CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
THIS
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Xxxxxx
Xxxxx (“Executive”), and ITEX Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“ITEX” or the
“Company”), effective as of February 28, 2008 (the “Effective
Date”).
RECITALS
A.
ITEX
believes that Executive has made and will continue to make valuable
contributions to the productivity and profitability of ITEX and considers it
essential to the best interests of its stockholders to xxxxxx the continued
employment of Executive as a key member of ITEX’s senior executive
team.
B.
ITEX
recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly-held corporations, the
possibility of a change in control exists and that such possibility, and the
uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in
the
departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of ITEX and
its stockholders.
C.
ITEX
has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage
the continued attention and dedication of Executive to his assigned duties
without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising
from the possibility of a change in control.
AGREEMENT
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein
contained, ITEX and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used
herein, the following terms shall have the described meanings:
(a)
“Award” means the grant of ITEX Corporation restricted stock, stock incentive or
an option to purchase ITEX Corporation common stock to Executive granted under
the Plan.
(b)
“Award Agreement” means any written agreement between ITEX and Executive
relating to an Award under the Plan.
(c)
“Base Compensation” means the base salary or wages paid the Executive as
compensation for services at the annual rate of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($150,000) or at such higher rate as the Company may determine from
time
to time.
(d)
“Cause” means (1) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to
substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any
such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental
illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to
the
Executive by the Board (or by a delegate appointed by the Board), which demand
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the
Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or
(2) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company,
monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of Sections (1) and (2) of this
definition, (A) no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be
deemed “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in
bad faith or without reasonable belief that the act, or failure to act, was
in
the best interests of the Company, (B) in the event of a dispute concerning
the application of this provision, no claim by the Company that Cause exists
shall be given effect unless the Company establishes to the Board by clear
and
convincing evidence that Cause exists, and (C) any act, or failure to act,
based
upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board 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.
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(e)
“Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(i) the
individuals who are Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute
a
majority of the members of the Board;
(ii)
the
consummation of a consolidation or merger of ITEX or an affiliate of ITEX with
another business entity, unless the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners of the voting securities of ITEX outstanding immediately
prior
to such consolidation or merger own, directly or indirectly, at least
50
percent
of the combined voting power of the voting securities of any of ITEX, the
surviving entity or the parent of the surviving entity outstanding immediately
after such consolidation or merger;
(iii) any
person becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
ITEX
representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of ITEX’s then
outstanding voting securities, and for this purpose the terms “person” and
“beneficial ownership” shall have the meanings provided in Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or related rules promulgated by
the
Securities and Exchange Commission;
(iv)
the
sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of ITEX (an “Asset Sale”), unless:
(a) |
the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the voting
securities of ITEX immediately prior to such Asset Sale own, directly
or
indirectly, 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of the
voting securities of the entity that acquires such assets in such Asset
Sale or its parent immediately after such Asset Sale in substantially
the
same proportions as their ownership of ITEX’s Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Asset Sale; or
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(b) |
the
individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior to such Asset
Sale
constitute a majority of the board of directors or other governing
body of
either the entity that acquired such assets in such Asset Sale or its
parent; or
|
(v)
the
voluntary or involuntary closure and winding up of ITEX’s business and related
affairs or the approval by stockholders of ITEX of a plan of complete
liquidation or dissolution of ITEX.
(f)
“Good
Reason” for termination by the Executive of his employment means the occurrence
(without the Executive’s express written consent) after any Change in Control,
or prior to a Change in Control under the circumstances described in clauses
(a) and (b) of the second paragraph of the definition of Termination
of Employment (treating all references to “Change in Control” in paragraphs
(i) through (vi) below as references to a “Potential Change in
Control”), of any one of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the
Company to act, unless, in the case of any act or failure to act described
in
paragraph (i), (v), or (vi) below, such act or failure to act is an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and that
is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
the
Executive and prior to the effective date of the Executive’s termination for
Good Reason:
2
(i)
the
assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities which are
diminished as compared to the Executive’s duties and responsibilities
immediately prior to a Change in Control or a change in the Executive’s
reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as an Employee and as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control, including without limitation, if
the
Executive is required to report to any individual other than the Board, if
the
Executive is not the highest ranking officer of the Company’s ultimate parent
entity, or the involuntary removal of Chairman from the position of Chairman
of
the Board;
(ii)
a
reduction by the Company in the Executive’s annual Base Compensation as in
effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time;
(iii)
a
failure of the Board to nominate Executive as a director of the Company;
(iv)
the
relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location
outside of a 25-mile radius from the Executive’s principal place of employment
immediately prior to the Change in Control or the Company’s requiring the
Executive to be based anywhere other than such principal place of employment
(or
permitted relocation thereof) except for required travel on the Company’s
business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s business
travel obligations immediately prior to a Change in Control;
(v)
the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any portion of the
Executive’s current compensation;
(vi) the
failure by the Company to continue to provide the Executive with benefits
substantially similar to those enjoyed by the Executive under any of the
Company’s life insurance, medical, health and accident, or disability plans in
which the Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in
Control, the taking of any other action by the Company which would directly
or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Executive
of
any benefit enjoyed by the Executive at the time of the Change in Control,
or
the failure by the Company to provide the Executive with the number of paid
vacation days to which the Executive is entitled on the basis of years of
service with the Company in accordance with the Company’s normal vacation policy
in effect immediately prior to the time of the Change in Control; or
(vii) any
purported termination of the Executive’s employment which is not effected
pursuant to a notice of termination satisfying the requirements of
Section 6.1.
The
Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason
even
if he becomes incapacitated due to physical or mental illness. The Executive’s
continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of any rights
with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason hereunder.
For
purposes of any determination regarding the existence of Good Reason, any claim
by the Executive that Good Reason exists shall be presumed to be
conclusive
and
binding upon all parties unless the Company establishes to the Compensation
Committee by clear and convincing evidence that Good Reason does not
exist.
(g)
“Highest Base Compensation” means the Executive’s annualized Base Compensation
in effect immediately prior to (a) a Change in Control, (b) the first
event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, or (c) the Executive’s
Termination of Employment, whichever is greatest.
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(h) “Incumbent
Director” means:
(i)
a
member of the Board on the Effective Date; or
(ii)
an
individual —
(1) |
who
becomes a member of the Board after the Effective Date;
|
(2) |
whose
appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by
ITEX’s
stockholders is approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the then serving Incumbent Directors (as defined herein); and
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(3)
whose
initial assumption of service on the Board is not in connection with an actual
or threatened election contest.
(i)
“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a
“group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof, except that the term shall not
include (a) the Company or any of its affiliates, (b) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of those securities
or
(c) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the
Company.
(j)
“Plan” means the ITEX Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.
(k)
“Termination of Employment” means the termination of the Executive’s employment
relationship with the Company (a) by the Company without Cause after a
Change in Control occurs, or (b) by the Executive for Good Reason after a
Change in Control occurs.
For
purposes of this definition, the Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have
been terminated after a Change in Control, if (a) the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to a Change in
Control (whether or not a Change in Control ever occurs) and such termination
was at the request or direction of a Person who has entered into an agreement
with the Company, the consummation of which would constitute a Change in
Control; (b) the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason prior
to a Change in Control (whether nor not a Change in Control ever occurs) and
the
circumstance or event which constitutes Good Reason occurs at the request or
direction of a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company, the
consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control; or (c) the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive for Good Reason and such termination or the circumstance or event
which constitutes Good Reason is otherwise in connection with or in anticipation
of a Change in Control (whether or not a Change in Control ever occurs). For
purposes of any determination regarding the applicability of the immediately
preceding sentence, any position taken by the Executive shall be presumed to
be
correct unless the Company establishes to the Compensation Committee by clear
and convincing evidence that such position is not correct.
“Termination
of Employment” does not include (a) a termination of employment due to the
Executive’s death or disability, or (b) a termination of employment by the
Executive without Good Reason.
2. Term
of Agreement.
2.1
The
“Term” of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on
(a) the last day of the three-year period beginning on the Effective Date
if no Change in Control shall have occurred during that three-year period (such
last day being the “Expiration Date”); or (b) if a Change in Control shall
have occurred during (i) the three-year period beginning on the Effective
Date or (ii) any period for which the Term of this Agreement shall have
been automatically extended pursuant Section 2.2, the last day of the
two-year period beginning on the date on which the Change in Control occurred.
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2.2
After
the expiration of the time period described in subsection (a) of
Section 2.1, and in the absence of a Change in Control (as described in
subsection (b) of Section 2.1) the “Term” of this Agreement shall be
automatically extended for successive two-year periods beginning on the day
immediately following the Expiration Date (the beginning date of each successive
two-year period being a “Renewal Date”), unless, not later than 12 months prior
to the Expiration Date or applicable Renewal Date, the Company shall give notice
to Executive that the Term of this Agreement will not be extended.
3.
Compensation
and Benefits
Following Change of Control.
If
there is a Change of Control during the Term of this Agreement, the Company
shall provide the Executive the benefits described below.
3.1
Equity
Based Compensation.
Upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control, all shares of restricted ITEX stock,
any
options and all other equity incentives and any awards the value of which is
determined by reference to or based upon the value of ITEX stock, held by the
Executive under any plan of the Company shall become immediately vested,
exercisable and nonforfeitable and all conditions thereof (including, but not
limited to, any required holding periods) shall be deemed to have been
satisfied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the prior written consent of
the
Executive, if and to the extent any Award is, in connection with the Change
in
Control, either continued in effect, assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof) or replaced with a comparable award relating to shares of the
capital stock of the successor corporation (or its parent corporation), the
then
unvested option(s) and/or restricted stock subject to such Award shall continue
to vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.
3.2
Change
of Control Payment.
Should
Executive be employed by ITEX on the date of any Change in Control, then ITEX
shall pay to Executive in a lump sum on the date of the Change in Control or
as
soon thereafter as is reasonably practical, an amount equal to 100% of
Executive’s Highest Base Compensation. The payment contemplated in this
Section 3.2 shall be reduced by any tax or other withholdings required by law
or
elected by Executive. The benefits and payments provided in this Section 3
shall
be in addition to and not in lieu of the benefits and payments described in
Section 4.
4.
Compensation
and Benefits
Following Termination of Employment.
If the
Executive incurs a Termination of Employment during the Term of this Agreement,
subject to the limitations of Section 5 of this Agreement, the Company shall
provide the Executive the benefits described below.
4.1
Equity
Based Compensation.
Upon
the occurrence of a Termination of Employment, to the extent any Award was
continued, assumed or replaced in the Change in Control and was not otherwise
accelerated at that time, all shares of restricted ITEX stock, any options
and
all other equity or phantom equity incentives and any awards the value of which
is determined by reference to or based upon the value of ITEX stock, held by
the
Executive under any plan of the Company shall become immediately vested,
exercisable and nonforfeitable and all conditions thereof (including, but not
limited to, any required holding periods) shall be deemed to have been
satisfied.
4.2
Severance
Payment Based Upon Base Compensation.
The
Company will pay the Executive a cash severance benefit equal to two times
the
Executive’s Highest Base Compensation. The Executive’s severance payment under
this paragraph will be paid at the option of the Company either (1) in a single
sum cash payment within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Employment
Termination Date or, (2) over a period of twenty-four (24) months (“Severance
Period”) from the effective date of termination, such severance to be paid in
substantially equal increments at normal semi-monthly payroll intervals, or
at
such intervals and amounts as the parties may otherwise agree.
5
4.3
Health
Insurance Benefits.
If ITEX
elects to pay the severance payment over the Severance Period as provided by
Section 4.2, then for two years following the Executive’s Employment Termination
Date (the “Severance Period”), the Company shall arrange to provide the
Executive and his dependents health insurance benefits (including medical,
dental, vision and orthodontia benefits), in each case, substantially similar
to
those provided to the Executive and his dependents immediately prior to the
Employment Termination Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided to the Executive and his dependents immediately prior to the first
occurrence of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, at no greater
cost to the Executive than the cost to the Executive immediately prior to such
date or occurrence. During the Severance Period will pay under COBRA the Company
portion of the medical benefits that the Executive was receiving prior to
termination. If ITEX adjusts or changes any or all of the health insurance
benefits generally for its employees in the State of Washington, then ITEX
may
make a comparable adjustment in the benefits otherwise receivable by the
Executive pursuant to this Section 4.3. Benefits otherwise receivable by
the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be reduced to the extent
benefits of the same type are received by or made available to the Executive
during the Continuation Period (and any such benefits received by or made
available to the Executive shall be reported to the Company by the Executive).
If the severance payment provided by Section 4.2 is paid as a single sum cash
payment within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Employment
Termination Date, no health insurance benefits shall be payable to Executive
under this Section 4.3.
4.4
Life
Insurance Benefit.
The
Executive may, at his option, convert his $2 million life insurance coverage,
currently with the Company named as sole beneficiary, to an individual policy.
If converted, the policy’s premium will be responsibility of Executive.
5.
Limitation
on Benefits.
5.1
If
any payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive (whether
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or any other plan or agreement with
the
Company, any Person whose actions result in a Change in Control or any Person
affiliated with the Company or such Person) (such payments or benefits, being
hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) will be subject to the excise
tax imposed by section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor
provision thereto, or any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any
interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereafter collectively
referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then, the amount payable pursuant to Section 3
or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable, shall be reduced by such amount and
to
such extent necessary to make such payments and benefits not subject to the
Excise Tax, but only if such reduction results in a higher after-tax payment
to
the Executive after taking into account the Excise Tax and any additional taxes
the Executive would pay if such payments and benefits were not reduced.
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6. Termination
Procedures and Compensation During Dispute.
6.1
Notice
of Termination.
After a
Change in Control and during the Term of this Agreement, any purported
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company shall be communicated
by the Company by a written Notice of Termination to the Executive in accordance
with Section 10.6. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of
Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set 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. Further, a Notice of
Termination for Cause is required to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted
by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire
membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board which was called and held
for
the purpose of considering such termination (after reasonable notice to the
Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with the Executive’s
counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion
of the Board, the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clause
(1) or (2) of the definition of Cause herein, and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail. No purported termination of the Executive’s
employment by the Company after a Change in Control and during the Term of
this
Agreement shall be effective unless the Company complies with the procedures
set
forth in this Section.
6.2
Employment
Termination Date.
“Employment Termination Date,” with respect to any purported termination of the
Executive’s employment after a Change in Control and during the Term of this
Agreement, shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for
disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided
that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of
the
Executive’s duties during such thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if
the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a termination
by
the Company, shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of
a termination for Cause) and, in the case of a termination by the Executive,
shall not be less than fifteen (15) days nor more than sixty (60) days,
respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
6.3
Dispute
Concerning Termination.
If
within fifteen (15) days after any Notice of Termination is given, or, if
later, prior to the Employment Termination Date (as determined without regard
to
this Section), the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the
other
party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Employment
Termination Date shall be extended until the earlier of (i) the date on
which the Term of this Agreement ends or (ii) the date on which the dispute
is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by
a
final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent
jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for
appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided,
however, that the Employment Termination Date shall be extended by a notice
of
dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and
the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
6.4
Compensation
During Dispute.
If a
purported termination occurs following a Change in Control and during the Term
of this Agreement and the Employment Termination Date is extended in accordance
with Section 6.3, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full
compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given
(including, but not limited to, salary) and continue the Executive as a
participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which the
Executive was participating when the notice giving rise to the dispute was
given
or those plans in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the
first occurrence of an event or circumstance giving rise to the Notice of
Termination, if more favorable to the Executive, until the Employment
Termination Date, as determined in accordance with Section 6.3. Amounts
paid under this Section are in addition to all other amounts due under this
Agreement (other than those due under Section 3) and shall not be offset
against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.
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7. Release
Agreement. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s payment of the severance compensation
pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute
a
full settlement and discharge of any and all obligations of the Company to
Executive arising out of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company
or the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, except for any
vested rights Executive may have under any insurance, stock option or equity
compensation plan or any other employee benefit plans sponsored by the
Company. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that as a
condition to receiving any of the severance compensation pursuant to
Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, Executive will execute and deliver to the
Company a release agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the
Company pursuant to which Executive will release and waive any and all claims
against the Company (and its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and
representatives) arising out of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the
Company, and the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (as
applicable under the relevant Section above), including without limitation
claims under all federal, state and local laws; provided, however, that such
Release Agreement shall not affect or relinquish (a) any vested rights
Executive may have under any insurance, stock option or equity compensation
plan, or other employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company, (b) any
claims for reimbursement of business expenses incurred prior to the employment
termination date, or (c) any rights to severance compensation under
Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement.
8. Non-Competition
and Non-Solicitation. As
further consideration for the Company’s payment of the severance compensation
pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, Executive agrees for a
period of 12 months following termination of the Executive’s employment by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement that Executive will not, directly or
indirectly, on his own behalf or on the behalf of others, in any geographic
area
or market where ITEX is conducting, or has, during the previous twelve months
conducted, any business:
(a) |
Engage
in any business competitive with the business conducted by ITEX at
the
time of Executive’s termination or set forth in any then-existing business
plan that Executive has approved and with respect to which significant
steps toward implementation have been taken at the time of Executive’s
termination;
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(b) |
Render
advice or services to, or otherwise assist, any other person, association,
or entity who is engaged, directly or indirectly, in any business
competitive with the business conducted by ITEX at the time of Executive’s
termination or set forth in any then-existing business plan that Executive
has approved and with respect to which significant steps toward
implementation have been taken at the time of Executive’s termination; or
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(c) |
Solicit,
influence, or induce, or attempt to solicit, influence, or induce,
any
employee of ITEX to terminate his or her employment with ITEX, or recruit,
hire or assist in the recruitment or hiring of any such employee by
any
person, association, or entity not affiliated with ITEX.
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Executive
understands that these restrictions may limit Executive’s ability to engage in
certain businesses anywhere in the world during the period provided for above,
but Executive also acknowledges and agrees that Executive will receive
sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits under this Agreement to
justify such restriction.
8. Legal
and Accounting Fees.
The
Company shall pay, on a fully grossed up, after tax basis, all legal and
accounting fees and expenses incurred by the Executive (i) for purposes of
determining under Section 5.1 whether any of the Total Payments will be subject
to the Excise Tax, the amount of such Excise Tax, and whether a reduction under
Section 5.1 would result in a higher after-tax payment to the Executive
(including, the opinion of tax counsel reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company’s independent auditor), (ii) in disputing any issue
relating to the Executive’s termination of employment, (iii) in seeking in
good faith to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided under this
Agreement, or (iv) in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the
extent attributable to the application of section 4999 of the Code to any
payment or benefit under this Agreement. Such payments shall be made within
ten
(10) business days after delivery of the Executive’s written request for
payment accompanied with such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the
Company may reasonably require.
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9. Withholding.
The
Company may withhold from any benefits paid under this Agreement all income,
employment, and other taxes required to be withheld under applicable law.
10. Death
of the Executive.
If the
Executive dies after his Employment Termination Date but before the Executive
receives full payment of the benefits to which he is entitled, any unpaid
benefits will be paid to the Executive’s surviving spouse, or if the Executive
does not have a surviving spouse, to the Executive’s estate.
11. Amendment.
This
Agreement may not be amended except pursuant to a written instrument that is
authorized by the Compensation Committee and agreed to in writing and signed
by
the Executive.
12.
Miscellaneous.
12.1
Agreement
Not an Employment Contract.
ITEX
employment of Executive is on an “at will” basis and nothing in this Agreement
shall be interpreted or construed as a promise or contract of employment for
a
particular term or period. ITEX may terminate Executive’s employment at any time
with or without cause and without notice. Executive may terminate his employment
at any time with Good Reason or without Good Reason.
12.2
Waiver.
No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing
signed by the waiving party, nor shall any waiver or failure to enforce any
right in one instance constitute or be deemed a continuing waiver of that right
or of any other right under this Agreement in any other instance.
12.3
Assignment
Prohibited.
Executive may not assign any of his rights nor delegate any of his duties
hereunder. ITEX may assign this Agreement and delegate its duties hereunder
in
connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of assets, or to any of its
affiliates at any time owned by, or under
common
ownership with, ITEX. The rights and obligations of the parties shall bind
and
inure to the benefit of their respective, successors, permitted assigns, heirs
and personal representatives.
12.4
Choice
of Law and Jurisdiction.
ITEX
and Executive intend this Agreement to be governed by and enforced to the
greatest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Washington without regard
to its conflict of law principles to the contrary. The parties agree to submit
to the personal jurisdiction of the
state
and
federal courts sitting in King County, Washington, and agree that any action,
suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or concerning any aspect
of
Executive’s employment shall be brought in such courts to the exclusion of all
other forums.
12.5
Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable to any
extent, it shall nevertheless be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by
law
in that and other contexts, and the validity and force of the remainder of
this
Agreement shall not be affected.
12.6
No
Mitigation.
The
Company agrees that if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates
during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive is not required to seek other
employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the
Executive by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. Further, except as
expressly provided otherwise herein, the amount of any payment or benefit
provided for in this Agreement (other than Section 4.3) shall not be
reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment
by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount
claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.
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12.7
Other
Amounts Due.
Except
as expressly provided otherwise herein, the payments and benefits provided
for
in this Agreement are in addition to and not in lieu of amounts and benefits
that are earned by the Executive prior to his Termination of Employment. The
Company shall pay the Executive any compensation earned through the Employment
Termination Date but not previously paid the Executive. Further the Executive
shall be entitled to any other amounts or benefits due the Executive in
accordance with any contract, plan, program or policy of the Company or any
of
its affiliates. Amounts that the Executive is entitled to receive under any
plan, program, contract or policy of the Company or any of its affiliates at
or
subsequent to the Executive’s Termination of Employment shall be payable or
otherwise provided in accordance with such plan, program, contract or policy,
except as expressly modified herein.
12.8
Notices.
All
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and delivered
in person, transmitted by facsimile, delivered via overnight courier or sent
by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested,
to
the parties at their respective addresses and facsimile numbers, or to such
other address/number as a party may subsequently specify in writing. Notice
shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of actual receipt, which if by
facsimile shall be deemed conclusively determined by electronic confirmation
of
delivery, the next day following deposit with a national commercial delivery
service if sent by overnight courier, or the third business day after the date
on which said notice was sent by any other method described above.
12.9
Complete
Agreement.
This
Agreement comprises the entire agreement between the parties. It may be changed
only by further written agreement, signed by the parties specified in Section
9
above. It supersedes and merges within it all prior agreements or understandings
between the parties, whether written or oral. In interpreting or construing
this
Agreement, the fact that one or the other of the parties may have drafted this
Agreement or any provision shall not be given any weight or
relevance.
12.10
Attorney’s
Fees and Costs.
The
prevailing party in any claim, suit or proceeding brought to interpret or
enforce the terms of this Agreement shall be entitled to an award of its
attorneys fees and costs incurred in every stage of such claim, suit or
proceeding, including appeal.
Signed
by
the parties as of the date first written above.
ITEX
CORPORATION
|
EXECUTIVE
|
|
|
By:
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Xxxx
Xxxx, Director
|
|
Chairman
of Compensation Committee
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
Xxxx
Xxxx, Director
|
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