CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
This Change of Control Agreement by and between Xxxxxxxxxxx Enterra, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and M. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx (the "Executive"),
dated as of October 5, 1995.
RECITALS:
A. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has previously
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive, which are competitive with those of executives at other
corporations, will be satisfied.
B. To accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change
of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment
with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control
occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such
termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all
purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately
prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the date hereof;
provided,
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however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof,
and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate two year(s) after such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) 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 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) 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 subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:
(i) 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 corporation controlled by the
Company, or
(iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this
Section 2; or
(b) 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
stockholders, 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 was 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; or
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(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a
"Corporate Transaction") in each case, unless, following such Corporate
Transaction, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60
percent of, respectively, 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 Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a
corporation which 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 Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or
such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20 percent or more of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Corporate Transaction 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 Corporate Transaction and (iii) at least a majority of the
members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Corporate Transaction 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 Corporate Transaction; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ
of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements, authority, duties
and responsibilities) shall be at least commensurate in all material respects
with the most
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significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services
shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from
such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a
monthly rate, at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or
payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the
Executive by the Company and/or its affiliated companies in respect of the 60-
month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.
During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more
than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to
the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual
Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement
shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement,
the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's
highest
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bonus (whether in cash or Common Stock of the Company) under the Company's
annual incentive program for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by
the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each
such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive
(including any stock option or related plans, restricted stock plans or similar
plans), savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
to participate in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
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Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits (including without limitation, financial
planning services, payment of club dues, a car allowance or use of an automobile
and payment of related expenses, as appropriate) in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and other
assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for
the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(ix) Options/SARs. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control
pursuant to which the Company is not the survivor (or survives only as a
subsidiary of another entity), the surviving corporation shall issue to the
Executive options and tandem stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), if applicable,
in substitution or replacement of all outstanding options or SARs previously
issued pursuant to a Company stock option plan or the Company's Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan, respectively, any such options and SARs to have terms
and conditions similar to the terms of any such original options and SARs.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below),
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it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of
this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective 30
days after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that within the 30-day period after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive
from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 360
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical
illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by
the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's
legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written 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 Board of Chief Executive Officer
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's
duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, 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 or 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 or
of 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. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be 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 not less than three-quarters of the
entire membership 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, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the
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good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct
described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars
thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of
the Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, 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 and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
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receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting
such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean:
(i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of
Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be;
(ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which
the Company notifies the Executive of such termination; and
(iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the
Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other than for Cause, Death or Disability. If during
the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment
other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason:
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the
higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during
which the Executive was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher
amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case
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to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
(1), (2) and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"),
and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) two and (2) the sum of (x)
the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus, and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (a) the actuarial equivalent of
the benefit under the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the
"Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the
Executive than those in effect under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately
prior to the Effective Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan
related to the Retirement Plan in which the Executive participates (together,
the "SERP"), which the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment
continued for two year(s) after the Date of Termination assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and assuming that the
Executive's compensation in each of the two year(s) is that required by Sections
4(b)(i) and 4(b)(ii), over (b) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's
actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP
as of the Date of Termination, and
D. an amount equal to two times the total of the Employer Matching
Contribution credited to the Executive under the Company's 401(k) Savings Plan
(the "401(k) Plan") and the Supplemental Matching Accrual credited under the
Company's Supplemental Savings Plan (the "Excess Plan") during the 12-month
period immediately preceding the month of the Executive's Date of Termination,
such amount to be grossed up so that the amount the Executive actually receives
after payment of any federal or state taxes payable thereon equals the amount
first described above;
(ii) For two year(s) after the Executive's Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family equal to those which would have been
provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment
had not been terminated; provided, however, that with respect to any of such
plans, programs, practices or policies requiring an employee contribution, the
Executive shall continue to pay the monthly employee contribution for same, and
provided further, that if the Executive becomes reemployed by another employer
and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another
employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility;
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(iii) The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be
selected by the Executive in his sole discretion;
(iv) With respect to all options to purchase Common Stock held by the
Executive pursuant to a Company stock option plan on or prior to the Date of
Termination, irrespective of whether such options are then exercisable, the
Executive shall have the right, during the 60-day period after the Date of
Termination, to elect to surrender all or part of such options in exchange for a
cash payment by the Company to the Executive in an amount equal the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the Executive's option multiplied by the
difference between (x) and (y) where (y) equals the purchase price per share
covered by the option and (x) equals the highest reported sale price of a share
of Common Stock in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange
during the 60-day period prior to and including the Executive's Date of
Termination; and with respect to all SARs held by the Executive granted under
the Company's Stock Appreciation Rights Plan on or prior to the Date of
Termination, irrespective of whether such SARs are then exercisable, the
Executive shall have the right, during the 60-day period after the Date of
Termination, to elect to surrender all or part of such SARs in exchange for a
cash payment by the Company to the Executive in an amount equal to an amount
equal to the number of SARs held by the Executive multiplied by the difference
between (x) and (y) where (y) equals the fair market value of such SARs the date
on which awarded and (x) equals the price set forth above. Such cash payments
shall be made within 30 days after the date of the Executive's election;
provided, however, that if the Executive's Date of Termination is within six
months after the date of grant of a particular option or SAR held by the
Executive and the Executive is subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, any cash payments related thereto shall be made on the
date which is six months and one day after the date of grant of such option or
SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any right granted pursuant to the
foregoing would make a Change of Control transaction ineligible for pooling of
interests accounting treatment under XXX Xx. 00 that but for this Section
6(a)(iv) would otherwise be eligible for such accounting treatment, the
Executive shall receive shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value equal to
the cash that would otherwise be payable hereunder in substitution for the cash,
provided that any such shares of Common Stock so granted to the Executive shall
be registered under the Securities Act of 1933; any options or SARs outstanding
as of the Date of Termination and not then exercisable shall become fully
exercisable as of the Executive's Date of Termination, and to the extent the
Executive does not elect to surrender same for a cash payment (or the equivalent
number of shares of Common Stock) as provided above, such options and SARs shall
remain exercisable for seven months after the Executive's Date of Termination or
until the stated expiration of the stated term thereof, whichever is shorter;
restrictions applicable to any shares of Common Stock granted to the Executive
under the
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Company's Restricted Stock Incentive Plan shall lapse, as of the date of the
Executive's Date of Termination;
(v) All country club memberships, luncheon clubs and other memberships
which the Company was providing for the Executive's use at the time of Notice of
Termination is given shall, to the extent possible, be transferred and assigned
to the Executive at no cost to the Executive (other than income taxes owed), the
cost of transfer, if any, to be borne by the Company;
(vi) The Company shall either transfer to the Executive ownership and
title to the Executive's Company car at no cost to the Executive (other than
income taxes owed) or, if the Executive receives a monthly car allowance in lieu
of a Company car, pay the Executive a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
Executive's Date of Termination an amount equal to two times the Executive's
annual car allowance;
(vii) All benefits under the Company's Retirement Plan, the SERP, and
the 401(k) Plan and the Excess Plan, and any other similar plans, not already
vested shall be 100% vested, to the extent such vesting is permitted under the
Code (as defined below); and
(viii) 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 which the Executive is eligible to receive
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiaries, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the
provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section
6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or
beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits equal to the benefits
provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, in effect on the date of the Executive's death.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
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terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits equal to
those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled
peer executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, in effect generally with
respect to other peer executives and their families at any time of the
Disability.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such
case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program,
policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. 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 which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains
13
other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expense which the Executive may reasonably
incur as a result of any contest (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
thereto (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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code 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, are 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 any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest
and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the
Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal
to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is
entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Executive, after taking into
account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment, would not receive a net after-tax
benefit of at least $50,000 (taking into account both income taxes and any
Excise Tax) as compared to the net after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting
from an elimination of the Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in
the aggregate, to an amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of
Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall
be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to
the Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, 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 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx LLP or, as provided below, such other certified public accounting firm
as may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
14
Company and the Executive within 15 business days after the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment,
as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days after the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application
of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not
have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive.
(c) 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 he 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:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) 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,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
15
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claims; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such costs 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 thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego 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 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 amount is 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 issues raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), 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 9(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), 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.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data
16
relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the
Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
provided that it shall not apply to information which is or shall become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement), information that is developed by the
Executive independently of such information, or knowledge or data or information
that is disclosed to the Executive by a third party under no obligation of
confidentiality to the Company. After termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of
the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly 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
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to principles of conflict
of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof
and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or
modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or
their respective successors and legal representatives.
17
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: M. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company: Xxxxxxxxxxx Enterra, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after
the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
--------------------------------------
M. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
XXXXXXXXXXX ENTERRA, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
19
CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
This Change of Control Agreement by and between Xxxxxxxxxxx Enterra, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the "Executive"),
dated as of October 5, 1995.
RECITALS:
A. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has previously
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive, which are competitive with those of executives at other
corporations, will be satisfied.
B. To accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change
of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment
with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control
occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such
termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all
purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately
prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on the first anniversary of the date hereof;
provided,
2
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each
annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof
shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously
terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as
to terminate one year(s) after such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior
to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the
Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) 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 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) 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 subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:
(i) 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 corporation controlled by
the Company, or
(iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this
Section 2; or
(b) 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
stockholders, 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 was 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; or
2
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a
"Corporate Transaction") in each case, unless, following such Corporate
Transaction, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60
percent of, respectively, 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 Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a
corporation which 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 Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or
such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20 percent or more of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Corporate Transaction 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 Corporate Transaction and (iii) at least a majority of the
members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Corporate Transaction 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 Corporate Transaction; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive
in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the
Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the first anniversary of such
date (the "Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements, authority, duties
and responsibilities) shall be at least commensurate in all material respects
with the most
3
significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services
shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from
such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a
monthly rate, at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or
payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the
Executive by the Company and/or its affiliated companies in respect of the 60-
month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.
During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more
than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to
the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual
Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement
shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement,
the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's
highest
4
bonus (whether in cash or Common Stock of the Company) under the Company's
annual incentive program for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by
the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus").
Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of
the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive (including any stock option or related plans, restricted stock plans
or similar plans), savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if
any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for
the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
to participate in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
5
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits (including without limitation, financial
planning services, payment of club dues, a car allowance or use of an automobile
and payment of related expenses, as appropriate) in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and other
assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for
the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(ix) Options/SARs. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control
pursuant to which the Company is not the survivor (or survives only as a
subsidiary of another entity), the surviving corporation shall issue to the
Executive options and tandem stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), if applicable,
in substitution or replacement of all outstanding options or SARs previously
issued pursuant to a Company stock option plan or the Company's Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan, respectively, any such options and SARs to have terms
and conditions similar to the terms of any such original options and SARs.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below),
6
it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of
this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In
such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate
effective 30 days after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that within the 30-day period after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's
duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 360 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written 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 Board of Chief Executive Officer
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's
duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, 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 or 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 or
of 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. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be 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 not less than three-quarters of the
entire membership 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, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the
7
good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct
described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars
thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of
the Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, 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 and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
8
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting
such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean:
(i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of
Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be;
(ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which
the Company notifies the Executive of such termination; and
(iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death
or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the
Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other than for Cause, Death or Disability. If during
the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment
other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason:
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the
higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during
which the Executive was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher
amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case
9
to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
(1), (2) and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"),
and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) one and (2) the sum of (x)
the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus, and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (a) the actuarial equivalent of
the benefit under the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the
"Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the
Executive than those in effect under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately
prior to the Effective Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan
related to the Retirement Plan in which the Executive participates (together,
the "SERP"), which the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment
continued for one year(s) after the Date of Termination assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and assuming that the
Executive's compensation in each of the one year(s) is that required by Sections
4(b)(i) and 4(b)(ii), over (b) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's
actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP
as of the Date of Termination, and
D. an amount equal to one times the total of the Employer Matching
Contribution credited to the Executive under the Company's 401(k) Savings Plan
(the "401(k) Plan") and the Supplemental Matching Accrual credited under the
Company's Supplemental Savings Plan (the "Excess Plan") during the 12-month
period immediately preceding the month of the Executive's Date of Termination,
such amount to be grossed up so that the amount the Executive actually receives
after payment of any federal or state taxes payable thereon equals the amount
first described above;
(ii) For ____ year(s) after the Executive's Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family equal to those which would have been
provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment
had not been terminated; provided, however, that with respect to any of such
plans, programs, practices or policies requiring an employee contribution, the
Executive shall continue to pay the monthly employee contribution for same, and
provided further, that if the Executive becomes reemployed by another employer
and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another
employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility;
10
(iii) The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be
selected by the Executive in his sole discretion;
(iv) With respect to all options to purchase Common Stock held by the
Executive pursuant to a Company stock option plan on or prior to the Date of
Termination, irrespective of whether such options are then exercisable, the
Executive shall have the right, during the 60-day period after the Date of
Termination, to elect to surrender all or part of such options in exchange for a
cash payment by the Company to the Executive in an amount equal the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the Executive's option multiplied by the
difference between (x) and (y) where (y) equals the purchase price per share
covered by the option and (x) equals the highest reported sale price of a share
of Common Stock in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange
during the 60-day period prior to and including the Executive's Date of
Termination; and with respect to all SARs held by the Executive granted under
the Company's Stock Appreciation Rights Plan on or prior to the Date of
Termination, irrespective of whether such SARs are then exercisable, the
Executive shall have the right, during the 60-day period after the Date of
Termination, to elect to surrender all or part of such SARs in exchange for a
cash payment by the Company to the Executive in an amount equal to an amount
equal to the number of SARs held by the Executive multiplied by the difference
between (x) and (y) where (y) equals the fair market value of such SARs the date
on which awarded and (x) equals the price set forth above. Such cash payments
shall be made within 30 days after the date of the Executive's election;
provided, however, that if the Executive's Date of Termination is within six
months after the date of grant of a particular option or SAR held by the
Executive and the Executive is subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, any cash payments related thereto shall be made on the
date which is six months and one day after the date of grant of such option or
SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any right granted pursuant to the
foregoing would make a Change of Control transaction ineligible for pooling of
interests accounting treatment under XXX Xx. 00 that but for this Section
6(a)(iv) would otherwise be eligible for such accounting treatment, the
Executive shall receive shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value equal to
the cash that would otherwise be payable hereunder in substitution for the cash,
provided that any such shares of Common Stock so granted to the Executive shall
be registered under the Securities Act of 1933; any options or SARs outstanding
as of the Date of Termination and not then exercisable shall become fully
exercisable as of the Executive's Date of Termination, and to the extent the
Executive does not elect to surrender same for a cash payment (or the equivalent
number of shares of Common Stock) as provided above, such options and SARs shall
remain exercisable for seven months after the Executive's Date of Termination or
until the stated expiration of the stated term thereof, whichever is shorter;
restrictions applicable to any shares of Common Stock granted to the Executive
under the
11
Company's Restricted Stock Incentive Plan shall lapse, as of the date of the
Executive's Date of Termination;
(v) All country club memberships, luncheon clubs and other memberships
which the Company was providing for the Executive's use at the time of Notice of
Termination is given shall, to the extent possible, be transferred and assigned
to the Executive at no cost to the Executive (other than income taxes owed), the
cost of transfer, if any, to be borne by the Company;
(vi) The Company shall either transfer to the Executive ownership and
title to the Executive's Company car at no cost to the Executive (other than
income taxes owed) or, if the Executive receives a monthly car allowance in lieu
of a Company car, pay the Executive a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
Executive's Date of Termination an amount equal to one times the Executive's
annual car allowance;
(vii) All benefits under the Company's Retirement Plan, the SERP, and
the 401(k) Plan and the Excess Plan, and any other similar plans, not already
vested shall be 100% vested, to the extent such vesting is permitted under the
Code (as defined below); and
(viii) 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 which the Executive is eligible to receive
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiaries, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the
provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section
6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or
beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits equal to the benefits
provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, in effect on the date of the Executive's death.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
12
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits equal to
those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled
peer executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, in effect generally with
respect to other peer executives and their families at any time of the
Disability.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such
case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program,
policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. 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 which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains
13
other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expense which the Executive may reasonably
incur as a result of any contest (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
thereto (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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code 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, are 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 any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest
and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the
Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal
to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is
entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Executive, after taking into
account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment, would not receive a net after-tax
benefit of at least $50,000 (taking into account both income taxes and any
Excise Tax) as compared to the net after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting
from an elimination of the Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in
the aggregate, to an amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of
Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall
be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to
the Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, 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 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx LLP or, as provided below, such other certified public accounting firm
as may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
14
Company and the Executive within 15 business days after the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment,
as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days after the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.
(c) 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 he 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:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) 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,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
15
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claims; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such costs 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 thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego 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 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 amount is 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 issues raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c), 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 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), 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.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data
16
relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the
Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
provided that it shall not apply to information which is or shall become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement), information that is developed by the
Executive independently of such information, or knowledge or data or information
that is disclosed to the Executive by a third party under no obligation of
confidentiality to the Company. After termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of
the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly 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 had taken place.
As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to principles of conflict
of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof
and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or
modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or
their respective successors and legal representatives.
17
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
00000 Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company: Xxxxxxxxxxx Enterra, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after
the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
XXXXXXXXXXX ENTERRA, INC.
By:
--------------------------------
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