, the rights of others, information, practices and/or techniques which
Executive will describe, demonstrate or divulge or in any other manner
make
known to the Company during Executive’s performance of services. Executive also
agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against any
and all
liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, damages, claims or demands for any
violation of the rights of others as it relates to Executive’s misappropriation
of secrets, confidential information, or “know-how” of others. Such
indemnification will not apply in the event action by the Company is
unsuccessful.
12. Indemnification.
The
Company shall indemnify Executive in his capacity as director, officer
and
employee of the Company upon terms no less favorable to him than are contained
under Article 7 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
and
Article VI of the Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof.
The
Company shall extend to Executive the benefits of directors’ and officers’
liability insurance upon terms no less favorable than are extended to any
other
director or officer of the Company. Upon execution, the Company and Executive
shall enter into an Indemnification Agreement in form and substance acceptable
to Executive providing for the indemnification contemplated hereby.
13.
Notice.
All
notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing
and
shall be delivered personally or mailed by registered or certified mail,
return
receipt requested, and shall be deemed given when so delivered or mailed,
to a
party at his or its address as follows (or at such other address as a party
may
designate by notice given hereunder):
If
to Executive:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
1800
Xxxxxx Xxx
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
_______________________
|
_______________________
|
|
_______________________
|
|
_______________________
|
|
If
to the Company:
|
ECO2
Plastics, Inc.
|
680
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
The
Xxxx Law Group, PLLC
|
|
600
Xxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 0000
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
11
14.
Suit,
Jurisdiction.
Any
controversy between the Company and Executive arising out of or relating
to any
of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be submitted
to
arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association’s National
Arbitration Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. On the written
request of either party for arbitration of such a claim pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company and Executive shall both be deemed to have waived
the
right to litigate the claim in any federal or state court. To the extent
that
any claim or controversy arising out of this Agreement cannot be submitted
to
arbitration as set forth above, each party hereby agrees that any suit,
action
or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, and any transactions relating
hereto, may be brought in the State of California, County of San Francisco,
and
each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction
of such Court(s) for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding.
Each of
the parties hereby waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as
a
defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding; any claim
that it
(he) is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named Court(s);
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that such suit,
action
or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of
such
suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or any
replacements hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such Court(s).
The
Company shall pay any and all costs associated with arbitration or court
adjudication.
15.
Miscellaneous.
15.1. Post
Termination Obligations.
Notwithstanding the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, the
provision(s) of Section(s) “3.6(e),” “5,” “6,” “7,” “9,” “10,” “12” and “14”
shall survive the Termination Date.
15.2. Assignment.
This
Agreement shall be assigned to and inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon,
any successor to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company
as
a going concern, whether by merger, consolidation, liquidation or sale
of
substantially all of the assets of the Company or otherwise. The Company
will
require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business
and/or
assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement
in
the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required
to
perform it if no such succession had taken place; and, as used in this
Agreement, “Company”
shall
mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business
and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement
by
operation of law, or otherwise; provided that for purposes of Section 8
hereof,
the term “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any such
transaction in which this Agreement is assigned to a successor may not
expand or
enlarge the scope of restrictions applicable to Executive pursuant to Section
9
hereof. Executive understands and agrees, however, that this Agreement
is
exclusive and personal to him only, and, as such, he will neither assign
nor
subcontract all or part of his undertaking(s) or obligation(s) under the
terms
of this Agreement.
12
15.3. Severability.
In the
event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be
unenforceable or otherwise invalid, the balance of the provision(s) shall
be
deemed to be enforceable and valid; it being understood that all provision(s)
of
this Agreement are deemed to be severable, so that unenforceability or
invalidity of any single provision will not affect the remaining
provision(s).
15.4. Headings.
The
Section(s) and paragraph heading(s) in this Agreement are deemed to be
for
convenience only, and shall not be deemed to alter or affect any provision
herein.
15.5. Interpretation
of Agreement.
This
Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance plain meaning of its terms
and
under the laws of the State of California. Each party has cooperated in
the
drafting of this Agreement. Therefore, in the construction of this Agreement,
the Agreement shall not be interpreted for or against any party by virtue
of
having drafted the Agreement and any such principle of interpretation shall
be
construed in a neutral manner.
15.6. Variation.
Subject
to Section 15.8, any changes in the Sections relating to salary, bonus,
or other
material condition(s) after the Effective Date of this Agreement shall
not be
deemed to constitute a new Agreement. All unchanged terms are to remain
in force
and effect.
15.7. Collateral
Documents.
Each
party hereto shall make, execute and deliver such other instrument(s) or
document(s) as may be reasonably required in order to effectuate the purposes
of
this Agreement.
15.8. Non-Impairment.
This
Agreement may not be amended or supplemented at any time unless reduced
to a
writing executed by each party hereto. No amendment, supplement or termination
of this Agreement shall affect or impair any of the rights or obligations
which
may have matured thereunder.
15.9. Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterpart(s), and each executed
counterpart(s) shall be considered by the Parties as an original.
15.10. Legal
Counsel.
Executive represents to the Company that he has retained legal counsel
of his
own choosing, and was given sufficient opportunity to obtain legal counsel
prior
to executing this Agreement. Executive also represents that he has read
each
provision of this Agreement and understands its meaning.
15.11. Transition.
In the
event that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, Executive shall,
through the last day of employment, and at the Company’s request, use
Executive’s reasonable efforts (at the Company’s expense) to assist the Company
in transitioning Executive’s duties and responsibility responsibilities to
Executive’s successor and maintaining the Company’s professional relationship
with all customers, suppliers, etc. Without limiting the generality of
the
foregoing, Executive shall cooperate and assist the Company, at the Company’s
direction and instruction, during the transition period between any receipt
of
or giving of notice of the termination of employment and the final day
of
employment.
13
15.12. Section
409A Matters.
It is
the intention of the Parties that no payment or entitlement pursuant to
this
Agreement will give rise to any adverse tax consequences to the Executive
under
26 U.S.C. Sec. 409A (“409A”).
The
Agreement shall be interpreted to that end and, consistent with that objective
and notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company shall
indemnify Executive from any adverse tax consequences, penalties and/or
interest
thereon that may arise under 409A, and the Company may unilaterally take
any
action it deems necessary or desirable to amend any provision herein to
avoid
the application of 409A if such action will only benefit the Executive.
Should
either party determine that there is a reasonable possibility that the
text of
this Agreement could give rise to such adverse tax consequences, the Parties
agree to negotiate in good faith to amend the Agreement to obviate the
possibility of such consequences.
If,
at
any time, the Company (or its direct or indirect parent) has a class of
stock
that is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise,
the
Company shall from time to time compile a list of “Specified Employees” as
defined in, and pursuant to, Prop. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(i) or any successor
regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the Executive
is a
Specified Employee on the date of his termination of employment, no payment
of
compensation under this Agreement shall be made to the Executive during
the
period lasting six months from the date of his termination of employment
unless
the Executive determines that there is no reasonable basis for believing
that
making such payment would cause the Executive to suffer any adverse tax
consequences pursuant to 409A. If any payment to the Executive is delayed
pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, such payment instead shall
be made
on the first business day following the expiration of the six (6) month
period
referred to in the prior sentence.
[Signature
page to follow]
14
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have set their hands and seals the
day and
year first above written.
THE
COMPANY:
|
|||
ECO2
PLASTICS, INC.
|
|||
By: | |||
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Its: Chief
Executive Officer
Date: August
10, 2007
|
|||
EXECUTIVE:
|
|||
XXXXX
X. XXXXX
|
|||
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
|||
Date:
August 10, 2007
|
15
Exhibit
A
This
Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of August 10, 2007 (“Agreement”)
is
made by and between ECO2
Plastics, Inc.,
a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the “Company”),
and
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
(“Executive”)
(referred to collectively herein as the “Parties”).
RECITALS
A.
|
The
Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)
has authorized and approved the issuance of shares of the Company’s common
stock to Stockholder subject to the restrictions set forth herein
and
pursuant to the terms hereof.
|
B.
|
The
shares provided for in this Agreement are to be issued pursuant to
and in
connection with Stockholder’s Employment Agreement with the Company dated
as of August 10, 2007 (the “Employment
Agreement”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein, have the meanings
assigned
to them in the Employment
Agreement.
|
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits hereinafter provided, and
each intending to be legally bound, the Company and Director hereby agree as
follows:
2. Issuance
of Shares.Subject
to the restrictions, terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive
shall
be entitled to a combination of (x) restricted grants of common stock, $0.001
par value (“Common
Stock”),
of
the Company and (y) a common stock purchase warrant to acquire Common Stock
of
the Company, a form of warrant is attached to the Employment Agreement as
Exhibit B, exercisable over a period of four (4) years after grant with respect
to shares of Common Stock, in the aggregate covering five million (5,000,000)
shares (collectively, the “Executive
Shares”).
As
used in this Agreement, the term “Shares,”
“Common
Stock”
and
“Executive
Shares”
refers
to the Shares issued hereunder and includes all securities received (i) in
replacement of the Shares, (ii) as a result of stock dividends or stock
splits in respect of the Shares, and (iii) in replacement of the Shares in
a recapitalization, merger, reorganization or the like.
The
market price of the stock at close of market on the day preceding the Effective
Date will determine the fair market value per share (the “Market
Value”)
of
Common Stock issuable to Executive under this Agreement and Section 3.6 of
the
Employment Agreement, at the respective dates of issuance of the Executive
Shares (as those terms are defined below). As soon as practicable, but in any
event within thirty (30) days of the date of this Agreement and the Employment
Agreement, the Company shall issue and deliver to Executive the following equity
awards based upon the following vesting schedule:
(i)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common Stock shall
vest
immediately upon issuance;
(ii)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common Stock shall
vest
on the first anniversary of Effective Date;
(iii)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares shall vest on the second
anniversary of the Effective Date; and
(iv)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares shall vest on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date.
16
3. Delivery.
2.1 Deliveries
by Stockholder.
Stockholder
hereby delivers to the Company (i) this Agreement; and (ii) four (4)
copies of a blank Stock Power and Assignment of Uncertificated Securities in
the
form of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto (the “Stock
Powers”),
all
of which are executed by Stockholder (and Stockholder’s spouse or domestic
partner, if any).
2.2 Deliveries
by the Company.
Upon
its
receipt of all of the documents to be executed and delivered by Stockholder
to
the Company under Section 2.1, the Company will issue the Shares in the name
of
Stockholder on the books and records of the Company and send to Stockholder
any
notice required by the Delaware General Corporation Law for the issuance of
uncertificated shares. At such time as the Shares become Vested Shares (as
defined below), the Company shall issue certificates representing such
Shares.
3. Repurchase
and Vesting.
3.1 Repurchase
Right for Unvested Shares.
Unless
otherwise stated below, as of the Effective Date, all of the Shares are
“Unvested
Shares”
and
shall be restricted and based
on
the following vesting schedule (shares
that have vested are referred to herein as “Vested
Shares”):
(i) An
aggregate of five million (5,000,000) shares shall vest on the following
schedule (i) one million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common
Stock shall vest immediately upon issuance; (ii) one million two hundred fifty
thousand (1,250,000) shares of Common Stock shall vest on the first anniversary
of Effective Date; (iii) one million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000)
shares shall vest on the second anniversary of the Effective Date; and (iv)
one
million two hundred fifty thousand (1,250,000) shares shall vest on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date.
3.2 Adjustments.
The
number of Shares that are Vested Shares or Unvested Shares will be equitably
adjusted for any stock split, combination, stock dividend, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, or any other change in
corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of
consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date.
4. Accelerated
Vesting.
Stockholder’s
Unvested Shares shall immediately vest upon the occurrence of a
Change-of-Control.
17
5. Restricted
Securities.
Stockholder
acknowledges and understands that Stockholder may not transfer any Shares unless
such Shares are registered under the Securities Act and qualified under
applicable state securities laws or unless, in the opinion of counsel to the
Company, exemptions from such registration and qualification requirements are
available. Stockholder understands that only the Company may file a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
and
that the Company is obligated under the Employment Agreement to do
so.
6. Restrictions
on Transfers.
Stockholder agrees not to voluntarily transfer, assign, xxxxx x xxxx or security
interest in, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of
(collectively, a “Transfer”)
any of
the Unvested Shares.
7. Rights
as Stockholder; Proxy.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Stockholder will have all of
the
rights of a holder of Common Stock with respect to the Shares from and after
the
date that Stockholder delivers an executed copy of this Agreement until such
time as Stockholder Transfers the Shares or they are repurchased by the Company.
All Unvested Shares shall be subject to an irrevocable proxy in the form
attached as Exhibit
B
hereto
exercisable by the Board of Directors of the Company (with Stockholder
abstaining) until such time as the shares become Vested Shares.
8. Tax
Consequences.
STOCKHOLDER
UNDERSTANDS THAT STOCKHOLDER MAY SUFFER ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT
OF
STOCKHOLDER’S ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF THE SHARES. Stockholder hereby
acknowledges that Stockholder has been informed that, unless an election is
filed by the Stockholder with the Internal Revenue Service (and, if necessary,
the proper state taxing authorities) within
30 days
of the
acquisition of the Shares, electing pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code (and similar state tax provisions, if applicable) to be taxed
currently on the fair market value on the date of acquisition of the Shares,
there will be a recognition of taxable income to the Stockholder equal to the
fair market value of the Shares at the time they are considered transferable
or
no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture or repurchase for nominal
consideration. Stockholder
represents that he has consulted any tax adviser(s) that he deems advisable
in
connection with his acquisition of the Shares and the filing of the election
under Section 83(b) and similar tax provisions.
A
form of
Election under Section 83(b) is attached hereto as Exhibit
C
for
reference.
STOCKHOLDER HEREBY ASSUMES ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR FILING OR NOT FILING SUCH
ELECTION AND PAYING ANY TAXES RESULTING FROM FILING OR FAILING TO FILE SUCH
ELECTION.
9. Compliance
with Laws and Regulations.
The
issuance and transfer of the Shares will be subject to and conditioned upon
compliance by the Company and Stockholder with all applicable state and federal
laws and regulations and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange
or automated quotation system on which the Company’s securities may be listed or
quoted at the time of such issuance or transfer.
10. Successors
and Assigns.
The
Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement will be binding
upon Stockholder and Stockholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors
and assigns.
18
11. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction.
This
Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the plain meaning of its
terms
and under the laws of the State of California. Any controversy between the
Company and Stockholder arising out of or relating to any of the terms,
provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be submitted to arbitration
in
accordance with the American Arbitration Association’s National Arbitration
Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. On the written request of
either party for arbitration of such a claim pursuant to this paragraph, the
Company and Stockholder shall both be deemed to have waived the right to
litigate the claim in any federal or state court. To the extent that any claim
or controversy arising out of this Agreement cannot be submitted to arbitration
as set forth above, each party hereby agrees that any suit, action or proceeding
with respect to this Agreement, and any transactions relating hereto, may be
brought in the State of California, County of San
Francisco,
and
each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction
of such Court(s) for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding. Each
of
the parties hereby waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a
defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that
it
(he) is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named Court(s),
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that such suit, action
or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such
suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or any
replacements hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such Court(s).
The
Company shall pay any and all costs associated with arbitration or court
adjudication.
12. Notices.
Any
notice required to be given or delivered to the Company shall be in writing
and
addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its principal corporate
offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Stockholder hereunder
shall be in writing and addressed to Stockholder at the last address Stockholder
provided to the Company. All notices shall be deemed effectively given upon
personal delivery, three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail by
certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), one (1) business day
after its deposit with any return receipt express courier (prepaid), or on
the
business day that it is sent by fax to the fax number last provided by
Stockholder to the Company, but only if (A) the receiving fax device immediately
generates a message, printed by the sending fax device, that confirms receipt,
and (B) receipt of the fax is confirmed by a telephone call between sender
and
recipient.
13. Further
Instruments.
The
parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further
action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent
of
this Agreement.
14. Headings.
The
captions and headings of this Agreement are included for ease of reference
only
and will be disregarded in interpreting or construing this
Agreement. All
references herein to Sections will refer to Sections of this
Agreement.
15. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Employment Agreement and the other agreements specifically
referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties regarding
the
subject matter of this Agreement and such other agreements and supersede all
prior and contemporaneous negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral,
between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and
such other agreements.
19
-
SIGNATURE PAGE -
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its
duly authorized representative and Stockholder has executed this Agreement
as of
the Effective Date.
ECO2
PLASTICS, INC.
|
STOCKHOLDER | ||
By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
||
Its:
Director and CEO
|
20
LIST
OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A: Stock
Power and Assignment of Uncertificated Securities
Exhibit
B: Irrevocable
Proxy
Exhibit
C: Election
under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
21
EXHIBIT
A
Stock
Power and Assignment
of
Uncertificated Securities
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED and pursuant to that certain Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of
_____________, 2007 (the “Agreement”),
the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ECO2
PLASTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
_______________ uncertificated shares of the Common Stock of the Company,
standing in the undersigned’s name on the books of the Company delivered
herewith, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the Secretary
of
the Company as the undersigned’s attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, to transfer said stock on the books of the Company.
Dated: ______________________ | ||
STOCKHOLDER | ||
(Signature) |
||
(Please Print Name) |
||
(Spouse’s
or Domestic
Partner’s
Signature)
|
||
(Please
Print Spouse’s or
Domestic
Partner’s Name)
|
Instructions:
Please
do
not
fill in
any blanks other than the signature line. The purpose of this Stock Power and
Assignment of Uncertificated Securities is to enable the Company and/or its
assignee(s) to acquire the shares upon repurchase by the Company as set forth
in
the Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of Stockholder
or Stockholder’s Spouse or Domestic Partner.
22
EXHIBIT
B
Irrevocable
Proxy
THE
UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER, being the owner of _____________
shares
of
common stock (the “Stock”)
of
ECO2
PLASTICS, INC. (the “Company”)
does
hereby grant to _____________
an
irrevocable and unlimited proxy (the “Proxy”)
and
hereby appoints _____________
his
attorney-in-fact to vote the Stock in connection with any shareholder meeting
of
the Company.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this proxy this _____________
day of
_____________,
2007.
STOCKHOLDER | ||
(Signature) |
||
(Please Print Name) |
23
EXHIBIT
C
Section
83(b) Election
The
undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code, to include in gross income for the taxpayer’s current taxable year
of the fair market value of the property described below at the time of transfer
as compensation for services.
(1)
|
The
taxpayer who performed the services to ECO2
PLASTICS, INC. (the “Company”):
|
Name:
|
Address:
|
Social
Security No.:
|
(2)
|
The
property with respect to which the election is made is _____________
shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”)
of the “Company.
|
(3)
|
The
property was transferred on
__________________.
|
(4)
|
The
taxable year for which the election is made is the calendar year
_____.
|
(5)
|
The
Shares are subject to the following restrictions: the shares are
subject
to vesting based upon continued service as an employee of the Company.
The
restrictions described herein are set forth in the Restricted Stock
Agreement between the Company and taxpayer dated
________________.
|
(6)
|
The
fair market value of a Share at the time of transfer (determined
without
regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms
will
never lapse) was $____ per Share.
|
(7)
|
No
consideration was paid by the taxpayer for the
Shares.
|
(8) A
copy of
this statement was furnished to the Company for whom taxpayer rendered the
services underlying the transfer of such shares.
(9)
|
This
statement is executed on
___________________.
|
Taxpayer |
Spouse or Domestic Partner (if any) |
This
election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center with which
the
Stockholder files his or her federal income tax returns and must be filed within
30 days after the date of acquisition. This filing should be made by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested. The Stockholder must retain two
copies of the completed form for filing with his or her federal and state tax
returns for the current tax year and an additional copy for his or her
records.
24
Exhibit
B
WARRANT
THE
SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND THE TRANSFER
THEREOF IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATION
S
UNDER THE ACT, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS
IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT
Warrant
To Purchase _________ Shares of Common Stock
ECO2
PLASTICS, INC.
(f.k.a.,
Itec Environmental Group, Inc.)
Date
of
Issuance: _____________
No.
_____
THIS
CERTIFIES that, for value received, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, or his/her/its assigns
(in
either case, the “Holder”) is entitled to purchase, subject to the provisions of
this Warrant, from ECO2
Plastics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at the price per share
set forth in Section 8 hereof, that number of shares of the Company’s common
stock (the “Common Stock”) set forth in Section 7 hereof. This Warrant is
referred to herein as the “Warrant” and the shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the terms hereof are sometimes referred to herein as “Warrant
Shares.”
1. Holder
Exercise of Warrant.
This
Warrant shall only be exercisable in whole. To exercise this Warrant in whole,
the Holder shall deliver to the Company at its principal office, (a) a written
notice, in substantially the form of the exercise notice attached hereto as
Exhibit
A
(the
“Exercise Notice”), of the Holder’s election to exercise this Warrant, which
notice shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased and
(b) this Warrant. The Company shall as promptly as practicable, and in any
event
within twenty (20) days after delivery to the Company of (i) the Exercise
Notice, (ii) and this Warrant, execute and deliver or cause to be executed
and
delivered, in accordance with such notice, a certificate or certificates
representing the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock specified in such
notice, provided this Warrant has vested on or prior to the date such notice
is
delivered. Each certificate representing Warrant Shares shall bear the legend
or
legends required by applicable securities laws as well as such other legend(s)
the Company requires to be included on certificates for its Common Stock. The
Company shall pay all expenses and other charges payable in connection with
the
preparation, issuance and delivery of such stock certificates except that,
in
case such stock certificates shall be registered in a name or names other than
the name of the Holder, funds sufficient to pay all stock transfer taxes that
are payable upon the issuance of such stock certificate or certificates shall
be
paid by the Holder at the time of delivering the Exercise Notice. All shares
of
Common Stock issued upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be validly issued,
fully paid, and nonassessable.
The
Warrant shall expire on ___________ (the “Expiration Date”). The Investor may
exercise the warrant at any time prior to the Expiration Date. The Company
has
no restriction on the sale or transfer of the Warrant or Warrant Shares;
however, the Investor is required to comply with all state and U.S. laws and
regulations relating to security sales and transfers.
2. Reservation
of Shares.
The
Company hereby covenants that at all times during the term of this Warrant
there
shall be reserved for issuance such number of shares of its Common Stock as
shall be required to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant.
25
3. Fractional
Shares.
This
Warrant may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock,
and
no fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issuable
upon the exercise of this Warrant.
4. Transfer
of Warrant and Warrant Shares.
The
Holder may sell, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer this Warrant, in
whole, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in
this Warrant and then only if such sale, pledge, hypothecation, or transfer
is
made in compliance with the Act or pursuant to an available exemption from
registration under the Act relating to the disposition of
securities.
5. Loss
of Warrant.
Upon
receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, or
destruction of this Warrant, and of indemnification satisfactory to it, or
upon
surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, the Company will
execute and deliver a new warrant of like tenor.
6. Rights
of the Holder.
No
provision of this Warrant shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder
the
right to vote, consent, receive dividends or receive notice other than as
expressly provided herein. Prior to exercise, no provision hereof, in the
absence of affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant, and no
enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise
to
any liability of the holder for the purchase price of any warrant shares or
as a
stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company
or
by creditors of the Company.
7. Number
of Warrant Shares.
This
Warrant shall be exercisable for __________ shares of the Company’s Common
Stock, as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement.
8. Exercise
Price; Adjustment of Warrants.
a.
Determination
of Exercise Price.
The per
share purchase price (the “Exercise Price”) for each of the Warrant Shares
purchasable under this Warrant shall be equal to $_____.
b. Net
Issue Exercise.
In lieu
of exercising this Warrant, the Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to
the
value of this Warrant (or the portion thereof being canceled) by surrender
of
this Warrant at the principal office of the Company together with notice of
such
election, in which event the Company shall issue to the Holder a number of
Shares computed using the following formula:
X
= Y
(A-B)
-------
A
Where
X
=
the
number of the Shares to be issued to the Holder.
Y
=
the
number of the Shares purchasable under this Warrant.
A
=
the
fair market value of one Share on the date of determination.
B
=
the per
share Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation).
Fair
Market Value.
For
purposes of this section, the per share fair market value of the Shares shall
mean:
(i)
If
the
Company's Common Stock is publicly traded, the per share fair market value
of
the Shares shall be the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock as
quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or the principal exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed, or if not so listed then the fair market value shall
be
the average of the closing bid prices of the Common Stock as published in The
Wall Street Journal, in each case for the fifteen (15) trading days ending
five
(5) trading days prior to the date of determination of fair market
value;
26
(ii)
If
the
Company's Common Stock is not so publicly traded, the per share fair market
value of the Shares shall be such fair market value as is determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company after taking into consideration
factors it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and
offer prices of the capital stock of the Company in private transactions
negotiated at arm's length.
c. Adjustment
for Mergers or Reorganization, etc.
In case
of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation
or the conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
to
another corporation, this Warrant shall be exercisable into the number of shares
of stock or other securities or property to which a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company deliverable upon exercise of this Warrant
would have been entitled upon such consolidation, merger or conveyance; and,
in
any such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company) shall be made in the application of the provisions herein set
forth with respect to the rights and interest thereafter of the holder of this
Warrant, to the end that the provisions set forth herein shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonable may be, in relation to any shares of stock
or other property thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant.
d. NO
IMPAIRMENT.
THE
COMPANY WILL NOT, THROUGH ANY REORGANIZATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS, CONSOLIDATION,
MERGER, DISSOLUTION, ISSUE OR SALE OF SECURITIES OR ANY OTHER VOLUNTARY ACTION,
AVOID OR SEEK TO AVOID THE OBSERVANCE OR PERFORMANCE OF ANY OF THE TERMS TO
BE
OBSERVED OR PERFORMED HEREUNDER BY THE COMPANY, BUT WILL AT ALL TIMES IN GOOD
FAITH ASSIST IN THE CARRYING OUT OF ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND
IN
THE TAKING OF ALL SUCH ACTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE IN ORDER TO
PROTECT THE EXERCISE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDER OF THIS WARRANT AGAINST IMPAIRMENT.
e. Issue
Taxes.
The
Company shall pay issue taxes that may be payable in respect of any issue or
delivery of shares of Common Stock on exercise of this Warrant, in whole;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer
taxes resulting from any transfer requested by any holder in connection with
any
such exercise.
f. Reservation
of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion.
The
Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized
but
unissued shares of common stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the
exercise of this Warrant, such number of its shares of common stock as shall
from time to time be sufficient to effect the exercise of this Warrant; and
if
at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock shall
not be sufficient to effect the exercise of this Warrant, the Company will
take
all appropriate corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of common stock to
such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
g. Adjustment.
The
Exercise Price shall be adjusted downward in the event the Company issues common
stock (or securities exercisable for or convertible into or exchangeable for
common stock) at a price below the Exercise Price, to a price equal to such
issue price.
9. Certain
Distributions.
In case
the Company shall, at any time, prior to the Expiration Date, declare any
distribution of its assets to holders of its common stock as a partial
liquidation, distribution or by way of return of capital, other than as a
dividend payable out of earnings or any surplus legally available for dividends,
then the Holder shall be entitled, upon the proper exercise of this Warrant
in
whole prior to the effecting of such declaration, to receive, in addition to
the
shares of common stock issuable on such exercise, the amount of such assets
(or
at the option of the Company a sum equal to the value thereof at the time of
such distribution to holders of common stock as such value is determined by
the
Board of Directors of the Company in good faith), which would have been payable
to the Holder had it been a holder of record of such shares of common stock
on
the record date for the determination of those holders of Common Stock entitled
to such distribution.
27
10. Dissolution
or Liquidation.
In case
the Company shall, at any time prior to the Expiration Date, dissolve, liquidate
or wind up its affairs, the Holder shall be entitled, upon the proper exercise
of this Warrant in whole and prior to any distribution associated with such
dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, to receive on such exercise, in lieu
of
the shares of Common Stock to which the Holder would have been entitled, the
same kind and amount of assets as would have been distributed or paid to the
Holder upon any such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, with respect to
such shares of Common Stock had the Holder been a holder of record of such
share
of Common Stock on the record date for the determination of those holders of
Common Stock entitled to receive any such dissolution, liquidation, or winding
up distribution.
11. Reclassification
or Reorganization.
In case
of any reclassification, capital reorganization or other change of outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company (other than a change in par value, or
from
par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result
of
an issuance of common stock by way of dividend or other distribution or of
a
subdivision or combination), the Company shall cause effective provision to
be
made so that the Holder shall have the right thereafter by exercising this
Warrant, to purchase the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities
and PROPERTY RECEIVABLE UPON SUCH RECLASSIFICATION, CAPITAL REORGANIZATION
OR
OTHER CHANGE, BY A HOLDER OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WHICH MIGHT
HAVE BEEN PURCHASED UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO SUCH
RECLASSIFICATION OR CHANGE. ANY SUCH PROVISION SHALL INCLUDE PROVISION FOR
ADJUSTMENTS WHICH SHALL BE AS NEARLY EQUIVALENT AS MAY BE PRACTICABLE TO THE
ADJUSTMENTS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS WARRANT. THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS
SECTION 12 SHALL SIMILARLY APPLY TO SUCCESSIVE RECLASSIFICATIONS, CAPITAL
REORGANIZATIONS AND CHANGES OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. IN THE EVENT THAT IN
ANY
SUCH CAPITAL REORGANIZATION, RECLASSIFICATION, OR OTHER CHANGE, ADDITIONAL
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SHALL BE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE, CONVERSION, SUBSTITUTION
OR
PAYMENT, IN WHOLE, FOR OR OF A SECURITY OF THE COMPANY OTHER THAN COMMON STOCK,
ANY AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATION RECEIVED UPON THE ISSUE THEREOF BEING DETERMINED
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING ON THE
HOLDER.
12. Miscellaneous.
a. Successors
and Assigns.
The
terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon, the respective successors and assigns of the parties, except
to
the extent otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto
or
their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations
or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided
in this Agreement.
b. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of California without regard to the principles of conflict of laws
thereof.
c. Counterparts;
Delivery by Facsimile.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument. Delivery of this Agreement may be effected by facsimile.
d. Titles
and Subtitles.
The
titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and
are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
e. Notices.
Unless
otherwise provided, any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given
by
personal service upon the party to be notified by certified mail, return receipt
requested and: (i) if to the Company, addressed to ECO2
Plastics, Inc., 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other address as the Company may
designate by notice to each of the Investors in accordance with the provisions
of this Section; and (ii) if to the Warrant holder, at the address indicated
on
the signature page hereof, or at such other addresses as such Holder may
designate by notice to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this
Section.
f. Amendments
and Waivers.
Any
term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this
Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
prospectively or retroactively), only with the written consent of the Company
and a majority in interest of the Holders.
28
g. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Memorandum (including the appendices and schedules thereto)
by
and between the Company and the Holder, constitute the entire agreement among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and
supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions,
whether oral or written, of the parties hereto.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby sets is hand and seal this ___ day
of
___________, 2007.
ECO2
Plastics, Inc.
|
|||
By: | |||
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
|||
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
Investor Name: | |||
|
|||
Investor Address: | |||
|
29
EXHIBIT
A
NOTICE
OF
EXERCISE
(To
be
signed only upon exercise of the Warrant)
To:
ECO2
Plastics, Inc.
The
undersigned, hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the purchase rights
represented by the Warrant granted to the undersigned on ______________ and
to
purchase thereunder __________* shares of Common Stock of ECO2
Plastics, Inc. (the “Company”).
Dated: ________________ | ||
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant) |
||
(Please Print Name) |
||
(Address)
|
*
Insert
here the number of shares being exercised, without making any adjustment for
additional Common Stock of the Company, other securities or property which,
pursuant to the adjustment provisions of the Warrant, may be deliverable upon
exercise.
30