AMENDED AND RESTATED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.1
AMENDED
AND RESTATED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This
Management Agreement (this “Agreement”) dated this 1st
day of
September, 2004, as amended, (the "Effective Date"), by and between HouseRaising,
Inc.,
a North
Carolina corporation with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina (the “Company”),
and XXXXXX X. XxXXXXXX, a resident of North Carolina (the
“Executive”).
W
I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Company is engaged in and seeks to expand its business in the house building
and related industry segments, and the Executive has substantial experience
in
managing and operating businesses and as a senior management executive that
would be very beneficial to the Company’s operations and future
prospects;
WHEREAS,
the Executive has actively managed and provided other valuable services to
the
predecessor to the Company without regular compensation since its inception
in
2001;
WHEREAS,
the Company believes its progress and its prospects for future development
and
growth would be significantly enhanced if the Executive were to serve as
the
Company’s President;
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has authorized this
Agreement with the Executive and has approved its terms and conditions, all
of
which the Board has found to be reasonable, proper, and in the best interest
of
the Company;
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Executive desire to set forth the terms and conditions
pursuant to which the Executive will be engaged by the Company; and
WHEREAS,
the Executive is willing to be engaged by the Company pursuant to the terms
and
conditions set forth herein;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and of the mutual
covenants and undertakings contained herein, the parties to this agreement
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
MANAGEMENT
DUTIES AND COMPENSATION
1.01 (a) Initial
Terms of Management Duties. The
Company and the Executive hereby agree that for a fifty month (50) month
period
beginning on the Effective Date, the Company shall engage the Executive as
President and the Executive shall perform services for the Company at the
Company’s headquarters location. The last day of such fifty (50) month period
shall be the "Termination Date" for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Renewal
of Term. Unless
the Company shall have given the Executive written notice at least 180 days
prior to the Termination Date, this Agreement shall renew and continue in
effect
for additional one-year periods (and all provisions of this Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect), and each successive anniversary from
such
original Termination Date shall thereafter be designated as the “Termination
Date” for all purposes under this Agreement, provided, however, that the Company
may, at its election at any time after the expiration of the initial term
of
this Agreement, give the Executive notice of termination, in which event
the
Executive shall continue to receive, as severance pay, his base salary, if
any,
and benefits set forth in Paragraphs (d) and (f) below for 12 full months
following such notice of termination. During such 12-month severance period,
the
Board may modify the Executive’s duties as described in Paragraph (c) below
without triggering the provisions of Section 2.03 below. The Company agrees
that
it will not unreasonably withhold any annual renewals of this
Agreement.
(c) Duties:
As
President of the Company, the Executive shall carry out the strategic plans
and
policies as established by the Board of Directors of the Company and shall
report to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors.
The Executive’s duties shall include but not be limited to the following:
(i)
|
Supporting
the operations and administration of the Board of Directors by
advising
and informing Board members with regard to the operations of the
Company
and interfacing between the Board, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, and the staff of the Company;
|
(ii)
|
Supporting
the design, marketing, promotion, delivery, and quality of company
programs, products, and services;
|
(iii)
|
Reviewing
a yearly budget for Board approval and prudently managing the Company’s
resources within those budgetary guidelines according to current
laws and
regulations;
|
(iv)
|
Assisting
in the effective management of the human resources of the organization
according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that
fully
conform to current laws and regulations;
|
(v)
|
Assisting
in the identification and research of potential sources of capital
and
establishing strategies to obtain funding from such sources;
and
|
(vi)
|
Assuring
that the Company and its mission programs, products and services
are
consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.
|
As
the
President of the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to exercise all
rights
and power and shall have all the privileges and authorities commensurate
with
his offices, including without limitation:
(i)
|
The
full authority for the operations and conduct of the business of
the
Company;
|
(ii)
|
General
decision-making authority with respect to the day-to-day operations
of the
business of the Company;
|
(iii)
|
The
engagement, retention, and termination of employees and independent
contractors of the Company, the setting of the compensation and
other
material terms of employment or engagement of employees and independent
contractors and the establishment of work rules for employees;
and
|
(iv)
|
The
initiation, development, and implementation of new business, subject
only
to the supervision of the Board and the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. The Executive shall render his services thereunder in
the
headquarters city (or other headquarters location approved by the
Board)
subject to such reasonable travel as may be required to perform
his duties
hereunder. The Executive shall devote such time as is required
to perform
his services hereunder.
|
(d) Compensation
and Expenses:
Commencing
on January 1, 2005, and on the first day of each subsequent calendar quarter
until the Company receives not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000)
in
new equity or debt financing (a “Qualified Financing”), the Executive shall be
issued One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand (125,000) shares of the Company’s Common
Stock for the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Such shares will
be
issued under the Company’s 2004 Non-Qualified Stock Compensation Plan and shall
be registered by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
on
Form S-8 prior to issuance. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for
expenses incurred providing services to the Company under this
Agreement.
Commencing
on October 1, 2005, and on the first day of each subsequent calendar quarter
until the Company receives Qualified Financing, the Executive shall be issued
shares of the Company’s Common Stock for the services rendered pursuant to this
Agreement equal to $87,500 per quarter. Such shares will be issued by dividing
the $87,500 by the closing price for 5 days preceding the quarter and be
issued
under the Company’s 2004 Non-Qualified Stock Compensation Plan and shall be
registered by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
on
Form S-8 prior to issuance.
Commencing
on the closing date of a Qualified Financing, and for each renewal term
thereafter, the Executive shall receive gross base salary pursuant to this
Agreement as set forth below:
(i)
|
For
the remaining balance of the initial fifty (50) month term remaining
subsequent to the closing of the Qualified Financing, $350,000
per year
payable at a rate of $29,166 per month for the twelve months following
October 1, 2005, $400,000 per year payable at a rate of $33,333
per month
for the twelve months following October 1, 2006, $450,000 per year
payable
at a rate of $37,500 per month for the twelve months following
October 1,
2007 and will continue at that rate for the duration of this contract
or
any renewals unless the Board increases the Executive’s base compensation
above $37,500 per month, which it may do during this contract period
or
any renewal period.”
|
Nothing
herein shall be deemed to restrict the right of the Board to increase the
Executive’s annual gross base salary, bonuses, and fringe benefits or grant
stock options at any time in its discretion.
-
2
-
(e) Bonuses.
The
Executive shall be entitled to such bonuses as are described in Exhibit A
attached hereto.
(f) Fringe
Benefits. The
Company shall provide to Executive, during the term of his engagement
hereunder:
(i)
|
All
so-called “fringe benefits” including, but not limited to, participation
in pension plans, profit-sharing plans, hospitalization insurance,
medical
insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance,
and the
like that are granted to or provided for eligible employees or
contractors
of the Company, or that may be granted to or provided for during
the term
of the Executive’s engagement under this Agreement; and upon termination
of Executive’s services with the Company, the Executive may, at his option
and at his expense, continue the Executive’s
hospitalization/medical/dental/disability and life insurance policy
without interruption until his death, if permitted by the terms
of such
group policies.
|
(ii)
|
Four
weeks’ paid vacation per year.
|
(iii)
|
A
monthly housing and auto allowance of $5,000.00 which will be paid
monthly
to Executive at the first of each month during the period of this
contract
or any renewals hereunder.
|
(g) Initial
Stock Options. In
consideration for his services hereunder, immediately following the closing
of a
Qualified Financing, the Company hereby grants to the Executive an option
to
acquire shares of the Company’s Common Stock as described in Exhibit
B.
(h) Travel
and Reimbursement of Expenses. Subsequent
to the closing date of Qualified Financing, the Company agrees to pay to
on
behalf of Executive the cost of travel and other expenses incurred by Executive
on the Company’s behalf. It is understood that the Company will reimburse
Executive for reasonable travel expenses between the Company headquarters
and
other office locations.
ARTICLE
II
RIGHTS
ON TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
2.01 Right
to Terminate Agreement. At
any
time subsequent to the closing of a Qualified Financing, the Executive may,
at
his option, terminate his engagement under this Agreement upon not less than
60
days’ written notice to the Board of Directors of the Company given at any time.
In the event of the termination of this Agreement by the Executive, the
Executive shall be entitled to:
(i)
|
a
portion of his monthly salary and any accrued bonus earned by the
Executive prior to the date of termination, computed pro rata up
to and
including the date of termination; and
|
(ii)
|
exercise
during the 90-day period following the Executive's termination,
any
unexercised stock options that are vested as of the date of termination.
Other than the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to no
further
compensation of any kind after the date of termination.
|
2.02 Disability.
If,
because of mental or physical disability, the Executive shall be incapable
for a
period of six consecutive months (the “Disability Period”) of performing his
obligations and agreements hereunder (hereinafter referred to as a “Disability”)
during which period the provision of this Agreement will continue to apply
in
full force and effect, then, at the election of the Company expressed to
the
Executive in writing, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of such
Disability Period, except that the Executive shall receive 75% of his base
salary then in effect for one year from the date of termination, together
with
the bonuses described on Exhibit A hereto. The Company may at its option
alternatively purchase an insurance policy that will provide the same disability
benefit to the Executive. Additionally, any stock options previously granted
but
not vested shall become vested upon termination for Disability by the Company.
The determination of whether the Executive has suffered a Disability shall
be
made by three licensed medical doctors: one chosen by the Company, one chosen
by
the Executive, and one chosen by the two doctors so chosen.
2.03 |
Rights
Upon Termination of Engagement Without Cause Prior to the
Termination:
|
The
Company may terminate the Executive’s services without Cause (as defined in
Section 4.20 below) by delivering written notice of such termination to the
Executive. In addition, any:
(i)
|
Material
change of the Executive’s title, responsibilities, or authority by the
Board without the Executive’s concurrence which is not cured within 30
days after notice by the Executive,
|
-
3
-
(ii)
|
Material
breach by the Company of this Agreement which continues for
30 days after
notice by the Executive, or
|
(iii)
|
a
change in control of the Company that is required to be reported
by the
Company on Form 8-K,
|
shall
be
deemed termination by the Company without Cause. In the event of termination
pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Executive
shall be entitled to give notice of termination, which notice shall have
the
same effect as a notice delivered by the Company, or
If,
prior
to the Termination Date, the Company terminates the Executive’s engagement for
any reason other than Cause or Disability, then the Company shall:
(i)
|
Continue
to pay the Executive (in the same manner as prior to such termination)
after the date of such termination the compensation provided under
Section
1.01 above through the Termination Date as if the Executive had
been
engaged hereunder during such
period;
|
(ii)
|
Pay
all bonuses quarterly as if the mutually agreed upon targets were
met;
|
(iii)
|
Provide
the Executive with continued coverage through the Termination Date
under
any employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(3)
of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) then
maintained by the Company and in which the Executive then participates
or
any successor plan thereof. Notwithstanding 2.03(iii) above, the
Company
hereby agrees to maintain the Executive’s
hospitalization/medical/dental/disability and life insurance policy
in
effect at the time of termination through the full period of this
Agreement, to continue to pay any premium to maintain the policy
through
the full period of this Agreement, and the Executive may, at his
option
and his expense at the end of this Agreement or termination, continue
the
policy without interruption until his death if permitted by the
terms of
such policy; and
|
(iv)
|
All
stock options will immediately vest, and the stock granted to the
Executive upon his exercise of such options shall be unrestricted
except
for any governmental restrictions and registered if the Company
is a
public company at the time of termination or subsequently becomes
public.
|
2.04 |
Right Upon Termination of Engagement for
Cause
|
The
Company shall have the right at any time, by giving written notice to Executive
to terminate Executive’s engagement for Cause. Cause shall be deemed to have
occurred if the Executive is convicted of a felony or a crime involving fraud,
gross negligence, or significant mismanagement of the business. Upon such
termination for Cause, Executive shall be paid his current monthly salary
and
any bonuses earned up to that point, and Executive may exercise any unexercised
options that are vested. Executive shall forfeit all unexercised options
not
then vested.
2.05 |
Beneficiaries of Payments
|
If
the
Executive shall die before receiving all payments to be made by the Company
to
him pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement, all such payments
or
any remaining payments, as the case may be, shall be made by the Company
to such
beneficiary or beneficiaries as the Executive may designate from time to
time by
notice in writing filed with the Company, or if the Executive shall fail
or fail
effectively to designate a beneficiary, or if no beneficiary shall survive
the
date when the last payment is to be made, any remaining payments shall be
made
to the Executive’s estate.
ARTICLE
III
PROTECTIONS/CONFIDENTIALITY
3.01 |
Covenants
Regarding Protections:
|
The
Executive hereby agrees and covenants to the following:
(a) Solicitation
of Customers and Registered Primary Vendors:
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of six months following the
termination of this Agreement by either party (other than a termination of
this
Agreement by the Company’s failure to renew it pursuant to Section 1.01(b)
above), the Executive hereby agrees not to solicit or contact in any manner
that
could be reasonably construed as a solicitation, any past or current customer
or
registered primary vendor of the Company for purposes of encouraging such
customer to refrain from purchasing products or services from the Company
or for
purposes of encouraging such vendor to refrain from providing services or
selling products to the Company. Notwithstanding the above, if the Executive
should leave the Company and join a competitive company, it is recognized
by the
parties that the industry utilizes a variety of marketing and sales techniques
such as direct mail, telemarketing, advertising, etc., and the customer might
be
contacted by the Company that the Executive joins as a matter of course,
and in
this event this practice would not be considered a violation of this
Agreement.
-
4
-
(b) Solicitation
of Executives:
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of six months following the
termination of this Agreement by either party (other than a termination of
this
Agreement by the Company’s failure to renew it pursuant to Section 1.01(b)
above), the Executive hereby agrees not to employ, either directly or indirectly
through any entity in which the Executive is an executive officer, and agrees
not to solicit, or contact in any manner that could reasonably be construed
as a
solicitation, any executive officer or director of the Company for purposes
of
encouraging such person to leave or terminate his engagement with the
Company.
3.02 |
Confidentiality;
Competitive or Personal
Disparagement:
|
The
Executive and the Company hereby agree that neither will, during the term
of the
Executive’s engagement or at any time following the termination hereof for any
reason, do or cause to have done any of the following:
(i)
|
Without
the prior written consent of the other party, use for its own purposes
or
disclosure to any person or other entity any confidential and/or
proprietary information of the Company or the Executive;
and
|
(ii)
|
Each
party agrees that it will not disparage the other
party.
|
3.03 |
Enforcement:
|
The
Executive and the Company recognize that the provisions of this Agreement
are
vitally important to the continuing welfare of the Company and the Executive
and
that money damages constitute an inadequate remedy for any violation thereof.
Accordingly, in the event of any such violation by the Executive or the Company,
the Company or the Executive, in addition to any other remedies it may have,
shall have the right to institute and maintain a proceeding to compel specific
performance thereof or to issue an injunction restraining any action by the
Executive or the Company in violation of the Agreement.
ARTICLE
IV
4.01 |
Indemnifications:
|
The
parties agree that the Executive shall be indemnified by the Company against
any
liability asserted against the Executive (and expenses, including without
limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and other legal expenses
incurred in connection therewith) by reason of his position with the Company
or
any subsidiary to the full extent a North Carolina corporation may indemnify
an
officer or director under the North Carolina General Corporate Law.
4.02 |
No
Obligation to Mitigate
Damages:
|
In
the
event of a termination of engagement upon a change in control, the Executive
shall not be required to mitigate damages by seeking other
engagement.
4.03 |
Arbitration
and Remedies:
|
(a) All
disputes, differences, or questions between the parties concerning the
construction, interpretation, and effect of the Agreement, or the rights,
obligations, and liabilities of the parties, and which have as their sole
remedy
monetary damages, will be settled by arbitration in the City of Charlotte,
North
Carolina, or such other place as the parties may mutually agree. In the case
of
a dispute, difference, or question, one party shall appoint its arbitrator
and
shall notify the other party in writing (the “Arbitration Notice”) of the
appointment and the matter to be determined. If the party receiving the
arbitration notice fails to appoint an arbitrator and notify the first party
of
such appointment for 15 days after receipt of such notice, the decision of
the
arbitrator appointed by the first of the parties shall be final and binding
on
both of the parties hereto. If two arbitrators are appointed, they shall
meet
within 30 days after appointment of the second arbitrator. If they do not
agree
as to their decision, they shall choose a third arbitrator, failing which
third
arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be held as promptly as possible
at such time and place in the designated city as the arbitrators may determine.
The decision of the arbitrators so appointed, or a majority of them, will
be
final and binding upon the parties hereto. Judgment upon the award may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction, or application may be made to such
court for judicial acceptance of the award and an order to enforce, as the
case
may be. If the arbitrator appointed refuses to act, is incapable of acting,
or
dies, a substitute for him shall be appointed in the manner provided
above.
-
5
-
(b) Each
of
the parties to the Agreement will be entitled to enforce its rights under
the
Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any
provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in
its
favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not
be an
adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of the Agreement and that
any
party may, in its sole discretion, apply for specific performance and/or
injunctive relief in either a federal or state court to enforce or prevent
any
violations of the provisions of this Agreement.
4.04 |
Legal Cost and
Indemnification:
|
The
Company shall pay the Executive all legal fees and expenses incurred by him
as a
result of his termination without Cause or Disability, including but not
limited
to, all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting or disputing
any
such termination or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit
provided in this Agreement through legal process or arbitration, if the
Executive shall be wholly successful on the merits, such amounts not to exceed
any court-directed maximum.
4.05 |
Notices:
|
(a) Any
notice to be given concerning this Agreement shall be given in writing and
either (i) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid; or (ii) hand-delivered to the recipient personally. In the
case
of notice sent by mail, the date of the giving of the notice shall be deemed
to
be (i) the date of the postmark of the executed return receipt or (ii) the
date
of actual receipt if not postmarked by the United States Postal Service.
In the
case of notice being hand-delivered, a written dated receipt shall be given
therefor. Hand-delivery of any notice to the Company shall be delivered to
the
Company’s chief financial officer personally.
(b) Notice
shall be sent as follows:
If
to the Executive:
|
XXXXXX
X. XxXXXXXX
|
|
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
|
||
If
to the Company:
|
||
0000
X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx. Xxxxx 000
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
|
(c) By
giving
notice to all other parties, any party may, from time to time, designate
a
different address to which notice by mail to such party shall be
sent.
4.06 |
Successors and Assigns; Survival in Case of
Merger:
|
(a) This
Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable
by, the Executive and the Company and their respective successors and
assigns.
(b) Without
limiting the effect of the foregoing, this Agreement and all of its terms
shall
survive, and be enforceable by the Executive, notwithstanding any merger,
consolidation, combination, or reorganization of the Company with or into
any
other entity or person (“Surviving Entity”), including but not limited to any
other corporation, partnership, or other similar organization, whether or
not
the Company is the Surviving Entity of such merger, consolidation, combination,
or reorganization. The Surviving Entity shall be bound by this Agreement
to the
same extent as if such Surviving Entity had entered into the Agreement with
the
Executive on the Effective Date.
(c) As
a
condition of any merger, consolidation, combination, or reorganization of
the
Company as discussed in Section 4.06(b) above, the Company agrees to include,
as
a condition of consummation of such merger, consolidation, combination, or
reorganization, an undertaking by the Surviving Entity, pursuant to which
the
Surviving Entity shall agree in writing to be bound by this
Agreement.
4.07 |
Amendment; Waiver:
|
No
amendment or other modification of this Agreement nor any waiver of any term
of
this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by the party
against whom enforcement of the amendment, modification, or waiver is sought.
No
waiver by any party of the breach of any term contained in this Agreement,
whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed
to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such breach of
any
other term of this Agreement.
4.08 |
Further Assurances:
|
Each
party hereto agrees to perform any further acts and to execute and deliver
any
further documents mutually agreed to in writing that may be reasonably necessary
to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
-
6
-
4.09
|
Severability:
|
In
the
event that any of the provisions, or portions thereof, of this Agreement
are
held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction,
the
validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions thereof,
shall not be affected thereby.
4.10 |
Construction:
|
Whenever
used herein, the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural
number
shall include the singular.
4.11 |
Gender:
|
Any
references hereto to the masculine gender, or to the masculine form of any
noun,
adjective, or possessive, shall be construed to include the feminine or neuter
gender and form, and vice versa.
4.12 |
Headings
|
The
headings contained in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and
shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any of the provisions
contained hereof.
4.13 |
Multiple Counterparts:
|
This
agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument.
4.14 |
Governing Law:
|
THIS
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED IN AND SHALL BE COVERED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF
NORTH CAROLINA AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE PERFORMABLE
IN
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.
4.15 |
Inurement:
|
Subject
to the restrictions against transfer or assignment as herein contained, the
provisions of the Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding
on, the assigns, successors in interest, personal representatives, estates,
heirs, and legatees of each of the parties thereto.
4.16 |
Waiver:
|
No
waiver
of any provision or condition of this Agreement shall be valid unless executed
in writing and signed by the party to be bound thereby and then only to the
extent specified in such waiver. No waiver of any provision or condition
of this
Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other provision or condition
of
this Agreement and no present waivers of any provision or condition of this
Agreement shall be construed as a future waiver of such provision or
condition.
4.17 |
Entire Agreement:
|
This
Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto
concerning the subject matter contained herein.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to the Agreement have set their respective hands
hereto as of the date first written above.
THE EXECUTIVE | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx | |
|
||
THE COMPANY | ||
HOUSERAISING, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
||
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
-
7
-
EXHIBIT
A
BONUSES
· |
Period
of Contract and Renewals:
|
Executive
will be eligible for a bonus of up to 100% of his base annual salary; payable
quarterly based upon the completion of Company objectives and performance
criteria to be mutually agreed upon by Executive and the Board of Directors
at
the beginning of each year.
·
|
Note:
|
Regardless
of any other objectives established, if the Company is successful in completing
a Qualified Financing, then the first year’s objectives shall be deemed to have
been met. If the Company raises $5 million in a Qualified Financing, then
the
first two years’ objectives shall be deemed to have been met. Moreover, if
during the first year of operations the Company reaches a market capitalization
of $50 million or more, then the first year’s objectives shall be deemed to have
been met. If in the second year of operation a market capitalization of $75
million or more is achieved, then the second year’s objectives shall be deemed
to have been met, and if, in the third year of operation, a market
capitalization of $110 million or more is achieved, then the third year’s
objectives shall be deemed to have been met.
-
8
-
EXHIBIT
B
STOCK
OPTIONS
Executive
is granted, upon execution of this Agreement and payment of Fifty Dollars
($50.00), an option for five million shares at a price of fifty cents ($0.50)
per share exercisable at any time during the ensuing ten years. The Company
agrees that, in the event that a Qualified Financing causes the Executive’s
fully diluted equity ownership to drop below fifteen percent (15%) of the
total
outstanding shares issued (including all options, warrants, and convertible
preferred), then the Company will increase the number of shares covered by
the
above option to bring the Executive’s total shares to fifteen percent (15%), not
to exceed a total of six million shares.
The
stock
option shall vest 25 percent (25%) upon the closing of a Qualified Financing,
and the balance over a three-year period, 33.4% of the balance vesting upon
the
first anniversary date of the closing of a Qualified Financing, 33.3% of
the
balance vesting at the end of the second anniversary date of the closing
of a
Qualified Financing, and the remainder vesting at the end of the third
anniversary date of the closing of a Qualified Financing. Notwithstanding
the
above, after the initial 25% vesting of the option grant, all of the remaining
option will vest upon the Company reaching a market capitalization of $75
million or more.
Additionally,
the Executive has the right at any time to exercise all of his option or
any
portion of the total option, in which event the Executive will take ownership
of
such stock but the Company will issue stock certificates to the Executive
according to the vesting schedule above and affix an appropriate restrictive
legend referencing this Agreement.
In
the
event Executive elects to exercise his rights in the preceding paragraph
and if
Executive requests ratable issuance, Company agrees to issue shares ratably
at
25% upon the closing of a Qualified Financing and the balance at
1/36th
per
month starting at the beginning of the first year. At any time the Company
reaches a valuation of $75 million or more or there is a change in control
requiring the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K, or the sale of the
Company
is consummated, then the Company will issue all shares upon such
events.
There
will be no buy-back rights in such shares and the grant of any option does
not
imply any right to continued engagement except what is provided
herein.
-
9
-