AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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Exhibit 10.10
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT amended and restated as of this 13th day of July, 2004 by and between the Seneca Gaming Corporation (the "Parent"), a governmental instrumentality of the Seneca Nation of Indians of New York (the "Nation") with its principal place of business in the State of New York and Xxxxxxx Mohawk Xxxxx ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive and the Seneca Niagara Falls Gaming Corporation ("SNFGC") entered into an employment agreement, effective as of June 30, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which Executive serves as the Chief Financial Officer of SNFGC;
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent and each of SNFGC, the Seneca Territory Gaming Corporation ("STGC"), and the Seneca Erie Gaming Corporation ("SEGC"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent and a governmental instrumentality of the Nation (collectively, the "Subsidiaries" and together with Parent, the "Employer");
WHEREAS, the Parent desires to assume the Employment Agreement and have Executive continue to serve as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent and each of SNFGC, STGC, and SEGC;
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Employment Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of Executive's continued relationship with the Employer (the "Amended and Restated Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Executive shall serve as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent and each of the Subsidiaries and the terms of the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement assume that Executive shall serve in such positions until the Termination Date (defined below).
IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
- 1.
- Employment. Employer hereby employs Executive as its Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Executive shall report and be
accountable to and work under the authority of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors of Parent (the "Board"). Executive shall perform such duties and have such
responsibilities that are customary for such position and including those that may be specified from time to time by the President and Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board that are not
inconsistent with such position.
- 2.
- Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of June 1, 2004 (the "Effective Date") and terminate on
September 30, 2007 (the "Termination Date"), unless renewed by a subsequent written agreement of the parties.
- 3.
- Compensation.
- (a)
- Executive shall be paid a minimum annual base salary ("Base Compensation") of Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000) for the period commencing on June 1, 2004 and ending with the Employer's fiscal year ending September 30, 2004; Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) for the Employer's fiscal year ending September 30, 2005; Two Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000) for the Employer's fiscal year ending September 30, 2006; and Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) for the Employer's fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 with respect to her service for all of the Employers, with a salary review by the Board each fiscal year thereafter at which time the Board shall determine whether, in its sole discretion, Executive's Base Compensation shall be increased. Said salary shall be payable periodically in accordance with the Employer's regular payroll practice.
- (b)
- Provided
Executive is then employed with the Employer, Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus as follows:
- (i)
- For
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus equal to fifty percent (50%) of Base Compensation if SNFGC's Earnings
Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, calculated in a manner consistent with SNFGC's practices ("EBITDA"), for such fiscal year is equal to or greater than One Hundred Fifteen
Million Dollars ($115,000,000);
- (ii)
- For
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus equal to One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) if the
Consolidated EBITDA of the Subsidiaries that operated and owned casinos in such fiscal year is equal to or greater than One Hundred Forty Million Dollars ($140,000,000). For purposes of
section 3(b) of this Agreement, "Consolidated EBITDA" shall have the meaning set forth in that certain Indenture, dated as of May 5, 2004, among the Parent, the Guarantors from time to
time parties thereto, and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as such may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;
- (iii)
- For
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus equal to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) if the
Consolidated EBITDA of the Subsidiaries that operated and owned casinos in such fiscal year is equal to or greater than One Hundred Forty Five Million Dollars ($145,000,000); and
- (iv)
- For
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus equal to One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000) if the
Consolidated EBITDA of the Subsidiaries that operated and owned casinos in such fiscal year is equal to or greater than One Hundred Forty Seven Million Dollars ($147,000,000).
- Each
of the annual performance bonuses described above shall be referred to as "Bonus Compensation" for such fiscal year.
- (c)
- Executive
shall also be eligible for a milestone bonus of (i) Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) if the Seneca Erie Casino is opened for business to the public on or prior
to September 30, 2006, and (ii) an additional Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) if the luxury spa hotel for the Seneca Niagara Casino is opened for business to the public on or
prior to September 30, 2006, and such bonuses, if any, shall be payable as soon as administratively feasible following the date the Seneca Erie Casino or the luxury spa hotel for the Seneca
Niagara Casino, as applicable, are opened for business, provided Executive is then employed with the Employer. Each of such milestone bonuses shall be referred to as "Milestone Bonus Compensation."
- (d)
- As
soon as administratively feasible following the Effective Date, Executive shall receive a lump sum payment of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) ("Signing Bonus Compensation").
- (e)
- Executive shall also be eligible to receive any additional performance or incentive compensation which is approved by the Board in its sole discretion. Said additional performance or incentive compensation, if any, shall be in addition to and shall not lessen or reduce the Base Compensation, Bonus Compensation, Milestone Bonus Compensation, and/or Signing Bonus Compensation, if any, as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) above. In exercising its discretion, the Board shall specifically consider the extent to which the goals of the Employer are being met and the extent to which Executive has contributed to same.
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- (f)
- Executive
shall be provided with coverage under the Employer's employee benefit insurance programs and retirement programs, if any, at least equal to the coverage provided to other
senior executive officers of the Employer.
- (g)
- Any
compensation, if any, due under paragraphs 3(b) or 3(e) of this Agreement shall be payable within ninety (90) days after the close of the fiscal year with respect to which
it is earned.
- 4.
- Licensing Issues. Executive represents to the Employer that she has received such licenses as may be required pursuant to
the Nation-State Gaming Compact between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the State of New York (the "Compact") and/or the Nation's or the Employer's gaming ordinances as in effect on the date hereof,
as may be necessary to enable her to engage in her employment hereunder. Executive will maintain such licenses in good standing as a pre-condition of her employment by the Employer.
- 5.
- Termination.
- (a)
- Executive's
employment hereunder may be terminated by the Parent only under the following circumstances and such termination by the Parent shall be a termination with respect to each
Employer, unless otherwise determined by the Board:
- (i)
- upon
revocation or disapproval of the license required pursuant to the Compact, or upon disapproval by the National Indian Gaming Commission of the issuance of any license by the
Nation pursuant to its own gaming ordinances, if either such action renders it unlawful for Executive to perform as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of each Employer, or if any event renders it
unlawful for the Nation and/or the Employer to continue to conduct casino gaming on Nation Territory. For purposes of this Agreement, "Nation Territory" shall include current or future Nation
reservation territory where the Employer conducts or will conduct its gaming operations as of the date Executive's employment is terminated.
- (ii)
- upon
revocation or disapproval of such licenses for Executive as are required pursuant to the Compact and/or by the Nation's or the Employer's gaming ordinances;
- (iii)
- Executive
shall commit an act constituting "Cause," which is defined to mean an act of dishonesty by Executive intended to result in gain or personal enrichment of Executive or
others at the Employer's expense, or the deliberate and intentional refusal by Executive (except by reason of disability) to perform her duties hereunder, or by acts constituting gross negligence in
the performance of such duties;
- (iv)
- Executive
shall die or the Employer shall for any reason within the Employer's or the Nation's control permanently cease to conduct casino gaming on Nation Territory; or
- (v)
- Executive
shall become unable to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement for a period of 180 days in any 365 day period by reason of
long-term physical or mental disability.
- (b)
- If
Executive's employment should be terminated under paragraphs 5(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, then the Employer shall at that time pay Executive the Base Compensation
earned through the date Executive is terminated, whereupon the Employer shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise.
- (c)
- If Executive's employment should be terminated under paragraph 5(a)(iv) or (v) above, then the Employer shall at that time pay Executive (or her estate) her Base Compensation earned through the date Executive is terminated, and shall pay Executive the pro rata portion, based on the portion of the fiscal year preceding such termination, of the Bonus Compensation for
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- (d)
- If
Executive's employment should be terminated by the Parent for any reason other than those specified in paragraph 5(a) above (it being understood that a purported termination
for Cause which is contested by Executive and finally determined not to have been proper shall be treated as a termination under this paragraph 5(d)), then the Employer shall: (i) pay
Executive her Base Compensation earned, but unpaid, through the date Executive is terminated, (ii) pay Executive a Pro-Rata Bonus for the year of termination, (iii) continue
to pay Executive her Base Compensation in effect as of the date of termination for a period following her termination (the "Severance Period") equal to the lesser of (A) eighteen
(18) months or (B) the remainder of the period ending on the Termination Date, and (iv) to the extent elected by Executive, pay for the cost of (A) Executive's premiums for
continuation healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("COBRA"), and (B) the premiums for Exec-u-Care®
or any similar executive medical reimbursement insurance plan maintained by the Employer on the date Executive's employment is terminated, for the lesser of (1) the Severance Period,
(2) until Executive is no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, or (3) until Executive obtains comparable healthcare benefits from any other employer during the Severance
Period, whereupon the Employer shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that
Executive shall have a duty to mitigate damages as follows: during the Severance Period, Executive shall endeavor to mitigate damages by
seeking employment with duties and salary comparable to those provided for herein, and if she shall obtain such employment, she shall reimburse the Employer the amount of the compensation she has
received from such other entity for such period, but not to exceed the amount of the compensation the Employer shall have paid her for such period.
- (e)
- Executive
may terminate her employment for any reason upon one-hundred-twenty (120) days written notice to the Parent. If Executive terminates her employment
pursuant to this paragraph 5(e), the Employer shall pay Executive the Base Compensation earned through the date of termination, whereupon the Employer shall have no further liability or
obligation to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise.
- (f)
- Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the payments set forth in this section 5 constitute liquidated damages for termination of her employment during the employment period and
such liquidated damages shall be her only remedy with respect to any claim, including, without limitation, breach of contact, she may have under this Agreement and that prior to receiving any such
payments under section 5 and as a material condition thereof, Executive shall sign and agree to be bound by a general release of claims against the Employer related to Executive's employment
(and termination of employment) with the Employer in substantially the form as attached hereto as Exhibit A as may be modified by the Employer in good faith to reflect changes in law or its
employment practices. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive acknowledges and agrees that other than any claim for the liquidated damages contemplated
hereunder, she waives any rights to be awarded any other damages with respect to any claim she may have under this Agreement, including, without limitation, compensatory or punitive damages.
the fiscal year during which such termination takes place assuming that Executive would have earned 100% of the Bonus Compensation for such year (the "Pro-Rata Bonus"); whereupon the Employer shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise.
- 6.
- Restrictive Covenants.
- (a)
- Executive acknowledges that: (i) as a result of Executive's employment with the Employer, she will obtain secret, proprietary and confidential information concerning the business of the
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- (b)
- Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the unauthorized disclosure or misuse of Confidential Information will cause substantial damage to the Employer. Therefore, Executive agrees not
to, at any time, either during the term of the Agreement or thereafter, divulge, use, publish or in any other manner reveal, directly or indirectly, to any person, firm or corporation any Confidential
Information obtained or learned by Executive during the course of her employment with the Employer, with regard to the operational, financial, business or other affairs and activities of the Employer,
their officers, directors or employees and the entities with which they have business relationships, except (i) as may be necessary to the performance of Executive's duties with the Employer,
(ii) with the Parent's express written consent, (iii) to the extent that any such information is in the public domain other than as a result of Executive's breach of any of obligations
hereunder, or (iv) where required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or other government process which is consistent with the terms and conditions of paragraphs 15(f) and 15(g) of the
Compact and, in such event, Executive shall cooperate with the Employer in attempting to keep such information confidential.
- (c)
- During
Executive's employment with the Employer and for eighteen (18) months after her termination of employment for any reason (the "Restricted Period"), Executive, without
the prior written permission of the Parent, shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) enter into the employ of or render any services to any person, engaged in a Competitive Business; or
(ii) become associated with or interested in any Competitive Business as an individual, partner, shareholder, member, creditor, director, officer, principal, agent, employee, trustee,
consultant, advisor or in any other relationship or capacity. This paragraph 6(c) shall not prevent Executive from owning common stock in a publicly traded corporation which owns or manages a
casino provided Executive does not take an active role in the ownership or management of such corporation and her ownership interest represents less than 3% of the voting securities and/or economic
value of such corporation.
- (d)
- By executing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that she understands that the Employer's ability to operate its business depends upon its ability to attract and retain skilled people and that the Employer has and will continue to invest substantial resources in training
Employer, including, without limitation, business and marketing plans, strategies, employee lists, patron lists, operating procedures, business relationships (including persons, corporations or other entities performing services on behalf of or otherwise engaged in business transactions with the Employer), accounts, financial data, know-how, computer software and related documentation, trade secrets, processes, policies and/or personnel, and other information relating to the Employer ("Confidential Information"); (ii) the Confidential Information has been developed and created by the Employer at substantial expense and the Confidential Information constitutes valuable proprietary assets and the Employer will suffer substantial damage and irreparable harm which will be difficult to compute if, during the term of the Agreement and thereafter, Executive should enter a Competitive Business (as defined herein) in violation of the provisions of this Agreement; (iii) the Employer will suffer substantial damage which will be difficult to compute if, during the term of the Agreement or thereafter, Executive should solicit or interfere with the Employer's employees, patrons or vendors or should divulge Confidential Information relating to the business of the Employer; (iv) the provisions of this section 6 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the business of the Employer; (v) the Employer would not have hired or employed Executive unless she signed this Agreement; and (vi) the provisions of this Agreement will not preclude Executive from other gainful employment. "Competitive Business" shall mean any gaming establishment which provides to its patrons games of chance such as slot machines, card games, roulette, and similar games in the State of New York or within the 100 mile radius of Nation Territory.
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- (e)
- By
executing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that she understands that the Employer's ability to operate its business depends upon its ability to attract and retain vendors and
patrons. Therefore, during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, contact, interfere with, or endeavor to entice away from the Employer any of its current or
potential vendors or patrons or any such persons or entities that were vendors or patrons of the Employer within the one year period immediately prior to Executive's termination of employment.
- (f)
- Executive
acknowledges and agrees during her employment and for all time thereafter that she will not defame or publicly criticize the services, business, integrity, veracity or
personal or professional reputation of the Employer and its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, or agents thereof in either a professional or personal manner. Employer acknowledges and agrees
that during Executive's employment and for all time thereafter, Employer will not defame or publicly criticize Executive either in a professional or personal manner, except as may be necessary to
defend the Employer from comments made by or on behalf of Executive.
- (g)
- If
Executive commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this paragraph 6 of the Agreement, the Employer shall have the right and remedy to
have the provisions specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the Employer are of a special,
unique and extraordinary character and that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Employer and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the
Employer. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Employer at law or in equity. Accordingly, Executive consents to the
issuance of an injunction, whether preliminary or permanent, consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
- (h)
- If,
at any time, the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area,
duration or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended to only such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be
reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter and Executive and the Employer agree that this Agreement as so amended shall be valid and binding as though
any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.
such individuals. Therefore, during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, without the prior written permission of the Parent, directly or indirectly solicit, employ or retain, or have or cause any other person or entity to solicit, employ or retain, any person who is employed or is providing personal services to the Employer.
- 7.
- Miscellaneous.
- (a)
- Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement unless earlier terminated, she will commit her full time and energies to the duties imposed hereby; provided, that, with the prior written approval of the Board, Executive may expend as much of her personal time on her own ventures or investments, so long as: (i) such time is not substantial and does not interfere with her ability to perform her duties as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Employer; (ii) such activities do not compete or conflict with the business of the Employer or create a personal conflict of interest to Executive and (iii) such venture or investment does not transact any business with the Employer without prior disclosure to, and approval by, the Board.
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- (b)
- Executive
represents to the Employer that there are no restrictions or agreements to which she is a party which would be violated by her execution of this Agreement and her employment
hereunder.
- (c)
- No
provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer
of the Parent, and such waiver is set forth in writing and signed by the party to be charged. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or
provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements
or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. The respective
rights and obligations of the parties hereunder of this Agreement shall survive Executive's termination of employment and the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended
preservation of such rights and obligations.
- (d)
- The
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
- (e)
- Except
as provided in paragraph 6(g) of this Agreement, any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration
in Irving, New York in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in the United States District Court
for the Western District of New York. The parties agree that the only remedies available to Executive under this Agreement are those that are set forth in paragraph 5 and the arbitrator shall
have no authority to award any other damages, including, without limitation, punitive and/or compensatory damages.
- (f)
- For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
- (g)
- The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
If to Executive:
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
If to the Parent:
000
0xx Xxxxxx
X.X. Xxx 00
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx (Seneca Nation Territory) 14303
Attn: President and Chief Executive Officer of Seneca Gaming Corporation
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
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- (h)
- This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
- (i)
- Except
as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior
agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of such
subject matter. Except as otherwise provided herein, any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.
- (j)
- All
payments hereunder shall be subject to any required withholding of Federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
- (k)
- The
section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.
- 8.
- Waiver of Sovereign Immunity.
- (a)
- The
Parent grants a waiver of its sovereign immunity from suit exclusively to Executive (and her estate in the event of her death) for the purpose of enforcing this Agreement, or
permitting or compelling arbitration and other remedies as provided herein. This waiver is solely for the benefit of the aforesaid parties and for no other person or entity. For this limited purpose,
the Parent consents to be sued solely with respect to the enforcement of any decision by an arbitrator relating to this Agreement as provided in paragraph 7(e) of this Agreement in the United
States District Court for the Western District of New York.
- (b)
- The
Parent hereby waives any requirement of exhaustion of tribal remedies, and agrees that it will not present any affirmative defense in any dispute based on any alleged failure to
exhaust such remedies. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parent expressly authorizes any governmental authorities who have the right and duty under applicable law to
take any action authorized or ordered by any court, to take such action, including, without limitation, repossessing any property and equipment subject to a security interest or otherwise giving
effect to any judgment entered; provided, however, that the Parent does not hereby waive the defense of
sovereign immunity with respect to any action by third parties.
- (c)
- The
Parent's waiver of immunity from suit is irrevocable and specifically limited to the remedies provided in paragraph 5 of this Agreement regarding liquidated damages. Any
monetary award related to any such action shall be satisfied solely from the net income of the Parent.
- (d)
- Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this waiver is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Parent's ability to enter into this Agreement, including, without limitation, this paragraph 8, as provided in the Charter of the Parent, as it may be amended from time to time. Accordingly, the Nation shall not be liable for the debts or obligations of the Parent, and the Parent shall have no power to pledge or encumber the assets of the Nation. Furthermore, this paragraph 8 does not constitute a waiver of any immunity of the Nation or a delegation to the Parent of the power to make any such waiver. This paragraph 8 shall be strictly construed with a view toward protecting the Nation's assets from the reach of creditors and others.
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EXECUTED, as of the date first written above.
SENECA GAMING CORPORATION
By | /s/ G. XXXXXXX XXXXX Name: G. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
EXECUTIVE |
||
By |
/s/ XXXXXXX MOHAWK XXXXX Xxxxxxx Mohawk Xxxxx |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT