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EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made this 11th day of
August, 2000, by Gilat-to-Home Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx,
XxXxxx, XX 00000 ("GTH") and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx, residing at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 ("Executive").
WHEREAS, GTH desires to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to
be employed by GTH; and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth the terms and conditions of that
employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties
agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment
GTH hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment
with GTH, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Unless
terminated earlier pursuant to Section 5, Executive's employment pursuant to
this Agreement shall be for the three (3)-year period commencing on August 23,
2000 (the "Commencement Date") and ending on August 31, 2003 (the "Initial
Term") unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of Section
5. Effective as of the expiration of the Initial Term and as of any subsequent
expiration date of additional terms, the term of this Agreement shall be
extended for an additional term of at least twenty four (24) months ("Additional
Term") unless, not less than thirty (30) days prior to each such expiration
date, either party hereto shall have given written notice to the other that the
term shall not be so extended. The Initial Term, together with any Additional
Term, shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Period."
2. Title; Duties
(a) The Executive shall be employed as President & Chief Marketing
Officer of GTH. Executive shall report to the co-Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of GTH. The
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Executive shall perform such services consistent with his position as may be
assigned to him from time to time by the co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
and are consistent with the bylaws of GTH, including, but not limited to,
managing the financial affairs of GTH.
(b) Executive's place of employment shall be McLean, VA, or such other
location within a 75-mile radius of the address first written above as the
Board of Directors shall direct; provided, however, that Executive's duties
may require extensive travel.
3. Extent of Services
(a) General. Executive agrees not to engage in any business activities
during the Employment Period except those that are for the sole benefit of
GTH, and to devote his entire business time, attention, skill and effort to
the performance of his duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Executive may engage in personal investments and charitable,
professional and civic activities that do not impair the performance of his
duties to GTH. Executive shall perform his duties to the best of his
ability, shall adhere to GTH's published policies and procedures, and shall
use his best efforts to promote GTH's interests, reputation, business and
welfare.
(b) Corporate Opportunities. Executive agrees that he will not take
personal advantage of any business opportunities which arise during his
employment with GTH and which may be of benefit to GTH. All material facts
regarding such opportunities must be promptly reported to the Board of
Directors for consideration by GTH.
4. Compensation and Benefits
(a) Salary. GTH shall pay Executive a gross base annual salary ("Base
Salary") of $200,000. The salary shall be payable in twenty-six (26) equal
installments (except that the first and last such semi-monthly installments
may be prorated if necessary) on GTH's regularly scheduled payroll dates,
minus such deductions as may be required by law or reasonably requested by
Executive. GTH's Compensation Policy Committee (the "Compensation
Committee") shall review his Base Salary annually in conjunction with its
regular review of employee salaries and make such increases, if any, to his
Base Salary as the Compensation Committee shall deem appropriate, but, the
Base Salary will not go below $200,000.
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(b) Sign-On Bonus
GTH shall pay Executive $100,000 as a sign-on bonus which will be
processed through payroll, with the appropriate amounts withheld, within the
first month of employment. If by December 31, 2001, GTH has not yet completed
its public offering, Executive will receive an additional bonus of $100,000.
(c) Performance Bonus Effective on the Commencement Date, the Executive
shall be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan and receive a target of
$150,000 as a performance bonus during the first calendar year of the Employment
Period. The Performance Bonus will be contingent on meeting mutually agreed upon
targets. The first year target of $150,000 will be paid out on a pro-rata basis
depending on the number of months worked during FY 2000. The Performance Bonus
amount will be negotiated on an annual basis with the target not to be lower
than $150,000. Such Performance Bonus shall be determined and paid within 45
days after the end of each calendar year during the Employment Period.
(d) Stock Options
(i) GTH shall grant the Executive stock options to purchase
1,500,000 shares of common stock of GTH subject to the approval
of the Stock Option Committee of GTH, at a price to be determined
by the Stock Option Committee (Not to exceed $2.50 per share)
which will vest over a four year period in accordance with the
Stock Option Plan. In addition, in the event of a change in
control of GTH, as defined in the Executive's Stock Option
Agreement, the vesting schedule for those unvested options will
be accelerated so that 100% of all option grants will vest on the
effective date of the change in control. The change in control
provision in the Stock Option Agreement will be no less favorable
to the Executive than such provisions in the agreements of
similarly situated executives. If this paragraph conflicts with
GTH's Stock Option Agreement, this paragraph shall control.
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(ii)In addition to the option grant set forth in the preceding
section, the Company agrees on an annual basis to consider
in good faith the grant of additional stock options to the
Executive.
(j) Other Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to thirty (30) days paid
vacation, as well as other paid time off and holiday pay in accordance with
GTH's policies in effect from time to time and to participate in such life,
health, and disability insurance, pension, deferred compensation and incentive
plans, and other benefits as GTH extends, as a matter of policy, to its
executive employees.
(k) Reimbursement of Business Expenses. GTH shall reimburse Executive for
all reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred or paid by
Executive in connection with, or related to, the performance of his duties,
responsibilities or services under this Agreement, upon presentation by
Executive of documentation, expense statements, vouchers, and/or such other
supporting information as GTH may reasonably request.
(1) Commutation Expenses. The Executive shall use best reasonable efforts
to relocate to the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area within six months of
the Commencement Date. For the first six months following the Commencement Date,
or a longer period of time if mutually agreed to by the Company and the
Executive (the "Commutation Period"), the Company shall reimburse the Executive
for air or ground travel between Washington, DC and New York and related ground
transportation costs, not to exceed one round trip per week, unless mutually
agreed to by the Executive and the Company. Additionally, the Company will
reimburse Executive for other, reasonable and appropriate business related
expenses incurred during the Commutation Period upon presentation by the
Executive of documentation, expense statements, vouchers and/or such other
supporting information as the Company may request.
(m) Relocation Expenses. During the Commutation Period, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for his reasonable housing expenses in the greater
Washington, DC metropolitan area. The parties contemplate that during the first
few weeks of employment such expenses shall be comprised of hotel charges. At
such time as the Executive identifies a
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suitable furnished corporate apartment for lease, the Company shall make
the lease payments directly to the landlord for the remainder of the
Commutation Period.
The Company shall also reimburse the Executive for reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in relocating to the greater
Washington, DC metropolitan area. The expenses include, but are not
limited to car rental fees during the Commutation Period, costs
associated with moving the Executive's belongings, Realtor commission
fees and points associated with selling the Executive's home in the New
York metropolitan area and the closing costs Executive may incur in
buying a home in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
5. Termination
(a) Termination by GTH for Cause. GTH may terminate the
Executive's employment under this Agreement at any time for Cause, upon
written notice by GTH to the Executive. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Cause" for termination shall mean any of the following: (i) the
conviction of the Executive, or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere by Executive to, any felony or misdemeanor, excluding minor
traffic violations; (ii) fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by
Executive; (iii) Executive's willful failure or gross negligence in the
performance of his assigned duties for GTH which failure or negligence
continues for more than thirty calendar days following the Executive's
receipt of written notice of such willful failure or gross negligence;
(iv) the breach by Executive of any material term of this Agreement.
(b) Termination by GTH or Executive Without Cause. Either party
may terminate this Agreement at any time without Cause, upon giving the
other thirty (30) days written notice. At GTH's sole discretion, it may
substitute thirty (30) days salary in lieu of notice. Any salary paid to
Executive in lieu of notice shall be offset against any entitlement
Executive may have to the Severance Payment pursuant to Section 6(b).
(c) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may
terminate his employment under this Agreement at any time for Good
Reason, upon written notice by Executive to GTH. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" for termination shall mean (i) the assignment to
Executive of substantial duties or responsibilities inconsistent with
Executive's position at GTH; (ii) a requirement by GTH that Executive
work principally
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from a location outside the 75-mile radius specified in Section 2 (b); or
(iii) GTH's failure to pay Executive any salary or other compensation to
which he is entitled, other than an inadvertent failure which is remedied
by GTH within forty-five (45) days after receipt of written notice
thereof from Executive; or (iv) the breach of GTH of any material term
of this Agreement.
(d) Employee's Death or Disability. Executive's employment shall
terminate immediately upon his death or, upon written notice as set forth
below, his Disability. As used in this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean
the inability of Executive, due to a physical or mental impairment, to
perform his duties to GTH, which impairment reasonably can be expected to
cause Executive's continued incapacity to perform his duties for a period
of ninety (90) consecutive days from the first date of the disability. In
the event of a dispute as to whether Executive is impaired within the
meaning of this Section 5(d), or as to the likely duration of any
incapacity of Executive, either party may request a medical examination
of Executive by a doctor appointed by the Chief of Staff of a hospital
selected by mutual agreement of the parties, or as the parties may
otherwise agree, and the written medical opinion of such doctor shall be
conclusive and binding upon the parties. The cost of such examination
shall be borne by GTH.
6. Effect of Termination
(a) General. Regardless of the reason for any termination of this
Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to (i) payment of any unpaid
portion of his Base Salary through the effective date of termination;
(ii) reimbursement for any outstanding reasonable business expense he has
incurred in performing his duties hereunder; (iii) continued insurance
benefits to the extent required by law; and (iv) payment of any accrued
but unpaid rights as required by the terms of any bonus or other
incentive pay or stock plan, or any other employee benefit plan or
program of GTH.
(b) Termination by GTH Without Cause or by Executive for Good
Reason. If GTH terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant
to Section 5(b), or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c), Executive shall be entitled to receive, in
addition to the items referenced in Section 6(a), an amount equal to his
Base Salary at the rate in effect on his last day of employment for a
period equal to the
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remaining balance of the Initial Term or, if the termination occurs
during any Additional Term, he shall be entitled to receive an amount
equal to his Base Salary at the rate in effect on his last day of
employment for the remaining balance of the Additional Term, but not less
than 12 months (the "Severance Payment"). The Severance Payment shall be
paid in approximately equal installments on GTH's regularly scheduled
payroll dates, subject to all legally required payroll deductions and
withholdings for sums owed by Executive to GTH. In addition, a prorated
portion of the performance bonus referenced in Section 4(c) shall be paid
to the Executive covering the period from the beginning of the calendar
year up to the date of termination. All benefits for which Executive is
eligible at the time of the termination will continue through the
severance period. In addition, the vesting of options that have already
been granted will continue through the severance period. The Executive
shall have one year after the severance period to exercise the vested
options. If this paragraph conflicts with GTH's Stock Option Agreement,
this paragraph shall control.
(c) Termination Following Change in Control. If GTH (or its
successor) terminates Executive's employment without Cause or Executive
terminates his employment by giving GTH or its successor thirty (30) days
written notice pursuant to Section 5(b) for any reason following a change
in control as defined in Executive's Stock Option Agreement, he shall be
entitled to all items set forth in Section 6(b).
(d) Termination for Death or Disability. If the Executive's
employment is terminated due to death or Disability pursuant to Section 5
(d) the Company shall continue to pay to the estate of the Executive or
the Executive, as the case may be, for a period of 90 days after
termination of employment due to death or Disability, the Executive's
base salary as in effect on the date of termination.
(e) Termination at Expiration of Contract. If not less than
thirty (30) days prior to expiration date of the Agreement, GTH has not
offered to renew the Agreement on terms at least equal to those contained
herein as modified during the Employment Period by mutual agreement of
GTH and the Executive and for a term of not less than twenty-four (24)
months, the Executive will be eligible to receive the items referenced in
Section 6 (a) and 6 (b).
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(f) Survival. The provisions of Sections 4(b), 6(b) and 6(d) shall
survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement under the
circumstances specified in those Sections for the periods specified in
such Sections. Sections 7 and 8 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
7. Confidentiality & Developments
(a) Definition of Proprietary Information. Executive acknowledges
that he may be furnished or may otherwise receive or have access to
confidential information which relates to GTH's past, present or future
business activities, strategies, services or products, research and
development; financial analysis and data; improvements, inventions,
processes, techniques, designs or other technical data; profit margins
and other financial information; fee arrangements; terms and contents of
licenses and other contracts; customer and vendor lists or other
compilations for marketing or development; confidential personnel and
payroll information; or other information regarding research,
development, administrative, management, financial, marketing, or sales
activities of GTH, or of a third party which provided proprietary
information to GTH on a confidential basis. All such information,
including any materials or documents containing such information, shall
be considered by GTH and Executive as proprietary and confidential (the
"Proprietary Information").
(b) Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Proprietary
Information shall not include (i) information disseminated without
restriction by GTH to third parties in the ordinary course of business;
or (ii) information in the public domain not as a result of a breach of
any duty by Executive or any other person.
(c) Obligations. Both during and after the Employment Period, the
Executive agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of the
Proprietary Information including, but not limited to all physical forms
thereof, whether disclosed to him/her before this Agreement is signed or
afterward. In addition, Executive shall not (i) disclose or disseminate
the Proprietary Information to any third party, including employees of
GTH without a legitimate business need to know; (ii) remove the
Proprietary Information from GTH's premises without a valid business
purpose; (iii) use the Proprietary Information for his own benefit or for
the benefit of any third party; or (iv) use the Proprietary Information
for any unlawful purposes.
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(d) Return of Proprietary Information. Executive acknowledges and agrees
that all the Proprietary Information used or generated during the course of
working for GTH is the property of GTH. Executive agrees to deliver to GTH
all documents and other tangibles (including diskettes and other storage
media) containing the Proprietary Information at any time upon request by the
Board of Directors during his employment and immediately upon termination of
his employment.
(e) The Executive will make full and prompt disclosure to the Company of
all inventions, improvements, discoveries, methods, developments, software,
and works of authorship, related to the activities of the Company, whether
patentable or not, which are created, made, conceived or reduced to practice
by the Executive or under his direction or jointly with others during his
employment by the company, whether or not during normal working hours or on
the premises of the Company (all of which are collectively referred to in
this Agreement as "Developments").
(f) The Executive agrees to assign and does hereby assign to the Company
(or any person or entity designated by the Company) all his right, title and
interest in and to all Developments and all related patents, patent
applications, copyrights and copyright applications. The Executive also
acknowledges that all work fixed in a tangible medium of expression shall be
deemed a work made for hire under the US Copyright Act such that the work is
owned by the Company at the moment of creation.
(g) The Executive agrees to cooperate fully with the Company, both during
and after his employment with the Company, with respect to the procurement,
maintenance and enforcement of copyrights and patents (both in the United
States and foreign countries) relating to Developments. The Executive shall
sign all papers, including, without limitation, copyright applications,
patent applications, declarations, oaths, formal assignments, assignment of
priority rights, and powers of attorney, which the Company may deem necessary
or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Development.
(h) Other Agreements. The Executive hereby represents that his
performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the
Company does not and will not breach the terms of any agreement with any
previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any
trade secret, confidential or proprietary information, knowledge or data
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acquired by him in confidence or in trust prior to his employment with the
Company or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the
business of such previous employer or any other party.
8. Non-competition
(a) Restriction on Competition. For twelve (12) months following the
expiration or termination of Executive's employment by GTH for any reason
(the "Restricted Period"), Executive agrees not to engage, directly or
indirectly, as an owner, employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent,
representative, stockholder, or in any other individual, corporate or
representative capacity, in any of the following: (i) any corporation or
other entity involved in providing Internet access services that compete
directly with GTH, or (ii) any other business that GTH conducts as of the
date of Executive's termination of employment; provided, however, Executive
shall not be deemed to have violated this Section 8(a) solely by reason of
his ownership of five percent (5%) or less of the outstanding stock of any
publicly traded corporation or other entity. GTH agrees to consider in good
faith any request by Executive that GTH waive Section 8 (a) in order to
permit the Executive to obtain new employment should Executive's employment
be terminated by the company, or upon expiration of the Agreement, GTH agrees
to respond to Executive's written request within five (5) business days.
(b) Non-Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period,
Executive agrees not to solicit, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or
on behalf of any other person(s), any customer of GTH to whom GTH had
provided services at any time during Executive's employment with GTH in any
line of business that GTH conducts as of the date of Executive's termination
of employment or that GTH is actively soliciting, for the purpose of
marketing or providing any service competitive with any service then offered
by GTH.
(c) Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Restricted Period,
Executive agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, hire or attempt to
hire or cause any business, other than an affiliate of GTH, to hire any
person who is then or was at any time during the preceding six (6) months an
employee of GTH.
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(d) Acknowledgement. Executive acknowledges that he will acquire much
Proprietary Information concerning the past, present and future business of
GTH as the result of his employment, as well as access to the relationships
between GTH and its clients and employees. Executive further acknowledges
that the business of GTH is very competitive and that competition by him in
that business during his employment, or after his employment terminates,
would severely injure GTH. Executive understands and agrees that the
restrictions contained in this Section 8 are reasonable and are required for
GTH's legitimate protection, and do not unduly limit his ability to earn a
livelihood.
9. Employee Representation
Executive represents and warrants to GTH that he is not now under any
obligation of a contractual or other nature to any person, business or other
entity which is inconsistent or in conflict with this Agreement or which
would prevent him from performing his obligations under this Agreement.
10. Arbitration
(a) Any disputes between GTH and Executive in any way concerning
Executive's employment, the termination of his employment, this Agreement or
its enforcement shall be submitted at the initiative of either party to
mandatory arbitration in Virginia before a single arbitrator pursuant to the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, or its
successor, then in effect. The decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered
in writing, shall be final, and may be entered as a judgment in any court in
the State of Virginia. The parties irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of
the federal and state courts located in Virginia for this purpose. Each party
shall be responsible for its or his own costs incurred in such arbitration
and in enforcing any arbitration award, including attorney's fees.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, GTH, in its sole discretion, may bring
an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to seek injunctive relief
and such other relief as GTH shall elect to enforce Executive's covenants in
Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement.
11. Miscellaneous
(a) Notices. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be deemed effective (i) upon personal delivery, (ii)
upon deposit with the United
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States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or
(iii) in the case of delivery by nationally recognized overnight delivery
service, when received, addressed as follows:
(i) If to GTH, to:
Gilat-to-Home Inc.
0000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
XxXxxx, XX 00000
(ii) If to Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx, to:
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
or to such other address or addresses as either party shall designate to the
other in writing from time to time by like notice.
(b) Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this
Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms,
and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice
versa.
(c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,
whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
(d) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written instrument executed by both GTH and Executive.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Virginia, without regard to
its conflicts of laws principles.
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(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of both parties and their respective successors and
assigns, including any entity with which or into which GTH may be merged or
which may succeed to its assets or business or any entity to which GTH may
assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that
the obligations of Executive are personal and shall not be assigned or delegated
by him.
(g) Waiver. No delays or omission by GTH or Executive in exercising any
right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right.
A waiver or consent given by GTH or Executive on any one occasion shall be
effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of
any right on any other occasion.
(h) Captions. The captions appearing in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or
substance of any section of this Agreement.
(i) Time. All references in this Agreement to periods of days are to
calendar days, unless expressly provided otherwise. Where the time period
specified in this Agreement would end on a weekend or holiday, the time period
shall be deemed to end on the next business day.
(j) Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be held
by a court or arbitrator with jurisdiction over the parties to this Agreement to
be invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, such provision shall be restated
to reflect as nearly as possible the original intentions of the parties in
accordance with applicable law, and the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
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EXECUTIVE NAME GILAT-TO-HOME INC.
By: /s/ XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX By: /s/ XXXXX XXXXXXXXX
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Date: 8/15/00 Date: 8/15/00
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