Employment Agreement Between Peter S. Kraus and AllianceBernstein Corporation, AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. and AllianceBernstein L.P.
Exhibit
99.02
Between
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
and
AllianceBernstein
Corporation, AllianceBernstein Holding L.P.
and
This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 19th day of
December, 2008 (the “Commencement Date”), between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the
“Private Partnership”), AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“Holding,” and together
with the Private Partnership, the “Partnership”) and AllianceBernstein
Corporation (the “Corporation”, and together with the Partnership, the
“Company”) and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ the Executive as Chairman of the Board of the
Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Partnership,
and the Executive is willing to be employed in such capacities, on
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants,
terms and conditions set forth herein, and other valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed
between the Company and the Executive as follows:
1.
Employment. During
the Employment Term (as defined below) the Executive agrees to serve as the
Chairman of the Board of the Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation and the Partnership. The term of the
Executive’s employment shall commence on December 19, 2008 (the “Commencement
Date”) and shall continue until January 2, 2014, unless terminated earlier by
either party on 30 days’ written notice or as otherwise provided in Section 6
(the “Employment Term”).
2.
Duties. During the
Employment Term, and except for illness or incapacity and reasonable vacation
periods consistent with Company policies for other executive officers, the
Executive shall devote all of his business time, attention, skill and efforts
exclusively to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates, shall
not be engaged in any other business activity, and shall perform and discharge
well and faithfully the duties of the offices of the Company held by him,
reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In
addition, the Executive will have reporting responsibilities to Xxxxxxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx as Chief Executive Officer of AXA Financial, Inc., the indirect parent
of the Corporation, and/or the Chief Executive Officer of AXA, a societe anonyme
organized under the laws of the Republic of France
(“AXA”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Agreement shall preclude the Executive from devoting time during reasonable
periods required for:
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(a)
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delivering
lectures and fulfilling speaking
engagements;
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(b)
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engaging
in charitable, community and other personal activities;
and
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(c)
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corporate
boards subject to the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and
approval of the Board of the
Corporation;
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in each
case, in accordance with Company policies as they may exist or be amended from
time to time, provided, however, that such activities do not materially affect
or interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations to
the Company or any of its affiliates.
3.
Place of
Performance. The principal place of employment of the
Executive shall be in New York City, New York, USA, but the Executive
understands that his duties under this Agreement will entail significant
domestic and international travel.
4.
Compensation. The
Executive shall be compensated for services rendered during the Employment Term
as follows:
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(a)
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Restricted Partnership
Units. In connection with the commencement of the
Executive’s employment, on the Commencement Date, the Executive shall be
granted restricted limited partnership units in Holding (the “Restricted
Units”) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) three million (3,000,000)
or (ii) such number as shall result from the following calculation:
$50,000,000 divided by the average closing price on the New
York Stock Exchange of a limited partnership unit in
Holding for the twenty (20) trading days ending on and including the
Commencement Date and rounded up to the nearest whole
number. Subject to accelerated vesting as described in Section
7(c) or upon a “Change in Control” of the Company (as defined on Annex A
attached hereto), the Restricted Units shall vest (and no longer be
subject to restriction or forfeiture) ratably on each of the first five
anniversaries of the Commencement Date, provided, with respect
to each installment, that the Executive continues to be employed on the
vesting date. In the event of a Change in Control of the
Company, the Restricted Units shall immediately and fully vest and shall
no longer be subject to restriction or forfeiture. The
Executive will not make an Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b) election
with respect to the Restricted Units. Applicable U.S. federal,
state and local income and FICA tax withholding in respect of each vesting
of an installment of Restricted Units will be satisfied by the Company
retaining the portion of the Restricted Units in such
installment having a fair market value (based on the closing price of a
Holding unit on the vesting date or the trading day immediately preceding
the vesting date in the event the vesting date is not a trading day) equal
to the tax withholding obligations on the installment of Restricted Units
vesting on such date (the “Withheld Units”) (it being agreed and
understood that the Executive shall not be treated as a partner at any
time in respect of any such Withheld Units for tax
purposes). The Company shall pay to the Executive the cash
distributions payable with respect to the unvested Restricted Units and
the dollar amount equal to the cash distributions payable with respect to
the number of any Withheld Units as soon as reasonably practicable and in
no event later than five (5) business days following the payment of
distributions to holders of Holding units generally; provided that no such
payment shall be required with regard to any cash distribution with a
record date following the earlier of: (a) the termination of
the Executive’s employment for any reason and (b) December 19,
2013. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive
sells or transfers to a third party (other than a trust or other entity
for estate planning purposes) any vested Restricted Units, the Company
shall be relieved of its responsibility to make payments to the Executive
equal to the cash distributions payable (with respect to record dates
occurring after the date of such transfer) on the same number of Withheld
Units. The Executive shall be entitled to distribution payments
on any vested Restricted Units owned by him to the same extent as any
other holder of Holding units. The grant of Restricted Units
constitutes the entire commitment to the Executive with respect to equity
compensation (i.e., is in lieu of annual equity grants) for the period
2008 through 2013.
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(b)
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Base Salary. The
Executive shall be compensated at an annual base salary of Two Hundred
Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000) (the “Base
Salary”).
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(c)
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Annual
Bonus. Except as provided in Section 7, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive a cash bonus for services performed in the
Company’s 2009 fiscal year in the amount of Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000). Any cash bonus in subsequent years shall be
determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Compensation
Committee”). In determining whether and in what amount the
Executive shall be entitled to a cash bonus in such subsequent years, the
Compensation Committee shall take into consideration the value of any
Restricted Units that are due to vest on December 19 of that year together
with the value of any cash distributions on unvested Restricted Units and
payments with respect to Withheld Units received by the Executive during
the year with respect to which any cash bonus would relate. The
cash bonus for the Company’s 2009 fiscal year and any cash bonus for any
subsequent year shall be payable on the date annual cash bonuses are paid
to executive officers of the Company generally, but in no event
later than March 15 of the year following the year with respect to which
such bonus payment was earned.
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5.
Employee Benefits.
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(a)
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General Provisions.
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Executive
shall be eligible to participate in all employee benefit, welfare, fringe
benefit and defined contribution plans offered by the Company
(collectively referred to as the “Benefit Plans”), subject to their terms
and conditions and on a basis that is no less favorable to the Executive
than the basis on which such Benefit Plans are made available to other
executive officers of the Company.
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(b)
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Vacation and Sick
Leave. The Executive shall
be entitled to vacation and sick leave in accordance with the vacation and
sick leave policies adopted by the Company from time to time for executive
officers.
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(c)
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Business Travel and Expenses.
The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for reasonable
business expenses, which are incurred and accounted for in accordance with
the Company’s normal practices and procedures for reimbursement of
expenses applicable to executive
officers.
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(d)
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Executive Car and Driver.
In order to ensure the accessibility and safety of the
Executive during the Employment Term, the Company will provide the
Executive with a car and driver for business and personal
purposes.
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(e)
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Air Travel. The
Executive may travel for business purposes by means of private aircraft at
the Company’s expense with such aircraft to be provided by the Company by
any commercially reasonable method as long as such methods are available
to the Company and subject to reasonable limitations which may be imposed
from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. The
Executive shall be entitled to use at the Company’s expense a private
aircraft for occasional personal travel subject to reasonable limitations
which may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Directors of the
Company.
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6.
Termination of
Employment. For purposes of determining entitlements pursuant
to this Agreement the following definitions shall apply:
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(a)
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Termination by the Company for
Cause. Termination for “Cause” shall mean termination
because of (i) the continued, willful failure by the Executive to perform
substantially his duties with the Company after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of the
Corporation which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the
Executive’s duties; (ii) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty
or nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony; (iii) the
willful engaging by the Executive in misconduct that is materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company or any of its affiliates; (iv) the
willful breach by the Executive of the covenant set forth in Section 9
below not to disclose any confidential information pertaining to the
Company or any of its affiliates or the covenant set forth in Section 8(a)
below relating to not competing with the Company or any of its affiliates;
or (v) the Executive’s failure to comply with a material written Company
policy applicable to the Executive and related to workplace conduct as may
exist or be amended from time to time. No act or failure to act
shall be considered “willful” for purposes hereof, unless it is done, or
omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable
belief that his action or omission is in the best interests of the
Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive
shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless (A) the Executive has been
given written notice in reasonable detail by the Company of the occurrence
of one or more of the circumstances claimed to constitute Cause within
thirty (30) days of the Board of Directors of the Corporation becoming
aware of such circumstances and, except for terminations pursuant to
Section 6(a)(ii), an opportunity for thirty (30) days to cure any such
circumstances (to the extent such circumstances are subject to cure), and
such circumstances remain uncured at the end of such thirty (30)-day
period (provided that, in the event that the Executive cures such
circumstances, the notice of termination shall be nullified) and (B) there
shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (excluding the Executive) at
a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive, together with counsel for the Executive, is afforded the
opportunity to present whatever facts he reasonably believes are relevant
to the Board for its consideration) finding that the Executive is guilty
of the conduct described in clauses (i), (iii), (iv) or (v)
above.
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(b)
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Death. If
the Executive’s employment terminates by reason of death, the date of his
death shall be the date of termination for purposes of this
Agreement.
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(c)
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Termination by the Executive
for Good Reason. Termination for “Good Reason” shall
mean a termination of employment by the Executive after having delivered
to the Company a notice of termination specifying in reasonable detail the
circumstances constituting Good Reason, within thirty (30) days after the
occurrence of one or more of the following circumstances without the
Executive’s express written consent, which is not remedied by the Company
within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the Executive’s notice of
termination (provided that, in the event that the Company cures such
circumstances, the notice of termination shall be nullified), and the
Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended the (“Code”)) occurs no
later than 120 days following the initial existence of one or more of the
circumstances giving rise to Good
Reason:
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(i)
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an
assignment to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with his
position (including offices, titles and reporting responsibilities),
authority, duties or
responsibilities;
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(ii)
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a
requirement that the Executive report to an officer or employee instead of
reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Corporation, except
that the Executive acknowledges that it shall not be grounds for
termination that, in addition to reporting to the Board of Directors of
the Corporation, he shall also have reporting responsibilities to
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx as Chief Executive Officer of AXA Financial, Inc.,
the indirect parent of the Corporation, and/or to the Chief Executive
Officer of AXA;
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(iii)
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any
action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of
this Agreement; or
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(iv)
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the
Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location
more than 25 miles commuting distance from the location referred to in
Section 3 of this Agreement.
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(d)
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Termination for
Disability. Termination by the Company for “Disability”
shall mean termination due to a good faith determination by the Company
that the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated and has been
unable for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days in the aggregate
during any twelve-month period to perform substantially all of the duties
for which he is responsible immediately before the commencement of the
incapacity. In order to assist the Company in making such a determination
and as reasonably requested by the Company, the Executive will (i) make
himself available for medical examination by one or more physicians chosen
by the Company and approved by the Executive, whose approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, (ii) grant the Company and any such physicians
access to all relevant medical information relating to himself, (iii)
arrange to furnish copies of medical records to the Company and such
physicians, and (iv) use best efforts to cause his own physicians to be
available to discuss his health with the Company and its chosen
physicians.
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7.
Compensation upon Termination.
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(a)
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Termination by the Company for
Cause or by the Executive other than for Good
Reason. If the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by
the Company for Cause as defined in Section 6(a) or by the Executive
(other than for Good Reason as defined in Section 6(c)), then: (i) the
Company shall pay the Executive, within thirty (30) days after the date of
termination, any Base Salary and any reimbursable expenses accrued or
owing the Executive hereunder as of the date of termination, any earned
and unpaid annual bonus in respect of fiscal years of the Company
completed prior to the date of termination (it being understood that,
absent approval of the Compensation Committee, no such bonus shall have
been deemed to have been earned for any year after 2009) and any unpaid
cash distribution payments on the Restricted Units and the Withheld Units
in accordance with and at the time specified in Section 4(a); (ii) the
Executive shall immediately forfeit: (A) any unvested
Restricted Units and (B) if the termination occurs in 2009, the entire
amount of the cash bonus to which the Executive would otherwise be
entitled under Section 4(c); and (iii) the Executive shall not be entitled
to any other benefits under any Benefit Plan or policy except to the
extent such benefits are vested as of the date of termination or required
by statute or the express provisions of this Agreement (the “Other
Benefits”). In addition, in the event of termination by the
Executive other than for Good Reason on or after the second anniversary of
the Commencement Date (including, without limitation, after the expiration
of the Employment Term), the Company shall provide the Executive and his
spouse with access to participation in the Company’s medical plans at the
Executive’s (or his spouse’s) sole expense based on a reasonably
determined fair market value premium rate following the period of
continued coverage under COBRA and until the date the Executive (or, in
the case of his spouse, his spouse) attains age
65.
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(b)
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Termination Due to Death or
Disability. If the Executive’s employment hereunder is
terminated by the Company due to death or Disability, then: (i)
the Company shall pay the Executive, within thirty (30) days after the
date of termination: (A) any Base Salary and any reimbursable
expenses accrued or owing the Executive hereunder as of the date of
termination and any earned and unpaid annual bonus in respect of fiscal
years of the Company completed prior to the date of termination (it being
understood that, absent approval of the Compensation Committee, no such
bonus shall have been deemed to have been earned for any year after 2009);
(B) the amount of Base Salary that would otherwise have been payable to
the Executive had he remained employed through the end of the calendar
year in which termination occurs, to the extent not previously paid; (C)
if the termination occurs in 2009, a pro-rated portion of the 2009 cash
bonus referred to in Section 4(c) (if such cash bonus has not already been
paid) for services performed by the Executive prior to termination; and
(D) any unpaid cash distribution payments on the Restricted Units and the
Withheld Units in accordance with and at the time specified in Section
4(a); (ii) upon termination of Executive’s employment, and regardless
whether such termination occurs before or after the expiration of the
Employment Term, the Company shall provide at the Company’s expense
continued health and welfare benefits for the Executive, the Executive’s
spouse and the Executive’s dependents through the end of the calendar year
in which termination occurs; and thereafter, until the date the Executive
(or, in the case of his spouse, his spouse) attains age 65, the Company
shall provide the Executive and his spouse with access to participation in
the Company’s medical plans at the Executive’s (or his spouse’s) sole
expense based on a reasonably determined fair market value premium rate;
(iii) the Executive shall immediately vest in a pro-rated portion of any
Restricted Units otherwise due to vest on the next vesting date; and (iv)
the Executive shall be entitled to the Other
Benefits.
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(c)
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Severance Benefits. In
the event the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason as defined in Section 6(c) or by the Company
other than for reasons defined in Section 6(a), 6(b) or 6(d), the
Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits, provided that the
Executive executes and delivers a release substantially in the form of
Exhibit A to this Agreement within 45 days after termination of his
employment and does not exercise any right he may have to revoke such
release:
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(i)
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within
sixty (60) days after the date of termination, any Base Salary and any
reimbursable expenses accrued or owing the Executive hereunder as of the
date of termination and any earned and unpaid annual bonus in respect of
fiscal years of the Company completed prior to the date of termination (it
being understood that, absent approval of the Compensation Committee, no
such bonus shall have been deemed to have been earned for any year after
2009);
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(ii)
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any
unpaid cash distribution payments on the Restricted Units and the Withheld
Units in accordance with and at the time specified in Section
4(a);
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(iii)
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if
the termination occurs in 2009, a pro-rated portion of the 2009 cash bonus
referred to in Section 4(c) (if such cash bonus has not already been paid)
for services performed by the Executive prior to
termination;
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(iv)
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the
immediate vesting of the next two installments of Restricted Units
referred to in Section 4(a) or, if fewer, the balance of the installments
that are unvested;
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(v)
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payments
equal to the cost of COBRA coverage for the Executive for the period for
which the Executive is eligible for
COBRA;
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(vi)
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access
for the Executive and his spouse to participation in the Company’s medical
plans at the Executive’s sole expense based on a reasonably determined
fair market value premium rate until the date the Executive (or, in the
case of his spouse, his spouse) attains age 65;
and
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(vii)
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the
Other Benefits.
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The
severance benefits provided for herein shall be in lieu of any other severance
benefits under any Company plan or policy and the Executive hereby waives any
right to participate in any such arrangement.
8.
Non-solicitation and Non-competition.
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(a)
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During
his employment with the Company and for a period of six months from the
date of the Executive’s termination of employment hereunder for any
reason, the Executive will not provide services, in any capacity, whether
as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, owner, partner,
shareholder, director, or otherwise, to any person or entity that provides
products or services that compete with any present or planned business of
the Company and any affiliate of the Company over which the Executive has
or had during the six (6) months prior to the date of termination direct
operating responsibility (an “Operational Affiliate”) (it being understood
that, during the period of the Executive’s service on the Management Board
of AXA, the Executive shall be considered to have direct operating
responsibility over AXA and its controlled affiliates and that
notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, once he ceases
to serve on the Management Board of AXA, he shall no longer be considered
to have such direct operating responsibility solely by reason of his
service on the Management Board of AXA); provided that, nothing herein
shall prevent the Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5%
of the outstanding equity of any class of securities of an entity that is
publicly traded and that owns or may acquire any corporation or business
that competes with the Company or any of its affiliates. A
“planned business” for purposes of the preceding sentence shall mean a
business: (i) that the Executive is aware that the Company or
an Operational Affiliate plans to enter within six months after the date
of the termination of his employment, (ii) that is material to the entity
that plans to enter such business, and (iii) in which such entity has
invested material resources (including time of senior management) in
preparation for launch.(b)For a period of one year following the
termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive
will not solicit (whether directly or on his behalf through his
instruction to any other person or entity) the business of any customer or
prospective customer of the Company or any Operational Affiliate for any
purpose other than to obtain, maintain and/or service the customer’s
business for the Company or any of its
affiliates.
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(c)
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For
a period of one year following the termination of the Executive’s
employment for any reason, the Executive agrees not to (whether directly
or on his behalf through his instruction to any other person or entity)
recruit, solicit or hire any employees of the Company or any Operational
Affiliate to work for the Executive or any other person or
entity.
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(d)
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Exclusive
Property. The Executive confirms that all confidential
information is and shall remain the exclusive property of the
Company. All business records, papers and documents kept or
made by the Executive relating to the business of the Company or any of
its affiliates shall be and remain the property of the Company. Upon the
termination of his employment with the Company or upon the request of the
Company at any time, the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company,
and shall not without the prior written consent of the Corporation’s Board
of Directors retain copies of, any written materials not previously made
available to the public or any records and documents made by the Executive
in his possession concerning the business or affairs of the Company or any
of its affiliates.
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(e)
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Remedies. Without
intending to limit the remedies available to the Company, the Executive
acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this
Section 8 may result in material irreparable injury to the Company or its
affiliates for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not
be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in
the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company shall be
entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary or
permanent injunction restraining the Executive from engaging in activities
prohibited by this Section 8 or such other relief as may be required to
specifically enforce any of the covenants in this
Section 8. The Company and its affiliates hereby agree
that the covenants set forth herein are and shall be the exclusive
covenants to which the Executive is subject and the remedies set forth
herein shall be the exclusive remedies available to the Company and its
affiliates with respect to a claimed
breach.
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9.
Confidentiality. From
the Commencement Date and continuing after the Employment Term, and except as
otherwise required by law, the Executive shall not disclose or make accessible
to any business, person or entity, or make use of (other than in the course of
the business of the Company) any trade secrets, proprietary knowledge or
confidential information which the Executive shall have obtained during his
employment by the Company and which shall not be generally known to or
recognized by the general public. All information regarding or
relating to any aspect of the business of the Company or any of its affiliates,
including but not limited to that relating to existing or contemplated business
plans, activities or procedures, current or prospective clients, current or
prospective contracts or other business arrangements, current or prospective
products, facilities and methods, manuals, intellectual property, price lists,
financial information (including the revenues, costs, or profits associated with
any of the products or services of the Company or any of its affiliates), or any
other information acquired because of the Executive’s employment by the Company,
shall be conclusively presumed to be confidential; provided, however, that
confidential information shall not include any information known generally to
the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the
Executive). The Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall be
in addition to any other confidentiality or nondisclosure obligations of the
Executive to the Company at law or under any other Company policy or
agreements.
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10. Other
Matters.
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(a)
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Representation and Warranty of
Executive. Except for the covenants that have been
previously disclosed to the Company (on a confidential basis), the Executive
represents and warrants that he is subject to no agreement or restriction
that would limit his ability to execute and deliver this Agreement, or, as
of the Commencement Date, immediately serve in the capacities and fully
perform the services contemplated herein. It is the mutual
intent of the Executive and the Company that the Executive will fully
honor his post-employment obligations to his prior employer, and in
recognition of such obligations, including those applicable to any equity
awards in respect of his prior employer’s common stock, the Company and
its affiliates shall not, directly or indirectly, require the Executive to
take any action or engage in conduct that could reasonably be expected to
result in a breach of such
covenants.
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(b)
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Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
Company and the Executive relating to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior agreement or understandings and, except to the extent
expressly provided herein or as required by law, any provisions of any
plan, program, policy or other document of the Company pertaining to the
subject matter hereof.
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(c)
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Assignment. This
Agreement and the rights and obligations contained herein shall not be
assignable or otherwise transferable by either party to this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the other party to this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts or benefits owing to the
Executive upon his death shall inure to the benefit of his heirs,
legatees, personal representatives, executor or
administrator.
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(d)
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Notices. Any and
all notices provided for under this Agreement shall be in writing and hand
delivered or sent by first class registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the Executive at his
residence or to the Corporation, attention General Counsel, at its usual
place of business, and all such notices shall be deemed effective at the
time of delivery or at the time delivery is refused by the addressee upon
presentation.
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(e)
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Amendment/Waiver.
No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived,
modified, extended or discharged unless such amendment, waiver, extension
or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by both the Company and the
Executive.
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(f)
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Applicable Law.
This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall be construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York (applicable to contracts to be performed
wholly within
such State).
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(g)
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Severability. The
Executive hereby expressly agrees that all of the covenants in this
Agreement are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the Company and
its business. If any provision or any part of any provision of
this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law,
such part shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability and shall not affect in any way the validity or
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement, or the
remaining parts of such
provision.
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(h)
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Successor in Interests.
In the event the Corporation, Holdings or the Private
Partnership merges or consolidates with or into any other corporation or
entity, or sells or otherwise transfers substantially all of its assets to
another corporation or entity, the provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the corporation or entity
surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation or to which the
assets are sold or transferred and, prior to the consummation of any such
event, the Corporation, Holdings or the Private Partnership, as
applicable, shall obtain the express written assumption of this Agreement
by the successor corporation or entity (other than in the case of a merger
after which the Corporation, Holdings or the Private Partnership is the
surviving entity). All references herein to the Company refer
with equal force and effect to each of the Corporation,
Holdings and the Private Partnership (unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise) and any corporate or other successor of each
such entity that acquires directly or indirectly by merger, consolidation,
purchase or otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation, Holdings or the Private
Partnership.
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(i)
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Mitigation. In
no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take
any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the
Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced, regardless of whether the Executive obtains other
employment.
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(j)
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Attorneys’
Fees. The Company agrees to pay, within ten business
days of receipt of an invoice from the Executive, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Company, the Executive
or others of the validity or enforceability of or liability under, or
otherwise involving, any provision of this Agreement (whether such contest
is between the Company and the Executive or between either of them and any
third party), together with interest at the applicable federal rate under
Code Section 1274(d), provided that the Executive prevails on one material
issue in the dispute.
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17
11. Applicable
Taxes. There shall be deducted from any compensation payments
made under this Agreement any U.S. federal, state, and local taxes or other
amounts required to be withheld under U.S. federal, state and local tax
law. With respect to the benefits described in Sections 5(d) and
5(e), 7(b)(ii) and 7(c)(v) of this Agreement, the Company will provide the
Executive with full tax gross-up due to any imputed income therefrom, but the
Executive shall be personally responsible for payment of taxes on any other
imputed income resulting from any other benefits afforded under this
Agreement.
12. Indemnification and
Insurance. During the Employment Term and thereafter to the
extent provided in the Corporation’s charter and by-laws and the Partnership
Limited Partnership Agreements and applicable liability insurance policies, the
Executive will be entitled to the protections afforded by the indemnification
provisions of the Corporation’s charter and by-laws and the Partnership Limited
Partnership Agreements and by the directors and officers liability insurance
policies purchased from time to time and maintained by the Corporation and the
Partnership, to the same extent as other directors and senior officers of the
Corporation and the Partnership.
18
13. Certain Additional
Payments.
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(a)
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Determination of Gross-Up
Payment. In the event that the aggregate of all payments
or benefits made or provided to or for the benefit of, or that may be made
or provided to or for the benefit of, the Executive under this Agreement
and under all other plans, programs and arrangements of the Company and
its affiliates (the “Aggregate Payment”) is determined to constitute a
“parachute payment” (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code), the Company shall pay to the Executive, prior to the time any
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”) is
payable with respect to such Aggregate Payment, an additional amount (the
“Gross-Up Payment”) such that, after the imposition and payment of all
income and excise taxes thereon (and any interest or penalties imposed
with respect to such taxes) and the Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to
the Excise Tax imposed upon the Aggregate
Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 13, if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to
the Gross-Up Payment, but that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of
the Aggregate Payment does not exceed 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount (as
defined below), then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive
and the amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the
Parachute Value of the Aggregate Payment equals the Safe Harbor
Amount. The reduction of the amounts payable under this
Agreement, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the payments or
benefits under the following Sections in the following order (to the
extent such payments or benefits constitute parachute payments): (i)
Section 7(c)(v); (ii) Section 7(c)(iii); and (iii) Section
7(c)(iv). If the reduction of the amounts payable under this
Agreement would not result in a reduction of the Parachute Value of the
Aggregate Payment to the Safe Harbor Amount, no amounts payable under this
Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this Section 13 and the Executive
shall be entitled to the Gross-Up Payment. All determinations under this
Section 13, including whether the Aggregate Payment constitutes a
parachute payment exceeding 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount and the amount
of the Gross-Up Payment to be paid to the Executive pursuant to this
Section 13, shall be made by an independent auditor (the “Auditor”)
jointly selected by the Company and the Executive and paid by the
Company. The Auditor shall be a nationally recognized United
States public accounting firm which has not, during the two (2) years
preceding the date of its selection, acted as the primary auditor on
behalf of the Company or any affiliate thereof. If the
Executive and the Company cannot agree on the firm to serve as the
Auditor, then the Executive and the Company shall each select one
accounting firm and those two firms shall jointly select the accounting
firm to serve as the Auditor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event that the amount of the Executive’s Excise Tax liability is
subsequently determined to be greater than the Excise Tax liability with
respect to which an initial Gross-Up Payment to the Executive under this
Section 13 has been made, the Company shall pay to the Executive an
additional amount with respect to such additional Excise Tax (and any
interest and penalties thereon) in the amount determined by the Auditor so
as to make the Executive whole, on an after-tax basis, with respect to
such Excise Tax (and any interest and penalties thereon) and such
additional amount paid by the Company. In the event the amount
of the Executive’s Excise Tax liability is subsequently determined to be
less than the Excise Tax liability with respect to which any payment to
the Executive has been made under this Section 13, the Executive shall, as
soon as practical after the determination is made (or in the case of an
amount for which the Executive must seek a refund, the receipt of such
refund), pay to the Company the amount of the overpayment by the Company,
reduced by the amount of any relevant taxes already paid by the Executive
and not refundable, all as determined by the Auditor. The Executive and
the Company shall cooperate with each other in connection with any
proceeding or claim relating to the existence or amount of liability for
Excise Tax, and all expenses incurred by the Executive in connection
therewith shall be paid by the Company promptly upon notice of demand from
the Executive. The Company’s obligation to make the
Gross-Up Payments under this Section 13 shall not be conditioned upon the
Executive’s termination of employment. Any payment made to or
on behalf of the Executive under this Section 13 shall be made in
compliance with Code Section 409A and in no event later than the end of
the year following the year that the related taxes are remitted to the
applicable taxing authority.
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19
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(b)
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Definitions. For
purposes of this Section 13, the following terms have the meanings set
forth below: (i) the “Parachute
Value” of a payment, benefit or distribution shall mean the present value
as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of
the Code of the portion of such payment, benefit or distribution that
constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2), as determined
by the Auditor for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the
Excise Tax will apply to such payment; and (ii) the “Safe Harbor Amount”
means 2.99 times the Executive’s “base amount,” within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.
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14. Internal Revenue Code Section
409A.
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(a)
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General. It
is intended that this Agreement shall comply with the provisions of Code
Section 409A and the Treasury regulations relating thereto, or an
exemption to Code Section 409A, and payments, rights and benefits may only
be made, satisfied or provided under this Agreement upon an event and in a
manner permitted by Code Section 409A, to the extent applicable, so as not
to subject the Executive to the payment of taxes and interest under Code
Section 409A. In furtherance of this intent, this Agreement shall be
interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with these
intentions, and to the extent that any regulations or other guidance
issued under Code Section 409A would result in the Executive being subject
to payment of additional income taxes or interest under Code Section 409A,
the parties agree to amend this Agreement to maintain to the maximum
extent practicable the original intent of this Agreement while avoiding
the application of such taxes or interest under Code Section
409A. Severance benefits under this Agreement are
intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A under the “separation pay
exception,” to the maximum extent applicable. Any payments that
qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception or another exception under
Code Section 409A shall be paid under the applicable
exception. For purposes of the limitations on nonqualified
deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, each payment of
compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment
of compensation for purposes of applying the Code Section 409A deferral
election rules and the exclusion under Code Section 409A for certain
short-term deferral amounts. All payments to be made upon a
termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a
“separation from service” under Code Section 409A. In no event
may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of
any payment under this
Agreement.
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20
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(b)
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In-Kind Benefits and
Reimbursements; Tax Gross-ups. All reimbursements and
in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided
in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, including, where
applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses
incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of
time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible
for reimbursement, or in kind benefits provided, during a calendar year
may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind
benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (iii) the
reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last
day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is
incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not
subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any tax
gross-up payments (other than a payment under Section 13), shall be paid
no later than the date on which the taxes on the underlying income or
imputed income are due to the applicable tax authority, and in any event
prior to the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the
Executive’s taxable year in which the applicable taxes (and any income or
other related taxes or interest or penalties thereon) are remitted to the
applicable taxing authority.
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(c)
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Delay of Payments. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is
considered a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A (as
determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company
as in effect on the date of termination), any payment that constitutes
nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A
that is otherwise due to the Executive under this Agreement during the
six-month period following his separation from service (as determined in
accordance with Code Section 409A) shall be accumulated and paid to
Executive on the first business day of the seventh month following his
separation from service (the “Delayed Payment Date”). The
Executive shall be entitled to interest on any delayed cash
payments from the date of termination to the Delayed Payment
Date at a rate equal to the applicable federal short-term rate in effect
under Code Section 1274(d) for the month in which the Executive’s
separation from service occurs. If the Executive dies during
the postponement period, the amounts and entitlements delayed on account
of Section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of his estate
on the first to occur of the Delayed Payment Date or thirty (30) days
after the date of the Executive’s
death.
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21
15. Survival. The
expiration of the Employment Term or termination of the Executive’s employment
shall not destroy or diminish the binding force and effect of any of the
provisions of this Agreement that expressly, or by reasonable implication, come
into or continue in effect on or after such expiration or termination,
including, without limitation, Sections 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14, and any
provision governing the Executive’s rights to post-employment medical
benefits.
16. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
considered one and the same agreement, and shall become a binding agreement when
one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the
other party.
22
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Partnership has caused this Agreement
to be executed on its own behalf by its duly authorized officers, and the
Executive has executed this Agreement on his own behalf intending to be legally
bound, as of the Commencement Date.
By:
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
CORPORATION,
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||
its
General Partner and on its own behalf
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|||
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
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President
and Chief Operating Officer
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
HOLDING L.P.
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By:
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
CORPORATION,
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||
its
General Partner and on its own behalf
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|||
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
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|||
President
and Chief Operating
Officer
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AGREED
TO AND ACCEPTED BY
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/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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December 19, 2008
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Date
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23
ANNEX
A
DEFINITION
OF “CHANGE IN CONTROL”
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT OF XXXXX X. XXXXX
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence,
directly or indirectly, of any one of the following:
(i) AXA
and its majority-owned subsidiaries cease to control the election of a majority
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(ii) the
Corporation ceases to be the general partner of the Private Partnership, unless
following any such transaction: (A) AXA owns, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of the combined voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors (or other governing body) of the successor general partner; and (B)
the Executive continues to serve as the chief executive officer and chairman of
the applicable governing body of the successor entity to the Corporation with
responsibilities, duties and authority at least commensurate with his
responsibilities, duties and authorities prior to such transaction (with such
conforming changes to this Agreement to reflect such succession as may be
reasonably acceptable to the Executive);
(iii)
Holding, or any successor in interest thereto, shall cease to be a
publicly-traded entity;
(iv) the
consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or similar transaction,
involving the Corporation or the Private Partnership, in each case, unless
following any such transaction, AXA owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50%
of the combined voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (or other governing body) of the successor entity to the Corporation
or the Private Partnership;
(v) any
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of
related transactions of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation or the Private Partnership or its operating subsidiaries (taken
together), including the approval of any plan to dissolve or liquidate the
Corporation or the Private Partnership, unless following any such transaction:
(A) the business of the Company as of immediately prior to any such transaction
is continued in the entity to which such assets are sold, leased, transferred or
exchanged (the “successor entity”); (B) AXA owns, directly or indirectly, more
than 50% of the combined voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (or other governing body) of the successor entity; and (C)
the Executive continues to serve as the chief executive officer and chairman of
the applicable governing body of the successor entity with responsibilities,
duties and authority at least commensurate with his responsibilities, duties and
authorities prior to such transaction (with such conforming changes to this
Agreement to reflect such succession as may be reasonably acceptable to the
Executive); or
24
(vi) any
reorganization (whether through merger, consolidation, sale, lease, exchange or
other transfer of assets (whether in one transaction or a series of
transactions)), election, revocation of election, change in business,
restructuring or other action (an “Action”) involving any of Holding, the
Private Partnership or the Corporation (which Action is not necessitated by
changes, occurring after the date hereof, in U.S. federal tax law relating to
the status of Holding as an electing 1987 partnership within the meaning of
Section 7704(g) of the Code), and resulting in either Holding or the Private
Partnership ceasing to be taxed and treated as a partnership for purposes of the
Code or income attributable to their operations otherwise becoming subject to
tax under Subchapter C of the Code unless the Company provides the
Executive, with respect to all periods or portions of periods during the balance
of the term of this Agreement, with additional cash payments which, when added
to the distributions on the Restricted Units (or any security into which they
may be converted) and any Withheld Units, results in the Executive retaining an
aggregate amount (on an after-tax basis) that is no less than the Distribution
Amount. In calculating the amount of any payments required by the
preceding clause, it shall be assumed that the Company’s distributions and
earnings continue to be calculated after the Action using the methodology in
existence immediately prior to the Action and consistent with prior
practices. “Distribution Amount” means the product of the earnings of
the Partnership (or any successor entity) during the applicable year (without
reduction for any federal, state or local income tax to the extent in excess of
the federal tax under Code Section 7704(g)(3) and the New York City
Unincorporated Business Tax, in each case, that would have been imposed on the
Partnership if the Action had not been taken) and the Executive’s percentage
interest in the Partnership (or any successor entity) (taking into account all
units granted to the Executive pursuant to the first sentence of Section 4(a) of
this Agreement to the extent that Executive is entitled to a distribution with
respect to such units).
25
EXHIBIT
A
CONFIDENTIAL
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This
CONFIDENTIAL GENERAL RELEASE AND AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into pursuant to section 7(c) of the Employment Agreement (“Employment
Agreement”) dated as of December ___, 2008 between Xxxxx X. Xxxxx (“Employee”)
and AllianceBernstein L.P. (the "Private Partnership"), AllianceBernstein
Holding L.P. ("Holding," and together with the Private Partnership, the
"Partnership") and AllianceBernstein Corporation (the "Corporation", and
together with the Partnership, the "Company”) and sets forth the agreement
concerning the termination of employment of Employee with the Company including
its current and former parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and its and their
respective current and former successors or predecessors, assigns,
representatives, agents, attorneys, shareholders, officers, directors and
employees, both individually and in their official capacities (collectively
"AllianceBernstein").
1.
Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee’s employment
with AllianceBernstein terminated on _______________. Employee
further acknowledges and agrees that, as of Employee’s termination date,
Employee resigns from any and all officer positions and directorships Employee
may hold with AllianceBernstein, if any. In consideration for signing
this Agreement and in exchange for the promises, covenants and waivers set forth
herein, and provided Employee has not revoked this Agreement as set forth below,
the Company will provide Employee the payments and other benefits set forth in
section 7(c) of the Employment Agreement, less applicable withholdings, payable
or provided at the times and in the manner set forth in section 7(c) of the
Employment Agreement. No portion of this amount shall be considered
compensation for any Company benefit plan or program.
2.
In consideration of the payment and benefits described above,
and for other good and valuable consideration, Employee by this instrument
releases and forever discharges, AllianceBernstein from: all debts, obligations,
promises, covenants, agreements, contracts, endorsements, bonds, controversies,
suits, actions, causes of action, judgments, damages, expenses, claims or
demands, in law or in equity, which Employee ever had, now has, or which may
arise in the future, regarding any matter arising on or before the date of
Employee’s execution of this Agreement, including but not limited to all claims
(whether known or unknown) regarding Employee’s employment with or termination
of employment from AllianceBernstein, any contract (express or implied), any
claim for equitable relief or recovery of punitive, compensatory, or other
damages or monies, attorneys' fees, any tort, and all claims for alleged
discrimination based upon age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, religion, national origin, handicap, genetic information, disability or
retaliation, including any claim, asserted or unasserted, which could arise
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”); the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act of 1990; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Civil
Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981; the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Civil Rights Act of
1991; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988; the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; the Pregnancy
Discrimination Act; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights
Act; the New York State Human Rights Law; the New York City Human Rights Law;
and any other federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations, whether equal
employment opportunity laws, rules or regulations or otherwise (hereinafter,
collectively referred to as the “Claims”). Claims shall not include
any claim relating to: (i) obligations under this Agreement; (ii) obligations
under the Employment Agreement that survive in accordance with the terms thereof
or this Agreement; (iii) obligations that, in each case, by their terms are to
be performed after the date hereof (including, without limitation, obligations
to the Employee under any equity compensation awards or agreements or
obligations under any pension plan or other benefit or deferred compensation
plan, all of which shall remain in effect in accordance with their terms); (iv)
obligations to indemnify the Employee respecting acts or omissions in connection
with the Employee’s service as a director, officer or employee of
AllianceBernstein; (v) obligations with respect to insurance coverage under any
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies; (vi) Employee’s rights to
obtain contribution in the event of the entry of judgment against Employee as a
result of any act or failure to act for which both the Employee, the Private
Partnership, Holding, the Corporation, or AllianceBernstein are jointly
responsible; (vii) any rights that the Employee may have as a unit holder of
Holding; and (viii) facts or circumstances arising after the date
hereof. This Agreement may not be cited as, and does not constitute
an admission by AllianceBernstein of, any violation of any such law or legal
obligation with respect to any Claims.
26
3.
Employee represents and agrees that Employee has
not filed any lawsuits or arbitrations against AllianceBernstein, or filed or
caused to be filed any charges or complaints against AllianceBernstein with any
municipal, state or federal agency charged with the enforcement of any law or
any self-regulatory organization. Pursuant to and as a part of
Employee’s release and discharge of AllianceBernstein in respect of Claims, as
set forth herein, with the sole exception of Employee’s right to bring a
proceeding pursuant to the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 to
challenge the validity of Employee’s release of claims pursuant to the ADEA,
Employee agrees, to the extent such agreement is not inconsistent with EEOC
Enforcement Guidance On Non-Waivable Employee Rights Under EEOC-Enforced
Statutes dated April 11, 1997, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, not
to xxx or file a charge, complaint, grievance or demand for arbitration against
AllianceBernstein in any forum or assist or otherwise participate willingly or
voluntarily in any claim, arbitration, suit, action, investigation or other
proceeding of any kind which relates to any matter that involves
AllianceBernstein, and that occurred up to and including the date of Employee’s
execution of this Agreement, unless (a) required to do so by court order,
subpoena or other directive by a court, administrative agency, arbitration panel
or legislative body, or to enforce this Agreement; or (b) requested to engage in
conduct permissible under paragraph 7(d) of this Agreement. To the
extent any such action may be brought by a third party, Employee expressly
waives any claim to any form of monetary or other damages, or any other form of
recovery or relief in connection with any such action. Nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent Employee (or Employee’s attorneys) from (i)
commencing an action or proceeding to enforce this Agreement, or (ii) exercising
Employee’s right under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 to
challenge the validity of Employee’s waiver of ADEA claims set forth in
paragraph 2 of this Agreement.
27
4.
Employee represents, warrants and acknowledges that
AllianceBernstein owes Employee no wages, commissions, bonuses, sick pay,
personal leave pay, severance pay, notice pay, vacation pay, or other
compensation or benefits or payments or form of remuneration of any kind or
nature, other than that specifically provided for in this Agreement or the
Employment Agreement and, if applicable, any AXA or AXA Financial equity
plan.
5.
Employee agrees not to make intentionally disparaging remarks about
AllianceBernstein, or issue any communication, written or otherwise, that
reflects adversely on or encourages any adverse action against
AllianceBernstein, except if testifying truthfully under oath pursuant to any
subpoena, order, directive, request, or other legal process or otherwise
required by law. AllianceBernstein agrees not to make or cause to be
made or authorize any public statements intentionally disparaging or defaming
Employee, or issue any communication, written or otherwise, that reflects
adversely on or encourages any adverse action against Employee, except if
testifying truthfully under oath pursuant to any subpoena, order, directive,
request, or other legal process or otherwise required by
law. AllianceBernstein will also specifically instruct the members of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the members of the Management
Executive Committee of the Partnership, the members of the AXA Management Board
and any other individuals to be mutually agreed not to make or issue any
communication, written or otherwise, that disparages or criticizes or reflects
adversely on or encourages any adverse action against Employee, except if
testifying truthfully under oath pursuant to any lawful court order or subpoena
or otherwise responding to or providing disclosures required by
law.
6.
Employee agrees to abide by the provisions of Section 8(d) and Section 9 of the
Employment Agreement during the periods set forth therein,
respectively. Employee further confirms that Employee has delivered
to AllianceBernstein any and all property and equipment of AllianceBernstein,
including, without limitation, laptop computers, any other AllianceBernstein
equipment, hardware, software and/or materials, Employee’s card key,
identification card and passwords which may have been in Employee’s
possession.
28
7.
Employee agrees not to disclose the terms, contents or execution of this
Agreement, any Claims that have been or could have been raised against
AllianceBernstein, or the facts and circumstances underlying this Agreement,
except in the following circumstances:
(a) Employee
may disclose the terms of this Agreement to Employee’s immediate family, so long
as such family member agrees to be bound by the confidential nature of this
Agreement;
(b) Employee
may disclose the terms of this Agreement to (i) Employee’s financial and tax
advisors so long as such financial and tax advisors agree to be bound by the
confidential nature of this Agreement, (ii) taxing authorities if requested by
such authorities and so long as they are advised of the confidential nature of
this Agreement or (iii) Employee’s legal counsel; and
(c) Pursuant
to the order of a court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, or for
purposes of securing enforcement of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
(d) Any
non-disclosure provision in this Agreement, including without limitation this
section 7, does not prohibit or restrict Employee (or Employee’s attorneys) from
responding to any inquiry, or providing testimony, about this Agreement or its
underlying facts and circumstances by, or before, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or any other
self-regulatory organization or any other federal or state regulatory
authority.
8.
Upon service on Employee of any subpoena, order, directive, request or
other legal process requiring Employee to engage in conduct encompassed within
paragraphs 5, 6, or 7 of this Agreement, Employee or Employee’s attorney shall
immediately notify AllianceBernstein of such service and of the content of any
testimony or information to be provided pursuant to such subpoena, order,
directive, request or other legal process and, to the extent permitted by such
subpoena, order, directive, request or other legal process and applicable law,
immediately send to the undersigned representative of AllianceBernstein via
overnight delivery (at AllianceBernstein's expense) a copy of said documents
served upon Employee; provided, however, that if
Employee is requested to engage in conduct permitted under paragraph 7(d) of
this Agreement Employee may comply with Employee’s obligations under this
paragraph after Employee has responded to the inquiry or provided the testimony
sought.
29
9.
Employee agrees that Employee will, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, reasonably assist and cooperate with AllianceBernstein in
connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against
or by AllianceBernstein, or in connection with any ongoing or future
investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving AllianceBernstein,
including any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative, judicial,
legislative, or other body or agency, including preparing for and testifying in
any proceeding to the extent such claims, investigations or proceedings relate
to services performed by Employee or any act or omission by Employee, during the
period that Employee was employed by
AllianceBernstein. AllianceBernstein shall reimburse Employee for
reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this
paragraph.
10. Employee
agrees to abide by the terms of each of Sections 8(a) and 8(b) of the Employment
Agreement during the periods set forth therein, respectively.
11. This
Agreement and the Employment Agreement together constitute the entire agreement
between AllianceBernstein and Employee with respect to the subject matter
herein. Employee affirms that, in entering into this Agreement,
Employee is not relying upon any oral or written promise or statement (other
than those in the Employment Agreement and this Agreement) made by anyone at any
time on behalf of AllianceBernstein.
12. This
Agreement is binding upon Employee and Employee’s successors, assigns, heirs,
executors, administrators and legal representatives.
13. If
any of the provisions, terms or clauses of this Agreement are declared illegal,
unenforceable or ineffective, those provisions, terms and clauses shall be
deemed severable, such that all other provisions, terms and clauses of this
Agreement shall remain valid and binding upon all parties hereto.
14. Without
detracting in any respect from any other provision of this
Agreement:
(a) Employee,
in consideration of the payments and benefits provided to Employee as described
in paragraph 1 of this Agreement, agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement
constitutes a knowing and voluntary waiver of all Claims Employee has or may
have against AllianceBernstein as set forth herein, including, but not limited
to, all Claims arising under the ADEA, as amended, including, but not limited
to, all claims of age discrimination in employment and all Claims of retaliation
in violation of the ADEA; and Employee has no physical or mental impairment of
any kind that has interfered with Employee’s ability to read and understand the
meaning of this Agreement or its terms.
30
(b) Employee
understands that, by entering into this Agreement, Employee does not waive
rights or claims that may arise after the date of Employee’s execution of this
Agreement, including without limitation any rights or claims that Employee may
have to secure enforcement of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
(c) AllianceBernstein
hereby advises Employee to consult with an attorney prior to executing this
Agreement.
(d) Employee
acknowledges that Employee was informed that Employee had at least forty-five
(45) days in which to review and consider this Agreement, to review the
information as required by the ADEA if applicable (provided that a copy of such
information has been attached to and made part of this Agreement), and to
consult with an attorney regarding the terms and effect of this
Agreement.
15. Employee
may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days from the date Employee signs
this Agreement, in which case this Agreement shall be null and void and of no
force or effect on either AllianceBernstein or Employee. Any
revocation must be in writing and received by AllianceBernstein by 5:00 p.m. on
the seventh day after this Agreement is executed and delivered by
Employee. Such revocation must be sent to ________________________,
AllianceBernstein Human Resources Department, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000.
16. This
Agreement may not be changed or altered, except by a writing signed by an
authorized executive officer of AllianceBernstein and Employee. The
laws of the State of New York will apply to any dispute concerning this
Agreement.
17. Employee
understands and agrees that the terms set out in this Agreement shall survive
the signing of this Agreement and receipt of benefits hereunder.
PLEASE
READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT HAS IMPORTANT LEGAL
CONSEQUENCES.
EMPLOYEE
EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES, REPRESENTS, AND WARRANTS THAT EMPLOYEE HAS READ THIS
AGREEMENT CAREFULLY; THAT EMPLOYEE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HAS ADVISED EMPLOYEE TO
CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT; THAT EMPLOYEE HAS HAD A FULL
OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT WITH AN ATTORNEY; THAT EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS
THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BINDING LEGAL EFFECT; AND THAT EMPLOYEE HAS EXECUTED
THIS AGREEMENT FREELY, KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.
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Date:
|
|
||||
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
On
this
|
___ day of
_________
20__,
before me personally came _________________,
to me known to be the individual described in the foregoing instrument,
who executed the foregoing instrument in my presence, and who duly
acknowledged to me that she executed the
same.
|
Notary
Public
|
|
Date:
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
|||
AllianceBernstein
Holding L.P.
|
|||
Date:
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
|||
AllianceBernstein
Corporation
|
|||
Date:
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
Employee
must sign and return this Agreement to ___________________, AllianceBernstein
Human Resources Department, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000 no later than midnight on the 45th day following Employee’s receipt of
this Agreement or irrevocably lose the opportunity to receive the consideration
detailed herein. Employee received this Agreement on __________________________.
32