Updated as of 2/28/97
EXHIBIT 10.17
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of January 1, 1997, between AMERICAN TELESOURCE
INTERNATIONAL., Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and H. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx ("Executive").
The Company and the Executive desire to enter into certain agreements
providing for Executive's employment with the Company.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ Executive and Executive accepts
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such employment for the period beginning January 1, 1997 (the "Start Date") and
ending upon termination pursuant to paragraph 1 (D) hereof (the "Employment
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Period").
(A) Services. During the Employment Period, Executive will be the Chief
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Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, and in connection
therewith will render such services of an executive and administrative character
to the Company and its affiliates as are customarily rendered by persons holding
such position with similarly situated companies, as the Board of Directors of
American TeleSource International Inc., an Ontario, Canada corporation (the
"Board") may from time to time direct. Executive will devote his best efforts
and substantially all of his business time and attention (except as otherwise
specifically permitted herein and except for vacation periods and reasonable
periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business of the Company and its
affiliates and will faithfully and diligently carry out such duties and have
such responsibilities as are customary among persons employed in substantially
similar capacities for similar companies. Executive will report to the President
and shall faithfully and diligently comply with all of its reasonable and lawful
directives. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "affiliates" means any
corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity
engaged in the same business as the Company or a related business, which
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.
(B) Salary. During the Employment Period and thereafter as provided in
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paragraph (D) below, the Company will pay Executive a base salary at the rate of
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not less than $95,000 per annum (or such higher amount as the Board may
establish from time to time), and will be payable in accordance with the
Company's regular payroll practices.
(C) Benefits. In addition to the compensation described above in this
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paragraph 1, Executive will be entitled during the Employment Period to the
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following benefits:
(1) such bonus as the Board in its sole discretion may from time to time
authorize, but in no event shall bonuses paid during a year exceed 50% of
Executive's base salary for such year;
(2) such health insurance and other benefits as are available from time to
time to the Company's salaried employees generally;
(3) in accordance with the Company's vacation and absence paid as in
effect from time to time, sick leave, personal time provided that Executive
shall have no less than three weeks vacation each year, with salary;
(4) reimbursement, upon submission of documentation in accordance with the
Company's regular expense policies, for reasonable business expenses incurred on
the Company's behalf by Executive;
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(5) participation in any savings plan, 401(k) plan, profit sharing plan or
pension plan as is available from time to time to the Company's salaried
employees generally; and
(6) opportunity to participate in any and all employee benefit plans from
time to time in effect for executives or salaried employees of the Company
generally (subject to any contribution therefore generally required by such
employees and except to the extent such plans are in a category of benefit
otherwise provided to Executive).
(D) Termination. Unless earlier terminated by termination of Executive's
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employment pursuant to any of the provisions immediately below, Executive's
employment with the Company will continue until the third anniversary of the
Start Date, and Executive's employment shall be renewed automatically for one-
year periods thereafter unless either party hereto gives written notice to the
other party, at least 120 days prior to the next anniversary date, that such
employment shall not be renewed:
(1) Death. In the event of Executive's death during the term hereof,
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Executive's employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate.
Notwithstanding such event, the Company shall pay to Executive's designated
beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been designated by Executive, to his
estate, the base salary at the rate in effect on the date of death for a period
of 6 months. The Company shall also pay to Executive's designated beneficiary
or, if no beneficiary has been designated by Executive, to his estate, any
incentive compensation that is earned but unpaid, based on the operations of the
Company for the whole year, prorated through the date of death.
(2) Disability.
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(a) The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder,
upon notice to Executive, in the event that Executive becomes disabled during
his employment hereunder through any illness, injury, accident or condition of
either a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is unable to perform
substantially all of his duties and responsibilities hereunder for 90 days
during any period of 365 consecutive calendar days. In the event of such
termination, until the earliest of (i) the conclusion of the then-current term
of this Agreement and (ii) the conclusion of a period of 6 months following the
date of termination, the Company shall continue to pay Executive the base salary
at the Rate in effect on the date of termination and shall continue to
contribute to the cost of Executive's participation in the Company's group
medical and dental insurance plan, if any, provided that Executive is entitled
to continue such participation under applicable law and plan terms. The Company
will also pay Executive, in the case of such termination, any incentive
compensation that is earned but unpaid, based on the operations of the Company
for the whole year, prorated through the date of such termination;
(b) While receiving disability income payments under the
Company's disability income plan, if any, Executive shall be entitled to
receive the excess, if any, of base salary under paragraph I (B) hereof over
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such disability income payments, and shall be entitled to receive such bonus
and other benefits as are described in paragraph 1(C), until the termination of
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his employment andexcept to the extent a longer period is specified in paragraph
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1(D)(2)(a).
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(3) Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may at any time
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terminate Executive's employment without Cause (as defined below) by giving
Executive written notice of the effective date of termination. In the event of
such termination, the Company shall have the continuing obligation to make
payments of base salary in accordance with paragraph (B) above at the rate in
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effect on the effective date of such termination until the third anniversary of
the Start Date or until 12 months after the effective date of such termination,
whichever period is longer. Additionally, during such period following
termination as the Company shall have the continuing obligation to make payments
of base salary, the Company shall continue to contribute to the cost of
Executive's participation in the Company's group medical and insurance plans, if
any, provided that Executive is entitled to continue such participation under
applicable law and plan. The Company will also pay Executive, in the event of
such termination, any incentive compensation that is earned but unpaid, based on
operations of the Company for the whole year, prorated through the date of his
termination.
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(4) Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company shall have the right
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to terminate the Executive's employment at any time for any of the following
reasons (each of which is referred to herein as "Cause") by giving Executive
written notice of the effective date of termination (which effective date may be
the date of such notice):
(a) the willful breach of any provision of paragraphs 1(A), 2, 3, 4 or
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5 (including, but not limited to, a refusal to follow reasonable and lawful
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directives of the President; provided, however, that to the extent that such
breach is curable, the President will give Executive written notice of such
breach and Executive will have 30 days from the receipt of such notice to cure
such breach;
(b) any act of fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty with
respect to any aspect of the Company's business;
(c) continued use of illegal drugs;
(d) substantial failure of performance, repeated or continued after
written notice of such failure and explanation of such failure of performance,
which is reasonably determined by the Board of Directors to be materially
injurious to the business or interests of the Company; or
(e) conviction of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude.
If the Company terminates Executive's employment for any of the reasons
set forth above in this paragraph 1(D)4 , the Company shall have no other
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obligations hereunder (including the obligation to continue to make payments of
base salary as provided in paragraph 1(D)3 from and after the effective date of
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termination and shall have all other rights and remedies available under this or
any other agreement and at law or in equity.
(5) By the Executive for Good Reason. Executive may terminate his
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employment hereunder for Good Reason, upon written notice to the Company setting
forth the nature of such Good Reason in reasonable detail. "Good Reason" shall
mean:
(a) the material failure of the Company to provide Executive the
base salary and incentive compensation and benefits in accordance with the terms
of paragraph 1 and paragraph 6 hereof;
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(b) the material diminution in the nature or scope of Executive's
responsibilities, duties or authority; or
(c) the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined herein).
In the event of termination in accordance with this paragraph 1(D)(5), the
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Company shall continue to pay Executive the base salary at the rate in effect on
the effective date of such termination until the third anniversary of the Start
Date or, in the event this Agreement has been automatically extended thereafter
in accordance with paragraph 1(D) hereof, until next anniversary of the Start
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Date. Additionally, during such period following termination as the Company
shall have the continuing obligation to make payments of base salary, the
Company shall continue to contribute to the cost of Executive's participation in
the Company's group medical and insurance plans, if any, provided that Executive
is entitled to continue such participation under applicable law and plan. The
Company will also pay Executive, in the event of such termination, any incentive
compensation that is earned but unpaid, based on operations of the Company for
the whole year, prorated through the date of his termination.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any "person"
(as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended), becomes the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of outstanding securities of
the Company representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the
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outstanding securities of the Company, or (ii) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the
Board of Directors or nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still
in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any
reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the shareholders of the
Company approve (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
entity (other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) at least 60% of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation), (B) a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or (C) an agreement or agreements for the sale or
disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, by the
Company of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, events otherwise constituting a Change in Control
in accordance with the foregoing shall not constitute a Change in Control if
such events are solicited by the Company and are, if Executive is then a member
of the Board, approved, recommended or supported by Executive in his capacity as
a member of the Board of the Company in actions taken prior to, and with respect
to, such events.
(6) Voluntary Termination by Executive. Except as provided in paragraph
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1(D)(5), in the event that Executive's employment with the Company is terminated
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by Executive, such termination shall be a breach of this Agreement and the
Company shall have no further obligations hereunder from and after the date of
such termination.
2. Nondisclosure. Executive acknowledges that during the course of his
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performance of services for the Company he has acquired and will acquire
technical knowledge with respect to the Company's business operations,
including, by way of illustration, the Company's existing and contemplated
services, trade secrets, patents and selling techniques and information,
customer lists, supplier lists, and confidential information relating to the
Company's policy and/or business strategy (all of such information herein
referenced to as the "Confidential Information"); provided, however, that the
term "Confidential Information" shall not include (a) any information which is
or becomes publicly available otherwise than through breach of this Agreement,
or (b) any information which is or becomes known or available to Executive on a
non-confidential basis and not in contravention of applicable law from a source
which is entitled to disclose such information to Executive. Executive agrees
that he will not, while he is employed by the Company, divulge to any person,
directly or indirectly, except to the Company or its officers and agents or as
reasonably required in connection with his duties on behalf of the Company, or
use, except on behalf of the Company, any Confidential Information acquired by
Executive during the term of his employment. Executive agrees that he will not,
at any time after his employment with the Company has ended, divulge to any
person directly or indirectly any Confidential Information. Executive further
agrees that if his relationship with the Company is terminated (for whatever
reason) he shall not take with him but will leave with the Company all records,
papers and computer data and any copies thereof relating to the Confidential
Information (or if such papers, records, computer data or copies are not on the
premises of the Company, Executive agrees to return such papers, records and
computer data immediately upon his termination). Executive acknowledges that
all such papers, records, computer data or copies thereof are and remain the
property of the Company.
3. Inventions and Patents. Executive agrees that all inventions,
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innovations or improvements relating to the Company's business or method of
conducting business (including new contributions, improvements, ideas and
discoveries, whether patentable or not) conceived or made by him during his
employment with the Company belong to the Company. Executive will promptly
disclose such inventions, innovations or improvements to the Board and perform
all actions reasonably requested by the Board to establish and confirm such
ownership.
4. Other Businesses. During the Employment Period, Executive agrees
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that he will not, directly or indirectly except with the express written consent
of the Board, become engaged in, render material
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services for, or permit his name to be used in connection with, or directly or
indirectly counsel or consult with, any business other than the business of the
Company and its affiliates; provided, however, that Executive may be a passive
investor in any such business (subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph 5 below).
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5. Noncompetition. Executive agrees that:
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(A) During the term he performs services for the Company and
during the Post-Employment Period (as defined below), Executive will not
interfere with the relationship between the Company or any affiliate and any
employee, agent or representative of the Company or any such affiliate.
(B) During the term he performs services for the Company and
during the Post-Employment Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly
divert or attempt to divert from the Company or any affiliate any business which
provides telecommunications services in the United States or Latin America,
including, without limitation, domestic and international call services or
domestic and international telecommunications networks for voice, data, fax
and/or video transmission between the United States and Latin America or within
Latin America, or any related business in which the Company has been actively
engaged during the term Executive performed services for the Company, nor
interfere with the relationships of the Company with customers, dealers,
distributors, franchisees or sources of supply.
(C) During the term he performs services for the Company and
during the Post-Employment Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly
own, manage, operate control, be employed by, participate in, or be connected in
any manner with the ownership, management, operation or control of, any business
or enterprise which provides telecommunications services in the United States or
Latin America, including, without limitation, domestic and international call
services or domestic and international telecommunication networks for voice,
data, fax and/or video transmission between the United States and Latin America
or within Latin America, or any related business in which the Company has been
actively engaged during the then Executive performed services for the Company.
(D) For purposes hereof, the "Post-Employment Period" shall mean:
(i) in the event Executive's employment with the Company is terminated for Cause
pursuant to paragraph 1(D)(4), the 12-month period following Executive's
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termination of employment with the Company, or (ii) in the event Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated for any reason other reason, the
period during which the Company continues to make payments of base salary.
6. Stock Option. Effective as of the date hereof (the "Effective
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Date"), under the terms of the American TeleSource International, Inc. (ATSI)
1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), ATSI, an Ontario corporation ("ATSI"),
hereby grants to Executive the option (the "Option") to purchase shares (the
"Option Shares") of Common Stock, no par value per share, of ATSI, subject to
the requisite approval of the Plan by ATSI's Board of Directors and ATSI's
shareholders. The number of Option Shares, the purchase price per Option Share
and the installments and dates in which the Executive shall have the right to
exercise the Option are attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "B". The Plan is
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "A". Beginning on the Effective Date,
such installments shall be cumulative (i.e. once the right to purchase the
number of shares of an installment has accrued, such shares may be purchased at
any time thereafter, or in part from time to time, until the business day
immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date (the
"Expiration Date") or until such earlier date as set forth in the following
paragraph. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control, Executive's right to exercise the Option shall become fully
vested (i.e., all unissued Option Shares may be purchased at any time
thereafter, or in part from time to time, until the Expiration Date or until
such earlier date as set forth in the following paragraph).
Upon termination of Executive's employment pursuant to Paragraph 1(D)(4)
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(Termination by the Company for Cause) or paragraph 1(D)(6) (Voluntary
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Termination by Executive), the Option shall remain exercisable for the four
month period following such termination, but only to the extent
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such option was exercisable at termination. Upon termination of Executive's
employment pursuant to paragraph 1(D)(1) (Death) or paragraph 1(D)(2)
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(Disability), the Option, to the extent then exercisable, shall remain
exercisable for the one-year period following such termination. Upon
termination of Executive's employment pursuant to paragraph (D)(3) (Termination
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by the Company without Cause) or paragraph 1(D)(5) (By the Executive for Good
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Reason), Executive's right to exercise the Option shall become fully vested and
the Option shall remain exercisable for the four-month period following such
termination.
7. General Provisions.
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(A) Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in
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writing and must be either personally delivered, or mailed by first class mail
(postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight
courier service, to the recipient at the address below indicated:
To the Company: Attn.: Board of Directors
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
To Executive: At Executive's last known address as listed
with the Company
or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given when so delivered
or sent or if mailed, five days after so mailed.
(B) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this
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Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to he invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision in such jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction, or the
legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction, but this
Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein
except that any court having jurisdiction shall have the power to reduce the
duration, area or scope of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision and,
in its reduced form it shall be enforceable.
(C) Complete Agreement. This Agreement embodies the complete
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agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes and preempts any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the
parties, written or oral, which may have been related to the subject
matter hereof in any way.
(D) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is a personal service
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contract and is not assignable by the Executive. Subject to the Executive's
rights under paragraph 1(D)(5)(d), this Agreement may be assigned from time to
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time by the Company. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and such parties' respective successors, personal
representatives and permitted assigns.
(E) Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction,
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validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the internal
law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Texas.
(F) Remedies. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be
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entitled to enforce his or its rights under this Agreement specifically, to
recover damages (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel) by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to
exercise all other rights existing in his or its favor. The parties hereto
agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any
breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement
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and that any party may in his or its sole discretion apply to any court of law
or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive
relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this
Agreement. Such injunction or decree shall be available without the posting of
any bond or other security.
(G) Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be
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amended or waived only with the prior written consent of Executive and a
majority of the Board.
(H) Absence of Conflicting Agreements. Executive hereby warrants
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and covenants that his employment by the Company does not result in a breach of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any agreement to which Executive is
subject.
(I) Survival. No termination of Executive's employment by either or
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both parties shall reduce or terminate Executive's covenants and agreements in
paragraphs 2, 3 and 5.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered on the day and year first above written.
"Company" AMERICAN TELESOURCE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President
"Executive"
H. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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H. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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