CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT
by and between MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
and Xxxx X. Xxxx (the "Executive"), dated as of the
11th
day of
August, 2005.
The
Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it is in the
best
interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will
have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility,
threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company.
The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction
of
the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by
a
pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive's full
attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any
threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with
compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure
that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be
satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore,
in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain
Definitions.
(a) The
"Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period
(as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section
2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a
Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company
is
terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if
it is
reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment
(i)
was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated
to
effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the
"Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
(b) The
"Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof
and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however,
that
commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual
anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall
be
hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated,
the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate
three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal
Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control
Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change
of Control.
For the
purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i)
the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company
Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however,
that
for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company,
(ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation
pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of
subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals
who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof
whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the
Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member
of
the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other
actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of
a
Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation
of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of
all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"),
in
each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result
of
such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially
the
same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent
that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least
a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval
by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution
of
the Company.
3. Employment
Period.
The
Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive
hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date
and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the "Employment
Period").
4. Terms
of Employment.
(a)
Position
and Duties.
(i)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive
was
employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location
less
than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During
the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave
to
which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable
attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs
of
the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities
assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During
the
Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the
Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees,
(B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational
institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities
do
not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall
not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i)
Base
Salary.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary
("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal
to
twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any
base
salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company
and
its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately
preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment
Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after
the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date
and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall
not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase
and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(ii) Annual
Bonus.
In
addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal
year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus")
in cash at least equal to the Executive's highest bonus under the Company's
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, or any comparable bonus under any
predecessor or successor plan, for the last three full fiscal years prior to
the
Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed
by
the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus").
Each
such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of
the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(iii) Incentive,
Savings and Retirement Plans.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for
the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or
if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv) Welfare
Benefit Plans.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the
case
may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits
under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide
the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for
the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and
its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the
Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(vi) Fringe
Benefits.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits,
including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment
of
club dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related
expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs
and
policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vii) Office
and Support Staff.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices
of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation.
During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices
of
the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at
any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
5. Termination
of Employment.
(a)
Death
or Disability.
The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death
during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that
the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant
to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive
from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical
illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected
by
the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's
legal representative.
(b) Cause.
The
Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the Employment Period
for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the
willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the
Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any
such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness),
after
a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive
by
the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically
identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes
that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties,
or
(ii) the
willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which
is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For
purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to
be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.
Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer
or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done,
by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless
and
until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held
for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before
the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive
is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good
Reason.
The
Executive's employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason.
For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the
assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with
the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section
4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in
a
diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding
for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken
in
bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any
failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b)
of
this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure
not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the
Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other
than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the Company's requiring the
Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than
required immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(iv) any
purported termination by the Company of the Executive's employment otherwise
than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any
failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this
Agreement.
For
purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to
the
contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during
the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective
Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes
of
this Agreement.
(d) Notice
of Termination.
Any
termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason,
shall
be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement,
a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination
date
(which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice).
The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good
Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively,
from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date
of Termination.
"Date
of Termination" means (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt
of
the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case
may
be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than
for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which
the
Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations
of the Company upon Termination.
(a)
Good
Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability.
If,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason:
(i) the
Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after
the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
A. the
sum
of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to
the
extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent
Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus
or
portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any
fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the
Executive was employed for less than twelve full months), for the most recently
completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount
being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through
the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to
the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1),
(2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations");
and
B. the
amount equal to the product of (1) three and
(2)
the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual
Bonus; and
C. an
amount
equal to the excess of (a) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the
Company's Pension Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees and/or any other
Company-sponsored qualified defined benefit retirement plan in which the
Executive participates (collectively, the "Retirement Plan") (utilizing
actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those in effect
under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective Date),
and the Company's Supplemental Income Security Plan and/or any other
Company-sponsored excess or supplemental defined benefit retirement plan in
which the Executive participates (collectively, the "SISP") which the Executive
would receive if the Executive's employment continued for three years after
the
Date of Termination assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are
fully vested, and, assuming that the Executive's compensation in each of the
three years is that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over
(b)
the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable),
if
any, under the Retirement Plan and the SISP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for
three
years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or such longer period as may
be
provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy,
the
Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family
at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance
with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv)
of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated or,
if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other
welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under
such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes
of
determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the
Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs
and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until
three years after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day
of
such period;
(iii) the
Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with
outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by
the
Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to
the
extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide
to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided
or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy
or
practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies
(such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits").
(b) Death.
If the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's death during
the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement,
other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision
of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate
or
beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date
of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation,
and
the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive,
benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company
and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives
of
the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices
and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect
to
other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) Disability.
If the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability
during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations
and
the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall
be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive
shall
be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and
other
benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by
the
Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families.
(d) Cause;
Other than for Good Reason.
If the
Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual
Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case
to
the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good
Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be
paid
to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity
of Rights.
Nothing
in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company
or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify,
nor,
subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the
Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits
or
which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of
its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall
be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full
Settlement.
The
Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and
otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action
which
the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the
Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by
way
of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether
or
not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as
incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses
which
the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of
the
outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus
in
each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate
provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as
amended (the "Code").
9. Certain
Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below,
in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the
Company or its affiliates to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid
or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income
taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise
Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall
be
determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced Amount") that
could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not
give
rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive
and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced
Amount.
(b) Subject
to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made
under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required
and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized
in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by Ernst & Young or such other
certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the
"Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both
to
the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving
as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses
of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment,
as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application
of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will
not
have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting
Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of
the
Executive.
(c) The
Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company
of
the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable
but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing
of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and
the
date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date
on
which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on
the
date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period
that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give
the
Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,
(ii) take
such
action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably
selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate
with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim,
and
(iv) permit
the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;
provided,
however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax
basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with
respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of
costs
and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section
9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such
contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to
pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and
hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income
tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect
to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited
to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder
and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If,
after
the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant
to
Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with
respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying
with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made
that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such
claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent
to
contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required
to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Confidential
Information.
The
Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company
all
secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company
or
any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall
have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the
Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become
public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of
the
Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other
than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted
violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring
or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
11. Successors.
(a)
This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written
consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure
to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and
its
successors and assigns.
(c) The
Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be
required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees
to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a)
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of
the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
The
captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall
have
no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise
than
by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective
successors and legal representatives.
(b) All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If
to the
Executive:
Xxxx
X. Xxxx
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
If
to the
Company:
MDU
Resources Group, Inc.
Xxxxxxxxx
Building
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Mailing
Address:
X.X.
Xxx
0000
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention:
General Counsel
or
to
such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when
actually received by the addressee.
(c) The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
(d) The
Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal,
state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant
to
any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The
Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance with
any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive
or
the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of
the
Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The
Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided
under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the
employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and, subject to Section
1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment may
be
terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the
Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under
this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede
any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the
day and year first above written.
/s/
XXXX X. XXXX
Xxxx
X. Xxxx
MDU
RESOURCES GROUP, INC.
Attest:
/s/
XXXX X. XXXXXXXX By:
/s/
XXXXXX X. XXXXX
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx
Secretary
Chairman
of the
Board and
Chief Executive Officer
