Contract
This
Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 31st day of
December, 2008 by and between Petroleum Development Corporation, a Nevada
Corporation (the “Company”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx ( “Xxxxxxx”).
WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to employ Xxxxxxx as Chief Financial Officer and to perform
the duties and services incident to such position for the Company, and Xxxxxxx
wishes to be so employed by the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and obligations
set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and accepted, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1.
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Effective Date and
Term
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a.
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Initial
Term. The effective date of this Agreement shall be
November 11, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), and the initial term shall be
for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending December 31,
2010.
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b.
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Automatic
Extensions. The Term of this Agreement shall be extended
for an additional 12 months beginning on December 31, 2009 and on each
successive December 31 unless either party provides the other with at
least thirty (30) days prior written notice, or unless the contract has
been terminated by the parties in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7 of this Agreement. The period of time from the
Effective Date until the Termination Date, as defined in Section 7.b.,
shall be the “Term.”
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2.
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Place of
Employment
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The place
of employment shall be the Company’s offices in Denver, Colorado, unless Xxxxxxx
and the Company mutually agree to an alternative location. Xxxxxxx
acknowledges that there may be substantial business travel associated with
Xxxxxxx’x position.
3.
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Position and
Responsibilities
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a.
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Position. Xxxxxxx
shall serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall initially
report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “Chief Executive
Officer”) and be under the general direction and control of the Chief
Executive Officer.
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b.
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Responsibilities. Xxxxxxx
shall have obligations, duties, authority and power to do such acts as are
customarily done by a person holding the same or an equivalent position in
corporations of similar size to the Company. Xxxxxxx shall
perform such managerial duties and
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responsibilities
for the Company as may be reasonably be assigned to him and, at
no additional compensation, if requested, shall serve on the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and in other such
positions with any subsidiary corporation of the Company, or any
partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the
Company has an interest (herein collectively called “Affiliates”),
as may from time to time be
requested.
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c.
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Dedication of
Professional Services. Xxxxxxx shall devote
substantially all of Xxxxxxx’x business time, best efforts and attention
to promote and advance the business of the Company and its Affiliates to
perform diligently and faithfully all the duties, responsibilities and
obligations of Xxxxxxx’x position with the Company. Xxxxxxx
shall not be employed in any other business activity, other than with the
Company and its Affiliates, during the Term, whether or not such activity
is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage without approval
by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”);
provided, however, that this restriction shall not be construed as
preventing Xxxxxxx from investing Xxxxxxx’x personal assets in a business
which does not compete with the Company or its Affiliates, where the form
or manner of such investment will not require services of any significance
on the part of Xxxxxxx in the operation of the affairs of the business in
which such investment is made and in which Xxxxxxx’x participation is
solely that of a passive investor.
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d.
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Adherence to
Standards. Xxxxxxx shall comply with the written
policies, standards, rules and regulations of the Company from time to
time established for all employees or executive officers of the Company
consistent with Xxxxxxx'x position and level of
authority.
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e.
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Minimum Stock
Ownership. Xxxxxxx shall comply with the Company’s
minimum stock ownership requirements for officers (other than the Chief
Executive Officer); such requirements being that by the fifth anniversary
of the date of hire and until Xxxxxxx’x Termination Date, Xxxxxxx shall
maintain a minimum stock ownership equal to two times Xxxxxxx’x Base
Salary, as defined in Section 4.a.
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4.
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Compensation
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a.
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Base
Salary. The Company shall pay Xxxxxxx an annual base
salary of $235,000 (the “Base Salary”) commencing on the Effective Date
and ending on the Termination Date. The Base Salary shall be
payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of the
Company. The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the
Compensation Committee and may be changed by the Compensation Committee in
its sole discretion, taking into account the base salaries, aggregate
annual cash compensation, and other compensation of individuals holding
similar positions at other
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comparable
companies, the performance of Xxxxxxx and the Company, and other relevant
factors.
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b.
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Performance
Bonus. Xxxxxxx shall be eligible to earn an annual
performance bonus (the “Bonus”) during the Term based on criteria
established by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion each
year, to be paid by March 15 of the following year. For 2009, the target
bonus will be 50% of Xxxxxxx’x base salary, and the exceptional
performance bonus will be 100% of such base
salary.
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c.
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Equity Compensation
Grant. As a long term incentive, on the Effective Date
under the Company’s Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan, Xxxxxxx shall
participate in any equity compensation program provided to all executive
officers, based on criteria established by the Compensation Committee in
its sole discretion each year. Initially, Xxxxxxx will be
granted a restricted stock award equal to 100% of Base Salary, to vest pro
rata over 4 years; the valuation date for such award will be based on the
closing price of the Company’s stock on November 28,
2008.
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d.
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Other
Compensation. Xxxxxxx shall continue to be eligible to
participate in all other cash or stock compensation plans or programs
maintained by the Company, as in effect from time to time, in which other
senior executives of the Company are allowed to
participate.
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e.
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Recoupment of Certain
Compensation. If the Company has to restate all or a
portion of its financial statements due to the material noncompliance of
the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities
laws, the Employee shall, for the affected years, reimburse the Company
for any excess bonus paid to the Employee pursuant to Section
4.b. The reimbursements shall be equal to the difference
between the bonus paid to him for the affected years and the bonus that
would have been paid to the Employee had the financial results been
properly reported. Such reimbursement shall be paid to the
Company within ninety days after the Company notifies the Employee of the
amount owed to the Company.
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5.
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Employee
Benefits
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a.
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Participation in
Company Benefit Plans. During the Term, the Company
shall provide Xxxxxxx with coverage under all employee pension and welfare
benefit programs, plans and practices commensurate with Xxxxxxx’x
positions in the Company and to the extent permitted under the respective
employee benefit plan.
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b.
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Vacation. Xxxxxxx
will be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation in each calendar year,
to be taken at such times as is reasonably determined by Xxxxxxx to be
consistent with Xxxxxxx’x responsibilities under
this
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Agreement
and the Company’s vacation policy applicable to all
employees.
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c.
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Automobile. During
the Term, Xxxxxxx shall be entitled to an annual automobile allowance as
approved by the Compensation Committee and updated from time to time at
its discretion.
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d.
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Relocation
Expense. Xxxxxxx shall be entitled to
relocation expense for his move to the Denver Colorado area, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Company’s relocation policy. In
addition Xxxxxxx will be granted a $30,000 stipend to cover the
anticipated commute schedule prior to such
relocation.
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6.
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Restrictive
Covenants.
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a.
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Confidential
Information. Xxxxxxx hereby acknowledges that in
connection with Xxxxxxx’x employment by the Company, Xxxxxxx will be
exposed to and may obtain certain Confidential Information (as defined
below) (including, without limitation, procedures, memoranda, notes,
records and customer and supplier lists whether such information has been
or is made, developed or compiled by Xxxxxxx or otherwise has been or is
made available to him) regarding the business and operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Xxxxxxx further
acknowledges that such Confidential Information is unique, valuable,
considered trade secrets and deemed proprietary by the
Company. For purposes of the Agreement, “Confidential
Information” includes, without limitation, any information heretofore or
hereafter acquired, developed or used by any of the Company or their
direct or indirect subsidiaries relating to Business Opportunities or
Intellectual Property or other geological, geophysical, economic,
financial or management aspects of the business, operations, properties or
prospects of the Company or their direct or indirect subsidiaries, whether
oral or in written form (including electronic). Xxxxxxx agrees
that all Confidential Information is and will remain the property of the
Company or their direct or indirect subsidiaries, as the case may
be. Xxxxxxx further agrees, except for disclosures occurring in
the good faith performance of Xxxxxxx’x duties for the Company or their
direct or indirect subsidiaries, during the Term and for a period of three
(3) years after the Termination Date, to hold in the strictest confidence
all Confidential Information, and not to, directly or indirectly,
duplicate, sell, use, lease, commercialize, disclose or otherwise divulge
to any person or entity any portion of the Confidential Information or use
any Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, for Xxxxxxx’x own
benefit or profit or allow any person, entity or third party, other than
the Company or their direct or indirect subsidiaries and authorized
executives of the same, to use or otherwise gain access to any
Confidential Information. Xxxxxxx will have no obligation under
this Agreement with respect to any information that becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a
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disclosure
by Xxxxxxx or Xxxxxxx’x agent or other representative or becomes available
to Xxxxxxx on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the
Company or their direct or indirect subsidiaries. Further,
Xxxxxxx will have no obligation under this Agreement to keep confidential
any of the Confidential Information to the extent that a disclosure of it
is required by law or is consented to by the Company; provided, however,
that if and when such a disclosure is required by law, Xxxxxxx promptly
will provide the Company with notice of such requirement, so that the
Company may seek an appropriate protective
order.
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b.
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Return of
Property. Xxxxxxx agrees to deliver promptly to the
Company, upon termination of Xxxxxxx’x employment hereunder, or at any
other time when the Company so requests, all documents and property
relating to the business of the Company or their direct or indirect
subsidiaries, including without limitation: all geological and geophysical
reports and related data such as maps, charts, logs, seismographs, seismic
records and other reports and related data, calculations, summaries,
memoranda and opinions relating to the foregoing, production records,
electric logs, core data, pressure data, lease files, well files and
records, land files, abstracts, title opinions, title or curative matters,
contract files, notes, records, drawings, manuals, correspondence,
financial and accounting information, customer lists, statistical data and
compilations, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, inventions,
formulae, methods, processes, agreements, contracts, manuals, electronic
data, or any documents, whether written or digital
and whether prepared or compiled by Xxxxxxx or furnished to Xxxxxxx during
the Term, relating to the business of the Company or their direct or
indirect subsidiaries and all copies thereof and therefrom; provided,
however, that Xxxxxxx will be permitted to retain copies of any documents
or materials of a personal nature or otherwise related to Xxxxxxx’x rights
under this Agreement. The aforementioned materials include materials on
Xxxxxxx’x personal computers, which materials shall be destroyed in a
manner satisfactory to the Company.
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c.
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Non-Compete
Obligations.
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(i)
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Non-Compete
Obligations During Employment Term. Xxxxxxx agrees that during
the Term:
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(A)
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Xxxxxxx
will not, other than through the Company, engage or participate in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly through any family member or as an
employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, more than one
percent shareholder, officer, director, licensor, lender, lessor or in any
other individual or representative capacity, in any business or activity
which is engaged in leasing, acquiring, exploring, producing, gathering or
marketing hydrocarbons and related products; provided that the foregoing
shall not
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be
deemed to restrain the participation by Xxxxxxx’x spouse in any capacity
set forth above in any business or activity engaged in any such activity
and provided further that the Company may, in good faith, take such
reasonable action with respect to Xxxxxxx’x performance of Xxxxxxx’x
duties, responsibilities and authorities as set forth in this Agreement as
it deems necessary and appropriate to protect its legitimate business
interests with respect to any actual or apparent conflict of interest
reasonably arising from or out of the participation by Xxxxxxx’x spouse in
any such competitive business or activity;
and
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(B)
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all
investments made by Xxxxxxx (whether in Xxxxxxx’x own name or in the name
of any family members or other nominees or made by Xxxxxxx’x controlled
affiliates), which relate to the leasing, acquisition, exploration,
production, gathering or marketing of hydrocarbons and related products
will be made solely through the Company; and Xxxxxxx will not (directly or
indirectly through any family members or other persons), and will not
permit any of Xxxxxxx’x controlled affiliates to: (1) invest or otherwise
participate alongside the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries
in any Business Opportunities, or (2) invest or otherwise participate in
any business or activity relating to a Business Opportunity, regardless of
whether any of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries
ultimately participates in such business or activity, in either case,
except through the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing in this Section 6 shall be deemed to prohibit Xxxxxxx or any
family member from owning, or otherwise having an interest in, less than
one percent (1%) of any publicly-owned entity or three percent (3%) or
less of any private equity fund or similar investment fund that invests in
any business or activity engaged in any of the activities set forth above,
provided that Xxxxxxx has no active role with respect to any investment by
such fund in any entity.
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(ii)
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Non-Compete
Obligations After Termination Date. Xxxxxxx agrees that
Xxxxxxx will not engage or participate in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly through any family member or other person or as an employee,
employer, consultant, agent principal, partner, more than one percent
shareholder, officer, director, licensor, lender, lessor or in any other
individual or representative
capacity:
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(A)
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during
the one-year period following the Termination Date, in any business or
activity which is engaged in leasing, acquiring, exploring, producing,
gathering or marketing hydrocarbons and related products within (1) any
county or parish in which the Company owns any oil and gas interests or
conducts operations on the Termination Date or in which the Company has
owned any oil and gas interests or conducted operations at any time during
the six months immediately preceding the Termination Date or
(2) any county or parish adjacent to any county or parish
described in clause (1); and
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(B)
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during
the two-year period following the Termination Date, in any business or
activity which is in direct competition with the business of the Company
or its direct or indirect subsidiaries in the leasing, acquiring,
exploring, producing, gathering or marketing of hydrocarbons and related
products within the boundaries of, or within a two-mile radius of the
boundaries of, any mineral property interest of any of the Company or its
direct or indirect subsidiaries (including, without limitation, a mineral
lease, overriding royalty interest, production payment, net profits
interest, mineral fee interest or option or right to acquire any of the
foregoing, or an area of mutual interest as designated pursuant to
contractual agreements between the Company and any third party) or any
other property on which any of the Company or its direct or indirect
subsidiaries has an option, right, license or authority to conduct or
direct exploratory activities, such as three-dimensional seismic
acquisition or other seismic, geophysical and geochemical activities (but
not including any preliminary geological mapping), as of the Termination
Date or as of the end of the six-month period following such Termination
Date; provided that, this subsection (ii) will not preclude Xxxxxxx from
making investments in securities of oil and gas companies which are
registered on a national stock exchange, if the aggregate amount owned by
Xxxxxxx and all family members and affiliates does not exceed 5% of such
company’s outstanding securities.
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(iii)
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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.c. shall be deemed to restrain
the participation by Xxxxxxx’x spouse in any capacity set forth above in
any business or activity described
above.
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d.
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Non-Solicitation. During
the Term and for a period of twenty-four (24) months after the Termination
Date, Xxxxxxx will not, whether for
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Xxxxxxx’x
own account or for the account of any other person (other than the Company
or its direct or indirect subsidiaries), intentionally solicit, endeavor
to entice away from the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries, or
otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Company or its direct or
indirect subsidiaries with, (i) any person who is employed by the Company
or its direct or indirect subsidiaries (including any independent sales
representatives or organizations), or (ii) any client or customer of the
Company or its direct or indirect
subsidiaries.
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e.
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Assignment of
Developments. Xxxxxxx assigns and agrees to assign
without further compensation to the Company and its successors, assigns or
designees, all of Xxxxxxx’x right, title and interest in and to all
Business Opportunities and Intellectual Property (as those terms are
defined below), and further acknowledges and agrees that all Business
Opportunities and Intellectual Property constitute the exclusive property
of the Company.
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For
purposes of this Agreement, “Business Opportunities” means all business ideas,
prospects, proposals or other opportunities pertaining to the lease,
acquisition, exploration, production, gathering or marketing of hydrocarbons and
related products and the exploration potential of geographical areas on which
hydrocarbon exploration prospects are located, which are developed by Xxxxxxx
during the Term, or originated by any third party and brought to the attention
of Xxxxxxx during the Term, together with information relating thereto
(including, without limitation, geological and seismic data and interpretations
thereof, whether in the form of maps, charts, logs, seismographs, calculations,
summaries, memoranda, opinions or other written or charted means).
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Intellectual Property” shall mean all ideas,
inventions, discoveries, processes, designs, methods, substances, articles,
computer programs and improvements (including, without limitation, enhancements
to, or further interpretation or processing of, information that was in the
possession of Xxxxxxx prior to the date of this Agreement), whether or not
patentable or copyrightable, which do not fall within the definition of Business
Opportunities, which Xxxxxxx discovers, conceives, invents, creates or develops,
alone or with others, during the Term, if such discovery, conception, invention,
creation or development (i) occurs in the course of Xxxxxxx’x employment with
the Company, or (ii) occurs with the use of any of the time, materials or
facilities of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries, or (iii) in
the good faith judgment of the Board, relates or pertains in any material way to
the purposes, activities or affairs of the Company or its direct or indirect
subsidiaries.
f.
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Injunctive
Relief. Xxxxxxx acknowledges that a breach of any of the
covenants contained in this Section 6 may result in material, irreparable
injury to the Company for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that
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it
will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and
that, in the event of such a breach or threat of breach, the Company will
be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary
or permanent injunction restraining Xxxxxxx from engaging in activities
prohibited by this Section 6 or such other relief as may be required to
specifically enforce any of the covenants in this Section 6. To
the extent that the Company seeks a temporary restraining order (but not a
preliminary or permanent injunction), Xxxxxxx agrees that a temporary
restraining order may be obtained ex
parte.
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g.
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Adjustment of
Covenants. The parties consider the covenants and
restrictions contained in this Section 6 to be
reasonable. However, if and when any such covenant or
restriction is found to be void or unenforceable and would have been valid
had some part of it been deleted or had its scope of application been
modified, such covenant or restriction will be deemed to have been applied
with such modification as would be necessary and consistent with the
intent of the parties to have made it valid, enforceable and
effective.
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h.
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Forfeiture
Provision.
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(i)
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Detrimental
Activities. If Xxxxxxx engages in any activity that
violates any covenant or restriction contained in this Section 6, in
addition to any other remedy the Company may have at law or in equity, (A)
Xxxxxxx will be entitled to no further payments or benefits from the
Company under this Agreement or otherwise, except for any payments or
benefits required to be made or provided under applicable law, (B) all
unexercised stock options, restricted stock and other forms of equity
compensation held by or credited to Xxxxxxx will terminate effective as of
the date on which Xxxxxxx engages in that activity, unless terminated
sooner by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or
other applicable plans and agreements, and (C) any exercise, payment or
delivery pursuant to any equity compensation award that occurred within
one year prior to the date on which Xxxxxxx engages in that activity may
be rescinded within one year after the first date that a majority of the
members of the Board first became aware that Xxxxxxx engaged in that
activity. In the event of any such rescission, Xxxxxxx will pay
to the Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a
result of the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery, in such manner and
on such terms and conditions as may be
required.
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(ii)
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Right of
Set-Off. Xxxxxxx consents to a deduction from any
amounts the Company owes Xxxxxxx from time to time (including amounts owed
as wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well
as any other amounts owed to Xxxxxxx by the
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Company),
to the extent of the amounts Xxxxxxx owes the Company under Section 6
above. Whether or not the Company elects to make any set-off in
whole or in part, if the Company does not recover by means of set-off the
full amount Xxxxxxx owes, calculated as set forth above, Xxxxxxx agrees to
pay immediately the unpaid balance to the Company. In the
discretion of the Board, reasonable interest may be assessed on the
amounts owed, calculated from the later of (A) the date Xxxxxxx engages in
the prohibited activity and (B) the applicable date of exercise, payment
or delivery.
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7.
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Termination of the
Agreement
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a.
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Notice of
Termination. Either Xxxxxxx or the Board may terminate
this Agreement at any time and in Xxxxxxx’x or their sole discretion upon
no less than thirty (30) days written Notice of Termination to the other
party. "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice
which shall indicate the specified termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon (Section 7.c., Section 7.d., Section 7.e., Section 7.f.,
Section 7.g. or Section 7.h.) and shall set forth in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
Xxxxxxx'x employment under the provision so indicated; provided, however,
no such purported termination shall be effective without such Notice of
Termination; provided further, however, any purported termination by the
Company or by Xxxxxxx shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto in accordance with Section 8 (“Notices”)
of this Agreement.
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b.
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Termination
Date. The “Termination Date” shall mean the date
specified in the Notice of Termination. The Termination Date shall not be
less than thirty (30) days after the date such Notice of Termination is
given.
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c.
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Termination by the
Company for Just Cause.
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(i)
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The
Company may terminate Xxxxxxx for “Just Cause” (as defined in Section
7.c.ii), provided that the Company
shall:
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(A)
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Give
Xxxxxxx Notice of Termination as specified in Section 7.a.,
and
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(B)
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Pay
Xxxxxxx, within thirty (30) days after this Termination Date, Xxxxxxx’x
Base Salary through the Termination Date at the rate in effect at the time
the Notice of Termination is given plus a good faith estimate by the
Company of any unpaid Bonus (in full for any completed annual period and
prorated for months completed in the current annual period), incentive,
deferred, retirement or other compensation, and provide any other
benefits, which have
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been
earned or become payable as of the Termination Date, pursuant to the terms
of this or any other agreement, or compensation or benefit plan, but which
have not yet been paid or provided.
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(ii)
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For
purposes of this Agreement “Just Cause” shall be a reasonable
determination of the Board that
Xxxxxxx:
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(A)
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Failed
to substantially perform Xxxxxxx’x duties with the Company (other than a
failure resulting from Xxxxxxx’x incapacity due to physical or mental
illness) after a written demand for substantial performance has been
delivered to him by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board believes Xxxxxxx has not substantially performed
Xxxxxxx’x duties, and Xxxxxxx has failed to cure such deficiency within
thirty (30) days of the receipt of such
notice;
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(B)
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Has
engaged in conduct the consequences of which are materially adverse to the
Company, monetarily or otherwise;
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(C)
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Has
pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral
turpitude or dishonesty; or
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(D)
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Has
materially breached the terms of this
Agreement.
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(E)
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Following
a Change in Control, Subsection (A) above shall be deleted from this
definition of “Just Cause”.
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d.
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Termination by the
Company Without Just Cause. In the event the Company
terminates this Agreement prior to its expiration (including extensions as
provided in Section 1.b) for any reason other than for Just Cause or the
death or Disability (as defined in Section 7.e.) of Xxxxxxx, the Company
shall:
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(i)
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Pay
to Xxxxxxx within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date a lump sum
severance payment equal to two times the sum
of:
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(A)
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Xxxxxxx’x
highest Base Salary during the previous two years of employment
immediately preceding the Termination Date,
plus
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(B)
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the
highest Bonus paid to Xxxxxxx during the same two-year
period,
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(ii)
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Pay
to Xxxxxxx any unpaid expense reimbursement upon presentation by Xxxxxxx
of an accounting of such expenses in
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accordance
with normal Company practices, but no later than March 15 of the year
following the year of termination,
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(iii)
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Vest
any unvested Company stock options or restricted stock (excluding LTIP
shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan),
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(iv)
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Make
any other payments or provide any benefits earned under this or any other
employment agreement or plan, including the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan (including LTIP shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan),
and
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(v)
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Continue
coverage of Xxxxxxx and any dependents covered at the time of termination
under the Company’s group health plans at the Company’s cost throughout
the period of time that Xxxxxxx is eligible for federal COBRA health
continuation coverage.
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e.
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Termination in the
Event of Death or Disability. This Agreement shall
terminate in the event of the death of Xxxxxxx or may be terminated by the
Company in the event of a Disability (as hereinafter defined) of Xxxxxxx
upon proper notification to Xxxxxxx (or Xxxxxxx’x estate in the event of
Xxxxxxx’x death), provided the Company shall pay to Xxxxxxx (or to the
estate of Xxxxxxx in the event of termination due to the death of Xxxxxxx)
the Base Salary described in Section 4.a. of this Agreement which would
have been earned for six (6) months after the Termination
Date. The benefits provided under this Section 7.e. shall be no
less favorable to Xxxxxxx in terms of amounts, deductibles and costs to
him, if any, than such benefits provided by the Company to him and shall
not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which Xxxxxxx, as a
terminated employee of the Company, or Xxxxxxx’x family may be entitled
under the Company’s life insurance, medical, hospitalization or disability
plans following Xxxxxxx’x Termination Date or under applicable law, and
any other benefits or payments earned by Xxxxxxx under Xxxxxxx’x or any
other agreement or plan. “Disability” means the inability of
Xxxxxxx to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected
to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A(a)(2)(C) and Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(4). All
amounts payable under this Section 7.e. shall be paid in a lump-sum as
soon as practicable, but in no event later than two-and-one-half (2-1/2)
months following the close of the calendar year in which the death or
Disability occurred.
|
12
f.
|
Termination by Xxxxxxx
for Good Reason.
|
(i)
|
In
the event Xxxxxxx terminate this Agreement for Good Reason (as defined in
Section 7.f.ii), provided such Xxxxxxx’x termination occurs within ninety
days of the Good Reason, the Company
shall:
|
(A)
|
Pay
to Xxxxxxx within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date,
a lump sum severance payment equal to two times the sum
of:
|
x.
|
Xxxxxxx’x
highest Base Salary during the previous two years of employment
immediately preceding the Termination Date,
plus
|
b.
|
the
highest Bonus paid to Xxxxxxx during the same two-year
period,
|
(B)
|
Pay
to Xxxxxxx any unpaid expense reimbursement upon presentation by Xxxxxxx
of an accounting of such expenses in accordance with normal Company
practices, but no later than March 15 of the year following the year of
termination,
|
(C)
|
Vest
any unvested Company stock options or restricted stock (excluding LTIP
shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan),
|
(D)
|
Make
any other payments or provide any benefits earned under this or any other
employment agreement or plan, including the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan (including LTIP shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan),
and
|
(E)
|
Continue
coverage of Xxxxxxx and any dependents covered at the time of termination
under the Company’s group health plans at the Company’s cost throughout
the period of time that Xxxxxxx is eligible for federal COBRA health
continuation coverage.
|
(ii)
|
"Good
Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without
Xxxxxxx'x prior express written
consent:
|
(A)
|
A
material diminution in Xxxxxxx’x Base
Salary;
|
(B)
|
A material
diminution in reward opportunities under the annual
Bonus;
|
13
(C)
|
Any
other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company
of this Agreement.
|
Xxxxxxx
must provide notice to the Company of the condition described in paragraphs
(A)-(C) of this section within ninety (90) days, upon the notice of which the
Company will have a period of thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the
condition and not be required to pay the amount.
g.
|
Termination by Xxxxxxx
for other than Good Reason. Xxxxxxx may terminate this
Agreement for other than Good Reason upon proper Notice of Termination as
provided in Section 7.a. In such event the Company shall pay to
Xxxxxxx:
|
(i)
|
Within
thirty (30) days after Xxxxxxx’x Termination Date, in a lump-sum, the
compensation provided in Section 4 at the rate in effect at the time of
the Notice of Termination. If Xxxxxxx’x termination occurs prior to the
end of the year, Xxxxxxx shall not be entitled to any Bonus for the
year;
|
(ii)
|
Any
incentive, deferred or other compensation which has been earned or has
become payable pursuant to the terms of this or any other agreement or
compensation or benefit plan as of the Termination Date, but which has not
yet been paid, provided such payments shall be made under the schedule
originally contemplated in the agreement under which they were granted,
but if no such payment schedule is provided, the payments shall be made no
later than March 15 of the year following the year of
termination;
|
(iii)
|
Any
unpaid expense reimbursement upon presentation by Xxxxxxx of an accounting
of such expenses in accordance with normal Company practices, but not
later than March 15 of the year following the year of termination;
and
|
(iv)
|
Any
other payments for benefits earned under this Agreement, which shall in no
event be paid later than March 15 of the year following the year of
termination.
|
h.
|
Termination following
Change of Control.
|
(i)
|
If
either (1) the Company terminates Xxxxxxx’x employment within two years
following a Change of Control of the Company (as defined in Section
7.h.ii.) or (2) Xxxxxxx gives notice to the Company of
termination of this Agreement during the thirty (30) day period beginning
one hundred twenty (120) days immediately following a Change in
Control, then the Company shall:
|
14
(A)
|
Pay
to Xxxxxxx within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date, a lump sum
severance payment equal to three times the sum
of:
|
x.
|
Xxxxxxx’x
highest Base Salary during the previous two years of employment
immediately preceding the Termination Date,
plus
|
b.
|
the
highest Bonus paid to Xxxxxxx during the same two-year
period.
|
(B)
|
Pay
to Xxxxxxx any unpaid expense reimbursement upon presentation by Xxxxxxx
of an accounting of such expenses in accordance with normal Company
practices, but no later than March 15 of the year following the year of
termination,
|
(C)
|
Vest
any unvested Company stock options or restricted stock (excluding LTIP
shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan),
|
(D)
|
Make
any other payments or provide any benefits earned under this or any other
employment agreement or plan, including the Company’s Long-Term Incentive
Plan (including LTIP shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan),
and
|
(E)
|
Continue
coverage of Xxxxxxx and any dependents covered at the time of termination
under the Company’s group health plans at the Company’s cost throughout
the period of time that Xxxxxxx is eligible for federal COBRA health
continuation coverage.
|
(ii)
|
"Change
of Control" of the Company shall occur on the earliest of the following
events:
|
(A)
|
Change in
Ownership: A change in ownership of the Company occurs on the date
that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires
ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such
person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value
or total voting power of the stock of the Company, excluding the
acquisition of additional stock by a person or more than one person acting
as a group who is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market
value or total voting power of the stock of the
Company.
|
15
(B)
|
Change in Effective
Control: A change in effective control of the Company occurs on the
date that either:
|
a.
|
Any
one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has
acquired during the l2-month period ending on the date of the most recent
acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company
possessing 35% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the
Company; or
|
b.
|
A
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”) is replaced during any l2-month period by directors whose
appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of
the board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election;
provided, that this paragraph (b) shall apply only to the Company if no
other corporation is a majority
shareholder.
|
(C)
|
Change in Ownership of
Substantial Assets: A change in the ownership of a substantial
portion of the Company's assets occurs on the date that any one person, or
more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during
the l2-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by
such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross
fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market
value of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition
or acquisitions. For this purpose, “gross fair market value” means the
value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being
disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with
such assets.
|
It is the
intent that this definition be construed consistent with the definition of
“Change of Control” as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the
applicable Treasury Regulations, as amended from time to time.
i.
|
Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A Compliance.
|
Except
with respect to amounts paid pursuant to a schedule in a plan or arrangement
outside of this Agreement, it is intended that amounts payable under this
Section 7 not be considered non-qualified deferred compensation subject to
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Xxxxxxx is a Specified Employee
under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A,
16
therefore,
to the extent such amounts are considered non-qualified deferred compensation
payable upon a separation from service under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A,
payment of those amounts so deferred under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A
may not be made until at least six (6) months following Xxxxxxx’x separation
from service of the Company (or, if earlier, the date of death of
Xxxxxxx).
j.
|
Release. Prior
to the payment by the Company of the amounts due under subsections (d),
(f) or (h) above, Employee shall execute the release attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
|
8.
|
Notices. For
the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when personally delivered, by facsimile transmission
or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
by expedited (overnight) courier with established national
reputation, shipping prepaid or billed to sender, in either case addressed
to the respective addresses last given by each party to the
other (provided that all notices to the Company shall be
directed to the attention of the Secretary of the Company ) or to such
other address as either party may have furnished to the other
in
writing in accordance herewith. All
notices and communication shall be deemed to have been received on the
date of delivery thereof, or on the second day after deposit thereof with
an expedited courier service, except that notice of change of address
shall be effective only upon
receipt.
|
Company
at:
|
Petroleum
Development Corporation
|
||
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|||
X.X.
Xxx 00
|
|||
Xxxxxxxxxx
XX 00000
|
|||
Xxxxxxx
at:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
|
9.
|
Life
Insurance. The Company may, at any time after the
execution of this Agreement, maintain any outstanding life insurance
policies and apply for and procure as owner and for its own benefit new
life insurance on Xxxxxxx, in such amounts and in such form or forms as
the Company may determine. Xxxxxxx shall, at the request of the
Company, submit to such medical examinations, supply such information, and
execute such documents as may be required by the insurance company or
companies to whom the Company has applied for such
insurance. Xxxxxxx hereby represents that to Xxxxxxx’x
knowledge Xxxxxxx is in excellent physical and mental
condition.
|
10.
|
Successors.
This Agreement shall be binding on the Company and any successor to any of
its businesses or assets. Without limiting the effect of the
prior sentence, the Company shall use its best efforts to require any
successor or assign
|
17
|
(whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if
no such succession or assignment had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and
any successor or assign to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement or which is otherwise
obligated under this Agreement by the first sentence of this Section,
entitled Successors, by operation of law or
otherwise.
|
11.
|
Binding
Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by Xxxxxxx'x personal and legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. If Xxxxxxx should die while any amounts would still
be payable to him hereunder if Xxxxxxx had continued to live, all such
amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement to Xxxxxxx'x
estate.
|
12.
|
Integration,
Modification and Waiver. This Agreement constitutes the
sole employment agreement between the parties, and any prior employment
agreement, written or oral, is terminated. No provision of this
Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver,
modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Xxxxxxx
and such officer of the Company as may be specifically designated by the
Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be
deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the
same or at any prior or subsequent
time.
|
13.
|
Headings. Headings
used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to
interpret or construe its
provisions.
|
14.
|
Waiver of
Breach. The waiver of either the Company or Xxxxxxx of a
breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by either the Company or
Xxxxxxx.
|
15.
|
Amendments. No
amendments or variations of the terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by all of the
parties hereto.
|
16.
|
Survival of
Obligations. The provisions of Section 6 of this
Agreement shall continue to be binding upon Xxxxxxx and Company in
accordance with their terms, notwithstanding the termination of Xxxxxxx’x
employment with the Company for any reason or the expiration of this
Agreement.
|
17.
|
Severability. The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement, whether
in whole or in part, shall not in any way affect the validity and/or
enforceability of any other provision contained herein. Any
invalid or
|
18
|
unenforceable
provision shall be deemed severable to the extent of any such invalidity
or unenforceability. It is expressly understood and agreed that
while the Company and Xxxxxxx consider the restrictions contained in this
Agreement reasonable for the purpose of preserving for the Company the
good will, other proprietary rights and intangible business value of the
Company, if a final judicial determination is made by a court having
jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained
in this Agreement is an unreasonable or otherwise unenforceable
restriction against Xxxxxxx, the provisions of such clause shall not be
rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to maximum time and
territory and to such other extent as such court may judicially determine
or indicate to be reasonable.
|
18.
|
Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving
effect to its conflict of laws.
|
19.
|
Executive Officer
Status. Xxxxxxx acknowledges that Xxxxxxx may be deemed
to be an "executive officer" of the Company for purposes of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and, if so, Xxxxxxx shall comply in
all respects with all the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act and the
1934 Act applicable to him in a timely and non-delinquent manner. In order
to assist the Company in complying with its obligations under the 1933 Act
and 1934 Act, Xxxxxxx shall provide to the Company such information about
Xxxxxxx as the Company shall reasonably request including, but not limited
to, information relating to personal history and
stockholdings. Xxxxxxx shall immediately report to the General
Counsel of the Company or other designated officer of the Company all
changes in beneficial ownership of any shares of the Company Common Stock
deemed to be beneficially owned by Xxxxxxx and/or any members of Xxxxxxx'x
immediate family.
|
20.
|
Pronouns. All
pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the
masculine, feminine, neuter, singular, or plural, as the identity of the
person or entity may require. As used in this Agreement: (1) words of the
masculine gender shall mean and include corresponding neuter words or
words of the feminine gender, (2) words in the singular shall mean and
include the plural and vice versa, and (3) the word "may" gives sole
discretion without any obligation to take any
action.
|
21.
|
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
but one document.
|
22.
|
Exhibits. Any
Exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and are an
integral part of this Agreement.
|
19
23.
|
Withholding of
Taxes. The Company will withhold from any amounts payable under the
Agreement, all federal, state, local or other taxes as legally will be
required to be withheld.
|
24.
|
Consent to
Jurisdiction and Service of
Process.
|
a.
|
Section
6 Disputes. In the event of any dispute,
controversy or claim between the Company and Xxxxxxx arising out of or
relating to the interpretation, application or enforcement of the
provisions of Section 6, the Company and Xxxxxxx agree and consent to the
personal jurisdiction of the state and local courts of Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania and/or the United States District Court for the Western
District of Pennsylvania for resolution of the dispute, controversy or
claim, and that those courts, and only those courts, will have
jurisdiction to determine any dispute, controversy or claim related to,
arising under or in connection with Section 6 of this Agreement. The
Company and Xxxxxxx also agree that those courts are convenient forums for
the parties to any such dispute, controversy or claim and for any
potential witnesses and that process issued out of any such court or in
accordance with the rules of practice of that court may be served by mail
or other forms of substituted service to the Company at the address of its
principal executive offices and to Xxxxxxx at him last known address as
reflected in the Company’s records.
|
b.
|
Disputes Other Than
Under Section 6. In the event of any dispute relating to
this Agreement, other than a dispute relating solely to Section 6, the
parties will use their best efforts to settle the dispute, claim,
question, or disagreement. To this effect, they will consult and negotiate
with each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests,
attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both
parties. If such a dispute cannot be settled through negotiation, the
parties agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by
mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under its
Commercial Mediation Rules before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or
some other dispute resolution procedure. If the parties do not reach such
solution through negotiation or mediation within a period of sixty (60)
days, then, upon notice by either party to the other, all disputes,
claims, questions, or differences will be finally settled by arbitration
administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with
the provisions of its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator will be
selected by agreement of the parties or, if they do not agree on an
arbitrator within thirty (30) days after either party has notified the
other of him or its desire to have the question settled by arbitration,
then the arbitrator will be selected pursuant to the procedures of the
American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The determination reached in such arbitration will be final and binding on
all parties. Enforcement of the determination by such arbitrator may be
sought in any court of competent jurisdiction. Unless otherwise agreed by
the parties, any such arbitration will take
place
|
20
|
in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will be conducted in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
AAA.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and
Xxxxxxx have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Petroleum
Development Corporation
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||||
Position:
|
Chair
of the
|
||||
Compensation
Committee
|
DM3\885727.2
21
EXHIBIT
A
GENERAL RELEASE OF
CLAIMS
This
General Release ("Release") is entered into as of this ____ day of _________,
2008, by and between Petroleum Development Corporation (the “Company”), and
__________________, an employee of the Company (the “Employee”) (collectively,
the “Parties”).
WHEREAS,
Employee and the Company are parties to an Employment Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated _________________, 2008, governing the terms and conditions
applicable if Employee’s employment is terminated for various
reasons;
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide
Employee certain benefits and payments under the terms and conditions specified
therein, provided that Employee has executed and not revoked a general release
of claims in favor of the Company;
WHEREAS,
Employee’s employment with the Company is being terminated effective [enter
date]; and
WHEREAS,
the Parties wish to terminate their relationship amicably and to resolve, fully
and finally, all actual and potential claims and disputes relating to Employee’s
employment with and termination from the Company and all other relationships
between Employee and the Company, up to and including the date of execution of
this Release.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of these Recitals and the promises and mutual
covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the Parties,
intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1.
|
Termination of
Employment. Employee’s employment with the Company shall
terminate on [enter date] (the "Termination
Date").
|
2.
|
Severance
Benefits. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, and in
consideration of Employee’s release of claims and the other covenants and
agreements contained herein and therein, and provided that Employee has
signed this Release and delivered it to the Company and has not exercised
any revocation rights as provided in Section 6 below, the Company shall
provide the severance benefits described in Section 7 of the Agreement
(the "Benefits") in the time and manner provided therein; provided,
however, that the Company's obligations will be excused if Employee
breaches any of the provisions of the Agreement including, without
limitation, Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof. Employee acknowledges
and agrees that the Benefits constitute consideration beyond that which,
but for the mutual covenants set forth in this Release and the covenants
contained in the Agreement, the Company otherwise would not be obligated
to provide, nor would Employee otherwise be entitled to
receive.
|
22
3.
|
Effective
Date. Provided that it has not been revoked pursuant to
Section 6 hereof, this Release will become effective on the eighth (8th)
day after the date of its execution by Employee (the "Effective
Date").
|
4.
|
Effect of
Revocation. Employee acknowledges and agrees that if
Employee revokes this Release pursuant to Section 6 hereof, Employee will
have no right to receive the
Benefits.
|
5.
|
General
Release. In consideration of the Company’s obligations,
Employee hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges Company and each
of its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective officers,
employees, directors, successors and assigns from any and all claims,
actions or causes of action in any way related to his employment with the
Company or the termination thereof, whether arising from tort, statute or
contract, including but not limited to, claims of defamation, claims
arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by
the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act, the discrimination and wage payment laws of
Colorado and any other federal, state or local statutes or ordinances of
the United States, it being Employee’s intention and the intention of the
Company to make this release as broad and as general as the law
permits. Employee understands that this Agreement does not
waive any rights or claims that may arise after his execution of it and
does not apply to claims arising under the terms of this
Agreement.
|
6.
|
Review and Revocation
Period. Employee acknowledges that the Company has
advised Employee that Employee may consult with an attorney of Employee’s
own choosing (and at Employee’s expense) prior to signing this Release and
that Employee has been given at least twenty-one (21) days during which to
consider the provisions of this Release, although Employee may sign and
return it sooner. Employee further acknowledges that Employee has been
advised by the Company that after executing this Release, Employee will
have seven (7) days to revoke this Release, and that this Release shall
not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day revocation
period has expired. Employee acknowledges and agrees that if
Employee wishes to revoke this Release, Employee must do so in writing,
and that such revocation must be signed by Employee and received by the
Chairman of the Board of the Company (or the Chairman of the Compensation
Committee) no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the seventh (7th) day
after Employee has executed this Release. Employee acknowledges and agrees
that, in the event that Employee revokes this Release, Employee will have
no right to receive any benefits hereunder, including the Benefits.
Employee represents that Employee has read this Release and understands
its terms and enters into this Release freely, voluntarily and without
coercion.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality,
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation. Employee reaffirms his
commitments in Sections 6.a., 6.c. and 6.d. of the
Agreement.
|
23
8.
|
Cooperation in
Litigation. At the Company's reasonable request,
Employee shall use his good faith efforts to cooperate with the Company,
its Affiliates, and each of its and their respective attorneys or other
legal representatives ("Attorneys") in connection with any claim,
litigation or judicial or arbitral proceeding which is material to the
Company and is now pending or may hereinafter be brought against the
Released Parties by any third party; provided, that, Employee’s
cooperation is essential to the Company's case. Employee’s duty
of cooperation will include, but not be limited to (a) meeting with the
Company's and/or its Affiliates' Attorneys by telephone or in person at
mutually convenient times and places in order to state truthfully
Employee’s knowledge of matters at issue and recollection of events; (b)
appearing at the Company's, its Affiliates' and/or their Attorneys'
request (and, to the extent possible, at a time convenient to Employee
that does not conflict with the needs or requirements of Employee’s
then-current employer) as a witness at depositions or trials, without
necessity of a subpoena, in order to state truthfully Employee’s knowledge
of matters at issue; and (c) signing at the Company's, its Affiliates'
and/or their Attorneys' request declarations or affidavits that truthfully
state matters of which Employee has knowledge. The Company
shall reimburse Employee for the reasonable expenses incurred by him in
the course of his cooperation hereunder and shall pay to Employee per diem
compensation in an amount equal to the daily prorated portion of the
Employee’s base salary immediately prior to the Termination
Date. The obligations set forth in this Section 8 shall survive
any termination or revocation of this
Release.
|
9.
|
Non-Admission of
Liability. Nothing in this Release will be construed as
an admission of liability by Employee or the Released Parties; rather,
Employee and the Released Parties are resolving all matters arising out of
the employer-employee relationship between Employee and the Company and
all other relationships between Employee and the Released
Parties.
|
10.
|
Binding
Effect. This Release will be binding upon the Parties
and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors,
successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and
their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors,
successors and assigns.
|
11.
|
Governing
Law. This Release will be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
applicable to agreements negotiated, entered into and wholly to be
performed therein.
|
12.
|
Severability. Each
of the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be
deemed independent and may be enforced independently irrespective of any
of the other rights and obligations set forth herein. If any
provision of this Release should be held illegal or invalid, such
illegality or invalidity will not affect in any way other provisions
hereof, all of which will continue, nevertheless, in full force and
effect.
|
24
13.
|
Counterparts. This
Release may be signed in counterparts and each counterpart will be deemed
to be an original but together all such counterparts will be deemed a
single agreement.
|
14.
|
Entire Agreement;
Modification. This Release constitutes the entire
understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and may not be modified without the express written consent of both
Parties. This Release supersedes all prior written and/or oral
and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations
regarding its subject matter. This Release may not be modified
or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both
Parties.
|
15.
|
Acceptance. Employee
may confirm his acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Release by
signing and returning two (2) original copies of this Release to the
Chairman of the Board of the Company, no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
twenty-one (21) days after Employee’s receipt of notice of
termination.
|
EMPLOYEE
ACKNOWLEDGES AND REPRESENTS THAT EMPLOYEE HAS FULLY AND CAREFULLY READ THIS
RELEASE PRIOR TO SIGNING IT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS. EMPLOYEE FURTHER
ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE, ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF EMPLOYEE’S OWN CHOICE AS TO THE
LEGAL EFFECT AND MEANING OF EACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS RELEASE,
AND IS ENTERING INTO THIS RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON
ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS
RELEASE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the
Employee have duly executed this Release as of the date first above
written.
Company
|
[Full
Name]
|
||||
Petroleum
Development Corporation
|
|||||
By:
|
|||||
[Full
Name]
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||||
Position:
|
Chair
of the
|
||||
Compensation
Committee
|
25