CATALYTICA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC./SCR-TECH LLC/CESI-SCR, INC. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.6
CATALYTICA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC./SCR-TECH LLC/CESI-SCR, INC.
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into between and among
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx III (the “Employee”), Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), SCR-Tech
LLC (“SCR-Tech”) and CESI-SCR, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the manager of
SCR-Tech (“CESI-SCR”), effective as of January 1, 2007 (the “Effective Date”). This Agreement
replaces and supersedes in their entirety (i) the letter agreement between the Company and
Employee dated March 16, 2005, and (ii) the SCR-Tech, LLC Change of Control Severance Agreement
between and among the Company, SCR-Tech LLC and Employee dated March 17, 2005 (the “Prior
Agreements”).
(a) Positions and Duties. As of the Effective Date, Employee will continue to
serve as President of SCR-Tech. Employee will render such business and professional services
in
the performance of his duties, consistent with Employee’s position within SCR-Tech, as shall
reasonably be assigned to him, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”), the
board of directors of CESI-SCR or their designee. Moreover, Employee will remain a Section
16
executive officer for so long as the board of directors of the Company (the “Board)
determines, in its
reasonable discretion and in consultation with its outside counsel, that such designation is
appropriate. The period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as
the
“Employment Term.” The employee will continue to serve as President of CESI-SCR, to the extent
determined by the board of directors of CESI-SCR in its sole discretion
(b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Employee will perform his duties
faithfully and to the best of his ability and will devote his full business efforts and time
to SCR-Tech
and the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Employee agrees not to actively
engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect
remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO or the Board. The Board acknowledges that
Employee currently serves on the Advisory Board of Great Point Energy and as a member of the
board of directors of CoalTec Energy USA, Inc. Employee agrees to notify the Board or CEO in
writing or by e-mail prior to receiving any additional compensation from these entities,
specifying
the amount of the compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Employee
as compensation for his services a base salary at the annualized rate of $200,000 until
January 1,
2007 when the amount shall increase to an annualized rate of $215,000 (“Base Salary”). The
Base
Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and
be
subject to the usual, required withholding.
(b) Annual Bonus. During the Employment Term, Employee shall be eligible to
receive an annual bonus with a target payment equal to 50% of Base Salary based upon criteria
developed by the Board or by the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Target Bonus”).
(a) Termination Not in Connection with a Change of Control. If the Employee’s
employment with SCR-Tech terminates as a result of Involuntary Termination (as defined below)
other than for Cause at any time prior to an announcement of a Change of Control or on or
after the
date that is twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control or the announcement of a
Change of Control, whichever comes later (a “Non-Change of Control Severance Termination”),
then, subject to Employee (i) executing and not revoking a standard release of claims in favor
of the
Company; provided, however, that such release shall preserve all indemnification rights
of
Employee and all other rights of Employee under the currently existing indemnification
agreement
or similar agreement with the Company (a “Release”), and (ii) not breaching the provisions of
Section 6 hereof, then Employee shall be entitled to receive the
following severance and non-competition benefits:
-2-
Cause at any time after an announcement of a Change of Control and prior to twenty-four (24)
months following a Change of Control or the announcement of a Change of Control, whichever comes
later (the “Change of Control Period”) (a “Change of Control Severance Termination”), then,
subject to Employee (i) executing and not revoking a Release, (ii) not breaching the provisions of
Section 6 hereof, and (iii) the provisions of Section 8 hereof, the Employee shall be entitled to
receive the following severance benefits:
(1) If the Company Value is less than five million dollars, one
hundred percent (100%) of the Employee’s Annual Compensation. Of this amount, fifty percent (50%)
of Employee’s Annual Compensation is paid specifically in exchange for Employee entering into and
not breaching the non-competition provisions of Section 6 hereof.
(2) If the Company Value is at least five million dollars but less
than ten million dollars, one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the Employee’s Annual
Compensation. Of this amount, seventy-five percent (75%) of Employee’s Annual Compensation is paid
specifically in exchange for Employee entering into and not breaching the non-competition
provisions of Section 6 hereof.
(3) If the Company Value is ten million dollars or more, two
hundred percent (200%) of the Employee’s Annual Compensation. Of this amount, one hundred percent
(100%) of Employee’s Annual Compensation is paid specifically in exchange for Employee entering
into and not breaching the non-competition provisions of Section 6 hereof.
-3-
(c) Voluntary Resignation; Termination For Cause. If the Employee’s
employment terminates by reason of the Employee’s voluntary resignation (and is not an
Involuntary
Termination), or if the Employee is terminated for Cause, then the Employee shall not be
entitled to
receive severance or other benefits except for those (if any) as may then be established under
the
Company’s then existing option, severance and benefits plans and practices.
(d)
Disability; Death. If the Company terminates the Employee’s employment as
a result of the Employee’s Disability, or such Employee’s employment is terminated due to the
death
of the Employee, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance or other
benefits
except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then existing
severance
and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other agreements with the Company.
(e) Change in Status with CESI-SCR or the Company. Employee’s termination
as President of CESI-SCR shall not be deemed to be a termination of employment with SCR-Tech,
nor shall any such termination trigger any payments under Section 5 or otherwise under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Employee’s termination as President of CESI-SCR
results in a significant reduction of Employee’s duties, authority or responsibilities as the
President
of SCR-Tech, then that shall constitute grounds for an Involuntary Termination pursuant to
Section
9(g) hereof, subject to the notice and opportunity to cure provisions of such Section.
(a) Noncompete. Employee acknowledges that the nature of the Company’s business is
such that if Employee were to become employed by, or substantially involved in, the business of a
competitor of the Companies during the 12 months following the termination of Employee’s
employment, it would be very difficult for Employee not to rely on or use the Company’s trade
secrets and confidential information. Thus, to avoid the inevitable disclosure of the Companies’
trade secrets and confidential information, Employee agrees and acknowledges that Employee’s right
to receive the payments set forth in Section 5 (to the extent Employee is otherwise entitled to
such payments) shall be conditioned upon Employee not directly or indirectly engaging in (whether
as an employee, consultant, agent, proprietor, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer,
director or otherwise), nor having any ownership interested in or participating in the financing,
operation, management or control of, any person, firm, corporation or business that is in
Competition with any of the Companies or their affiliates; provided, however, that following his
termination of employment, Employee shall be permitted to work for an entity in Competition with
the Companies whose primary business is not providing products or services competitive with the
products or services of the Companies, so long Employee does not engage in a business that makes
such entity in Competition with the Companies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may, without
violating this Section 6, own, as a passive investment, shares of capital stock of a publicly-held
corporation that engages in Competition where the number of shares of such corporation’s capital
stock that are owned by Employee represent less than three percent of the total number of shares of
such corporation’s capital stock outstanding. Further, if the Employee notifies the CEO or the
Board in writing about potential employment that may be construed as in Competition, the CEO or
Board agrees to consider in good faith whether such potential employment may be construed as in
Competition and to notify Employee of its determination in writing or by e-mail within a reasonable
period of time.
-4-
(a) In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this
Agreement or otherwise payable to the Employee (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and
(ii) but for this Section 8, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, then the Employee’s severance benefits under this Agreement shall be either
(A) delivered in full, or
(B) delivered as to such lesser extent which would
result in no portion of
such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999
of the Code,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local
income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by the Employee on
an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some
portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any taxes due
under Section 4999 shall be the responsibility of the employee.
(b) If a reduction in the payments and benefits that would otherwise be paid or
provided to the Employee under the terms of this Agreement is necessary to comply with the
provisions of Section 8(a), the Employee shall be entitled to select which payments or
benefits will
-5-
be reduced and the manner and method of any such reduction of such payments or benefits subject to
reasonable limitations (including, for example, express provisions under the Companies’ benefit
plans) (so long as the requirements of Section 8(a) are met). Within thirty (30) days after the
amount of any required reduction in payments and benefits is finally determined in accordance with
the provisions of Section 8(c), the Employee shall notify the Company in writing regarding which
payments or benefits are to be reduced. If no notification is given by the Employee, the Company
will determine which amounts to reduce. If, as a result of any reduction required by Section 8(a),
amounts previously paid to the Employee exceed the amount to which the Employee is entitled, the
Employee will promptly return the excess amount to the Company.
(c) Unless the Company and the Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination
required under this Section 8 shall be made in writing by the Company’s primary outside tax
advisors immediately prior to the Change of Control (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall
be conclusive and binding upon the Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of
making the calculations required by this Section 8, the Accountants may, after taking into account
the information provided by the Employee, make reasonable assumptions and approximations
concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the
application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Companies and the Employee shall furnish to
the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order
to make a determination under this Section. The Companies shall bear all costs the Accountants may
reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 8.
(a) Annual Compensation. “Annual Compensation” means an amount equal to
the greater of (i) Employee’s Base Salary for the twelve (12) months preceding the Change of
Control plus the Employee’s Target Bonus for the same period, or (ii) Employee’s Base Salary
on an
annualized basis and the Employee’s Target Bonus as of the Termination Date.
(b) Cause. “Cause” shall mean (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by the
Employee in connection with his responsibilities as an employee and intended to result in
substantial
personal enrichment of the Employee, (ii) the conviction of or plea of nolo contendere
to a felony,
(iii) a willful act by the Employee that constitutes gross misconduct and that is injurious to
the
Company, or (iv) for a period of not less than thirty (30) days following delivery to the
Employee of
a written demand for performance from the Company that describes the basis for the Company’s
belief that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, continued violations by
the
Employee of the Employee’s obligations to the Company that are demonstrably willful and
deliberate on the Employee’s part. Any dismissal for cause must be approved by the Company’s
Board of Directors prior to the dismissal date.
-6-
(c) Change of Control. “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of
the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than the Company, CESI-SCR or an affiliated
entity, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of SCR-Tech representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting
power represented by the SCR-Tech’s then outstanding voting securities;
(iii) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than the Company or an affiliated entity, becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of CESI-SCR representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power
represented by the CESI-SCR’s then outstanding voting securities;
(iv) A change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors occurring within a
twelve-month period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent
Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company
as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the
affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election
or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection
with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company);
(v) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with
any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such
surviving entity’s parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by
the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;
(vi) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of SCR Tech with any other corporation
(other than a merger or consolidation with the Company, CESI-SCR or an affiliated entity), other
than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of SCR Tech outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent) at
least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of SCR
Tech or such surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation;
-7-
(vii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or seventy-five
percent (75%) or more of the Company’s assets, or
(viii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by SCR-Tech of all or seventy-five
percent (75%) or more of SCR-Tech’s assets.
(d) Company Value. “Company Value” shall mean the value of the total
consideration payable to the Companies or to the Company’s stockholders, in the event of a
Change
of Control, less the value of any cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities held by or
on
account of any of the Companies or their affiliates immediately prior to such Change of
Control.
The determination of Company Value shall based upon consideration to be received by the
Companies or by the Company’s stockholders and shall be determined promptly following any
termination of Employee’s employment that would give rise to a severance payment under Section
5(b) hereof. If part of the consideration to be received by Companies or the Company’s
stockholders
in a Change of Control consists of earn-out payments or other contingent payments, the present
value of such contingent payments, including a discount to reflect the probability of such
payments
being made, shall be reasonably determined by the acquirer. In the event of a Change of
Control not
involving the Company (i.e., a Change of Control involving CESI-SCR and/or SCR-Tech but not
the
Company), Company Value shall be reduced by the amount of any intra-company debt of CESI-
SCR or SCR-Tech to the Company or its affiliates that is forgiven by the Company or such
affiliates
in contemplation of the Change of Control.
(e) Competition. “Competition” shall mean (i) SCR catalyst and management
services including, but not limited to the cleaning, rejuvenation and regeneration of SCR
catalysts
and managing SCR catalysts for utilities and independent power producers, and (ii) any other
business engaged in by any of the Companies that relates to the activities specified in
subsection (i)
hereof.
(f) Disability. “Disability” shall mean that the Employee has been unable to
perform his Company duties as the result of his incapacity due to physical or mental illness,
and such
inability, at least twenty-six (26) weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total
and
permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Employee or
the Employee’s legal representative (such Agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably
withheld). Termination resulting from Disability may only be effected after at least thirty
(30) days’
written notice by the Company of its intention to terminate the Employee’s employment. In
the
event that the Employee resumes the performance of substantially all of his duties hereunder
before
the termination of his employment becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall
automatically be deemed to have been revoked.
(g) Involuntary Termination. “Involuntary Termination” shall mean (i) without
the Employee’s express written consent, the significant reduction of the Employee’s duties,
authority
or responsibilities, relative to the Employee’s duties, authority or responsibilities as in
effect
immediately prior to such reduction, or the assignment to Employee of such reduced duties,
authority or responsibilities; provided, however, that so long as Employee remains the
President of
SCR-Tech, or, following a Change of Control of SCR-Tech, whatever entity substantially
contains
SCR-Tech’s business, in either case with the duties, authority and responsibilities
that are
-8-
commensurate with such position, then Employee shall have no grounds for an Involuntary Termination
pursuant to this Section 9(g)(i) or Section 9(g)(viii); provided, further, that if Employee reports
to someone other than the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, that shall not in and of itself
constitute grounds for an Involuntary Termination pursuant to this Section 9(g)(i) or Section
9(g)(viii); provided, further, that if Employee ceases to be a Section 16 officer pursuant to
section l(a) hereof, that shall not in and of itself constitute grounds for an Involuntary
Termination, (ii) without the Employee’s express written consent, a substantial reduction, without
good business reasons, of the facilities and perquisites (including office space and location)
available to the Employee immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a reduction by the Company in
the base salary or target bonus of the Employee as in effect immediately prior to such reduction;
(iv) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the
Employee was entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the Employee’s
overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (v) the relocation of the Employee to a facility
or a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from the Employee’s then present location, without
the Employee’s express written consent; (vi) any purported termination of the Employee by the
Company that is not effected for Disability or for Cause, or, during the Change of Control Period
only, any purported termination for which the grounds relied upon are not valid; (vii) the failure
of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successors contemplated in Section
10(a) below; or (viii) during the Change of Control Period only, any act or set of facts or
circumstances that would, under North Carolina case law or statute constitute a constructive
termination of the Employee. However, with respect to any Non-Change of Control Severance
Termination, an Involuntary Termination shall not be deemed to have occurred unless Employee
provides written notice to the Company describing the nature of the event that he believes forms
the basis for Involuntary Termination and the Company does not cure such event within ten (10) days
following receipt of such notice.
(h) Termination Date. “Termination Date” shall mean (i) if this Agreement is
terminated by the Company for Disability, thirty (30) days after notice of termination is given to
the Employee (provided that the Employee shall not have returned to the performance of the
Employee’s duties on a full-time basis during such thirty (30)-day period), (ii) if the Employee’s
employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason, the date on which a notice of
termination is given, provided that if within thirty (30) days after the Company gives the
Employee notice of termination, the Employee notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning
the termination or the benefits due pursuant to this Agreement, then the Termination Date shall be
the date on which such dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the
parties, or a by final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time
for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected), or (iii) if the
Agreement is terminated by the Employee, the date on which the Employee delivers the notice of
termination to the Company.
(a) Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect
and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially
all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the obligations under this Agreement and
agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence
-9-
of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any
successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption
agreement described in this Section 10(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by
operation of law.
(b) Employee’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of the Employee
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Employee’s personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees.
(a) General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally
delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and
postage
prepaid. In the case of the Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home
address
which he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company,
mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be
directed to
the attention of its Secretary.
(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by the
Employee as a result of a voluntary resignation or an Involuntary Termination
shall be
communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 11 (a) of this Agreement. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination
provision in this
Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to
provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the
termination
date (which shall be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The
failure by
the Employee to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing
of
Involuntary Termination shall not waive any right of the Employee hereunder or preclude the
Employee from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder.
(a) No Duty to Mitigate. The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any severance payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such severance
payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other source,
provided
Employee is in compliance with all obligations that the Employee owes under this Agreement.
(b) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or
discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by
the
Employee and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Employee). No waiver by
either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement by
the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the
same
condition or provision at another time.
(c) Whole Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in their entirety all
prior
-10-
arrangements and understandings regarding same, including the Prior Agreements and any offer
letter, promotion letter, employment agreement, oral representation or promise or other agreement
regarding Employee’s employment terms with the Company. Other than this Agreement and the At-Will
Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, no agreements,
representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which
are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either party with
respect to the subject matter hereof.
(d) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of
this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall
be governed by, the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
-11-
COMPANY | CATALYTICA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | |||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||||||
Its: CEO | ||||||
Date: 1/10/07 | ||||||
SCR-Tech LLC | By: CESI-SCR, Inc. its Manager | |||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||||||
Its: Vice President | ||||||
Date: 1-10-07 | ||||||
CESI-SCR, Inc.
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||||
Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||||||
Its: Vice President | ||||||
Date: 1/10/07 | ||||||
EMPLOYEE | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx III | |||||
Date: 12/26/06 |
-12-