EXHIBIT 10.F.7
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Conexant Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and Xxxx Xxxxxx (the "Executive"), dated as of the
14th day of January, 2002 ("Date of this Agreement").
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to employ the Executive; under this Employment and Change of Control Agreement.
The Board has also determined that it is in the best interests of the company
and its shareholders 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 will be satisfied and
which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order 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
l(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 of this Agreement and ending on the third anniversary of
the Date of this Agreement; provided, however, that commencing on the date one
year after the Date of this Agreement, 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 three years
from 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.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company
2. Pending Conexant Organization and Business Plans. For
purposes of this Agreement, the contemplated separation of the Conexant Systems,
Inc. business into three or more companies by means of a "spin-off distribution
to shareholders or similar methodology that results in distinct independent
public companies will not be considered a "Change of Control". Specifically, the
separation of Conexant Systems, Inc., its Wireless business in the publicly an
nounced spin-merge with Alpha Industries, Inc., and Mindspeed Technologies into
three distinct companies will not constitute a "Change of Control".
3. 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 3; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the Date of this Agreement,
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 of this Agreement whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall
be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another entity (a
"Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combi-
nation, (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 Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% 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
2
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (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 Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) of the company, of Conexant Systems, Inc. or of
such corporation resulting from such Business combination) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more, of, respectively, the then outstanding
share of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed
prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members
of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of
the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such
Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
4. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions of
Section 6, hereof, and Executive's right to voluntarily terminate employment at
any time during the Employment Period, the Company hereby employs, and 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 Date of this Agreement and ending on
the third anniversary of the Date of this Agreement (the "Employment Period");
provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the Date of this
Agreement, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each
annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the Continuation
Date"), unless previously terminated, the Employment Period shall be automati-
cally extended so as to terminate three years from such Continuation Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Continuation Date the Company shall give
notice to the Executive that the Employment Period shall not be so extended.
5. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive shall be employed as Senior
Vice President, Human Resources, for the Wireline Broadband business that will
result from the spin-off of Mindspeed Technologies from Conexant, and will
report directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall be a
Section 16b Executive Officer of Conexant and hold the highest Human Resources
post within the Company once the Mindspeed Technologies spin-off is completed,
with overall responsibility for all personnel policies, hiring, compensation,
employee benefits, employment-regulation compliance, performance evaluation,
discipline and separation, and succession planning. All employees having
responsibilities in the just-mentioned areas shall report directly to, or shall
report through others to, Executive. Executive shall have the authority
typically held by the chief personnel officers of a major corporation and (B)
the Executive's services shall be performed in Newport Beach, California or at
any other office or location less than 35 miles from Newport Beach, California.
3
(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 or (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.
(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. Initially, the Annual Base
Salary shall be $250,000.00. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base
Salary shall be reviewed 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 increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased.
(ii) Incentive Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary,
the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus"). Executive's
target Incentive Bonus has been set at 45% of the Annual Base Salary. For Fiscal
Year 2002 the Incentive Bonus (Peak Performance Plan) shall be delivered as a
performance share grant. After Fiscal Year 2002, the Incentive Bonus may be
delivered as either a cash payment or as a stock option grant that is a
percentage of Executive's eligible fiscal year base earnings.
(iii) Incentive and Savings Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive and
savings plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally 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 for participation 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, 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. The Company
offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision
and life insurance coverage. Executive may also participate in the 401(k)
Savings Plan which allows contributions of up to 17% of eligible earnings on a
pre and/or post tax basis. Currently, the Company matches the first 4% of Annual
Base Salary to a maximum of 100%.
(v) Sign-On Bonus. Executive shall receive a one-time
Sign-On Bonus of $50,000.00, less State and Federal taxes, which shall be paid
within three weeks of the Date of
4
this Agreement. The bonus is deemed earned after 12 months of employment. Should
Executive voluntarily terminate his employment, or be terminated for cause
within 12 months of the Date of this Agreement, Executive shall repay the
pro-rata, unearned portion of the Sign-On Bonus.
(vi) Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible to
participate in Conexant's Stock Option Program and shall receive a stock option
grant of 100,000 shares, which shall vest over a four-year period, at 25% per
year. The stock price shall be established on the grant date, which shall be the
Date of this Agreement. Executive shall receive confirmation of the number of
shares and option price from Stock Administration. This option grant shall be
subject to "split" option treatment, resulting in option holdings in all
Conexant Companies that spin-off from the current Conexant Systems, Inc.
Company. The Fiscal Year 2002 Conexant Officers Long-Term Incentive Program is
still in the compensation review process. However, Executive's ongoing grant
guideline is 60,000 shares. Executive shall be eligible to enroll in Conexant's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(vii) 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.
(viii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation,
reimbursement for financial planning and income tax preparation services from
the AYCO Company, valued at $15,000 annually; participation in the Company's
executive physical program; and an annual membership in a health club of
Executive's choice up to $4,000 annually.
(ix) 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 exclusive personal secretarial
and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing
provided to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(x) 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
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies. Executive's annual vacation accrual will start at a rate of three
weeks per year.
6. 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), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 13(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 on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Ex-
5
ecutive 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 180 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 only mean(i)the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially all of 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 or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties.
For purposes of this provision, the Company's actions must be
in good faith and the term "willful and continued failure to perform" will not
be interpreted to exist based on (i)either solely or primarily on differences of
operating philosophy or style between the Executive and the Board or Chief
Executive Officer or (ii)if the Executive is making all reasonable efforts to
perform the stated job duties and those efforts are reasonably believed by the
Executive to be in the best interests and well being of the Company; 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 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 good faith opinion of the
Board, there is Cause, as described 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), author-
6
ity, duties or responsibilities as defined in Section 5(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 5(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 5(a)(i)(B) hereof or
the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required within three months of the Date of
this Agreement or 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 12(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 6(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 13(b)
of this 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
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than thirty 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, hereunder or
preclude 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" means (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
7
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.
7. 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, Death 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) one year of the Executive's Annual
Base Salary, less the amount of Annual Base Salary already paid in the current
year (2) the product of (x) the highest of (I) 45% of Executive's Annual Base
Salary or (II) the most recently received Incentive Bonus or (III) the Incentive
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
twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than
twelve full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the
Employment Period, if any (such highest 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 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 as defined in Section 7(i)(A); and
C. Stock Options. Subject to the provisions of 3(a),
(b), (c), and (d), in the event a Change of Control shall occur, one-fourth of
all awards granted on or before December 31, 2003(2003) shall accelerate in
vesting. Further, if within two years following the Change of Control event,
Executive's position is eliminated or Executive's duties are changed in such a
way that a substantial diminution of status and responsibilities occurs, an
additional one-fourth of all awards granted on or before December 31, 2003(2003)
then outstanding, shall accelerate in vesting.
(ii) for two years 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 at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 5(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated 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 and their families,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and
8
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. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such
plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to
have remained employed until two years after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period;
(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; and
(iv) 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 beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 5(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives and their beneficiaries 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 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 of the Date of Termination. With respect to
the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this
Section 5(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance
with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if
any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their
families as of the Disability Effective Date.
(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
9
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 the timely payment of his Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, 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 of the Date
of Termination.
8. 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, 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.
9. 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 other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses 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 thereof (including
as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment
at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
10. 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 or its affiliates 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
10) (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
10
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 10(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a
Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest
amount (the "Reduced Amount") that could be paid to the Executive 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 10(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 10, 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 Deloitte & Touche LLP or 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 Company and the Executive within
15 business days of 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 a 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 10, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days
of 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 10(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 it 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
11
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
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay
directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties)
incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of
such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 10(c), the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a
refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute
of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested 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 issue 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 10(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. 10(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 10(c), a determination is made that the
12
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.
11. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data 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 and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). 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 Com-
pany and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 11 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding
any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
12. 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/or 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.
13. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, 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.
13
(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:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
18 Palmatum
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company:
Conexant Systems, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished
to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice 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 6(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 defined under this written agreement between the Executive and the
Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" . From and
after the Date of this Agreement, this Agreement shall supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14
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.
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx 1/21/2002
-----------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxxxx
CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Chairman & CEO
15
