AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT President
Exhibit 10.2
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made by and between Superior
Well Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Executive has been directly employed by Company;
WHEREAS, Company is desirous of continuing such direct employment of Executive in an executive
capacity on the terms and conditions and for the consideration hereinafter set forth (which
includes new and additional consideration to that which Executive is currently receiving), and
Executive is desirous of being directly employed by Company on such terms and conditions and for
such consideration; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the existing employment agreement between
them in its entirety;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and obligations
contained herein, Company and Executive agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Definitions.
(a) “Affiliate” shall mean with respect to any natural person, firm, partnership,
association, corporation, limited liability company, company, trust, entity, public body or
government (a “Person”), any Person which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled
by, or is under a common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms
“controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used in this definition means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract, or otherwise. With respect to any natural person, the term “Affiliate” shall also
mean (1) the spouse or children (including those by adoption) and siblings of such Person;
and any trust whose primary beneficiary is such Person, such Person’s spouse, such Person’s
siblings and/or one or more of such Person’s lineal descendants, (2) the legal
representative or guardian of such Person or of any such immediate family member in the
event such Person or any such immediate family member becomes mentally incompetent and
(3) any Person controlled by or under the common control with any one or more of such Person
and the Persons described in clauses (1) or (2) preceding.
(b) “Annual Base Salary” shall mean, as of a specified date, Executive’s annual base
salary as of such date determined pursuant to Section 4.1.
(c) “Annual Bonus” shall mean the amount, if any, equal to the greater of:
(i) the annual bonus most recently paid by Company to Executive pursuant to
Section 4.2; or
(ii) the average of the last three annual bonuses (or the average of the last
two annual bonuses if the Executive has been employed by Company for less than three
years) paid by Company to Executive pursuant to Section 4.2.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive was employed by Company for only a
portion of the year with respect to which such bonus was paid, then the “Annual
Bonus” shall equal an amount determined by annualizing the bonus received by
Executive based on the ratio of the number of days Executive was employed by Company
during such year to 365 days.
(d) “Annual Compensation” shall mean an amount equal to the greater of:
(i) Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the annual rate in effect at the date of
his Involuntary Termination;
(ii) Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the annual rate in effect 180 days prior
to the date of his Involuntary Termination; or
(iii) Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the annual rate in effect immediately
prior to a Change of Control if Executive’s employment shall be subject to an
Involuntary Termination during the Change of Control Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive’s employment shall be subject to an
Involuntary Termination during the Change of Control Period, then the amount
determined pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be increased by the amount of
the Annual Bonus.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of Company.
(f) “Cause” shall mean Executive (i) has engaged in gross negligence, gross
incompetence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties, (ii) has refused,
without proper reason, to perform his duties, (iii) has willfully engaged in conduct which
is materially injurious to Company or its subsidiaries (monetarily or otherwise), (iv) has
committed an act of fraud, embezzlement or willful breach of a fiduciary duty to Company or
an Affiliate (including the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary material
information of Company or an Affiliate), or (v) has been convicted of (or pleaded no contest
to) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude or any felony.
(g) “Change in Duties” shall mean:
(i) The occurrence, prior to a Change of Control or after the expiration of a
Change of Control Period, of any one or more of the following:
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(1) a material reduction in the nature or scope of Executive’s
authorities or duties from those previously applicable to him;
(2) a reduction in Executive’s Annual Base Salary;
(3) a material diminution in employee benefits (including but not
limited to medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability plans)
and perquisites applicable to Executive from those substantially similar to
the employee benefits and perquisites provided by Company (including its
subsidiaries) to executives with comparable duties; or
(4) a change in the location of Executive’s principal place of
employment by Company (including its subsidiaries) by more than 60 miles
from the location where he was principally employed; provided, however, such
change in the location of Executive’s principal place of employment shall
not constitute a Change in Duties if the decision to relocate was mutually
acceptable to Executive and Company prior to such change in location.
(ii) The occurrence, within a Change of Control Period, of any one or more of
the following:
(1) a material reduction in the nature or scope of Executive’s
authorities or duties from those applicable to him immediately prior to the
date on which a Change of Control occurs;
(2) a reduction in Executive’s Annual Base Salary from that provided to
him immediately prior to the date on which a Change of Control occurs;
(3) a diminution in Executive’s eligibility to participate in bonus,
stock option, incentive award and other compensation plans which provide
opportunities to receive compensation which are the greater of (A) the
opportunities provided by Company (including its subsidiaries) for
executives with comparable duties or (B) the opportunities under any such
plans under which he was participating immediately prior to the date on
which a Change of Control occurs;
(4) a material diminution in employee benefits (including but not
limited to medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability plans)
and perquisites applicable to Executive from the greater of (A) the employee
benefits and perquisites provided by Company (including its subsidiaries) to
executives with comparable duties or (B) the employee benefits and
perquisites to which he was entitled immediately prior to the date on which
a Change of Control occurs; or
(5) a change in the location of Executive’s principal place of
employment by Company (including its subsidiaries) by more than 60
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miles from the location where he was principally employed immediately
prior to the date on which a Change of Control occurs; provided, however,
such change in the location of Executive’s principal place of employment
shall not constitute a Change in Duties if the decision to relocate was
mutually acceptable to Executive and Company prior to such change in
location.
(h) “Change of Control” shall mean:
(i) a merger of Company with another entity, a consolidation involving Company,
or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Company to another entity
if, in any such case, (A) the holders of equity securities of Company immediately
prior to such transaction or event do not beneficially own immediately after such
transaction or event equity securities of the resulting entity entitled to 50% or
more of the votes then eligible to be cast in the election of directors generally
(or comparable governing body) of the resulting entity in substantially the same
proportions that they owned the equity securities of Company immediately prior to
such transaction or event or (B) the persons who were members of the Board
immediately prior to such transaction or event shall not constitute at least a
majority of the board of directors of the resulting entity immediately after such
transaction or event;
(ii) the dissolution or liquidation of Company; or
(iii) when any person or entity (other than the Xxxxxx Holders or any Xxxxxx
Holder or any other Affiliate of the Company), including a “group” as contemplated
by Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, acquires or gains
ownership or control (including, without limitation, power to vote) of more than 50%
of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of Company.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, (1) “resulting entity” in the context of a
transaction or event that is a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially
all assets shall mean the surviving entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an
asset sale) unless the surviving entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset
sale) is a subsidiary of another entity and the holders of common stock of Company
receive capital stock of such other entity in such transaction or event, in which
event the resulting entity shall be such other entity, and (2) subsequent to the
consummation of a merger or consolidation that does not constitute a Change of
Control, the term “Company” shall refer to the resulting entity.
(i) “Change of Control Period” means, with respect to a Change of Control, the two-year
period beginning on the date upon which such Change of Control occurs.
(j) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) “Compensation Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
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(l) “Disability” shall mean that, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical
or mental illness, he shall have been absent from the full-time performance of his duties
for six consecutive months and he shall not have returned to full-time performance of his
duties within 30 days after written notice of termination is given to Executive by Company
(provided, however, that such notice may not be given prior to 30 days before the expiration
of such six-month period).
(m) “Effective Date” shall mean September 15, 2008.
(n) “Involuntary Termination” shall mean any termination of Executive’s employment with
Company which:
(i) does not result from a resignation by Executive (other than a resignation
pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 1.1(n)); or
(ii) results from a resignation by Executive on or before the date which is 60
days after the date upon which Executive receives notice of a Change in Duties;
provided, however, the term “Involuntary Termination” shall not include a termination for
Cause or any termination as a result of death or Disability.
(o) “Monthly Severance Amount” shall mean an amount equal to one-twelfth of Executive’s
Annual Compensation.
(p) “Severance Amount” shall mean an amount equal to two times Executive’s Annual
Compensation.
(q) “Severance Period” shall mean:
(i) in the case of an Involuntary Termination which occurs prior to a Change of
Control or after the expiration of a Change of Control Period, a period commencing
on the date of such Involuntary Termination and continuing for 24 months; or
(ii) in the case of an Involuntary Termination which occurs during a Change of
Control Period, a period commencing on the date of such Involuntary Termination and
continuing for 36 months.
(r) “Xxxxxx Holders” shall mean each of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx. Grantor Retained Annuity Trust
dated November 1, 2004, a Pennsylvania trust, Allegheny Mineral Corp., a Pennsylvania
corporation, Xxxxxxxxx Cement & Supply Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation, Glacial Sand &
Gravel Co., a Pennsylvania corporation and any of their respective Affiliates.
1.2 Interpretations. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears, (a) the words “herein,”
“hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this
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Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision, (b) reference to any Article or
Section, means such Article or Section hereof, (c) the words “including” (and with correlative
meaning “include”) means including, without limiting the generality of any description preceding
such term, and (d) where any provision of this Agreement refers to action to be taken by either
party, or which such party is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether
such action is taken directly or indirectly by such party.
ARTICLE 2: EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES
2.1 Employment. Effective as of the Effective Date and continuing for the period of time set forth in
Section 3.1 of this Agreement, Executive’s employment by Company shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
2.2 Positions. From and after the Effective Date, Company shall employ Executive in the position of
President of Company, or in such other positions as the parties mutually may agree.
2.3 Duties and Services. Executive agrees to serve in the positions referred to in Section 2.2 and to perform
diligently the duties and services appertaining to such offices, as well as such additional duties
and services appropriate to such offices which the parties mutually may agree upon from time to
time. Executive’s employment shall also be subject to the policies maintained and established by
Company that are of general applicability to Company’s executive employees, as such policies may be
amended from time to time.
2.4 Other Interests. Executive agrees, during the period of his employment by Company, to devote substantially
all of his business time, energy and efforts to the business and affairs of Company and its
Affiliates and not to engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business or businesses, whether
or not similar to that of Company, except with the consent of the Board. The foregoing
notwithstanding, the parties recognize and agree that Executive may engage in passive personal
investment and charitable activities that do not conflict with the business and affairs of Company
or interfere with Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder.
2.5 Duty of Loyalty. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act at
all times in the best interests of Company. In keeping with such duty, Executive shall make full
disclosure to Company of all business opportunities pertaining to Company’s business and shall not
appropriate for Executive’s own benefit business opportunities concerning Company’s business.
ARTICLE 3: TERM AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
3.1 Term. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions hereof, Company agrees to employ
Executive for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the
Effective Date (the “Initial Expiration Date”); provided, however, that beginning on the Initial
Expiration Date, and on each anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date thereafter, if this
Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Section 3.2 or 3.3, then said term of employment
shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period unless on
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or before the date that
is 90 days prior to the first day of any such extension period either party shall give written
notice to the other that no such automatic extension shall occur.
3.2 Company’s Right to Terminate. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1, Company shall have the right to terminate
Executive’s employment under this Agreement at any time for any of the following reasons:
(a) upon Executive’s death;
(b) upon Executive’s Disability;
(c) for Cause; or
(d) for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of the Board.
3.3 Executive’s Right to Terminate. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 Executive shall have the right to terminate
his employment under this Agreement for any of the following reasons:
(a) as a result of a Change in Duties; provided, however, that prior to Executive’s
termination as a result of a Change of Duties, Executive must give written notice to Company
of the specific occurrence that resulted in the Change in Duties and such occurrence must
remain uncorrected for 10 days following such written notice; or
(b) at any time for any other reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of Executive.
3.4 Notice of Termination. If Company desires to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time prior to
expiration of the term of employment as provided in Section 3.1, it shall do so by giving written
notice to Executive that it has elected to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder and stating
the effective date and reason for such termination, provided that no such action shall alter or
amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder. If Executive desires to terminate
his employment hereunder at any time prior to expiration of the term of employment as
provided in Section 3.1, he shall do so by giving a 30-day written notice to Company that he
has elected to terminate his employment hereunder and stating the effective date and reason for
such termination, provided that no such action shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or
rights arising hereunder.
3.5 Deemed Resignations. Any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute an automatic resignation of
Executive as an officer of Company and each Affiliate of Company, and an automatic resignation of
Executive from the Board (if applicable) and from the board of directors of any Affiliate of
Company and from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited
liability company or other entity in which Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and
with respect to which board or similar governing body Executive serves as Company’s or such
Affiliate’s designee or other representative.
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ARTICLE 4: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
4.1 Base Salary. During the period of this Agreement, Executive shall receive a minimum Annual Base Salary
of $360,000. Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee on an
annual basis, and, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, such Annual Base Salary
may be increased, but not decreased, effective as of any date determined by the Compensation
Committee. Executive’s Annual Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with
Company’s standard policy regarding payment of compensation to executives but no less frequently
than monthly.
4.2 Bonuses. Executive shall be eligible to participate in Company’s annual bonus plan or plans
applicable to Executive as approved from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee in
amounts to be determined by the Compensation Committee based upon criteria established by the
Compensation Committee.
4.3 Other Perquisites. During his employment hereunder, Executive shall be afforded the following benefits as
incidences of his employment:
(a) Business and Entertainment Expenses – Subject to Company’s standard policies and
procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its executive employees
generally, Company shall no less frequently than monthly reimburse Executive for, or pay on
behalf of Executive, reasonable and appropriate expenses incurred by Executive for business
related purposes, including dues and fees to industry and professional organizations and
costs of entertainment and business development.
(b) Vacation – During his employment hereunder, Executive shall be entitled to five
weeks of paid vacation each calendar year (or such greater amount of vacation as
provided to executives of Company generally) and to all holidays provided to executives
of Company generally.
(c) Automobile – The Company shall lease for and provide to Executive a vehicle
designated by Executive; provided, however, that the lease cost to the Company of such
vehicle shall not exceed $800 per month.
(d) Other Company Benefits – Executive and, to the extent applicable, Executive’s
spouse, dependents and beneficiaries, shall be allowed to participate in all benefits, plans
and programs, including improvements or modifications of the same, which are now, or may
hereafter be, available to other executive employees of Company. Such benefits, plans and
programs shall include, without limitation, any profit sharing plan, thrift plan, health
insurance or health care plan, life insurance, disability insurance, pension plan,
supplemental retirement plan, vacation and sick leave plan, and the like which may be
maintained by Company. Company shall not, however, by reason of this paragraph be obligated
to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such
benefit plan or program, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to executive
employees generally.
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ARTICLE 5: EFFECT OF TERMINATION ON COMPENSATION; ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS
5.1 Termination Other Than an Involuntary Termination. If Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon expiration of the term provided in
Section 3.1 hereof because either party has provided the notice contemplated in such paragraph, or
if Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate for any other reason except those described in
Sections 5.2 and 5.3, then all compensation and all benefits to Executive hereunder shall continue
to be provided until the date of such termination of employment and such compensation and benefits
shall terminate contemporaneously with such termination of employment.
5.2 Involuntary Termination Other Than During a Change of Control Period. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof, if Executive’s employment by Company or
any subsidiary thereof or successor thereto shall be subject to an Involuntary Termination which
occurs prior to a Change of Control or after the expiration of a Change of Control Period, then
Company shall, as additional compensation for services rendered to Company (including its
subsidiaries), pay to Executive the following amounts and take the following actions after the last
day of Executive’s employment with Company:
(a) Pay Executive the Monthly Severance Amount on the first day of each month
throughout the Severance Period; provided, however, that if commencement of such payments
would cause any part of the Monthly Severance Amount to be subject to additional taxes and
interest under Section 409A of the Code, then the payment of the Monthly Severance Amount
shall be deferred to the earliest date upon which such payments can commence without being
subject to such additional taxes and interest and the first payment of the Monthly Severance
Amount shall include all amounts that would
have been paid prior to the date of such payment but for the deferral required pursuant
to this sentence.
(b) Cause Executive and those of his dependents (including his spouse) who were covered
under Company’s medical and dental benefit plans on the day prior to Executive’s Involuntary
Termination to continue to be covered under such plans (or to receive equivalent benefits)
throughout the Severance Period at no greater cost to Executive than that applicable to a
similarly situated Company executive who has not terminated employment; provided, however,
that (i) such coverage shall terminate if and to the extent Executive becomes eligible to
receive medical and dental coverage from a subsequent employer (and any such eligibility
shall be promptly reported to Company by Executive), (ii) if Executive (and/or his spouse)
would have been entitled to retiree medical and/or dental coverage under Company’s plans had
he voluntarily retired on the date of such Involuntary Termination, then such coverages
shall be continued as provided under such plans, and (iii) such coverage to Executive (or
the receipt of equivalent benefits) shall be provided under one or more insurance policies
so that reimbursement or payment of benefits to Executive thereunder shall not result in
taxable income to Executive (or, if any such reimbursement or payment of benefits is
taxable, then Company shall pay to Executive an amount as shall be required to hold
Executive harmless from any additional tax liability (including liability under Section 409A
of the Code) resulting from the failure by Company to so provide insurance policies so that
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reimbursement or payment of benefits to Executive thereunder shall not result in taxable
income to Executive).
5.3 Involuntary Termination During a Change of Control Period. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof, if Executive’s employment by Company or
any subsidiary thereof or successor thereto shall be subject to an Involuntary Termination during a
Change of Control Period, then Company shall, as additional compensation for services rendered to
Company (including its subsidiaries), pay to Executive the following amounts and take the following
actions after the last day of Executive’s employment with Company:
(a) Pay Executive a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the Severance Amount on
or before the fifth day after the last day of Executive’s employment with Company; provided,
however, that if the lump sum cash payment would be subject to additional taxes and interest
under Section 409A of the Code, then payment of the lump sum cash payment shall be deferred
to the earliest date upon which such amount can be paid without being subject to such
additional taxes and interest.
(b) Cause any and all outstanding options to purchase common stock of Company held by
Executive to become immediately exercisable in full and cause Executive’s accrued benefits
under any and all nonqualified deferred compensation plans sponsored by Company to become
immediately nonforfeitable.
(c) Cause Executive and those of his dependents (including his spouse) who were covered
under Company’s medical and dental benefit plans on the day prior to
Executive’s Involuntary Termination to continue to be covered under such plans (or to
receive equivalent benefits) throughout the Severance Period at no greater cost to Executive
than that applicable to a similarly situated Company executive who has not terminated
employment; provided, however, that (i) such coverage shall terminate if and to the extent
Executive becomes eligible to receive medical and dental coverage from a subsequent employer
(and any such eligibility shall be promptly reported to Company by Executive), (ii) if
Executive (and/or his spouse) would have been entitled to retiree medical and/or dental
coverage under Company’s plans had he voluntarily retired on the date of such Involuntary
Termination, then such coverages shall be continued as provided under such plans, and (iii)
such coverage to Executive (or the receipt of equivalent benefits) shall be provided under
one or more insurance policies so that reimbursement or payment of benefits to Executive
thereunder shall not result in taxable income to Executive (or, if any such reimbursement or
payment of benefits is taxable, then Company shall pay to Executive an amount as shall be
required to hold Executive harmless from any additional tax liability (including liability
under Section 409A of the Code) resulting from the failure by Company to so provide
insurance policies so that reimbursement or payment of benefits to Executive thereunder
shall not result in taxable income to Executive).
5.4 Interest on Late Payments. If any payment provided for in Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 hereof is not made when due, then
Company shall pay to Executive interest on the amount payable from the date that such payment
should have been made under such Section until such payment is made, which interest shall be
calculated at 2% plus the prime or base rate
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of interest announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank (or any
successor thereto) at its principal office in New York, and shall change when and as any such
change in such prime or base rate shall be announced by such bank, and shall further hold Executive
harmless from any liability under Section 409A of the Code.
5.5 Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “disqualified
individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the benefits provided for in this
Article, together with any other payments and benefits which Executive has the right to receive
from Company and its Affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the benefits provided hereunder (beginning with any benefit to be
paid in cash hereunder) shall be either (1) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value
of such total amounts and benefits received by Executive from Company will be one dollar ($1.00)
less than three times Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and
so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Executive shall be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (2) paid in full, whichever produces the better
net after-tax position to Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section
4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes). The determination as to whether any such
reduction in the amount of the benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by the
Compensation Committee in good faith. If a reduced cash payment is made and through error or
otherwise that payment, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from Company (or its
Affiliates) used in determining if a “parachute
payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Executive’s base amount,
then Executive shall immediately repay such excess to Company upon notification that an overpayment
has been made. Nothing in this Section 5.5 shall require Company to be responsible for, or have
any liability or obligation with respect to, Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999
of the Code.
5.6 Release and Full Settlement. As a condition to the receipt of any severance compensation and benefits under this
Agreement, Executive will enter into and deliver to the Company a separate full release and waiver
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (with such changes to such form as the
Company may reasonably require to reflect the circumstances relating to the termination of
Executive’s employment and/or changes in applicable law). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, severance compensation and other benefits will not be payable by the Company
unless and until the release has been executed by Executive, has not been revoked and is no longer
subject to revocation by Executive.
5.7 Liquidated Damages. In light of the difficulties in estimating the damages for an early termination of
Executive’s employment under this Agreement, Company and Executive hereby agree that the payments,
if any, to be received by Executive pursuant to this Article 5 shall be received by Executive as
liquidated damages.
5.8 Other Benefits. This Agreement governs the rights and obligations of Executive and Company with respect to
Executive’s base salary and certain perquisites of employment. Except as expressly provided
herein, Executive’s rights and obligations both during the term of his employment and thereafter
with respect to stock options, restricted stock, incentive and deferred compensation, life
insurance policies insuring the life of Executive, and other benefits
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under the plans and programs
maintained by Company shall be governed by the separate agreements, plans and other documents and
instruments governing such matters.
ARTICLE 6: PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
6.1 Disclosure to and Property of Company. All information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries
and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by
Executive, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period of Executive’s employment
by Company (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on Company’s premises or
otherwise) that relate to Company’s (or any of its Affiliates’) business, trade secrets, products
or services (including, without limitation, all such information relating to corporate
opportunities, product specification, compositions, manufacturing and distribution methods and
processes, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions,
interpretations, acquisitions prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the
identity of key contacts within the customer’s organizations or within the organization of
acquisition prospects, marketing and merchandising techniques, business plans, computer
software or programs, computer software and database technologies, prospective names and marks)
(collectively, “Confidential Information”) shall be disclosed to Company and are and shall be the
sole and exclusive property of Company (or its Affiliates). Moreover, all documents, videotapes,
written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence,
manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, E-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps,
drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type
embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other
similar forms of expression (collectively, “Work Product”) are and shall be the sole and exclusive
property of Company (or its Affiliates). Upon Executive’s termination of employment with Company,
for any reason, Executive promptly shall deliver such Confidential Information and Work Product,
and all copies thereof, to Company.
6.2 Disclosure to Executive. Company has and will disclose to Executive, or place Executive in a position to have access
to or develop, Confidential Information and Work Product of Company (or its Affiliates); and/or has
and will entrust Executive with business opportunities of Company (or its Affiliates); and/or has
and will place Executive in a position to develop business good will on behalf of Company (or its
Affiliates). Executive agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of all Confidential
Information or Work Product of Company (or its Affiliates).
6.3 No Unauthorized Use or Disclosure. Executive agrees that he will not, at any time during or after Executive’s employment by
Company, make any unauthorized disclosure of, and will prevent the removal from Company premises
of, Confidential Information or Work Product of Company (or its Affiliates), or make any use
thereof, except in the carrying out of Executive’s responsibilities during the course of
Executive’s employment with Company. Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause
all persons or entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by him hereunder to
observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each such person or entity was bound
hereby. Executive shall have no obligation hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential
Information if and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by law; provided,
however, that in the event
12
disclosure is required by applicable law, Executive shall provide
Company with prompt notice of such requirement prior to making any such disclosure, so that Company
may seek an appropriate protective order. At the request of Company at any time, Executive agrees
to deliver to Company all Confidential Information that he may possess or control. Executive
agrees that all Confidential Information of Company (whether now or hereafter existing) conceived,
discovered or made by him during the period of Executive’s employment by Company exclusively
belongs to Company (and not to Executive), and Executive will promptly disclose such Confidential
Information to Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by Company to establish and
confirm such exclusive ownership. Affiliates of Company shall be third party beneficiaries of
Executive’s obligations under this Article 6. As a result of Executive’s employment by Company,
Executive may also from time to time have access to, or knowledge of, Confidential Information or
Work Product of third parties, such as customers, suppliers, partners, joint venturers, and the
like, of Company and its Affiliates. Executive also agrees to preserve and protect the
confidentiality of such third party
Confidential Information and Work Product to the same extent, and on the same basis, as
Company’s Confidential Information and Work Product.
6.4 Ownership by Company. If, during Executive’s employment by Company, Executive creates any work of authorship
fixed in any tangible medium of expression that is the subject matter of copyright (such as
videotapes, written presentations, or acquisitions, computer programs, E-mail, voice mail,
electronic databases, drawings, maps, architectural renditions, models, manuals, brochures, or the
like) relating to Company’s business, products, or services, whether such work is created solely by
Executive or jointly with others (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on
Company’s premises or otherwise), including any Work Product, Company shall be deemed the author of
such work if the work is prepared by Executive in the scope of Executive’s employment; or, if the
work is not prepared by Executive within the scope of Executive’s employment but is specially
ordered by Company as a contribution to a collective work, as a part of a motion picture or other
audiovisual work, as a translation, as a supplementary work, as a compilation, or as an
instructional text, then the work shall be considered to be work made for hire and Company shall be
the author of the work. If such work is neither prepared by Executive within the scope of
Executive’s employment nor a work specially ordered that is deemed to be a work made for hire, then
Executive hereby agrees to assign, and by these presents does assign, to Company all of Executive’s
worldwide right, title, and interest in and to such work and all rights of copyright therein.
6.5 Assistance by Executive. During the period of Executive’s employment by Company and thereafter, Executive shall
reasonably assist Company and its nominee, at any time, in the protection of Company’s (or its
Affiliates’) worldwide right, title and interest in and to Work Product and the execution of all
formal assignment documents requested by Company or its nominee and the execution of all lawful
oaths and applications for patents and registration of copyright in the United States and foreign
countries.
6.6 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of
this Article 6 by Executive, and Company or its Affiliates shall be entitled to enforce the
provisions of this Article 6 by terminating payments then owing to Executive under this Agreement
or otherwise and to specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any
threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the
13
exclusive remedies for a breach of this
Article 6 but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including the
recovery of damages from Executive and his agents.
ARTICLE 7: NON-COMPETITION OBLIGATIONS
7.1 General. As part of the consideration for Company’s employment of Executive and the compensation and
benefits that may be paid to Executive hereunder; to protect the trade secrets
and Confidential Information of Company or its Affiliates that have been and will in the
future be disclosed or entrusted to Executive, the business good will of Company or its Affiliates
that has been and will in the future be developed in Executive, or the business opportunities that
have been and will in the future be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by Company or its
Affiliates; and as an additional incentive for Company to enter into this Agreement, Company and
Executive agree to the provisions of this Article 7. Executive agrees that during his employment
with Company and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of Executive’s employment
with Company for any reason (the “Non-Compete Period”), Executive shall not:
(a) directly or indirectly, either as principal, agent, independent contractor,
consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder, partner or in any
other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, either for his own benefit or for
the benefit of any other person or entity either (i) hire, contract or solicit, or attempt
any of the foregoing with respect to hiring any employee of Company or its Affiliates, or
(ii) induce or otherwise counsel, advise, or encourage any employee of Company or its
Affiliates to leave the employment of Company or its affiliates; and
(b) within 150 air miles of any office or shop of Company existing at the time of such
employment or such termination, as applicable:
(i) directly or indirectly participate in the ownership, management, operation
or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director,
contractor or otherwise with, or have any financial interest in or act as a
consultant to any business in any of the business territories in which Company is
presently or from time-to-time conducting business that either conducts a business
substantially similar to that conducted by Company or its Affiliates or provides or
sells a service or product that is the same, substantially similar to or otherwise
competitive with the products and services provided or sold by Company or its
Affiliates (a “Competitive Operation”); provided, however, that this provision shall
not preclude Executive after the termination of his employment with Company from
owning less than 2% of the equity securities of any publicly held Competitive
Operation so long as Executive does not serve as an employee, officer, director or
consultant to such business;
(ii) directly or indirectly, either as principal, agent, independent
contractor, consultant, director, officer, employee, employer, advisor, stockholder,
partner or in any other individual or representative capacity whatsoever, either for
his own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity call upon, solicit,
divert or take away, any customer or vendor of Company or its Affiliates with
14
whom
Executive dealt, directly or indirectly, during his engagement with Company or its
Affiliates, in connection with a Competitive Operation; or
(iii) call upon any prospective acquisition candidate on Executive’s own behalf
or on behalf of any Competitive Operation, which candidate is a Competitive
Operation or which candidate was, to Executive’s knowledge after due inquiry, either
called upon by Company or for which Company or any of its Affiliates made an
acquisition analysis, for the purpose of acquiring such entity.
7.2 Non-Disparagement. During Executive’s employment with Company and following any termination of employment with
Company, each of Company and Executive agree not to disparage, either orally or in writing, the
other, or any of the business, products, services or practices of the Company, or any of their
directors, officers, agents, representatives, stockholders, employees or Affiliates.
7.3 Remedies. Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of
this Article 7 by Executive, and Company or its Affiliates shall be entitled to enforce the
provisions of this Article 7 by terminating payments then owing to Executive under this Agreement
or otherwise and to specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any
threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this
Article 7 but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including the
recovery of damages from Executive and his agents.
7.4 Reformation. Company and Executive agree that the foregoing restrictions are reasonable under the
circumstances and that any breach of the covenants contained in this Article 7 would cause
irreparable injury to Company. Executive understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit
Executive’s ability to engage in certain businesses anywhere in the United States during the
Non-Compete Period, but acknowledges that Executive will receive sufficiently high remuneration and
other benefits from Company to justify such restriction. Further, Executive acknowledges that his
skills are such that he can be gainfully employed in non-competitive employment, and that the
agreement not to compete will in no way prevent him from earning a living. Nevertheless, if any of
the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or
overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the parties intend for the
restrictions therein set forth to be modified by the court making such determination so as to be
reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified, to be fully enforced. By agreeing to this
contractual modification prospectively at this time, Company and Executive intend to make this
provision enforceable under the law or laws of all applicable States so that the entire agreement
not to compete and this Agreement as prospectively modified shall remain in full force and effect
and shall not be rendered void or illegal. Such modification shall not affect the payments made to
Executive under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8: MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Indemnification. If Executive shall obtain any money judgment or otherwise prevail with respect to any
litigation brought by Executive or Company to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein,
Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
15
hereby indemnifies Executive for his
reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements incurred in such litigation and hereby agrees (i) to
pay in full all such fees and disbursements and (ii) to pay prejudgment interest on any money
judgment obtained by Executive from the earliest date that payment to him should have
been made under this Agreement until such judgment shall have been paid in full, which
interest shall be calculated at 2% plus the prime or base rate of interest announced by JPMorgan
Chase Bank (or any successor thereto) at its principal office in New York, and shall change when
and as any such change in such prime or base rate shall be announced by such bank.
8.2 Payment Obligations Absolute. Except as specifically provided in Sections 6.6 and 7.4, Company’s obligation to pay (or
cause one of its subsidiaries to pay) Executive the amounts and to make the arrangements provided
herein shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances,
including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
Company (including its subsidiaries) may have against him or anyone else. All amounts payable by
Company (including its subsidiaries hereunder) shall be paid without notice or demand. Executive
shall not be obligated to seek other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable or
arrangements made under any provision of this Agreement, and, except as provided in Sections 5.2(b)
or 5.3(c) hereof, the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any reduction
of Company’s obligations to make (or cause to be made) the payments and arrangements required to be
made under this Agreement.
8.3 Notices. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when
mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to Company to:
|
Superior Well Services, Inc. | |
0000 Xx. 000 Xxxx, Xxxxx #000 | ||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||
If to Executive to:
|
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | |
0000 Xxxxxx Xxx | ||
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
or to such other address as either party may furnish to the other in writing in accordance
herewith, except that notices or changes of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
8.4 Applicable Law. This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by, the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
8.5 No Waiver. No failure by either party hereto at any time to give notice of any breach by the other
party of, or to require compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be
deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior
or subsequent time.
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8.6 Severability. Any provision in this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by
reason of applicable law shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such
prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof,
and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
8.8 Withholding of Taxes and Other Employee Deductions. Company may withhold from any benefits and payments made pursuant to this Agreement all
federal, state, city and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental
regulation or ruling and all other normal employee deductions made with respect to Company’s
employees generally.
8.9 Headings. The paragraph headings have been inserted for purposes of convenience and shall not be used
for interpretive purposes.
8.10 Gender and Plurals. Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and
the singular number includes the plural and conversely.
8.11 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Company and any successor
of Company, by merger or otherwise. This Agreement shall also be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of Executive and his estate. If Executive shall die prior to full payment of amounts due
pursuant to this Agreement, such amounts shall be payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
to his estate. Executive shall not have any right to pledge, hypothecate, anticipate or assign
this Agreement or the rights hereunder, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
8.12 Term. This Agreement has a term co-extensive with the term of employment provided in Section 3.1.
Termination shall not affect any right or obligation of any party which is accrued or vested prior
to such termination.
8.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject
matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements
between the parties with respect to such subject matter. Without limiting the scope of the
preceding sentence, all understandings and agreements preceding the date of execution of this
Agreement and relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further
force and effect, including, without limitation, all prior employment and severance agreements, if
any, by and between Company and Executive. Any modification of this Agreement will be effective
only if it is in writing and signed by the party to be charged.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the 15th day
of September, 2008, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
SUPERIOR WELL SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||||||
By: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer
|
|||||
COMPANY | ||||||
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | ||||||
By: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | President
|
|||||
EXECUTIVE |
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EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AGREEMENT
This Release Agreement (this “Agreement”) constitutes the release referred to in that certain
Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) dated as of September 15, 2008, by and between
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx (“Executive”) and Superior Well Services, Inc. (the “Company”).
For good and valuable consideration, including the Company’s provision of certain payments and
benefits to Executive in accordance with Section 5.2 or 5.3 of the Employment Agreement, Executive
hereby releases, discharges and forever acquits the Company, its Affiliates and the past, present
and future stockholders, members, partners, directors, managers, employees, agents, attorneys,
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the foregoing, in their personal and
representative capacities (collectively, the “Company Parties”), from liability for, and hereby
waives, any and all claims, damages, or causes of action of any kind related to Executive’s
employment with any Company Party, the termination of such employment, and any other acts or
omissions related to any matter with respect to Executive’s employment with the Company on or prior
to the date of this Agreement including without limitation any alleged violation through the date
of this Agreement of: (i) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; (ii) Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; (iii) the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (iv) Section
1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; (v) the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; (vi) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (vii)
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; (viii) the Fair Labor Standards Act, as
amended; (ix) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (x) the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act of 1988; (xi) the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002; (xii) the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Act; (xiii) the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act; (xiv) the Pennsylvania Equal Pay
Law, as amended; (xv) the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, as amended; (xvi) any other
state anti-discrimination law; (xvii) any other state wage and hour law; (xviii) any other local,
state or federal law, regulation, or ordinance; (xix) any public policy, contract, tort, or common
law claim; (xx) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees
incurred in these matters; (xxi) any and all rights, benefits, or claims Executive may have under
any employment contract, incentive compensation plan, or stock option plan with any Company Party,
or to any ownership interest in any Company Party, except as expressly provided in the Employment
Agreement and any incentive compensation, equity, or stock option plan or agreement between
Executive and the Company or except as arising out of Executive’s current status as a holder of
equity in any Company Party; and (xxii) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not
expressly set forth in the Employment Agreement or any such incentive compensation, equity, or
stock option plan or agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”). This Agreement is not
intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.
Rather, Executive is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the consideration recited in the first
sentence of this paragraph, any and all potential claims of this nature that Executive may have
against the Company Parties, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled,
compromised and waived. By signing this Agreement, Executive is
19
bound by it. Anyone who succeeds to Executive’s rights and responsibilities, such as heirs or
the executor of Executive’s estate, is also bound by this Agreement. This release also applies to
any claims brought by any person or agency or class action under which Executive may have a right
or benefit. THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER
GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES.
Executive affirms that he has not filed, caused to be filed, and presently is not a party to,
any claim, complaint, or action against Employer in any forum or form. Executive further affirms
that he has been paid and/or has received all leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages,
bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he may be entitled and that no other leave (paid or
unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits are due to him, except as
provided in the Employment Agreement. Executive furthermore affirms that he has no known workplace
injuries or occupational diseases and has been provided and/or has not been denied any leave
requested under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Executive agrees not to bring or join
any lawsuit against any of the Company Parties in any court relating to any of the Released Claims.
Executive represents that Executive has not brought or joined any lawsuit or filed any charge or
claim against any of the Company Parties in any court or before any government agency and has made
no assignment of any rights Executive has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties
to any person or entity, in each case, with respect to any Released Claims. If Executive brings or
joins any lawsuit against any of the Company Parties in any court (except as necessary to protect
Executive’s rights under this release or with respect to Executive’s entry into this release)
relating to any of the Released Claims, and Executive is the prevailing party in such lawsuit,
Executive shall be obligated to return to the Company all amounts paid to Executive under this
release, to the extent permitted under applicable law and ordered by the court. Further, if
Executive violates the covenant not to xxx set forth in this paragraph, Executive shall be required
to pay all costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees of counsel, related disbursements of
counsel and court costs) incurred by any Company Party to defend such lawsuit or other claim.
By executing and delivering this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that:
(a) Executive has carefully read this Agreement;
(b) Executive has had at least 21 days to consider this Agreement before the execution
and delivery hereof to the Company;
(c) Executive has been and hereby is advised in writing that Executive may, at
Executive’s option, discuss this Agreement with an attorney of Executive’s choice and that
Executive has had adequate opportunity to do so; and
(d) Executive fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement; the
only promises made to Executive to sign this Agreement are those stated in the Employment
Agreement and herein; and Executive is signing this Agreement voluntarily and of Executive’s
own free will, and that Executive understands and agrees to each of the terms of this
Agreement.
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Notwithstanding the initial effectiveness of this Agreement, Executive may revoke the delivery
(and therefore the effectiveness) of this Agreement within the seven day period beginning on the
date Executive delivers this Agreement to the Company (such seven day period being referred to
herein as the “Release Revocation Period”). To be effective, such revocation must be in writing
signed by Executive and must be delivered to Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx before 11:59 p.m., September 22,
2008, Pennsylvania time, on the last day of the Release Revocation Period. If an effective
revocation is delivered in the foregoing manner and timeframe, this Agreement shall be of no force
or effect and shall be null and void ab initio. No consideration shall be paid or provided
if this Agreement is revoked by Executive in the foregoing manner.
Executed on this 15th day of September, 2008.
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
|
§ | |
§ | ||
COUNTY OF INDIANA
|
§ |
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority personally appeared in person, by me known or who
produced valid identification as described below, who executed the foregoing instrument and
acknowledged before me that he subscribed to such instrument on this 15th day of September, 2008.
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the
State of Pennsylvania
My Commission Expires: April 16, 2012
Identification produced:
NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the
State of Pennsylvania
My Commission Expires: April 16, 2012
Identification produced:
21