AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between HA-LO Industries, Inc., an Illinois banking
corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (the "Executive"), dated as
of the ____ day of _____________, 1997.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it
is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the
possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in Section
2) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties
and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage
the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in
the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control
which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change
of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control
occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a
Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company
is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and
if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of
employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or anticipation of the Change of Control, then for
all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending on December 31, 1999; provided, however, that
commencing January 1, 1999, and on each annual anniversary of such date
(such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give
notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so
extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
30% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding
Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the
exercise of a conversion privilege) to a Person whose holdings do not
exceed 40% of the Outstanding Company Stock or the Outstanding Company
Voting Securities prior to or after such transaction, (ii) any acquisition
by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation
pursuant to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in
clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2 are satisfied;
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by
the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall 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 either an actual or threatened election contest (as
such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation, in each case (with respect to such transactions
effecting the Company), unless, following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, (i) more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined
-2-
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is
then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (ii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members
of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other
than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other
disposition, (A) more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, and (B) at least a majority of the members
of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent
Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of
the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the
Company.
3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ
of the Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the eighteen month
anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
-3-
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) POSITION AND DUTIES.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position,
authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate
in all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's
services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was
employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office which
is the headquarters of the Company and is less than 25 miles from such
location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the
Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to
perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the
Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for
the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or
committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments,
so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood
and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in
nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION.
(i) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid in equal installments on a monthly basis, at least equal
to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of
the twelve-month period immediately
-4-
preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at
least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to
time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base
salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.
Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall
refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this
Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any
company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS; APPLICABLE COMMISSION POLICY. In
addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for
each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual
bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash pursuant to the
non-discretionary performed based cash bonus formula applicable to
the Executive during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date. Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than
the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the
fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
The Executive shall be paid commissions ("Commissions") on her
sales of Company products in accordance with a commission policy no
less favorable to Executive than the policy applicable to Executive
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs (including without limited to deferred compensation,
incentive stock option and stock appreciation rights plans and
agreements) applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such
plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate,
than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
-5-
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any
time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be
eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without
limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary
continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable,
in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices,
policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
employment expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the
most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and
its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the
most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
-6-
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive
personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most
favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company
and its affiliated companies at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and
its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If
the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive
has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of
Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in
accordance with Section 12(b) of its intention to terminate the Executive's
employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company
shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by
the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the
Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician who is on the staff of a teaching hospital in Xxxx, Lake or
DuPage Counties, Illinois selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such
agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause. For
-7-
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) a material breach by
the Executive of the Executive's obligations under Section 4(a) (other
than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which
is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive's part, which is
committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is
in the best interests of the Company and which is not remedied in a
reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the
Company specifying such breach or (ii) the conviction of the Executive
of a felony involving moral turpitude.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated during
the Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean
(i) the assignment to the Executive (or the elimination of) of
any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a)
or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in
such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for
this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied
by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B);
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 11(c), provided that such successor has received at least ten
days prior written notice from the Company or the Executive of the
requirements of Section 11(c).
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
-8-
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section
12(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other
than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date
(which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such
notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive
or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination
or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.
(a) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall
terminate employment for Good Reason (or, with respect to Section 6(a)(ii)
hereof, in all event upon a Change of Control):
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore
paid, (2) the product of (x) the sum of the Annual Bonus and
Commissions paid to the Executive for the fiscal year prior to
the
-9-
Employment Period and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date
of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with
any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued
vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid
(the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3)
shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations");
and
B. the amount (such amount shall be hereinafter referred
to as the "Severance Amount") equal to the product of (1) 2.00
multiplied by (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base
Salary at the time the Notice of Termination was given and (y)
the sum of the Annual Bonus plus Commissions paid to the
Executive for the immediately preceding fiscal year, provided,
however, that the Severance Amount shall be lessened by the
amount, if at all, of any other cash severance benefits received
by the Executive or any other cash payments made by the Company
to the Executive with regard to contractual rights of the
Executive (other than those set forth in this Agreement) to
receive salary, bonus or commission compensation from the Company
for periods following the Date of Termination; and
(ii) at all time during the Employment Period the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at
least equal to those which would have been provided to them in
accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
in Section 4(b)(iv) as in effect and applicable generally to other
peer executives and their families during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect
to the Executive or other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if
the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible
to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer
provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility (such continuation of such benefits
for the applicable period herein set forth shall be hereinafter
referred to as "Welfare Benefit Continuation"); and
-10-
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family any other amounts or benefits required to be paid
or provided or which the Executive and/or the Executive's family is
eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement and under any plan,
program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company
and its affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to
other peer executives and their families during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of Accrued
Obligations (which shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary,
as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit
Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in each case, Death Benefits
(as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the Executive's estate or
beneficiary, as applicable, of any cash amount to be received by the
Executive or the Executive's family as a death benefit pursuant to the
terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but not including any proceeds of life insurance covering the
Executive to the extent paid for directly or on a contributory basis by the
Executive (which shall be paid in any event as an Other Benefit) (the
benefits included in this clause (B) shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Death Benefits").
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive,
other than for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to
the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit
Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in each case, Disability
Benefits (as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the Executive of any cash
amount to be received by the Executive as a disability benefit pursuant to
the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but not including any proceeds of disability
insurance covering the Executive to the extent paid
-11-
for directly or on a contributory basis by the Executive (which shall be
paid in any event as an Other Benefit) (the benefits included in this
clause (B) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Disability
Benefits").
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive
terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination
either for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Except as provided in Sections 6(a)(ii),
6(b) and 6(c), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's
continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the
Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits
or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.
(a) The Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in
this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not
be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or
others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and,
except as provided in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced
whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees
to pay promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal
fees and expenses which the
-12-
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of
the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the
validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant
to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at
the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Code.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the
Executive (i) in the event of any termination of the Executive's employment
by the Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the
event of any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good
Reason existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring that such
termination was for Cause or that the determination by the Executive of the
existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, the Company shall pay
all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the
Company would be required to pay or provide pursuant to Section 6(a) as
though such termination were by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not
be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay
all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such
court not to be entitled.
9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in
the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive retains an amount of
-13-
the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a
Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by the accounting firm of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP, or its duly authorized
successor (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days
of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment,
or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the
Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual,
entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up
Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax
is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written
opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable
federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a
negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should
have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required
to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies
pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a
payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount
of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the
Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
requested to be paid. The Executive
-14-
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such
shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect
to such claim is due).If the Company notifies the Executive in writing
prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such
claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim
as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the
Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs
and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result
of such representation and payment of costs and expenses.Without limitation
on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control
all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals,
proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect
of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to
pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to
pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount
of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any
imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any
extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
-15-
taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such
contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such
contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest
shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle
or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject
to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest
paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the
receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not
notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of
refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then
such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and
the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount
of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.
(a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their
respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by
acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of
this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone
other than the Company and those designated by it.
(b) In consideration of the promises of the Company herein, the
Executive hereby agrees that while employed by the Company and for a period
of one (1) year after the termination of Executive's employment with the
Company, for any reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
in any capacity without the prior written consent of the Company, (i) in
the United States and Canada, for her own account or as an employee,
consultant, agent, partner, joint venturer, owner or
-16-
officer of any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or other
entity, conduct or engage in any business directly competitive with the
business of the Company as of the date of the termination of the
Executive's employment, (ii) solicit or engage in the business conducted
by the Company with a customer or prospective customer of the Company
regarding which customer or prospective customer Executive had direct or
indirect contact as an employee of the Company or with respect to whom
the Executive learned information while so employed, or (iii) solicit
any employee, agent or independent contractor of the Company, the
product of which contract will or may yield a termination of the
employment or agency relationship of such individual with the Company.
11. SUCCESSORS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company 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. 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.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Illinois, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may
not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed
by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other
-17-
party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
IF TO THE EXECUTIVE: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx. 00X
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
IF TO THE COMPANY: HA-LO Industries, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxxxx
President
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other
in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be
effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this
Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company
may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the
Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section
5(c)(i)-(v), shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right
or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company
is "at will" and, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either
the Executive or the Company at any time. Moreover, if prior to the
Effective Date, the Executive's employment with the Company terminates,
then the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement.
-18-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Its:
---------------------------
-19-
