Exhibit 10.37
This
Agreement is entered into as of the 12th day of February, 2003, by and between Storage
Technology Corporation (the "Company"), and _______________ (the "Executive").
WHEREAS,
the Executive is in high level position with the Company, and the Company recognizes the
valuable services that the Executive provides to the Company and desires to be assured
that Executive will be available to actively participate in the business of the Company;
and
WHEREAS,
the Executive is willing to accept continued employment with the Company, but desires
assurance that in the event of any change in control of the Company Executive will
continue to have opportunities and status similar to which Executive was appointed; serve
the Company but desires assurance that in the event of any change in control of the
Company Executive will continue to have the opportunities and status Executive has earned;
NOW,
THERFFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements herein
contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.
Term. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and
shall terminate, except to the extent that any obligation of the Company
hereunder remains unpaid as of such time, upon the earliest of (i) three (3)
years from the date hereof; (ii) the termination of the Executives employment
with the Company based on death, “Disability” (as defined in Section
3(b)) or “Cause” (as defined in Section 3(c)) or by the Executive
other than for “Good Reason” (as defined in Section 3(d); and (iii)
two (2) years from the date of a “Change in Control of the Company”
(as defined in Section 2) if the Executive is employed by the Company as of such
time. The three (3) year period referred to in item (i) above shall
automatically be extended for an additional year on each anniversary date of
this Agreement to renew the three year period refined to in item (i) above,
unless the Company gives written notice to the contrary to the Executive at
least thirty (30) days prior to such anniversary date; provided that the Company
may not deliver a notice of non-renewal after (A) a Potential Change in Control
(as defined in Section 2 hereto unless the Board of Directors of the Company
(the “Board”) has adopted a Nullification Resolution (as defined in
Section 2 hereof) with respect to such Potential Change in Control or (B) a
Change in Control (as defined in Section 2 hereof).
2. Change in Control.
| (a) |
Payment of Severance. No compensation shall be payable under this
Agreement unless and until (a) there shall have been a “Change in
Control” (as defined in Section 2) of the Company while the Executive is
still an employee of the Company and (b) the Executive is no longer an employee
of the Company as a result of a termination by the Company other than pursuant
to Sections 3(b) or 3(c) hereof or by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 3(d), provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, if a Change in Control of the Company occurs and
if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change in Control of the Company occurs, and if there is a
reasonable basis that such termination of employment (1) was at the request of a
third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in
Control of the Company or (2) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation
of a Change in Control of the Company, then such termination of employment shall
be treated as a termination of the Executive’s employment following a
Change in Control of the Company. |
| (b) |
Change in Control Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Change in Control” of the Company shall mean: |
| (i) |
the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or
more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(the “Outstanding, Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting
power of the Then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting
Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this
definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control:
(1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the
Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any company controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections (iii)(A),
(iii)(B) and (iii)(C) of this definition; |
| (ii) |
individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute The Board (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof, whose election, or nomination
for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; |
| (iii) |
consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or
consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business
Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination,
(A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the
beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as
the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such
transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least
a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board
providing for such Business Combination; or |
| (iv) |
approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company. |
| (c) |
Potential Change in Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
“Potential Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i)
any Person commences a tender offer, with adequate financing, which, if
consummated, would result in such Person having the ownership” (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 10% or more of the outstanding voting
power of tire Company; (ii) the Company enters into an agreement the
consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control; (iii) any person
(including any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b) under the Exchange
Act) other than the Company attempts, directly or indirectly, to replace more
than 25% of the directors of the Company; or (iv) any other event occurs which
the Board declares to be a Potential Change in Control. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if, after a Potential Change in Control and before a Change in
Control, the Board makes a good faith determination that such Potential Change
in Control will not result in a Change in Control, the Board may nullify the
effect of the Potential Change in Control (a “Nullification”) by
resolution (a “Nullification Resolution”), in which case the Executive
shall have no farther rights and obligations under this Agreement by reason of
such Potential Change in Control. |
3. Termination Following
Change in Control.
| (a) |
Termination. If a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred
while the Executive is still an employee of the Company, the Executive shall be
entitled to the compensation provided in Section 4 upon the subsequent
termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company by the Executive
or by the Company within the two (2) year period immediately following a Change
in Control of the Company unless such termination is as a result of the
Executive’s (i) death; (ii) Disability; (iii) termination by the Company
for Cause; or (iv) termination by the Executive other than for Good Reason. |
| (b) |
Disability. If, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness, (i) the Executive shall have been absent from his
duties, with the Company on a full-time basis for nine (9) months and (ii)
within thirty (30) days after such nine (9) month period a “Notice of
Termination” (as defined in Section 3(e) is given by the Company to the
Executive and (iii) thereafter the Executive shall not have returned to the
full-time performance of the Executive’s duties, the Company may terminate
this Agreement for “Disability”. |
| (c) |
Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for
Cause. For purposes of this Agreement only, the Company shall have
“Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder only
upon (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to attempt to
perform substantially his duties with the Company (other than any such failure
resulting from Disability), after a demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, which specifically identifies the manner in which the Executive has not
attempted to substantially perform his duties, or (ii) the engaging by the
Executive in willful misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company,
monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of this Section 3(c), no act, or failure
to act, on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful”
unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith and
without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in
the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon
authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the
instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or a senior officer
of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be
conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in
good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been Terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of at least 3/4 of the Board at
a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice
is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together
with counsel for the Executive, to be heard before the Board) finding that in
the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of conduct set
forth in the second sentence of this Section 3(c) and specifying the particulars
thereof. |
| (d) |
Good Reason. The Executive may terminate Executive’s employment for
Good Reason at any time during the Term of this Agreement either by resignation
or by retirement (if eligible) other than a Mandatory Retirement. For purposes
of this Agreement “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following: |
| (i) |
a substantial diminution of the Executive’s position, duties, or
responsibilities with the Company as in effect immediately prior to a Change in
Control of the Company; |
| (ii) |
a material reduction by the Company in the Executive’s remuneration as in
effect immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control of the Company,
unless a similar reduction is applied to all similarly situated executives or
the Company’s failure to increase (within 12 months of the Executive’s
last increase in base salary) the Executive’s base salary after a Change in
Control of the Company in an amount similar to other executives at the Company
after the Change in Control; |
| (iii) |
any failure by the Company to continue in effect any plan or arrangement,
including without limitation benefit and incentive plans, in which the Executive
is participating immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control of the
Company, (hereinafter referred to as “Plans”), unless the Company
provides for the Executive to participate in replacement benefit and incentive
plans that are not materially less favorable in the aggregate than the Plans, or
the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect the
Executive’s participation in or materially reduce the Executive’s
benefits under any such Plan or replacement plan or deprive the Executive of any
materially less favorable fringe benefits in the aggregate as compared to those
enjoyed by the Executive immediately prior to the Time of a Change in Control of
the Company; |
| (iv) |
the Executive’s relocation to any place more than twenty-five (25) miles
from the location at which the Executive performed Executive’s duties
immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control of the Company, except for
a single relocation to a location in the United States which is accompanied with
all relocation benefits at a level of no less than those provided to executives
with similar position, duties, responsibilities and status and except for
required travel by the Executive on the Company’s business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive’s business travel obligations
immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control of the Company, |
| (v) |
any failure by the Company to provide the Executive with the number of annual
paid leave (vacation or PTO) days to which this Executive is entitled
immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control of the Company; |
| (vi) |
any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement or any
other material agreement with the Executive; |
| (vii) |
any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any
successor or assign of the Company; or |
| (viii) |
any purported termination of the Executive’s employment which is not
effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of
Section 3(e), and for purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination
shall be effective. |
For purposes of this Section 3(d),
any good faith determination of Good Reason made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
| (e) |
Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(b) or 3(c) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3(d) shall be
communicated by a Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which shall
indicate those specific termination provisions in this Agreement relied upon and
which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the
provision so indicated. For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported
termination by the Company shall be effective without such Notice of
Termination. |
| (f) |
Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (a) if
this Agreement is terminated by the Company for Disability, thirty (30) days
after Notice of Termination is given to the Executive (provided that the
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the Executive’s
duties on a full-time basis during such 30-day period) or (b) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason or
by the Executive for Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is
given; provided that if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination
is given to the Executive by the Company the Executive notifies the Company that
a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be
the date the dispute is finally determined, whether by mutual agreement by the
parties or upon final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction (the time for appeal there from having expired and no appeal having
been perfected). |
4.
Severance Payment upon Termination of Employment. If,
during the two (2) year period immediately following a Change in Control of the
Company, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than
pursuant to Section 3(b) or 3(c) or if the Executive shall terminate his/her
employment for Good Reason, pursuant to Section 3(d) then the Company shall pay
to the Executive the following as severance pay (the “Severance
Payment”):
| (a) |
a lump sum payment, within five (5) days of the Date of Termination, equal to
the sum of (1) two (2) times the sum of (i) Executive’s current annual base
salary (the “Annual Base Salary”) and (ii) the Executive’s target
annual incentive compensation for the year in which the Date of Termination
occurs (the “Annual Bonus”), (2) the Executive’s Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, (3) any previous years annual incentive
payments (determined based upon actual Company results and not reduced for
individual performance), to the extent not theretofore paid, (4) payment for any
accrued vacation or PTO time (5) any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) or in the
alternative, at the Executive’s sole choice, the ability to remain in any
deferred compensation or successor plans to the extent permitted by such a plan
and (6) the product of (x) the Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination
occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365; |
| (b) |
the Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and his eligible
dependents, in a manner and timing provided for in all the benefit and welfare
plans, policies and programs, executive services, perquisites and insurance
plans or programs in which the Executive participates in effect immediately
prior to the time of the Change in Control of the Company (or any successor
benefit and welfare plans, policies and programs, executive services,
perquisites and insurance plans or programs, to the extent more favorable to the
Executive). Depending upon the circumstances, these benefit and welfare plans
may include, without limitation, medical coverage and officer supplemental
medical reimbursement, group and executive supplemental life insurance,
short-term and long term disability, automobile allowance, automobile insurance,
automobile servicing and financial counseling allowance for twenty-four (24)
months after the Executive’s Date of Termination. In addition, Executive
shall receive a lump-sum in cash, payable within five (5) days after the Date of
Termination equal to the total value of twenty-four (24) months of matching
contributions made by the Company on behalf of Executive under the
Company’s tax qualified defined contribution plan (and under any
non-qualified defined contribution plan providing matching contributions) at a
matching level equal to the level of participation of Executive prior to the
Date of Termination, plus any Company matching contributions under such plans
forfeited as of the Date of Termination. Provided, however, that if during such
twenty-four (24) month time period the Executive should enter into employment
with a new employer and become eligible to receive a comparable benefit (on a
benefit by benefit basis), the continued benefit described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under the plans of such employer during such
applicable period of eligibility. Executive shall be fully vested in any account
balance, matching and all other benefits under such plans. In the event the
Executive is ineligible, for whatever reason to continue to be so covered with
respect to any of the above-referenced plans or programs, the Company shall
provide substantially equivalent coverage through other sources. Following the
end of the twenty-four (24) month period during which medical benefits are
provided, the Executive shall be eligible for continued health coverage under
“COBRA” as if the Executive’s employment with the Company had
terminated as of the end of such period. For purposes of calculating the
Executive’s age and years of service for determining eligibility (but not
the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for the Company’s
retiree medical and life insurance benefits, the Executive shall be considered
to have remained employed until twenty-four (24) months after the Date of
Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period, and such
benefits, and costs to the Executive of such coverage, shall be no less
favorable to the Executive than as in effect as of the Change in Control of the
Company and shall not be effected by any subsequent employment of the Executive; |
| (c) |
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other agreement, all
rights that have not previously vested relating to all stock options and
restricted stock shall immediately vest and all restrictions shall be waived and
Executive shall have ninety (90) days after the Date of Termination to exercise
all outstanding options. |
| (d) |
to the extent the Date of Termination is after year end, but before the
determination of a LEAP Payout (or equivalent replacement plan), Executive shall
at the same time as previously scheduled, receive their full LEAP (or equivalent
replacement plan) award based up the prior year’s results. In addition,
Executive shall receive a prorated LEAP award for the year of termination (if
the LEAP program is in place) or prorated portion of an equivalent replacement
plan the product of (x) the LEAP or other plan award at target and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in
which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the
denominator of which is 365. All stock options and restricted stock provided
under this paragraph shall be vested and all restrictions shall be waived and
Executive shall have ninety (90) days after the Date of Termination to exercise
all outstanding options. In the event the equity to be issued under the LEAP
program no longer exists at the Termination Date, Executive’s stock options
shall be converted as provided for all other options that existed prior to the
Change in Control and the restricted stock shall be converted as provided for
other shares of the Company that existed prior to the Change in Control. |
| (e) |
to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or
provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or
provided or that the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program,
policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company. |
| (f) |
Certain Additional Payments. |
| (i) |
In the event that any payment benefit or other entitlement received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Company
or the termination of the Executive’s employment (whether payable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with
Company, any person whose actions result in a Change in Control of the Company
or any person affiliated with the Company or such person (together with the
Severance Payment, the “Total Payments”, and each a
“Payment”)) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any
corresponding provisions of state or local tax laws, or any interest or
penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect To such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties is hereinafter
collectively referred to as (the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up
Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all
taxes (including, but not limited to, any income taxes, employment taxes, Excise
Taxes and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to any such taxes)
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive will retain an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Those
Payments that are subject to the Excise Tax shall be referred to herein as the
“Parachute Payments”. Notwithstanding The foregoing provisions of this
Section 4(f), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a
Gross-Up Payment, but that the portion of the Payments that would be Treated as
“parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code does not exceed
105% of the greatest amount of Parachute Payments that could be paid or
otherwise provided to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not
give rise to any Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Amount”) then no
Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the amounts payable under
this Agreement shall be reduced so that the total Parachute Payments are reduced
to the Safe Harbor Amount. The reduction of the amounts payable or otherwise
provided under this Agreement, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing
the Parachute Payments under Section 4(a)(i); unless an alternative method of
reduction is elected by the Executive. For purposes of reducing the total
Parachute Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, only Parachute Payments payable or
otherwise provided under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be
reduced. If the reduction of the amount payable or otherwise to be provided
under this Agreement would not result in a reduction of the total Parachute
Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, no amounts payable or otherwise to be
provided under this Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this Section 4(f).
The Company’s obligation to make Gross-Up Payments under this Section 4(f)
shall not be conditioned upon the Executive’s termination of employment. |
| (ii) |
All determinations required to be made under this Section, including whether
and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment
and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by the Company’s independent accountants (the “Accountants”)
in consultation with the Executive and his advisors. To the extent the
Accountants are unable to perform this task, for legal or other reasons, an
accounting firm will be mutually chosen by the parties which will act as the
“Accountants”). The Accountants shall provide detailed supporting
calculations to the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt
of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment (or, if later, within
fifteen (15) days of the date it is determined by the Accountants that the
Payment is subject to the Excise Tax). In connection with any such calculations,
the Accountants shall provide the Executive with a written opinion explaining
the basis for their conclusion with respect to the applicability or
inapplicability of Section 4999 of the Code. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined
pursuant to this Section, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within
five days of the receipt of the Accountant’s determination. As a result of
the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments may not have been made b the Company that should have
been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required
to be made hereunder. In the event that either (A) the Company does not dispute
that the Executive is required to make a payment of Excise Tax or (B) the
Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 4(f) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive. If (x) it is established pursuant to (I) a final determination of a
court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding from either of which no appeal
can be taken or (y) a written opinion is provided by of independent counsel
agreed upon by the parties that the Excise Tax is less than the amount taken
into account under Section 4(f) of this Agreement, the Executive shall repay to
the Company within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s receipt of notice of
such final determination or opinion The portion of the Gross-Up Payment
a-attributable to such reduction plus any interest received by the Executive on
the amount of such repayment (after taxes applicable thereto.) |
| (iii) |
The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by The Company of
the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable
but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing
of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following The date on
which the Executive gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes, with respect to such claim is
due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration
of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall: |
|
(A)
give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to
such claim, |
|
(B)
take such action in connection with contesting such Claim as the Company shall
reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation,
accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company, |
|
(C)
cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such
claim, and |
(D)
permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that
the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional
interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest and penalties with respect therein) imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 4(f), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the
tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative
tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, The Company shall advance the amount of
such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with
respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any
extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year
of the Executive with respect to which such contested amounts claimed to be due is limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest
shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder and The Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be,
any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
| (iv) |
If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by The Company
pursuant to Section 4(f), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund
with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s
complying with the requirements of Section 4(f)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thmto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4(f), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest
such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid. |
| (v) |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4, the Company may, in its
sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service or any
other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the Executive, all or any
portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such
withholding, provided, that such withholding shall in no event place the
Executive in a less favorable after-tax position. |
5. No Obligation To Seek
Further Employment, No Effect on Other Contractual Rights.
| (a) |
The Executive shall not be required to seek other employment, nor shall the
amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any
compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another
employer after the Date of Termination, or otherwise, except as may be provided
under Section 4(b) with respect to benefits. The Company’s obligation to
make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense, or other claim, right or action that the Company may have
against the Executive or others. |
| (b) |
The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall
not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish the
Executive’s existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely as a
result of the passage of time, under any employee benefit plan, program or
policy of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive receives
payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall not be
entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or
policy of the Company or its affiliates, unless otherwise specifically provided
therein in a specific reference to this Agreement. |
6.
Other Requirements. In the event Executive receives the severance
and benefits pursuant to paragraph 4, Executive agrees that:
| (a) |
for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive’s Termination Date,
Executive will not directly or indirectly engage in (whether as an a employee,
consultant, proprietor, partner, director, officer or otherwise), or have any
ownership interest in, or participate in the financing, operation, management or
control of, any person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
business entity that engages in any business that is the same, similar to, or in
competition with any product, service, or process that was marketed, sold under
development, or developed by Company during Executive’s employment with
Company. The parties agree that no more than 1% of the outstanding voting stock
of a publicly traded company or any stock owned by Executive as of the
Termination Date shall not constitute a violation of this paragraph. Executive
further agrees and acknowledges that because of the nature and type of business
that Company engages in, the geographic scope of this covenant shall include all
counties, cities and states of the United States, and any and all other
countries, territories, regions, cities, localities, in which Company conducts
business, and that such a geographic scope is reasonable. |
| (b) |
Executive will not, individually or with others, directly or indirectly
(including without limitation, individually or through any business, venture,
proprietorship, partnership, or corporation in which they control or own more
than a 1% interest, through any agents, through any contractors, through
recruiters, by their successors, by their employees, or by their assigns)
recruit or solicit any Company employee, contractor or consultant or induce any
employee, contractor or consultant of the Company to leave the Company for a
period of eighteen (18) months from Executive Termination Date. |
| (c) |
Executive and the Company will not make disparaging or harmful comments will be
publicly or privately that could injure or harm the reputation of Executive or
the Company. |
| (d) |
any controversy or claim arising between Executive and the Company including,
without limitation, any claims, demands or causes of action alleging wrongful
discharge; unlawful discrimination based on sex, age, race, national origin,
disability, religion or other unlawful basis; breach of contract; or any claims
seeking damages under any federal, state or local law, rule, regulation or
common law theory; but excluding any claims by Executive for worker’s
compensation or unemployment compensation, and excluding any claims by the
Company for injunctive relief (for instance, for breach of confidentiality,
breach of a covenant not to compete, violation of trade secrets, or unfair
competition), shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration. The Executive
voluntarily waives any right to submit claims to a judge or jury in either state
or federal court. The arbitration shall be held in Denver, Colorado, or
elsewhere by mutual agreement. The selection of the arbitrator and procedure
shall be governed by the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association, as amended. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer with
expertise in negotiating and drafting executive agreements on behalf of both
executive and public corporations. The arbitrator shall apply the applicable
substantive law to any claim; for any state law claim or damages issues, the law
of Colorado shall govern, including but not limited to the provisions of C.R.S.
Sections 13-21-102(5). Upon Executive’s request, copies of C.R.S. Sections
13-21-102(5) and the above referenced Rules of the American Arbitration
Association, as amended will be provided to Executive. Any court having
jurisdiction may enter judgment upon an award rendered by arbitration. The
Parties agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration shall be awarded its
reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the extent provided by law. The
Company will pay the cost normally associated with the arbitration, including
the arbitrator’s fee and any fee for a hearing facility. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this paragraph the Company shall be free to pursue
injunctive relief against Executive for violation of this Section 6 of this
Agreement and/or the terms of Executive’s Proprietary Rights Agreement with
the Company. |
| (e) |
Executive will reasonably (taking into account Executive’s other
employment or activities) assist in consulting with the Company with respect to
any litigation, disputes, regulatory matters or matters in the Executives prior
areas of responsibility. Executive will receive compensation for all such time
expended such consulting activities at the hourly rate (portal to portal)
determined by dividing the sum of the Executive’s current Annual Base
Salary and Annual Bonus at target by 2000. In addition, Executive shall be
entitled to compensation for any reasonable expenses incurred in providing such
consulting under this paragraph. The Company will pay the Executive within
thirty days after any of the obligations under this paragraph are incurred. |
| (f) |
the Company would suffer an irreparable injury if Executive were to breach the
covenants contained in this Section and that the Company would by reason of such
breach or threatened breach be entitled to injunctive relief in a court of
appropriate jurisdiction and Executive hereby stipulate to the entering of such
injunctive relief prohibiting Executive from engaging in such breach. |
7. Successor to the
Company.
| (a) |
The Company will require any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Executive, expressly, absolutely and unconditionally to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or
assignment had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall
mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor or assign to its
business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement
provided for in this Section 7 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms
and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. If at any time during the
term of this Agreement the Executive is employed by any corporation a majority
of the voting securities of which is then owned by the Company,
“Company” as used in Sections 3 and 4 hereof shall in addition include
such corporation. In such event, the Company agrees that it shall pay or shall
cause such corporation to pay any amounts owed to the Executive pursuant To
Sections 4 and 12 hereof |
| (b) |
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive’s personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should
die while any amounts are still payable to him hereunder, 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,
if there be no such designee, to the Executive’s estate. |
8.
Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided or in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when, delivered or mailed by United States
certified mail, return receipt registered, postage prepaid, as follows:
|
|
|
If to the Company:
Storage Technology Corporation
Xxx XxxxxxxXxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Executive:
_______________
_______________
_______________ |
or such other address as either party
may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
9.
Other Agreements or Understandings. This Agreement
supersedes and replaces any other agreements or arrangements which the Executive
has or in the future receives from the Company relating to value or benefits to
be received after a termination of employment (other than pursuant to sections
3(b) or 3(c) hereof) after a Change in Control provided, however,
this Agreement can be modified or replaced only if Executive executes an
agreement in which Executive specifically references this Agreement and
specifically agrees to its modification or replacement. In the event Executive
receives the benefits under Section 4 of this agreement, Executive is not
entitled to benefits under any other agreement or arrangement, other than under
the terms of any standard Company plans and programs or as required by law. To
the extent Executive has in the past, or in future, receives other agreement or
arrangements which cover or relate to other compensation, bonuses, stock option,
restricted stock, other equity, benefits, severance, circumstances or issues not
covered this Agreement, this Agreement does not abrogate, modify or replace such
provisions.
10.
Miscellaneous. No provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by
either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to conflicts
of law principles.
11.
Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
12.
Compliance with Corporate Governance Legislation or other
Laws. To the extent any provision or condition of this Agreement
is inconsistent with or unenforceable because it is in inconsistent with or in
violation of any corporate governance legislation or law, this Agreement will be
revised to affect its intent and purpose in a way no less favorable to the
Executive.
13.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the Same instrument.
14.
Legal Fees and Expenses. The Company agrees to pay as
incurred (within ten (10) days following the Company’s receipt of an
invoice from the Executive), to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest
brought in good faith (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the, validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any
payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus, in each case, interest on any delayed
payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of
the Code.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
Storage Technology Corporation
By:__________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxx
Chairman of the Human Resources
and Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors |
|
The Executive:
—————————————— |
