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EXHIBIT 10.20
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of December 15, 1999,
among THE MIIX GROUP, INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation ("MIIX Group"), NEW
JERSEY STATE MEDICAL UNDERWRITERS, INC., a New Jersey corporation
("Underwriter"), each having offices at Two Princess Road, Lawrenceville, New
Jersey (together, the "Company") and XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, XX. (the "Employee"),
residing at 00 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, MIIX Group is the parent company of Underwriter owning all of
the issued and outstanding common stock of Underwriter; and
WHEREAS, the Company deems it to be in its best interest to secure and
retain for the Company the services of the Employee and the Employee desires to
work for the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
undertakings contained herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree, as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES. The Employee is engaged hereunder as Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MIIX Group and agrees to perform
the duties and services incident to that position, or such other or further
duties and services of a similar
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nature as may be required of him by the Chief Executive Officer of MIIX Group.
The Employee agrees that, if requested, he shall serve as an officer of the
Company and/or of any affiliate, without additional compensation. The Employee
shall have the power and authority as shall reasonably be required to enable him
to perform his duties under this Agreement in an efficient manner. The Employee
agrees to perform the duties and responsibilities called for hereunder to the
best of his ability and to devote his full time, energies and skills to such
duties and to the promotion of the business and interests of the Company and any
affiliate. The Employee may participate in charitable and similar activities,
may be a director of a company that does not compete with the Company or any
affiliate (which shall not include a "competitor" as defined by Section 5.1 of
this Agreement) and may have business interests in passive investments which,
from time to time, may require portions of his time, but such activities shall
be performed in a manner consistent with his obligations hereunder.
2. COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS.
2.1. BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay to the Employee for the
performance of his duties hereunder, an initial base salary of $225,000 per
annum (the "Base Salary"), payable in accordance with the Company's normal
payroll practices. Thereafter, the amount of the Base Salary may be reviewed and
adjusted as appropriate by the Board of Directors of MIIX Group, taking into
account the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, in accordance with
executive compensation review practices.
2.2. BONUS. The Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus
pursuant to MIIX Group's Cash Incentive Plan, or similar plans which may be in
effect from
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time to time, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of MIIX Group, based
on the Company's and the Employee's achievement of goals and objectives
established by the Board on an annual basis. The Board shall use its reasonable
judgment in determining whether such goals and objectives have been met and the
amount, if any, of the bonus to be paid to the Employee. The Employee has been a
participant in the Cash Incentive Plan since September 15, 1999 and shall
receive a prorated bonus pursuant to the terms of the Cash Incentive Plan for
the period September 15, 1999 through December 31, 1999 as approved by the Board
of Directors of MIIX Group. The Employee may be paid a discretionary bonus
outside of the Cash Incentive Plan for the period January 1, 1999 through
September 14, 1999. It is anticipated that any bonus will be paid on or before
March 31 of the succeeding year.
2.3. STOCK OPTIONS. The Employee shall be entitled to participate in
MIIX Group's Long Term Incentive Equity Plan, or similar plans which may be in
effect from time to time for executives of the Company. The Employee is hereby
granted, effective December 15, 1999, a Non-Qualified Stock Option, as defined
in the Long Term Incentive Equity Plan, to purchase 10,000 shares of common
stock of MIIX Group pursuant to and which shall vest in accordance with the
terms of the Long Term Incentive Equity Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option
Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A (the "Stock Option
Agreement"). The Employee shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents on
such option shares as dividends are declared and paid on the common stock of
MIIX Group, provided, however, that any such dividend equivalents, and the
interest earned thereon, shall
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be forfeited as to any unvested option shares that are forfeited by the Employee
pursuant to the terms of the Long Term Incentive Equity Plan. The Employee and
MIIX Group shall, simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, execute the
Stock Option Agreement. The grant of any additional options to purchase shares
of common stock of MIIX Group under the Long Term Incentive Equity Plan shall be
at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of MIIX Group and shall be
based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Board.
2.4. STOCK PURCHASE AND LOAN. The Employee is currently a participant
in MIIX Group's Stock Purchase and Loan Program. The Employee shall, pursuant to
the Stock Purchase and Loan Program, purchase an additional $50,000 of MIIX
Group common stock, rounded to the nearest whole share, as of the date of this
Agreement and MIIX Group shall loan to the Employee the funds necessary to do
so. The Employee and MIIX Group shall, simultaneous with the execution of this
Agreement, execute the Stock Purchase and Loan Agreement, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B.
2.5. DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The Employee shall be eligible to
participate in the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, or similar plans which
may be in effect from time to time, by which the Employee is permitted to defer
compensation and receive benefits in a future year in accordance with the terms
of the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Employee and the Company shall,
simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, execute the Deferred
Compensation Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
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2.6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. During the term of this Agreement, the Employee
shall be entitled to participate in all of the benefit programs provided to
similar employees of the Company, including, without limitation, all medical,
disability, dental and life insurance benefits, retirement programs, incentive
compensation plans, automobile expense reimbursement programs and other employee
benefit programs now in existence or hereafter adopted by the Company, as such
plans, programs, practices or policies may be in effect from time to time.
2.7. VACATION. In addition to such holidays, sick leave and other time
off as are established by the policies of the Company, the Employee shall be
entitled to four weeks of vacation in accordance with the Company's vacation
policy for executives, as in effect from time to time, during which his
compensation shall be paid, provided, however, that the Employee may not take
more than two consecutive weeks of vacation without the prior approval of the
Chief Executive Officer of MIIX Group. Unused vacation time can be carried over
only in accordance with Company policy up to a maximum of three weeks.
2.8. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse the
Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with
his employment hereunder, provided, however, that such expenses were incurred in
conformance with the policies of the Company, as established from time to time,
and the Employee submits detailed vouchers and other records reasonably required
by the Company in support of the amount and nature of such expenses.
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2.9. TAXES AND WITHHOLDING. All compensation payable and other benefits
provided under this Agreement shall be subject to customary withholding for
income, F.I.C.A. and other employment taxes.
2.10. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. The Employee shall submit to a physical
examination by a qualified physician on an annual basis which shall be paid for
by the Company and the results of such examination shall be made available to
the Company.
3. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
3.1. DEATH OF THE EMPLOYEE. The Employee's employment under this
Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the Employee's death and the
Employee's estate (or his beneficiary as may be appropriate) shall be entitled
to receive:
(1) the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base
Salary,
(2) unreimbursed expenses,
(3) unused accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of
three weeks) through the date of his death, and
(4) any other benefits earned by the Employee and
vested (if applicable) as of the date of his death under any
employee benefit plan of MIIX Group or its affiliates in which
the Employee participates.
3.2. DISABILITY OF EMPLOYEE. If the Employee, in the reasonable opinion
of the Company, is unable to perform his duties under this Agreement by reason
of incapacity, either physical or mental, as determined in accordance with the
MIIX Group of Companies Long Term Disability Group Benefit Plan (the "LTD
Plan"), or similar plan which may be in
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effect from time to time, the Company shall have the right to terminate the
Employee's employment upon written notice to the Employee, whereupon such
termination shall be effective as of the date specified in such notice (the
"Termination Date") and the Company shall have no further obligations under this
Agreement, except the obligation to pay to the Employee:
(1) the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base
Salary,
(2) unreimbursed expenses,
(3) unused, accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of
three weeks) through the Termination Date,
(4) any other applicable severance payments provided
for in Section 4 hereof, and
(5) any other benefits earned by the Employee and
vested (if applicable) as of the Termination Date under any
employee benefit plan of the Company or its affiliates in
which the Employee participates.
If the Company determines not to terminate the Employee's employment in
the event of a disability as allowed under this Section 3.2, the Company shall
continue to pay Base Salary to the Employee for a period of up to ninety days,
and shall pay the difference between Base Salary and benefits paid to the
Employee under the LTD Plan for a period of up to six months thereafter, paid in
accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices, while the Employee is
not working. If the Employee, in the reasonable opinion of the Company,
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remains disabled at the end of such nine month period, his employment shall be
deemed terminated and he shall receive the benefits provided for in this Section
3.2.
3.3. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
1. For purposes of this Agreement, "for cause" shall mean the
termination of the Employee's employment with the Company as a result of any of
the following:
(1) the willful engaging by the Employee in conduct which is
materially injurious to or contrary to the best interests of the
Company, monetarily or otherwise;
(2) the willful failure by the Employee to perform such duties
as may be delegated or assigned to the Employee by the Chief Executive
Officer of MIIX Group;
(3) the willful failure by the Employee to follow the
directives or instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of MIIX
Group;
(4) the repeated and consistent failure of the Employee to be
present at work and devote his full time best efforts to the
performance of his duties under this Agreement, except as set forth
above in connection with the Employee's disability;
(5) gross negligence in the performance of his duties on
behalf of the Company;
(6) the Employee's conviction of, or plea of no contest to, a
felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or
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(7) the commission by the Employee of an act, or the omission
of an act, that would constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
2. The Employee's employment under this Agreement shall terminate
immediately upon written notice from the Company that the Company is terminating
the Employee for cause. Upon the Company's termination of the Employee for
cause, the Company shall be required to pay to the Employee:
(1) the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base
Salary,
(2) unreimbursed expenses,
(3) unused, accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of
three weeks) through the Termination Date, and
(4) any other benefits earned by the Employee and
vested (if applicable) as of the Termination Date under any
employee benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate in which
the Employee participates.
3.4. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. The Company may terminate the
Employee's employment without cause under this Agreement at any time upon
written notice to the Employee specifying the date of termination. In the event
of a termination without cause, the Company shall make payments to the Employee
in accordance with Section 4 below.
3.5. TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
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1. In the event that the Company terminates the Employee's employment
during the six month period following a Change in Control (as hereinafter
defined), the Employee shall be entitled to receive:
(1) the accrued and unpaid balance of his Base Salary,
(2) Base Salary for the 24 month period following the
Termination Date, paid, at the option of the Company, in accordance
with the Company's normal payroll practices or in a lump sum,
(3) unreimbursed expenses,
(4) unused, accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of three
weeks) through the Termination Date,
(5) any other benefits earned by the Employee and vested (if
applicable) as of the Termination Date under the terms of any employee
benefit plan of the Company or its affiliates in which the Employee
participates, and
(6) for the 24 month period following the Termination Date,
coverage for the Employee and his dependents (if applicable) under the
standard health and life benefits plans of the Company in which the
Employee participates. The Company shall also be responsible for any
tax penalty which may be imposed upon the Employee in connection with
the payments to be made under this Section 3.5.
2. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events:
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(1) the acquisition in one or more transactions by any "Person" (as
such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or Section 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) but excluding, for this purpose,
MIIX Group or its affiliates or any employee benefit plan of MIIX Group or its
affiliates, of "Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of thirty-five percent (35%) or
more of the combined voting power of MIIX Group's then outstanding voting
securities.
(2) the individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of
Directors of MIIX Group (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that if the
election, or nomination for election by MIIX Group's shareholders, of any new
director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board,
such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board, and
provided further that any reductions in the size of the Board that are
instituted voluntarily by the Incumbent Board shall not constitute a Change in
Control, and after any such reduction the "Incumbent Board" shall mean the Board
as so reduced;
(3) a merger or consolidation involving MIIX Group if the shareholders
of MIIX Group, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not own,
directly or indirectly, immediately following such merger or consolidation, more
than sixty-five percent (65%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding
voting securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation
or a complete liquidation or dissolution of MIIX Group or a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of MIIX Group; or
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(4) the acceptance by the shareholders of MIIX Group of shares in a
share exchange if the shareholders of MIIX Group, immediately before such share
exchange, do not own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such share
exchange, more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such share
exchange.
3.6. TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE. The Employee may terminate his
employment under this Agreement at any time upon not less than thirty days prior
written notice to the Company. The Company may, however, elect to accelerate the
date of termination. In the event of such a termination, the Company shall be
required to pay to the Employee:
(1) the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base
Salary,
(2) unreimbursed expenses,
(3) unused, accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of
three weeks) through the Termination Date,
(4) any other benefits earned by the Employee and
vested (if applicable) as of the Termination Date under any
employee benefit plan of the Company or its affiliates in
which the Employee participates.
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4. SEVERANCE.
4.1. PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. In the event that the Company terminates
the Employee's employment without cause, or in the event that the Company
determines to terminate the Employee's employment under Section 3.2 hereof, the
Employee shall be entitled to receive:
(1) the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base
Salary,
(2) unreimbursed expenses,
(3) unused, accrued vacation time (up to a maximum of
three weeks) through the Termination Date,
(4) any other benefits earned by the Employee and
vested (if applicable) as of the Termination Date under any
employee benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate in which
the Employee participates,
(5) for the 12 month period following the Termination
Date, coverage for the Employee and his dependents (if
applicable) under the standard health and life benefits plans
of the Company in which the Employee participates, and
(6) Base Salary, paid in accordance with the
Company's normal payroll practices, commencing on the
Termination Date and ending on the earlier of: (1) 12 months
from the Termination Date or (2) the date on which the
Employee obtains full-time employment with any third party or
as an independent consultant, whichever is earlier.
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Except during any period of disability as described in Section 3.2, the
Employee shall have a duty to undertake to secure new employment immediately
upon termination of employment with the Company. The Employee shall immediately
notify the Company in writing of such employment and any payments received by
the Employee pursuant to this Section 4.1 subsequent to the commencement of such
employment shall be promptly remitted to the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that the Employee obtains full-time employment with any
third party or as an independent consultant at an annual amount lower than his
Base Salary at the Company on the date of his termination, the Company shall pay
to the Employee an amount equal to such difference from the date on which the
Employee obtains such full-time employment for a period not to exceed 12 months
from the Termination Date.
4.2. RESIGNATIONS FROM POSITIONS. The Employee specifically agrees that
upon his termination of employment with the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary, his position as an officer or as a member of the Board of Directors
of MIIX Group, MIIX Insurance Company, Underwriter or any affiliate shall cease
and this Agreement shall constitute notice of the Employee's resignation in such
regard.
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5. NON-COMPETITION.
5.1. DEFINITION OF "COMPETITOR". For purposes of this Agreement,
"competitor" shall mean any company engaged in or about to be engaged in the
business of selling or marketing a product or service in the medical
professional liability insurance business which is similar to any product or
service sold or marketed or about to be sold or marketed by the Company or any
affiliate and the successors thereof, respectively.
5.2. TERM OF NON-COMPETITION. The Employee agrees that for so long as
he is employed by the Company and for a period of one year after the termination
thereof, whether voluntary or involuntary, he will not, directly or indirectly,
whether for compensation or not, own, manage, operate, join, control or
participate in, or be connected as a stockholder, officer, employee, partner,
creditor, guarantor, consultant, advisor or otherwise, with a competitor that is
engaged in or about to be engaged in business in any geographic area where the
Company or any affiliate are doing business. The foregoing shall not be
construed, however, as preventing the Employee from investing his assets in such
form or manner as will not require services on the part of the Employee in the
operations of the businesses in which such investments are made and provided
that any such business is publicly-owned and the interest of the Employee
therein is solely that of a passive investor owning not more than five (5%)
percent of the outstanding equity securities of any such business.
5.3. SOLICITATION OF COMPANY CLIENTS. For the period of one year after
the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or any affiliate,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly, call upon or solicit
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insurance or consulting business from any person or entity who is or was a
client of the Company or any affiliate at any time within a period of twelve
months immediately prior to the Termination Date, or any broker, agent or
consultant of such person or entity, without the express written consent of the
Company.
5.4. SOLICITATION OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES. For the period of one year
after the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or any
affiliate, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly, hire, retain or engage as a director, officer, employee, agent,
consultant, advisor or in any other capacity any person or persons who are
employed by the Company or any affiliate or who were at any time within a period
of six months immediately prior to the Termination Date employed by the Company
or any affiliate or otherwise interfere with the relationship between such
persons and the Company or its affiliates, without the express written consent
of the Company.
5.5. REMEDIES. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Employee's
services hereunder are special, unique, unusual and extraordinary, giving them
peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated
solely by damages, and in the event that the Employee breaches any provision of
this Section 5, the Company shall be entitled to equitable relief by way of
injunction or otherwise. In the event that the period of time or geographic area
herein specified should be adjudged unreasonable in any court proceeding, then
the period of time shall be reduced by such number of months or the geographic
area shall be reduced by elimination of such portion thereof as deemed
unreasonable, so that this Agreement may be enforced during such period of time
and in such
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geographic area as is adjudged to be reasonable. In the event that the Employee
breaches any of the provisions of this Section 5, the Company also shall be
entitled to cease all payments and benefits under the terms of this Agreement
and to pursue all remedies which the Company might have including, but not
limited to, those contained in this Agreement.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY.
6.1. DEFINITION OF "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION". For the purposes of this
Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall mean all information about the
Company or any affiliate relating to any of their products or services or any
phase of their operations, including, without limitation, business plans and
strategies, trade secrets, marketing and distribution information, business
results, underwriting information and methods, identities of insureds and claims
defense and recovery methods and procedures not generally known through
legitimate means to any of its competitors, with which the Employee becomes
acquainted during the term of his employment.
6.2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. During the time of employment, or at any
time thereafter, the Employee shall not disclose or make available to any person
or entity any Confidential Information without the express prior written
authorization of the Company. All records, files, materials and Confidential
Information obtained by the Employee in the course of his employment with the
Company are confidential and proprietary and shall remain the exclusive property
of the Company or its affiliates, as the case may be. Upon the termination of
the Employee's employment with the Company or any affiliate, or at any time upon
the request of the Company, the Employee (or his heirs or personal
representatives, as applicable)
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shall deliver to the Company (1) all documents and materials containing
Confidential Information relating to the business or affairs of the Company or
its affiliates, or their customers or clients, and (2) all other documents,
materials and other property belonging to the Company or its affiliates, or
their customers or clients that are in the possession or under the control of
the Employee.
6.3. REMEDIES. The parties acknowledge and agree that Confidential
Information is vital to the operations of the Company and its affiliates and
that the loss suffered by breach of any of the provisions of this Section 6
cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated for by damages, and in the event
that the Employee breaches this Section, the Company shall be entitled to
equitable relief by way of injunction or otherwise. In the event that the
Employee breaches any of the provisions of this Section 6, the Company also
shall be entitled to cease all payments and benefits under the terms of this
Agreement and shall be entitled to pursue all remedies which the Company might
have including, but not limited to, those contained in this Agreement.
7. SEVERABILITY. The terms of this Agreement and each Paragraph and
Section hereof shall be considered severable and the invalidity or
unenforceability of any part thereof shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remaining portions or provisions hereof.
8. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient, if in writing and delivered by mail or overnight
delivery service, to his residence, in the case of the Employee or to its
principal office in the case of the Company.
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9. ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon its successors and
assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or interests herein or created
hereby may be assigned or otherwise transferred voluntarily or involuntarily by
the Employee.
10. WAIVER. The waiver by the Company or the Employee of a breach of
any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
11. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed
under the laws of the State of New Jersey without reference to principles of
conflicts of laws.
12. JURISDICTION. Employee and the Company agree to submit to the
jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in New Jersey for purposes of the
enforcement of or any dispute concerning this Agreement and that any proceeding
to enforce or involving any dispute concerning this Agreement shall be brought
exclusively in the federal or state courts in New Jersey.
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement may not be changed, altered or amended except by an agreement in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change,
modification, extension or discharge is sought.
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14. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
THE MIIX GROUP, INCORPORATED
By:__________________________________
NEW JERSEY STATE MEDICAL
UNDERWRITERS, INC.
By:__________________________________
XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, XX.
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