EXHIBIT 10.8
SENIOR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
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This SENIOR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of May
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21, 1999, between ZEFER Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
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Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx ("Executive").
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The Company and Executive desire to enter into an agreement pursuant
to which Executive will purchase, and the Company will sell, up to 105,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
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Stock"). All shares of Common Stock acquired by Executive are referred to
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herein as "Executive Stock." In addition, the Company desires to employ the
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Executive and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company. Certain
definitions are set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and
Executive was contemplated as a condition to the purchase of shares of Common
Stock and shares of the Class A Preferred by GTCR Fund VI, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("GTCR"), GTCR VI Executive Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited
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partnership ("Executive Fund") and GTCR Associates VI, a Delaware general
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partnership ("Associates Fund") (each an "Investor" and collectively, the
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"Investors") pursuant to a purchase agreement between the Company and the
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Investors dated as of March 23, 1999 (the "Purchase Agreement"). Certain
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provisions of this Agreement are intended for the benefit of, and will be
enforceable by, the Investors.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties agree as follows:
PROVISIONS RELATING TO EXECUTIVE STOCK
1. Purchase and Sale of Executive Stock.
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(a) Upon execution of this Agreement, Executive will purchase, and the
Company will sell, 105,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $.50 per share.
The Company will deliver to Executive the certificates representing such
Executive Stock, and Executive will deliver to the Company a cashier's or
certified check or wire transfer of funds in the aggregate amount of $4,606.88
and a promissory note in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto in an aggregate
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principal amount of $47,893.13 (the "Executive Note").
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(b) Within 30 days after the date hereof, Executive will make an
effective election with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder in the form of
Exhibit B attached hereto.
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(c) Until the occurrence of a Sale of the Company or a Public
Offering, all certificates evidencing shares of Executive Stock shall be held by
the Company for the benefit of the
Executive and the other holder(s) of Executive Stock. Upon the occurrence of a
Sale of the Company or a Public Offering, the Company will return the
certificates for the Executive Stock to the record holders thereof.
(d) In connection with the purchase and sale of the Executive Stock,
Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:
(i) The Executive Stock to be acquired by Executive pursuant
to this Agreement will be acquired for Executive's own account and not with
a view to, or intention of, distribution thereof in violation of the
Securities Act, or any applicable state securities laws, and the Executive
Stock will not be disposed of in contravention of the Securities Act or any
applicable state securities laws.
(ii) Executive is an executive officer of the Company, is
sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and
benefits of the investment in the Executive Stock.
(iii) Executive is able to bear the economic risk of her
investment in the Executive Stock for an indefinite period of time because
the Executive Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act and,
therefore, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the
Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available.
(iv) Executive has had an opportunity to ask questions and
receive answers concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of
Executive Stock and has had full access to such other information
concerning the Company as he has requested.
(v) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not
and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement,
contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order
or decree to which Executive is subject.
(vi) Executive has not and will not take any action that will
conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any noncompete, nonsolicitation
or confidentiality agreement to which Executive is a party to or by which
Executive is bound.
(vii) Executive is a resident of the State of Massachusetts.
(e) As an inducement to the Company to issue the Executive Stock to
Executive, and as a condition thereto, Executive acknowledges and agrees that
neither the issuance of the Executive Stock to Executive nor any provision
contained herein shall entitle Executive to remain in the employment of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affect the right of the Company to
terminate Executive's employment at any time for any reason, subject, however,
to the terms of this Agreement.
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(f) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, (i) Executive
shall execute in blank ten stock transfer powers in the form of Exhibit C
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attached hereto (the "Stock Powers") with respect to the Executive Stock and
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shall deliver such Stock Powers to the Company. The Stock Powers shall
authorize the Company to assign, transfer and deliver the shares of Executive
Stock to the appropriate acquiror thereof pursuant to Section 3 below or Section
5 of the Stockholders Agreement and under no other circumstances, and (ii) the
Executive's spouse shall execute the consent in the form of Exhibit D attached
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hereto.
2. Vesting of Executive Stock.
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(a) All of the shares of Executive Stock acquired hereunder shall be
subject to vesting in the manner specified in this Section 2. Except as
otherwise provided in Sections 2(b) and 2(c) below, the Executive Stock will
become vested in accordance with the following schedule (the "Vesting
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Schedule"), if as of each such date Executive is still employed by the Company
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or any of its Subsidiaries:
Date Cumulative Percentage of
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Executive Stock to be Vested
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March 31, 2000 20%
March 31, 2001 40%
March 31, 2002 60%
March 31, 2003 80%
March 31, 2004 100%
(b) After an initial Public Offering, the above Vesting Schedule shall
remain effective until the end of the quarter in which the Public Offering
occurred (the "Modification Date"), at which time the Vesting Schedule shall be
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modified such that, so long as Executive is still employed by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, the Executive Stock will vest as follows:
(i) If the Modification Date is June 30, then an additional 5%
of Holder Stock will vest on such Modification Date and an additional 5% of
Holder Stock will vest on each subsequent September 30, December 31, March
31 and June 30 so that the Holder Stock will be 100% vested on March 31,
2004.
(ii) If the Modification Date is September 30, then an
additional 10% of Holder Stock will vest on such Modification Date and an
additional 5% of Holder Stock will vest on each subsequent December 31,
March 31, June 30 and September 30 so that the Holder Stock will be 100%
vested on March 31, 2004.
(iii) If the Modification Date is December 31, then an
additional 15% of Holder Stock will vest on such Modification Date and an
additional 5% of Holder
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Stock will vest on each subsequent March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 so that the Holder Stock will be 100% vested on March 31, 2004.
(iv) If the Modification Date is March 31, then an additional
5% of Executive Stock will vest on each subsequent June 30, September 30,
December 31 and March 31 so that the Executive Stock will be 100% vested on
March 31, 2004.
(c) Upon the occurrence of a Transaction, all shares of Executive Stock
which have not yet vested shall automatically vest one business day
prior to the time of such event. The term "Transaction" shall mean (i)
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a Sale of the Company or (ii) the liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company. Shares of Executive Stock which have become vested
are referred to herein as "Vested Shares" and all other shares of
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Executive Stock are referred to herein as "Unvested Shares."
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3. Repurchase Option.
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(a) In the event (i) Executive ceases to be employed by the
Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (the "Separation") or (ii)
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Executive failsto make any principal or interest payment under the Executive
Note after such payment becomes due and after giving effect to any applicable
grace period (a "Triggering Event"), the Executive Stock (whether held by
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Executive or one or more of Executive's transferees, other than the Company and
Investors) will be subject to repurchase pursuant to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Section 3 (the "Repurchase Option").
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(b) In the event of a Separation, (i) the purchase price for
each Unvested Share of Executive Stock will be Executive's Original Cost for
such share and (ii) the purchase price for each Vested Share of Executive Stock
will be the Fair Market Value for such share as at the date of the Separation;
provided, however, that if Executive's employment is terminated with Cause, the
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purchase price for each Vested Share of Executive Stock will be Executive's
Original Cost for such share. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the
contrary, upon a Triggering Event (even if there is also a Separation), the
purchase price for each share of Executive Stock (whether a Vested Share or
Unvested Share) will be Executive's Original Cost for such shares.
(c) The Company may elect to purchase all or any portion of the
Unvested Shares or the Vested Shares by delivering written notice (the
"Repurchase Notice") to the holder or holders of the Executive Stock within 120
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days after the Separation or Triggering Event. The Repurchase Notice will set
forth the number of Unvested Shares and Vested Shares to be acquired from each
holder, the aggregate consideration to be paid for such shares and the time and
place for the closing of the transaction. The number of shares to be
repurchased by the Company shall first be satisfied to the extent possible from
the shares of Executive Stock held by Executive at the time of delivery of the
Repurchase Notice. If the number of shares of Executive Stock then held by
Executive is less than the total number of shares of Executive Stock which the
Company has elected to purchase, the Company shall purchase the remaining shares
elected to be purchased from the other holder(s) of Executive Stock under this
Agreement, pro rata according to the number of shares of Executive Stock held by
such other holder(s) at the time of delivery of such Repurchase Notice
(determined as
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nearly as practicable to the nearest share). The number of Unvested Shares and
Vested Shares to be repurchased hereunder will be allocated among Executive and
the other holders of Executive Stock (if any) pro rata according to the number
of shares of Executive Stock to be purchased from such person.
(d) If for any reason the Company does not elect to purchase all of
the Executive Stock pursuant to the Repurchase Option, all other executives who
are parties to an agreement with the Company which is substantially similar in
form and substance to this Agreement (each a "Senior Manager", and collectively,
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the "Senior Management") on the date of the Separation or Triggering Event and
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the Investors shall be entitled to exercise the Repurchase Option for all or any
portion of the shares of Executive Stock the Company has not elected to purchase
(the "Available Shares"). As soon as practicable after the Company has
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determined that there will be Available Shares, but in any event within 90 days
after the Separation or Triggering Event, the Company shall give written notice
(the "Option Notice") to the Senior Management and Investors setting forth the
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number of Available Shares and the purchase price for the Available Shares.
Senior Management and the Investors may elect to purchase any or all of the
Available Shares by giving written notice to the Company within one month after
the Option Notice has been given by the Company. If Senior Management and the
Investors elect to purchase an aggregate number of shares greater than the
number of Available Shares, the Available Shares shall be allocated among Senior
Management and the Investors based upon the number of shares of Common Stock
owned by each Senior Manager and each Investor on a fully diluted basis. As
soon as practicable, and in any event within ten days, after the expiration of
the one-month period set forth above, the Company shall notify each holder of
Executive Stock as to the number of shares being purchased from such holder by
the Senior Management and the Investors (the "Supplemental Repurchase Notice").
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At the time the Company delivers the Supplemental Repurchase Notice to the
holder(s) of Executive Stock, the Company shall also deliver written notice to
each Senior Manager and each Investor setting forth the number of shares such
Senior Manager and such Investor is entitled to purchase, the aggregate purchase
price and the time and place of the closing of the transaction. The number of
Unvested Shares and Vested Shares to be repurchased hereunder shall be allocated
among the Company, Senior Management and the Investors pro rata according to the
number of shares of Executive Stock to be purchased by each of them.
(e) The closing of the purchase of the Executive Stock pursuant to the
Repurchase Option shall take place on the date designated by the Company in the
Repurchase Notice or Supplemental Repurchase Notice, which date shall not be
more than one month nor less than five days after the delivery of the later of
either such notice to be delivered. The Company will pay for the Executive
Stock to be repurchased by it pursuant to the Repurchase Option with (i) a check
or wire transfer of funds for (A) any shares of Executive Stock to be
repurchased at Executive's Original Cost and (B) in the case of Executive Stock
to be repurchased at Fair Market Value, that portion of such Executive Stock
which is equal to the Executive's Original Cost, and (ii) in the case of
Executive Stock to be repurchased at Fair Market Value, a subordinate note or
notes for that portion of such Executive Stock which exceeds the Executive's
Original Cost; it being understood and agreed that such note or notes shall be
payable in up to two annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of
the closing of such repurchase and bearing interest (payable quarterly) at a
rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal
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from time to time. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary,
any amounts to be paid by the Company
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with a check or wire transfer of funds pursuant to this Section 3(e) shall first
be reduced (on a dollar for dollar basis) by all amounts outstanding under any
bona fide debts owed by Executive to the Company. Each Senior Manager and each
Investor will pay for the Executive Stock to be purchased by each of them
pursuant to the Repurchase Option with a check or wire transfer of funds. The
Company, the Senior Management and the Investors will be entitled to receive
customary representations and warranties from the sellers regarding each
seller's title to such Executive Stock.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, all repurchases of Executive Stock by the Company shall be subject to
applicable restrictions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law and in
the Company's and its Subsidiaries' debt and equity financing agreements. If
any such restrictions prohibit the repurchase of Executive Stock hereunder which
the Company is otherwise entitled or required to make, the Company may make such
repurchases as soon as it is permitted to do so under such restrictions.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, if the Fair Market Value of a share of Executive Stock is finally
determined to be an amount at least 10% greater than the per share repurchase
price for such share of Executive Stock in the Repurchase Notice or in the
Supplemental Repurchase Notice, each of the Company and the Investors shall have
the right to revoke its exercise of the Repurchase Option for all or any portion
of the Executive Stock elected to be repurchased by it by delivering notice of
such revocation in writing to the holders of Executive Stock during the thirty-
day period beginning on the date that the Company and/or the Investors are given
written notice that the Fair Market Value of a share of Executive Stock was
finally determined to be an amount at least 10% greater than the per share
repurchase price for Executive Stock set forth in the Repurchase Notice or in
the Supplemental Repurchase Notice.
(h) The provisions of this Section 3 shall terminate with respect to
Vested Shares upon consummation of a Public Offering or the occurrence of a
Transaction.
4. Restrictions on Transfer of Executive Stock.
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(a) Transfer of Executive Stock. The holder of Executive Stock shall
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not Transfer any interest in any shares of Executive Stock, except pursuant to
(i) the provisions of Section 3 hereof, (ii) the provisions of Section 3 of the
Stockholders Agreement (a "Participating Sale"), (iii) an Approved Sale (as
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defined in Section 5 of the Stockholders Agreement), or (iv) the provisions of
Section 4(b) below.
(b) Certain Permitted Transfers. The restrictions in this Section 4
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will not apply with respect to any Transfer of Executive Stock if made (i)
pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution or to such Person's
legal guardian in the case of any mental incapacity or among such Person's
Family Group, or (ii) at a time when (A) the Common Stock of the Company has
been trading for at least 45 consecutive days (including the day immediately
preceding such Transfer) at a price that exceeds the initial Public Offering
price by at least 20% and (B) the Common Stock bid and asked price on the day of
such Transfer was at least 20% greater than the initial Public Offering price,
but in the case of this clause (ii) only an amount of shares per calender year
up to the lesser of (x) the number of Vested Shares owned by Executive at the
time of such Transfer and (y) 10% of the
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total number of shares of Common Stock owned by Executive at the time of the
Company's initial Public Offering, or (iii) at such time as the Investors sell
shares of Common Stock in a Public Sale, but in the case of this clause (iii)
only an amount of shares (the "Transfer Amount") equal to the lesser of (C) the
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number of Vested Shares of Common Stock owned by Executive at the time of such
Transfer and (D) the number of shares of Common Stock owned by Executive
multiplied by a fraction (the "Transfer Fraction"), the numerator of which is
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the number of shares of Common Stock sold by the Investors in such Public Sale
and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock held
by the Investors prior to the Public Sale; provided that, if at the time of a
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Public Sale of shares by the Investors, Executive chooses not to Transfer the
Transfer Amount, Executive shall retain the right to Transfer an amount of
Executive Stock at a future date equal to the lesser of (x) the number of Vested
Shares owned by Executive at such future date and (y) the number of shares of
Executive Stock owned by Executive at such future date multiplied by the
Transfer Fraction; provided further, that at any particular point in time during
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any given calendar year the number of shares of Common Stock which the Executive
has a right to Transfer pursuant to clause (ii) above shall be reduced by the
number of shares of Common Stock which the Executive has Transferred in such
calendar year pursuant to clause (iii) above and the number of shares of Common
Stock which the Executive has a right to Transfer pursuant to clause (iii) above
shall be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock which the Executive has
Transferred in such calendar year pursuant to clause (ii) above. Notwithstanding
anything in this Section 4 to the contrary, the restrictions contained in this
Section 4 will continue to be applicable to the Executive Stock after any
Transfer of the type referred to in clause (i) and the transferees of such
Executive Stock will agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this
Agreement. Any transferee of Executive Stock pursuant to a transfer in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b)(i) is herein referred to as
a "Permitted Transferee." Upon the transfer of Executive Stock pursuant to this
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Section 4(b), the transferring Executive Stockholder will deliver a written
notice (a "Transfer Notice") to the Company. In the case of a Transfer pursuant
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to clause (i) hereof, the Transfer Notice will disclose in reasonable detail the
identity of the Permitted Transferee(s). In addition, following the completion
of an initial Public Offering, Executive, in her sole discretion, may pledge up
to $2 million worth of Vested Shares as collateral for a loan so long as the
pledgee of such stock and the Executive enter into a pledge agreement in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board"), pursuant to which pledgee, among other things, agrees that
pledgee may only sell such stock in a Public Sale.
(c) Termination of Restrictions. The restrictions set forth in this
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Section 4 will continue with respect to each share of Executive Stock until the
earlier of (i) the date on which such share of Executive Stock has been
transferred in a Public Sale permitted by this Section 4, or (ii) the
consummation of an Approved Sale.
5. Additional Restrictions on Transfer of Executive Stock.
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(a) Legend. The certificates representing the Executive Stock will
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bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ORIGINALLY ISSUED AS
OF MAY 21, 1999, HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
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UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE
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SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS
ON TRANSFER, CERTAIN REPURCHASE OPTIONS AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET
FORTH IN A SENIOR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND AN EXECUTIVE
OF THE COMPANY DATED AS OF MAY 21, 1999. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE
OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
WITHOUT CHARGE."
(b) Opinion of Counsel. No holder of Executive Stock may sell,
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transfer or dispose of any Executive Stock (except pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act) without first delivering to the
Company an written notice describing in reasonable detail the proposed transfer,
together with an opinion of counsel (reasonably acceptable in form and substance
to the Company) that neither registration nor qualification under the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws is required in connection with such
transfer. In addition, if the holder of the Executive Stock delivers to the
Company an opinion of counsel that no subsequent transfer of such Executive
Stock shall require registration under the Securities Act, the Company shall
promptly upon such contemplated transfer deliver new certificates for such
Executive Stock which do not bear the Securities Act portion of the legend set
forth in Section 5(a). If the Company is not required to deliver new
certificates for such Executive Stock not bearing such legend, the holder
thereof shall not transfer the same until the prospective transferee has
confirmed to the Company in writing its agreement to be bound by the conditions
contained in this Section 5.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT
6. Employment. The Company agrees to employ Executive and Executive
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accepts such employment for the period beginning as of the date hereof and
ending upon her separation pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof (the "Employment
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Period").
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(a) Position and Duties.
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During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Company's
Executive Vice President for People and shall have the normal duties,
responsibilities and authority of such office subject to the power of the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "President") to
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expand or limit such duties, responsibilities and authority.
(ii) Executive shall report to the President and Executive shall
devote her best efforts and her full business time and attention to the
business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(b) Salary, Bonus and Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
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Company will pay the Executive a base salary (the "Annual Base Salary") of
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$170,000 per annum, subject to
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any increase as determined by the President. Executive's Annual Base Salary for
any partial year will be prorated based upon the number of days elapsed in such
year. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall also be eligible for an
annual bonus in an amount not to exceed 35% of Executive's then applicable
Annual Base Salary for such year; such bonus to be determined by the President
based upon the Company's achievement of budgetary and other objectives set by
the President. In addition, during the Employment Period, the Company will
provide the Executive with (i) medical insurance benefits, and (ii) such other
benefits approved by the President and made available to the Company's senior
management.
(c) Events of Separation. The Employment Period will continue until
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Executive's resignation, disability (as determined by the President in his good
faith judgment) or death or until the President decides to terminate Executive's
employment.
(d) Separation Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. In the
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event that (i) the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause
or (ii) the Executive resigns from her position with the Company for Good
Reason, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum
within 15 days after such termination or resignation, an amount equal to
the sum of (A) any unpaid base salary owed to the Executive for services
performed prior to such termination, plus (B) the amount of any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each
case to the extent not previously paid (the obligations set forth in
clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the "Accrued
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Obligations");
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(ii) the Company shall pay each month to the Executive,
beginning on the date of the first normal executive payroll of the Company
that occurs more than 30 days after such termination or resignation, an
amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the Executive's Annual Base Salary as
of the date immediately before such termination or resignation; provided
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however, that such payments shall immediately cease upon the earliest to
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occur of (x) the Executive's death and (y) the six month anniversary of
such termination or resignation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section
6(d) to the contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes employed with
another employer, then the payments to be made by the Company pursuant to
this Section 6(d)(ii) shall be reduced (on a dollar for dollar basis) in an
amount equal to the cash compensation received by Executive from such
employer; and
(iii) the Company shall continue to provide medical insurance
benefits to the Executive and to the Executive's family at least equal to
those medical insurance benefits that would have been provided to them in
the absence of such termination or resignation; provided however, that such
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payments shall immediately cease upon the earliest to occur of (x) the
Executive's death and (y) the six month anniversary of such termination or
resignation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6(d) to the
contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes employed with another
employer and is eligible for medical insurance benefits under another
employer-provided plan, then the medical insurance
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benefits to be provided by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(d)(iii)
shall be reduced to the extent that the Executive and her family is
eligible to receive medical insurance benefits under such other employer-
provided plan.
(e) Other Separations. In the event of a Separation other than a
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termination by the Company without cause or a resignation by the Executive for
Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or her estate, if
applicable), in a lump sum in cash within 15 days after such Separation, an
amount equal to any Accrued Obligations.
7. Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the
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information, observations and data obtained by him during the course of her
performance under this Agreement concerning the business and affairs of the
Company and its affiliates are the property of the Company, including
information concerning acquisition opportunities in or reasonably related to the
Company's business or industry of which Executive becomes aware during the
Employment Period. Therefore, Executive agrees that he will not disclose to any
unauthorized person or use for her own account any of such information,
observations or data without the Company's written consent, unless and to the
extent that the aforementioned matters become generally known to and available
for use by the public other than as a result of Executive's acts or omissions to
act. Executive agrees to deliver to the Company at a Separation, or at any other
time the Company may request in writing, all memoranda, notes, plans, records,
reports and other documents (and copies thereof) relating to the business of the
Company and its affiliates (including, without limitation, all acquisition
prospects, lists and contact information) which he may then possess or have
under her control.
8. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. Executive acknowledges that in
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the course of her employment with the Company he will become familiar with the
Company's and its Subsidiaries' trade secrets and with other confidential
information concerning the Company and such Subsidiaries and that her services
will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company. Therefore,
Executive agrees that:
(a) Noncompetition. During the Employment Period and for a period of
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one year thereafter (the "Noncompete Period"), Executive shall not, within the
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United States, directly or indirectly own, manage, control, participate in,
consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in any business
competing with the businesses of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any business
in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has requested and received
information relating to the acquisition of such business by the Company and the
Subsidiaries prior to the Separation; provided that passive ownership of less
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than 5% of the outstanding stock of any publicly-traded corporation shall not,
in and of itself, be deemed to violate this Section 8(a); provided further that
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if the Executive's Employment with the Company is terminated by the Company
without Cause or the Executive resigns for Good Reason within a twenty four
month period a following a Sale of the Company, the one year period referenced
above shall be shortened to a six month period.
(b) Nonsolicitation. During the Noncompete Period, Executive shall
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not directly or indirectly through another entity (i) induce or attempt to
induce any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries to leave the employ of
the Company or such Subsidiary, or in any way interfere with
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the relationship between the Company and any Subsidiary and any employee
thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company and any
Subsidiary within 180 days prior to the time such employee was hired by the
Executive, (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or
other business relation of the Company and any Subsidiary to cease doing
business with the Company or such Subsidiary or in any way interfere with the
relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation
and the Company and any Subsidiary or (iv) directly or indirectly acquire or
attempt to acquire an interest in any business relating to the business of the
Company and any Subsidiary and with which the Company and any Subsidiary has
entertained discussions or has requested and received information relating to
the acquisition of such business by the Company and any Subsidiary in the two-
year period immediately preceding a Separation.
(c) Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 7 or this
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Section 8, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable
under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum
duration, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall
be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall be
allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum
duration, scope and area permitted by law. Because Executive's services are
unique and because Executive has access to confidential information, the parties
hereto agree that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach of
this Agreement. Therefore, in the event a breach or threatened breach of this
Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns may, in addition to other
rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order
to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting
a bond or other security).
(d) Additional Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that the
--------------------------
provisions of this Section 8 are in consideration of: (i) employment with the
Company, (ii) the issuance of the Executive Stock and (iii) additional good and
valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive
agrees and acknowledges that the restriction contained in Section 7 and this
Section 8 do not preclude Executive from earning a livelihood, nor do they
unreasonably impose limitations on Executive's ability to earn a living. In
addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the potential harm to the
Company of the non-enforcement of Section 7 and this Section 8 outweighs any
potential harm to Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise.
Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement and has given
careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this
Agreement, and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and
proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of the Company now
existing or to be developed in the future. Executive expressly acknowledges and
agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable
with respect to subject matter, time period and geographical area.
-11-
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10. Definitions.
-----------
"Affiliate" of an Investor means any direct or indirect general or
---------
limited partner of such Investor, or any employee or owner thereof, or any other
person, entity or investment fund controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such Investor, and will include, without limitation, its owners and
employees.
"Cause" means (i) the commission of a felony or a crime involving
-----
moral turpitude or the commission of any other act or omission involving
dishonesty or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their customers or suppliers, (ii) conduct which brings the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries into substantial public disgrace or disrepute, (iii)
substantial and repeated failure to perform duties of the office held by
Executive as reasonably directed by the President, (iv) gross negligence or
willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (v)
any material breach of Section 6(a)(ii), 7 or 8 of this Agreement.
"Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
-------
"EBITDA" means, for any period, the Company's earnings before
------
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for such period, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Executive's Family Group" means Executive's spouse and descendants
------------------------
(whether natural or adopted), any trust solely for the benefit of Executive
and/or Executive's spouse and/or descendants and any retirement plan for the
Executive.
"Executive Stock" will continue to be Executive Stock in the hands of
---------------
any holder other than Executive (except for the Company and the Investors and
except for transferees in a Public Sale), and except as otherwise provided
herein, each such other holder of Executive Stock will succeed to all rights and
obligations attributable to Executive as a holder of Executive Stock hereunder.
Executive Stock will also include shares of the Company's capital stock issued
with respect to Executive Stock by way of a stock split, stock dividend or other
recapitalization. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Unvested Shares shall
remain Unvested Shares after any Transfer thereof.
"Fair Market Value" of each share of Executive Stock means the average
-----------------
of the closing prices of the sales of such Executive Stock on all securities
exchanges on which such Executive Stock may at the time be listed, or, if there
have been no sales on any such exchange on any day, the average of the highest
bid and lowest asked prices on all such exchanges at the end of such day, or, if
on any day such Executive Stock is not so listed, the average of the
representative bid and asked prices quoted in the NASDAQ System as of 4:00 P.M.,
New York time, or, if on any day such Executive Stock is not quoted in the
NASDAQ System, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on such
day in the domestic over-the-counter market as reported by the National
Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or any similar successor organization, in each
such case averaged
-12-
over a period of 21 days consisting of the day as of which the Fair Market Value
is being determined and the 20 consecutive business days prior to such day. If
at any time such Executive Stock is not listed on any securities exchange or
quoted in the NASDAQ System or the over-the-counter market, the Fair Market
Value will be the fair value of such Executive Stock as determined in good faith
by the Board. If the Executive reasonably disagrees with such determination, the
Executive shall deliver to the Board a written notice of objection within ten
days after delivery of the Repurchase Notice (or if no Repurchase Notice is
delivered, then within ten days after delivery of the Supplemental Repurchase
Notice). Upon receipt of the Executive's written notice of objection, the Board
and the Executive will negotiate in good faith to agree on such Fair Market
Value. If such agreement is not reached within 30 days after the delivery of the
Repurchase Notice (or if no Repurchase Notice is delivered, then within 30 days
after the delivery of the Supplemental Repurchase Notice), Fair Market Value
shall be determined by an appraiser jointly selected by the Board and the
Executive, which appraiser shall submit to the Board and the Executive a report
within 30 days of its engagement setting forth such determination. If the
parties are unable to agree on an appraiser within 45 days after delivery of the
Repurchase Notice or the Supplemental Repurchase Notice, within seven days, each
party shall submit the names of four nationally recognized investment banking
firms, and each party shall be entitled to strike two names from the other
party's list of firms, and the appraiser shall be selected by lot from the
remaining four investment banking firms. The expenses of such appraiser shall be
borne by the party whose Fair Market Value determination when subtracted from
the appraiser's determination of Fair Market Value has the greater absolute
value; provided that, in the event that there is no difference between each
party's absolute value, then the expenses of such appraiser shall be shared
equally by the parties. The determination of such appraiser as to Fair Market
Value shall be final and binding upon all parties.
"GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles as
----
in effect from time to time.
"Good Reason" means an action by the Company which results in (i) a
-----------
significant diminution of the duties of Executive from the standard duties of
senior executives of companies comparable to the Company, or (ii) a reduction of
the Executive's Annual Base Salary.
"Original Cost" means, with respect to each share of Common Stock
-------------
purchased hereunder, $.50 (as proportionately adjusted for all subsequent stock
splits, stock dividends and other recapitalizations).
"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability
------
company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint
venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Public Offering" means the sale in an underwritten public offering
---------------
registered under the Securities Act of shares of the Company's Common Stock
approved by the Board.
"Public Sale" means (i) any sale pursuant to a registered public
-----------
offering under the Securities Act or (ii) any sale to the public pursuant to
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act effected through a broker, dealer
or market maker (other than pursuant to Rule 144(k) prior to a
-13-
Public Offering).
"Sale of the Company" means any transaction or series of transactions
-------------------
pursuant to which any person(s) or entity(ies) other than the Investor and its
Affiliates in the aggregate acquire(s) (i) capital stock of the Company
possessing the voting power (other than voting rights accruing only in the event
of a default, breach or event of noncompliance) to elect a majority of the
Company's board of directors (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization,
combination, sale or transfer of the Company's capital stock, shareholder or
voting agreement, proxy, power of attorney or otherwise) or (ii) all or
substantially all of the Company's assets determined on a consolidated basis.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
--------------
time to time.
"Stockholders Agreement" means the Stockholders Agreement of even date
----------------------
herewith among the Company and certain of its stockholders.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the Company owns
----------
securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power in electing the board
of directors directly or through one or more subsidiaries.
"Transfer" means to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise
--------
dispose of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or
involuntarily or by operation of law).
11. Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in
-------
writing and must be either personally delivered, mailed by first class mail
(postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight
courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below
indicated:
If to the Company:
-----------------
ZEFER Corp.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President
with copies to:
--------------
GTCR Fund VI, L.P.
GTCR VI Executive Fund, L.P.
GTCR Associates VI
c/o GTCR Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, L.L.C.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
-14-
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx and Xxxx LLP
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
If to the Executive:
-------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Investors:
-------------------
GTCR Fund VI, L.P.
GTCR VI Executive Fund, L.P.
GTCR Associates VI
c/o GTCR Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, L.L.C.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
with a copy to:
--------------
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given when so delivered
or sent or, if mailed, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail.
12. General Provisions.
------------------
(a) Expenses. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable legal
--------
expenses of the Executive incurred in connection with the negotiation and
execution of this Agreement. In addition, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by the Executive in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Company in
-15-
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, unless
otherwise determined by the Outside Directors (as defined in that certain
Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1999, by and among the Company,
the Investors, the Executive and certain other stockholders), upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to indemnification
by the Company.
(b) Transfers in Violation of Agreement. Any Transfer or attempted
-----------------------------------
Transfer of any Executive Stock in violation of any provision of this Agreement
shall be void, and the Company shall not record such Transfer on its books or
treat any purported transferee of such Executive Stock as the owner of such
stock for any purpose.
(c) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
------------
will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
(d) Complete Agreement. This Agreement, those documents expressly
------------------
referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties,
written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate
------------
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.
(f) Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, this
----------------------
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive, the Company, the Investors and their respective successors and
assigns (including subsequent holders of Executive Stock); provided that the
rights and obligations of Executive under this Agreement shall not be assignable
except in connection with a permitted transfer of Executive Stock hereunder.
(g) Choice of Law. The laws of Delaware shall govern all issues
-------------
concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders and all other
questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this
Agreement, without giving effect to any choice of law or other conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of Delaware.
(h) Remedies. Each of the parties to this Agreement (including the
--------
Investors) will be entitled to enforce its rights under this Agreement
specifically, to recover damages and costs (including attorney's fees) caused by
any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights
existing in its favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money
damages
-16-
may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement
and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or
equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for
specific performance and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or
prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.
(i) Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be
--------------------
amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company, the
Executive and the Majority Holders (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).
(j) Insurance. The Company, at its discretion, may apply for and
---------
procure in its own name and for its own benefit life and/or disability insurance
on Executive in any amount or amounts considered available. Executive agrees to
cooperate in any medical or other examination, supply any information, and to
execute and deliver any applications or other instruments in writing as may be
reasonably necessary to obtain and constitute such insurance. Executive hereby
represents that he has no reason to believe that her life is not insurable at
rates now prevailing for healthy women of her age.
(k) Business Days. If any time period for giving notice or taking
-------------
action hereunder expires on a day which is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday in the
state in which the Company's chief executive office is located, the time period
shall be automatically extended to the business day immediately following such
Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
(l) Indemnification and Reimbursement of Payments on Behalf of
----------------------------------------------------------
Executive. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to deduct or
---------
withhold from any amounts owing from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
the Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise
taxes, or employment taxes ("Taxes") imposed with respect to the Executive's
-----
compensation or other payments from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
the Executive's ownership interest in the Company, including, without
limitation, wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of stock options
and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted stock. The Executive shall indemnify
the Company and its Subsidiaries for any amounts paid with respect to any such
Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and related expenses thereto.
(m) Termination. This Agreement (except for the provisions of Section
-----------
7) shall survive a Separation and shall remain in full force and effect after
such Separation.
(n) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Adjustments of Numbers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Where any accounting determination or calculation is required to be made under
this Agreement or the exhibits hereto, such determination or calculation (unless
otherwise provided) shall be made in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied, except that if because of a change
in generally accepted accounting principles the Company would have to alter a
previously utilized accounting method or policy in order to remain in compliance
with generally accepted accounting principles, such determination or calculation
shall continue to be made in accordance with the Company's previous accounting
methods and policies. All numbers set forth herein which refer to share prices
or amounts will be appropriately adjusted to reflect stock splits, stock
dividends, combinations of shares and other recapitalizations affecting the
subject class of
-17-
stock.
(o) Deemed Transfer of Executive Stock. If the Company (and/or the
----------------------------------
Investors and/or any other Person acquiring securities) shall make available, at
the time and place and in the amount and form provided in this Agreement, the
consideration for the Executive Stock to be repurchased in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, then from and after such time, the person from
whom such shares are to be repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a
holder of such shares (other than the right to receive payment of such
consideration in accordance with this Agreement), and such shares shall be
deemed purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof and the
Company (and/or the Investors and/or any other Person acquiring securities)
shall be deemed the owner and holder of such shares, whether or not the
certificates therefor have been delivered as required by this Agreement.
(p) No Pledge or Security Interest. The purpose of the Company's
------------------------------
retention of the Executive's stock certificates and executed stock powers is
solely to facilitate the repurchase provisions set forth in Section 3 herein and
does not constitute a pledge by the Executive of, or the granting of a security
interest in, the underlying stock.
(q) Rights Granted to GTCR and its Affiliates. Any rights granted to
-----------------------------------------
GTCR and its Affiliates hereunder may also be exercised (in whole or in part) by
its designees (which may be Affiliates).
* * * * *
-18-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Senior
Management Agreement on the date first written above.
ZEFER CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------
Its:
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Agreed and Accepted:
GTCR FUND VI, L.P.
By: GTCR Partners VI, L.P.
Its: General Partner
By: GTCR Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]^^
--------------------------------
Name: _____________________________
Its: Principal
GTCR VI EXECUTIVE FUND, L.P.
By: GTCR Partners VI, L.P.
Its: General Partner
By: GTCR Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]^^
--------------------------------
Name: _____________________________
Its: Principal
GTCR ASSOCIATES VI
By: GTCR Partners VI, L.P.
Its: Managing General Partner
By: GTCR Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]^^
--------------------------------
Name: _____________________________
Its: Principal
SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
PROMISSORY NOTE
---------------
May 21, 1999 $47,893.13
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx ("Maker"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
-----
ZEFER Corp. (the "Company"), the principal amount of $47,893.13 together with
-------
interest thereon calculated from the date hereof in accordance with the
provisions of this Note.
This Note is the Executive Note referred to in the Senior Management
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and Maker (the
"Management Agreement"). Section 1(a) of the Management Agreement contains
--------------------
provisions for the issuance of this Note upon the terms and conditions specified
herein. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the
meanings given to them in the Management Agreement.
1. Interest. Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount of
--------
this Note at a rate equal to the lesser of (i) 5% per annum or (ii) the highest
rate permitted by applicable law, compounded annually on each anniversary of the
date hereof.
2. Payment on Note.
---------------
(a) Term. Subject to Section 2(b) below, the entire principal amount
----
of this Note and all accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable on the
fifth anniversary of the date hereof.
(b) Mandatory Prepayments. Notwithstanding anything in Section 2(a)
---------------------
to the contrary, Maker shall make the following mandatory prepayments:
(i) Upon the purchase of Stock from time to time by the
Investors pursuant to Section 1B(b) of the Purchase Agreement dated March
23, 1999 by and among the Company and the Investors, as amended from time
to time (the "Purchase Agreement"), Maker shall make a payment of principal
------------------
in an amount equal to the product of (A) $52,500, multiplied by (B) the
---------- --
quotient of (x) the amount paid to the Company in connection with such
purchase of Stock by Investors, divided by (y) $100,000,000, plus all
------- --
accrued interest on such principal amount (or such lesser principal amount
then outstanding). For purposes hereof, "Stock" shall have the meaning set
-----
forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(ii) In the event Maker receives any net cash proceeds (A) in
connection with the payment of a dividend or other distribution by the
Company or (B) relating to any other transaction or series of transactions
in which Maker sells any of the Holder Stock, Maker shall prepay any
amounts owed pursuant to this Note by applying all of such proceeds first,
-----
to any accrued interest and second, to any principal then outstanding.
------
Upon a Sale of the Company, Maker shall pay the entire principal amount
then outstanding and any accrued interest to the Company. For purposes
hereof, a "Sale of the Company" and "Executive Stock" shall have the
------------------- ---------------
meanings set forth in the Senior Management Agreement.
(c) Optional Prepayments. Maker may, at any time and from time to
--------------------
time without premium or penalty, prepay all of the outstanding principal amount
of the Note; provided that any prepayment will be accompanied by a payment of
accrued interest on the portion being prepaid.
(d) Right of Offset. Upon an Event of Default (as described in
---------------
Section 3 hereof) or the Company's repurchase of Executive Stock pursuant to
Section 3(e) of the Management Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to
offset any amounts owed to the Company by the Maker, now existing or hereinafter
arising, pursuant to this Note against any amounts payable by the Company to the
Maker pursuant to and as set forth in the Management Agreement between the
Company and the Maker.
3. Events of Default.
-----------------
(a) Definition. For purposes of this Note, an Event of Default shall
----------
be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) Maker fails to pay (A) within 30 days after the date when due,
the full amount of interest then accrued or (B) when due, the full amount
of any principal payment; or
(ii) Maker makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or admits
in writing her inability to pay her debts generally as they become due; or
an order, judgment or decree is entered adjudicating Maker bankrupt or
insolvent; or any order for relief with respect to Maker is entered under
the Federal Bankruptcy Code; or Maker petitions or applies to any tribunal
for the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver or liquidator of any
substantial part of Maker's assets, or commences any proceeding relating to
Maker under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency,
readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction;
or any such petition or application is filed, or any such proceeding is
commenced, against Maker and either (A) Maker by any act indicates its
approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein or (B) such
petition, application or proceeding is not dismissed within 60 days.
(b) Consequences of Events of Default.
---------------------------------
If an Event of Default of the type described in subparagraph 3(a)(ii)
has occurred the aggregate principal amount of the Note (together with all
accrued interest thereon and all other amounts payable in connection therewith)
shall become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the
Company, and Maker shall immediately pay to the Company all amounts due and
payable with respect to the Note.
If an Event of Default of the type described in subparagraph 3(a)(i)
has occurred and continued for 5 days, the Company may declare all or any
portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Note (together with all
accrued interest thereon and all other amounts due in connection therewith) due
and payable and demand immediate payment of all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the Note.
Maker, or her successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence,
presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest and demand, dishonor and
nonpayment of this Note, and expressly
agrees that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may be extended from time to
time and that the Company may accept security for this Note or release security
for this Note, all without in any way affecting the liability of Maker
hereunder.
In the event that Maker fails to pay any amounts due hereunder when
due, Maker shall pay to the Company, in addition to such amounts due, all costs
of collection, including reasonable attorneys fees.
4. Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
--------------------
the provisions of the Note may be amended and Maker may take any action herein
prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it,
only if Maker has obtained the written consent of the Company.
5. Cancellation. After all principal and accrued interest at any time
------------
owed on this Note has been paid in full, this Note shall be surrendered to Maker
for cancellation and shall not be reissued.
6. Place of Payment. Payments of principal and interest are to be
----------------
delivered to the Company at the following address:
ZEFER Corp.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as specified
by prior written notice to Maker.
7. Usury Laws. It is the intention of the Company and Maker to conform
----------
strictly to all applicable usury laws now or hereafter in force, and any
interest payable under this Note shall be subject to reduction to the amount not
in excess of the maximum legal amount allowed under the applicable usury laws as
now or hereafter construed by the courts having jurisdiction over such matters.
If the maturity of this Note is accelerated by reason of an election by the
Company resulting from an Event of Default, voluntary prepayment by Maker or
otherwise, then earned interest may never include more than the maximum amount
permitted by law, computed from the date hereof until payment, and any interest
in excess of the maximum amount permitted by law shall be canceled automatically
and, if theretofore paid, shall at the option of the Company either be rebated
to Maker or credited on the principal amount of this Note, or if this Note has
been paid, then the excess shall be rebated to Maker. The aggregate of all
interest (whether designated as interest, service charges, points or otherwise)
contracted for, chargeable, or receivable under this Note shall under no
circumstances exceed the maximum legal rate upon the unpaid principal balance of
this Note remaining unpaid from time to time. If such interest does exceed the
maximum legal rate, it shall be deemed a mistake and such excess shall be
canceled automatically and, if theretofore paid, rebated to Maker or credited on
the principal amount of this Note, or if this Note has been repaid, then such
excess shall be rebated to Maker.
8. Governing Law. This Note is made under and governed by the internal
-------------
law, not the laws of conflicts, of the State of Delaware.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed and delivered this Note as of
the date first above written.
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx - Maker
ZEFER CORP.
000 XXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXX, XX 00000
May 25, 1999
MEMORANDUM TO THE PERSONS ON THE
ATTACHED DISTRIBUTION LIST
Re: ZEFER Corp. (the "Company")
As you know, the shares (the "Shares") of common stock of ZEFER Corp. (the
"Company") which you have purchased are subject to certain restrictions on
transfer under the Stock Restriction Agreement between yourself, the Company and
certain other parties thereto (the "Agreement"). The Agreement also gives the
Company the right, under certain circumstances to repurchase any or all of the
Shares (the "Restricted Shares") if your employment with the Company or its
subsidiaries terminates.
Because of these restrictions, there are certain tax consequences regarding
your purchase of the Shares of which you should be aware. So long as your right
to retain the Restricted Shares is conditioned upon certain events, your
purchase of the Restricted Shares will result in no federal income tax
liability. However, when any Shares cease to be Restricted Shares, the excess of
the aggregate fair market value of those Shares at the time the restrictions
----------------------------
lapse over the aggregate amount you paid for them becomes taxable to you at
-----
ordinary income rates in the year in which the restrictions lapse. Appreciation
in the value of the Shares after the date the restrictions lapse will be treated
as capital gain at the time the Shares are subsequently sold. The holding period
for determining whether such gain is long- or short-term begins when the
restrictions lapse.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code,
however, you may elect to include in your gross income this year, and be taxed
upon, the difference between the current fair market value of the Shares and the
purchase price. Insofar as the purchase price you paid for the Shares is the
same as the fair market value, no tax would be owed. In addition, if you make
this election, no additional tax will be incurred until the Shares are disposed
of at a gain, and any appreciation from the date of purchase to the date of such
disposition will be taxed as a capital gain. Because the Company believes you
are paying a fair market value purchase price, it would appear to be to your
advantage to make a so-called Section 83(b) election since this election would
(i) not result in any current tax liability and (ii) allow any appreciation in
the value realized upon a future sale of the Shares to be taxed at capital gains
tax rates rather than ordinary income tax rates. While the Company believes you
are paying a fair market value purchase price, the question of fair market value
is necessarily subjective and the IRS may challenge this valuation. To the
extent such a challenge occurs and the IRS successfully argues that the fair
market value
of the Restricted Shares is greater than the purchase price, the filing of a
Section 83(b) election would result in an immediate tax at ordinary income rates
on the difference.
The Section 83(b) election can be made using the enclosed forms and must
be done no later than 30 days after purchase of the Shares. To make the
election, you should complete the four enclosed copies of the Election Form, and
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return them to us. Once we have verified receipt of all required documents from
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you, we will file one form with the Internal Revenue Sevice on your behalf. Two
copies will be returned to you. You should file one copy with your federal
income tax return for the year in which the purchase occurred and retain the
last copy for your records.
While we have attempted to summarize certain of the federal income tax
consequences of purchasing the shares, you are encouraged to consult your own
tax advisor for an examination of whether a Section 83(b) election is
appropriate for your individual circumstances. In addition, while state income
tax treatment generally follows the federal income tax treatment, please check
with your tax advisor for the availability and effect on making an equivalent
state election to the federal Section 83(b) election and for the requirements
for making such an election (filings, due dates, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding the foregoing, please call either the
undersigned at 617/292-7888 or Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. of Ropes & Xxxx at
617/951-7823.
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-2-
ELECTION TO INCLUDE STOCK IN GROSS
INCOME PURSUANT TO SECTION 83(b) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
The undersigned purchased shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Shares"), of ZEFER Corp.(the "Company") on May 21, 1999 (the
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"Closing Date"). Under certain circumstances, the Company has the right to
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repurchase certain of the Shares at cost from the undersigned (or from the
holder of the Shares, if different from the undersigned) should the undersigned
cease to be employed by the Company and its subsidiaries or upon certain other
events. Hence, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and
are non-transferable. The undersigned desires to make an election to have the
Shares taxed under the provision of Code (S)83(b) at the time he purchased the
Shares.
Therefore, pursuant to Code (S)83(b) and Treasury Regulation (S)1.83-2
promulgated thereunder, the undersigned hereby makes an election, with respect
to the Shares (described below), to report as taxable income for calendar year
1999 the excess (if any) of the Shares' fair market value on May 21, 1999 over
the purchase price thereof.
The following information is supplied in accordance with Treasury
Regulation (S)1.83-2(e):
1. The name, address and social security number of the undersigned:
Social Security Number:
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2. A description of the property with respect to which the election
is being made: shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company.
3. The date on which the property was transferred . The taxable
year for which such election is made: calendar year .
4. The restrictions to which the property is subject: If during the
first five years after the Closing Date, the undersigned ceases to be employed
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the unvested portion of the Shares
will be subject to repurchase by the Company at cost. 20% of the Shares become
vested shares on each of the first five annual anniversaries of the Closing
Date.
5. The fair market value on May 21, 1999 of the property with
respect to which the election is being made, determined without regard to any
lapse restrictions: per share of Common Stock.
6. The amount paid for such property: per share of Common
Stock.
A copy of this election has been furnished to the Secretary of the
Company pursuant to Treasury Regulations (S)1.83-2(e)(7).
Dated: May 21, 1999
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Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
