EXHIBIT 10.1
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of the
[ ] day of [ ], 1997 by and between Emerging Communications, Inc., a
Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx ("Employee").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee and to enter into
this Agreement to embody the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Employee desires such employment and to enter into this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premise and mutual
covenants herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the meanings ascribed to them below:
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the
happening of any of the following:
(a) The acquisition by any person, entity or "group", within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), (excluding the Employee) of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of
either the then outstanding shares of the Company's common stock or the combined
voting power of the Com-
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pany's then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person who first
becomes director subsequent to the date hereof whose recommendation, election or
nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other
than an election or nomination of the individual whose initial assumption of
office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating
to the election of the directors of the Company, as described in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) shall be, for purposes of
this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent
Board; or
(c) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization,
share exchange, merger or consolidation with respect to which, in any such case,
the persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, share exchange, merger or consolidation do not, immediately
thereafter, own more than 60% of the combined voting power entitled to vote in
the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company; or
(d) Liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sales of all or
substantially all the assets of the Company.
"Salary Adjustment Amount" means an amount equal to the percentage
increase (if any) in the "Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers" (the
"Index") published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States
Department of Labor for the twelve month period ending with the December
immediately preceding such determination of the Salary Adjustment Amount.
Appropriate adjustment shall be promptly made in case there is a published
amendment of the Index figures upon which the computation is based. In the
event the Index is discontinued, the parties hereto shall accept comparable
statistics on the cost of living published by an agency of the United States or
a responsible financial periodical of recognized authority.
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ARTICLE II
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
SECTION 2.01. Employment Term. The Employee shall be employed by the
Company for a period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending five
years from such date (such date, and each five year anniversary of such date, is
hereinafter refereed to as the "Renewal Date"); provided that, unless the
Company, as authorized by its Board of Directors, shall have delivered to the
Employee written notice of its intent not to renew the employment of the
Employee under this Agreement at least six months prior to the Renewal Date, the
term of the employment of Employee under this Agreement shall extend for a
period of five years from the applicable Renewal Date. The period of the
Employee's employment hereunder, including any renewal thereof pursuant to the
previous sentence, is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
SECTION 2.02. Position and Duties. The Employee shall serve as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. During the Employment Term, excluding any
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Employee is entitled, the
Employee 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 Employee hereunder, to use the
Employee's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Term, it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Employee to serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at
educational institutions, manage personal investments or engage in other
activities which do not materially and adversely interfere with the performance
of the Employee'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 Employee prior to the date
hereof, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereof) subsequent to the date hereof shall not be
deemed to interfere with the performance of the Employee's responsibilities to
the Company hereunder.
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SECTION 2.03. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay to the Employee a base salary
of $600,000 during the first year of the Employment Term. For each subsequent
year during the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to the Employee a base
salary in an amount at least equal to the base salary for the previous year,
plus an amount equal to the Salary Adjustment Amount multiplied by the
Employee's Base Salary for the immediately preceding year. The base salary
payable during any year during the Employment Term, including the applicable
adjustment pursuant to the Salary Adjustment Amount and as otherwise increased
is referred to herein as the "Base Salary" for such year. During the Employment
Term, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased
at least to the extent of any percentage increase awarded to another executive
officer of the Company for such year. An increase is Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Employee under this
Agreement. Base Salary shall not be reduced during the Employment Term.
(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to Base Salary, the employee shall be
entitled to receive such annual bonus, if any, as the Board of Directors of the
Company, or any duly authorized committee thereof, shall in its discretion
determine; provided that after the occurrence of a Change of Control during the
Employment Term, the Employee shall be granted an annual bonus payable in cash
on each anniversary of the date of this Agreement following such Change of
Control during the Employment Term in an amount at least equal to the highest
annual bonus paid to the Employee by the Company during the preceding five
years.
(c) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. In addition to Base
Salary and annual bonus payable as hereinabove provided, the Employee shall be
entitled to participate during the Employment Term in all incentive, saving and
retirement plans, practices, policies and programs which are applicable to other
key employees of the Company. After the occurrence of a Change in Control
during the Employment Term, the compensation, benefits and reward opportunities
provided to the Employee pursuant to such plans, practices, policies and
programs, in the aggregate, shall during the Employment Term, be at least as
favorable as the most favorable of such compensation, benefits and reward
opportunities in such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding such Change of Control
or, if more favor-
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able to the Employee, as provided at any time thereafter with respect to other
key employees of the Company.
(d) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, the Employee
and/or the Employee'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 (including, without
limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance,
employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans
and programs). After the occurrence of a Change of Control during the
Employment Term, the benefits provided to the Employee and/or Employee's family
pursuant to such plans, practices, policies and programs shall during the
Employment Term at all times be at least as favorable as the most favorable of
such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect at any time during the
90-day period immediately preceding such Change of Control or, if more favorable
to the Employee and/or the Employee's family, as in effect at any time
thereafter with respect to other key employees of the Company.
(e) Options. The Employee shall be eligible to participate in the
Company's stock incentive and option plans (including, without limitation the
Company's 1997 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan). On the date hereof,
the Company shall grant to the Employee options (the "Options") to purchase
[ ]/1/ shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), at an exercise price of $[ ]/2/ per share pursuant to the
Company's the Company's 1997 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the
"Plan"), of which Options (subject to Section 3.05 hereof) 25% shall vest
immediately upon the granting thereof and the remainder shall vest and become
exercisable ratably and daily (rounded up to the nearest share) over three years
from the date of grant. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, the Options will be
exercisable for the period of ten years.
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/1/ To represent 2.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully
diluted basis.
/2/ To represent the last sale price per share of the Common Stock on Amex on
the closing date of the Merger.
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SECTION 2.04. Additional Rights of the Employee and Obligations of
the Company.
(a) Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Employee in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the
Company in effect from time to time.
(b) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Term, in addition to the
other benefits provided herein, the Employee shall be entitled to fringe
benefits made generally available to key employees of the Company in accordance
with the plans, practices, policies and programs of the Company.
(c) Insurance. During the Employment Term and for a period a period
of ten years thereafter, the Company shall maintain term life insurance payable
to beneficiaries designated in writing by the Employee providing coverage of not
less than $10.0 million. The Company shall maintain directors and officers
liability insurance and general liability insurance with full defense coverage
in an amount reasonably acceptable to the Employee, covering the Employee with
regard to all actions taken by the Employee in his capacity as an officer,
director and employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise at
the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company during the Employment
Term.
(d) Travel. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to use an automobile of his choice leased by the Company. The Company
shall pay all amounts in respect of premiums for liability and comprehensive
insurance coverage (in amounts reasonably determined by the Employee) and will
reimburse the Employee for all operating, maintenance and repair expense.
During the Employment Term, in order to ensure the person safety of the Employee
the Employee shall, whenever practicable, utilize the corporate aircraft owned
or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (at the expense of the
Company or such subsidiary, as the case may be) in connection with all travel
requiring air transportation (whether or not related to the performance of his
duties hereunder). For a period of five years after the termination of the
Employment Term, the Employee shall be provided reasonable use of such aircraft;
provided that the reasonable operating costs associated with such use shall be
reimbursed by the Employee.
(e) Estate Planning. The Company shall pay up to $20,000 during each
year of the Employment Term and for five
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years thereafter for legal, accounting and other professionals of the Employee's
choice who provide estate, nuptial arrangements, tax planning and related
services to the Employee.
(f) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Term, the
Employee shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and other assistance,
commensurate with that typical for a chief executive officer of a public
corporation.
(g) Vacation. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to four weeks paid vacation.
(h) Indemnification. The Employee shall be entitled during the
Employment Term, and thereafter with respect to occurrences during the
Employment Term, to the benefit of the indemnification provisions contained in
the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company and in any contract
entered into pursuant thereto as in effect on the date hereof or, if more
favorable to the Employee, as in effect at any time thereafter, to the extent
permitted by applicable law at the time of the assertion of any liability
against the Employee.
ARTICLE III
TERMINATION
SECTION 3.01. Death or Disability. The Employee's employment under
this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the Employee's death. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Employee has become Disabled (as
defined below), it may give to the Employee written notice of its intention to
terminate the Employee's employment. In such event, the Employee's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 90th day after receipt of such
notice by the Employee (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within
the 90 days after such receipt, the Employee shall not have returned to full-
time performance of the Employee's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, the
Employee shall be regarded "Disabled" if either (a) a majority of the Board of
Directors by resolution determines that the Employee is physically or mentally
incapacitated in a manner that renders him incapable of performing his duties
hereunder for a period of six month or (b) the Employee applies for and is
determined to be eligible to receive disability benefits under a Company long-
term disability plan.
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SECTION 3.02. Cause. During the Employment Term, the Company may
only terminate the Employee's employment under Section 3.01 or for Cause (as
defined). For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of
personal dishonesty engaged in by the Employee and intended to result in
substantial personal enrichment of the Employee at the expense of the Company,
(ii) repeated violations by the Employee of the Employee's obligations under
Section 2.02 of this Agreement which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on
the Employee's part and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time
after receipt of written notice from the Company pursuant to a resolution of its
Board of Directors or (iii) the non-appealable conviction of the Employee of a
felony.
SECTION 3.03. Good Reason. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, during the Employment Term, the Employee's employment may be
terminated by the Employee for Good Reason (as defined) and such termination
shall be deemed a constructive discharge of the Employee by the Company. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means:
(a) the assignment to the Employee of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Employee's position (included status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 2.02 of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities;
(b) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of
this Agreement;
(c) the Company's requiring the Employee to be based at any office or
location other than the Company's corporate headquarters as of the date hereof
in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, except for travel reasonably required in the
performance of the Employee's responsibilities; or
(d) any purported termination by the Company of the Employee's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 3.03, any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by the Employee shall be conclusive. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Employee for any
reason during the eighteen month period immediately following a Change of
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Control shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of
this Agreement.
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Termination. Any termination of the
Employee's employment by the Company for Cause or by the Employee for Good
Reason shall be communicated by Notice of Termination (as defined) to the other
party hereto given in accordance with Section 5.03 of this Agreement. As used
in this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Employee'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. The failure
by the Employee to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason shall not waive any
right of the Employee hereunder or preclude the Employee from asserting such
fact or circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder. As used in this
Agreement, "Date of Termination" means the date of receipt of the Notice of
Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be; provided,
however, that (i) if the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company
other than for Cause or Disability or by reason of death, the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Employee of such
termination and (ii) if the Employee's employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the
Employee or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
SECTION 3.05. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Termination Because of Death. If the Employee's employment is
terminated by reason of the Employee's death, such employment shall terminate
without further obligations under this Agreement (except as expressly provided
herein) to the Employee's representatives, other than those obligations accrued
or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Employee as of the Date of
Termination, including, for this purpose (i) the Employee's full Base Salary
accrued but unpaid through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect on the
Date of Termination, (ii) the product of the annual bonus paid to the Employee
for the last year of the Employment Term and a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days in the current year of the Employment Term through the
Date of Termination, and the
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denominator of which is 360, (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the
Employee (together with any accrued earnings thereon) and not yet paid by the
Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by the Company and (iv) all
amounts payable to the estate or designated beneficiaries of the Employee under
any pension, savings, life insurance or other plans, practices, policies and
programs of the Company, and/or all other amounts payable pursuant to Sections
2.03(c) and 2.04(c) hereof (such amounts specified in clauses (i), (ii), (iii)
and (iv) are hereinafter referred to as "Accrued Obligations"). The Accrued
Obligations specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof shall be paid to the
Employee's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination, and the other Accrued Obligations shall be paid
in accordance with the Employee's specific elections pursuant to, and otherwise
in accordance with the terms of, any such plan, practice, policy or program.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Employee's
family shall be entitled to receive benefits at least equal to the most
favorable benefits provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to
surviving families of key employees the Company or any such subsidiary under
such plans, practices, policies or programs relating to family death benefits on
the Date of Termination. If the Employee's employment is terminated by reason of
death, all options to purchase Common Stock then owned by the Employee shall
become immediately vested and exercisable and the exercisability thereof shall
be extended for a period of ten years following the Date of Termination.
(b) Termination Because of Disability. If the Employee's employment
is terminated by reason of the Employee's Disability, such employment shall
terminate without further obligations to the Employee, other than those
obligations accrued or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Employee as of
the Date of Termination, including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations.
The Accrued Obligations specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section
3.05(a) hereof shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination, and the other Accrued Obligations shall be paid
in accordance with the Employee's specific elections pursuant to, and otherwise
in accordance with the terms of, any plan, practice, policy or program providing
benefits forming a part of the Accrued Obligations. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, the Employee shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those provided by the Company and any of its
subsidiaries to disabled employees and/or their families in accordance with such
plans, practices,
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policies and programs relating to disability of the Company and its subsidiaries
in effect on the Disability Effective Date. If the Employee's employment is
terminated by reason of Disability, all options to purchase Common Stock then
owned by the Employee shall become immediately vested and exercisable and the
exercisability thereof shall be extended for a period ten years following the
Disability Effective Date.
(c) Termination For Cause by the Company or For Other Than Good Reason
by the Employee. If the Employee's employment shall be terminated for Cause, or
if the Employee terminates his employment other than for Good Reason, the
Employee's employment under this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Employee, other than those obligations accrued or earned and
vested (if applicable) by the Employee through the Date of Termination,
including for this purpose, all Accrued Obligations. The Accrued Obligations
specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of, Section 3.05(a) hereof shall be
paid to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination, and the other Accrued Obligations shall be paid in accordance with
the Employee's specific elections pursuant to, and otherwise in accordance with
the terms of, any plan, practice, policy or program providing benefits forming a
part of the Accrued Obligations. If the Employee's employment is terminated for
Cause by the Company or for other than Good Reason by the Employee, all unvested
options to purchase Common Stock then owned by the Employee shall terminate.
(d) Termination For Good Reason by the Employee or For Other Than
Cause or Disability by the Company or Other Than As a Result of Death. If,
during the Employment Term, the Employee's employment shall be terminated by the
Company other than for Cause or Disability or other than as a result of the
Employee's death or if the Employee shall terminate his employment for Good
Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 30
days after the Date of Termination (or in accordance with the Employee's
specific elections pursuant to, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of,
any plan, practice, policy or program providing benefits forming a part of the
Accrued Obligations specified in clause (iv) of Section 3.05(a) hereof) the
aggregate of the following amounts and shall provide the following benefits:
(i) The Employee's full Base Salary and vacation pay (for vacation
not taken) accrued but unpaid through the Date of Termination at the rate
in effect at the time of the Notice of Termination plus an amount equal to
the
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product of the highest annual bonus paid to the Employee for the last
five years of the Employment Term and a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days in the current year through the Date of Termination and
the denominator of which is 360, plus all other amounts to which the
Employee is entitled under any compensation plan, practice, policy or
program of the Company in effect at the time such payments are due;
(ii) In the event any compensation has been previously deferred by
the Employee, all amounts previously deferred (together with any accrued
earnings thereon) and not yet paid by the Company;
(iii) A lump sum severance payment in an amount equal to 500% of
the sum of (x) the Employee's Base Salary (on an annualized basis) for the
year which includes the Date of Termination and (y) the highest annual
bonus earned (whether or not deferred) by the Employee during the five
years immediately preceding the year which includes the Date of
Termination;
(iv) Following the Employee's termination of employment, the
Company shall continue to cover the Employee and his family under, or
provide the Employee and his family with insurance coverage no less
favorable than, the Company's life, disability, health, dental or other
employee welfare benefit plans or programs (as in effect on the Date of
Termination) for a period of five years following the Date of Termination;
(v) Following the Employee's termination of employment, the Company
shall treat the Employee as if he had continued participation and benefit
accruals under any the Company's Retirement Plan in which he participates
for five years following the Date of Termination, or the Company shall
provide an equivalent benefit outside such plan with the result that an
additional five years of age and service shall be granted to the Employee;
and
(vi) All options to purchase Common Stock then owned by the
Employee shall become immediately vested and exercisable and the
exercisability thereof shall be extended for a period of ten years
following the Date of Termination.
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ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 4.01. Successor in Interest. The Employee may designate a
successor (or successors) in interest to receive any and all amounts due the
Employee in accordance with this Agreement should the Employee be deceased at
any time of payment. Such designation of successor(s) in interest shall be made
in writing signed by the Employee, and delivered to the Company pursuant to
Section 5.03 hereof. Any such designation may be made to any legal person,
persons, trust or the Employee's estate as he shall determine in his sole
discretion. In the event any designation shall be incomplete, or in the event
the Employee shall fail to designate a successor in interest, his estate shall
be deemed to be his successor in interest to receive such portion of all of the
payments due hereunder. The Employee may amend, change or revoke any such
designation at any time and from time to time, in the same manner. This Section
4.01 shall not supersede any designation of beneficiary or successor in interest
made by the Employee, or separately covered, under any other plan, practice,
policy or program of the Company.
SECTION 4.02. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Employee's continuing or future participation in any
benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, practices, policies or programs
provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and for which the Employee
may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Employee may have under any stock option or other agreements with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. Amounts which are vested benefits or which
the Employee is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, practice, policy
or program of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at or subsequent to the
Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, practice,
policy or program.
SECTION 4.03. Full Settlement; Legal Expenses. 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 Employee or others. In no event shall the Employee
be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of
mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of
this Agreement. The Com-
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pany agrees to pay, upon written demand therefor by the Employee, all legal fees
and expenses which the Employee may incur as a result of any dispute or contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by or with the Company or others regarding
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement (including as a result of any contest by the Employee about the amount
of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code. In any
such action brought by the Employee for damages or to enforce any provisions of
this Agreement, he shall be entitled to seek both legal and equitable relief and
remedies, including, without limitation, specific performance of the Company's
obligations hereunder, in his sole discretion. If the parties hereto so agree in
writing, any disputes under this Agreement may be settled by arbitration.
SECTION 4.04. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution made, or benefit
provided (including, without limitation, the acceleration of any payment,
distribution or benefit), by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee
(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 4.04) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar excise tax) or
any interest or penalties are incurred by the Employee 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 Employee
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an
amount such that after payment by the Employee of all taxes (including any
Excise Tax) imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment and any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes, the Employee retains from the Gross-Up
Payment an amount equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.04(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 4.04, including determination of whether
a Gross-Up Payment is required and of the amount of any such Gross-Up Payment,
shall be made by Deloitte & Touche (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
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and the Employee within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if
applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company, provided that
any determination that an Excise Tax is payable by the Employee shall be made on
the basis of substantial authority. The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as
determined pursuant to this Section 4.04(b), shall be paid to the Employee
within five business days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination.
If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Employee,
it shall furnish the Employee with a written opinion that has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on his Federal income tax return. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm meeting the requirements of this Section
4.04(b) sha11 be binding upon the Company and the Employee; subject only to
payments pursuant to the following sentence based on a determination that
additional Gross-Up Payments should have been made, consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder (the amount of such additional
payments are referred to herein as the "Gross-Up Underpayment"). In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 4.04(c) and the
Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Gross-Up Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Gross-Up Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Employee. The fees and disbursements of the
Accounting Firm shall be paid by the Company.
(c) The Employee 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 a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable after the Employee receives written notice 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 Employee 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 Employee
in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
such claim and that it will bear the costs and provide the indemnification as
required by this sentence, the Employee 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
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writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney selected by the
Company and satisfactory to the Employee;
(iii) reasonably cooperate with the Company 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 Employee 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 4.04(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 Employee to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Employee 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 Employee to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Employee, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Employee 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 the payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Employee 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 Employee 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.
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(d) If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.04(c), the Employee becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 4.04(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
Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4.04(c), a
determination is made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of
its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days
after such determination, then any obligation of the Employee to repay such
advance shall be forgiven and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the
extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
SECTION 4.05. Registration Rights.
(a) So long as the Employee beneficially owns at least 3% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Company, upon the Employee's written
request, shall prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from
time to time registration statements and such other documents, if then required,
as may be necessary to permit a public offering and sale of shares of the Common
Stock by the Employee (the "Registrable Stock") in compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
(b) The Company shall not have the right to include in any
registration statement filed pursuant to Section 4.05(a) any other securities of
the Company or any other person.
(c) If the Company proposes to register shares of Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock under the Securities
Act (other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or any
successor form, or filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of
securities solely to the existing shareholders or employees of the Company),
then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the
Employee at least thirty days before the anticipated filing date, and such
notice shall offer the Employee the opportunity to register such number of
shares of Registrable Stock as the Employee may request. The Employee shall
notify the Company in writing specifying whether or not he elects to include any
Registrable Stock in such registration statement within twenty days after
delivery of the
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Company's notice to the Employee. The Company shall cause the managing
underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the
Employee to include such securities in such offering on the same terms and
conditions as any similar securities of the Company included therein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, at any time after giving written notice of
its intention to register Common Stock or other securities convertible into or
exercisable for Common Stock and prior to the effectiveness of the registration
statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company determines for
any reason either not to effect such registration or to delay such registration,
the Company, at its election, by delivery or written notice to the Employee, (i)
in the case of a determination not to effect registration, may relieve itself of
its obligations to register any Registrable Stock in connection with such
registration, or (ii) in the case of determination to delay the registration,
may delay the registration of such Registrable Stock for the same period as the
delay in the registration of such other shares of Common Stock or other
securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock.
(d) The Employee shall furnish to the Company such reasonable
information regarding the Employee, the Registrable Stock, and the intended
method of disposition of such securities as are required to effect the
registration of Registrable Stock as to which the Employee has requested
registration.
(e) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or
compliance with this Section 4.05 including, without limitation, all
registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of complying with state
securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses and fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and the Employee and of independent public accountants
(including the expense of any special audit), but excluding underwriting
commissions and discounts for the Employee, shall be borne by the Company. The
Employee shall bear his own pro rata share (calculated according to the number
of his shares as a fraction of the total number of shares covered by such
registration statement) of all underwriting commissions and discounts incurred
in connection with any offering of Registrable Stock with respect to a
registration pursuant to this Section 4.05.
(f) In the event any shares of Registrable Stock are included in a
registration statement under this Section 4.05:
(i) The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Employee against any losses, claims, damages,
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or liabilities (joint or several) to which he may become subject under the
Securities Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in such registration statement, including any
preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any
amendments or supplements thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading.
(ii) Promptly after receipt by the Employee under this Section
4.05(f) of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), the Employee shall deliver to the Company a written
notice of the commencement thereof and the Company shall have the right to
participate in, and, to the extent the Company so desires, to assume the
defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties. The
Employee shall have the right to retain its own counsel, however, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Employee,
unless (x) the employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized
in writing by the Company, (y) the Company has failed timely to assume the
defense and employ counsel or (z) the named parties to any such action
(including any impleaded parties) include both the Employee and the
Company, and the Employee shall have been advised by such counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different
from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the
Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on
behalf of the Employee, it being understood, however, that the Company
shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses
of more than one separate firm of attorneys). The failure to deliver
written notice to the Company within a reasonable time of the commencement
of any such action, if materially prejudicial to its ability to defend such
action, shall relieve the Company of any liability to the Employee under
this Section 4.05(f), but the omission so to deliver written notice to the
Company shall not relieve it of any liability that it may have to the
Employee otherwise than under this Section 4.05(f).
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(iii) If the indemnification provided for in subsection (i) of
this Section 4.05(f) is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the
Employee under such subsection in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities or action in respect thereof or referred to therein, then the
Company, in lieu of indemnifying the Employee, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by the Employee as a result of such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the
Employee on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact relates to information supplied
by the Company, on the one hand, or the Employee, on the other hand, and
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company
and the Employee agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 4.05(f)(iii) were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which did not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
subsection. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who is not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 5.01. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Employee and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Employee otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee's legal
representatives or successor(s) in interest.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
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(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.
SECTION 5.02. Governing Law; Headings; Amendments. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The headings 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.
SECTION 5.03. Notices. 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 Employee:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
5 and 00X Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xx. Xxxxx, X.X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company:
Emerging Communications, Inc.
Chase Financial Center
Orange Grove, Christiansted
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00821
Attention: Chairman of Board of Directors
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.
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SECTION 5.04. Invalidity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.05. No Waiver. The Employee's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of such provision or any other provision hereof.
SECTION 5.06. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the Company and the Employee with respect to the subject matter
hereof but does not supersede or override the provisions of any stock option,
employee benefit or other plan, program, policy or practice in which Employee is
a participant or under which Employee is a beneficiary.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employee has hereunto set his hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
