SEVERANCE AGREEMENT FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FOR
EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
THIS
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”)
is
made, entered into and is effective this February 14, 2007 (“Effective
Date”)
by and
between CarMax, Inc., a Virginia corporation, and its affiliated companies
(collectively, the “Company”),
and
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS,
the Company recognizes the Executive’s intimate knowledge and experience in the
business of the Company, and has appointed the Executive as Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”);
WHEREAS,
the Executive will develop and come in contact with the Company’s proprietary
and confidential information that is not readily available to the public,
and
that is of great importance to the Company and that is treated by the Company
as
secret and confidential information;
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Executive desire to agree upon the terms, conditions,
compensation and benefits of the Executive’s future employment;
WHEREAS,
upon execution of this Agreement, any prior employment or severance agreement
between the Executive and the Company, whether oral or written, will have
no
force and effect with respect to the terms and conditions of Executive’s
employment and will be replaced and superseded by the terms of this Agreement;
and
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the Executive’s recent appointment as the
Company’s Executive Vice President and CAO, and of the premises, mutual
covenants and agreements of the parties set forth in this Agreement, and
of
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree
as
follows:
Article
1. Employment
Acceptance
The
Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts
employment as Executive Vice President and CAO of the Company, in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Article
2. Position
and Responsibilities
During
the term of the Executive’s employment with the Company (“Term”),
the
Executive agrees to serve as Executive Vice President and CAO of the Company.
In
his capacity as Executive Vice President and CAO of the Company, the Executive
shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer
(“CEO”)
and
shall have the duties and responsibilities of Executive Vice President and
CAO
of the Company and such other duties and responsibilities not inconsistent
with
the performance of his duties as Executive Vice President and CAO of
the
Company.
The Executive’s principal work location shall be the corporate headquarters of
the Company located in the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area.
Article
3. Standard
of Care
3.1 General.
During
the Term, the Executive shall devote his full business time, attention,
knowledge and skills to the Company’s business and interests. The Executive
covenants, warrants, and represents that he shall:
(a)
|
Devote
his best efforts and talents to the performance of his employment
obligations and duties for the
Company;
|
(b)
|
Exercise
the highest degree of loyalty and the highest standards of conduct
in the
performance of his duties;
|
(c)
|
Observe
and conform to the Company’s bylaws and other rules, regulations, and
policies established or issued by the Company;
and
|
(d)
|
Refrain
from taking advantage, for himself or others, of any corporate
opportunities of the Company.
|
3.2 Forfeiture
and Return of Incentive Compensation.
It is
the Company’s expectation that the Executive will discharge his duties hereunder
with utmost attention to the standards set forth in Section 3.1. In the event
the CarMax, Inc. Board of Directors (“Board”)
determines that the Executive has engaged in conduct constituting Cause (as
defined in Section 7.6(a)), which conduct directly results in the filing
of a
restatement of any financial statement previously filed with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission (or other governmental agency) under the Federal securities
laws, the Executive shall immediately (a) forfeit all unpaid Affected
Compensation (as defined below) and (b) upon demand by the Company repay
to the
Company all Affected Compensation received or realized by the Executive together
with interest at the prime rate in effect from time to time as reported in
The
Wall Street Journal; provided, however, that the forfeiture and repayment
provisions of this Section 3.2 shall not apply to conduct constituting “gross
negligence” under Section 7.6(a)(ii) or to conduct under Section 7.6(a)(iii),
Section 7.6(a)(vii) or Section 7.6(a)(viii). “Affected
Compensation”
means
any payment to the Executive, any award or vesting of any equity or other
short-term or long-term incentive compensation to the Executive, or any
before-tax proceeds of a sale of previously awarded equity compensation realized
by the Executive, in any instance in which (i) the payment, award or vesting
of
the foregoing was expressly conditioned upon the achievement of certain
financial results that were subsequently the subject of such restatement,
and
(ii) a lesser amount of payment, award or vesting or before-tax proceeds
of a
sale of any of the foregoing would have been made to, vested in or otherwise
earned or realized by, the Executive based upon such restated financial
results.
Article
4. Other
Activities
During
the Term, the Executive shall comply with the provisions of Article 8 herein.
Furthermore, during his employment, the Executive agrees to obtain the CEO’s
written consent before entering into any other occupation, even if dissimilar
to
that of the Company, including,
2
without
limitation, service as a member of a board of directors of one or more other
companies. Such consent may be granted or withheld, in the CEO’s sole
discretion. The Executive may participate on charitable and civic boards,
and in
educational, professional, community and industry affairs, without CEO consent,
provided that such participation does not interfere with the performance
of his
duties.
Article
5. Compensation
and Benefits
As
remuneration for all services to be rendered by the Executive during the
Term,
and as consideration for complying with the covenants herein during and after
the termination or expiration of the Term, the Company shall pay and provide
to
the Executive the following compensation and benefits:
5.1 Base
Salary.
During
the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (“Base
Salary”)
in an
amount established and approved by the Compensation and Personnel Committee
of
the Board (“Compensation
Committee”);
provided, however, that such Base Salary shall be established at a rate of
not
less than $530,145.00 per year, except as otherwise provided in this Section
5.1
below. This Base Salary shall be subject to all appropriate federal and state
withholding taxes and payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices
of
the Company. The Compensation Committee shall review and adjust the Base
Salary
as it deems appropriate at least annually during the Term; provided, however,
that the Executive’s Base Salary shall not be decreased without the Executive’s
written consent, other than across-the-board reductions applicable to all
senior
officers of the Company. If adjusted, the Base Salary shall be so adjusted
for
all purposes of this Agreement.
5.2 Annual
Bonus.
In
addition to his Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in
the Company’s Annual Performance-Based Bonus Plan (“Annual
Bonus Plan”),
as
such Annual Bonus Plan may exist from time to time during the Term. Under
the
Company’s Annual Bonus Plan, the Executive has the opportunity to earn an annual
bonus with respect to any fiscal year of the Company (“Annual
Bonus”).
The
Annual Bonus will be determined by a formula approved each fiscal year by
the
Compensation Committee (the “Annual
Bonus Formula”)
in its
sole discretion. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee will authorize, in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, the
Executive’s Annual Bonus for that fiscal year, which shall be targeted at sixty
percent (60%) of the Executive’s Base Salary for that fiscal year (“Target
Bonus Rate”).
The
specified Target Bonus Rate may be increased from time to time by the
Compensation Committee but shall not be decreased without the Executive’s
written consent. Depending upon the actual financial performance recorded
by the
Company for any given fiscal year, the Executive’s Annual Bonus may be increased
or decreased solely in accordance with the Annual Bonus Formula and otherwise
in
accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan.
5.3 Long-Term
Incentives.
During
the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2002
Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (or any successor incentive
plan
thereto), to the extent that the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion,
determines is appropriate. The Compensation Committee will make its
determination consistent with the methodology used by the Company for
compensating the Executive’s peer executives. Additionally, the Executive shall
be entitled to participate in all other incentive
3
plans,
whether equity-based or cash-based, applicable generally to his peer executives
within the Company.
5.4 Retirement
and Deferred Compensation Plans.
During
the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all tax-qualified
and nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans, policies and
programs applicable generally to his peer executives within the Company,
subject
to the eligibility and participation requirements of such plans, policies
and
programs.
5.5 Welfare
Benefit Plans.
During
the Term, the Executive and the Executive’s family will be entitled to
participate in all welfare benefit plans, policies and programs, including
those
defined under Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of
1974, as amended, provided by the Company to his peer executives within the
Company, subject to the eligibility requirements and other provisions of
such
plans, policies and programs.
5.6 Fringe
Benefits.
During
the Term, the Executive will be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance
with
the plans, policies and programs of the Company in effect for his peer
executives within the Company.
5.7 Vacation.
During
the Term, the Executive will be entitled to participate in the Company’s Time
Away paid time off program for salaried employees (or successor paid time
off
program) as that program is administered by the Company and as it may be
amended
or modified from time to time; provided, in all events, the Executive will
be
entitled to not less than 30 days of paid vacation each fiscal
year.
5.8 Right
to Change Plans.
By
reason of Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 5.7 herein, the Company shall not be
obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or
discontinuing any benefit plan, policy or program, so long as such changes
are
similarly applicable to the Executive’s peer executives.
Article
6. Expenses
During
the Term, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all ordinary
and
necessary expenses, in a reasonable amount, that the Executive incurs in
performing his duties under this Agreement including, but not limited to,
travel, entertainment, professional dues and subscriptions, and all dues,
fees,
and expenses associated with membership in various professional, business,
and
civic associations and societies in which the Company finds that the Executive’s
participation is in the best interests of the Company. The payment or
reimbursement of expenses shall be subject to such rules concerning
documentation of expenses and the type or magnitude of such expenses as the
Compensation Committee or the Company, as applicable, may establish from
time to
time.
Article
7. Employment
Termination
7.1 Date
of Termination.
The
Company or the Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment in accordance
with the provisions of this Article 7. The “Date
of Termination”
of
the
Executive’s employment shall be as determined in Sections 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6, and 7.7 below.
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7.2 Termination
Due to Retirement or Death.
(a) In
the
event the Executive’s employment ends by reason of Retirement (as defined
below), the Date of Termination shall be the date set forth in a notice by
the
Executive, which notice shall be given to the Company at least ninety (90)
days
prior to such date. In the event of the Executive’s death, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death. In either case, the Executive’s benefits
shall be determined in accordance with the Company’s retirement, survivor’s
benefits, insurance and other applicable plans and programs of the Company
then
in effect. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Retirement”
shall
mean the Executive’s voluntary termination of employment at a time during which
he is eligible for “Normal Retirement” or “Early Retirement” as such terms are
defined in the CarMax, Inc. Pension Plan as of the Effective Date.
(b) Upon
the
Date of Termination due to the Executive’s Retirement or death, the Company
shall be obligated to pay the Executive or, if applicable, the Executive’s
beneficiary or estate, the following “Accrued
Obligations”:
(i) any Base Salary that was accrued but not yet paid as of the Date of
Termination; (ii) the unpaid Annual Bonus, if any, earned with respect to
the fiscal year preceding the Date of Termination; (iii) any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive by his own election; and (iv) all
other employee welfare and retirement benefits to which the Executive is
entitled on the Date of Termination in accordance with the terms of the
applicable plan or plans. The Accrued Obligations payable under the above
clauses (i) and (ii) shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment
within ten (10) days after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter
as may
be practicable. The Accrued Obligations payable under clauses (iii) and (iv)
shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the plan under which they are
due.
(c) Upon
the
Date of Termination due to the Executive’s Retirement, the Executive shall be
entitled to a pro rata share of the Annual Bonus based on actual performance
for
the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs (such proration to
be
based on the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full completed
days of employment during the fiscal year through the Date of Termination,
and
the denominator of which is 365) (“Pro
Rata Actual Bonus”).
The
Pro Rata Actual Bonus, if any, shall be paid to the Executive when annual
bonuses are paid to other senior officers of the Company for such fiscal
year.
(d) Upon
the
Date of Termination due to the Executive’s death, the Executive’s beneficiary or
estate shall be entitled to a pro rata share of the Annual Bonus at the Target
Bonus Rate for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs (such
proration to be based on the fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of
full completed days of employment during the fiscal year through the Date
of
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365) (“Pro
Rata Target Bonus”).
The
Pro Rata Target Bonus shall be paid to the Executive’s beneficiary or estate in
a lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days after the date of the Executive’s
death or as soon as practicable thereafter.
(e) Upon
the
termination of the Executive’s employment due to his Retirement or death, the
terms and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such
5
compensation
is equity or cash based, will govern the consequences of the termination
of the
Executive’s employment under this Section 7.2.
7.3 Termination
Due to Disability.
(a) The
Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment for his
Disability (as defined below). The Date of Termination due to Disability
shall
be the date set forth in a notice to the Executive, which notice shall be
given
by the Company at least thirty (30) days prior to such date. For the purposes
of
this Agreement, “Disability”
or
“Disabled”
shall
mean any physical or mental illness or injury that causes the Executive (i)
to
be considered “disabled” for the purpose of eligibility to receive
income-replacement benefits in accordance with the Company’s long-term
disability plan in which the Executive is a participant, or (ii) if the
Executive does not participate in any such plan, to be unable to substantially
perform the duties of his position for 180 days in the aggregate during any
period of twelve (12) consecutive months and a physician selected by the
Company
(and reasonably acceptable to the Executive) shall have furnished to the
Company
certification that the return of the Executive to his normal duties is
impossible or improbable. The Board shall review the foregoing information
and
shall determine in good faith if the Executive is Disabled. The Board’s decision
shall be binding on the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
Executive incurs a physical or mental illness or injury that does not constitute
a Disability, such physical or mental illness or injury shall not constitute
a
failure by the Executive to perform his duties hereunder and shall not be
deemed
a breach or default of this Agreement by the Executive.
(b) Upon
the
Date of Termination due to the Executive’s Disability, the Executive shall be
entitled to his Accrued Obligations and a Pro Rata Target Bonus. The Accrued
Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and (ii) and the Pro Rata Target
Bonus shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment within ten
(10)
days after the Date of Termination or as soon as practicable thereafter.
The
Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(iii) and (iv) shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of the plan under which they are
due.
(c) Upon
the
termination of the Executive’s employment due to his Disability, the terms and
conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Section 7.3.
7.4 Voluntary
Termination by the Executive Without Good Reason.
The
Executive may terminate his employment at any time without Good Reason (as
defined in Section 7.7) by
giving
the Company at least forty five (45) days notice, which notice shall state
the
Date of Termination. The Company reserves the right to require the Executive
not
to work during the notice period but shall pay the Executive his accrued
and
unpaid Base Salary, at the rate then in effect provided in Section 5.1
herein, through the Date of Termination (but not to exceed forty-five (45)
days), and such payment shall be made to the Executive within ten (10) days
after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter as may be practicable.
The
Company shall also pay the Executive any compensation previously deferred
by the
Executive by his own election and all
6
other
employee welfare and retirement benefits to which the Executive is entitled
on
the Date of Termination, all in accordance with the terms of the applicable
plan
or plans under which they are due. In the event of the Executive’s voluntary
termination of employment without Good Reason, the terms and conditions of
the
awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s outstanding stock options,
stock grants, stock appreciation rights, performance-based grants, and all
other
forms of long-term incentive compensation, regardless of whether such
compensation is equity or cash based, will govern the consequences of the
termination of the Executive’s employment under this Section 7.4.
7.5 Involuntary
Termination by the Company Without Cause.
Upon
notice to the Executive, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at
any time for any reason other than for Cause and other than due to Disability
(“Involuntary
Termination Without Cause”).
The
Date of Termination shall be the date stated in such notice.
(a) In
the
event of the Executive’s Involuntary Termination Without Cause, which occurs
prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control or an Asset Sale (each as
defined
in Section 11.2) or after the conclusion of the Change in Control Employment
Period (defined at Section 11.4), the Executive shall receive the following
payments and benefits:
(i) The
Company shall pay to the Executive, in equal monthly installments over the
twenty-four (24) month period following the Date of Termination, an amount
equal
to the product of two (2) times the sum of (x) the Executive’s Base Salary and
(y) the amount of the last Annual Bonus for the Executive as determined by
the
Compensation Committee in
accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, regardless of the Date of
Termination.
(ii) The
Executive’s participation in the Company’s health, dental, and vision plans will
end on the last day of the month in which the Date of Termination occurs.
The
Executive may elect to continue coverage under the health, dental and/or
vision
plans for himself and his eligible dependents in accordance with the terms
and
procedures of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
as
amended (“COBRA”).
If
the Executive elects COBRA coverage, the Executive shall be responsible for
remitting the COBRA premium to the Company (or to a COBRA administrator
designated by the Company) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s health,
dental and vision plans and applicable COBRA requirements. If the Executive
elects COBRA coverage, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for a portion
of the cost of such coverage until the end of the COBRA coverage period,
up to a
maximum period of eighteen (18) months. The amount of the Company’s
reimbursement shall be equal to the sum of (1) the amount the Company would
have
otherwise paid for such coverage if the Executive had remained an active
employee of the Company, and (2) the COBRA administration fee. If the Executive
does not elect COBRA coverage, the Company shall have no obligation to the
Executive with respect to health, dental and vision benefits following the
Date
of Termination.
(iii) The
Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services not to exceed
a
cost of $25,000.00.
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(iv) The
Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Obligations and a Pro Rata Actual
Bonus. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and (ii)
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment within ten (10)
days
after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter as may be practicable.
The
Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(iii) and (iv) shall be
paid in
accordance with the terms of the plan under which they are due. The Pro Rata
Actual Bonus, if any, shall be paid to the Executive when annual bonuses
are
paid to other senior officers of the Company for such fiscal year.
(v) The
terms
and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Section 7.5.
(b) Amounts
payable under this Section 7.5 shall be in lieu of any amounts otherwise
payable
under any severance plan or agreement covering senior officers of the
Company.
(c) In
the
event that the Company terminates the Executive’s employment at any time for any
reason (i) other than for Cause and other than due to Disability and (ii)
after
the Executive has attained age 65 of higher, such termination shall not be
deemed an Involuntary Termination Without Cause.
7.6 Termination
For Cause.
The
Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time for Cause, without
notice or liability for doing so. The Date of Termination shall be the date
that
Cause is determined as provided below.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Cause”
means
a
good faith determination by the Board that one (1) or more of the following
has
occurred:
(i) The
Executive has committed a material breach of this Agreement, which breach
was
not cured or waived by the Company, within ten (10) days of receipt by the
Executive of notice from the Company specifying the breach;
(ii) The
Executive has committed gross negligence in the performance of his duties
hereunder, intentionally fails to perform his duties, engages in intentional
misconduct or intentionally refuses to abide by or comply with the directives
of
the Board, the CEO or the Company’s policies and procedures, as applicable,
which actions continued for a period of ten (10) days after receipt by the
Executive of notice of the need to cure or cease;
(iii) The
Executive has willfully and continuously failed to perform substantially
his
duties (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s Disability or
incapacity due to bodily injury or physical or mental illness), after a written
demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board
or
the CEO that specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the
CEO
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his
duties;
8
(iv) The
Executive has willfully violated a material requirement of the Company’s code of
conduct or breached his fiduciary duty to the Company;
(v) The
Executive’s conviction of (or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) a felony
or any crime involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, theft or financial
impropriety;
(vi) The
Executive has engaged in illegal conduct, embezzlement or fraud with respect
to
the business or affairs of the Company;
(vii) The
Executive has failed to disclose to the Board a conflict of interest of which
the Executive knew or with reasonable diligence should have known in connection
with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company; or
(viii) The
Executive has failed to agree to a modification of the Agreement pursuant
to
Section 17.3 hereof when the purpose of the modification is to comply with
applicable federal, state or local laws or regulations, or when such
modification is designed to further define the restrictions of Article 8
or
otherwise enhance the enforcement of Article 8 without increasing the duration
or scope of the Article 8 restrictions.
No
act or
failure to act on the Executive’s part will be considered “willful” if conducted
by the Executive in good faith and with a reasonable belief that the Executive’s
act or omission was in, and not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company.
(b) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause during the Term, this Agreement
will terminate without further obligation of the Company to the Executive
other
than (i) the payment to the Executive of his accrued and unpaid Base Salary
through the Date of Termination, and (ii) the payment of any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive by his own election and
all
other employee welfare and retirement benefits to which the Executive is
entitled on the Date of Termination, all in accordance with the terms of
the
applicable plan or plans under which they are due. In the event of the
Executive’s termination of employment for Cause, the terms and conditions of the
awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s outstanding stock options,
stock grants, stock appreciation rights, performance-based grants, and all
other
forms of long-term incentive compensation, regardless of whether such
compensation is equity or cash based, will govern the consequences of the
termination of the Executive’s employment under this Section 7.6.
7.7 Termination
for Good Reason.
At any
time during the Term, the Executive may terminate his employment for Good
Reason
(as defined below) upon notice to the Company. Such notice shall state the
intended Date of Termination and shall be given to the Company at least
forty-five (45) days prior to such date and shall set forth in detail the
facts
and circumstances claimed to provide grounds for such termination. The Company
shall have the right to cure the facts and circumstances giving rise to such
grounds for termination for Good Reason. If the Company does not so cure
within
such forty-five (45) day notice period, then the Executive’s employment shall
terminate on the Date of Termination stated in the notice.
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(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason”
shall
mean, without the Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any one
(1) or more of the following:
(i) A
reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary (other than, prior to the occurrence of
a Change in Control or Asset Sale, a reduction across-the-board affecting
all
senior officers in substantially like percentages of their base salaries)
or
Target Bonus Rate;
(ii) A
material reduction in the Executive’s duties or authority as Executive Vice
President and CAO of the Company, or any removal of the Executive from or
any
failure to reappoint or reelect the Executive to such positions (except in
connection with the termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or
Disability, as a result of the Executive’s death or Retirement or by the
Executive other than for Good Reason);
(iii) The
Executive being required to relocate to a principal place of employment more
than 35 miles from the Company’s headquarters except, prior to the occurrence of
a Change in Control or Asset Sale, in connection with the relocation of
substantially all senior Company executives pursuant to the relocation of
the
Company’s headquarters;
(iv) If
applicable, the failure by the shareholders of the Company to elect or to
reelect the Executive as a director of the Board or the removal of the Executive
from such position; or
(v) The
failure of the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor to all or
substantially all of the assets or business of the Company to assume and
agree
to perform this Agreement within fifteen (15) days after a merger,
consolidation, sale or similar transaction.
(b) In
the
event of the Executive’s voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason,
which occurs prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control or an Asset Sale
or
after the conclusion of the Change in Control Employment Period, the Executive
shall receive the following payments and benefits:
(i) The
Company shall pay to the Executive, in equal monthly installments over the
twenty-four (24) month period following the Date of Termination, an amount
equal
to the product of two (2) times the sum of (x) the Executive’s Base Salary and
(y) the amount of the last Annual Bonus for the Executive as determined by
the
Compensation Committee in
accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, regardless of the Date of
Termination.
(ii) The
Executive’s participation in the Company’s health, dental, and vision plans will
end on the last day of the month in which the Date of Termination occurs.
The
Executive may elect to continue coverage under the health, dental and/or
vision
plans for himself and his eligible dependents in accordance with the terms
and
procedures of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
as
amended (“COBRA”).
If
the Executive elects COBRA coverage, the Executive shall be
10
responsible
for remitting the COBRA premium to the Company (or to a COBRA administrator
designated by the Company) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s health,
dental and vision plans and applicable COBRA requirements. If the Executive
elects COBRA coverage, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for a portion
of the cost of such coverage until the end of the COBRA coverage period,
up to a
maximum period of eighteen (18) months. The amount of the Company’s
reimbursement shall be equal to the sum of (1) the amount the Company would
have
otherwise paid for such coverage if the Executive had remained an active
employee of the Company, and (2) the COBRA administration fee. If the Executive
does not elect COBRA coverage, the Company shall have no obligation to the
Executive with respect to health, dental and vision benefits following the
Date
of Termination.
(iii) The
Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services not to exceed
a
cost of $25,000.00.
(iv) The
Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Obligations and his Target Bonus
for
the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs. The Target Bonus
and
the Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and (ii) shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days after
the
Date of Termination or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. The Accrued
Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(iii) and (iv) shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of the plan under which they are due.
(v) The
terms
and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Section 7.7.
(c) The
Executive’s right to terminate his employment for Good Reason shall not be
affected by the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness not
constituting a Disability.
Amounts
payable under this Section 7.7 shall be in lieu of any amounts otherwise
payable
under any severance plan or agreement covering senior officers of the
Company.
7.8 Conditions
on Company Obligations.
All
payments and benefits made or provided pursuant to Article 7 are subject
to the
Executive’s:
(a) Compliance
with the provisions of Article 8, Article 9, Article 10 and Section 17.2
hereof;
(b) Except
with respect to payment of the Executive’s Accrued Obligations, delivery to the
Company of an executed Agreement and General Release, which shall be
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (with such changes
or
additions as needed under then applicable law to give effect to its intent
and
purpose) (“Agreement
and General Release”)
within
twenty-one (21) days of presentation thereof by the Company to the Executive.
Notwithstanding the due date of any post-employment termination payments
hereunder, any amounts due following a termination of employment under this
Agreement shall not be due until
11
after
the
expiration of any revocation period applicable to the Agreement and General
Release without the Executive having revoked such Agreement and General Release;
and
(c) Compliance
with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Code”).
After
payment of all amounts and benefits under this Article 7, the Company thereafter
shall have no further obligation under this Agreement.
Article
8. Covenant
Not to Compete; Intellectual Property
8.1 Acknowledgement
and Agreement Regarding Covenant Not to Compete.
(a) The
Executive acknowledges and agrees as follows: (i) the Company operates a
unique
business concept in the United States regarding the sale and servicing of
new
and used vehicles in a highly competitive industry; (ii) the Company’s
competitors have attempted to duplicate the Company’s business concept in
various markets throughout the United States, including markets where the
Company does not currently have a business location, and may continue to
do so;
and (iii) in connection with the Executive’s employment, he will receive access
to, and training regarding, the Company’s business concept and will,
accordingly, acquire commercially valuable knowledge of, and insight into,
the
Company’s operations and its proprietary and confidential information, any of
which if made available to the Company’s competitors could place the Company at
an unfair competitive disadvantage.
(b) The
Executive and the Company acknowledge that the Executive’s services are of a
special, extraordinary, and intellectual character that gives the Executive
unique value, that the Company’s business is highly competitive, and that
violation of the Covenant Not to Compete (as defined in Section 8.2 below)
provided herein would cause immediate, immeasurable, and irreparable harm,
loss,
and damage to the Company not adequately compensable by a monetary award.
In the
event of any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of the Covenant
Not to
Compete, the Company shall be entitled to such equitable and injunctive relief
as may be available to restrain the Executive from violating the provisions
hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from
pursuing any other remedies available at law or in equity for such breach
or
threatened breach, including the recovery of damages and the immediate
termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder for Cause.
(c) The
Executive and the Company have examined in detail the Covenant Not to Compete
contained herein and agree that the restraint imposed upon the Executive
is
reasonable in light of the legitimate business interests of the Company and
is
not unduly harsh upon the Executive’s ability to earn a livelihood. If any
provision of the Covenant Not to Compete relating to the time period, geographic
area or scope of restricted activities shall be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period, geographic area or scope
of
activities, as applicable, that such court deems reasonable and enforceable,
such time period, geographic area or scope of activities shall be deemed
to be,
and thereafter shall become, the maximum time period or largest geographic
area
or scope of activities that such
12
court
deems reasonable and enforceable and this Agreement shall automatically be
considered to have been amended and revised to reflect such
determination.
8.2 Covenant
Not to Compete.
In
order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests from competitors
and to protect the Company’s critical interest in its proprietary and
confidential information, and in return for the consideration set forth in
this
Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees to the following “Covenant
Not to Compete”:
(a) During
the Executive’s employment and for a period of two (2) years following the last
day of the Executive’s employment, the Executive will not, directly or
indirectly, compete with the Company by acting “in a competitive capacity” (as
defined in Section 8.2(c)), whether as an individual, partner, or joint
venturer, for, or on behalf of, any person or entity operating or developing
the
same or similar business as the Company within any Metropolitan Statistical
Area
(as defined under applicable regulations of the Census Bureau of the U.S.
Department of Commerce) in which the Company has a business location or in
which
the Company is engaged in real estate site selection. Entities (including
the
affiliates of such entities) engaged, or which could become engaged, in the
same
or similar business as the Company include, but are not limited to: Sonic
Automotive, Inc.; Lithia Motors, Inc.; Group 1 Automotive, Inc.; UnitedAuto
Group; AutoNation, Inc.; Penske Motors; Xxxxxx Automotive Group; Price One;
Xxxxxxxx Automotive Group; CarMotive; Saturn Group; Hertz; Enterprise; and
any
automotive retail operation affiliated with, owned, operated, or controlled
by
Home Depot, Inc., Xxxx’x Companies, Inc., Target Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores,
Inc., Sears, Xxxxxxx and Company, Carrefour, Costco Wholesale Corporation,
Royal
Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, Exxon Mobil Corporation, ChevronTexaco Corp.,
or
Gulliver International Co., Ltd.
(b) A
business will not be considered to be in competition with the Company for
purposes of this Section 8.2 if the business, or operating unit of the
business, in which the Executive will be employed does not have, nor is expected
to have within the two (2) years following the Executive’s termination of
employment, annual gross revenues of at least $5,000,000 derived from the
sale
and servicing of new or used vehicles.
(c) Acting
“in
a
competitive capacity”
shall
mean providing to a person or entity covered by this Section 8.2, directly
or indirectly, the same or similar services as the Executive provided to
the
Company during his employment, and/or engaging in any business or segment
of
business about which the Executive first acquired proprietary or confidential
information during the course of his employment with the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent or limit the right
of
the Executive to invest in the capital stock or other securities (not exceeding
two percent (2%) of such outstanding capital stock or securities) of
any
corporation whose stock or securities are regularly traded on any public
exchange, nor shall anything contained herein be deemed to prevent the Executive
from investing in real estate for his own benefit, so long as such investment
(i) is not related to or in support of any entity engaged in a business
similar to that of the Company and (ii) does not detract from the
Executive’s performance of his duties and obligations hereunder.
13
8.3 Intellectual
Property.
The
Executive understands and acknowledges that any writing, invention, design,
system, process, development or discovery (collectively, "Intellectual
Property")
conceived, developed created or made by the Executive, alone or with others,
both during the Term of this Agreement and in the course of the Executive’s
employment prior to the Term, is the sole and exclusive property of the Company
to the extent such Intellectual Property is related to the Executive's duties
or
is within the scope of the Company's actual or anticipated business. The
Executive agrees to assign to the Company any and all of his right, title,
and
interest in and to such Intellectual Property, including, but not limited
to,
patent, trademark and other rights. The Executive further agrees to cooperate
fully with the Company to secure, maintain, enforce, or defend the Company's
ownership of and rights in such Intellectual Property. The rights and remedies
of this Section 8.3 are in addition to any rights and remedies available
under
applicable law.
Article
9. Non-Solicitation
/ Non-Hiring of Employees
The
Executive agrees that during the Executive’s employment with the Company and for
a period of two (2) years following the last day of the Executive’s employment,
the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or induce, or attempt
to solicit or induce, any employee of the Company to leave the Company for
any
reason whatsoever or hire any individual employed by the Company. For purposes
of this Article 9, employee shall mean any individual employed by the
Company within the three (3) month period prior to, and including, the last
day
of the Executive’s employment.
Article
10. Confidentiality
10.1 Protected
Information.
The
Executive understands and agrees that any information, data and trade secrets
about the Company and its suppliers and distributors are the property of
the
Company and are essential to the protection of the Company’s goodwill and to the
maintenance of the Company’s competitive position and accordingly should be kept
secret. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected
Information”
means
trade secrets, confidential and proprietary business information of or about
the
Company, and any other information of the Company, including, but not limited
to, Intellectual Property, customer lists (including potential customers),
sources of supply, processes, plans, materials, pricing information, internal
memoranda, marketing plans, promotional plans, internal policies, research,
purchasing, accounting and financial information, computer programs, hardware,
software, and products and services that may be developed from time to time
by
the Company and its agents or employees, including the Executive; provided,
however, that information that is in the public domain (other than as a result
of a breach of this Agreement), approved for release by the Company or lawfully
obtained from third parties who are not bound by a confidentiality agreement
with the Company, is not Protected Information.
10.2 Covenant.
The
Company has advised the Executive, and the Executive acknowledges, that it
is
the policy of the Company to maintain as secret and confidential all Protected
Information and that Protected Information has been and will be developed
at
substantial cost and effort to the Company. The Executive agrees to hold
in
strict confidence and safeguard any Protected Information, gained by the
Executive in any manner or from any source
14
during
the Executive’s employment. The Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company, at any time, directly or indirectly, divulge, furnish,
use, disclose or make accessible to any person, firm, corporation, association,
or other entity (otherwise than as may be required in the regular course
of the
Executive’s employment with the Company), either during the Executive’s
employment with the Company or subsequent to the last day of the Executive’s
employment, any Protected Information, or cause any such information of the
Company to enter the public domain.
10.3 Nonexclusivity.
Nothing
contained in this Article 10 is intended to reduce in any way protection
available to the Company pursuant to the Uniform Trade Secrets Act as adopted
in
Virginia or any other state or other applicable laws that prohibit the misuse
or
disclosure of confidential or proprietary information.
Article
11. Change
in Control; Sale of Assets
11.1 Purpose.
The
Company recognizes that the possibility of a Change in Control or Asset Sale
exists, and the uncertainty and questions that it may raise among management
may
result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment
of the Company. Accordingly, the purpose of this Article 11 is to encourage
the Executive to continue employment after a Change in Control or Asset Sale
by
providing reasonable employment security to the Executive and to recognize
the
prior service of the Executive in the event of a termination of employment
under
certain circumstances after a Change in Control or Asset Sale. This
Article 11 shall not become effective, and the Company shall have no
obligation hereunder, if the employment of the Executive with the Company
terminates before a Change in Control or Asset Sale.
11.2 Definitions.
(a) “Change
in Control”
of
the
Company means the occurrence of either of the following events: (i) a third
person, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, becomes, or obtains the right to become,
the
beneficial owner of Company securities having twenty percent (20%) or more
of
the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company
that
may be cast for the election of directors to the Board of the Company (other
than as a result of an issuance of securities initiated by the Company in
the
ordinary course of business); or (ii) as the result of, or in connection
with, any cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination,
sale of assets or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing
transactions, the persons who were directors of the Company before such
transactions shall cease to constitute a majority of the board or of the
board
of directors of any successor to the Company.
(b) “Asset
Sale”
shall
mean a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a
single
transaction or a series of related transactions.
11.3 Long-Term
Incentive Compensation.
The
terms and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the
15
consequences
to the Executive upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or an Asset Sale
or
upon a termination of the Executive’s employment thereafter.
11.4 Continued
Employment Following Change in Control or an Asset Sale.
If a
Change in Control or an Asset Sale occurs and the Executive is employed by
the
Company on the date the Change in Control or Asset Sale occurs (the
“Change
in Control Date”),
the
period beginning on the Change in Control Date and ending on the second (2nd)
anniversary of such date shall be the “Change
in Control Employment Period.”
11.5 Termination
of Employment During Change in Control Employment Period.
The
Executive will be entitled to the compensation and benefits described in
this
Section 11.5 if, during the Change in Control Employment Period,
(a) the Company terminates his employment for any reason other than for
Cause or due to Disability, or (b) the Executive voluntarily terminates his
employment with the Company for Good Reason. The compensation and benefits
described in this Section 11.5 are in lieu of, and not in addition to, any
compensation and benefits provided to the Executive pursuant to
Sections 7.5 and 7.7 herein and any amounts otherwise payable under any
severance plan or agreement covering senior officers of the Company. Upon
such a
termination of employment, the Executive shall receive the following payments
and benefits:
(a) The
Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Obligations and a Pro Rata Target
Bonus. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and (ii)
and the
Pro Rata Target Bonus shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment
within ten (10) days after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter
as may
be practicable. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(iii)
and
(iv) shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the plan under which they
are
due.
(b) The
Company shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to 2.99 times the Executive’s
Final Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement, “Final
Compensation”
means
the Base Salary in effect at the Date of Termination, plus the higher Annual
Bonus paid or payable for the two (2) most recently completed fiscal years.
This
payment will be paid to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment not later
than
the forty-fifth (45th) day following the Date of Termination.
(c) The
Executive’s participation in the Company’s health, dental, and vision plans will
end on the last day of the month in which the Date of Termination occurs.
The
Executive may elect to continue coverage under the health, dental and/or
vision
plans for himself and his eligible dependents in accordance with the terms
and
procedures of COBRA. If the Executive elects COBRA coverage, the Executive
shall
be responsible for remitting the COBRA premium to the Company (or to a COBRA
administrator designated by the Company) in accordance with the terms of
the
health, dental and vision plans and applicable COBRA requirements. If the
Executive elects COBRA coverage, the Company shall reimburse the Executive
for a
portion of the cost of such coverage until the end of the COBRA coverage
period,
up to a maximum period of eighteen (18) months. The amount of the Company’s
reimbursement shall be equal to the sum of (1) the amount the Company would
have
otherwise paid for such coverage if the Executive had remained an active
employee of the Company, and (2) the COBRA administration fee. If the Executive
does not elect COBRA coverage, the
16
Company
shall have no obligation to the Executive with respect to health, dental
and
vision benefits following the Date of Termination.
(d) The
Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services not to exceed
a
cost of $25,000.00.
11.6 Death,
Disability or Retirement Termination During Change In Control Employment
Period.
If the
Executive’s employment ends by reason of Retirement, the Executive’s death, or
as a result of Disability during the Change in Control Employment Period,
this
Agreement will terminate without any further obligation on the part of the
Company under this Agreement other than:
(a) The
Executive (or his beneficiary or his estate in the event of his death) will
be
entitled to the payment of the Executive’s Accrued Obligations and a Pro Rata
Target Bonus. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and
(ii)
and the Pro Rata Target Bonus shall be paid in a lump sum cash payment within
ten (10) days after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter as may
be
practicable. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(iii) and
(iv)
shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the plan under which they are
due;
and
(b) The
terms
and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Section 11.6.
11.7 Termination
for Cause and Termination Other Than For Good Reason Following a Change in
Control.
(a) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause during the Change in Control
Employment Period, this Agreement will terminate without further obligation
to
the Executive other than the payment to the Executive of his accrued and
unpaid
Base Salary through the Date of Termination, as well as any deferred
compensation and other employee welfare and retirement benefits to which
the
Executive is entitled on the Date of Termination in accordance with the terms
of
the applicable plan or plans under which they are due. The terms and conditions
of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s outstanding stock
options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights, performance-based grants,
and
all other forms of long-term incentive compensation, regardless of whether
such
compensation is equity or cash based, will govern the consequences of the
termination of the Executive’s employment under this Section
11.7(a).
(b) If
the
Executive terminates employment during the Change in Control Employment Period
other than for Good Reason, this Agreement will terminate without further
obligation to the Executive other than:
(i) The
Executive (or his beneficiary or his estate in the event of his death) will
be
entitled to the payment of the Executive’s Accrued Obligations. The Accrued
Obligations provided under Section 7.2(b)(i) and (ii) shall be paid in a
lump
sum
17
cash
payment within ten (10) days after the Date of Termination or as soon thereafter
as may be practicable. The Accrued Obligations provided under Section
7.2(b)(iii) and (iv) shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the plan
under which they are due; and
(ii)
The
terms and conditions of the awards and agreements applicable to the Executive’s
outstanding stock options, stock grants, stock appreciation rights,
performance-based grants, and all other forms of long-term incentive
compensation, regardless of whether such compensation is equity or cash based,
will govern the consequences of the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Section 11.7(b).
11.8 Conditions
on Company Obligations.
All
payments and benefits made or provided pursuant to Article 11 are subject
to the
Executive’s compliance with the provisions of Section 7.8. After payment of
all amounts and benefits under this Article 11, the Company thereafter shall
have no further obligation under this Agreement.
Article
12. Assignment
12.1 Assignment
by Company.
This
Agreement may and shall be assigned or transferred to, and shall be binding
upon
and shall inure to the benefit of, any successor of the Company, and any
such
successor shall be deemed substituted for all purposes of the “Company” under
the terms of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “successor”
shall
mean any person, firm, corporation, or business entity which, at any time,
whether by merger, purchase, or otherwise, acquires all or substantially
all, or
control of all or substantially all, of the assets or the business of the
Company. Except as provided herein, the Company may not otherwise assign
this
Agreement.
12.2 Assignment
by the Executive.
The
services to be provided by the Executive to the Company hereunder are personal
to the Company and the Executive’s duties may not be assigned by the Executive;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be
enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, and
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.
If the
Executive dies while any amounts payable to the Executive hereunder remain
outstanding, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s devisee,
legatee, or other designee or, in the absence of such designee, to the
Executive’s estate.
Article
13. Dispute
Resolution
Except
for actions initiated by the Company to enjoin a breach by, or to recover
damages from, the Executive related to violation of any of the restrictive
covenants in Articles 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, and except for actions
initiated by the Company or the Executive with respect to declaratory judgments
related to the restrictive covenants in Articles 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement,
which the Company or the Executive may bring in an appropriate court of law
or
equity, any disagreement between the Executive and the Company concerning
anything covered by this Agreement or concerning other terms or conditions
of
the Executive’s employment or the termination of the Executive’s employment will
be settled by final and binding arbitration
18
pursuant
to the Company’s Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures. The CarMax Dispute
Resolution Agreement and the Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures are
incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full in this Agreement.
The
decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding on both the Executive
and
the Company and may be enforced in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
Responsibility for all arbitration costs, including legal fees, shall be
in
accordance with the Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures.
Article
14. Litigation
By Third Parties
All
litigation or inquiries by third parties (including, but not limited to,
those
by the Company’s shareholders or by government agencies) arising out of or in
connection with the Executive’s performance under this Agreement, against either
the Company or the Executive or both, shall be jointly defended or opposed
by
the parties hereto to support this Agreement. The Company shall appoint legal
counsel for the parties and shall bear the costs, reasonable legal fees and
expenses related to such litigation or inquiry.
Article
15. Indemnity;
Limitation of Liability
As
an
officer of the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to indemnity and
limitation of liability as provided pursuant to the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation, bylaws and any other governing document, as the same shall
be
amended from time to time.
Article
16. Notice
Any
notices, requests, demands, or other communications provided for by this
Agreement shall be in writing, and given by delivery in person or by registered
or certified mail, postage prepaid (in which case notice will be deemed to
have
been given on the third day after mailing) or by overnight delivery by a
reliable overnight courier service (in which case notice will be deemed to
have
been given on the day after delivery to such courier service). Notices to
the
Executive shall be directed to the last address he has filed in writing with
the
Company. Notices to the Company shall be directed to the Secretary of the
Company, with a copy directed to the Chairman of the Board of the
Company.
Article
17. Miscellaneous
17.1 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, oral or written,
between the parties hereto, with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect thereto. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, this Agreement completely
supersedes any and all prior employment and severance agreements entered
into by
and between the Company, and the Executive, and all amendments thereto, in
their
entirety.
17.2 Return
of Materials.
Upon
the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, however such
termination is effected, the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company
all
property (including Intellectual Property), records, materials, documents,
and
copies of documents concerning the Executive’s business and/or its customers
(hereinafter collectively “Company
Materials”)
which
the Executive has in his possession or under his control at the time of
termination of his employment. The Executive further agrees not to take or
19
extract
any portion of Company Materials in written, computer, electronic or any
other
reproducible form without the prior written consent of the Board.
17.3 Modification.
This
Agreement shall not be varied, altered, modified, canceled, changed, or in
any
way amended except by mutual agreement of the parties in a written instrument
executed by the parties hereto or their legal representatives.
17.4 Severability.
It is
the intention of the parties that the provisions of the restrictive covenants
herein shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permissible under the
applicable law. If any clause or provision of this Agreement is held to be
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective
during
the Term hereof, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby, and in lieu of each clause or provision of this Agreement that is
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, there shall be added, as a part of this
Agreement, a clause or provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid
or
unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible and as may be legal,
valid
and enforceable.
17.5 Section
409A.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, (i) to the extent
applicable, payment
of compensation under this Agreement will be administered in accordance with
the
requirements of Code Section 409A, including, without limitation, the
postponement for six (6) months of any one or more payments of such compensation
to the Executive, and (ii) if either the Company or the Executive determines
that any provision of this Agreement may cause compensation payable to the
Executive to be classified as income under Code Section 409A(a) or (b) and
thereby results in tax penalties to the Executive, the Company or the Executive,
as the case may be, shall notify the other party and the parties will jointly
determine if and to what extent the Agreement must be amended to comply with
Code Section 409A.
17.6 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, each of which
shall
be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one
and
the same Agreement.
17.7 Tax
Withholding.
The
Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement all federal,
state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or
governmental regulation or ruling.
17.8 Restrictive
Covenants of the Essence.
The
restrictive covenants of the Executive set forth herein are of the essence
of
this Agreement, and they shall be construed as independent of any other
provision in this Agreement; the existence of any claim or cause of action
of
the Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or
not,
shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the
restrictive covenants contained herein. The Company shall at all times maintain
the right to seek enforcement of these provisions whether or not the Company
has
previously refrained from seeking enforcement of any such provision as to
the
Executive or any other individual who has signed an agreement with similar
provisions. Notwithstanding any provision contained within this Agreement,
the
obligations of the Executive under Articles 8, 9, 10, 13 and 17 of this
Agreement shall continue after the termination of this Agreement and the
Executive’s employment and shall be binding on the Executive’s heirs, executors,
legal representatives and assigns.
20
17.9 Beneficiaries.
The
Executive may designate one (1) or more persons or entities as the primary
or
contingent beneficiaries of any amounts to be received under this Agreement.
Such designation must be in the form of a signed writing acceptable to the
Company’s chief legal officer. The Executive may make or change such designation
at any time.
17.10 Full
Settlement.
Except
as set forth in this Agreement, the Company’s obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including without
limitation, set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right
or
action which the Company may have against the Executive or others, except
to the
extent any amounts are due the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates
pursuant to a judgment against the Executive. In no event shall the Executive
be
obligated to seek other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable to
the
Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount
of
any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive
as
a result of employment by another employer; provided, that continued health,
dental and vision benefit plan participation pursuant to Section 7.5(b)(ii)
or Section 11.5(c) herein shall be reduced to the extent that the Executive
becomes eligible to such benefits from a subsequent employer.
17.11 Contractual
Rights to Benefits.
This
Agreement establishes and vests in the Executive a contractual right to the
benefits to which he is entitled hereunder. However, nothing herein contained
shall require or be deemed to require, or prohibit or be deemed to prohibit,
the
Company to segregate, earmark, or otherwise set aside any funds or other
assets
in trust or otherwise to provide for any payments to be made or required
hereunder.
17.12 Resignations.
Upon
the termination of the Executive’s employment, however such termination is
effected, he shall be deemed to have resigned as of the date of such termination
all offices and directorships he may have held with the Company and all
subsidiaries.
Article
18. Governing
Law
To
the
extent not preempted by federal law, the provisions of this Agreement shall
be
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, without reference to Virginia’s choice of law statutes or
decisions.
[Signature
Page Follows]
21
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have executed this Agreement
as
of the Effective Date.
CARMAX,
INC.:
|
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
President
and
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
EXECUTIVE/EMPLOYEE:
|
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Executive
Vice President and
Chief Administrative
Officer
|
22
EXHIBIT
A
[Form
of
Release]
AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE
CarMax,
Inc., its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, successors and assigns in
such
capacity, and the current, future and former employees, officers, directors,
trustees and agents thereof (collectively referred to throughout this Agreement
as the “Company”)
and
_______________________ (“Executive”),
his
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (together with
Executive, collectively referred to throughout this Agreement and General
Release as “Employee”)
agree:
1. Last
Day of Employment.
The
Executive’s last day of employment with the Company is ____________, 20__. In
addition, effective as of ____________, 20__, the Executive resigns from
the
Executive’s position as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer of the Company, and will not be eligible for any benefits or
compensation after ____________, 20__, other than as specifically provided
in
Articles 7 or 11, as applicable, of the Severance Agreement between the Company
and the Executive dated as of __________ __, 200_ (“Severance
Agreement”)
and
the Executive’s continued right to indemnification and directors and officers
liability insurance. In addition, effective as of ____________, 20__, the
Executive resigns from all offices, directorships, trusteeships, committee
memberships and fiduciary capacities held with, or on behalf of, the Company
or
any benefit plans of the Company. These resignations will become irrevocable
as
set forth in Section 3 below.
2. Consideration.
The
parties acknowledge that this Agreement and General Release is being executed
in
accordance with Article 7 or Article 11 of the Severance Agreement, as
applicable, and that this Agreement and General Release is a condition to
the
receipt by Employee of all payments and benefits thereunder.
3. Revocation.
The
Executive may revoke this Agreement and General Release for a period of seven
(7) calendar days following the day the Executive executes this Agreement
and
General Release. Any revocation within this period must be submitted, in
writing, to the Company and state, “I hereby revoke my acceptance of our
Agreement and General Release.” The revocation must be personally delivered to
the Company’s _______________, or his/her designee, or mailed to the Company,
_______________________________ and postmarked within seven (7) calendar
days of
execution of this Agreement and General Release. This Agreement and General
Release shall not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period
has expired. If the last day of the revocation period is a Saturday, Sunday,
or
legal holiday in Virginia, then the revocation period shall not expire until
the
next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday.
4. General
Release of Claims.
Employee knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges the Company
from any and all claims, rights, causes of action, demands, fees costs,
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and liabilities of any kind whatsoever,
whether known or unknown, against the Company, that Employee has, has ever
had
or may have as of the date of
23
execution
of this Agreement and General Release, including, but not limited to, any
alleged violation of:
●
|
The
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990;
|
●
|
The
National Labor Relations Act, as amended;
|
●
|
Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Civil Rights Act of 1991;
|
●
|
Sections
1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as
amended;
|
●
|
The
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Immigration Reform and Control Act, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as
amended;
|
●
|
The
Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended;
|
●
|
The
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993;
|
●
|
All
other federal, state or local civil or human rights laws, whistleblower
laws, or any other local, state or federal law, regulations and
ordinances;
|
●
|
All
public policy, contract, tort, or common laws; and
|
●
|
All
allegations for costs, fees, and other expenses including attorneys’ fees
incurred in these matters.
|
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters to which the Agreement
and
General Release do not apply are: (i) Employee’s rights of indemnification and
directors and officers liability insurance coverage to which the Executive
was
entitled immediately prior to __________ __, 20__ with regard to the Executive’s
service as an officer and director of the Company (including, without
limitation, under Article 15 of the Severance Agreement); (ii) Employee’s rights
under any tax-qualified pension plan or claims for accrued vested benefits
under
any other employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the
Company
or under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended;
(iii) Employee’s rights under Article 7 or Article 11 of the Severance
Agreement, as the case may be; and (iv) Employee’s rights as a stockholder of
the Company.
5. No
Claims Permitted.
Except
with respect to the filing of a petition for a declaratory judgment as permitted
in Article 13 of the Severance Agreement, Employee waives the Executive’s right
to file any charge or complaint against the Company arising out of
the
24
Executive’s
employment with or separation from the Company before any federal, state
or
local court or any state or local administrative agency, except where such
waivers are prohibited by law. This Agreement and General Release, however,
does
not prevent Employee from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, any other federal government agency, or any government agency
concerning claims of discrimination, although Employee waives the Executive’s
right to recover any damages or other relief in any claim or suit brought
by or
through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other state or
local
agency on behalf of Employee under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, or any other federal or state discrimination law, except
where
such waivers are prohibited by law.
6. Affirmations.
Employee affirms the Executive has not filed, has not caused to be filed,
and is
not presently a party to, any claim, complaint, or action against the Company
in
any forum or form. Employee further affirms that the Executive has been paid
or
has received all compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits
to
which the Executive may be entitled and no other compensation, wages, bonuses,
commissions and benefits are due to the Executive, except as provided in
Article
7 or Article 11 of the Severance Agreement, as applicable. The Employee also
affirms the Executive has no known workplace injuries.
7. Cooperation;
Return of Property.
Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its counsel
in
connection with any investigation, administrative proceeding, arbitration
or
litigation relating to any matter that occurred during the Executive’s
employment in which the Executive was involved or of which the Executive
has
knowledge. The Company will reimburse the Employee for any reasonable
out-of-pocket travel, delivery or similar expenses incurred in providing
such
service to the Company. Employee represents that the Executive has returned
to
the Company all property belonging to the Company, including but not limited
to
any leased vehicle, laptop, cell phone, keys, access cards, phone cards and
credit cards.
8. Governing
Law and Interpretation.
This
Agreement and General Release shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without reference
to
Virginia’s choice of law statutes or decisions. In the event Employee or the
Company breaches any provision of this Agreement and General Release, Employee
and the Company acknowledge that either
may institute an action to specifically enforce any term or terms of this
Agreement and General Release pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions
of
Article 13 of the Severance Agreement. Should any provision of this Agreement
and General Release be declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction and should the provision be incapable of being modified
to be enforceable, such provision shall immediately become null and void,
leaving the remainder of this Agreement and General Release in full force
and
effect. Nothing herein, however, shall operate to void or nullify any
enforceable general release language contained in this Agreement and General
Release.
9. No
Admission of Wrongdoing.
Employee agrees neither this Agreement and General Release nor the furnishing
of
the consideration for this Agreement and General Release shall be deemed
or
construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by the Company of any
liability or unlawful conduct of any kind.
25
10. Amendment.
This Agreement and General Release may not be modified, altered or changed
except upon express written consent of both parties wherein specific reference
is made to this Agreement and General Release.
11. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and General Release sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and fully supersedes any prior agreements or understandings
between the parties; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in
this
Agreement and General Release, the provisions in the Severance Agreement
which
are intended to survive termination of the Severance Agreement, including
but
not limited to those contained in Articles 8, 9 and 10, 13 and in Section
17.2
thereof, shall survive and continue in full force and effect. Employee
acknowledges the Executive has not relied on any representations, promises,
or
agreements of any kind made to the Executive in connection with the Executive’s
decision to accept this Agreement and General Release.
EMPLOYEE
HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT EXECUTIVE HAS UP TO TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAYS TO
REVIEW AND CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AND HAS BEEN ADVISED
IN
WRITING TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT
AND
GENERAL RELEASE.
EMPLOYEE
AGREES ANY MODIFICATIONS, MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE, MADE TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
GENERAL RELEASE DO NOT RESTART OR AFFECT IN ANY MANNER THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE
(21) CALENDAR DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD.
HAVING
ELECTED TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, TO FULFILL THE PROMISES
SET FORTH HEREIN, AND TO RECEIVE THE SUMS AND BENEFITS SET FORTH IN THE
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, TO WHICH EMPLOYEE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED, EMPLOYEE
FREELY AND KNOWINGLY, AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE INTENDING TO WAIVE, SETTLE AND RELEASE ALL CLAIMS EMPLOYEE
HAS OR MIGHT HAVE AGAINST THE COMPANY, AS OF THE DATE OF EXECUTION OF THIS
AGREEMENT.
[Signature
Page Follows]
26
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily executed this
Agreement and General Release as of the date set forth below:
CARMAX,
INC.:
|
|
By: ______________________________ | |
Name:_____________________________ | |
Title:______________________________ | |
|
|
EXECUTIVE/EMPLOYEE:
|
|
Name:
_____________________________
|
27