EXHIBIT 10.23
[LOGO OF VERIZON]
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
September 29, 2000
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
[ADDRESS]
Dear Xxxxx:
I am pleased to offer you this employment agreement (the "Agreement") with
Verizon Wireless Inc. ("Verizon Wireless"). For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "Company" means Verizon Wireless, all corporate subsidiaries and other
companies affiliated with Verizon Wireless, all companies in which Verizon
Wireless has an ownership or other proprietary interest of more than 10 percent,
and their successors and assigns.
The opportunities and challenges facing the Company are enormous and
exciting. Both as a new organization and as a vigorous competitor in the most
dynamic and innovative industry in history, the Company needs extraordinarily
talented and committed leaders. This Agreement and the valuable array of
wealth-creation opportunities it provides reflect my view that you meet this
high standard.
I value you and the leadership, vision, and commitment you bring to the
Company. I am excited by the prospect of having you as a key member of our
leadership team. I look forward to working with you as we chart the course of
our new organization at the beginning of a new century.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are set forth below.
1. Purpose - Verizon Wireless enters into this Agreement with you because
the rapidly-changing and increasingly global telecommunications market requires
the Company to make critical strategic, marketing, and technical decisions.
These decisions by the Company will be based, in whole or in part, on
confidential analyses of the evolving telecommunications market, confidential
assessments of the technical capabilities and strategic plans of the Company and
competing businesses, and confidential or proprietary information
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Page 2
regarding the Company's technology, resources, and business opportunities or
other confidential or proprietary information relating to the Company's
business. Verizon Wireless seeks by this Agreement to ensure that you remain a
part of the executive management team that plays a central role in this
decision-making process.
In consideration for your entering into this Agreement, including the
restrictions on the disclosure and use of confidential or proprietary
information and the limitations on your engaging in competitive activities, the
Company is providing you with the security of an agreement with an initial term
of three years, short- and long-term award opportunities, and other benefits.
2. General - Under this Agreement, you shall continue as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Verizon Wireless ("CEO"). You shall also continue as
Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications Inc.
3. Term - The term of employment under this Agreement ("Term of
Employment") shall commence on July 1, 2000, and end on June 30, 2003; provided
that commencing on July 1, 2001, and on each day thereafter, the remaining Term
of Employment shall be two years. For example, on August 1, 2001, the Term of
Employment shall end on July 31, 2003. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions
of this paragraph 3, the Company reserves the right to terminate your employment
and the Term of Employment at any time. Your employment and the Term of
Employment also may terminate for other reasons (such as your resignation,
retirement, death, or disability). The consequences of the termination of, your
employment are specified in paragraph 13 ("Termination of Employment").
4. Duties And Responsibilities - You shall serve as the President and CEO
of Verizon Wireless and you shall perform all duties incidental to such
positions, shall cooperate fully with me or my successor (the "Chairman") and
the Board of Directors of Verizon Wireless, and shall work cooperatively with
the other officers of the Company. You shall continue to devote your entire
business skill, time, and effort diligently to the affairs of the Company in
accordance with the duties assigned to you, and you shall perform all such
duties, and otherwise conduct yourself, in a manner reasonably calculated in
good faith by you to promote the best interests of the Company. During the Term
of Employment, except to the extent specifically permitted in writing by
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Page 3
me or my successor, and except for memberships on boards of directors that you
hold on the date of this Agreement, you shall not, directly or indirectly,
render any services of a business, commercial, or professional nature to any
other person or organization other than the Company or a person or organization
in which the Company has a financial interest, whether or not the services are
rendered for compensation.
5. Location - During the Term of Employment, you shall perform services for
the Company at its Bedminster, New Jersey, and New York City offices, or at any
other location designated by the Chairman as necessary or appropriate for the
discharge of your responsibilities under this Agreement. In the event of any
change in your principal work locations, you shall be eligible for relocation
assistance under the terms of any Company relocation policy applicable to other
senior executives of the Company at the time of such relocation.
6. Base Salary - During the Term of Employment, your annual base salary
shall not be less than $750,000 per year (and effective January 1, 2002, not
less than $800,000 per year). After this Agreement has been in effect for 18
months, the executive compensation committee of the Board of Directors of
Verizon Wireless or its designee shall review your base salary at least
annually.
7. Bonus Opportunities - During the Term of Employment, the Company shall
provide you with annual short-term and long-term bonus opportunities. Your
annual short-term bonus opportunity shall be effective January 1, 2000, and your
annual long-term bonus opportunity shall become effective beginning in 2001.
Your annual short-term bonus opportunity at norm shall not be less then 100
percent of your then-current base salary, and your annual maximum short-term
bonus opportunity shall not be less than 200 percent of your then-current base
salary. The value of your annual long-term bonus opportunity shall not be less
than 500 percent of your then-current base salary. Any long-term bonus that
is paid to you after an initial public offering of shares of Class A common
stock of Verizon Wireless (the "IPO") shall be paid in shares of such Class A
common stock; any long-term bonus that is paid to you before the IPO shall be
paid in shares of common stock of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon
Communications"). In addition, if you remain in the continuous employ of the
Company until June 30, 2001, you shall be entitled to a
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retention bonus equal to the sum of 100 percent of your base salary for 2001, 50
percent of your maximum short-term bonus opportunity for 2001, and 100 percent
of your long-term bonus opportunity for 2001. If your long-term bonus
opportunity is subject to a performance target, it shall be assumed for purposes
of the retention bonus that the performance target is met. If you become
entitled to the retention bonus, the retention bonus shall be paid to you in
July 2001 unless you elect to defer receipt of the retention bonus in accordance
with the Company's rules regarding deferral of compensation as in effect at the
time of such election.
8. Founders' Grant - You shall receive a Founders' Grant of options to
purchase 400,000 shares of the common stock of Verizon Communications. The
Founders' Grant is contingent on your timely execution of this Agreement. The
terms of the Founders' Grant are set forth in the instrument governing the
Founders' Grant attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by
reference. If you do not timely execute this Agreement, you shall not receive
the Founders' Grant.
9. Performance Share Retention Unit Grant - You shall receive a Performance
Share Retention Unit Grant with respect to 80,000 shares of Verizon
Communications common stock. The Performance Share Retention Unit Grant is
contingent on your timely execution of this Agreement. The terms of the
Performance Share Retention Unit Grant are set forth in the Performance Share
Retention Unit Grant Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B, which is
incorporated herein by reference (the "PSRU Grant Agreement"). At the time of
the IPO, the units granted under the PSRU Agreement shall be converted into
units based on the value of shares of Class A common stock of Verizon Wireless.
Your rights under the Performance Share Retention Grant following the
termination of your employment shall be governed by such PSRU Grant Agreement or
a successor agreement, rather than by the terms of paragraph 13 ("Termination of
Employment"). If you do not timely execute this Agreement, you shall not receive
the Performance Share Retention Unit Grant.
10. Benefits And Perquisites - (a) In General - For the immediate future,
you shall-
(1) participate in the tax-qualified and nonqualified retirement
plans in which you currently participate;
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(2) be eligible for the perquisites identified in subparagraph (b),
below; and
(3) participate in the other employee benefit plans, programs, and
policies in which you currently participate, including medical,
dental, and life insurance plans;
provided that the Company retains the right to amend or terminate any benefit
plan, policy, program, or perquisite either as part of the process of providing
uniform benefits to former Bell Atlantic and GTE employees or in the normal
course of business.
(b) Perquisites - The perquisites referred to in subparagraph (a), above,
are the following:
(1) Flexible Spending Account: A flexible spending account of $31,000
per year shall be available for such items as club initiation
fees, club memberships, and automobile payments. The available
balance in the account shall be allocated to you in monthly
installments.
(2) Financial Planning: You shall be eligible for the Company's
financial planning and services program. If you are already using
a vendor other than the vendor used by the Company's financial
planning and services program, and you wish to continue using
that other vendor, your are eligible for reimbursement of the
cost of using that other vendor up to an annual maximum of
$9,000.
(3) Company Aircraft: You shall be eligible to use Company aircraft
for business and personal travel subject to the availability of
the aircraft.
(4) First-Class Air Travel: When Company aircraft are not available
for business travel, you shall be eligible for first-class
commercial air travel.
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(5) Company Automobile: You shall be eligible to use Company
automobile and driver for business and personal travel.
(6) Home Security: You shall be eligible for home security on an as-
needed basis, consistent with Company policy as in effect from
time to time.
(7) Home Office Equipment: You shall be eligible for home office
equipment (e.g., computer, fax machine, business line with long
distance, and internet access) on an as-needed basis, consistent
with Company policy as in effect from time to time.
(8) Cellular Telephone: You shall be provided with cellular
telephone equipment and service.
(9) Apartment: The Company shall reimburse you for the cost of
leasing an appropriate apartment in New York City.
(c) Prior Awards - Nothing in this Agreement alters or impairs your right
to vest in, and to receive benefits under, any and all outstanding awards
previously granted to you by Bell Atlantic Corporation or Cellco Partnership in
accordance with the terms of such awards.
11. Annual Physical - You are encouraged to take an annual physical
examination from a physician at the Company's expense and to certify in writing
to the Company's designee each year (a) that you have had the examination and
(b) the nature and extent of any medical impairments that prevent you from
currently performing the essential functions of your position.
12. Excise Tax Gross-Up - Under certain circumstances you may become
entitled to a gross-up payment with respect to the excise tax imposed by section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The terms governing the gross-up
payment are set forth in Exhibit C, which is incorporated herein by reference.
13. Termination Of Employment - (a) Voluntary Termination By You - You may
terminate your employment under this Agreement for a reason other
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than Retirement (as defined in subparagraph (c), below) at any time by giving
the Chairman written notice of intent to terminate, delivered at least 30
calendar days before the effective date of such termination (such period not to
include vacation). The termination shall automatically become effective upon the
expiration of the 30-day notice period. Upon the effective date of such
termination, your base salary and any other Company benefits and perquisites
shall cease to accrue, you shall forfeit all then-outstanding stock options, and
you shall forfeit all rights under this Agreement which as of the relevant date
have not yet been earned; provided that you shall otherwise be eligible to
receive any and all compensation and benefits for which a similarly situated
senior executive would be eligible under the applicable provisions of the
compensation and benefit plans in which he is then eligible to participate, as
those plans may be amended from time to time. A termination of employment in
accordance with this subparagraph (a) shall be deemed a "Voluntary Termination."
(b) Termination -- Due To Death Or Disability - If, during the Term of
Employment, you terminate employment because of death or disability (as defined
under the Company-sponsored long-term disability plan that applies to you at the
time your employment is so terminated),
(1) The Company shall make a lump-sum cash payment to you equal to
your base salary, 50 percent of your maximum short-term bonus
opportunity, and 100 percent of your long-term bonus opportunity
for the remaining Term of Employment (as the Term of Employment
is determined as of the date immediately preceding the date your
employment terminates), reduced by any amounts payable to you
under Company-sponsored disability plans during the remaining
Term of Employment (as the Term of Employment is determined as of
the date immediately preceding the date your employment
terminates). For this purpose, your base salary shall be based on
your base salary rate in effect immediately before your
employment terminated; your annual maximum short-term bonus
opportunity shall be equal to 200 percent of your annual base
salary in effect immediately
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before your employment terminated; and your annual long-term
bonus opportunity shall be equal to 500 percent of your annual
base salary in effect immediately before your employment
terminated. If your long-term bonus is subject to a performance
target, it shall be assumed that the target is met;
(2) If your employment terminates before June 30, 2001, you shall
receive a lump-sum payment equal to the retention bonus
prescribed by paragraph 7 ("Bonus Opportunities"); and
(3) Your unvested stock options shall immediately vest, and you may
exercise all then-outstanding stock options at any time up to the
earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date your employment
terminates (or any later date prescribed by the terms of the
option relating to termination of employment) or (ii) the
expiration of the option;
provided that if you terminate employment because of disability, your rights
under this subparagraph (b) are contingent on your execution of a release in
accordance with paragraph 14 ("Release"); and further provided that if you
terminate employment because of death, your rights under this subparagraph (b)
shall pass to your estate.
(c) Retirement - If, during the Term of Employment, you terminate
employment by reason of Retirement (as defined below), except as otherwise
provided in subparagraph (g) ("Mandatory Retirement"), you shall be entitled to
accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock options (other than the Founders'
Grant), and to exercise all then-outstanding stock options (excluding nonvested
Founders' Grant options) until the earlier of (1) the fifth anniversary of the
date your employment terminates (or any later date prescribed by the terms of
the option relating to termination of employment) or (2) the expiration of the
option. For purposes of this Agreement, "Retirement" means retirement under the
terms of the Verizon Communications 2000 Broad-Based Incentive Plan. Except as
provided by the preceding provisions of this subparagraph (c), upon the
effective date of your Retirement, your base salary and any other Company
benefits and perquisites shall cease to accrue; provided that you shall
otherwise
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be eligible to receive any and all compensation and benefits for which a
similarly situated senior executive would be eligible under the applicable
provisions of the compensation and benefit plans in which he is then eligible to
participate, as those plans may be amended from time to time.
(d) Termination For Good Reason - (1) You may terminate your employment
under this Agreement for Good Reason by giving the Chairman, at least 30
calendar days' (exclusive of vacation days) in advance of such termination (the
"Notice Period"), written notice of your intent to so terminate, setting forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances deemed to provide a basis for
such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning
prescribed by Exhibit D, which is incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have 15 calendar
days from its receipt of such notice to cure the action specified in the notice.
In the event of a cure by the Company within the 15-day period, the action in
question shall not constitute Good Reason.
(3) Except as provided in subparagraph (d)(2), above, at the end of the
Notice Period, the Good Reason termination shall take effect, and your
obligation to serve the Company, and the Company's obligation to employ you,
under the terms of this Agreement shall terminate simultaneously, and you shall
be deemed to have incurred an Involuntary Termination Without Cause, with the
consequences described in subparagraph (e), below; provided that your rights
under this subparagraph (d) are contingent on your execution of a release in
accordance with paragraph 14 ("Release").
(4) If you do not fulfill the notice and explanation requirements imposed
by this subparagraph (d), the resulting termination of employment shall be
deemed a Voluntary Termination.
(e) Involuntary Termination Without Cause - The Company may terminate your
employment under this Agreement at any time and for any reason. However, if the
Company terminates your employment for any reason other than death, disability,
or Cause (as defined in subparagraph (f), below), such termination shall be
deemed an Involuntary Termination by the Company, and you shall be entitled to
receive the following payments and benefits in lieu
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of any payment or benefit otherwise provided pursuant to paragraphs 6 ("Base
Salary") through 11 ("Annual Physical"):
(1) The Company shall make a lump-sum cash payment to you equal to
your base salary, 50 percent of your maximum short-term bonus
opportunity, and 100 percent of your long-term bonus opportunity
for the remaining Term of Employment (as the Term of Employment
is determined as of the date immediately preceding the date your
employment terminates), reduced by any amounts payable to you
under any Company-sponsored severance plan, program, policy,
contract, account, or arrangement during the remaining Term of
Employment (as the Term of Employment is determined as of the
date immediately preceding the date your employment terminates).
For this purpose, your base salary shall be based on your base
salary rate in effect immediately before your employment
terminated; your annual maximum short-term bonus opportunity
shall be equal to 200 percent of your annual base salary in
effect immediately before your employment terminated; and your
annual long-term bonus opportunity shall be equal to 500 percent
of your annual base salary in effect immediately before your
employment terminated. If your long-term bonus is subject to a
performance target, it shall be assumed for this purpose that the
target is met;
(2) If your Involuntary Termination occurs before June 30, 2001, you
shall receive a lump-sum payment equal to the retention bonus
prescribed by paragraph 7 ("Bonus Opportunities");
(3) Your unvested stock options shall immediately vest, and you may
exercise all of your then-outstanding stock options at any time
up to the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date your
employment terminates (or any later date prescribed by the terms
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of the option relating to termination of employment) or (ii) the
expiration of the option;
(4) You shall be eligible for outplacement services to the extent
that such services are then available to senior executives of
the Company; and
(5) The Company shall provide continued benefits under the Bell
Atlantic Senior Management Estate Management Program (the
"split-dollar" insurance program) applicable to a retiring
participating senior manager;
provided that your rights under this subparagraph (e) are contingent on your
execution of a release in accordance with paragraph 14 ("Release").
(f) Involuntary Termination For Cause - (1) Nothing in this Agreement
prevents the Company from terminating your employment under this Agreement for
Cause. In the event of your termination for Cause, the Company shall pay you
your full accrued base salary and accrued vacation time through the date of your
termination, you shall forfeit all then-outstanding stock options, and the
Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement; provided that
you shall otherwise be eligible to receive any and all compensation and benefits
for which a similarly situated senior executive would be eligible under the
applicable provisions of the compensation and benefit plans in which he is then
eligible to participate, as those plans may be amended from time to time.
(2) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" is defined as (i) grossly
incompetent performance or substantial or continuing inattention to or neglect
of the duties and responsibilities assigned to you; fraud, misappropriation or
embezzlement involving the Company or a material breach of any provision
incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants"), as determined by the Chairman in his
discretion, or (ii) commission of any felony of which you are finally adjudged
guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) If the Company terminates your employment for Cause, the Company
shall provide you with a written statement of the grounds for such termination
within 10 business days after the date of termination.
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(g) Mandatory Retirement - If you retire at or after age 65 because you are
required to do so by the Company's mandatory retirement policy, your retirement
shall not be deemed an Involuntary Termination by the Company for purposes of
this Agreement, your unvested stock options shall immediately vest, and you may
exercise all of your then-outstanding stock options at any time up to the
earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date your employment terminates (or
any later date prescribed by the terms of the option relating to termination of
employment) or (ii) the expiration of the option.
14. Release - You shall not be entitled to any benefits under this
Agreement following the termination of your employment unless, at the time your
employment terminates, you execute a release satisfactory to the Company
releasing the Company, its affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers,
employees, representatives, and agents and their successors and assigns from
any and all employment-related claims you or your successors and beneficiaries
might then have against them (excluding any claims you might then have under
this Agreement, or any employee benefit plan that is subject to the vesting
standards imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended). This paragraph 14 shall not apply if your employment is terminated by
reason of your Retirement or death.
15. Covenants - In consideration for the benefits and agreements described
above, you agree to comply with the covenants set forth in Exhibit E hereto,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
16. Request For Waiver - Nothing in this Agreement bars you from
requesting, at the time of your termination of employment or at any time
thereafter, that the Chairman, in his sole discretion, waive in writing the
Company's rights to enforce some or all of the provisions incorporated in
paragraph 15 ("Covenants").
17. Other Agreements And Policies - The obligations imposed on you by
paragraph 15 ("Covenants") are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any and all
other policies and agreements of the Company regarding the subject matter of the
foregoing obligations.
18. Nonduplication Of Benefits - No provision of this Agreement shall
require the Company to provide you with any payment, benefit, or grant that
duplicates any payment, benefit, or grant that you are entitled to receive under
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any Company compensation or benefit plan, award agreement, or other
arrangement.
19. Other Company Plans - Except to the extent otherwise explicitly
provided by this Agreement, any awards made to you under any Company
compensation or benefit plan or program shall be governed by the terms of that
plan or program and any applicable award agreement thereunder as in effect from
time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall not be entitled to
participate in any Company compensation or benefit plan that is established
after your employment with the Company terminates, and except as specifically
provided in this Agreement, you shall not be entitled to any additional grants
or awards under any Company compensation or benefit plan after your employment
with the Company terminates. The amounts paid, provided, or credited under this
Agreement shall not be treated as compensation for purposes of determining any
benefits payable under any Company-sponsored pension, savings, life insurance,
or other employee benefit plan except to the extent provided by the terms of
such plan.
20. Forfeiture - (a) If you breach any of the obligations incorporated in
paragraph 15 ("Covenants"), or engage in serious misconduct during the Term of
Employment that is contrary to written policies of the Company and is harmful to
the Company or its reputation, you shall forfeit (1) all then-outstanding stock
options and Performance Share Retention Units granted on or after July 1, 2000,
(2) any balance in the Company Contribution sub-account contained within your
account in the Bell Atlantic Income Deferral Plan or any successor thereto, and
(3) any unpaid incentive compensation that you are otherwise entitled to
receive.
(b) If you breach any of the obligations incorporated in paragraph 15
("Covenants"), or engage in serious misconduct during the Term of Employment
that is contrary to written policies of the Company and is harmful to the
Company or its reputation, and any forfeitable amount under subparagraph (a),
above, is (or already has been) paid to you, you shall repay such forfeitable
amount to the Company within 10 business days of receiving a written demand from
the Company for repayment of such amount.
(c) The remedies available under this paragraph are in addition to, and not
in lieu of, the remedies available under paragraph 27 ("Additional Remedies").
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21. No Deemed Waiver - Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of
the terms, covenants, or conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a
waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or
relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more times be
deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or
times.
22. Taxes - The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this
Agreement all taxes that the Company reasonably determines to be required
pursuant to any law, regulation, or ruling. However, it is your obligation to
pay all required taxes on any amounts and benefits provided under this
Agreement, including the benefits provided to you pursuant to paragraph 10(b)
("Perquisites"), regardless of whether withholding is required.
23. Confidentiality - Except to the extent otherwise required by law, you
shall not disclose, in whole or in part any of the terms of this Agreement. This
paragraph 23 does not prevent you from disclosing the terms of this Agreement to
your spouse or to your legal, tax, or financial adviser, provided that you take
all reasonable measures to assure that he or she does not disclose the terms of
this Agreement to a third party except as otherwise required by law.
24. Governing Law - To the extent not preempted by federal law, the
provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule
or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this
provision to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
25. Assignment - Verizon Wireless may, without your consent, assign its
rights and obligations under this Agreement to any entity that is a part of the
Company, and if Verizon Wireless makes such an assignment, all references in
this Agreement to Verizon Wireless (except for references to equity interests in
Verizon Wireless) shall be deemed to refer to the assignee. However, you may not
assign your rights and obligations under this Agreement.
26. Severability - The agreements contained herein and within the release
prescribed by paragraph 14 ("Release") shall each constitute a separate
agreement independently supported by good and adequate consideration, and shall
each be severable from the other provisions of the Agreement and such
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release. If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any
term, provision, or portion of this Agreement or such release is void, illegal,
or unenforceable, the other terms, provisions, and portions of this Agreement or
such release shall remain in full force and effect, and the terms, provisions,
and portions that are determined to be void, illegal, or unenforceable shall
either be limited so that they shall remain in effect to the extent permissible
by law, or such arbitrator or court shall substitute, to the extent enforceable,
provisions similar thereto or other provisions, so as to provide to the Company,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this
Agreement and such release.
27. Additional Remedies - In addition to any other rights or remedies,
whether legal, equitable, or otherwise, that each of the parties to this
Agreement may have, you acknowledge that
(a) The covenants incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants") are
essential to the continued good will and profitability of the
Company;
(b) You have broad-based skills that will serve as the basis for
employment opportunities that are not prohibited by the covenants
incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants");
(c) When your employment with the Company terminates, you shall be
able to earn a livelihood without violating any of the terms of
this Agreement;
(d) Irreparable damage to the Company shall result in the event that
the covenants incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants") are not
specifically enforced and that monetary damages will not
adequately protect the Company from a breach of these paragraphs
of the Agreement;
(e) If any dispute arises concerning the violation by you of the
covenants incorporated in paragraph 16 ("Covenants"), an
injunction may be issued restraining such violation pending the
determination of such controversy, and no bond or other security
shall be required in connection therewith;
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(f) Such covenants shall continue to apply after any expiration,
termination, or cancellation of this Agreement; and
(g) Your breach of any of such covenants shall result in your
immediate forfeiture of all rights under this Agreement.
28. Survival - The provisions of paragraphs 15 ("Covenants") through 30
("Entire Agreement") shall survive the Term of Employment. Any obligations that
the Company has incurred under this Agreement to provide benefits that have
vested under the terms of this Agreement shall likewise survive the Term of
Employment.
29. Arbitration - Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement
(except any dispute arising out of or relating to paragraph 15 ("Covenants")),
and any dispute arising out of or relating to your employment, shall be settled
by final and binding arbitration, which shall be the exclusive means of
resolving any such dispute, and the parties specifically waive all rights to
pursue any other remedy, recourse, or relief. With respect to disputes by the
Company arising out of or relating to paragraph 15 ("Covenants"), the Company
has retained all its rights to legal and equitable recourse and relief,
including but not limited to injunctive relief, as referred to in paragraph 27
("Additional Remedies"). The arbitration shall be expedited and conducted in the
State of New York pursuant to the Center for Public Resources ("CPR") Rules for
Non-Administered Arbitration in effect at the time of notice of the dispute
before one neutral arbitrator appointed by CPR from the CPR Panel of neutrals
unless the parties mutually agree to the appointment of a different neutral
arbitrator. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. sections 1-16, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may
be entered by any court having jurisdiction. The finding of the arbitrator may
not change the express terms of this Agreement and shall be consistent with the
arbitrator's understanding of the findings a court of proper jurisdiction would
make in applying the applicable law to the facts underlying the dispute. In no
event whatsoever shall such an arbitration award include any award of damages
other than the amounts in controversy under this Agreement. The parties waive
the right to recover, in such arbitration, punitive damages. Each party hereby
agrees that New York City is the proper venue for any litigation seeking to
enforce any provision of this Agreement or to enforce any arbitration award
under this paragraph 29, and each party hereby waives any right it otherwise
might have to defend, oppose, or object to, on the basis of
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
September 29, 2000
Page 17
jurisdiction, venue, or forum nonconveniens, a suit filed by the other party in
any federal or state court in Now York City to enforce any provision of this
Agreement or to enforce any arbitration award under this paragraph 29. Each
party also waives any right it might otherwise have to seek to transfer from a
federal or state court in New York City a suit filed by the other party to
enforce any provision of this Agreement or to enforce any arbitration award
under this paragraph 29.
30. Entire Agreement - Except for the terms of the compensation and benefit
plans in which you participate, this Agreement, including the Exhibits hereto,
sets forth the entire understanding of you and the Company, and supersedes all
prior agreements and communications, whether oral or written, between the
Company (or Verizon Communications, Bell Atlantic Corporation, or GTE
Corporation or any of their respective subsidiaries) and you regarding the
subject matter of this Agreement, including your employment agreement with
Cellco Partnership, dated June 30, 1995, as subsequently amended (a) on June 10,
1996, (b) effective September 8, 1998, and (c) on June 21, 2000. This Agreement
shall not be modified except by written agreement of you and Verizon Wireless.
Xxxxx, I believe that this Agreement provides you and your family with both
financial security and great opportunity as our industry and the Company evolve.
I recognize that the challenges facing us are formidable and that you will be
assuming very substantial responsibilities in meeting those challenges. It is my
hope that this Agreement provides you with opportunities commensurate with the
commitment that I expect from you. Please indicate your acceptance by signing
below and returning the signed Agreement to me within ten business days after
your receipt of this Agreement.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Chairman, Verizon Wireless Inc.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
September 29, 2000
Page 18
cc: X. Xxxxxx
I agree to the terms described above.
/S/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Attachments: Exhibit A - Founders' Grant
Exhibit B - Performance Share Retention Unit Grant
Exhibit C - Excise Tax Gross-Up
Exhibit D - Good Reason
Exhibit E - Covenants
EXHIBIT A
---------
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
FOUNDERS'GRANT STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT between Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") and the
participant identified on the attached signature page (the "Participant").
1. Purpose of Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide a
one-time grant of a stock option to the Participant in light of the merger of
Bell Atlantic Corporation and GTE Corporation and the creation of Verizon
Communications Inc. This grant shall be known as the "Founders' Grant."
2. Agreement. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the terms of the
plan identified on the attached signature page (the "Plan") and evidences the
grant of a nonqualified stock option (the "Option") to the Participant to
purchase shares of Verizon's Common Stock ("Common Stock") pursuant to the Plan.
This Option is not an incentive stock option. The Option and this Agreement are
subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan. (The Participant may request a
copy of the Plan from the Verizon Communications Inc. Executive Compensation and
Benefits Department.) By executing this Agreement, the Participant agrees to be
bound by the terms and provisions of the Plan, by the actions of the Plan
Administrator, by the actions of the Human Resources Committee of Verizon's
Board of Directors or any successor thereto (the "Committee") or any designee of
the Committee, and by the actions of Xxxxxxx's Board of Directors pursuant to
the Plan.
3. Contingency. The Founders' Grant is contingent on the Participant's
timely execution of this Agreement and the agreement to which this Agreement is
an exhibit. If the Participant does not timely execute this Agreement and the
agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit, the Participant shall not
receive the Founders' Grant.
4. Date. The date of the grant of the Option is specified on the attached
signature page.
5. Number of Shares. The number of shares of Common Stock as to which the
option is granted is specified on the attached signature page.
6. Option Price. The option price per share is specified on the attached
signature page.
Exhibit A-1
7. (a) Option Period and Vesting Schedule. The period for which the Option is
granted is until the earlier of June 30, 2010, or five years from the
Participant's separation from employment with the Company under the
circumstances described in subsections (b)(1) through (b)(6) (the
"Option Period"). In no event shall the Option be exercisable after
the Option Period, and the Option may expire earlier as set forth in
Section 7(b) ("Separation from Employment"). Except as set forth in
Section 7(b), the Option may not be exercised until June 30, 2003,
when the Option shall become exercisable in full; provided that upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), the
Option shall be exercisable in full.
(b) Separation from Employment. The Option may be terminated prior to the
expiration of the Option Period, and the date when the Option may
first be exercised may be modified, in accordance with the following
terms and conditions:
(1) Voluntary Separation and Discharge for Cause. If the Participant
quits or otherwise separates from the Company under circumstances
not described in Section 7(b)(2) ("Retirement") through (b)(6)
("Death") below, or if the Participant is discharged from
employment with the Company for Cause (as defined below) and
subsection (b)(2) below does not apply, this subsection (b)(1)
shall apply. If the Participant separates from the Company before
the date on which the Option becomes exercisable under Section
7(a), the Option shall be forfeited. If the Participant separates
from the Company on or after the date on which the Option becomes
exercisable under Section 7(a), the Option may be exercisable in
full during the Option Period, i.e., until the earlier of June
30, 2010, or five years from the Participant's separation from
employment with the Company.
(2) Retirement. If the Participant Retires (as defined below) and
subsections (b)(3) through (b)(6) below do not apply, this
subsection (b)(2) shall apply. If the Participant Retires before
the date on which the Option becomes exercisable under Section
7(a), the Option shall be forfeited. If the Participant Retires
on or after the date on which the Option becomes exercisable
under Section 7(a), the Option may be exercisable in full during
the Option Period, i.e., until the earlier of June 30, 2010, or
five years from the Participant's separation from employment with
the Company.
Exhibit A-2
(3) Involuntary Discharge Without Cause. If the Company discharges
the Participant without Cause (as defined below), such as by
reason of a Company-initiated, voluntary or involuntary, force
management or force reduction program or initiative, the Option
shall be immediately exercisable in full. In no event shall the
Option be exercisable after the Option Period, i.e., after the
earlier of June 30, 2010, or five years from the Participant's
separation from employment with the Company. For purposes of this
subsection (b)(3), a Participant's separation from employment
with the Company occurs on the last day the Participant is on the
payroll of the Company. This subsection (b)(3) shall not apply to
a Participant whose employment is terminated for refusal to
accept a reassignment that involves no relocation or downgrade.
(4) Termination for Good Reason. If the Participant terminates
employment for Good Reason (as defined in the employment
agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit), the Option
shall be immediately exercisable in full. In no event shall the
Option be exercisable after the Option Period, i.e., after the
earlier of June 30, 2010, or five years from the Participant's
separation from employment with the Company. For purposes of this
subsection (b)(4), a Participant's separation from employment
with the Company occurs on the last day the Participant is on the
payroll of the Company.
(5) Disability. If the Participant's separation from employment with
the Company occurs as a result of total and permanent disability,
as defined under the Company-sponsored long-term disability plan
that applies to the Participant (or, if the Participant is not
covered by a long-term disability plan, as defined in such plan
or in such manner as the Plan Administrator determines), the
Option shall be immediately exercisable in full. In no event
shall the Option be exercisable after the Option Period, i.e.,
after the earlier of June 30, 2010, or five years from the
Participant's separation from employment with the Company. For
purposes of this subsection (b)(5), a Participant's separation
from employment with the Company occurs on the later of the last
day the Participant is (i) on the payroll of the Company or (ii)
on short-term disability.
Exhibit A-3
(6) Death. If the Participant's separation from employment with the
Company occurs as a result of death, the Option shall be
immediately exercisable in full by the Participant's beneficiary.
If the Participant dies after separation from employment with the
Company, but while the Option is exercisable in accordance with
subsections (b)(1) ("Voluntary Separation and Discharge for
Cause") through (b)(5) ("Disability") above, the Participant's
beneficiary may exercise the Option to the extent that the Option
has become exercisable in accordance with such subsections. In no
event shall the Option be exercisable after the Option Period,
i.e., after the earlier of June 30, 2010, or five years from the
Participant's separation from employment with the Company.
(7) Termination of Option. Upon the expiration of any period during
which the Option is exercisable in accordance with the preceding
provisions of this Section 7(b), the Option shall terminate and
shall not thereafter be exercisable.
(8) Transfer. Transfer of employment from Verizon to a Related
Company, from a Related Company to Verizon, or from one Related
Company to another Related Company shall not constitute a
separation from employment with the Company hereunder.
(9) Retirement. For purposes of this Section 7(b), "Retire" means (A)
to retire with a right to an immediate normal retirement, early
retirement or service pension under the Company-sponsored
tax-qualified final average pay defined benefit pension plan
(excluding from this definition any cash balance plan) in which
the Participant actively participates, (B) if the Participant
does not actively participate in such a tax-qualified final
average pay defined benefit pension plan, to retire (i) after
attaining normal retirement age under the Company-sponsored cash
balance plan or nonqualified defined benefit pension plan in
which the Participant actively participates, or (ii) with a
combination of age and years of service (as calculated for
retirement-eligibility purposes) that equals or exceeds any of
the following combinations:
Exhibit A-4
Age equal to or Service equal to or
greater than: greater than:
------------- -------------
Any age 30 years
50 25 years
55 20 years
60 15 years
65 10 years
or (C) retirement under any other circumstances determined in
writing by the Plan Administrator,
(10) Cause. For purposes of this Section 7(b), "Cause" is defined as
(i) grossly incompetent performance or substantial or continuing
inattention to or neglect of the duties and responsibilities
assigned to the Participant; fraud, misappropriation or
embezzlement involving the Company or a material breach of any
provision incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants") of the
agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit, as determined by
the CEO(s) in his/their discretion, or (ii) commission of any
felony of which the Participant is finally adjudged guilty by a
court of competent jurisdiction,
8. (a) Exercise. The Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, as
permitted under this Agreement, by making payment in accordance with
subsection (b), below, and by delivering to the Executive VP -- Human
Resources (the "EVP HR") or to any delegate of the EVP HR ("Delegate")
a notice of exercise in the form approved by the EVP HR or in any
other manner approved by the EVP HR. The Participant shall be informed
in writing of the appointment, if any, of a Delegate.
(b) Payment of Option Price. To exercise the Option, the Participant must
pay the Option Price by one of the following methods:
(1) (i) check or wire transfer, (ii) surrender of Common Stock that
has been held by the Participant for at least six months, or
(iii) a combination of both (i) and (ii);
(2) subject to the prior written approval of the Committee, a
recourse promissory note; or
Exhibit A-5
(3) subject to the prior written approval of the EVP HR, the
administrator of the stock option program may pay the Option
Price on behalf of the Participant subject to such terms and
conditions as the administrator may impose.
For purposes of an exchange of Common Stock in subsection (b)(1),
above, the value of a share of Common Stock used to pay the Option
Price shall be equal to the average of the high and low sales prices
of shares of Common Stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange (or
any other exchange or reporting system selected by the Committee) on
the date the Option is exercised, or if there are no sales of Common
Stock reported for that date, on the date or dates that the Committee
determines, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate for purposes of
valuation.
The Participant may be charged an administrative fee or fees in
connection with the exercise of the Option.
9. Notice and Date of Exercise. The notice of exercise shall indicate the number
of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. The Option may
not be exercised with respect to fractional shares. In addition, the Option may
not be exercised if the administrator of the stock option program determines
that, at the time of an attempted exercise, the fair market value of the shares
with respect to which the Option is being exercised is either below the Option
Price with respect to such shares or not sufficiently above such Option Price to
cover any applicable taxes and administrative fees. Subject to the conditions
and restrictions set forth in this Agreement, the date of exercise of the Option
shall be the later of (a) the date on which the notice of exercise in the
approved form is received in the office of the EVP HR or in the office of the
Delegate or (b) the date on which either (i) full payment of the Option Price
and any required tax withholding is received by the EVP HR or the Delegate or
(ii) the administrator of the stock option program is irrevocably committed to
make such payment. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no shares shall be
issued until full payment is received by the EVP HR or the Delegate. Upon the
exercise of the Option and receipt of full payment, Verizon shall, as soon as
practicable, issue or deliver certificates for the number of shares acquired
thereby, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
If the Participant dies following the exercise of all or part of the Option, but
before issuance or delivery of the shares, such shares shall be issued or
delivered to the Participant's beneficiary.
10. Shareholder Rights. The Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder
with respect to shares of Common Stock to which the Option relates until the
date on which the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares.
Except as
Exhibit A-6
provided by the Plan, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights
for which the record date is prior to such date.
11. Amendment of Option. The Committee may not, without the written consent of
the Participant, revoke this Agreement insofar as it relates to the Option
granted hereunder, and may not without such written consent make or change any
determination or change any term, condition or provision affecting the Option if
the determination or change would materially and adversely affect the Option or
the Participant's rights thereto.
12. Assignment. The Option shall not be assignable or transferable except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the Participant's
lifetime, the Option may be exercised only by the Participant or by the
Participant's guardian or legal representative.
13. Beneficiary. The Participant shall designate a beneficiary in writing and in
such manner as is acceptable to the EVP HR or the Delegate. If the Participant
fails to so designate a beneficiary, or if no such designated beneficiary
survives the Participant, the Participant's beneficiary shall be the
Participant's beneficiary under the Company-paid group life insurance plan in
which the Participant participates at the time of the Participant's death. If
the Participant does not participate in a Company-paid group life insurance plan
at the time of the Participant's death, the Participant's beneficiary shall be
the Participant's estate.
14. Other Plans and Agreements. Any gain realized by the Participant pursuant to
this Agreement shall not be taken into account as compensation in the
determination of the Participant's benefits under any pension, savings, group
insurance, or other benefit plan maintained by the Company, except as determined
by the board of directors of Verizon or, in the case of a plan not maintained by
Verizon, the Related Company that maintains the plan. The Participant
acknowledges that receipt of this Agreement or any prior stock option agreement
shall not entitle the Participant to any other benefits under the Plan or any
other plans maintained by the Company.
15. Company and Related Company. For purposes of this Agreement, "Company" means
Verizon and Related Companies. "Related Company" means (i) any corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other entity in which Verizon holds a direct or
Indirect ownership or proprietary interest of 50 percent or more, or (ii) any
corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in which Verizon holds
an ownership or proprietary interest of less than 50 percent but which, in the
discretion of the Committee, is treated as a Related Company for purposes of
this Agreement.
Exhibit A-7
16. Employment Status. The grant of the Option shall not be deemed to constitute
a contract of employment between the Company and the Participant, nor shall it
constitute a right to remain in the employ of the Company.
17. Withholding. It shall be a condition to the issuance or delivery of shares
of Common Stock as to which the Option shall have been exercised that provisions
satisfactory to the Company shall have been made for payment of any taxes
reasonably determined by the Company or the Delegate to be required to be paid
or withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. The Participant may
irrevocably elect to have the minimum required amount of any withholding tax
obligation satisfied by (a) having shares withheld that are otherwise to be
issued or delivered to the Participant with respect to the exercise of the
Option, (b) delivering to the Company or the Delegate other shares of Common
Stock that have been held by the Participant for at least six months, or (c) any
other method approved by the EVP HR of which the Participant may be informed in
writing.
18. Securities Laws. If at the time of any exercise of the Option in whole or in
part, the Company deems it to be a violation of any federal or state securities
law or regulation to issue or deliver its shares pursuant to such exercise, the
Company, at its sole option, may reject such exercise and return the tender or
make application for such qualification or registration as the Company deems
advisable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any shares of
Common Stock prior to the admission of such shares to listing on any stock
exchange on which the stock may then be listed and the completion of any
registration or qualification of such shares under any federal or state law or
rulings or regulations of any government body that the Company, in its sole
discretion, determines to be necessary or advisable.
19. Committee Authority. The Committee shall have complete discretion in the
exercise of its rights, powers, and duties under this Agreement. Any
interpretation or construction of any provision of, and the determination of any
question arising under, this Agreement shall be made by the Committee in its
sole discretion and shall be final, conclusive, and binding. The Committee may
designate any individual or individuals to perform any of its functions
hereunder.
20. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
of, any successor or successors of Xxxxxxx and the person or entity to whom the
Option may have been transferred by will, the laws of descent and distribution,
or beneficiary designation. All terms and conditions of this Agreement imposed
upon the Participant shall, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, be
deemed, in the event of the Participant's death, to refer to and be binding upon
such last-mentioned person or entity.
Exhibit A-8
21. Construction. This Agreement is intended to grant the Option upon the terms
and conditions authorized by the Plan. Any provisions of this Agreement that
cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed shall be disregarded. In
the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be considered
separate and apart from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect. In the event that any provision is held to be
unenforceable for being unduly broad as written, such provision shall be deemed
amended to narrow its application to the extent necessary to make the provision
enforceable according to applicable law and shall be enforced as amended.
22. Defined Terms. Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise, all
capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitions ascribed to them by the
Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall apply where appropriate.
23. Execution of Agreement. The Participant shall indicate consent to the terms
of this Agreement and the Plan by executing the attached signature page which is
made a part of this Agreement.
24. Confidentiality. The Participant shall not disclose, in whole or in part any
of the terms of this Agreement, except to the extent (a) otherwise required by
law or (b) the Company has publicly disclosed the terms of this Agreement. This
Section 24 does not prevent the Participant from disclosing the terms of this
Agreement to the Participant's spouse or to the Participant's legal, tax, or
financial adviser, provided that the Participant take all reasonable measures to
assure that he or she does not disclose the terms of this Agreement to a third
party except as otherwise required by law.
Exhibit A-9
SIGNATURE PAGE
By executing this page, the undersigned Participant agrees to be bound by the
terms of the Plan and the Founders' Grant Stock Option Agreement, the terms of
which are incorporated herein by reference, in connection with the following
grant to the Participant under the Plan:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF PARTICIPANT: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF GRANT; Sept. 7, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES: 400,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTION PRICE: $43.34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN FROM WHICH OPTIONS ARE Bell Atlantic 1985 Incentive Stock Option
AWARDED: Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Verizon Communications Inc., by its duly authorized Officer,
and the Participant have executed this Agreement.
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxx /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
---------------------- --------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Co-Chief Executive Officers
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Participant
11/7/00
-------------------------
Date
Please indicate your acceptance by signing above and returning the signed
Agreement to us within ten business days after your receipt of this Agreement.
Please complete the Beneficiary Designation form on the back side.
EXHIBIT B
---------
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
PERFORMANCE SHARE RETENTION UNIT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT between Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") and the
participant identified on the attached signature page (the "Participant").
1. Purpose of Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide a
one-time grant of restricted stock units to the Participant, as a senior
management employee of Verizon Wireless Inc. ("Verizon Wireless"), in light of
the merger of GTE Corporation and Bell Atlantic Corporation and the creation of
Verizon Communications Inc. The restricted stock units that are the subject of
this grant shall be known as "Performance Share Retention Units."
2. Agreement. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the terms of the
plan or plans specified on the attached signature page (the "Plan"), and
evidences the grant of a stock-based award in the form of restricted stock units
("RSUs") pursuant to the Plan. The Agreement is subject to the terms and
provisions of the Plan. By execution of this Agreement, the Participant
acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and further agrees to be bound
thereby and by the actions of the Human Resources Committee of Verizon's Board
of Directors or any successor thereto (the "Committee") and Xxxxxxx's Board of
Directors pursuant to the Plan.
3. Contingency. The grant of Performance Share Retention Units is
contingent on the Participant's timely execution of this Agreement and the
agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit. If the Participant does not
timely execute this Agreement and the agreement to which this Agreement is an
exhibit, the Participant shall not receive the grant of Performance Share
Retention Units.
4. Number of Units. The Participant is granted the number of RSUs specified
on the attached signature page as of July 1, 2000. An RSU is a hypothetical
share of Verizon's Common Stock. The value of an RSU on any given date shall be
equal to the closing price of Verizon's Common Stock as of such date. An RSU
does not represent an equity interest in Verizon (or Verizon Wireless) and
carries no voting rights. A Dividend Equivalent Unit ("DEU") or fraction thereof
shall be added to each RSU each time that a dividend is paid on Verizon's Common
Stock. The amount of each DEU shall be equal to the dividend paid on a share of
Verizon's Common Stock. The DEU shall be converted into RSUs or fractions
thereof based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of Verizon's
Common Stock traded on the New York Stock
Exhibit B-1
Exchange on the dividend payment date of each declared dividend on Verizon's
Common Stock, and such RSUs or fractions thereof shall be added to the
Participant's RSU balance.
5. Grant Date. The Grant Date for this RSU grant shall be the Grant Date
specified on the attached signature page.
6. Vesting.
(a) For purposes of vesting, this RSU grant shall be divided into three
tranches, each of which shall include the following percentage of the total
number of RSUs granted pursuant to paragraph 4, above, and any additional
RSUs that are attributable to DEUs on RSUs in that tranche:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tranche Percentage of Initial RSUs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 50%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Tranche 1.
(1) Tranche 1 shall vest on the basis of the Participant's continued
employment with Verizon Wireless after the Grant Date. The vesting
schedule for Tranche 1 shall be as set forth in the following table:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years of Service Percentage Aggregate
to Vest Percentage Vested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
less than 3 0% 0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 50% 50%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 25% 75%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 or more 25% 100%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For purposes for the table set forth in subparagraph (1),
above--
(i) "Years of Service" shall mean full years of continuous
employment with Verizon Wireless following June 30, 2000. There
shall be no proration or interpolation for partial years of service.
Exhibit B-2
(ii) "Percentage to Vest" shall mean the percentage of Tranche 1
that first vests upon attainment of the applicable period of
service. It does not mean the aggregate percentage of Tranche I that
is vested at that time.
(iii) "Aggregate Percentage Vested" shall mean the aggregate
percentage of Tranche 1 that is vested upon completion of the
specified period of service. It does not mean the percentage of
Tranche 1 that first becomes vested upon completion of the specified
period of service.
(c) Tranche 2. Subject to continuous employment requirement set forth in
paragraph 6(e), below, Tranche 2 shall vest based on the growth of the annual
revenues of Verizon as follows--
(1) As set forth in the following table, if the annual revenues
of Verizon in the "Target Year" exceed the annual revenues of
Verizon in the "Baseline Year" by the "Revenue Growth Goal" or more,
the applicable percentage of Tranche 2 shall vest:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Aggregate
Target Baseline Growth Percentage Percentage
Year Year Goal to Vest Vested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2000 15.5% 50% N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 7.5% 25% N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 7.5% 25% N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For purposes of the table set forth in subparagraph (c)(1),
above--
(i) Verizon's revenues shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator.
(ii) "Percentage to Vest" shall mean the percentage of
Tranche 2 that first vests upon attainment of the applicable
Revenue Growth Goal. It does not mean the aggregate percentage
of Tranche 2 that is vested at that time.
(iii) The "Aggregate Percentage Vested" column is not
applicable to Tranche 2 because the vesting of each
Exhibit B-3
portion of Tranche 2 is independent of the vesting of any other
portion of Tranche 2. If Xxxxxxx meets the Revenue Growth Goal
for Target Year 2003 or 2004, and the Participant satisfies the
continuous employment requirement of paragraph 6(e), below, the
applicable percentage of Tranche 2 shall vest whether or not the
portion of Tranche 2 related to an earlier Target Year has
vested.
(d) Tranche 3. Subject to continuous employment requirement set
forth in paragraph 6(e), below, Tranche 3 shall vest based on growth
of earnings per share of the common stock of Verizon ("EPS") as
follows--
(1) As set forth in the following table, if the EPS of
Verizon in the "Target Year" exceeds the EPS of Verizon in the
"Baseline Year" by the "EPS Growth Goal" or more, the applicable
percentage of Tranche 3 shall be vested:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPS Aggregate
Target Baseline Growth Percentage Percentage
Year Year Goal to Vest* Vested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2000 17% 50% 50%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2000 31% 25% or 75% 75%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2000 46.5% 25%, 50%, 100%
or 100%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*This column is explained in paragraph 6(d)(2)(ii), below.
(2) For purposes Of the table set forth in subparagraph (d)(1),
above--
(i) Verizon's EPS shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator.
(ii) "Percentage to Vest" shall mean percentage of Tranche 3
that first vests upon attainment of the applicable EPS Growth
Goal. it Is stated in the alternative due to the cumulative
nature of the EPS Growth Goals for Tranche 3, all of which use
Baseline Year 2000. Subject to the continuous employment
requirement set forth in paragraph 6(e), the "Percentage to
Vest" of Tranche 3 shall be as follows--
Exhibit B-4
(A) Target Year 2002. If the EPS Growth Goal for Target Year
----------------
2002 is attained, 50% of Tranche 3 shall vest.
(B) Target Year 2003. If the EPS Growth Goal for Target Year
----------------
2003 is attained: (1) 25% of Tranche 3 shall vest, and, (2) an
additional 50% of Tranche 3 shall also vest if the EPS Goal for
Target Year 2002 was not attained at the end of Target Year
2002.
(C) Target Year 2004. If the EPS Growth Goal for Target
----------------
Year 2004 is attained: (1) 25% of Tranche 3 shall vest, (2) an
additional 25% of Tranche 3 shall also vest if the EPS Goal for
Target Year 2003 was not attained at the end of Target Year
2003, and (3) an additional 50% of Tranche 3 shall also vest if
the EPS Goal for Target Year 2002 was not attained at the end of
Target Year 2002 and the EPS Goal for Target Year 2003 was not
attained at the end of Target Year 2003.
(iii) "Aggregate Percentage Vested" shall mean the aggregate
percentage of Tranche 3 that is vested upon attainment of the
applicable EPS Goal. It does not mean the percentage of Tranche 3
that first becomes vested at that time.
(a) Continuous Employment Requirement.
(1) The percentage of Tranches 2 or 3 related to a Target Year shall
vest only if the Participant is continuously employed by Verizon
Wireless from the Grant Date until June 30th of the year after the
applicable Target Year.
(2) There shall be no proration or interpolation for partial years
of service--if the Participant does not satisfy the requirements of this
paragraph 6(e), the Participant shall not vest in any RSUs related to a
Target Year, notwithstanding any period of service during or after the
Target Year or the attainment of the applicable Revenue Growth Goal or
EPS Growth Goal.
(f) Transfer. Transfer of employment from Verizon Wireless to a Related
Company, from a Related Company to Verizon Wireless, or
Exhibit B-5
from one Related Company to another Related Company shall not constitute
a separation from employment hereunder.
(g) Vested RSUs shall not be forfeited.
7. Payment. All payments under this Agreement shall be made in shares of
Verizon's Common Stock, except for any fractional shares, which shall be paid in
the form of cash. As soon as practicable after the Participant has become vested
in all or a portion of a tranche of RSUs, the value of RSUs in that tranche or
portion of the tranche shall be paid to the Participant (subject, however, to
any deferral application that the Participant has made under the deferral plan
then available to the Participant and procedures adopted by the Plan
Administrator). If the Participant dies before any payment due hereunder is
made, such payment shall be made to the Participant's beneficiary. Once a
payment has been made with respect to an RSU, the RSU shall be canceled.
8. Early Cancellation/Accelerated Vesting of RSUs. Subject to the
provisions of paragraph 8(e) hereof, RSUs may vest or be forfeited before
vesting in accordance with paragraph 6 hereof as follows:
(a) Retirement, Voluntary Separation, or Termination for Cause. If the
Participant retires, quits, or otherwise separates from employment under
circumstances not described in subparagraphs (b) through (d), below, or is
terminated for Cause, all then-unvested RSUs shall be canceled immediately,
and shall not be payable, except to the extent the Committee decides
otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" is defined as (i) grossly
incompetent performance or substantial or continuing inattention to or
neglect of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Participant;
fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement involving the Company or a material
breach of any provision incorporated in paragraph 15 ("Covenants") of the
employment agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit, as determined by
the CEO(s) in his/their discretion, or (ii) commission of any felony of
which the Participant is finally adjudged guilty by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(b) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Notwithstanding the preceding
provisions of this paragraph 8 or the continuous employment requirement set
forth in paragraph 6(e), if the Participant is involuntarily terminated from
employment other than for Cause--
(1) all then-unvested RSUs in Tranche I shall vest immediately;
Exhibit B-6
(2) the then-unvested RSUs in Tranche 2 shall be subject to the
vesting provisions set forth in paragraph 6(c), except that the
continuous employment requirement set forth in paragraph 6(e) shall not
apply; and
(3) the then-unvested RSUs in Tranche 3 shall be subject to the
vesting provisions set forth in Paragraph 6(d), except that the
continuous employment requirement set forth in paragraph 6(e) shall not
apply.
All RSUs that vest pursuant to paragraphs 8(b)(1), 8(b)(2), or 8(b)(3) shall be
payable at the time the RSUs would have been payable had the Participant been
subject to and satisfied the continuous employment requirement set forth in
paragraph 6(e).
For purposes of this Agreement, the Participant shall not be considered to have
been involuntarily terminated without Cause if his employment is terminated for
refusal to accept a reassignment that involves no relocation or downgrade and
paragraph 8(c) does not apply.
(c) Termination for Good Reason. If, before all RSUs in a tranche have
vested, the Participant terminates employment for Good Reason (as defined in the
employment agreement to which this Agreement is an exhibit), the then-unvested
RSUs in each tranche shall be subject to the vesting provisions set forth in
paragraph 8(b) (Involuntary Termination Without Cause), above.
(d) Disability or Death. If, before all RSUs in a tranche have vested, the
Participant separates from employment by reason of death or disability (as
determined by the Committee), the then-unvested RSUs in each tranche shall be
subject to the vesting provisions set forth in paragraph 8(b) (Involuntary
Termination Without Cause), above.
(e) Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as
defined in the 2000 Verizon Communications Broad-Based Incentive Plan), all
then-unvested RSUs shall vest and be payable immediately without regard to the
Revenue Growth Goals or EPS Growth Goals that otherwise would apply to RSUs in
Tranches 2 and 3, except that no portion of Tranche 2 shall vest if the Change
in Control occurs after the end of a Target Year and the applicable Revenue
Growth Goal was not attained for that Target Year.
(f) Vesting Schedule. Except as provided in subparagraphs (b) or (c),
above, nothing in this paragraph 8 shall accelerate the vesting schedule of RSUs
prescribed by the provisions of paragraph 6 hereof.
Exhibit B-7
9. Shareholder Rights. The Participant shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to shares of Common Stock to which this grant relates
until the date on which the Participant becomes the holder of record Of such
shares. Except as provided in the Plan or in this Agreement, no adjustment shall
be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such
date.
10. Extraordinary Events. In determining Verizon's EPS or Revenue Growth,
and for other appropriate purposes under this Agreement, the Plan Administrator
will have the discretion to take into consideration any or all of the following:
(a) the effects of business combinations; (b) the effects of discontinued
operations (including loss on disposal of a line of business or class of
customer); (c) changes in accounting principles; (d) extraordinary items; (e)
restructuring charges; and (f) changes in tax law. Items (a) and (b) will be as
defined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"),
and items (c) through (f) will be as defined in accordance with GAAP and as
defined and as disclosed in the Company's financial statements.
11. Revocation or Amendment of Agreement. The Committee may not, without
the written consent of the Participant, revoke this Agreement insofar as it
relates to the RSUs granted hereunder, and may not without such written consent
make or change any determination or change any term, condition or provision
affecting the RSUs if the determination or change would materially and adversely
affect the Performance Share Retention Units or the Participant's rights
thereto.
12. Assignment. The RSUs shall not be assignable or transferable except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the Participant's
lifetime, the RSUs may be deferred only by the Participant or by the
Participant's guardian or legal representative.
13. Beneficiary. The Participant shall designate a beneficiary in writing
and in such manner as is acceptable to the Executive VP -- Human Resources of
Verizon (the "EVP HR") or to any delegate of the EVP HR. If the Participant
fails to so designate a beneficiary, or if no such designated beneficiary
survives the Participant, the Participant's beneficiary shall be the
Participant's beneficiary under the Company-paid group life insurance plan in
which the Participant participates at the time of the Participant's death. If
the Participant does not participate in a Company-paid group life insurance plan
at the time of the Participant's death, the Participant's beneficiary shall be
the Participant's estate.
14. Other Plans and Agreements. Any gain realized by the Participant
pursuant to this Agreement shall not be taken into account as compensation in
the determination of the Participant's benefits under any pension, savings,
Exhibit B-8
group insurance, or other benefit plan maintained by Verizon, Verizon Wireless,
or a Related Company, except as determined by the board of directors of such
company. The Participant acknowledges that receipt of this Agreement or any
prior RSU agreement shall not entitle the Participant to any other benefits
under the Plan or any other plans maintained by the Company.
15. Company and Related Company. For purposes of this Agreement, "Company"
means Verizon, Verizon Wireless, and Related Companies. "Related Company" means
(i) any corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other entity in which
Verizon holds a direct or indirect ownership or proprietary interest of 50
percent or more, or (ii) any corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other
entity in which Verizon holds an ownership or other proprietary interest of less
than 50 percent but which, in the discretion of the Committee, is treated as a
Related Company for purposes of this Agreement.
16. Employment Status. The grant of the RSUs shall not be deemed to
constitute a contract of employment between the Company and the Participant, nor
shall it constitute a right to remain in the employ of any such company.
17. Withholding. It shall be a condition to the issuance or delivery of
shares of Common Stock as to which the RSUs relate that provisions satisfactory
to the Company shall have been made for payment of any taxes determined by the
Company to be required to be paid or withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation. The Participant may irrevocably elect to have the minimum required
amount of any withholding tax obligation satisfied by (a) having shares withheld
that are otherwise to be issued or delivered to the Participant with respect to
the RSUs, or (b) delivering to the Company either shares of Common Stock
received with respect to the RSUs or other shares of Common Stock that have been
held by Participant for at least six months, or (c) any other method approved by
the EVP HR of which the Participant may be informed in writing.
18. Securities Laws. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver
any shares of Common Stock prior to the admission of such shares to listing on
any stock exchange on which the stock may then be listed and the completion of
any registration or qualification of such shares under any federal or state law
or rulings or regulations of any government body that the Company, in its sole
discretion, determines to be necessary or advisable.
19. Committee Authority. The Committee shall have complete discretion in
the exercise of its rights, powers, and duties under this Agreement. Any
interpretation or construction of any provision of, and the determination of any
question arising under, this Agreement shall be made by the Committee in its
sole discretion and shall be final, conclusive, and binding.
Exhibit B-9
The Committee may designate any individual or individuals to perform any of its
functions hereunder.
20. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the
benefit of, any successor or successors of the Company and the person or entity
to whom the RSUs may have been transferred by will, the laws of descent and
distribution, or beneficiary designation. All terms and conditions of this
Agreement imposed upon the Participant shall, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise, be deemed, in the event of the Participant's death, to
refer to and be binding upon such last-mentioned person or entity.
21. Construction. This Agreement is intended to grant the RSUs upon the
terms and conditions authorized by the Plan. Any provisions of this Agreement
that cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed shall be disregarded.
In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be
considered separate and apart from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect. In the event that any provision is held to be
unenforceable for being unduly broad as written, such provision shall be deemed
amended to narrow its application to the extent necessary to make the provision
enforceable according to applicable law and shall be enforced as amended.
22. Defined Terms. Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise,
all capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitions ascribed to them by
the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall apply where appropriate.
23. Execution of Agreement. The Participant shall indicate consent to the
terms of this Agreement and the Plan by executing the attached signature page
which is made a part of this Agreement.
24. Confidentiality. Except to the extent otherwise required by law or
publicly disclosed by the Company, the Participant shall not disclose, in whole
or in part any of the terms of this Agreement. This paragraph 24 does not
prevent the Participant from disclosing the terms of this Agreement to the
Participant's spouse or to the Participant's legal, tax, or financial adviser,
provided that the Participant take all reasonable measures to assure that he or
she does not disclose the terms of this Agreement to a third party except as
otherwise required by law.
Exhibit B-10
SIGNATURE PAGE
By executing this page, the undersigned Participant agrees to be bound by the
terms of the plan(s) listed below and the Performance Share Retention Unit
Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, in
connection with the following grant to the Participant under the Plan:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF PARTICIPANT: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRANT DATE: September 7, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF RSUs: 80,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN(S) FROM WHICH RSUs
AWARDED: Tranche 1--Verizon Communications
2000 Broad-Based Incentive Plan
Tranches 2 and 3--1997 GTE Long-
Term Incentive Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Verizon Communications Inc., by its duly authorized Officer,
and the Participant have executed this Agreement.
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxx /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
---------------------- --------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Co-Chief Executive Officers
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Participant
11/7/00
-------------------------
Date
Please indicate your acceptance by signing above and returning the signed
Agreement to us within ten business days of your receipt of this Agreement.
Please complete the Beneficiary Designation form on the back side.
EXHIBIT C
---------
Excise Tax Gross-Up
1. Gross-Up Payment -- If any payment or benefit received or to be received
by you from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Agreement to which this
Exhibit C is attached or otherwise (the "Payments") would be subject to the
excise tax (the "Excise Tax") Imposed by section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code (the "Code") as determined in accordance with this Exhibit C, the Company
shall pay you, at the time specified below, an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount that you retain, after deduction of the
Excise Tax on the Payments and any federal, state, and local income tax and the
Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, and any interest, penalties, or additions
to tax payable by you with respect thereto, shall be equal to the total present
value (using the applicable federal rate (as defined in section 1274(d) of the
Code) in such calculation) of the Payments at the time such Payments are to be
made.
2. Calculations -- For purposes of determining whether any of the Payments
shall be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such excise tax,
(a) The total amount of the Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and
all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of section
280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated as subject to the excise
tax, except to the extent that, in the written opinion of
independent counsel selected by Verizon and reasonably acceptable to
you ("Independent Counsel"), a Payment (in whole or in part) does
not constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of section
280G(b)(2) of the Code, or such "excess parachute payments" (in
whole or in part) are not subject to the Excise Tax;
(b) The amount of the Payments that shall be subject to the Excise Tax
shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the total amount of the Payments
or (ii) the amount of "excess parachute payments within the meaning
of section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (after applying clause (a),
above); and
(c) The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit
shall be determined by Independent Counsel in accordance with the
principles of section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
Exhibit C-1
3. Tax Rates -- For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up
Payment, you shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal
rates of federal income taxation applicable to individuals in the calendar year
in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at
the highest marginal rates of taxation applicable to individuals as are in
effect in the state and locality of your residence in the calendar year in which
the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal
income taxes that can be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes,
taking into account any limitations applicable to individuals subject to federal
income tax at the highest marginal rates.
4. Time of Gross-Up Payments -- The Gross-Up Payments provided for in this
Exhibit C shall be made upon the earlier of (a) the payment to you of any
Payment or (b) the imposition upon you, or any payment by you, of any Excise
Tax.
5. Adjustments to Gross-Up Payments -- If it is established pursuant to a
final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding or the
written opinion of Independent Counsel that the Excise Tax is less than the
amount previously taken into account hereunder, you shall repay the Company,
within 30 days of your receipt of notice of such final determination or
opinion, the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction
(plus the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and
federal, state, and local income tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being
repaid by you if such repayment results in a reduction in Excise Tax or a
federal, state, and local income tax deduction) plus any interest received by
you on the amount of such repayment, provided that if any such amount has been
paid by you as an Excise Tax or other tax, you shall cooperate with the Company
in seeking a refund of any tax overpayments, and you shall not be required to
make repayments to the Company until the overpaid taxes and interest thereon are
refunded to you.
6. Additional Gross-Up Payment -- If it is established pursuant to a final
determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding or the
written opinion of Independent Counsel that the Excise Tax exceeds the amount
taken into account hereunder (including by reason of any payment the existence
or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment),
the Company shall make an additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess
within 30 days of the Company's receipt of notice of such final determination or
opinion.
Exhibit C-2
7. Change In Law Or Interpretation -- In the event of any change in or
further interpretation of section 280G or 4999 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder, you shall be entitled, by written notice to Verizon, to
request a written opinion of Independent Counsel regarding the application of
such change or further interpretation to any of the foregoing, and Verizon shall
use its best efforts to cause such opinion to be rendered as promptly as
practicable.
8. Fees And Expenses -- All fees and expenses of Independent Counsel
incurred in connection with this Exhibit C shall be borne by Verizon.
9. Survival -- The Company's obligation to make a Gross-Up Payment with
respect to Payments made or accrued before the end of the Term of Employment
shall survive the Term of Employment unless (a) your employment is terminated
for Cause pursuant to paragraph 13(f) of the Agreement to which this Exhibit C
is attached ("Involuntary Termination For Cause"), (b) you fail to execute a
release in accordance with paragraph 14 of such Agreement ("Release"), or (c)
you fail to comply with the covenants incorporated in paragraph 15 of such
Agreement ("Covenants"), in which event the Company's obligation under this
Exhibit C shall terminate immediately.
10. Defined Terms -- Except where clearly provided to the contrary, all
capitalized terms used in this Exhibit C shall have the definitions given to
those terms in the Agreement to which this Exhibit C is attached.
Exhibit C-3
EXHIBIT D
---------
Good Reason
For purposes of the Agreement to which this Exhibit D is attached (the
"Agreement"), "Good Reason" means any of the following events:
(1) The Company materially breaches a term or condition of the Agreement.
(2) Your overall compensation opportunities (as contrasted with overall
compensation actually paid or awarded) are significantly reduced.
(3) You are assigned to a new principal work location that is more than 50 miles
from both of your previous principal work locations.
(4) Your key responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Verizon Wireless are significantly diminished.
(5) You do not report to the Chairman of Verizon Wireless.
(6) A Change in Control occurs.
For purposes of this Exhibit D, a Change in Control shall occur when and only
when any of the following events first occurs after the date of the Agreement:
(a) Any person other than Verizon Communications Inc., a subsidiary or
affiliate of Verizon Communications Inc., or any of their respective
employee benefit plans or related trusts (collectively, "Verizon")
becomes the beneficial owner (as determined under Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time), or has
the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days, through tender
offer or otherwise, of shares of one or more classes of stock of Verizon
Wireless Inc. ("Verizon Wireless") representing 20% or more of the
total voting power of Verizon Wireless's then outstanding voting stock;
(b) Verizon Wireless and any person other than Verizon consummate a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or other business combination;
(c) More than 50% of the assets of the Verizon Wireless Partnership
("Wireless Partnership") are sold to an entity other than Verizon;
Exhibit D-1
(d) A sale or transfer of interests in the Wireless Partnership occurs and,
following such sale or transfer, Verizon owns less than 45% of the
Wireless Partnership and ceases to have a controlling interest in the
Wireless Partnership;
(e) Verizon ceases to own or control a majority of the voting power, or such
lesser percentage of the voting power as would constitute effective
voting control, of Verizon Wireless; or
(f) A "Change in Control" of Verizon Communications Inc., as defined in the
Verizon Communications 2000 Broad-Based Incentive Plan occurs;
provided that if one of the events described in paragraphs (a) through (f)
occurs, the occurrence thereafter of any of the other events described in such
paragraphs shall not constitute a Change in Control.
Except where clearly provided to the contrary, all capitalized terms used in
this Exhibit D shall have the definitions given to those terms in the Agreement.
Exhibit D-2
EXHIBIT E
---------
Covenants
1. Noncompetition -- In consideration for the benefits and agreements
described in the Agreement to which this Exhibit E is attached, you agree that:
(a) Prohibited Conduct -- During the period of your employment with the
Company, and for the period ending 12 months after your termination of
employment for any reason from the Company, you shall not, without the prior
written consent of the Chairman:
(1) personally engage in Competitive Activities (as defined
below); or
(2) work for, own, manage, operate, control, or participate in
the ownership, management, operation, or control of, or
provide consulting or advisory services to, any individual,
partnership, firm, corporation, or institution engaged in
Competitive Activities, or any company or person affiliated
with such person or entity engaged in Competitive
Activities; provided that your purchase or holding, for
investment purposes, of securities of a publicly-traded
company shall not constitute "ownership" or "participation
in ownership" for purposes of this paragraph so long as your
equity interest in any such company is less than a
controlling interest;
provided that this paragraph (a) shall not prohibit you from (i) being employed
by, or providing services to, a consulting firm, provided that you do not
personally engage in Competitive Activities or provide consulting or advisory
services to any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or institution
engaged in Competitive Activities, or any company or person affiliated with such
person or entity engaged in Competitive Activities, or (ii) engaging in the
private practice of law as a sole practitioner or as a partner in (or as an
employee of or counsel to) a law firm in accordance with applicable legal and
professional standards.
(b) Competitive Activities -- For purposes of the Agreement to which
this Exhibit E is attached, "Competitive Activities" means business activities
relating to products or services of the same or similar type as the products or
services (1) which are sold (or, pursuant to an existing business
Exhibit E-1
plan, will be sold) to paying customers of the Company, and (2) for which you
then have responsibility to plan, develop, manage, market, or oversee, or had
any such responsibility within your most recent 24 months of employment with the
Company (including your employment with Cellco Partnership). Notwithstanding the
previous sentence, a business activity shall not be treated as a Competitive
Activity if the geographic marketing area of the relevant products or services
sold by you or a third party does not overlap with the geographic marketing area
for the applicable products and services of the Company.
2. Interference With Business Relations -- During the period of your
employment with the Company, and for a period ending with the expiration of 12
months following your termination of employment for any reason from the Company,
you shall not, without the written consent of the Chairman:
(a) recruit or solicit any employee of the Company for employment or
for retention as a consultant or service provider;
(b) hire or participate (with another company or third party) in the
process of hiring (other than for the Company) any person who is
then an employee of the Company, or provide names or other
information about Company employees to any person or business
(other than the Company) under circumstances that could lead to
the use of that information for purposes of recruiting or hiring;
(c) interfere with the relationship of the Company with any of its
employees, agents, or representatives;
(d) solicit or induce, or in any manner attempt to solicit or induce,
any client, customer, or prospect of the Company (1) to cease
being, or not to become, a customer of the Company or (2) to
divert any business of such customer or prospect from the
Company; or
(e) otherwise interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to interfere with
or disrupt, the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between
the Company and any of its customers, clients, prospects,
suppliers, consultants, or employees.
3. Return Of Property; Intellectual Property Rights -- You agree that on or
before your termination of employment for any reason with the Company,
Exhibit E-2
you shall return to the Company all property owned by the Company or in which
the Company has an interest, including files, documents, data and records
(whether on paper or in tapes, disks, or other machine-readable form), office
equipment, credit cards, and employee identification cards. You acknowledge that
the Company is the rightful owner of any programs, ideas, inventions,
discoveries, patented or copyrighted material, or trademarks that you may have
originated or developed, or assisted in originating or developing, during your
period of employment with the Company, where any such origination, or
development involved the use of Company time or resources, or the exercise of
your responsibilities for or on behalf of the Company. You shall at all times,
both before and after termination of employment, cooperate with the Company in
executing and delivering documents requested by the Company, and taking any
other actions, that are necessary or requested by the Company to assist the
Company in patenting, copyrighting, or registering any programs, ideas,
inventions, discoveries, patented or copyrighted material, or trademarks, and to
vest title thereto in the Company.
4. Proprietary And Confidential Information -- You shall at all times
preserve the confidentiality of all proprietary information and trade secrets of
the Company, except to the extent that disclosure of such information is legally
required. "Proprietary Information" means information that has not been
disclosed to the public and that is treated as confidential within the business
of the Company, such as strategic or tactical business plans; undisclosed
financial data; ideas, processes, methods, techniques, systems, patented or
copyrighted information, models, devices, programs, computer software, or
related information; documents relating to regulatory matters and correspondence
with governmental entities; undisclosed information concerning any past,
pending, or threatened legal dispute; pricing and cost data; reports and
analyses of business prospects; business transactions that are contemplated or
planned; research date; personnel information and data; identities of users and
purchasers of the Company's products or services; and other confidential matters
pertaining to or known by the Company, including confidential information of a
third party that you know or should know the Company is bound to protect.
5. Definitions -- Except where clearly provided to the contrary, all
capitalized terms used in this Exhibit E shall have the definitions given to
those terms in the Agreement to which this Exhibit E is attached.
Exhibit E-3
