EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx (the “Executive”) and LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) as of May 14, 2008, but this Agreement will only be effective as of the date that Executive provides his resignation of employment to his current employer with such effective date to be no later than ten business days following the date on which Executive has received official legal authorization to work in the United States for the Company (the “Effective Date”). Contingent upon Executive securing official legal authorization to work in the United States for the Company, Executive will commence his employment with the Company on a date mutually agreeable to Executive and the Company, but in no event later than July 7, 2008 (the date that Executive commences employment with the Company referred to herein as the “Start Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is not physically present in the United States and authorized to work for the Company by July 7, 2008 (or such later date as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) this Agreement will become null and void.
1. Duties and Scope of Employment.
(a) Position. For the term of his employment under this Agreement (“Employment”), the Executive will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer (“PCEO”). The Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with the Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him by the Board.
(b) Obligations. The Executive shall have such duties, authority and responsibilities that are commensurate with his being the Company’s most senior executive officer. During the term of his Employment, the Executive will devote Executive’s full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of his Employment, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the Board (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that Executive may, without the approval of the Board, serve in any capacity with any civic, educational, or charitable organization, provided such services do not interfere with Executive’s obligations to the Company. Executive shall perform his duties primarily at the Company’s corporate facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.
(c) Start Date. The Executive shall commence full-time Employment as PCEO under this Agreement on the Start Date.
2. Cash and Incentive Compensation.
(a) Salary. As of the Start Date, and thereafter, the Company shall pay Executive as compensation for his services a base salary at a gross annual rate of not less than $615,000 (such annual salary, as is then in effect, to be referred to herein as “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices and be subject to the usual, required withholdings, provided, however, that Executive shall receive pro-rata payments of Base Salary no less frequently than once per month. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) not less than annually, and adjustments will be made in the discretion of the Committee.
(b) Incentive Bonuses.
(i) Executive shall be a participant in an Executive Variable Compensation Plan that shall be established by the Company (the “EVCP”). Under the EVCP, Executive shall be eligible to be considered for an annual fiscal year incentive bonus of 100% of Executive’s Base Salary or such higher figure that the Committee may select (such annual amount is the “Target Bonus”). The Target Bonus shall be awarded based upon the achievement of specific milestones that will be mutually agreed upon by the Committee and Executive no later than 45 days after the start of each fiscal year (the “Target Bonus Milestones”). For superior achievement of the Target Bonus Milestones, Executive may earn a maximum annual fiscal year incentive bonus of up to 150% of Executive’s Target Bonus. Cash payment for each fiscal year’s Target Bonus actually earned shall be made to Executive no later than 45 days after the end of the applicable fiscal year for which the annual incentive was earned.
(ii) For the Company’s 2008 fiscal year (which ends on January 3, 2009), Executive shall be eligible to receive a pro-rated annual fiscal year incentive bonus (the “2008 Bonus”). 50% of the 2008 Bonus shall be earned based on the achievement of Executive’s performance objectives that are mutually agreed upon in writing by the Committee and Executive, and 50% of the 2008 Bonus shall be earned based on the achievement of Company performance goals determined by the Committee. The 2008 Bonus earned (if any) will be pro-rated based on Executive’s Start Date (calculated by multiplying the 2008 Bonus earned by Executive by a fraction with a numerator equal to the number of days between the Start Date and January 3, 2009 and a denominator equal to 365). Any earned portion of the 2008 Bonus shall be paid to Executive in cash no later than 45 days after the end of the Company’s 2008 fiscal year.
(c) Sign-on Bonus. Within thirty days of the Start Date, Executive will receive a signing bonus equal to $290,000, less usual, required withholdings (the “Sign-on Bonus”). Executive will be required to refund the Sign-on Bonus to the Company if Executive voluntarily resigns from his position and ceases employment with the Company before the end of fiscal year 2008 other than in the case of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason within twenty-four months following a Change in Control.
(d) Relocation Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable moving expenses incurred by Executive and his family during their relocation from Executive’s primary residence to the Hillsboro, Oregon area. The total of all such amounts will not exceed $150,000.
2
(e) Initial Stock Option Grant. As of the Start Date, Executive will be granted a stock option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “First Option”). The First Option shall be a “non-statutory stock option” and shall not be intended to be an “incentive stock option” (as described under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)). The per share exercise price of such First Option shall be the closing sales price of a share of Company common stock on the date of grant. The term of the First Option shall be seven years, subject to earlier expiration in the event of the termination of the Executive’s “Service” (as defined below in Section 2(g)). The First Option, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, will be granted pursuant to and subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 2001 Stock Plan (the “2001 Plan”) or the Company’s 1996 Stock Plan (the “1996 Plan”) and will vest and become exercisable at a rate of 25% of the shares subject to the First Option upon the first anniversary of the Start Date and 6.25% of the First Option for every three months of Service thereafter until the First Option is fully vested. Notwithstanding any provision of the 2001 Plan and/or the 1996 Plan (as applicable) or any applicable stock option agreement to the contrary, the Executive shall have at least three months after termination of his Service for any reason to exercise the vested portion of the First Option (subject to the seven year term of the First Option).
(f) Terms of Company Compensatory Equity Awards. Executive shall be eligible for additional grants of Company equity (the First Option and any other prior or future compensatory equity grants to Executive shall be collectively referred to herein as “Compensatory Equity”) in accordance with Company guidelines, as amended from time to time in the discretion of the Company, at times and in such amounts as determined by the Committee. All future grants of Compensatory Equity (and the issuance of any underlying shares) to Executive shall be: (i) issued pursuant to the 2001 Plan and/or the 1996 Plan (or any applicable stockholder-approved successor plan) and (ii) issued pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended. Accelerated vesting of Compensatory Equity may occur: (x) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and in addition (y) pursuant to the terms of the 2001 Plan and/or 1996 Plan and any applicable Compensatory Equity agreement. Executive may elect to establish a trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for any of his Compensatory Equity shares, provided, however, that such trading plan must comply with all of the requirements for the safe harbor under Rule 10b5-1 and must be either (i) approved by the Board (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) or (ii) approved in accordance with any Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan Policy the Company may subsequently implement.
(g) Service Definition. For purposes of this Agreement and Executive’s Compensatory Equity, “Service” shall mean service by the Executive as an employee and/or consultant of the Company (or any subsidiary or parent or affiliated entity of the Company) and/or service by the Executive as a member of the Board.
3. Vacation and Employee Benefits. During the term of his Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the Company’s standard vacation policy; provided, however, that in no event will Executive receive less than four (4) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year. During the term of his Employment, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plans or arrangements maintained by the Company on no less favorable terms than for other Company executives, subject in each case to the generally applicable terms and conditions of the plan or arrangement in question and to the
3
determinations of any person or committee administering such plan or arrangement. Commencing on January 1, 2010 and continuing throughout the term of Executive’s employment, the Company agrees to maintain Executive’s ASFE-Mobility Benefit Plan in effect as of the Start Date (the “ASFE-Mobility Benefit Plan”).
4. Business Expenses. During the term of his Employment, the Executive shall be authorized to incur necessary and reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses in connection with his duties hereunder. The Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive for such expenses upon presentation of appropriate supporting documentation, all in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable policies. The Company shall also timely pay for all of Executive’s reasonable home telecommunications phone and facsimile lines used for business purposes and reimburse Executive for his actual reasonable mobile phone costs on a monthly basis.
5. Term of Employment.
(a) Basic Rule. The Company may terminate the Executive’s Employment with or without Cause, by giving the Executive 30 days advance notice in writing. The Executive may terminate his Employment by giving the Company 30 days advance notice in writing. The Executive’s Employment shall terminate automatically in the event of his death.
(b) Employment at Will. The Executive’s Employment with the Company shall be “at will,” meaning that either the Executive or the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive’s employment at any time and for any reason, with or without Cause. This Agreement shall constitute the full and complete agreement between the Executive and the Company on the “at will” nature of the Executive’s Employment, which may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by the Executive and a member of the Board.
(c) Rights Upon Termination. Upon the termination of the Executive’s Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation, benefits and reimbursements described in this Agreement for the period ending as of the effective date of the termination (the “Termination Date”). Upon termination of Executive’s Employment for any reason, the Executive shall receive the following payments on his Termination Date: (i) all unpaid salary and unpaid vacation accrued through the Termination Date, (ii) any unpaid, but earned and accrued incentive bonus for any completed applicable bonus determination period under the EVCP (whether paid quarterly, annually or as might otherwise be established under the EVCP) which has not yet been paid on the Termination Date and (iii) any unreimbursed business expenses. Executive may also be eligible for other post-Employment payments and benefits as provided in this Agreement.
6. Termination Benefits.
(a) Severance Pay. If there is an Involuntary Termination (as defined below) of Executive’s Employment, then the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to (i) 1.0 times Executive’s then Base Salary, plus 1.0 times Executive’s then Target Bonus amount, and (ii) the aggregate cost of the premiums to maintain the ASFE-Mobility Plan for the
4
year in which the termination occurs (collectively in the aggregate, the “Cash Severance”). Such Cash Severance shall be made in a single lump sum cash payment to Executive on the effective date of the separation agreement referenced in Section 8(a). Executive shall also be entitled to receive the benefits provided in Sections 6(b) and, if applicable, 6(c).
(b) Equity Vesting. If Subsection (a) above applies, then Executive will become immediately vested in an additional number of shares of Company common stock under all of Executive’s outstanding Compensatory Equity as if Executive had continued in Service for 12 additional months following the Termination Date.
(c) Effect of Change in Control. If the Company is subject to a Change in Control (as defined below) and if there is an Involuntary Termination of Executive’s Employment in connection with such Change in Control (it will automatically be deemed to be in connection with the Change in Control if there is an Involuntary Termination during the period commencing immediately prior to the Change in Control and extending through the date that is 24 months after the Change in Control): (x) Executive shall immediately vest in (and the Company’s right to repurchase, if applicable, shall lapse immediately as to) all of Executive’s Compensatory Equity, (y) the amount of the Cash Severance in Section 6(a) shall be increased such that the Executive shall receive 2.0 (instead of 1.0) times Base Salary, plus 2.0 (instead of 1.0) times Target Bonus.
(d) Excise Tax Gross-Up. In the event that the benefits provided for in this Agreement constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Subsection (d), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Executive’s benefits under this Agreement shall be payable either (1) in full, or (2) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of the such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by the Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless Executive and the Company agree otherwise in writing, the determination of Executive’s excise tax liability, if any, and the amount, if any, required to be paid under this Subsection (d) will be made in writing by the independent auditors who are primarily used by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (the “Accountants”). For purposes of making the calculations required by this Subsection (d), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. Executive and the Company agree to furnish such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Subsection (d). The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Subsection (d).
(e) Change in Control Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons who were not stockholders of the Company
5
immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding securities of each of (A) the continuing or surviving entity and (B) any direct or indirect parent corporation of such continuing or surviving entity; (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or (iii) a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(f) Cause Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement that is not corrected within a 30 day correction period that begins upon delivery to Executive of a written demand from the Board that describes the basis for the Board’s belief that Executive has materially breached this Agreement; (ii) any willful act of fraud or dishonesty that causes material damage to the Company; (iii) any willful violation of the Company’s xxxxxxx xxxxxxx policy; (iv) any willful violation of the Company’s conflict of interest policies; (v) any willful unauthorized use or disclosure of trade secrets or other confidential information; or (vi) Executive’s conviction of a felony.
The foregoing shall not be deemed an exclusive list of all acts or omissions that the Company may consider as grounds for the termination of Executive’s Employment, but it is an exclusive list of the acts or omissions that shall be considered “Cause” for the termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company.
(g) Good Reason Definition. For all purposes under this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, without Executive’s express written consent: (i) a material diminution of Executive’s duties or responsibilities or the removal of Executive as PCEO (or if the Company has a parent entity, then Executive must be PCEO of the Company’s highest parent entity); (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus other than a one-time reduction (not exceeding 10% in the aggregate) that also is applied to substantially all other executive officers of the Company on Executive’s written recommendation or written approval if Executive’s reduction is substantially proportionate to, or no greater than, the reduction applied to substantially all other executive officers; (iii) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement including without limitation the failure to timely provide Executive the cash compensation, equity compensation and/or employee benefits specified under this Agreement; or (iv) a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform services (in other words, requiring Executive to relocate his principal place of business or the Company relocating its headquarters, in either case to a facility or location outside of a 30 mile radius from Executive’s current principal place of employment); provided, however, that Executive will only have Good Reason if the event or circumstances constituting Good Reason specified in any of the preceding clauses is not cured or otherwise remedied to the Executive’s satisfaction within 30 days after Executive gives written notice to the Board (provided that such written notice is provided within 90 days of the event Executive believes constitutes “Good Reason”).
6
(h) Involuntary Termination Definition. For all purposes under this Agreement, “Involuntary Termination” shall mean any of the following that occur without Executive’s prior written consent: (i) termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company without Cause, or (ii) Executive’s resignation of Employment within two years of the event that constitutes Good Reason.
7. Successors.
(a) Company’s Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which becomes bound by this Agreement.
(b) Executive’s Successors. This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
8. Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.
(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 6 will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, but with any appropriate modifications, reflecting changes in applicable law, as is necessary or appropriate to provide the Company with the protection it would have if the release were executed as of the Start Date. No severance benefits will be paid or provided until the separation agreement and release agreement becomes effective. The separation agreement and release of claims must in all cases be effective by March 15th of the year following the year of Executive’s termination of Employment.
(b) Non-solicitation and Non-competition. The receipt of any severance benefits will be subject to the Executive agreeing that during Employment and for the 12 month period after the Termination Date (the “Continuance Period”), the Executive will not (i) solicit any employee of the Company for employment other than at the Company, or (ii) directly or indirectly engage in, have any ownership interest in or participate in any entity that as of the Termination Date, directly competes with the Company in any substantial business of the Company or any business reasonably expected to become a substantial business (i.e., at least 5% of the Company’s gross revenues) of the Company during the Continuance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 8(b)(ii) shall not be applicable to Executive on or after a Change in Control. The Executive’s passive ownership of not more than 1% of any publicly traded company and/or 5% ownership of any privately held company will not constitute a breach of this Subsection (b).
7
(c) Non-disparagement. During Employment and the Continuance Period, the Executive will not knowingly publicly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make any derogatory statements regarding the Company, its directors, or its officers. The Company’s then and future directors will not knowingly publicly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make any derogatory statements regarding the Executive during his Employment or the Continuance Period. The Company will also instruct its officers to not knowingly publicly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make any derogatory statements regarding the Executive during his Employment or the Continuance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to restrict the Executive, the Company or any of the Company’s current or former officers and/or directors from providing information to any governmental or regulatory agency (or in any way limit the content of such information) to the extent they are requested or required to provide such information pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(d) No Duty to Mitigate. No payments or benefits provided to Executive shall be subject to mitigation or offset.
9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted by any applicable indemnification agreement, applicable law and the Company’s bylaws with respect to Executive’s Service (including timely advancing and/or reimbursing costs as incurred by Executive) and the Executive shall also be covered under a directors and officers liability insurance policy(ies) paid for by the Company.
(b) Notice. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by overnight courier, U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Executive, mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home address that he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.
(c) Arbitration. The Company and Executive agree that any and all disputes arising out of the terms of this Agreement, the Executive’s Employment, Executive’s Service, or Executive’s compensation and benefits, their interpretation and any of the matters herein released, will be subject to binding arbitration in Portland, Oregon before the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. The Company and the Executive agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration will be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award. The Company and the Executive hereby agree to waive their right to have any dispute between them resolved in a court of law by a judge or jury. This Subsection (c) will not prevent either party from seeking injunctive relief (or any other provisional remedy) from any court having jurisdiction over the Company or the Executive and the subject matter of their dispute relating to Executive’s obligations under this Agreement. The Company shall be responsible for timely paying for all arbitration and legal fees incurred by both parties as such costs are incurred, provided, however that if (i) the Executive initiates the arbitration proceeding and (ii) the Company prevails in such arbitration that was initiated by the Executive, then each side shall be responsible for paying for their own costs.
8
(d) Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
(e) Whole Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) with respect to the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict in terms between this Agreement and/or the Plan and/or any agreement executed by and between Executive and the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail and govern.
(f) Legal Fees. Each party shall pay its own legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement.
(g) Withholding Taxes. All payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to reduction to reflect taxes or other charges required to be withheld by law.
(h) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon (except their provisions governing the choice of law).
(i) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(j) Code Section 409A. The termination benefits provided by Section 6 of this Agreement are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code pursuant to the short-term deferral exception provided under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(4), such that none of the termination benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the six-month delay imposed by Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) at the time of Executive’s termination (other than due to death), and the termination benefits payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, when solely considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits which may be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) will not and could not under any circumstances, regardless
9
of when such termination occurs, be paid in full by March 15 of the year following Executive’s termination, then only that portion of the Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits which do not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) may be made within the first six months following Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. For these purposes, each severance payment is hereby designated as a separate payment and will not collectively be treated as a single payment. Any portion of the Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits in excess of the Section 409A Limit shall accrue and, to the extent such portion of the Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits would otherwise have been payable within the first six months following Executive’s termination of employment, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six months and one-day following the date of Executive’s termination. All subsequent Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s termination but prior to the six-month anniversary of Executive’s termination, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” will mean the lesser of two times: (A) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Company’s taxable year preceding the Company’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (B) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
(k) No Assignment. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of the Executive hereunder are personal to the Executive and may not be transferred or assigned by the Executive at any time. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to any entity that expressly in writing assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in connection with any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to such entity.
(l) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth below.
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
XXXXX XXXXXXXX |
May 14, 2008 |
Date |
LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
Date: | May 14, 2008 |
11