CONSULTING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.46
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on this ___th day of June, 2007,
with an effective date of November 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Penn Octane
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Penn Octane”) and Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (“Rio Vista”) (Penn Octane and Rio Vista are sometimes collectively referred to
as the “Company”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx (“Consultant”), as follows:
Recitals
WHEREAS, Consultant has been a member of the Board of Directors of Penn Octane since 2006 and
the Board of Managers of the general partner of Rio Vista since 2004, and currently serves as the
Chairman for both Boards; and
WHEREAS, there have been some preliminary discussions between both Penn Octane and Rio Vista
about making Consultant a full time employee acting as the chief executive officer for both
entities. These discussions have not resulted in an agreement for such position and the Company
currently believes that it cannot justify the cost of a full time CEO requiring the compensation
Consultant has requested; and
WHEREAS, the Company has approached the consultant to perform certain additional services
beyond the ordinary scope of a Chairman of a Board and have decided to augment his current
compensation to reflect the value of the additional requested services; and
WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement in resolution of all prior
negotiations.
Agreement
THEREFORE, In consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties
agree as follows:
Section 1: Engagement of Services
1.1 Services Performed by Consultant. Consultant shall serve as a special advisor to Penn
Octane and Rio Vista and shall provide the following services (the “Services”) to the Company: (a)
assistance with the Company’s identification and completion of acquisition and disposition of
assets, obtaining financings, development of new projects, (b) identifying, engaging and
recommending candidates for roles in the Company’s management teams and boards; (c) assistance with
other transactions involving the Company, and (d) such other services as may be reasonably
requested by the Company. Consultant’s duties may be reasonably modified at the Company’s
discretion from time to time. Consultant will report directly to the board of directors of Penn
Octane and the board of managers of the general partner of Rio Vista.
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Consultant shall at all times faithfully and diligently perform the Services under this
Agreement and use Consultant’s best efforts, skill, and attention for the fulfillment of the
Services and the interests of the Company. Consultant shall have discretion and control of the
rendering of the Services and the manner in which said Services are performed. Consultant shall
perform all such Services under the name and as a representative of the Company to any third
parties engaged in discussions with the Company. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties,
Consultant shall have no obligation to work any particular hours or days, nor shall Consultant be
obligated to devote full time to the performance of the Services. It is, however, expected that
consultant will work no less than 80 hours per month.
1.2 Company Affiliates. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may, from time
to time, request Consultant to provide the Services or such other related services to any of the
Company’s Affiliates, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Affiliates” shall mean a parent company, or an affiliated or subsidiary corporation or
any other legal entity that is owned, whether entirely or partially, or controlled by the Company.
As used in this definition, “owned or controlled by” means owns or holds the right to vote any of
the stock or units of such entity, including without limitation, the Company’s affiliated limited
partnerships and limited liability companies in the United States and the Company’s affiliated
entities in Mexico. To the extent that the Consultant provides any services to the Affiliates,
such Affiliates would have all the rights and benefits provided to the Company hereunder, as if
such Affiliates were the Company.
1.3 Independent Contractor. Consultant enters into this Agreement as, and shall continue
to be, an independent contractor. Under no circumstances shall Consultant look to the Company as
his employer, or as a partner, agent or principal. There shall be no tax withholdings taken from
any Fees paid to Consultant pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, FICA, state
and federal unemployment compensation contributions, and state and federal income taxes), and
Consultant shall pay, when and as due, any and all taxes incurred as a result of Consultant’s
compensation pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request, Consultant shall provide the Company with
proof of such payment.
Consultant will indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against all claims, damages,
losses and expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other professionals,
relating to Consultant’s failure to pay such taxes as well as any obligation imposed by law on the
Company to pay any withholding taxes, social security, unemployment or disability insurance, or
similar items in connection with compensation received by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement.
Consultant also understands and agrees that Consultant shall be solely responsible for
complying with all federal, state, and local laws requiring business permits, certificates, and
licenses required to carry out the Services to be performed by Consultant under this Agreement.
Furthermore, Consultant recognizes that it is Consultant’s responsibility to obtain all insurance
coverage (including workers’ compensation) for Consultant. Upon request, Consultant shall provide
the Company with proof of such coverage.
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1.4 Agency. It is expressly understood and agreed that Consultant shall only represent the
Company to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement, and in no other way, and that
Consultant shall not be an agent of the Company. In this regard, Consultant shall have no
authority to enter into any agreements or other binding obligations on the Company’s behalf without
the prior specific written authorization of the Company, and that Consultant shall not hold himself
out as an officer, employee or agent of the Company; provided, however, that Consultant may hold
himself out as the Chairman of the Board of both Penn Octane and Rio Vista (for as long as this is
accurate) or otherwise as a representative of the Company as specifically authorized by this
Agreement or by the Company.
Section 2: Compensation
2.1 Payment of Fees. In consideration of the Services rendered by Consultant to the
Company and/or to the Affiliates, the Company agrees to pay the following fees (“Fees”) to
Consultant:
(a) Within ten (10) days of the completed execution of this Agreement, Consultant shall be
paid $66,667.00 (including unpaid board fees), in consideration for additional services performed
by Consultant for November 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007.
(b) Starting June 1, 2007, Consultant shall be paid a total of $12,500 per month for all
services rendered under this Agreement, in two monthly payments of $6,250, payable at the middle
and end of each calendar month. Such amounts are to be paid equally by Penn Octane and Rio Vista.
Said monthly fee will include, and not be in addition to, any sum otherwise due and owing to
Consultant for services performed by Consultant as a member of the Board of Directors of Penn
Octane, Board of Managers of the general partner of Rio Vista, or otherwise based on Consultant’s
position as a member and the Chairman of either Board. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, such monthly fee shall include all amounts payable to Consultant pursuant to a Chairman
Services Agreement between Consultant, Penn Octane and Rio Vista.
(c) Provided Consultant is still providing services under this Agreement at the date of
payment, Consultant shall be eligible for a bonus, at the sole and absolute discretion of the
independent members of the Boards of the Company, of up to $125,000 for calendar year 2007. The
amount of said bonus, if any, shall be determined no later than February 15, 2008 and paid within
ten (10) business days thereafter.
(d) Consultant, as well as his wife, shall receive medical insurance benefits consistent with
the Company’s then current plan offered to senior executives in the Company.
(e) Within thirty (30) days of the execution of this Agreement, subject to restrictions on
timing pursuant to applicable state and federal law, Consultant will receive stock options to
purchase 270,224 shares in Penn Octane, at the then current fair market value as of the date of the
grant, and 26,963 units in Rio Vista, at the then current fair market value as of the date of the
grant. Pursuant to the terms of said grants, 25% of these options will vest on February 1, 2008,
with the remaining unvested options vesting equally on a monthly basis for the thirty–six (36)
months following February 1, 2008. All other terms will remain subject to the current equity plans
and forms of option agreement of Rio Vista and Penn Octane.
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2.2 Expenses. Consultant shall provide receipts for all actual, reasonable travel and
other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Consultant as necessary in connection with the performance
of the Services by Consultant. Consultant agrees to submit to the Company such documentation as
may be necessary to substantiate all such expenses and reimbursements for deduction by the Company
as reasonable and necessary under Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code. Consultant will use
his best efforts to submit all expenses for reimbursement at the end of each calendar month. No
expense claim submitted by Consultant more than ninety (90) days after incurred shall be
reimbursed.
2.3 Taxes. Fees do not include taxes. To the extent that Consultant is required to pay any
federal, state or local income, sales, use, property or value-added taxes based upon the Fees
and/or the Services provided under this Agreement, such taxes shall be the sole responsibility of
Consultant.
Section 3: Term; Termination
3.1 Term. The term of this Agreement is at will. The Consultant may terminate this
Agreement, with or without cause, at any time upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Company.
The Company may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause at any time upon written notice to
Consultant, subject to Consultant’s potential right to severance benefits set forth in
Section 3.4. The provisions of this Agreement specified in Section 3.4 shall
survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
3.2 Resumption of Chairman’s Fees. If Consultant terminates this Agreement or Company
terminates this Agreement without cause, and if Consultant is still Chairman of the Board of the
board of directors of Penn Octane, and, or, of the board of managers of Rio Vista, then Penn Octane
and, or, Rio Vista shall resume paying Chairman’s Fees as per the current Chairman Services
Agreements between Consultant and each of the companies, commencing on the date of termination of
this Agreement.
3.3 Final Payments. Following termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section
3.1, any accrued, but unpaid, Fees shall be shall be paid to Consultant in accordance with
Section 2.1. Within thirty (30) days following the date of such termination, Consultant
shall submit a final expense reimbursement request to the Company in accordance with Section
2.2.
3.4 Severance. In the event the Company terminates this Agreement without “Cause”, as
defined below, and in return for a complete release satisfactory to the Company, signed by
Consultant, of any and all claims he may have against the Company, Consultant shall be entitled to
the following severance benefits:
(a) Continued payment of $12,500 a month for three (3) months after notice of termination;
(b) Continued medical benefits for Consultant and his wife for three full months after the
month of termination;
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(c) In the event said termination takes place before February 1, 2008, acceleration of 25% of
his vesting in both the Penn Octane stock options grant and Rio Vista unit options grant awarded
under this Agreement, so that, for purposes of vesting only, Consultant will have the right to
exercise the same number of options as if he was terminated on February 1, 2008.
Consultant will not receive any of the foregoing severance benefits in the event he
voluntarily terminates his employment, is terminated for Cause, or if his employment is terminated
by death or disability. Consultant further agrees to cooperate with the Company in answering
questions and providing information regarding the Company, and his prior actions on behalf of the
Company, for ninety (90) days after his termination.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(a) any act or omission constituting a material breach by Consultant of any provisions of this
Agreement;
(b) the failure by Consultant to perform his duties or assignments hereunder (other than any
such failure resulting from Consultant’s mental or physical disability), after demand for
performance is delivered by the Company that identifies the manner in which the Company believes
Consultant has not performed his duties or assignments, if, within ten days of such demand,
Consultant fails to cure any such failure (No notice or cure right will be given in the event the
failure is of a nature that cannot be cured within ten days);
(c) any intentional act or misconduct injurious to the Company or any Affiliate, financial or
otherwise, or including, but not limited to, misappropriation, fraud including with respect to the
Company’s accounting and financial statements, embezzlement or conversion by Consultant of the
Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s property in connection with Consultant’s duties or in the
course of Consultant performing services for the Company;
(d) the conviction (or plea of no contest) of the Consultant for any felony or the indictment
of the Consultant for any felony including, but not limited to, any felony involving fraud, moral
turpitude, embezzlement or theft in connection with the Consultant’s duties or in the course of the
Consultant’s employment with the Company;
(e) the commission of any intentional or knowing violation of any antifraud provision of the
federal or state securities laws;
(f) there is a final, non-appealable order in a proceeding before a court of competent
jurisdiction or a final order in an administrative proceeding finding that Consultant committed any
willful misconduct or criminal activity (excluding minor traffic violations or other minor
offenses) which commission is materially inimical to the interests of the Company or any
Subsidiary, whether for his personal benefit or in connection with his duties for the Company or
any Subsidiary;
(g) current alcohol or prescription drug abuse affecting work performance; or
(h) current illegal use of drugs.
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Section 4: Confidentiality.
4.1 Duty to Maintain Confidential Information.
(a) The Company and the Affiliates have previously furnished to Consultant, and may continue
to furnish to Consultant, such information, proprietary data and access to the Company’s personnel
and records (all such information and access, “Information”) as reasonably necessary and/or
appropriate for Consultant to perform the Services, the confidentiality of which gives the Company
and the Affiliates a competitive advantage in its business. As used herein, the term “Information”
is to be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, (i) presentations, ideas, trade
secrets, processes, systems, techniques, formulas, source and object code, data, programs,
know-how, flowcharts, methods, compounds, diagrams, drawings, models, specifications, improvements,
discoveries, developments, designs, and other works of authorship, whether patented or registered
for trademark or copyright protections, if any, (ii) information regarding marketing, sales,
licensing, accounting, product or service development, assets, competitive analyses, unpublished
financial statements, budgets, forecasts, prices, costs, business plans, research and development
plans, clients, client marketing, research and any other confidential client activity, suppliers,
and employees, (iii) information relating to potential acquisitions, dispositions and financing of
the Company and Affiliates, and (iv) any other information of the type which the Company and/or the
Affiliates have a legal obligation to keep confidential or which the Company and/or Affiliate
treats as confidential or proprietary, whether or not owned or developed by the Company or the
Affiliates. The term “Information” shall also include any and all such Information pertaining to
the Company, its Affiliates, and their respective customers and suppliers.
(b) During the time that this Agreement remains in effect and at all times thereafter,
Consultant agrees:
(1) to keep the Information confidential and not to copy, publish, transmit, or disclose to
others or allow any other party to copy, publish, transmit, or disclose to others, any Information,
except in accordance with Consultant’s fiduciary duty to the Company pursuant to this Agreement and
in furtherance of the interests of the Company and the Affiliates;
(2) to use the Information exclusively for the purpose of performing the Services under
this Agreement and for no other purpose; and
(3) that the Information is, shall be, and shall remain the exclusive property of the
Company and the Affiliates, and Consultant shall neither have nor acquire any right, title,
or interest therein.
(c) The foregoing confidentiality obligations of Consultant shall not apply to any information
that is (i) a matter of public knowledge (from a source or sources other than Consultant), (ii)
independently developed by a person not a party to this Agreement without the use, directly or
indirectly, of the Information, (iii) disclosed by a person not a party to this Agreement without
violation of any obligation of confidentiality, or (iv) required by law or the order of any court
or governmental agency, or in any litigation or similar proceeding to
be disclosed, provided that Consultant shall, prior to making any such required disclosure, notify the Company and/or the
Affiliate in sufficient time to permit them to seek an appropriate protective order.
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4.2. Third Party Information. Consultant understands that the Company and the Affiliates
have received and in the future will receive from third parties confidential or proprietary
information (“Third Party Information”) subject to a duty of the Company and the Affiliates to hold
such information in confidence and to use it only for the limited, authorized purpose of performing
its obligations to the third party. Both during and after the term of this Agreement, Consultant
will hold all Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose,
misappropriate, disseminate, publish, or use it in any manner or form, except as required by the
Services for the Company and/or the Affiliates or as expressly authorized in writing by an officer
of the Company and/or the Affiliates.
4.3 Breach of Confidentiality. Both parties agree that in the event of a breach,
threatened breach, violation, or evasion of the terms of this Section 4, immediate and
irreparable injury shall occur to the Company and/or its Affiliates, that such injury may be
impossible to measure or remedy in monetary damages, and the Company and/or the Affiliates shall be
authorized to seek all equitable remedies, including injunctive relief or specific performance, in
addition to any other legal or equitable remedies that may be available under this Agreement and/or
at law.
4.4 Return of Company Information. Upon termination of this Agreement or upon request by
the Company and/or the Affiliates, Consultant will promptly deliver to the Company and the
Affiliates all drawings, notes, memoranda, presentations, brochures, specifications, programs,
reports, and other documents and manifestations, with all copies and any other materials containing
or disclosing any Information, Third Party Information or any other materials related to the
Company or the Affiliates or the Services, whether prepared by Consultant or another party.
Consultant agrees not to retain any written, electronic or other tangible material containing or
concerning any Information or Third Party Information of the Company and/or the Affiliates and to
maintain the confidentiality of this Information, Third Party Information and materials in the
future.
4.5 Trading in Company Securities. Consultant shall not buy, sell or conduct any other
transaction in or relating to the securities of the Company at any time when Consultant is in
possession of material, nonpublic information concerning the Company, its Affiliates, or its or
their securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant may buy, sell or conduct any other
transaction in the securities of the Company directly with the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company at any time. The restrictions contained in this Section 4.5 shall not apply with
respect to information that has been publicly disclosed by the Company in a manner consistent with
the provisions of Rule 101(e) of Regulation FD promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Section 5: Assignment of Ownership
5.1 Work Product.
(a) Consultant agrees and hereby intends that all information, trade secrets, data,
discoveries, programs, business plans, documents, materials and works of authorship or other
intellectual property arising out of, resulting from, related to, or in connection with the
Services
provided by Consultant, or otherwise conceived or discovered by Consultant, alone or with
others, under this Agreement, or in connection with services rendered by Consultant to the Company
or the Affiliates before the Effective Date (collectively, the “Work Product”) are specially
ordered or commissioned works and shall be considered work made for hire as provided in the U.S.
Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. 101(2)). All Work Product and the benefits thereof shall immediately and
automatically be the sole and absolute property of the Company and/or the Affiliates, as the case
may be.
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(b) In addition to the foregoing, Consultant hereby irrevocably assigns, conveys and transfers
to the Company and/or to the Affiliates, their successors and assigns, as the case may be, all of
Consultant’s right, title and interest worldwide in all copyrights, patents, trade secrets,
confidential and proprietary rights in and to the Work Product, including any derivations or
modifications thereto and any associated moral rights, and any other work product created by
Consultant for the Company or the Affiliates or during any time Consultant is performing services
for the Company or the Affiliates. Further, Consultant agrees to execute, verify and deliver such
additional assignment documentation with respect to the Work Product as the Company or the
Affiliates may request from time to time. If Consultant has any rights in and to the Work Product
that cannot be assigned, (i) Consultant hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to waive and
hereby does waive enforcement of such rights against Company and the Affiliates, their successors,
assigns and licensees, and (ii) Consultant agrees to grant and hereby does grant to Company and the
Affiliates, their successors, assigns and licensees, a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual,
irrevocable, exclusive license to use, copy, modify, transfer, offer for sale and distribute the
Work Product for any and all legal purposes. In addition, Consultant shall assist the Company and
the Affiliates in obtaining patents, copyrights and any other available legal protection for the
Work Product.
(c) Nothing in this Section 5.1 shall be interpreted to alter or modify Consultant’s
status as an independent contractor.
5.2 Enforcement of Rights. Consultant shall assist the Company and the Affiliates in every
proper way to obtain, and enforce the Company’s and/or the Affiliates’ United States and foreign
rights relating to the Work Product or the Information in any and all countries. To that end,
Consultant shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including
appearances as a witness) as the Company or the Affiliates may reasonably request for use in
applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such rights and the
assignment thereof. If the Company or the Affiliates are unable for any reason to obtain
Consultant’s signature, after reasonable effort, on any documentation needed in connection with the
foregoing obligations, Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and the
Affiliates and their duly authorized agents as Consultant’s attorney-in-fact to act for and on
Consultant’s behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully
permitted acts to further the purposes of this Section 5 with the same legal force and
effect as if executed by Consultant. Consultant hereby irrevocably waives and assigns to the
Company and the Affiliates, any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which Consultant now or
may hereafter have against the Company and/or the Affiliates for infringement with respect to any
Work Product.
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Section 6: Restrictive Covenants
6.1 Competing Activities. During the period of Consultant’s engagement with the Company,
without the prior written consent of the Company: (a) Consultant shall not directly or indirectly
engage in any employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity which the Company
determines in good faith to be in competition with the Company or its Affiliates; and (b)
Consultant shall not usurp or take advantage of any such business activity without first offering
the opportunity to the Company and/or the Affiliates.
6.2 Compliance with Laws. Consultant agrees that in the course of fulfilling Consultant’s
responsibilities under this Agreement, Consultant shall not engage in any conduct, furnish any
information or take any other action which would violate or cause the Company to violate any United
States law or lose any United States federal tax benefits, including but not limited to any of the
activities described in or prohibited by The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, Section 999 of
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, The Export Administration Act of 1984, and all regulations
promulgated thereunder. Furthermore, Consultant agrees that in performing the Services Consultant
will comply with and avoid violation of any other applicable laws of the Mexico, the United States
of America, the State of California, the State of Texas and any other jurisdiction or political
subdivision thereof, including regulations, rules and orders promulgated under such laws and
customs having the effect of law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Consultant
will not make any offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or
any offer, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value, directly or
indirectly, to any government official, political party, party official, or candidate for public or
political office to induce such persons to use their influence with a government or instrumentality
in order to obtain an improper business advantage for Consultant or the Company. Consultant will
not retain any sub-agent or representative in connection with the performance of the Services
without the prior written consent of the Company.
6.3 Equitable Remedies. Consultant acknowledges that irreparable injury will result to the
Company from violation of any of the terms of this Agreement, specifically those identified under
Sections 4, 5 and 6. Therefore, Consultant expressly agrees that the Company shall be
entitled, in addition to damages and any other remedies provided by law, to an injunction (without
notice and without the necessity of posting a bond) or other equitable remedy respecting such
violation or continued violation.
Section 7: Consultant’s Representations.
7.1 No Conflicts. Consultant represents and warrants that performance of this Agreement
does not and will not breach any other agreement to which Consultant is a party. Consultant
further represents and warrants that Consultant has not entered into, and agrees not to enter into,
any agreement, either oral or written, in conflict with or in violation of this Agreement.
7.2 Binding Obligation. Upon its execution and delivery, this Agreement shall constitute
the valid and binding obligation of Consultant, enforceable against Consultant in accordance with
its terms, except that such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights and
general principles of equity.
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Section 8: Company’s Representations
8.1 Authority. Company represents that it has the full power and authority to enter into
and perform this Agreement and that the Company has authorized the execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement.
8.2 Binding Obligation. Upon its execution and delivery, this Agreement shall constitute
the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
its terms, except that such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights and
general principles of equity.
Section 9: Indemnification
9.1 Indemnification. Consultant shall indemnify the Company and the Affiliates and their
respective directors, officers, managers, employees, general and limited partners, stockholders,
agents, affiliates, attorneys, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”)
from and against any and all third party claims, losses, damages, liabilities and costs (including
legal and other professional fees and expenses), joint or several, to which such Indemnified
Parties may become subject relating to or arising out of Consultant’s actual breach of his
obligations under this Agreement. Consultant shall reimburse the Indemnified Parties for all
expenses (including legal and other professional fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the
investigation, preparation or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any action or
proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not any of the Indemnified Parties is a party to such
claim or action.
Section 10: Miscellaneous
10.1. Assignment. This Agreement and the Services to be provided hereunder may not be
assigned or otherwise transferred by Consultant, or by operation of law, without the prior written
consent of the Company. The Company may assign or transfer this Agreement to any Affiliate,
without the consent of Consultant. The Company’s assignment of this Agreement to any Affiliate
shall in no way affect Consultant’s obligations under this Agreement.
10.2 Waiver and Amendments. No waiver, amendment or modification of any provision of this
Agreement shall be effective unless consented to by both parties in writing. No failure or delay by
either party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a
waiver of any such right, power or remedy. No waiver of any breach of any covenant or provision
contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof or of any
other covenant or provision. No extension of time for performance of any obligation or act shall
be deemed an extension of the time for performance of any other obligation or act.
10.3 Notices. Any notice or communication provided for or required by this Agreement to be
in writing shall be: (a) hand delivered, (b) sent by certified mail with full postage, or (c) sent
by
overnight courier service with proof of delivery. Any notice so sent shall be deemed received upon
the earlier of an actual receipt or three business days after proper posting. The addresses of the
parties shall be as indicated below, but the parties may change their notice addresses by giving
written notice of such change to the other party at its current address in accordance with this
Section.
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If to Consultant:
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
| 000 X. Xxxx Xxx Xxxx, #000 | ||
| Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||
If to Company:
|
Penn Octane Corporation | |
| Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. | ||
| Attn: Chief Consultant Officer | ||
| 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
| Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||
| With a copy to: | ||
| Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||
| Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
| Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 |
10.4 Professional Fees. In the event of the bringing of any action, suit, or arbitration
by a party hereto against another party hereunder by reason of any breach of any of the covenants,
agreements, or provisions arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover all costs and expenses of that action, suit, or arbitration, at trial, in arbitration, or
on appeal, and in collection therewith, including but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees,
accounting, and other professional fees resulting therefrom.
10.5 Legal and Equitable Remedies. Due to the personal and unique nature of Consultant’s
services pursuant to this Agreement, and because Consultant shall become acquainted with and have
access to the Company’s proprietary information, the Company shall have the right to enforce this
Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief,
without bond, and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the Company may otherwise
have to enforce this Agreement.
10.6 Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement
(other than claims for preliminary injunctive relief or other prejudgment or equitable remedies)
shall be settled by binding arbitration in Houston, Texas or Los Angeles, California (at the
election of the party commencing the action) in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect, and judgment upon an award rendered in such
arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
BOTH PARTIES HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS SECTION 10.6, WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION. THE
PARTIES UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, THEY AGREE TO SUBMIT ANY FUTURE CLAIMS ARISING
OUT OF RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE
INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH, OR TERMINATION THEREOF TO BINDING
ARBITRATION, AND THAT THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF EACH PARTIES’ RIGHT TO A JURY
TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN CONSULTANT AND THE COMPANY.
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10.7 Severability. Should any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be
determined to be illegal or unenforceable, all other provisions of the Agreement shall be given
effect separately from those provisions of this Agreement so determined and the other provisions
shall not be affected by the illegality or unenforceability.
10.8 Representation by Counsel; Interpretation. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges
that such party has caused this Agreement to be reviewed and/or had the opportunity to have it
approved by legal counsel of such party’s own choice. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the
Law Offices of Xxxxx Xxxxx has represented the Company, not Consultant, in connection with the
preparation and execution of this Agreement and that the Law Offices of Xxxxx Xxxxx may continue to
represent the Company in matters related to this Agreement and otherwise. Consultant has been
advised to obtain independent legal counsel in such connection. The parties have negotiated the
provisions of this Agreement, and any presumption that an ambiguity contained in this Agreement
shall be construed against the party that caused this Agreement to be drafted shall not apply to
the interpretation of this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay Consultant $3,500.00 to assist in
the payment of any personal attorney’s fees used by Consultant in the negotiations surrounding, and
leading up to, the execution of this Agreement.
10.9 Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement has been entered into in the State of Texas
and shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed and enforced in accordance with the
internal laws of Texas. All claims, arbitrations and lawsuits in connection with this Agreement
must be brought in Xxxxxx County, Texas or Los Angeles County, California. Consultant and Company
hereby agree to this jurisdiction and venue.
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10.10 Entire Agreement; Acknowledgment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all
prior agreements, understandings, discussions, and/or commitments of any kind with respect to the
subject matter hereof or the potential hiring of Consultant to act as the Chief Consultant Officer
of either Penn Octane or Rio Vista. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented, nor may any
right hereunder be waived, except in writing signed by each of the parties.
10.11 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared void, or otherwise
unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement, which shall
otherwise remain in full force and effect.
10.12 Survival. The provisions of Sections 1.3, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 shall
survive any termination of employment or expiration of this Agreement.
10.13 Further Assurances. The parties shall, from time to time, promptly execute and
deliver such further instruments, documents and papers and perform such further acts as may be
necessary or proper to carry out and effect the terms of this Agreement.
10.14 Counterparts. This agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Facsimile signatures shall have the same legal effect as original signatures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Consulting Agreement as of the date first
written above.
| “The Company” | “Consultant” | |||||||||
| PENN OCTANE CORPORATION | ||||||||||
By:
|
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxxxx | By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||||
| Acting Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||
| RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. | ||||||||||
By:
|
Rio Vista GP LLC, General Partner | |||||||||
By: |
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||||||||
| Acting Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||
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