EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
This
Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into on this 1st day
of
September
2007 effective as of October 15, 2007 by and between Sequiam Corporation, a
California corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxx Xxxxxx (hereinafter, the
"Executive").
R
E C I T
A L S
A. The
Executive is not now currently employed by the Company.
B. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company, its policies, methods and personnel.
C. The
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") recognizes that the Executive
will contribute to the growth and success of the Company, and desires to assure
the Company of the Executive's continued employment and to compensate him
therefore.
D. The
Board has determined that this Agreement will reinforce and encourage the
Executive's
continued attention and dedication to the Company.
E. The
Executive is willing to make his services available to the Company and on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
AGREEMENT
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth
herein, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Employment.
1.1
Employment and Term. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and
the
Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company on the terms and conditions set
forth herein.
1.2
Duties of Executive. During the Term of Employment under this Agreement, the
Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer (“COO”) of the Company, shall faithfully and diligently perform all
services as may be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
(the “CEO”) or the Board, and shall exercise such power and authority as may
from time to time be delegated to him by the CEO or the Board. The Executive
shall devote his full time and attention to the business and affairs of the
Company, render such services to the best of his ability, and use his reasonable
best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, it shall not be a breach
or
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (i) serve on corporate, civic
or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions, or (iii) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with
or
significantly detract from the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities
to the Company in accordance with this Agreement.
2.
Term.
2.1
Initial Term. The [initial] Term of Employment (as defined) below under this
Agreement and the employment of the Executive hereunder, shall commence on
October 1, 2007 (the "Commencement Date") and shall expire on September 30,
2010, unless sooner terminated in accordance with Section 5 hereof (the “Initial
Term”).
2.2
Renewal Terms. At the end of the Initial Term, the Term of Employment
automatically shall renew for successive one year terms (subject to earlier
termination as provided in Section 5 hereof), unless the Company or the
Executive delivers written notice to the other at least three (3) months prior
to the Expiration Date of its or his election not to renew the Term of
Employment.
2.3
Term
of Employment and Expiration Date. The period during which the Executive
shall be employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is
sometimes referred to in this Agreement as the “Term of Employment”, and the
date on which the Term of Employment shall expire (including the date on which
any renewal term shall expire), is sometimes referred to in this Agreement
as
the “Expiration Date”.
3.
Compensation.
3.1
Base
Salary. The Executive shall receive a base salary at the annual rate of $225,000
(the "Base Salary") during the Term of Employment, with such Base Salary payable
in installments consistent with the Company's normal payroll schedule, subject
to applicable withholding and other taxes. The Base Salary shall be reviewed,
at
least annually, for merit increases and may, by action and in the discretion
of
the Board, be increased at any time or from time to time, but may not be
decreased.
3.2
Bonuses.
a.
During
the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be eligible to receive bonuses
pursuant to the annual sales plan as may be amended from bonus formula,
discretionary bonus; Partial year Bonus (the “Bonus”).
b.
For
the Bonus Period in which the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates
for any reason other than by the Company for Cause under Section 5.1hereof,
the
Company shall pay the Executive a pro rata portion (based upon the period ending
on the date on which the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates) of
the bonus otherwise payable under Section 3.2a for the Bonus Period in which
such termination of employment occurs; provided, however, that (i) the Bonus
Period shall be deemed to end on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the
Company in which the Executive’s employment so terminates, and (ii) the business
criteria used to determine the bonus for this short Bonus Period shall be
annualized and shall be determined based upon unaudited financial information
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, applied
consistently with prior periods, and reviewed and approved by the Compensation
Committee of the Board. The Incentive Compensation for this Bonus Period is
sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Year Bonus”.
d. The Executive shall receive such additional bonuses, if
any, as the Board may in its sole and absolute discretion
determine.
e.
Any
bonuses payable pursuant to this Section 3.2 are sometimes hereinafter referred
to as “Incentive Compensation.” Each period for which Incentive Compensation is
payable is sometimes hereinafter referred to as a Bonus Period. Unless otherwise
specified by the Board, the Bonus Period shall be the fiscal year of the
Company.
f.
Any
Incentive Compensation payable pursuant to this Section 3.2shall be paid by
the
Company to the Executive within 2 ½ months after the end of the Bonus Period for
which it is payable.
4.
Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits.
4.1
Reimbursement of Expenses. Upon the submission of proper substantiation by
the
Executive, and subject to such rules and guidelines as the Company may from
time
to time adopt with respect to the reimbursement of expenses of executive
personnel, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses
actually paid or incurred by the Executive during the Term of Employment in
the
course of and pursuant to the business of the Company. The Executive shall
account to the Company in writing for all expenses for which reimbursement
is
sought and shall supply to the Company copies of all relevant invoices, receipts
or other evidence reasonably requested by the Company.
4.2
Compensation/Benefit Programs. During the Term of Employment, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all medical, dental, hospitalization,
accidental death and dismemberment, disability, travel and life insurance plans,
and any and all other plans as are presently and hereinafter offered by the
Company to its executive personnel, including savings, pension, profit-sharing
and deferred compensation plans, subject to the general eligibility and
participation provisions set forth in such plans.
4.3
Working Facilities. During the Term of Employment, the Company shall furnish
the
Executive with an office, secretarial help and such other facilities and
services suitable to his position and adequate for the performance of his duties
hereunder.
4.4
During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for
all
costs of gasoline, oil, repairs, maintenance, insurance and other expenses
incurred by Executive by reason of the use of Executive’s automobile for Company
business from time to time.
4.5
Stock
Options. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be eligible to
be
granted options (the “Stock Options”) to purchase common stock (the "Common
Stock") of Sequiam Corporation under (and therefore subject to all terms and
conditions of) the Company’s 2003
Employee Stock Incentive Plan as amended, and any successor
plan thereto (the "Stock Option Plan") and all rules of regulation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to stock option plans then in
effect. The number of Stock Options and terms and conditions of the Stock
Options shall be determined by the committee of the Board appointed pursuant
to
the Stock Option Plan, or by the Board of Directors of the Company, in its
discretion and pursuant to the Stock Option Plan.
4.6
Other
Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to three weeks of paid vacation each
calendar year during the Term of Employment, to be taken at such times as the
Executive and the Company shall mutually determine and provided that no vacation
time shall significantly interfere with the duties required to be rendered
by
the Executive hereunder. Any vacation time not taken by Executive during any
calendar year may not be carried forward into any succeeding calendar year.
The
Executive shall receive such additional benefits, if any, as the Board of the
Company shall from time to time determine.
4.7
Withholding. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, all
payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to the Executive or his
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 withholding as required by law,
provided it is satisfied that all requirements of law affecting its
responsibilities to withhold have been satisfied.
5.
Termination.
5.1
Termination for Cause. The Company shall at all times have the right, upon
written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Term of Employment, for Cause
as defined below. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean
(i) an action or omission of the Executive which constitutes a willful and
material breach of, or willful and material failure or refusal (other than
by
reason of his disability or incapacity) to perform his duties under, this
Agreement which is not cured within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the
Executive of written notice of same, (ii) fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation
of funds or breach of trust in connection with his services hereunder, (iii)
a
conviction of any crime which involves dishonesty or a breach of trust, or
(iv)
negligence in connection with the performance of the Executive's duties
hereunder, and which the Board in its reasonable discretion deems to be good
and
sufficient cause to terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company. Any
termination for Cause shall be made by notice in writing to the Executive,
which
notice shall set forth in reasonable detail all acts or omissions upon which
the
Company is relying for such termination. The Executive shall have the right
to
address the Board regarding the acts set forth in the notice of termination
and
may be represented by counsel at that meeting of the Board. For purposes of
this
Section 5.1, any good faith determination by the Board of Cause shall be binding
and conclusive on all interested parties. Upon any termination pursuant to
this
Section 5.1, the Company shall pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary
through the date of termination. Upon any termination effected and compensated
pursuant to this Section 5.1, the Company shall have no further liability
hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses
incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions
of Section 4.1.
5.2
Disability. In the event the Executive shall be unable, or fail, to perform
the
essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable accommodation,
for any period of three months or more in any 12 month period, the Company
shall
have the option, in accordance with applicable law, to terminate this Agreement
upon written notice to the Executive. Upon termination pursuant to this Section
5.2, the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary through
the effective date of termination specified in such notice, (ii) pay to the
Executive his accrued but unpaid Incentive Compensation, if any, for any Bonus
Period ending on or before the date of termination of the Executive’s employment
with the Company Upon any termination effected and compensated
pursuant to this Section 5.2, the Company shall have no further liability
hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses
incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however to the provisions
of
Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have
accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination
occurs).
5.3
Death. Upon the death of the Executive during the Term of Employment, the
Company shall (i) pay to the estate of the deceased Executive any unpaid Base
Salary through the Executive's date of death, (ii) pay to the estate of the
deceased Executive his accrued but unpaid Incentive Compensation, if any, for
any Bonus Period ending on or before the Executive’s date of death, and (iii)
pay to the estate of the deceased Executive, the Executive’s Termination Year
Bonus, if any, at the time provided in Section 3.2 hereof. Upon any termination
effected and compensated pursuant to this Section 5.3, the Company shall have
no
further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable
business expenses incurred prior to the date of the Executive's death, subject,
however to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused
vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such
termination occurs).
5.4
Termination Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
Term of Employment at any time by written notice to the Executive not less
than
30
days
prior to the effective date of such termination. Upon any termination pursuant
to this Section 5.4 (that is not a termination under any of Sections 5.1, 5.2,
5.3 [or] 5.5 [or 5.6], the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid
Base Salary through the date of termination specified in such notice, (ii)
pay
to the Executive the accrued but unpaid Incentive Compensation, if any, for
any
Bonus Period ending on or before the termination of the Term of Employment,
(iii) continue to pay the Executive's Base Salary for a period (the “
Continuation Period”) of three months following the termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company, in the manner and at such times as the
Base Salary otherwise would have been payable to the Executive, (iv) continue
to
pay the Executive Incentive Compensation and continue to provide the Executive
with benefits that are comparable, in the aggregate, to the benefits he was
receiving under Sections 4.2 and 4.4 hereof (the “Benefits”), through the end of
the Continuation Period in the manner and at such times as the Incentive
Compensation and Benefits otherwise would have been payable or provided to
the
Executive; (v) pay to the Executive his Termination Year Bonus, if any, at
the
time provided in Section 3.2; and (vi) pay to the Executive as a single lump
sum
payment, within 30 days of the Expiration Date, a lump sum benefit equal to
the
value of the portion of his benefits under any savings, pension, profit sharing
or deferred compensation plans that are forfeited under such plans by reason
of
the termination of his employment hereunder prior to the end of the Continuation
Period, and the Benefits shall not be in less, in the aggregate, than the
Benefits provided to the Executive during the calendar year in which the Term
of
Employment terminates. In the event that the Company is unable to provide the
Executive with any Benefits required hereunder by reason of the termination
of
the Term of Employment pursuant to this Section 5.4, then the Company shall
pay
the Executive cash equal to the value of the Benefit that otherwise would have
accrued for the Executive's benefit under the plan, for the period during which
such Benefits could not be provided under the plans, said cash payments to
be
made monthly throughout the Continuation Period. The Company's good faith
determination of the amount that would have been contributed or the value of
any
Benefits that would have accrued under any plan shall be binding and conclusive
on the Executive. For this purpose, the Company may use as the value of any
Benefit the cost to the Company of providing that Benefit to the Executive
Further, the Executive shall continue to vest in the Executive's Stock Options
through the end of the Continuation Period in the same manner and to the same
extent as if his employment hereunder terminated on the last day of the
Continuation Period. Upon any termination effected and compensated pursuant
to
this Section 5.4, the Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other
than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the
date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and
payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during
the calendar year in which such termination occurs)].
5.5
Termination by Executive.
a.
The
Executive shall at all times have the right, by written notice not less than
(30) days prior to the termination date, to terminate the Term of
Employment.
b.
Upon
termination of the Term of Employment pursuant to this Section 5.5 (that is
not
a termination under Section 5.6) by the Executive without Good Reason (as
defined below), the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base
Salary through the effective date of termination of the Term of Employment
specified in such notice and (ii) pay to the Executive his accrued but unpaid
Incentive Compensation, if any, for any Bonus Period ending on or before the
date on which the Term of Employment terminates. Upon any termination effected
and compensated pursuant to this Section 5.5(b), the Company shall have no
further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable
business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however,
to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused
vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such
termination occurs).
c.
Upon
termination of the Term of Employment pursuant to this Section 5.5 (that is
not
a termination under Section 5.6) by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company
shall pay to the Executive the same amounts, and shall continue or compensate
for Benefits in the same amounts, that would have been payable or provided
by
the Company to the Executive under Section 5.4 of this Agreement if the Term
of
Employment had been terminated by the Company without Cause. Upon any
termination effected and compensated pursuant to this Section 5.5(c), the
Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement
for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination,
subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation
for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in
which
such termination occurs).
d.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (i) the assignment to the
Executive 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 1.2 of this
Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a material
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 material failure by the Company to
comply with any of the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement, 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 outside of the United States, except for travel reasonably
required in the performance of the Executive's responsibilities. For purposes
of
this Section 5.5(d), any good faith determination of "Good Reason" made by
the
Board, shall be binding and conclusive on all interested parties.
5.6
Change in Control of the Company.
a.
Unless
otherwise provided in Section 5.7 hereof, In the event that (i) a Change in
Control (as defined in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.6) in the Company shall
occur during the Term of Employment, and (ii) either (x) prior to the earlier
of
the Expiration Date
and
one year after the date of the Change in Control, either (1) the Term of
Employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, pursuant to Section
5.4
hereof or (2) the Executive terminates the Term of Employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5.5(b) hereof as defined in Section 5.5(d) hereof, or (y)
the Executive terminates the Term of Employment for any reason within 30 days
after (x) his first anniversary of the date on which the Change in Control
occurs, the Company shall (1) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary
through the effective date of termination, (2) pay to the Executive the
Incentive Compensation, if any, not yet paid to the Executive for any year
prior
to such termination, at such time as the Incentive Compensation otherwise would
have been payable to the Executive, (3) pay to the Executive his Termination
Year Bonus, if any, at the time provided in Section 3.2 hereof, and (4) pay
to
the Executive as a single lump sum payment, within 30 days of the termination
of
the Term of Employment, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (x) [two] times
the sum of the Executive's annual Base Salary, Incentive Compensation, and
the
value of the annual fringe benefits (based upon their cost to the Company)
required to be provided to the Executive under Sections 4.2 and 4.4 hereof,
for
the fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which the Term of Employment
terminates, plus (y) the value of the portion of his benefits under any savings,
pension, profit sharing or deferred compensation plans that are forfeited under
those plans by reason of the termination of his employment hereunder. Further,
upon the Change in Control, the Executive's Stock Options shall immediately
vest. The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for
(1)
reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of
termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and (2) payment
of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the
calendar year in which such termination occurs).
b.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall mean: (i) The
acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of more than fifty
percent (50%) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the
Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) 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) (the foregoing Beneficial
Ownership hereinafter being referred to as a "Controlling Interest"); provided,
however, that for purposes of this Section 5.6(b), the following acquisitions
shall not constitute or result in a Change of Control: (v) any acquisition
directly from the Company; (w) any acquisition by the Company; (x) any
acquisition by any person that as of the Commencement Date owns Beneficial
Ownership of a Controlling Interest; (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary
of the Company; or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a
transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii)
below; or (ii) During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including
any
period prior to the Commencement Date) individuals who constitute the Board
on
the Commencement Date (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 Commencement Date 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 an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than
the
Board; or (iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share
exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of
another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each a “Business
Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A)
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 Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of
the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result
of
such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially
the
same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting
from such Business Combination beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty
percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any Person
that as of the Commencement Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling
Interest beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent
(50%) of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent
that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least
a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or (iv) approval by the shareholders
of
the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company.
c.
For
purposes of this Section 5.6(b), the term “Person” shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as
defined in Section 3(d) thereof.
5.7
Obligation to Mitigate Damages. In the event of termination of the Term
of
Employment, the Executive shall make reasonable efforts to mitigate damages
by
seeking other employment, provided, however, that the Executive shall not be
required to accept a position of substantially different character than the
position from which the Executive was terminated. To the extent that the
Executive shall receive compensation, benefits and service credit for benefits
from such other employment, the payment to be made and the benefits and service
credit for benefits to be provided by the Company under the provisions of this
Article 5 shall be correspondingly reduced.
5.8
Resignation. Upon any termination of employment pursuant to this Article 5,
the
Executive shall be deemed to have resigned as an officer of the Company and
its
subsidiaries, and if he or she was then serving as a director of the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries, as a director of the Company and its subsidiaries,
and
if required by the Board, the Executive shall upon such termination execute
a
resignation letter to the applicable board.
5.10
Survival. The provisions of this Article 5 shall survive the termination of
the
Term
of Employment or expiration of the term of this Agreement.
6.
Restrictive Covenants.
6.1
Non-competition.
a.
At all
times during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, engage in any competition with, or have any interest in any sole
proprietorship, corporation, company, partnership, association, venture or
business or any other person or entity (whether as an employee, officer,
director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise)
that directly or indirectly (or through any affiliated entity) a Competing
Business; provided that such provision shall not apply to the Executive's
ownership of Common Stock of the Company or the acquisition by the Executive,
solely as an investment, of securities of any issuer that is registered under
Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and
that are listed or admitted for trading on any United States national securities
exchange or that are quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or any similar system
or
automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices in common use, so
long as the Executive does not control, acquire a controlling interest in or
become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control of, more
than two percent (2%) of any class of capital stock of such
corporation.
b.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the “Restricted Period” shall be the Term of
Employment and if the Term of Employment is terminated for any reason other
than
by the Company for Cause (as defined in Section 5.1 hereof) or by the Executive
for Good Reason (as defined in Section 5.5(d) hereof), the two (2) year period
immediately following termination of the Term of Employment.
c.
For
purposes of this Agreement, a Competing Business shall mean any
business of providing Biometrically enabled products, solutions,
software, hardware OEM or ODM services.
6.2
Confidential Information. The Executive shall not at any time divulge,
communicate, use to the detriment of the Company or for the benefit of any
other
person or persons, or misuse in any way, any Confidential Information (as
hereinafter defined) pertaining to the business of the Company. Any Confidential
Information or data now or hereafter acquired by the Executive with respect
to
the business of the Company (which shall include, but not be limited to,
information concerning the Company's financial condition, prospects, technology,
customers, suppliers, sources of leads and methods of doing business) shall
be
deemed a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company that is received
by
the Executive in confidence and as a fiduciary, and Executive shall remain
a
fiduciary to the Company with respect to all of such information. For purposes
of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all trade secrets and
information disclosed to the Executive or known by the Executive as a
consequence of or through the unique position of his employment with the Company
(including information conceived, originated, discovered or developed by the
Executive and information acquired by the Company from others) prior to or
after
the date hereof, and not generally or publicly known (other than as a result
of
unauthorized disclosure by the Executive), about the Company or its business.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict the
Executive from disclosing Confidential Information as required to perform his
duties under this Agreement or to the extent required by law. Upon request
by
the Company, the Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company upon
termination of his services for the Company, or at any time thereafter as the
Company may request, all Company memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals,
drawings, designs, computer files in any media and other documents (and all
copies thereof) containing such Confidential Information and all property of
the
Company or any other Company affiliate, which he may then possess or have under
his control.
6.3
Nonsolicitation of Employees and Customers. At all times during the Restricted
Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or for
any
other person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity (a)
employ or attempt to employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with
any
employee or former employee of the Company, unless such employee or former
employee has not been employed by the Company for a period in excess of six
months, and/or (b) call on or solicit any of the actual or targeted prospective
customers or clients of the Company on behalf of any person or entity in
connection with any Competing Business nor shall the Executive make known the
names and addresses of such clients or any information relating in any manner
to
the Company's trade or business relationships with such customers, other than
in
connection with the performance of Executive's duties under this
Agreement.
6.4
Ownership of Developments. All processes, concepts, techniques, inventions
and
works of authorship, including new contributions, improvements, formats,
packages, programs, systems, machines, compositions of matter manufactured,
developments, applications and discoveries, and all copyrights, patents, trade
secrets, or other intellectual property rights associated therewith
conceived, invented, made, developed or created by the Executive during the
Term
of Employment either during the course of performing work for the Companies
or
their clients or which are related in any manner to the business (commercial
or
experimental) of the Company or its clients (collectively, the “Work Product”)
shall belong exclusively to the Company and shall, to the extent possible,
be
considered a work made by the Executive for hire for the Company within the
meaning of Title 17 of the United States Code. To the extent the Work Product
may not be considered work made by the Executive for hire for the Company,
the
Executive agrees to assign, and automatically assign at the time of creation
of
the Work Product, without any requirement of further consideration, any right,
title, or interest the Executive may have in such Work Product. Upon the request
of the Company, the Executive shall take such further actions, including
execution and delivery of instruments of conveyance, as may be appropriate
to
give full and proper effect to such assignment. The Executive shall further:
(a)
promptly disclose the Work Product to the Company; (b) assign to the Company,
without additional compensation, all patent or other rights to such Work Product
for the United States and foreign countries; (c) sign all papers necessary
to
carry out the foregoing; and (d) give testimony in support of his inventions,
all at the sole cost and expense of the Company.
6.5
Books
and Records. All books, records, and accounts relating in any manner to the
customers or clients of the Company, whether prepared by the Executive or
otherwise coming into the Executive's possession, shall be the exclusive
property of the Company
and shall be returned immediately to the Company on termination of the
Executive's employment hereunder or on the Company's request at any
time.
6.6
Definition of Company. Solely for purposes of this Article 6, the term
"Company"
also shall include any existing or future subsidiaries of the Company that
are
operating during the time periods described herein and any other entities that
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are
controlled by or are under common control with the Company during the periods
described herein.
6.7
Acknowledgment by Executive. The Executive acknowledges and confirms that the
restrictive covenants contained in this Article 6 (including without limitation
the length of the term of the provisions of this Article 6) are reasonably
necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, and
are
not overbroad, overlong, or unfair and are not the result of overreaching,
duress or coercion of any kind. The Executive further acknowledges and confirms
that the compensation payable to the Executive under this Agreement is in
consideration for the duties and obligations of the Executive hereunder,
including the restrictive covenants contained in this Article 6, and that such
compensation is sufficient, fair and reasonable. The Executive further
acknowledges and confirms that his full, uninhibited and faithful observance
of
each of the covenants contained in this Article 6 will not cause him any undue
hardship, financial or otherwise, and that enforcement of each of the covenants
contained herein will not impair his ability to obtain employment commensurate
with his abilities and on terms fully acceptable to him or otherwise to obtain
income required for the comfortable support of him and his family and the
satisfaction of the needs of his creditors. The Executive
acknowledges and confirms that his special knowledge of the business of the
Company
is such as would cause the Company serious injury or loss if he were to use
such
ability and knowledge to the benefit of a competitor or were to compete with
the
Company in violation of the terms of this Article 6. The Executive further
acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Article 6 are intended
to
be, and shall be, for the benefit of and shall be enforceable by, the Company’s
successors and assigns. The Executive expressly agrees that upon any breach
or
violation of the provisions of this Article 6, the Company shall be entitled,
as
a matter of right, in addition to any other rights or remedies it may have,
to
(a) temporary and/or permanent injunctive relief in any court of competent
jurisdiction as described in Section 6.10 hereof, and (b) such damages as are
provided at law or in equity. The existence of any claim or cause of action
against the Company or its affiliates, whether predicated upon this Agreement
or
otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of the restrictions
contained in this Article 6.
6.8
Reformation by Court. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction shall
determine that any provision of this Article 6 is invalid or more restrictive
than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then only as to
enforcement of this Article 6 within the jurisdiction of such court, such
provision shall be interpreted or reformed and enforced as if it provided for
the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.
6.9
Extension of Time. If the Executive shall be in violation of any provision
of
this Article 6, then each time limitation set forth in this Article 6 shall
be
extended for a period of time equal to the period of time during which such
violation or violations occur. If the Company seeks injunctive relief from
such
violation in any court, then the covenants set forth in this Article 6 shall
be
extended for a period of time equal to the pendency of such proceeding including
all appeals by the Executive.
6.10
Injunction. It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto
that
a breach by the Executive of any of the covenants contained in Article 6 of
this
Agreement
will cause irreparable harm and damage to the Company, the monetary amount
of
which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, the Executive
recognizes and hereby acknowledges that the Company shall be entitled to an
injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining
any violation of any or all of the covenants contained in Article 6 of this
Agreement by the Executive or any of his affiliates, associates, partners or
agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall
be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies the Company may
possess.
6.11
Survival. The provisions of this Article 6 shall survive the termination of
the
Term of Employment or expiration of the term of Agreement.
7.
Mediation. Except to the extent the Company has the right to seek an injunction
under Section 6.10 hereof, in the event a dispute arises out of or relates
to
this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and if the dispute cannot be settled
through negotiation, the parties hereby agree first to attempt in good faith
to
settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration
Association under its Employment Mediation Rules before resorting to arbitration
pursuant to Section 8 hereof.
8.
Arbitration.
8.1
Exclusive Remedy. The parties recognize that litigation in federal or state
courts or before federal or state administrative agencies of disputes arising
out of the Executive’s employment with the Company or out of this Agreement, or
the Executive’s termination of employment or termination of this Agreement, may
not be in the best interests of either the Executive or the Company, and may
result in unnecessary costs, delays, complexities, and uncertainty. The parties
agree that any dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to the
Executive’s employment, or to the negotiation, execution, performance or
termination of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment, including, but not
limited to, any claim arising out of this Agreement, claims under Title VII
of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the
Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act
of
1990, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, as amended, the Family
Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and any similar
federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, or any common law doctrine,
whether that dispute arises during or after employment shall be resolved by
arbitration in the Broward County, Florida area, in accordance with the National
Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as
modified by the provisions of this Section 8. Except as set forth below with
respect to Section 6 of this Agreement, the parties each further agree that
the
arbitration provisions of this Agreement shall provide each party with its
exclusive remedy, and each party expressly waives any right it might have to
seek redress in any other forum, except as otherwise expressly provided in
this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
provisions of this Section 8 shall not apply to any injunctions that may be
sought with respect to disputes arising out of or relating to Section 6 of
this
Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that their obligations under this
arbitration agreement survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement
and continue after the termination of the employment relationship between the
Executive and the Company. By election of arbitration as the means for final
settlement of all claims, the parties hereby waive their respective rights
to,
and agree not to, xxx each other in any action in a Federal, State or local
court with respect to such claims, but may seek to enforce in court an
arbitration award rendered pursuant to this Agreement. The parties specifically
agree to waive their respective rights to a trial by jury, and further agree
that no demand, request or motion will be made for trial by jury.
8.2
Arbitration Procedure and Arbitrator’s Authority. In the arbitration proceeding,
each party shall be entitled to engage in any type of discovery permitted by
the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to retain its own counsel, to present evidence
and crossexamine witnesses, to purchase a stenographic record of the
proceedings, and to submit posthearing briefs. In reaching his/her decision,
the
arbitrator shall have no authority to add to, detract from, or otherwise modify
any provision of this Agreement. The arbitrator shall submit with the award
a
written opinion which shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court
having competent jurisdiction.
8.3.
Effect of Arbitrator’s Decision: Arbitrator’s Fees. The decision of the
arbitrator shall be final and binding between the parties as to all claims
which
were or could have been raised in connection with the dispute, to the full
extent permitted by law. In all cases in which applicable federal law precludes
a waiver of judicial remedies, the parties agree that the decision of the
arbitrator shall be a condition precedent to the institution or maintenance
of
any legal, equitable, administrative, or other formal proceeding by the
Executive in connection with the dispute, and that the decision and opinion
of
the arbitrator may be presented in any other forum on the merits of the dispute.
If the arbitrator finds that the Executive was terminated in violation of law
or
this Agreement, the parties agree that the arbitrator acting hereunder shall
be
empowered to provide the Executive with any remedy available should the matter
have been tried in a court, including equitable and/or legal remedies,
compensatory damages and back pay. The
arbitrator’s fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses
associated with the filing of the arbitration (the “Fees”) shall be borne by the
non-prevailing party.
9.
Section 162(m) Limits. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to
the contrary, if and to the extent that any remuneration payable by the Company
to the Executive
for any year would exceed the maximum amount of remuneration that the Company
may deduct for that year under Section 162(m) (“Section 162(m)”) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), payment of the portion of the
remuneration for that year that would not be so deductible under Section 162(m)
shall, in the sole discretion of the Board, be deferred and become payable
at
such time or times as the Board determines that it first would be deductible
by
the Company under Section 162(m), with interest at the “short-term applicable
rate” as such term is defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code. The limitation set
forth under this Section 9 shall not apply with respect to any amounts payable
to the Executive pursuant to Article 5 hereof.
10.
Assignment. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement and its
rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation
or other entity with or into which the Company may hereafter merge or
consolidate or to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all of
its
assets, if in any such case said corporation or other entity shall by operation
of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Company hereunder
as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise
assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive
may
not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations
hereunder.
11.
Governing Law;. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Florida, without regard
to
principles of conflict of laws.
12.
Jurisdiction and Venue;. The parties acknowledge that a substantial portion
of
the negotiations, anticipated performance and execution of this Agreement
occurred or shall occur in Orlando, Florida, and that, therefore, without
limiting the jurisdiction or venue of any other federal or state courts, each
of
the parties irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agrees that any suit, action
or
legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement which is expressly
permitted by the terms of this Agreement to be brought in a court of law, shall
be brought in the courts of record of the State of Florida in Orange County
or
the court of the United States, Middle District of Florida; (b) consents to
the
jurisdiction of each such court in any such suit, action or proceeding; (c)
waives any objection which it or he may have to the laying of venue of any
such
suit, action or proceeding in any of such courts; and (d) agrees that service
of
any court papers may be effected on such party by mail, as provided in this
Agreement, or in such other manner as may be provided under applicable laws
or
court rules in such courts.
13.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, upon its
effectiveness, shall supersede all prior agreements, understandings and
arrangements, both oral and written, between the Executive and the Company
(or
any of its affiliates) with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement
may
not be modified in any way unless by a written instrument signed by both the
Company and the Executive.
14.
Notices: All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be personally delivered by courier, sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested or sent by confirmed facsimile
transmission addressed as set forth herein. Notices personally delivered, sent
by facsimile or sent by overnight courier shall be deemed given on the date
of
delivery and notices mailed in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed
given upon the earlier of receipt by the addressee, as evidenced by the return
receipt thereof, or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail. Notice shall
be sent (i) if to the Company, addressed to 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
00000, Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx , and (ii) if to the Executive, to his
address as reflected on the payroll records of the Company, or to such other
address as either party shall request by notice to the other in accordance
with
this provision.
15.
Benefits; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be for the benefit of and binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives,
legal representatives, successors and, where permitted and applicable, assigns,
including, without limitation, any successor to the Company, whether by merger,
consolidation, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise.
16.
Right
to Consult with Counsel; No Drafting Party. The Executive acknowledges having
read and considered all of the provisions of this Agreement carefully, and
having had the opportunity to consult with counsel of his own choosing, and,
given this, the Executive agrees that the obligations created hereby are not
unreasonable. The Executive acknowledges that he has had an opportunity to
negotiate any and all of these provisions and no rule of construction shall
be
used that would interpret any provision in favor of or against a party on the
basis of who drafted the Agreement.
17.
Severability. The invalidity of any one or more of the words, phrases,
sentences, clauses, provisions, sections or articles contained in this Agreement
shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement
or any part thereof, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being
valid in law, and, in the event that any one or more of the words, phrases,
sentences, clauses, provisions, sections or articles contained in this Agreement
shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid
word or words, phrase or phrases, sentence or sentences, clause or clauses,
provisions or provisions, section or sections or article or articles had not
been inserted. If such invalidity is caused by length of time or size of area,
or both, the otherwise invalid provision will be considered to be reduced to
a
period or area which would cure such invalidity.
18.
Waivers. The waiver by either party hereto of a breach or violation of any
term
or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver
of
any subsequent breach or violation.
19.
Damages; Attorneys Fees.. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent
the Company or the Executive from seeking and recovering from the other damages
sustained by either or both of them as a result of its or his breach of any
term
or provision of this Agreement. In the event that either party hereto seeks
to
collect any damages resulting from, or the injunction of any action
constituting, a breach of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement,
then
the party found to be at fault shall pay all reasonable costs and attorneys'
fees of the other.
20.
Waiver of Jury Trial. The Executive hereby knowingly, voluntarily and
intentionally waives any right that the Executive may have to a trial by jury
in
respect of any litigation based hereon, or arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement and any agreement, document or instrument
contemplated to be executed in connection herewith, or any course of conduct,
course of dealing statements (whether verbal or written) or actions of any
party
hereto.
21.
No
Set-off or Mitigation.. 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.
22.
Section Headings. The article, section and paragraph headings contained in
this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
23.
No
Third Party Beneficiary. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is
intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person other than
the Company, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
representatives, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, any
rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
24.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument and agreement.
25.
Indemnification.
a.
Subject to limitations imposed by law, the Company shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against
any and all claims, damages, expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements, and all other liabilities incurred or paid by
him
in connection with the investigation, defense, prosecution, settlement or appeal
of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and to which the Executive
was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that
the
Executive is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason
of anything done or not done by the Executive in any such capacity or
capacities, provided that the Executive acted in good faith, in a manner that
was not grossly negligent or constituted willful misconduct and in a manner
he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Company also shall
pay
any and all expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred by the Executive
as a
result of the Executive being called as a witness in connection with any matter
involving the Company and/or any of its officers or directors.
b.
The
Company shall pay any expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements, and other liabilities incurred by the Executive
in investigating, defending, settling or appealing any action, suit or
proceeding described in this Section in advance of the final disposition of
such
action, suit or proceeding. The Company shall promptly pay the amount of such
expenses to the Executive, but in no event later than 10 days following the
Executive's delivery to the Company of a written request for an advance pursuant
to this Section, together with a reasonable accounting of such
expenses.
c.
The
Executive hereby undertakes and agrees to repay to the Company any advances
made
pursuant to this Section if and to the extent that it shall ultimately be found
that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such
amounts.
d.
The
Company shall make the advances contemplated by this Section regardless of
the
Executive's financial ability to make repayment, and regardless whether
indemnification of the Indemnitee by the Company will ultimately be required.
Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section shall be
unsecured and interest free.
e.
The
provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of the Term of
Employment or expiration of the term of this Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.
COMPANY:
Sequiam
Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx