CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
EXECUTION
COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
THIS
CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (this
“Separation Agreement”), made this 6th day of September 2005, by and between
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Executive”), and Xxxxx Communications, Inc., a New Jersey
corporation (the “Company”).
WHEREAS,
Executive has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company;
WHEREAS,
Executive has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company
and is one of two directors of the Company, and is a principal shareholder
of
the Company;
WHEREAS,
the
Company has requested that Executive resign from his employment with the
Company
and from the Company’s Board of Directors, and Executive intends to resign from
his employment with and all positions at the Company;
WHEREAS,
Executive and the Company (collectively, the “Parties”) seek to dispose fully
and finally of certain issues which now exist between the Parties through
the
date of execution of this Separation Agreement;
WHEREAS,
further
delay in resolving such issues is likely to substantially impair necessary
decision-making by the Company’s Board of Directors, as well as substantially
inhibit future private financing required by the Company for its minimum
working
capital requirements; and
WHEREAS,
the
resolution by this Separation Agreement between the Parties of such issues
on
terms negotiated between the Parties at arm’s length is therefore in the best
interests of the Company’s shareholders.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the above recitals and in further consideration of the mutual
promises and covenants set forth below, the Parties hereto, intending to
be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Effective
Time of Resignation and Acknowledgement of Replacement President and
CEO.
Executive agrees to resign from his employment with the Company concurrent
with
the Parties’ execution of this Separation Agreement (such date, “the
Effectiveness Date”). Executive acknowledges that, upon his resignation,
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx shall replace him as President and Chief Executive Officer
of
the Company. The Parties agree that the notice of termination dated June
24,
2005 issued on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company to Executive
is
hereby rescinded and shall be null and void.
2. Final
Salary Payment.
For the
month of June 2005, the Company shall be obligated to pay Executive his regular
salary of $12,500 per month (the “Final Salary Payment”) within 30 days of the
Effectiveness Date. Executive shall have no other entitlement to any salary
from
the Company for services performed for any period before or following June
2005.
3. Resignation
from Board.
The
Executive hereby resigns as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) and all committees of the Board, effective as of the Effectiveness
Date. Executive agrees that he will not challenge or otherwise object to
the
appointment of Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx as (i) President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, and (ii) as a member of the Board, and this Separation Agreement
may be included in the minutes of the Company as evidence of Executive’s
agreement to that effect. Notwithstanding such resignation, the Company agrees
that should it fail to make the Final Salary Payment or the First Reimbursement
Payment when due, then, in addition to Executive’s other rights for breach of
such payment obligations, Executive shall be automatically re-appointed as
Chairman of the Board, and the provisions of Paragraph 6 shall be of null
and
void.
4. Certain
Expense Reimbursements.
(a) The
Company shall reimburse Executive for the first $23,500 (“First Reimbursement
Payment”) of his reasonably documented legal fees or unreimbursed travel and
entertainment expenses incurred by him in connection with his past employment
with the Company or SCL Ventures, Ltd. (“SCL”) within 10 days of the
Effectiveness Date. Executive agrees to provide the Company’s external
accountant, Xxxxxxx Xxxx of Capital Performance, within seven (7) days of
the
Effectiveness Date, with copies of all receipts, credit card statements,
expense
reports or other documentation reasonably supporting the Maximum Reimbursement
Amount (as defined below) (the “Documentation”).
(b) Upon
receipt of the Documentation and the Company obtaining after August 1, 2005
$500,000 in net proceeds of equity or debt financing, the Company shall promptly
reimburse Executive for an additional $50,000 of his reasonably-documented
travel and entertainment expenses incurred by him in connection with his
employment with the Company or SCL.
(c) Thereafter,
upon the Company obtaining after August 1, 2005 each additional $500,000
in net
proceeds of equity or debt financing, the Company shall promptly reimburse
Executive for an additional $50,000 of his reasonably-documented travel and
entertainment expenses incurred by him in connection with his employment
with
the Company or SCL; provided,
however,
that
the aggregate amounts reimbursed by the Company to the Executive pursuant
to
this Paragraph 4 shall not exceed $233,534 (the “Maximum Reimbursement Amount”),
notwithstanding any documentation provided by Executive.
(d) Any
unpaid portion of the Maximum Reimbursement Amount shall be due and payable
no
later than August 31, 2007.
(e) As
an
additional inducement to the Company to make the commitments set forth in
this
Section 4, Executive
(i) represents
and warrants that the Maximum Reimbursement Amount represents reimbursement
of
reasonable and necessary business expenses actually incurred by the Executive
in
the course of performing his duties as in 2003 as Chief Executive Officer
of SCL
Ventures, Ltd. (“SCL”), that he has not previously received any amount in
reimbursement of such expenses, and that, to the best of his knowledge
and
belief as the Chief Executive Officer of SCL and of the Company during
the
relevant time periods, such unreimbursed expenses are included in liabilities
of
the Company on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2004 and quarterly periods ended March 31, 2005, filed as
part of
the Company’s periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) (which periodic reports the Executive acknowledges were signed by the
Executive as Chief Executive Officer, and accompanied by Executive’s signed
certifications required by applicable SEC regulations); and
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(ii) hereby
indemnifies and agrees to hold the Company and each of the Executive Released
Persons (as defined below) harmless from any loss, liability or expense
they may
incur or become subject to by reason of the breach or inaccuracy in any
material
respect of the Executive’s representation and warranty set forth
above.
(f) The
rights of the Executive to receive all or any portion of the Maximum
Reimbursement Amount shall be subordinated to claims of creditors of the
Company, including claims of the holders of the Company’s 10% Senior Secured
Bridge Notes due 2006 (but such subordination shall not limit Executive’s right
to receive payments pursuant to this Paragraph 4 from proceeds of financing
unless such Notes are then in default).
5. No
Other Monies or Benefits Due or Payable/Full
Satisfaction.
Executive agrees that the Final Salary Payment and Maximum Reimbursement
Amount
are being paid in full satisfaction of all obligations to Executive. No
compensation or benefits except for those expressly set forth in
this Separation
Agreement are owed to nor will be provided to Executive by the Company,
including without limitation, under any plan, policy, program, practice or
agreement with the Company, including without limitation, severance pay,
salary
continuation, incentive or bonus pay, profit sharing, commissions, notice
pay,
vacation pay, attorneys’ fees or costs. Without in any way limiting the
foregoing, Executive acknowledges that Company has fully satisfied all of
its
obligations under the terms of the Employment Agreement between Executive
and
the Company dated as of April 1, 2004, that such Employment Agreement has
terminated, and that no successor employment agreement was entered into and
delivered between the Executive and the Company.
6. Company
Right to Redeem Executive Shares; Other Rights and
Limitations.
As
further consideration for the benefits provided to the Executive by this
Separation Agreement, the Executive hereby grants to the Company the following
rights with respect to all shares of common stock of the Company (“Common
Stock”) held of record or beneficially by the Executive, by the Executive’s
family relatives, or by the investment accounts listed on Schedule A
(collectively, the “Executive’s Share Accounts”):
(a) If
the
Executive shall have received the Maximum Reimbursement Amount in full on
or
before August 31, 2006, then the Company or its designees may (but are not
required to) thereafter, at any time or from time to time, prior to February
28,
2008, redeem or otherwise purchase up to (1) not more than 5,000,000 shares
(the
“First Redeemable Shares”) of the Company’s Common Stock from the Executive’s
Share Accounts, at a gross cash purchase price of $0.25 per share (appropriately
adjusted for share dividends, share splits or reverse splits, and
recapitalizations), and (2) up to not more than 3,000,000 shares (the “Second
Redeemable Shares” and collectively, with the First Redeemable Shares, the
“Redeemable Shares”) of the Company’s Common Stock from the Executive’s Share
Accounts, at a gross cash purchase price of $0.375 per share (appropriately
adjusted for share dividends, share splits or reverse splits, and
recapitalizations), in one or more transactions (provided no single share
repurchase transaction shall be for less than 500,000 shares).
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(b) If
the
Company or its designee issues a written redemption or share purchase request
for Redeemable Shares, the Executive shall within five calendar days deliver
certificates representing the Redeemable Shares to be purchased, accompanied
by
stock powers signed in blank, and free and clear of all liens, claims or
encumbrances, to the Company or the Company’s designee, against a bank check or
wire transfer of the cash purchase price for the Redeemable Shares to be
purchased. In lieu of delivery of the foregoing transfer documentation, the
Company and Executive agree that the Company may elect to cancel the Redeemable
Shares on its stock transfer records by Company notice to its transfer agent,
without receipt of the share certificates or stock power from the Executive,
provided it has tendered to the Executive, by bank check delivered by certified
mail, return receipt requested or overnight courier to the Executive’s
then-current home address, or by wire transfer to the bank account specified
on
Schedule A. the cash purchase price for the Redeemable Shares to be purchased.
(c) The
Executive shall select the Executive Share Accounts from which the Redeemable
Shares to be purchased shall be delivered.
(d) All
certificates representing shares of Common Stock held in the Executive’s Share
Accounts shall bear a restrictive legend as follows:
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION
BY THE
COMPANY OR ITS DESIGNEES AND CERTAIN OTHER RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE UTIL FEBRUARY
28, 2008 PURSUANT TO AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 31, 2005 BETWEEN THE HOLDER
OF
THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE COMPANY.
(e) The
Company may issue one or more stop transfer instructions to the Company’s
transfer agent with respect to any shares of Common Stock held in the name
of
the Share Accounts for purposes of ensuring future performance of this Paragraph
6 of this Separation Agreement.
(f) Until
February 28, 2008, the Executive will give the Company and the Company’s outside
securities counsel not less than 30 calendar days prior written notice of
any
proposed transfer, assignment or pledge by him of any shares of Common Stock
held in the Executive’s Share Accounts, identifying the proposed transferee and
the transfer price. In addition to the redemption rights provided above,
the
Company shall have a right of first refusal with respect to any such proposed
transfer, sale or pledge of shares (excluding estate planning or family gift
transfers) on the terms described in such notice, provided the Company (i)
gives
notice within 15 calendar days of receipt of notice of the proposed transfer
of
its intention to exercise such right of first refusal, and (ii) tenders payment
of the transfer price within 15 calendar days of giving such
notice.
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(g) The
Executive further agrees that until February 28, 2008 he shall not sell,
or
permit any Executive Share Account or all Executive Share Accounts in the
aggregate, to sell, in any 90-day period, a number of shares of Common Stock
exceeding 0.10% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
(h) The
foregoing restrictions are in addition to any restrictions imposed by applicable
law or regulation or the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 25,
2004
by and among the Company, the Executive and the other shareholders signatory
thereto.
7. Nondisparagement.
Executive and the Company agree that they will not take action to harm the
name
or reputation of the other Party and shall make no false or disparaging
statements orally or in writing concerning the other Party.
8. Ongoing
Obligations of Confidentiality, Non-Competition and
Non-Solicitation.
For 24
months after the Effective Date, Executive shall not:
(a) engage,
in VSAT-related activities in or in connection with the Peoples Republic
of
China, directly or indirectly, alone, in association with or as a shareholder,
principal, agent, partner, officer, director, employee or consultant of any
other organization;
(b) divert
to
any competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, any
customer of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries;
(c) solicit
or encourage any officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of
its
affiliates or subsidiaries to leave the employ of the Company or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries for employment by or with any competitor of the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries;
provided,
however,
that
the Executive may invest in stocks, bonds or other securities of any competitor
of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries if:
(i) such
stocks, bonds, or other securities are listed on any national or regional
securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(ii) his
investment does not exceed, in the case of any class of the capital stock
of any
one issuer, one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding shares, or, in
the
case of other securities, one percent (1%) of the aggregate principal amount
thereof issued and outstanding; and
(iii) such
investment would not prevent, directly or indirectly, the transaction of
business by the Company and/or of its affiliates or subsidiaries with any
state,
district, territory or possession of the United States or any governmental
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof by virtue of any statute,
law,
regulation or administrative practice.
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If,
at
any time, the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable by reason of being vague or
unreasonable as to area, duration or scope of activity, said paragraph shall
be
considered severable and shall become and shall be immediately amended solely
with respect to 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 the Executive hereby agrees that said paragraph as so
amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable
provision had not been included herein. Except as provided in the immediately
preceding paragraph, nothing in this Separation Agreement shall prevent or
restrict the Executive from engaging in any business or industry in any
capacity.
The
Executive shall keep secret and confidential and shall not disclose to any
third
party in any fashion or for any purpose whatsoever, any information regarding
this Separation Agreement, or any other information regarding the Company
or its
affiliates or subsidiaries which is not available to the general public,
and/or
not generally known outside the Company or any such affiliate or subsidiary,
to
which he has or shall have had access at any time during the course of his
employment with the Company, including, without limitation, any information
relating to the Company's (and its affiliates' or subsidiaries'):
(A) business,
operations, plans, strategies, prospects or objectives;
(B) products,
technologies, processes, specifications, research and development operations
and
plans;
(C) customers
and customer lists;
(D) distribution,
sales, service, support and marketing practices and operations;
(E) financial
condition and results of operations;
(F) operational
strengths and weaknesses; and
(G) personnel
and compensation policies and procedures.
Without
intending to limit the remedies available to the Company or its affiliates
or
subsidiaries, the Executive hereby agrees that damages at law would be an
insufficient remedy to the Company or its affiliates or subsidiaries in the
event that the Executive violates or fails to perform any of the provisions
of
Paragraph 6, or violates any of the provisions of this Paragraph
10, and that, in addition to money damages, the Company or its affiliates
or
subsidiaries may apply for and, upon the requisite showing, have injunctive
relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain the breach or
threatened breach of or otherwise to specifically enforce the covenants
contained in Paragraph 6 or this Paragraph
10, as the case may be.
Executive
expressly agrees that he will abide by the restrictive covenants set forth
in
this Paragraph 8, and acknowledges that, absent such agreement, the Company
would not have agreed to pay him the amounts provided under this Separation
Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the restrictive covenants set
forth
in this Paragraph 8, he shall forfeit his entitlement to the Final Salary
Payment and Maximum Reimbursement Amount or, if already paid, shall be required
to reimburse the Company for the full amounts paid.
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9. Confidentiality;
Press Release.
Executive agrees and covenants that the contents of this Separation Agreement
shall remain confidential and shall not be discussed with or divulged to
any
entity or entities, person or persons, including but not limited to employees
or
former employees of the Company, provided,
however,
that
Executive may disclose the content of this Separation Agreement: (a) to members
of his immediate family (provided such individuals agree not to divulge it);
(b)
to legal, financial and personal advisors; and (c) to the extent required
by law
or otherwise disclosed by the Company in public filings with the SEC. The
Parties agree to cooperate in issuing a mutually acceptable press release
announcing the Executive’s separation from the Company.
10. Cooperation.
Executive agrees:
(a) To
make
himself available without the requirement of being subpoenaed to confer with
counsel at reasonable times and locations and upon reasonable notice concerning
any knowledge he had or may have with respect to actual and/or potential
disputes arising out of any events that occurred in whole or in part during
his
period of employment by the Company. The Company shall reimburse Executive
for
any reasonable and necessary expenses he incurs in fulfilling this obligation.
Company agrees that it will work in good faith to accommodate Executive’s
schedule.
(b) To
submit
to depositions and/or testimony and/or participate in investigations by any
government agency in accordance with the laws of the forum involved concerning
any knowledge he has or may have with respect to actual and/or potential
disputes or issues arising out of any events that occurred in whole or in
part
during his period of employment by the Company. The Company shall reimburse
Executive for any reasonable and necessary expenses he incurs in fulfilling
this
obligation.
(c) To
make
himself reasonably available for the twelve (12) month period following the
Separation Date to respond to inquiries by the Company, its management
employees, agents, attorneys, representatives and advisors concerning matters
associated with his employment at the Company, including without limitation
assisting the Company in responding to SEC staff comments on past Company
filings. The Company acknowledges that Xx. Xxxxxxxx has cooperated through
the
Effectiveness Date in preparing such response to the best of his ability
and
resources. In addition, Executive shall be reasonably available to attend
meetings and to travel to China, at the Company’s expense, on no more than two
trips, said trips to be no more frequent than once every three (3) months,
and
for no longer than 7 consecutive business days, on reasonable prior request
by
the Company. The Company shall reimburse Executive for any reasonable and
necessary expenses he incurs in fulfilling this obligation, including a $1,000
per diem consulting fee for travel to China.
11. Release
by Executive in Favor of Company.
Executive knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges, to the
full
extent permitted by law, the Company, SCL, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions,
predecessors, successors and assigns and the current and former employees,
officers, directors and agents thereof (collectively referred to throughout
the
remainder of this Separation Agreement as “Executive Released Parties”), of and
from any and all claims, known and unknown, asserted and unasserted, Executive
has or may have against the Company or the other Executive Released Parties
as
of the date of execution of this Separation Agreement, other than claims
arising
out of the Executive Released Parties’ (i) knowing fraud, (ii) deliberate
dishonesty, (iii) willful misconduct, or (iv) or (v) gross negligence. The
foregoing release includes, but is not limited to, any alleged violation
of:
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· |
Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Civil Rights Act of 1991;
|
· |
Sections
1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Executive Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Immigration Reform and Control Act, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Occupational Safety and Health Act, as
amended;
|
· |
The
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
|
· |
Any
other federal, state or local civil or human rights law or any
other
local, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance;
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· |
United
States, Florida and Georgia Constitutions;
|
· |
Any
public policy, contract, tort, or common law;
or
|
· |
Any
claim for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees
incurred in these matters.
|
Excluded
from this release is any right or claim that cannot be waived by law, including
but not limited to the right to file a charge with or participate in an
investigation conducted by government agencies. Executive is, however, waiving
any right to monetary recovery should any agency pursue any claims on his
behalf.
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The
foregoing release by Executive shall be null and void if any legal action
by the
Company, Xxxxx Xxxxxx or Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx is brought against the Executive
for any
act or omission to act of Executive occurring prior to the Effectiveness
Date.
12. Release
by Company in favor of Executive.
(a) The
Company knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges, to the
full
extent permitted by law, the Executive, his heirs, successors and assigns
(collectively referred to throughout the remainder of this Separation Agreement
as “Company Released Parties”), of and from any and all claims, known and
unknown, asserted and unasserted, the Company has or may have against the
Executive or the other Company Released Parties as of the date of execution
of
this Separation Agreement, other than claims arising out of the Executive’s (i)
knowing fraud, (ii) deliberate dishonesty, (iii) willful misconduct, (iv)
breach
of his fiduciary duties of loyalty in his capacity as chief executive officer
or
as a director of the Company, or (v) gross negligence. Excluded from this
release is any right or claim that cannot be waived by law, including but
not
limited to the right to file a charge with or participate in an investigation
conducted by government agencies. The Company is, however, waiving any right
to
monetary recovery should any agency pursue any claims on its
behalf.
(b) The
foregoing release by the Company shall be null and void if any legal action
by
the Executive is brought against the Company arising out of any event occurring
prior to the Effectiveness Date.
(c) As
a
further inducement to Executive to enter into this Separation Agreement,
the
Company is delivering to Executive simultaneously with execution and delivery
of
this Agreement an executed Release of each of Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
in their respective personal capacities, in the form attached
hereto.
13. Company
Indemnification of Executive.
(a) Indemnification.
Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against
any judgments, penalties, fines, amounts paid in settlement and Expenses
(as
hereinafter defined) incurred in connection with any actual or threatened
Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) to the full extent permitted by the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”) and bylaws (the
“Bylaws”) and the Business Corporation Act of the State of New Jersey (“New
Jersey Law”) as in effect on July 1, 2005, and to advance to Executive Expenses
incurred in connection therewith. “Proceeding” includes, without limitation, any
action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism,
investigation, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or
completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
whether by a third party, by or in the right of the Company or otherwise
against
the Company or its affiliates, arising out of the business, operations or
activities of the Company, SCL or Guangzhou Xxxxx Communications Technology
Co.,
Ltd.
(b) Advance
of Expenses.
Expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by Executive in defending
any
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding
for
which Executive may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid
by
the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or
proceeding; provided that the Company shall be entitled to receive an
undertaking by or on behalf of Executive to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be finally adjudged by a court or the SEC that he is not entitled
to
be indemnified by the Company hereunder. The Executive hereby undertakes
to
repay any Expenses incurred in connection with the matters entitled In
the
Matter of the Application of Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Petitioner vs. Teleflex
Technologies, Inc. and SCL Ventures, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, and Laser Recording
Systems, Inc, Respondents
(Supreme
Court, State of New York, Nassau County, 8138/04), and Ariel
Gulfstream Ventures, LLC vs. Xxxxx Communications, Inc., SCL Ventures, Ltd.,
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, et. al.
(Circuit Court. Broward County, Florida) if it shall ultimately be finally
adjudged by a court or the SEC that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the
Company hereunder. “Expenses” means
all
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, court costs, travel expenses,
duplicating costs, telephone charges, postage and delivery fees, and all
other
reasonable costs and expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection
with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating
or
being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.
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(c) Exceptions
to Indemnification.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no indemnity pursuant to this Paragraph 13 shall be paid by
the
Company:
(a) on
account of any suit in which judgment is rendered against Executive for an
accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Executive of securities
of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of any federal, state
or
local statutory law;
(b) on
account of Executive's conduct which is adjudged to have been knowingly
fraudulent or deliberately dishonest, or to constitute willful misconduct
or
gross negligence;
(c) on
account of Executive's conduct which is adjudged to have constituted a breach
of
Executive's fiduciary duties of loyalty or care to the Company or resulted
in
any personal profit or advantage to which Executive was not legally
entitled;
(d) for
which
payment is actually made to Executive under a valid and collectible insurance
policy or under a valid and enforceable indemnity clause, bylaw or agreement,
except in respect of any excess beyond payment under such insurance, clause,
bylaw or agreement;
(e) if
a
final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine
that
such indemnification is not lawful; or
(f) in
connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by Executive,
or any
proceeding by Executive against the Company or its directors, officers,
employees or other indemnities, unless (i) such indemnification is expressly
required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board
of
Directors of the Company, or (iii) such indemnification is provided by the
Company, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company
under applicable law.
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The
Executive further acknowledges that he is aware that it is the view of the
SEC
that indemnification for liabilities arising under certain of the federal
securities laws is against public policy as expressed in such laws and is,
therefore, unenforceable, and that in the event a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses
incurred or paid by the Executive in the successful defense of any Proceeding)
is asserted against the Company, the SEC may object to payment of such claim,
in
which event the Company will promptly notify the Executive, submit to a court
of
appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by
it is
against public policy as expressed in such laws, contend that indemnification
was proper to the full extent good faith permits, and will be governed by
the
final adjudication of such issue.
(d) Certain
Agreements of Executive and the Company.
(i)
Executive agrees to do all things reasonably requested by the Board of Directors
of the Company to enable the Company to coordinate Executive's defense with,
if
applicable, the Company's defense; provided, however, that
Executive shall not be required to take any action that would in any way
prejudice his defense or waive any defense, privilege or position available
to
him in connection with any action;
(ii) Executive
agrees to do all things reasonably requested by the Board of Directors of
the
Company to subrogate to the Company any rights of recovery (including rights
to
insurance or indemnification or Executive’s claims or rights of recovery from
persons other than the Company) which Executive may have with respect to
any
action;
(iii) Executive
agrees to be represented in any action in which he is a co-defendant with
the
Company by a law firm mutually acceptable to the Company and Executive, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and agrees that the firms of
Xxxxx
Raysman Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxx are acceptable
law firms for such defense, provided, that if the Executive shall have
reasonably concluded that representation of both parties by the same counsel
would be inappropriate based on a written opinion of counsel that an actual
or
potential material conflict of interest exists between the Executive and
the
Company with respect to the defense of such action, the Executive shall be
entitled to retain separate counsel;
(iv) Executive
agrees to cooperate with the Company and its counsel and maintain any
confidences revealed to him or her by the Company in connection with the
Company's defense of any action. The Company agrees to cooperate with Executive
and his or her counsel and maintain any confidences revealed to it by Executive
in connection with Executive's defense of any action.
(v) The
Company agrees not to settle any Proceeding without the prior written consent
of
Executive, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, if such settlement
would (i) in any way prejudice a defense of Executive or waive any defense,
privilege or position available to Executive in connection with the Proceeding,
or (ii) cause Executive to be liable for any judgments, penalties, fines,
amounts paid in settlement or Expenses incurred in connection with the
Proceeding, except as provided in subparagraph (c) hereof.
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(e) The
provisions of this Paragraph 13 shall be in addition to, and not in limitation
of, any other rights to indemnification that Executive may have pursuant
to the
Certificate, the Bylaws or New Jersey Law.
14. Severability.
Executive specifically acknowledges that he has considered carefully all
of the
covenants outlined above and intends that each covenant shall be enforced
fully
in accordance with its terms. However, if, in any judicial proceeding, a
court
shall determine that such covenants are unenforceable for any reason, then
the
Parties intend that such covenants shall be deemed to be limited in such
manner
as the court may determine to permit enforceability by such court and the
remainder of this Separation Agreement shall remain enforceable as
executed.
15. Entire
Agreement.
This
Separation Agreement, together with the restrictive covenants set forth in
Paragraphs 6 and 8, constitute the full and complete understanding between
the
Parties. There are no other agreements or understandings, either oral or
in
writing, which are not reflected in this Separation Agreement. Executive
warrants and agrees that the Company has not made any other agreement, promise
or assurance, except those expressed in this document, to induce or persuade
Executive to enter into this Separation Agreement.
16. No
Modification.
This
Separation Agreement and any attachments hereto shall not be modified or
discharged, in whole or in part, except by agreement in writing signed by
the
Parties hereto.
17. No
Liability.
It is
understood and agreed that this Separation Agreement is not to be construed
as
an admission of liability by the Company.
18. Counterparts.
This
Separation Agreement may be signed in counterparts.
19. Revocation.
Executive may revoke this Separation Agreement for a period of seven (7)
calendar days following the day he executes this Separation Agreement. Any
revocation within this period must be submitted, in writing, to Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
and state, “I hereby revoke my acceptance of the Separation Agreement.” The
revocation must be postmarked within seven (7) calendar days of Executive’s
execution of this Separation Agreement. This Separation Agreement shall not
become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired and
a
fully executed copy of this Separation Agreement has been received by Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx (the “Effective Date”). If the last day of the revocation period is a
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the state in which Executive was employed
at the time of his last day of employment, then the revocation period shall
not
expire until the next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday.
20. Construction.
In the
event of vagueness or ambiguity, this Separation Agreement shall not be
construed against the party preparing it, but shall be construed as if all
parties prepared it jointly.
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21. Succession.
This
Separation Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive
and his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. This
Separation Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and the other
Executive Released Parties and be binding upon the Company and its successors
and assigns.
22. No
Assignment.
Executive warrants and represents that he has not assigned or transferred
or
purported to assign or transfer to any person or entity all or any part of
any
interest in any claim released under this Separation Agreement. Executive
also
warrants and represents there are no liens against any of the settlement
proceeds described in this Separation Agreement.
23. Counterparts.
This
Separation Agreement may be executed in counterparts and shall be deemed
fully
executed when each party has signed and transmitted a counterpart to the
other.
All counterparts taken together shall constitute a single agreement. A facsimile
signature shall have the some force and effect of an original
signature.
24. Knowing
Waiver of Age Discrimination Claims.
By
entering into this Separation Agreement, Executive knowingly and voluntarily
waives and releases the Released Parties from any claims for age discrimination
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Executive also acknowledges
that
he has been informed pursuant to the Federal Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act of 1990 that:
(a) He
has
the right to consult with an attorney before signing this Separation Agreement;
(b) He
does
not waive rights or claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment
Act that may arise after the date this waiver is executed;
(c) He
has
twenty-one (21) days from the date he receives this Separation Agreement
to
consider this Separation Agreement;
(d) He
has
seven (7) days after signing this Separation Agreement to revoke the Separation
Agreement and the Separation Agreement will not be effective until that
revocation period has expired.
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25. Knowing
and Voluntary Agreement.
By
signing this Separation Agreement, Executive acknowledges that he has been
advised in writing to seek the advice of an attorney regarding this Separation
Agreement, he has been given adequate time to review this Separation Agreement,
he has read this entire Separation Agreement, he fully understands its purpose,
and that he is voluntarily entering into this Separation Agreement with the
intent to be legally bound by its terms.
Agreed:
Xxxxx Communications, Inc. | |||
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
Chief Operating Officer
|
||
Date:
September 6, 2005
|
Date:
September 6, 2005
|
14
SCHEDULE
A
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RELEASE
BY XXXX XXXXXXXXX IN FAVOR OF EXECUTIVE
In
connection with the execution and delivery of the Confidential Separation
Agreement and Release (the “Separation Agreement”), being entered into by and
between Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Executive”), and Xxxxx Communications, Inc., a
New Jersey corporation (the “Company”), and in consideration of the benefits
conferred on the Company and the undersigned by such Agreement, and as a
further
inducement to Executive to enter into the Agreement, the undersigned hereby
knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges, to the full extent
permitted by law, the Executive, his heirs, successors and assigns (collectively
referred to throughout the remainder of this Release as “Released Parties”), of
and from any and all claims, known and unknown, asserted and unasserted,
the
Company has or may have against the Executive or the other Released Parties
as
of the date of execution of the Separation Agreement, other than claims arising
out of the Executive’s (i) knowing fraud, (ii) deliberate dishonesty, (iii)
willful misconduct, (iv) breach of his fiduciary duties of loyalty in his
capacity as chief executive officer or as a director of the Company, or (v)
gross negligence. Excluded from this release is any right or claim that cannot
be waived by law, including but not limited to the right to file a charge
with
or participate in an investigation conducted by government agencies. The
undersigned is, however, waiving any right to monetary recovery should any
agency pursue any claims on its behalf.
The
foregoing release by the undersigned shall be null and void if any legal
action
by the Executive is brought against the undersigned or the Company arising
out
of any event occurring prior to the Effectiveness Date.
|
|
|
Date: September 6, 2005 | By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
||
16
RELEASE
BY XXXXX XXXXXX IN FAVOR OF EXECUTIVE
In
connection with the execution and delivery of the Confidential Separation
Agreement and Release (the “Separation Agreement”), being entered into by and
between Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Executive”), and Xxxxx Communications, Inc., a
New Jersey corporation (the “Company”), and in consideration of the benefits
conferred on the Company and the undersigned by such Agreement, and as a
further
inducement to Executive to enter into the Agreement, the undersigned hereby
knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges, to the full extent
permitted by law, the Executive, his heirs, successors and assigns (collectively
referred to throughout the remainder of this Release as “Released Parties”), of
and from any and all claims, known and unknown, asserted and unasserted,
the
Company has or may have against the Executive or the other Released Parties
as
of the date of execution of the Separation Agreement, other than claims arising
out of the Executive’s (i) knowing fraud, (ii) deliberate dishonesty, (iii)
willful misconduct, (iv) breach of his fiduciary duties of loyalty in his
capacity as chief executive officer or as a director of the Company, or (v)
gross negligence. Excluded from this release is any right or claim that cannot
be waived by law, including but not limited to the right to file a charge
with
or participate in an investigation conducted by government agencies. The
undersigned is, however, waiving any right to monetary recovery should any
agency pursue any claims on its behalf.
The
foregoing release by the undersigned shall be null and void if any legal
action
by the Executive is brought against the undersigned or the Company arising
out
of any event occurring prior to the Effectiveness Date.
|
|
|
Date: September 6, 2005 | By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
||
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