EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.32
AGREEMENT
(the “Agreement”), dated as of January 7, 2008, between Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
(“Advance” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (the
“Executive”).
The
Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1.
Position;
Term of Employment. Subject to
the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve the Company, as its President
and
Chief Executive Officer (“Executive’s Position”). The parties intend that the
Executive shall continue to so serve in this capacity throughout the Employment
Term (as such term is defined below). The Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Board”) currently intends for the Executive to continue to serve
his current term as a member of the Board and currently expects that the
Executive shall be nominated, and recommended by the Board, for election by
the
shareholders to the Board during each year of the Employment Term.
The
term of Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall
commence on January 7, 2008 (“Commencement Date”) and shall end on the day prior
to the third anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless sooner terminated
under the provisions of Paragraph 4 below (“Employment Term”); provided,
however, that commencing on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date
and
on each anniversary thereafter the Employment Term shall be automatically
extended for an additional period of one year unless, not later than 90 days
prior to such automatic extension date, either party shall have given notice
to
the other that it does not wish to extend the Employment Term, in which case
the
Employment Term shall end 90 days following such notice.
2. Duties.
(a) Duties
and Responsibilities; Location. The Executive
shall have such duties and responsibilities of Executive’s Position and such
other duties and responsibilities reasonably consistent with the Executive’s
Position as a majority of the Board may request from time to time and shall
perform such duties and carry out such responsibilities to the best of the
Executive’s ability for the purpose of advancing the business of the Company and
its subsidiaries, if any (jointly and severally, “Related
Entities”). The Executive shall observe and conform to the applicable
policies and directives promulgated from time to time by the Company and its
Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of Subsection 2(b)
below, the Executive shall devote Executive’s full time, skill and attention
during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and
its
Related Entities, except for holidays and vacations consistent with applicable
Company policy and except for illness or incapacity. Subject to the
oversight powers and responsibilities of the Board, the Executive shall manage
the Company on a daily basis.
The
Executive shall not be required to change his place of residence in Minnesota
in
order to perform the duties and responsibilities of the Executive’s
Position. The Executive’s work location shall initially be the Store
Support Center in Roanoke, VA. Executive shall have use of the
Company plane to travel to and from Roanoke, VA, and to travel to and from
charitable
board meetings as necessary, subject to the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Policy For Personal Use of Corporate Airplane. For
clarification, the Executive’s travel from and to his home to and from the Store
Support Center shall constitute business travel on behalf of the Company which
is necessary to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities
hereunder, and shall not be deemed by the Company to be “Personal Use”
travel. The Company shall expend such reasonable resources and
otherwise take such actions as are reasonably necessary and appropriate to
cause
to open, by approximately June 30, 2008 or as soon as practicable thereafter,
a
corporate executive center in the greater Minneapolis/St. Xxxx
area. After said corporate executive center is open, Executive’s
principal office location shall be the corporate executive center.
(b) Other
Activities. During the
Term
of this Agreement, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the
Executive to, and Executive shall be entitled to (i) serve on corporate, civic,
charitable, including without limitation the boards of Marquette University
and
Cristo Rey Network and the board of the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School located
in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, retail industry association or professional association
boards or committees within the limitations of the Company’s Guidelines on
Significant Governance Issues, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions and (iii) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with
the
performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities as required by this
Agreement and do not involve a conflict of interest with the Executive’s duties
or responsibilities hereunder.
3. Compensation.
(a) Base
Salary. During the
Employment Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive a salary of $800,000
per
annum, payable consistent with the Company’s standard payroll practices then in
effect (“Base Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be reviewed by the
Compensation Committee of Advance’s Board of Directors (hereinafter the
“Compensation Committee”) at least annually, with any changes taking into
account, among other factors, the Company and individual
performance.
(b) Bonus. The
Executive
shall receive a bonus in such amounts and based upon achievement of such
corporate and individual performance and other criteria as shall be approved
by
the Compensation Committee from time to time, with a target amount, if such
performance and other criteria are achieved, of 1.5 times the Base Salary (the
“Target Bonus Amount”) which bonus shall be paid in a manner consistent with the
Company’s bonus practices then in effect.
(c) Equity
Awards. Effective on
the
Commencement Date, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Advance
2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2004 LTIP"), and as previously approved by
the
Compensation Committee, the Executive shall receive equity awards as set forth
in clauses (i) and (ii) below, subject to the standard terms set forth in the
forms of Restricted Stock Award or Stock Appreciation Rights Award, as the
case
may be, previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”), except for the
last
paragraph of Section 3 of the form of Restricted Stock Award and the last
paragraph of Section 1 of the Stock Appreciation Rights Award, which shall
be
stricken from the Awards delivered to the Executive with respect to the
following grants only; provided, however, that the
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language
referred to in the first clause of this sentence shall specifically apply only
to the awards set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below and not necessarily to
any
future award that may be made to the Executive. For clarification,
the awards set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below are being granted to the
Executive as replacement grants for awards foregone by the Executive at his
prior employer, while the award set forth in clause (iii) is an original
inducement grant, having an initial value of approximately $3 million, to the
Executive for future service. With the approval of the Compensation
Committee, however, the Executive has voluntarily waived receipt of the grant
in
clause (iii) in order to create a pool of Restricted Stock Units to be used
at
the Executive’s discretion to reward Company employees, such as store managers
and corporate managers, who would not otherwise participate in equity awards,
for extraordinary service to customers and the Company:
(i) 110,000
shares of Restricted Stock. Initially, none of the shares of
Restricted Stock shall be considered vested shares and all shares of Restricted
Stock shall be considered unvested shares. On the third anniversary
of the Commencement Date, provided that the Executive's employment has not
been
terminated for Due Cause or as a Voluntary Termination (as each such term is
hereinafter defined), 100% of the Restricted Stock shall be considered vested
shares and none of the shares of Restricted Stock shall be considered
unvested.
(ii) Stock
Appreciation Rights with respect to 225,000 shares of common stock of the
Company, the exercise price for which shall be 100% of the “Fair Market Value”
(as defined in the 2004 LTIP) of the common stock at the date of grant, of
which
25% shall be exercisable, subject to a one-year holding period pursuant to
the
2004 LTIP, from and after the Commencement Date. On each anniversary
of the Commencement Date for three years, provided that the Executive's
employment has not been terminated for Due Cause or as a Voluntary Termination
(as each such term is hereinafter defined), 25% of the Stock Appreciation Rights
shall become exercisable, such that all of the Stock Appreciation Rights shall
be exercisable as of the third anniversary of the Commencement Date if the
Executive has not been terminated for Due Cause or as has not engaged in a
Voluntary Termination prior to such date.
(iii) Restricted
Stock Units with a value on the Commencement Date of three million dollars
($3,000,000) shall be placed in a pool to be used, pursuant to the authorization
and delegation of the Board and the Compensation Committee made prior to the
date hereof pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the 2004 LTIP,
at
the Executive’s discretion in accordance with the terms of the 2004 LTIP, to
reward Company employees, such as store managers and corporate managers, who
would not otherwise participate in equity awards, for extraordinary service
to
customers and the Company.
(d) 2007
Bonus Replacement. The Company
Shall
pay to the Executive the bonus amount Executive would have earned for 2007
under
his most recent former employer’s (“Former Employer”) bonus plan for 2007, in
the maximum amount of $975,000 and the minimum amount of $650,000, which amount
shall be paid within a reasonable time after the Former Employer pays bonuses
in
2008 but in any event within the first six months of calendar
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year
2008. Executive agrees to cooperate with the Compensation Committee
to ascertain the amount of such bonus replacement.
(e) Benefit
Plans. During the
Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
retirement and employment benefit plans and programs of the Company that are
generally available to senior executives of the Company. Such
participation shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plans and
programs, as the same shall be amended from time to time. Executive
shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation annually. In addition,
Executive shall be provided with a Company-paid annual physical examination
at
the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
(f) Business
Expenses. During the
Employment Term, the Company shall, in accordance with policies then in effect
with respect to payments of business expenses, pay or reimburse the Executive
for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel and other expenses (other than ordinary
commuting expenses) incurred by the Executive in performing services hereunder;
provided, however, that, with respect to reimbursements, if any, not otherwise
excludible from the Executive’s gross income, to the extent required to comply
with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), no reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Executive
during any taxable year shall be made after the last day of the following
taxable year, and the right to reimbursement of such expenses shall not be
subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. All such
expenses shall be accounted for in such reasonable detail as the Company may
require.
4. Termination
of Employment.
(a) Death. In
the event of
the death of the Executive during the Employment Term, Executive’s employment
shall be automatically terminated as of the date of death and a lump sum amount,
equivalent to the Executive’s annual Base Salary and Target Bonus then in
effect, shall be paid, within 60 days after the date of the Executive’s death,
to the Executive’s designated beneficiary, or to the Executive’s estate or other
legal representative if no beneficiary was designated at the time of Executive’s
death. In the event of the death of the Executive during the
Employment Term, the shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section
3(c)(i) of this Agreement shall vest immediately and the Stock Appreciation
Rights granted pursuant to Section 3(c)(ii) of this Agreement shall become
exercisable upon the date of the Executive’s death for all of the SARs if not
then exercisable in full. The foregoing benefit will be provided in
addition to any death, disability or other benefits provided under the Company’s
benefit plans and programs in which the Executive was participating at the
time
of his death. Except in accordance with the terms of the Company’s
benefit programs and other plans and programs then in effect (including the
2004
LTIP or any successor plan thereto, as it relates to the equity grants
referenced in Section 3(c) hereof), after the date of Executive’s death,
Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits from
the
Company or hereunder.
(b) Disability. In
the event of
the Executive’s Disability as hereinafter defined, the employment of the
Executive may be terminated by the Company, effective upon the Disability
Termination Date (as defined below). In such event, the Company shall
pay the Executive an amount equivalent to thirty percent (30%) of the
Executive’s Base Salary for a one year period, which amount shall be paid in one
lump sum within forty-five days following the Executive’s
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“separation
from service,” as that term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and
regulations promulgated thereunder, from the Company (his “Separation From
Service”), provided that the Executive or an individual duly authorized to
execute legal documents on the Executive’s behalf executes and does not revoke
within any applicable revocation period the release described in Section
4(j)(ii)(B). In the event of the Executive’s Disability during the
Employment Term, the shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section
3(c)(i) of this Agreement shall vest immediately and the Stock Appreciation
Rights granted pursuant to Section 3(c)(ii) of this Agreement shall become
exercisable upon the date of the Executive’s Disability for all of the SARs if
not then exercisable in full. The foregoing benefit will be provided
in addition to any disability or other benefits provided under the Company’s
benefit plans in which the Executive participates. The purpose and
intent of the preceding two sentences is to ensure that the Executive receives
a
combination of insurance benefits and Company payments following the Disability
Termination Date equal to 100% of his then-applicable Base Salary for such
one-year period. Otherwise, after the Disability Termination Date,
except in accordance with the Company’s benefit programs and other plans then in
effect, Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation or benefits from
the
Company or hereunder.
“Disability,”
for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean the Executive’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness causing the Executive’s complete and full-time
absence from the Executive’s duties, as defined in Paragraph 2, for either a
consecutive period of more than six months or at least 180 days within any
270-day period. Any determination of the Executive’s Disability made
in good faith by the Company shall be conclusive and binding on the Executive,
unless within 10 days after written notice to Executive of such determination,
the Executive elects by written notice to the Company to challenge such
determination, in which case the determination of Disability shall be made
by
arbitration pursuant to Paragraph 10 below. Except as provided in
this Subsection 4(b), the Company shall not be required to provide the Executive
any compensation or benefits after the determination by the Company unless
the
arbitration results in a determination that the Executive is not disabled,
in
which case the Company shall pay to the Executive within 10 days after such
arbitration decision all compensation due through the date of such arbitration
decision. The Company shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations related to such compensation and benefits under this Agreement
if it
makes such payment within 10 days after such arbitration
decision. The “Disability Termination Date” shall be the date on
which the Company makes such determination of the Executive’s Disability unless
the arbitration, if any, results in a determination that the Executive is not
disabled. The Executive shall have a legally binding right to the
disability salary continuation benefit as of the Disability Termination
Date.
(c) Termination
by the Company for Due Cause. Nothing herein
shall prevent the Company from terminating the Executive’s employment at any
time for “Due Cause” (as hereinafter defined). The Executive shall
continue to receive the Base Salary provided for in this Agreement only through
the period ending with the date of such termination. Any rights and
benefits the Executive may have under employee benefit plans and programs of
the
Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and
programs. Except as provided in the two immediately preceding
sentences, after termination of employment for Due Cause, Executive shall not
be
entitled to any compensation or benefits from the Company or
hereunder.
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For
purposes of this Agreement, “Due Cause” shall mean:
(i) a
material breach by the Executive of the Executive’s duties and obligations under
this Agreement or violation in any material respect of any code or standard
of
conduct generally applicable to the officers of the Company (1) which
is willful and deliberate on the Executive’s part, (2) which is not due to the
Disability of the Executive (within the meaning of Subsection 4(b) but without
regard to the requirement that it continue for more than six months or 180
days
within a 270-day period), (3) which is committed in bad faith or without
reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company,
and
(4) which, if curable, has not been cured by the Executive within 15 business
days after the Executive’s receipt of notice to the Executive specifying the
nature of such violations;
(ii) a
material violation by the Executive of the Executive’s Loyalty Obligations as
provided in Paragraph 18;
(iii) conviction
of a crime of
moral turpitude or a felony involving fraud, breach of trust, or
misappropriation;
(iv) the
Executive’s willfully engaging in bad faith conduct that is demonstrably and
materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; or
(v) a
determination by a majority of the Board that Executive is in material violation
of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy.
(d) Termination
by the Company Other than for Due Cause, Death or Disability. The foregoing
notwithstanding, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for any or
no reason, as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion and judgment;
provided, however,
that in the
event such termination is not due to Death, Disability or Due Cause, the
Executive shall (i) be entitled to a Termination Payment as hereinafter defined
and (ii) be sent written notice stating the termination is not due to Death,
Disability or Due Cause. In the event of such termination by the
Company, Executive shall receive certain payments and benefits as set forth
in
this Subsection 4(d).
(i) Termination
Payment. If the Company
terminates the Executive’s employment for other than Death, Disability or Due
Cause prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, the term “Termination
Payment” shall mean a cash payment equal to the sum of:
(A) an
amount
equal to the Executive’s annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to
such termination (unless the termination is in connection with an action that
would have enabled the Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 4(e)(i)(A), in which case, it shall be the Base Salary
in
effect prior to any such material diminution of the Base Salary) (the
“Termination Salary Payment”),
(B) an
amount
equal to the Executive’s Target Bonus Amount, as in effect immediately prior to
such termination (unless the termination is
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in
connection with an action that would have enabled the Executive to terminate
his
employment for Good Reason pursuant to Sections 4(e)(i)(A) or (E), in which
case, it shall be the Target Bonus in effect prior to any such material
diminution of the Target Bonus or termination of the bonus plan, respectively)
(the “Termination Bonus Payment”), and
(C) a
lump
sum payment equal to the prorated value of the Executive’s annual coverage under
the Company’s Executive Choice Program (the “Termination ECP
Payment”).
(ii) Outplacement
Services. The Company
shall
make outplacement services available to Executive, at a cost to the Company
not
to exceed $12,000, for a period of time not to exceed 12 months following the
date of termination pursuant to the Company’s executive outplacement program
with the Company’s selected vendor, to include consulting, search support and
administrative services.
(iii) Medical
Coverage. In addition,
the
Company shall provide Executive, Executive’s spouse and covered dependents with
medical, dental and vision insurance benefits for three hundred sixty-five
(365)
days from the date of Executive’s termination of employment or until
such time as Executive obtains other group health coverage, whichever occurs
first. In order to trigger the Company’s obligation to provide health
care continuation benefits, Executive must elect continuation coverage required
pursuant to the Consolidation Omnibus Budget Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”)
upon such eligibility. The Company’s obligation shall be satisfied
solely through the payment of Executive’s COBRA premiums during the 365-day
period, but only to the extent that such premiums exceed the amount that would
otherwise have been payable by Executive for coverage of Executive and the
Executive’s dependents that were covered by the Company’s medical, dental, and
vision insurance programs at the time of Executive’s termination of employment
had the Executive continued to be employed by the Company.
(iv) Timing
of
Payments. The Termination
Salary Payment, Termination Bonus Payment and Termination ECP Payment shall
be
paid in one lump sum within forty-five days following the date of the
Executive’s Separation From Service, provided that the Executive executes and
does not revoke within any applicable revocation period the release described
in
Section 4(j)(ii)(B) below.
(v) Entire
Obligation. Except as
provided in Subsection 4(i) of this Agreement, following the Executive’s
termination of employment under this Subsection 4(d), the Executive will have
no
further obligation to the Company pursuant to this Agreement (other than under
Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19 (to the extent such policies, guidelines
and codes by their terms apply post-employment) and 20). Except for
the Termination Payment and as otherwise provided in accordance with the terms
of the Company’s benefit programs and plans then in effect or as expressly
required under applicable law, after termination by the Company of employment
for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause, Executive shall not be entitled
to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or
hereunder.
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(e) Resignation
from Employment by the Company for Good Reason. Termination
by
the Company without Due Cause under Subsection 4(d) shall be deemed to have
occurred if the Executive elects to terminate Executive’s employment for Good
Reason.
(i) Good
Reason. For purposes
of
this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:
(A) a
material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus
opportunity;
(B) a
material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or
responsibilities;
(C) the
failure of the Nominating Committee of the Board to re-nominate Executive to
the
Board;
(D) a
majority of the Board’s or a majority shareholder’s requiring that, or as a
result of a corporate reorganization, Executive no longer reports directly
to
the Board;
(E) the
termination of the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan without
replacement thereof with a similar plan;
(F) a
material reduction in aggregate benefits available to the Executive if no
similar reduction is made for all other senior executives of the
Company;
(G) the
Company’s requiring Executive to be based more than 60 miles from the Company’s
office at which Executive was principally employed immediately prior to the
date
of the relocation;
(H) the
delivery by the Company of a notice discontinuing the automatic extension of
the
Term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement; or
(I) any
other
action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the
terms of this Agreement.
(ii) Notice
of
Good Reason Condition. In order to
be
considered a resignation for Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement, the
Executive must provide the Company with written notice and description of the
existence of the Good Reason condition within ninety (90) days of the initial
discovery by the Executive of the existence of said Good Reason condition and
the Company shall have 15 business days to cure such Good Reason
condition.
(iii) Effective
Date of Resignation. The effective
date of the Executive’s resignation for Good Reason must occur no longer than
one year following the expiration of the cure period set forth in Section
4(e)(ii), above. If Executive has not resigned for
8
Good
Reason effective within one year following the expiration of the cure period
set
forth in Section 4(e)(ii), above the Executive shall be deemed to have waived
said Good Reason condition.
(f) Termination
by the Company Other Than For Due Cause, Death or Disability or Resignation
from
Employment for Good Reason Within Twelve Months After a Change In
Control. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment
for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause prior to the expiration of the
Employment Term and within twelve (12) months after a Change In Control (as
defined below), or if the Executive elects to terminate Executive’s employment
for Good Reason prior to the expiration of the Employment Term and within twelve
(12) months after a Change In Control, then (i) the Executive shall be entitled
to a Change In Control Termination Payment as hereinafter defined and Executive
shall receive benefits as defined in Subsections 4(d)(ii) and (iii) below,
and
(ii) either the Company or the Executive, as the case may be, shall provide
Notice of Termination pursuant to Subsection 4(i).
(i) Change
In
Control Termination Payment. The term “Change In Control
Termination Payment” shall mean a cash payment equal to the sum of:
(A) an
amount
equal to two times the Executive’s annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately
prior to such termination (unless the termination is due to Section 4(e)(i)(A),
in which case, it shall be the Base Salary in effect prior to any such material
diminution of the Base Salary) (the “Change In Control Termination Salary
Payment”),
(B) an
amount
equal to two times the Executive’s Target Bonus Amount, as in effect immediately
prior to such termination (unless the termination is due to Sections 4(e)(i)(A)
or (E), in which case, it shall be the Target Bonus in effect prior to any
such
material diminution of the Target Bonus or termination of the bonus plan,
respectively) (the “Change In Control Termination Bonus Payment”),
and
(C) a
lump
sum payment equal to the prorated value of the Executive’s annual coverage under
the Company’s Executive Choice Program (the “Change In Control Termination ECP
Payment”).
(ii) Timing
of
Payments. The Change
In
Control Termination Salary Payment, the Change In Control Termination Bonus
Payment and the Change In Control Termination ECP Payment shall be paid in
lump
sum payments within forty-five days following the date of Executive’s Separation
From Service, provided that the Executive executes and does not revoke within
any applicable revocation period the release described in Section 4(j)(ii)(B)
below.
(iii) Entire
Obligation. Except as
provided in Subsection 4(i) of this Agreement, following the Executive’s
termination of employment under this Subsection 4(f), the Executive will have
no
further obligation to the Company pursuant to this Agreement (other than under
Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19 (to the extent such
9
policies,
guidelines and codes by their terms apply post-employment) and
20). Except for the Change In Control Termination Payment and as
otherwise provided in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit
programs and plans then in effect or as expressly required under applicable
law,
within twelve (12) months after a Change In Control, after termination by the
Company of employment for other than Death, Disability or Due Cause or after
termination by the Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall not be entitled
to
any other compensation or benefits from the Company or hereunder.
(iv) Change
In
Control. For purposes
of
this Agreement, “Change In Control” shall have the same meaning as set forth in
the 2004 LTIP, as in existence on the date hereof.
(v) Gross-Up
Payment.
(A) Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company, any individual
or
entity whose actions result in a Change in Control, or their respective
subsidiaries or affiliates to or for the benefit of the Executive (including
any
payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or the
Executive's termination of employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and
benefits, excluding the Gross-Up Payment (as defined below), being hereinafter
referred to as the "Total Payments") will be subject to any excise tax imposed
under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
(such tax, the "Excise Tax"), the Company shall pay to the Executive an
additional amount (the "Gross Up Payment") such that the net amount retained
by
the Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and
any
federal, state and local income and employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the
Gross-Up Payment, and after taking into account the phase out of itemized
deductions and personal exemptions attributable to the Gross-Up Payment, shall
be equal to the Total Payments.
(B) For
purposes of determining whether any of the Total Payments will be subject to
the
Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) all of the Total Payments
shall be treated as "parachute payments" (within the meaning of section
280G(b)(2) of the Code) unless, in the opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel")
reasonably acceptable to the Executive and selected by the accounting firm
which
was, immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Company's independent
auditor (the "Auditor") (which Tax Counsel may be the Company's general
counsel), such payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute
parachute payments, including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code,
(ii) all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l)
of
the Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion
of
Tax Counsel, such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent
reasonable compensation for services actually rendered (within the meaning
of
section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code) in excess of the Base Amount allocable to
such reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax,
and
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(iii)
the
value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For purposes of determining the
amount of the Gross Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal
income tax at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the
calendar year in which the Gross Up Payment is to be made and state and local
income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality
of the Executive's residence on the date of termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company (or if there is no date of termination, then the
date on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Subsection
4(f)), net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be
obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.
(C) In
the
event that the Excise Tax is determined by Tax Counsel to be less than the
amount taken into account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive shall repay to the Company, within five (5) business days following
the time that the amount of such reduction in the Excise Tax is so determined,
the portion of the Gross Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that
portion of the Gross Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal,
state and local income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross Up Payment
being repaid by the Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in
a
reduction in the Excise Tax and a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the Executive's
taxable income and wages for purposes of federal, state and local income and
employment taxes, plus interest on the amount of such repayment at 120% of
the
rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the event that
the Excise Tax is determined by Tax Counsel to exceed the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment (including by reason
of
any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time
of
the Gross Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross Up Payment
in
respect of such excess (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the
Executive with respect to such excess) within five (5) business days following
the time that the amount of such excess is determined by Tax Counsel (but,
in
all events, no later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year following the
taxable year in which the Executive remits the related taxes). The
Executive and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in
connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the
existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to the Total
Payments.
(D) The
determination by Tax Counsel shall be conclusive and binding upon al parties
unless the Internal Revenue Service, a court of competent jurisdiction, or
such
other duly empowered governmental body or agency (a “Tax Authority”) determines
that the Executive owes a greater or lesser amount of Excise Tax with respect
to
the Total Payments than the amount determined by Tax Counsel.
(E) If
a
Taxing Authority makes a claim against the Executive, the Company shall be
liable for and indemnify the Executive against any loss in
11
connection
with, and all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, which may be
incurred as a result of contesting the claim. Should a Taxing
Authority finally determine that an additional Excise Tax is owed, then the
Company shall, within five (5) business days of such determination, pay an
additional Gross Up Payment to the Executive with respect to the additional
Excise Tax and any assessed interest, fines or penalties. Should a
Taxing Authority finally determine that the Executive owes a lesser amount
of
Excise Tax, then the Executive shall repay such excess to the Company within
five (5) business days of such determination; provided, however, that such
repayment shall be reduced by the amount of any taxes paid by the Executive
on
such excess which is not offset by the tax benefit attributable to such
repayment.
(g) Voluntary
Termination. In the event
that
the Executive terminates Executive’s employment at Executive’s own volition
prior to the expiration of the Term (except as provided in Subsection 4(e)
above), such termination shall constitute a “Voluntary Termination” and in such
event the Executive shall be limited to the same rights and benefits as provided
in connection with a termination for Due Cause under Subsection 4(c)
above.
(h) Compliance
With Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted
and operated so that the payment of the benefits set forth herein either shall
either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or shall
comply with the requirements of such provision; provided however that in no
event shall the Company be liable to the Executive for or with respect to any
taxes, penalties or interest which may be imposed upon the Executive pursuant
to
Section 409A. To the extent that any amount payable pursuant to
Subsections 4(b), (d)(i), (d)(iii) or (f) constitutes a “deferral of
compensation” subject to Section 409A (a “409A Payment”), then, if on the date
of the Executive’s “separation from service,” as such term is defined in Treas.
Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)(1), from the Company (his “Separation from Service”),
the Executive is a “specified employee,” as such term is defined in Treas. Reg.
Section 1.409-1(i), as determined from time to time by the Company, then such
409A Payment shall not be made to the Executive earlier than the earlier of
(i)
six (6) months after the Executive’s Separation from Service; or (ii) the date
of his death. The 409A Payments under this Agreement that would
otherwise be made during such period shall be aggregated and paid in one lump
sum, without interest, on the first business day following the end of the six
(6) month period or following the date of the Executive’s death, whichever is
earlier, and the balance of the 409A Payments, if any, shall be paid in
accordance with the applicable payment schedule provided in this Section
4. The Executive hereby acknowledges that he has been advised to seek
and has sought the advice of a tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences
to the Executive of all payments pursuant to this Agreement, including any
adverse tax consequences or penalty taxes under Code Section 409A and applicable
State tax law. Executive hereby agrees to bear the entire risk of any
such adverse federal and State tax consequences and penalty taxes in the event
any payment pursuant to this Agreement is deemed to be subject to Code Section
409A, and that no representations have been made to the Executive relating
to
the tax treatment of any payment pursuant to this Agreement under Code Section
409A and the corresponding provisions of any applicable State income tax
laws.
12
(i) Cooperation. During
the term
of Executive’s employment by the Company and for a period ofone (1) year
immediately following the termination of Executive’s employment with the
Company, Executive agrees to be reasonably available to assist the Company
and
its representatives and agents with any business and/or litigation (or potential
litigation) matters affecting or involving the Company. The Company
will reimburse Executive for all associated reasonable costs of
travel.
(j) Notice
of
Termination, Resignation and Release. Any termination
under Subsection 4(b) by the Company for Disability or Subsection 4(c) for
Due
Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason under Subsection 4(e) or by the
Company or the Executive within twelve (12) months after a Change In Control
under Subsection 4(f) or by the Executive by Voluntary Termination under
Subsection 4(g) shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other
party thereto given in accordance with Paragraph 9.
(i) Notice
of
Termination. 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)
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 termination date is other than the date of receipt
of
such Notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall not be prior
to
the date of such notice or more than 15 days after the giving of such
Notice).
(ii) Resignation
and Release. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in order to be eligible to receive
any payments or benefits hereunder as a result of the termination of the
Executive’s employment, in addition to fulfilling all other conditions precedent
to such receipt, the Executive or Executive’s legal representative
must:
(A) within
10
days after the termination date, resign as a member of the Board of Directors
of
the Company, if applicable, and as an officer, director, manager and employee
of
the Company and its Related Entities, and
(B) within
21
days after presentation of a release in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and its legal counsel, execute said release, on
behalf of the Executive and Executive’s estate, heirs and representatives,
releasing the Company, its Related Entities and each of the Company’s and such
Related Entities’ respective officers, directors, employees, members, managers,
agents, independent contractors, representatives, shareholders, successors
and
assigns (all of which persons and entities shall be third party beneficiaries
of
such release with full power to enforce the provisions thereof) from any and
all
claims related to Executive’s employment with the Company; termination of
Executive’s employment; all matters alleged or which could have been alleged in
a charge or complaint against the Company; any and all injuries, losses or
damages to Employee, including any claims for attorney’s fees; any and all
claims relating to the conduct of any employee, servant, officer, director
or
agent of the Company; and any and all matters, transactions or things occurring
prior to the date of said release, including any and all possible claims, known
or unknown, which could
13
have
been
asserted against the Company or the Company’s employees, agents, servants,
officers or directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the form of
release shall except out therefrom, and acknowledge the Executive’s continuing
rights with respect to, the following: (i) all vested rights that the
Executive may have under all welfare, retirement and other plans and programs
of
the Company in which the Executive was participating at the time of his
employment termination, including all equity plans and programs of the Company
with respect to which equity awards were made to the Executive, (ii) all
continuing rights that the Executive may have under this Agreement, and (iii)
all rights that the Executive may have following the termination of his
employment under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, any
applicable Company insurance and any indemnity agreements to which the Executive
is a party which provide for indemnification, insurance or other, similar
coverage for the Executive with respect to his actions or inactions as an
officer, employee and/or member of the Board. Executive may, within
five business days of receipt from the Company of the form of release, provide
comments to the Company regarding material provisions of the form of release,
which the Company in good faith will consider. For clarification,
unless and until the Executive executes the release, the Company shall have
no
obligation to make any Termination Payment to the Executive, and, even if the
Executive does not execute the release, the Executive shall be bound by the
post-termination provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation
Section 18.
(k) Earned
and Accrued Payments. The foregoing
notwithstanding, upon the termination of the Executive’s employment at any time,
for any reason, the Executive shall be paid all amounts that had already been
earned and accrued as of the time of termination, including but not limited
to
(i) pay for unused vacation accrued in accordance with the Company’s vacation
policy; (ii) any bonus that had been earned but not yet paid; and (iii)
reimbursement for any business expenses accrued in accordance with Subsection
3(d).
(l) Employment
at Will. Executive hereby
agrees
that the Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Paragraph 4
without regard to: (i) any general or specific policies (written or
oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of employment
of
its employees; (ii) any statements made to Executive, whether oral or in any
document, pertaining to Executive’s relationship with the Company; or (iii)
without a determination of Due Cause by the Company.
5. Successors
and Assigns.
(a) Assignment
by the Company. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company or any corporation
or other entity to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all
of
its assets and business and to which the Company may assign this Agreement,
in
which case the term “Company,” as used herein, shall mean such corporation or
other entity, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Company from
any obligations hereunder, whether arising prior to or after such
assignment.
14
(b) Assignment
by the Executive. The Executive
may
not assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent
of the Company; provided, however,
that nothing
herein shall preclude the Executive from designating one or more beneficiaries
to receive any amount that may be payable following occurrence of Executive’s
legal incompetency or Death and shall not preclude the legal representative
of
Executive’s estate from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons
entitled thereto under Executive’s will or, in the case of intestacy, to the
person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to
Executive’s estate. The term “beneficiaries,” as used in this
Agreement, shall mean a beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated to receive
any such amount or, if no beneficiary has been so designated, the legal
representative of the Executive (in the event of Executive’s incompetency) or
the Executive’s estate.
6. Governing
Law. This Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
7. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement
contains all of the understandings and representations between the parties
hereto pertaining to the matters referred to herein, and supersedes all
undertakings and agreements, whether oral or in writing, previously entered
into
by them with respect thereto, including any previous employment, severance
and/or non-competition agreements. This Agreement may only be
modified by an instrument in writing.
8. Waiver
of
Breach. The waiver
by any
party of a breach of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall not operate or be construed to be a waiver
of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior
or
subsequent time.
9. Notices. Any
notice to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, or sent by
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the
party concerned at the address indicated below or to such other address as
such
party may subsequently give notice of hereunder in writing:
If
to the
Company:
Advance
Stores Company, Incorporated
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn: General
Counsel
With
a copy
to:
Advance
Stores Company, Incorporated
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn: Chief
Financial Officer
If
to the
Executive:
15
Mr.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxx,
XX 00000
With
a copy
to:
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP
Suite
1500
00
Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
10. Arbitration. Any
controversy
or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any breach thereof,
excepting only the enforcement of any Loyalty Obligations arising under
Paragraph 18 of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance
with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect in the
Commonwealth of Virginia and judgment upon such award rendered by the
arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. The board of arbitrators shall consist of one arbitrator to
be appointed by the Company, one by the Executive, and one by the two
arbitrators so chosen. The arbitration shall be held at such place as
may be agreed upon at the time by the parties to the arbitration. The
cost of arbitration shall be borne as determined by the
arbitrators.
11. Withholding. Anything
to the
contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made by the Company
hereunder to the Executive or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries shall be
subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company
may
reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation. In lieu of withholding such amounts, in whole or in part,
the Company may, in its sole discretion, accept other provisions for payment
of
taxes and withholdings as required by law, provided it is satisfied that all
requirements of law affecting its responsibilities to withhold have been
satisfied.
12. Severability. In
the event that
any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid
or
unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions or portions of this
Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect
to the fullest extent permitted by law.
13. Titles. Titles
to the
paragraphs and subsections in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience
and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the title
of any paragraph or subsection.
14. Legal
Fees. The Company
agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Executive’s legal counsel in
connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement.
15. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
16. Amendment. Except
as provided in Paragraph 12 above, this Agreement may not be modified or amended
except by written instrument signed by all parties hereto.
16
17. Counsel. This
Agreement
has been prepared by the Company with the assistance of Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxxx LLP,
as counsel to the Company (“Counsel”), after full disclosure of its
representation of the Company and with the consent and direction of the Company
and the Executive. The Executive has reviewed the contents of this
Agreement and fully understands its terms. The Executive acknowledges
that the Executive is fully aware of the Executive’s right to the advice of
counsel independent from that of the Company, that Counsel has advised him
of
such right and disclosed to him the risks in not seeking such independent
advice, and that the Executive fully understands the potentially adverse
interests of the parties with respect to this Agreement. The
Executive further acknowledges that neither the Company nor its Counsel has
made
representations or given any advice with respect to the tax or other
consequences of this Agreement or any transactions contemplated by this
Agreement to him, that the Executive has been advised of the importance of
seeking independent counsel with respect to such consequences, and that the
Executive had obtained independent counsel with respect to such
consequences. By executing this Agreement, the Executive represents
that Executive has, after being advised of the potential conflicts between
him
and the Company with respect to the future consequences of this Agreement,
consulted independent legal counsel at Xxxxxx & Whitney LLP.
18. Loyalty
Obligations. The Executive
agrees that the following obligations (“Loyalty Obligations”) shall apply in
consideration of the Executive’s employment by or continued employment with the
Company:
(a) Confidential
Information.
(i) Company
Information. The Executive agrees at all times during the term
of the Executive’s employment and thereafter, to hold any Confidential
Information of the Company or its Related Entities in strictest confidence,
and
not to use (except for the benefit of the Company to fulfill the Executive’s
employment obligations) or to disclose to any person, firm or corporation other
than the Company or those designated by it said Confidential Information without
the prior authorization of the Company, except as may otherwise be required
by
law or legal process. The Executive agrees that “Confidential
Information” means any proprietary information prepared or maintained in any
format, including technical data, trade secrets or know-how in which the Company
or Related Entities have an interest, including, but not limited to, business
records, contracts, research, product or service plans, products, services,
customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, vendors to the
Company or Related Entities on whom the Executive called, with whom the
Executive dealt or with whom Executive became acquainted during the term of
the
Executive’s employment), pricing data, costs, markets, expansion plans,
summaries, marketing and other business strategies, software, developments,
inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering,
hardware configuration or marketing, financial or other business information
obtained by the Executive or disclosed to the Executive by the Company or
Related Entities or any other person or entity during the term of the
Executive’s employment with the Company either directly or indirectly
electronically, in writing, orally, by drawings, by observation of services,
systems or other aspects of the business of the Company or Related Entities
or
otherwise. Confidential Information does not include information
that: (A) was available to the public prior to the time of disclosure, whether
through press
17
releases,
SEC filings or otherwise or (B) otherwise becomes available to the public
through no act or omission of the Executive.
(ii) Third
Party Information. The Executive recognizes that the Company
and Related Entities have received and in the future will receive from third
parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on
the
part of the Company or Related Entities to maintain the confidentiality of
such
information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The
Executive agrees at all times during the Executive’s employment and thereafter
to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest
confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to
use
it except as necessary in carrying out the Executive’s work for the Company
consistent with the obligations of the Company or Related Entities with such
third party.
(b) Conflicting
Employment. The Executive agrees that, during the term of the
Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will not engage in any
other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly
related to the business in which the Company or Related Entities are now
involved or become involved during the term of the Executive’s
employment. Nor will the Executive engage in any other activities
that conflict with the business of the Company or Related
Entities. Furthermore the Executive agrees to devote such time as may
be necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations to the Company.
(c) Returning
Company Property. The Executive agrees that any and all
devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence,
specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other
documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed
by
the Executive or others pursuant to or during the Executive’s employment with
the Company or otherwise shall be the property of the Company or its Related
Entities and their respective successors or assigns. At the time of
leaving the employ of the Company, the Executive will deliver all material
Company property to the Company or to the Company’s designee and will not keep
in the Executive’s possession, recreate or deliver said property to anyone
else. In the event of the termination of the Executive’s employment
and upon request by the Company, the Executive agrees to sign and deliver the
“Termination Certification” attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(d) Notification
of New Employer. In the event that the Executive leaves the
employ of the Company, the Executive hereby grants consent to notification
by
the Company to the Executive’s new employer (whether the Executive is employed
as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, director, partner, officer,
advisor, executive or manager) about the Executive’s obligations under this
Agreement.
(e) Non-Interference. The
Executive covenants and agrees that while the Executive is employed by the
Company and for a period of one (1) year immediately following the termination
of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive
shall not, without the prior written approval of the Company, directly or
indirectly, either on behalf of the Executive or any other person or entity,
Interfere with the Company or any of its Related Entities.
18
(i) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Interfere” shall mean, except in the performance of
the Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of and for the benefit of
the Company, (A) to solicit, entice, persuade, induce, influence or attempt
to
influence, directly or indirectly, customers or prospective customers, suppliers
or prospective suppliers, employees, agents or independent contractors of the
Company or any of its Related Entities to restrict, reduce, sever or otherwise
alter their relationship with the Company or any of its Related Entities, or
(B)
whether as a direct solicitor or provider of such services, or in a direct
management or direct supervisory capacity over others who solicit or provide
such services, to solicit or provide services that fall within the definition
of
Restricted Activities as defined in Subsection 18(f)(ii) below to any customer
of the Company or its Related Entities.
(ii) After
termination of the Executive’s employment, this provision shall only apply to
those employees, independent contractors, customers or suppliers of the Company
or Related Entities who were such at any time within 12 months prior to the
date
of such termination.
(f) Covenants
Not to
Compete.
(i) Non-Competition. Executive
covenants and agrees that during the period from the date hereof until, two
(2)
years immediately following the termination, for any reason, of Executive’s
employment with the Company (the “Non-Compete Period”), Executive
will not, directly or indirectly:
(A) own
or
hold, directly or beneficially, as a shareholder (other than as a shareholder
with less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of a publicly traded
corporation), option holder, warrant holder, partner, member or other equity
or
security owner or holder of any company or business that derives more than
15%
of its revenue from the Restricted Activities (as defined below) within the
Restricted Area (as defined below), or any company or business controlling,
controlled by or under common control with any company or business directly
engaged in such Restricted Activities within the Restricted Area (any of the
foregoing, a “Restricted Company”) or
(B) engage
or
participate as an employee, director, officer, manager, executive, partner,
independent contractor, consultant or technical or business advisor (or any
foreign equivalents of the foregoing) in the Restricted Activities within the
Restricted Area.
(ii) Restricted
Activities/Restricted Area. For purposes
of
this Agreement, the term “Restricted Activities” means the retail, wholesale or
commercial sale of aftermarket auto parts and accessories. The term
“Restricted Area” means the United States of America, including its territories
and possessions.
(iii) Association
with Restricted Company. In the event
that
the Executive intends to associate (whether as an employee, consultant,
independent contractor, officer, manager, advisor, partner, executive or
director) with any Restricted Company during the
19
Non-Compete
Period, the Executive must provide information in writing to the Company
relating to the activities proposed to be engaged in by the Executive for such
Restricted Company. All such current associations are set forth on
Exhibit B to
this Agreement. In the event that the Company consents in writing to
the Executive’s engagement in such activity, the engaging in such activity by
the Executive shall be conclusively deemed not to be a violation of this
Subsection 18(f). Such consent is not intended and shall not be
deemed to be a waiver or nullification of the covenant of non-competition of
the
Executive or other similarly bound executives.
(iv) Permitted
Employment with Multi-Division Company. Nothing in
this
Subsection 18(f) shall preclude the Executive from accepting employment with
a
multi-division company so long as (A) the Executive’s employment is not within a
division of the new employer that engages in the Restricted Activities within
the Restricted Area, (B) during the course of such employment, the Executive
does not communicate related to Restricted Activities with any division of
Executive’s new employer engaged in the Restricted Activities within the
Restricted Area and (C) the Executive does not engage in the Restricted
Activities within the Restricted Area.
(g) Non-Disparagement. The
Executive agrees that while the Executive is employed by the Company and for
a
period of one (1) year following the termination of the Executive’s employment
with the Company for any reason, the Executive will not take any action or
make
any statement which disparages the Company or its practices or which disrupts
or
impairs its normal operations, such that it causes a material adverse impact
to
the Company.
(h) Effect
of
Non-Payment of Benefits; Clawback. Executive’s
post-termination of employment obligations under this Paragraph 18 shall cease
upon the Company’s failure to make any payments or benefits hereunder as a
result of the termination of the Executive’s employment when due if within 15
days after written notice of such failure, the Company does not make the
required payment. In the event that the Executive materially violates
Subsection 18(e), 18(f), or 18(g), and does not cure such violation (if it
can
be cured) within five (5) days after written notice of such failure, the
Executive agrees that calculation of the harm to the Company from such violation
would be uncertain and not capable of being readily ascertained, and that as
a
reasonable estimation of the harm to the Company from such violation the
Executive shall repay to the Company a portion of the Termination Payment paid
to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) equal to a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of days left in the applicable period under Subsection
18(e), 18(f), or 18(g), and the denominator of which is the total number of
days
in the applicable period under such Section. In the event that
Executive materially violates Subsection 18(a) or 18(c), and does not cure
such
violation (if it can be cured) within five (5) days after written notice of
such
failure, the Executive agrees that calculation of the harm to the Company from
such violation would be uncertain and not capable of being readily ascertained,
and that as a reasonable estimation of the harm to the Company from such
violation the Executive shall repay to the Company a portion of the Termination
Payment paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) equal to a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days left in the two (2) year period
immediately following the termination and the denominator of which is
730. The Executive further agrees that such repayment obligation
shall constitute liquidated damages and that the Company shall have no other
right to damages under this Agreement or at law with respect to breaches of
Subsection 18(a), 18(c), 18(e), 18(f), or 18(g),
20
but
the
Company shall have the right to seek equitable relief pursuant to Subsection
18(i) hereunder.
(i) Specific
Enforcement; Remedies Cumulative; Attorney Fees. The Executive
acknowledges that the Company and Related Entities, as the case may be, may
be
irreparably injured if the provisions of Subsections 18(a), 18(b), 18(c), 18(e),
18(f) and 18(g) hereof are not specifically enforced and Executive agrees that
the terms of such provisions (including without limitation the periods set
forth
in Subsections 18(e), 18(f) and 18(g)) are reasonable and
appropriate. If Executive commits, or the Company has evidence based
on which it reasonably believes the Executive threatens to commit, a material
breach of any of the provisions of Subsections 18(a), 18(b), 18(c), 18(e),
18(f)
or 18(g) hereof, the Company
and/or Related Entities, as the case may be, shall have the right and remedy,
in
addition to and not in limitation of any other remedy that may be available
at
law or in equity, to have the provisions of Subsections 18(a), 18(b), 18(c),
18(e), 18(f) or 18(g) hereof specifically enforced by any court having
jurisdiction through immediate injunctive and other equitable relief, it
being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will
cause irreparable injury to the Company and/or Related Entities and that money
damages will not provide an adequate remedy therefore. Such
injunction shall be available without the posting of any bond or other security,
and Executive hereby consents to the issuance of such injunction.
(j) Re-Set
of
Period for Non-Competition and Non-Interference. In the event
that a legal or
equitable action is commenced with respect to any of the provisions of
Subsections 18(e), 18(f) or 18(g) hereof and the Executive has not complied,
in
all material respects, with the provisions in such subsections with respect
to
which such action has been commenced, then the one-year or two-year period,
as
described in such subsections not so complied with by the Executive, shall
be
extended from its original expiration date, day-for-day, for each day that
the
Executive is found to have not complied, in all material respects, with such
subsections.
(k) Jurisdiction
and Venue. WITH RESPECT
TO THE
ENFORCEMENT OF ANY AND ALL LOYALTY OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER PARAGRAPH 18,
THE
SUBSECTIONS 18(k) AND 18(l) OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY. THE
PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE FOLLOWING COURTS IN MATTERS RELATED TO THIS PARAGRAPH 18
AND
AGREE NOT TO COMMENCE ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING THERETO EXCEPT
IN
ANY OF SUCH COURTS: THE STATE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, THE COURTS
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, OR
THE
STATE COURTS OR THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN ANY
MUNICIPALITY WHEREIN AN OFFICE OF THE COMPANY IS LOCATED, IN WHICH OFFICE THE
EXECUTIVE WAS PHYSICALLY PRESENT WHILE RENDERING SERVICES FOR THE COMPANY AT
ANY
TIME DURING THE 12 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE COMMENCEMENT OF SUCH SUIT,
ACTION OR PROCEEDING OR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE TERMINATION OF
EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT, IF TERMINATED.
21
(l) Waiver
of
Jury Trial. EXECUTIVE AGREES
TO
WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON,
OR
RELATED TO, ANY LOYALTY OBLIGATIONS. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY,
INTENTIONALLY, AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY EXECUTIVE, AND EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE COMPANY’S AGREEMENT TO LIKEWISE WAIVE ITS RIGHTS TO A TRIAL
BY JURY (WHICH THE COMPANY HEREBY MAKES), THE COMPANY HAS NOT MADE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OF FACTS TO INDUCE THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR IN ANY WAY
TO
MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. EXECUTIVE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN REPRESENTED (OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED)
IN
THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT
LEGAL COUNSEL, SELECTED OF EXECUTIVE’S OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT EXECUTIVE HAS HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL. EXECUTIVE
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE MEANING AND
RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER AND AS EVIDENCE OF THIS FACT SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT
BELOW.
19. Adherence
to Company Policies. Executive agrees
to adhere diligently to all established Company policies and procedures,
including but not limited to the Company’s Guidelines on Significant Governance
Issues, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and, if applicable, the Code of
Ethics for Financial Professionals. Executive agrees that if
Executive does not adhere to any of the provisions of such Guidelines and Codes,
Executive will be in breach of the provisions hereof.
20. Representations. Executive
agrees to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document required to
carry out the terms of this Agreement. Executive represents that
Executive’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any
agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by Executive
in
confidence or in trust prior to Executive’s employment by the
Company. Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees
Executive will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict
herewith and Executive’s employment by the Company and Executive’s services to
the Company will not violate the terms of any oral or written agreement to
which
Executive is a party.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
22
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Executive have executed this Agreement as
of
the date first written above.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | (SEAL) | |||||||
Print Name: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | ||||||||
Title: | Chairman | ||||||||
Address: | X.X. Xxx 000 X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||||||||
Executive | ||||
Print Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Signature: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Address: | 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xx. Xxxx, XX 00000 |
23
EXHIBIT
A
TERMINATION
CERTIFICATION
This
is
to certify that I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed to return,
any
material devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists,
correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials,
equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned
items belonging to the Company.
I
further
certify that I have, to the best of my knowledge, complied in all material
respects with all the terms of my Employment Agreement with the
Company.
Date: | ||
Executive’s Signature | ||
Executive’s Name (Print) |
EXHIBIT
B
LIST
OF ASSOCIATIONS WITH
RESTRICTED COMPANIES
____
None
____
Additional Sheets Attached
Signature
of Employee:_________________________________
Print
Name of Employee:________________________________
Date:_______________________