EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.7 Employment Agreement with Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
This
Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as
of February 5, 2008 by and between CHDT Corporation
(“Company”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx , a natural person (the “Executive”). The
Company and the Executive may also hereinafter be referred to individually as a
“party” and collectively as the “parties.”
RECITALS:
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ Executive on a full-time basis and Executive
wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the parties wish this Agreement to supersede all prior employment agreements
between the parties.
NOW
THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as
follows:
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1.
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Term of
Employment.
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Initial Employment
Period. The Company agrees to employ the Executive as the
Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, and the Executive accepts
employment with the Company, upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, for the
period beginning on 12:01 a.m., local Miami, Florida time, on February 5, 2008,
and ending on 11:59 p.m., local Miami, Florida time, on February 5,
2011 (the “Employment Period”), during which time Executive will
devote his full business time to providing services hereunder. During the
Employment Period, this Agreement shall remain in force unless sooner
terminated
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in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5
below. The Executive agrees that the consideration provided hereunder
is fair and adequate consideration for all services provided in each of the
aforesaid capacities. Executive further agrees that this Agreement
shall not constitute an employment agreement for services rendered to any
company other than the Company. Any employment agreement with any
other company shall be and must be a separate written agreement with such other
company or companies.
Extension of the Employment
Period. The parties may extend the Employment Period of this
Agreement by mutual agreement, provided that such agreement must be approved by
the Company Board of Directors in writing and no extension may exceed three (3)
years in length.
Termination of all Prior
Employment Agreement. Executive hereby knowingly,
intentionally and voluntarily terminates any and all prior employment agreements
between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the
Executive. Executive agrees and understands that this Agreement sets
forth all of the terms and conditions of his employment by the Company and that
all rights, benefits and claims under any prior employment agreement, whether
written or oral, are expressly waived and terminated by this
Agreement.
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2.
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Employment.
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Position and
Duties. During the Employment Period, the Company hereby
agrees to employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer and President on the terms
set forth herein. In such capacity, Executive has responsibility for the
executive oversight and strategic planning for the Company and its subsidiaries,
especially in terms of producing and implementing the Company’s and its
subsidiaries’ strategic marketing and sales plan and strategic business
development plan. The Company may also assign Executive to other
duties commensurate with Executive’s skills and experience. Executive reports
to, and is directed by, the Board of Directors of the Company. Executive agrees
to devote his business time, ability, knowledge and attention solely to the
Company’s business affairs and interests and to faithfully and diligently
perform such services and assume such duties and responsibilities as are
assigned to the best of Executive’s abilities, skills and efforts and to abide
by applicable Company policies and directives as they exist from time to
time.
Location. The
Executive shall render his services under this Agreement in the principal
executive offices of the Company which shall be in the greater Fort
Lauderdale-Miami consolidated metropolitan area. Under no circumstances shall
the Executive be required to relocate from more than twenty miles (20) from said
metropolitan area or provide services under this Agreement in any other location
other than in connection with reasonable and customary business travel. The
Company reserves the right to make a temporary reassignment of the location for
the performance of Executive’s services hereunder for a period not to exceed
forty five (45) days, which relocation shall not constitute a breach of this
Agreement.
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2.3 Limitations on Outside
Activities. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the
Executive from devoting reasonable time and attention to (i) serving, with the
approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld, as a director, trustee or member of any committee of any organization,
(ii) engaging in charitable and community activities and (iii) managing his
personal investments and affairs; provided that such activities
do not involve any material conflict of interest with the interests of the
Company or, individually or collectively, interfere materially with the
performance by the Executive of his duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as expressly provided
herein, during the Employment Period, the Executive may not accept employment
with any other individual or entity, or engage in any other venture which is
directly or indirectly in conflict or competition with the business of the
Company.
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3.
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Compensation.
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Base
Salary. In consideration of Executive’s services to the
Company, the Company will pay Executive a gross base salary of TWO HUNDRED AND
TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($225,000.00) per
annum. The Executive’s base salary will be paid in equal installments
in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule, and the Company will
withhold from such salary all applicable federal, state and local taxes as
required by applicable laws. The Compensation Committee will review
the Executive’s base salary at least annually during his/her employment, and
make such adjustments as determined in its discretion; however there will be a
minimum increase of five (5) % per year. The Executive may elect to
accept additional cash compensation awards in Company “restricted” (as defined
in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) shares of Company
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, (“Shares”), which payments shall be made in
semi-annual installments. The Company hereby grants “piggy-back”
registration rights to the Executive for all such Shares that are issued
hereunder (expressly excepting any registration on Form S-8 or Form S-4, or any
successor form to those two forms). The value of the Shares in
respect of the cash compensation being replaced by such Shares shall be
determined by the average closing BID price for the Shares (as quoted on xxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx)
for the first twenty (20) consecutive trading days for each month in which
Shares will be substituted for cash compensation hereunder.
Bonus. In
addition, Executive will participate in any bonus program adopted by the Company
for senior officers in accordance with its terms as they exist from time to
time, or such other bonus or incentive compensation plan or arrangement that is
made available to full-time executive officers of the Company.
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4.
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Benefits and
Reimbursements.
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Insurance. Executive
shall be entitled to participate in any fringe benefit programs, including
health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, accident
insurance and short and long term disability insurance, as well as any similar
insurance programs offered by the Company to individuals employed by the Company
as executives or in otherwise similar positions.
Leave. Executive
shall be entitled to thirty (30) days of paid vacation and seven (7) days of
paid personal leave each year (during which time his compensation shall continue
to be paid in full). Executive shall also be entitled to five (5) days of sick
leave, during which time his compensation shall continue to be paid in full.
Executive may carry over up to five (5) days of unused vacation/personal leave
from contract year to contract year. For purposes of this Agreement, “contract
year” means from January 1st to December 31st each
year.
Stock Option, Savings or
Retirement Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate
in any pension, profit-sharing, deferred compensation plans, bonuses, stock
option or other incentive compensation plans as are offered by the Company to
individuals employed by the Company as full-time executive and subject to the
same qualifications as other full-time executive employees.
Expenses. The
Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable amount of hotel, travel,
entertainment and other expenses necessarily incurred by Executive in the
discharge of his duties to the Company, subject to the Company’s expense
policy.
Technology.
The Company shall provide Executive with a laptop computer and a cellular phone
for his use during the Employment Period. These shall remain the property of the
Company, and shall be returned to the Company upon the termination of the
Executive’s employment.
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5.
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Termination.
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The
employment of Executive by Company and the Employment Period shall terminate
upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
Expiration. Immediately
upon the expiration of the Employment Period set forth in Section 1 above,
including any extension of the Employment Period as agreed upon in writing
pursuant to Section 1
Death. Immediately
upon the death of Executive.
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Disability. Immediately
upon the Disability of Executive. Immediately upon the death or disability of
the Executive. As used herein, the term “Disability” shall mean either (i) the
Executive’s inability, by reason of physical or mental incapacity or impairment,
to perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of
more than 60 consecutive days, or for more than 120 days, whether or not
consecutive, within the preceding 365-day period, or (ii) the receipt by the
Executive of disability benefits for permanent and total disability under any
long-term disability income policy held by or on behalf of the
Executive.
By the Company for
Cause. Immediately upon provision of written notice to the
Executive by the Company that his employment is being terminated for Cause, as
defined below. “Cause” for termination means:
(i) Executive’s
willful and intentional refusal to perform or observe any of his material
duties, responsibilities or obligations set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be deemed to have Cause pursuant to this clause (i) unless the
Company gives the Executive written notice that the specified conduct has
occurred and making specific reference to this Section 5.4(i) and the Executive
fails to cure the conduct within thirty (30) days after receipt of such
notice;
(ii) Any
willful and intentional act of the Executive involving fraud, theft,
misappropriation of funds, or embezzlement affecting the Company or its
subsidiaries;
(iii) Executive’s
conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, an
offense which is a felony or a misdemeanor evincing moral
turpitude;
(iv) Executive’s
material breach of this Agreement which is not remedied within fifteen (15) days
after receipt of a written demand to remedy from the Company; or
(v) Gross
misconduct by Executive that is of such a serious or substantial nature that a
substantial likelihood exists that such misconduct would injure the public
business reputation of the Company if the Executive were to remain employed by
the Company; or
(vi) Issuance
of any prohibition by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or
“SEC” against the Executive serving as an officer or director of a public
company and the period for appeal of such prohibition has expired without the
Executive filing an appeal; or
(vii) the
Company files for Chapter 7 protection from creditors and the bankruptcy
petition is not withdrawn or dismissed within sixty days after the filing date;
or
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(viii) Executive
intentionally refuses to follow a lawful, commercially reasonable directive of
the Company Board of Directors, such directive concerns an action or matter
within the purview of the Executive’s customary and usual duties and the refusal
of the Executive results in the Company or any of its subsidiaries suffering a
material liability or loss (for purposes of this Agreement, “material” shall
mean an amount equal to or exceeding One Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents
($100,000.00).
5.4A Termination of the Executive
for Cause shall be communicated by a Notice of
Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of
Termination” shall mean delivery to the Executive of written notice from duly
authorized officers of the Company stating that in the good faith determination
of the Company the Executive was guilty of conduct constituting Cause and failed
to cure such conduct within the applicable time period. For purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination of the Executive’s employment shall be
effective without such Notice of Termination.
By Company Without
Cause. At the election of the Company after serving the
Executive with at least three (3) months notice of the Company’s intent to
termination his employment Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to
pay the Executive the notice period in lieu of notice.
By Executive for Good
Reason. As used herein, the term “Good Reason” means the
occurrence of any of the following, without the prior written consent of the
Executive:
(i) assignment
to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s
positions as described in Section 2.1 hereof, or any significant diminution in
the Executive’s duties or responsibilities, other than in connection with the
termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability or as a result
of the Executive’s death or by the Executive other than for Good
Reason;
(ii) the
change in the location of the Company’s principal executive offices or of the
Executive’s principal place of employment to a location outside the greater Fort
Lauderdale-Miami, Florida metropolitan area/more than twenty five miles from the
current location. The Executive will have the option to transfer to the new
location, in the same or equivalent position at a reasonable expense to the
Company.
(iii) any
material breach of this Agreement by the Company which is
continuing;
(iv) a
Change in Control, provided that a Change of Control shall only constitute Good
Reason if the Executive terminates his employment within six (6) months
following a Change of Control;
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provided, however, that the
Executive shall not be deemed to have Good Reason pursuant to clauses (i) or
(iii) above unless the Executive gives the Company written notice that the
specified conduct or event has occurred and the Company fails to cure such
conduct or event within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice. A
“Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred when any person, other than
Executive or his respective affiliates, associates, or estate, becomes, after
the date of grant, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities
of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company’s then-outstanding securities;
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6.
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Effect of Termination
and Severance.
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If the Employment Period is terminated
by the Company for Cause, the Company will pay to the Executive his accrued and
unpaid base salary as well as all accrued but unused vacation through the date
of such termination;
If the Employment Period is terminated
by the Executive other than because of death, Disability or for Good Reason, the
Company will pay to the Executive his accrued and unpaid base salary as well as
all accrued but unused vacation through the date of such
termination;
If the Employment Period is terminated
upon the Executive’s death or Disability,
(i) the
Company will pay to the Executive’s estate or the Executive, as the case may be,
a lump sum payment equal to the Executive’s base salary through the termination
date, plus a pro rata portion of the Executive’s bonus for the fiscal year in
which the termination occurred;
(ii) the
Company will pay to the Executive’s estate or the Executive, as the case may be,
a lump sum payment equivalent to the sum of (x) one-year’s base salary at the
annual base salary rate Executive was earning as of the date of termination; (y)
the bonus payment(s) Executive received in the preceding fiscal year; and (z)
the cost of Executive’s health and dental insurance premiums for the preceding
fiscal year.
If the Employment Period is terminated
by the Company without Cause or if the Executive terminates for Good
Reason,
(i) the
Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment equal to the greater
of: (A) the sum of (x) one-year’s base salary at the annual base
salary rate Executive was earning as of the date of termination and (y) the
bonus payment(s) Executive received in the preceding fiscal year; and (B) the
sum of (x) the base salary Executive would have earned had he remained employed
through the remainder of the Employment Period and (y) the bonus payment(s)
Executive received in the preceding fiscal year multiplied by the
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number of
years remaining in the Employment Period (and adjusted on a pro rata basis for
any partial year remaining in the Employment Period);
(ii) the
Company shall also continue in effect the Executive’s health and dental benefits
(or similar health and dental benefits paid to senior executives noted in
Section 3(c)) as follows: If Executive is eligible for continued
health insurance benefits under the federal law known as COBRA and Executive
timely elects COBRA coverage and makes timely payment of required premiums, the
Company will reimburse Executive the cost of such COBRA coverage until the
earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months from the termination date or (y) the date on
which the Executive obtains health insurance coverage from a subsequent
employer. If Executive is not eligible for COBRA benefits, the Company will
reimburse Executive the cost of similar coverage Executive obtains until the
earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months from the termination date or (y) the date on
which the Executive obtains health insurance coverage from a subsequent
employer.
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7.
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Confidential
Information.
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Executive
acknowledges that he will occupy a position of trust and confidence with respect
to the Company’s affairs and business and that, in connection with the
performance of his services on behalf of the Company, Executive will be provided
access to the Company’s confidential and proprietary information and trade
secrets (“Company Confidential Information”) and confidential and proprietary
information of third parties (“Third Party Information”).
Confidential Information
Defined. The term “Company Confidential Information” shall
mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary information of the Company. By
way of illustration but not limitation, Company Confidential Information
includes: information and materials related to proprietary computer software,
hardware, including hard drives, electronic files and websites, research,
business procedures and strategies, marketing plans and strategies, member lists
and business histories, analyses of member information, employee or prospective
employee information, financial data of the Company or its customers or
employees, and any other information that is not generally known to the public
or within the industry in which the Company competes. Executive further
acknowledges that the Company has and in the future will receive from third
parties confidential and proprietary information (“Third Party Information”),
including but not limited to confidential and proprietary information of the
Company’s customers, subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it for certain limited purposes
for a period of two (2) years thereafter.
Executive’s
Obligations.
(i) Non-Disclosure. Executive
agrees that during Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter,
Executive will not use, disclose, lecture upon, publish or transfer directly or
indirectly any Company Confidential Information or Third Party Information other
than as authorized by the Company, nor will Executive accept any employment or
other professional engagement that
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likely
will result in the use or disclosure, even if inadvertent, of Company
Confidential Information or Third Party Information. Executive agrees that he
will not use in any way other than in furtherance of the Company’s business any
Company Confidential Information or Third Party Information. Executive will
obtain the Company’s written approval before publishing or submitting for
publication any material (written, verbal, or otherwise) that relates to
Executive’s work at the Company and/or incorporates any Confidential
Information. Executive hereby assigns to the Company any rights Executive may
have or acquire in such Confidential Information and recognizes that all
Confidential Information shall be the sole property of the Company and its/their
assigns.
(ii) Disclosure
Prevention. Executive agrees to take all reasonable steps to
preserve the confidential and proprietary nature of Company Confidential
Information and Third Party Information and to prevent the inadvertent or
accidental disclosure of Company Confidential Information and Third Party
Information.
(iii) Removal of
Materials. Executive agrees that Executive will not remove any
Company Confidential Information or Third Party information from the Company’s
premises or make copies of such materials except for use in the Company’s
business.
(iv) Return of
Materials. Executive agrees not to retain and further agrees
to return to the Company any tangible or intangible originals or copies of any
Company Confidential Information or Third Party Information after termination of
Executive’s employment, or earlier at the Company’s request for any reason.
Executive further agrees to provide the Company with access to any personal
computer equipment and/or devices that Executive has used during the term of
this Agreement, so that the Company may verify that all of its Company
Confidential Information or Third Party Information has been deleted from this
equipment.
(v) Copying. Executive
agrees that copying of Company Confidential Information or Third Party
Information shall be done only as needed in furtherance of and for use in the
Company’s business. Executive further agrees that copies of Company Confidential
Information and Third Party Information shall be treated with the same degree of
confidentiality as the original information and shall be subject to the same
restrictions herein.
(vi) Continuation of
Obligations. Executive agrees that the obligations of this
Section shall continue after termination or Executive’s employment.
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(vii) Computer
Security. Executive agrees that, during his employment with
the Company, he will use computer resources (both on and off of the Company’s
premises) for which Executive has been granted access and then only to the
extent authorized. Executive agrees to comply with the Company’s policies and
procedures concerning computer security. Executive further acknowledges that
Executive will not alter, remove or destroy any Company Confidential Information
or Third Party Information stored on any electronic storage devices, including,
but not limited to, electronic media stored on servers, local hard drives,
lap-tops, “PDAs” or any other similar devices except in accordance with the
Company’s record retention and destruction policy.
(viii) Email and
Internet. Executive understands that the Company maintains an
electronic mail and Internet/World Wide Web (“Internet”) system, and related
facilities, for the purpose of business communications. Executive acknowledges
that the Company owns such a system and facilities, and that the Company retains
the right to review any and all electronic mail and Internet communications, and
to review his use of the Internet, with or without notice, at any time.
Executive further acknowledges that he has no right to privacy to any e-mail or
Internet communications, or to his use of the Internet. Executive further agrees
to comply with the Company’s procedures concerning the use of e-mail and the
Internet, including compliance with any destruction and/or retention policies
for e-mail communications.
Known
Knowledge. Subject to the foregoing obligations, it is
understood that Executive is free at all times to use information which is
generally known in the trade or industry (except such information which becomes
so because of a breach of this Agreement by Executive) and further that
Executive’s general knowledge, skill and experience shall not be deemed to be
Confidential Information.
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8.
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Assignment of
Inventions.
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Definitions. The
term “Proprietary Rights” shall mean all trade secret, patent, copyright, mask
work and other intellectual property rights or “moral rights” throughout the
world. “Moral rights” refers to any rights to claim authorship of an Invention
or to object to or prevent the modification of any Invention, or to withdraw
from circulation or control the publication or distribution of any Invention,
and any similar right, existing under judicial or statutory law of any country
in the world, or under any treaty, regardless of whether or not such right is
denominated or generally referred to as a “moral right.”
Assignment of
Inventions. Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign in
the future (when any such Inventions or Proprietary Rights are first reduced to
practice or first fixed in a tangible medium, as applicable) to the Company all
his or her right, title and interest in and to any and all Inventions (and all
Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or
registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or conceived
or
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reduced
to practice or learned by the Executive, either alone or jointly with others,
during the period of his or her employment with the Company. Inventions assigned
to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company, are hereinafter
referred to as “Company Inventions.”
Unassigned
Inventions. This Agreement will not be deemed to require
assignment of any invention that was (1) developed entirely on the Executive’s
own time without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or
Proprietary Information and (2) is not related to the Company’s actual or
anticipated business, research or development and (3) has not resulted from work
performed by Executive for the Company. Attached as Exhibit One
hereto is a complete list of all Inventions that the Executive has
conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the Effective Date of this
Agreement, alone or jointly with others, that are the Executive’s sole property
or the property of third parties and which are excluded from the scope of this
Agreement.
Works for
Hire. Executive acknowledges that all original works of
authorship which are made by the Executive (solely or jointly with others)
within the scope of Executive’s employment and which are protectable by
copyright are “works made for hire,” pursuant to United States Copyright Act (17
U.S.C., Section 101).
Enforcement of Proprietary
Rights. Executive agrees to assist the Company in every proper
way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign
Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries. To
that end Executive agrees to execute, verify and deliver such documents and
perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may
reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing,
sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In
addition, Executive will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such
Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designee. Executive’s obligation to
assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company
Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of his
or her employment, but the Company shall compensate Executive at a reasonable
rate after Executive’s termination for the time actually spent by Executive at
the Company’s request on such assistance.
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9.
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Restrictive
Covenants.
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Acknowledgements. Executive
acknowledges that (i) his services to the Company will be special and unique and
that he will occupy a position of trust and confidence with respect to the
business affairs of the Company; (ii) that his engagement for the Company will
allow him access to the Company’s Confidential Information; (iii) that he will
have access to the customers and clients of the Company and will be working to
develop business relationships for the Company; (iv) that the Company would
not have entered into this Agreement with Executive, or engaged Executive, but
for the covenants and agreements contained in this Section; and (v) that the
agreements and covenants contained in this Section are
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essential
to protect the business, good will, and confidential information of the
Company.
Non-Competition. During
the Employment Period and for eighteen (18) months thereafter, Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, in any geographic area in which the Company
operates compete with the Company in the development, marketing, or sale of
products that compete with those developed, marketed, or sold by the
Company.
Non-Solicitation of
Employees. During
the Employment Period and for eighteen (18) months thereafter, Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person
or entity, solicit for employment, hire, or engage, whether on a full-time,
part-time, consulting, advising, or any other basis, any persons who were
employees or Executives of the Company during the Employment
Period.
Non-Solicitation of
Customers. During
the Employment Period and for [twelve (12) months] thereafter, Executive shall
not, in competition with the Company, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf
or on behalf of any other person or entity, solicit, accept business from, or
conduct business with, (i) any customer or client served by the Company prior to
or during the Employment Period with which Executive had contact or about which
Executive received information or knowledge during the Employment Period, or
(ii) any prospective customer or client of the Company with which Executive had
contact or about which Executive received information or knowledge during the
Employment Period.
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9.5
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Independent
Covenants.
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The
Restrictive Covenants set forth herein are each to be construed as a separate
agreement, independent of any other provisions of this Agreement. Therefore, the
Executive agrees that the existence of any claim or cause of action that
Executive may have against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or
otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of
any provision of this Section 9 against the Executive.
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10.
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Enforcement.
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Equitable Relief
Authorized. Executive acknowledges that in the event of a
violation of the provisions of Sections 7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement, Company’s
business interests will be irreparably injured, the full extent of Company’s
damages will be impossible to ascertain, monetary damages will not be an
adequate remedy for Company, and Company will be entitled to enforce this
Agreement to prevent a breach or threatened breach of the Agreement by
temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief without
the necessity of proving actual damage and without the necessity of posting bond
or security, which Executive expressly waives. Executive also agrees that
Company may, in addition to injunctive relief, seek monetary damages for any
breach of the provisions contained in this Agreement in addition to equitable
relief
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and that
the granting of equitable relief shall not preclude Company from recovering
monetary damages.
Modification. Company
and Executive represent that in entering into this Agreement it is their intent
to enter into an agreement that contains reasonable employment and
post-employment restrictions and that such restrictions be enforceable under
law. In the event that any court or other enforcement authority determines that
any provision of this Agreement is overbroad or unenforceable by reason of the
geographic scope, scope of prohibited activities, time frame, or any other
reason, the parties authorize such court or other enforcement authority to
modify the scope of the restriction so that it is enforceable to the greatest
extent permissible.
Severability. If
any provision of the Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Notification of New
Employer. In the event that Executive leaves the employ of the
Company for any reason, Executive agrees to inform any subsequent employer of
his rights and obligations under this Agreement. Executive further hereby
authorizes the Company to notify his new employer about Executive’s rights and
obligations under this Agreement, including by delivering a copy of this
Agreement, and any written modifications thereto, to any subsequent
employer.
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11.
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General
Terms.
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No Prior
Agreements. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the
Company that the execution of this Agreement by Executive and his/her employment
by the Company and the performance of his/her duties hereunder will not violate
or be a breach of any agreement with or obligation to a former employer, client
or any other person or entity, and Executive agrees to indemnify the Company for
any costs and expenses arising out of a claim by any such third party has
against the Company based upon or arising out of any non-competition agreement
or other restrictive covenant, invention or confidentiality agreement between
Executive and such third party which was in existence as of the date of this
Agreement and which Executive is alleged to be in violation of.
Indemnification; Insurance
Against Liability. Executive will be entitled to such
prevailing rights and entitlements to indemnification, defense of claims and
insurance against liability as are generally provided to executives of the
Company, consistent with Company bylaws, insurance policies and contracts, and
applicable law.
Governing Law;
Interpretation. This Agreement will be governed by the
substantive laws of the State of Florida, without regard to the
principles of conflicts of laws. This Agreement will be construed as a whole,
according to its fair meaning, and not in favor of or against any party,
regardless of which party may have initially drafted certain provisions set
forth herein.
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Choice of Law and
Forum: This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws
of the United States of America and the State of Florida, without regard to its
conflict of laws provisions. Executive hereby expressly consent to the personal
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts for Broward County, Florida in any
lawsuit filed there against the Executive by the Company arising from or related
to this Agreement, including any claims for infringement of the Company’s
Confidential Information, Inventions or Works for Hire or any update thereto.
Executive agrees that if Executive is not a resident of the State of Florida,
USA, at the time of such action, then Executive hereby irrevocably
appoints the Secretary of the State of Florida, as agent for the
purpose of accepting service of process in Florida and the United States.
Executive waives trial by jury in any action, proceeding, claim, or counterclaim
brought by any party in connection with any matter arising out of or in any way
connected with this Agreement, the relationship of Executive to the Company and
/or any claim of injury or damage arising in any way between and among the
Company and Executive. Provided, however, that Executive agrees that nothing in
this Section shall prohibit the Company from initiating legal action in any
court which has personal and subject matter jurisdiction over me in the event
that it is necessary for the Company to pursue equitable relief against me for a
breach of this Agreement.
Assignment. This
Agreement is personal to Executive and he may not assign it without prior
written consent of the Company. The Company may, without Executive’s consent,
assign the Agreement to any successor entity, including the Restrictive
Covenants of Section 9.
Notices. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to
have been duly given if delivered by hand or if sent by certified mail, postage
and certification prepaid, to Executive at his residence (as noted in the
Company’s records), or to the Company address, or to such other address or
addresses as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing.
Entire Agreement;
Amendments. This Agreement and any other exhibits and
attachments hereto constitutes the final and complete expression of all of the
terms of the understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement replaces and supersedes any and
all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, communications, understandings,
obligations, commitments, agreements or contracts, whether written or oral,
between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not
be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except by means of the execution
and delivery of a written instrument mutually executed by both parties. No
action or omission by the Company shall be deemed to be a waiver of any of its
rights under this Agreement unless such waiver is set forth in writing and
identified as a waiver. Any waiver by the Company of any rights under this
Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other right.
Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two (2) counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed
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an
original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
Survival. The
provisions of the various sections of this Agreement which by their terms call
for performance subsequent to the expiration or termination of this Agreement or
the Employment Period shall survive such expiration or termination.
Withholdings. The
parties agree that all payments to be made to the Executive by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to all applicable
withholdings.
Headings. The
Section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
No Contra
Proferentum. The
parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation
and execution of this Agreement, and, therefore, waive the application of any
law, regulation or holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in
an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such
agreement or document.
Capacity. Each
of the parties hereto warrants that they are legally competent to execute this
Agreement and accepts full responsibility therefor.
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12.
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Resolution
of Disputes.
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Except as provided, herein, and in the
event of any claim, cause of action, dispute or controversy arising under this
Agreement or otherwise related to the parties’ employment relationship, the
parties shall negotiate in good faith for the purpose of resolving such dispute.
In the event that the parties cannot resolve the claim, cause of action, dispute
or controversy informally within fifteen (15) days, then such claim, cause of
action, dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof,
including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to
arbitrate, shall be determined by a mandatory arbitration in Miami, Florida
before one (1) arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered by JAMS
pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures (Streamlined
Arbitration Rules and Procedures). Judgment on the Award may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction. This clause shall not preclude parties from seeking
provisional remedies in aid of arbitration from a court of appropriate
jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own costs in the arbitration and shall
share equally the costs of the arbitration itself. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, and without undermining the agreement to arbitrate on any other
claim, cause of action, dispute or controversy, the Company shall at all times
have and retain the exclusive and unilateral right to seek immediate temporary
and preliminary injunctive relief in a court of law in the event of a violation
or alleged violation by the Executive of Sections 7, 8, or 9 of this Agreement.
In the event such judicial relief is granted, such relief shall remain binding
on the parties pending the outcome of arbitration. THE COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT EACH HAD THE
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OPPORTUNITY
TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COUNSEL CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THAT EACH HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS
THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH ENTERS INTO IT WILLINGLY.
This
Agreement is duly executed as of the day and year of the last signature
below.
CHDT
CORP. XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
By: Sign:
Title:
Date: Date:
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