Exhibit 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, made as of August 13, 1996, by and between Guess ?,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as the "Company"), and
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (herein referred to as the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company intends to make an underwritten initial public
offering of its common stock (the "Public Offering"); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Public Offering, the Company and
Executive deem it to be in their respective best interests to enter into an
agreement providing for the Company's employment of Executive pursuant to the
terms herein stated;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment; Position and Duties; Exclusive Services.
(a) Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive agrees to be employed by the Company, for the Term provided in
Section 2 below and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided.
(b) Position and Duties. During the Term, the Executive (i) agrees to
serve as the Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company and
to perform such reasonable duties as may be delineated in the By-Laws of the
Company and as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board"), including, without limitation,
primary responsibility for all production functions of the Company, (ii)
shall report, as Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary of the
Company, only to the Board or to the Chairman of the Board and to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, (iii) shall be given such authority as is
appropriate to carry out the duties described above, it being understood
that, in his capacities as Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary of
the Company, his duties will be consistent in scope, prestige and authority
with the duties of Senior Executive Vice President and Secretary of the
Company as demonstrated by the Company's existing practices as of the
effective date of this Agreement, and (v) agrees to serve, if elected, at no
additional compensation (if the other officers or directors (other than
non-employee directors) of the Company also serve at no additional
compensation) in the position of officer or director of any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that such position shall be of
no less status relative to such subsidiary or affiliate as the position that
the Executive holds pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 1(b) is relative
to the Company.
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(c) Exclusive Services. During the Term, the Executive agrees to devote
substantially all of his business time, attention, skill and efforts
exclusively to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates, and shall perform and discharge the duties which may be
assigned to him from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
(d) Relocation. The Company shall not relocate the Executive's
principal place of business outside of the Los Angeles metropolitan area
without the written consent of the Executive.
2. Term of Agreement. The term of employment under this Agreement
shall initially be the three-year period commencing on the date of the Public
Offering (the "Effective Date") and ending on the third anniversary of the
Effective Date, and shall be automatically extended without further action by
either party for a successive or successive one-year period or periods,
unless written notice of either party's intention to terminate this Agreement
has been given to the other party at least 90 days prior to the expiration of
the Term (including any one-year extension thereof). As used in this
Agreement, the "Term" shall mean the initial three-year term plus any
extensions thereof as provided in this Section 2.
3. Salary and Annual Bonus. The Executive's cash compensation for all
services to be rendered by him in any capacity hereunder shall consist of
base salary as provided in Section 3(a) and bonus compensation as provided in
Section 3(b).
(a) Salary. The Executive shall be paid a minimum base salary (the
"Salary") at the rate of $650,000 per annum. The Salary shall be payable in
accordance with the customary payroll practices for executives of the
Company. The amount of Executive's Salary will be reviewed not less often
than annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation
Committee") and may be increased, but not decreased below such amount, on the
basis of such review.
(b) Annual Bonus.
(i) General Terms. For each calendar year included in whole or in part
within the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus
(a "Bonus") based upon the achievement by the Company and its subsidiaries of
performance targets established by the Compensation Committee in accordance
with the terms of the Company's Annual Incentive Bonus Plan and any successor
plan thereto (collectively, the "Bonus Plan"). The performance goals on the
basis of which the Executive's bonus shall be determined shall be no less
favorable to the Executive than the goals used to determine the bonus of any
other executive of the Company whose annual bonus is based in whole or in
part on corporate performance and who participates in the Bonus Plan, and the
Compensation Committee shall establish objective criteria to be used to
determine the extent to which such performance goals have been met. The
Bonus, if any, payable to the Executive in respect of each calendar year will
be paid at the same time that bonuses are paid to other participants in the
Bonus Plan.
(ii) Amount of Target Bonus. For each calendar year included in whole or
in part within the Term, there shall be a target Bonus (a "Target Bonus") for
the Executive equal to at least 100% of Executive's Salary, at the
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annual rate in effect at the beginning of such calendar year (pro rated, if
less than an entire year).
(iii) Determination of the Bonus Amount. The amount of the actual
Bonus for any calendar year to be paid to the Executive will be determined,
in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, based upon the
performance of the Company and its subsidiaries against the goals established
by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the Bonus Plan.
4. Stock Options. Commencing as of the Effective Date, Executive shall
be eligible for option grants under the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan
and any successor plan thereto for the Company's executive officers, in
accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.
5. Pension and Welfare Benefits. During the Term, the Executive will
participate in all pension and welfare plans, programs and benefits that are
applicable to executives of the Company. The benefits provided to the
Executive during the Term, when taken as a whole, shall be no less favorable
than the benefits which, when taken as a whole, are provided to any other
executive of the Company; provided that Executive shall continue to receive
life insurance coverage in an amount equal to at least one (1) times his then
Salary. During the Term, the Executive shall also be entitled to all
additional perquisites which the Company provides to its executives. Subject
to subsection 7(a)(i) hereof, from and after the expiration of the Term or,
if earlier, the date of termination of Executive's employment hereunder,
Executive shall be entitled, during his lifetime, to full Company-paid health
and life insurance for himself and his immediate family, at a level no less
favorable than that in effect from time to time for the benefit of the
Company's senior executive officers.
6. Other Benefits.
(a) Travel and Business-related Expenses. During the Term, the
Executive shall be reimbursed in accordance with the policies of the Company
for traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of the business
of the Company.
(b) Automobile. During the Term, the Executive shall be furnished with
an automobile either owned or leased by the Company or an automobile
allowance, at the discretion of the Company. The Company shall pay or
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses associated with the
operation of such automobile, including, without limitation, all reasonable
maintenance and insurance expenses.
(c) Aircraft. The Executive shall be provided with reasonable access to
any aircraft leased or owned by the Company.
(d) Country Club Membership. During the Term, the Company shall pay the
Executive's reasonable membership expenses (including fees, dues and related
expenses) at such country club or clubs as approved by the Board.
(e) Consulting Agreement. Commencing on the expiration of the Term of
this Agreement or, if earlier, the date of termination of Executive's
employment hereunder for any reason other than death or for Cause (as defined
below), and subject to the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof, the Company
and Executive shall enter into a two (2) year consulting agreement pursuant
to
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which Executive shall render consulting services to the Company as Executive
and the Company shall agree, for which the Company shall pay Executive a
consulting fee at an annual rate equal to 50% of Executive's Salary, at the
rate in effect immediately prior to the commencement of the consulting
period, payable in accordance with the customary payroll practices for
executives of the Company or at such other time or times as Executive and the
Company shall agree. It is expressly understood that Executive's reporting
obligations pursuant to such consulting agreement shall be limited to the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or such other person as
Executive and the Company shall agree.
7. Termination of Employment.
(a) Termination for Cause, Resignation Without Good Reason.
(i) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause
(as defined below) or if the Executive resigns from his employment without
Good Reason (as defined below), prior to the expiration of the Term, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive: (A) the Salary provided for in
Section 3(a) as accrued through the date of such resignation or termination;
(B) any Bonus earned but not yet paid in respect of any calendar year
preceding the year in which such termination or resignation occurs; and (C)
any unreimbursed expenses. The Executive shall not accrue or otherwise be
eligible to receive Salary payments or to participate in any plans, programs
or benefits described in Section 5 hereof with respect to periods after the
date of such termination or resignation, and shall not be eligible to receive
any Bonus in respect of the year of such termination or resignation or any
calendar year following the year in which such termination or resignation
occurs. Any Bonus in respect of a year prior to the year in which such
termination or resignation occurs shall be payable at such time and in such
manner as provided for in Section 3(b) hereof.
(ii) Termination for "Cause" shall mean termination by action of the Board
because of: (A) Executive's willful and continued failure (other than by
reason of the incapacity of Executive due to physical or mental illness)
substantially to perform his duties hereunder; (B) a felony conviction of the
Executive or the perpetration by the Executive of a serious dishonest act
against the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries; (C) any willful
misconduct by the Executive that is materially injurious to the financial
condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries; or (D) chronic alcoholism or drug abuse which materially
affects Executive's performance hereunder, provided, however, that no event
or circumstance shall be considered to constitute Cause within the meaning of
this clause (ii) unless the Executive has been given written notice of the
events or circumstances constituting Cause and has failed to effect a cure
thereof within 60 calendar days following the receipt of such notice.
(iii) Resignation for "Good Reason" shall mean the resignation of the
Executive because of (A) a material reduction in Executive's
responsibilities, duties, authority, status or titles as described in Section
1 above; or (B) failure by the Company to pay or provide Executive when due
any compensation, benefits or perquisites to which Executive is entitled
pursuant to this Agreement or any other plan, contract or arrangement in
which Executive participates or is entitled to participate; provided,
however, that no event or circumstance shall be considered to constitute Good
Reason within
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the meaning of this clause (iii) unless the Company has been given written
notice of the events or circumstances constituting Good Reason and has failed
to effect a cure thereof within 60 calendar days following the receipt of
such notice.
(iv) The date of termination of employment by the Company pursuant to this
Section 7(a) shall be the date specified in a written notice of termination
from the Company to the Executive, which, in the case of a proposed
termination to which the 60-day cure period provided for in subsection (ii)
above applies shall be no less than 61 days after the delivery of such notice
to the Executive. The date of a resignation by the Executive pursuant to
this Section 7(a) shall be the date specified in the written notice of
resignation from the Executive to the Company, which, in the case of a
proposed resignation to which the 60-day cure period provided for in
subsection (iii) above applies shall be no less than 61 days after the
delivery of such notice to the Company, or, if no date is specified therein,
61 days after receipt by the Company of the written notice of resignation
from the Executive.
(b) Termination Without Cause, Resignation for Good Reason.
(i) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without
Cause or if the Executive should resign for Good Reason, prior to the
expiration of the Term, he shall be entitled to receive: (A) the Salary
provided for in Section 3(a) as accrued through the date of such resignation
or termination and continuing for the remainder of the then-effective Term
(the "Continuation Period"); (B) any Bonus earned but not yet paid in respect
of any calendar year preceding the year in which such termination or
resignation occurs; (C) any unreimbursed expenses and (D) a Bonus for the
calendar year in which such termination or resignation occurs equal to the
Executive's Target Bonus for such year and a Bonus for each subsequent year
included in whole or in part within the Continuation Period equal to the
Target Bonus for the calendar year in which such termination or resignation
occurs, provided, however, that the amount of such Bonus payable in respect
of any partial calendar year at the conclusion of the Continuation Period
shall be prorated and shall equal the Executive's Bonus for such year
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall equal the number of
days in such calendar year up to and including the last day of the
Continuation Period and the denominator of which shall equal the lesser of
365 or the number of days in such final calendar year up to and including the
last day of the Term.
During the Continuation Period, (X) Salary payments to the Executive
shall be payable in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company, and
(Y) Bonus payments shall be made in respect of each calendar year at the same
time that bonuses are paid to participants in the Bonus Plan.
The Executive shall also be entitled to continued participation in the
medical, dental and insurance plans and arrangements described in Section 5,
on the same terms and conditions as are in effect immediately prior to such
termination or resignation, until the earlier to occur of (i) the last day of
the Continuation Period and (ii) such time as Executive is entitled to
comparable benefits provided by a subsequent employer. Anything herein to
the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall have no obligation to
continue to maintain during the Continuation Period any plan or program
solely as a result of the provisions of this Agreement. If, during the
Continuation Period,
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Executive is precluded from participating in a plan or program by its terms
or applicable law or if the Company for any reason ceases to maintain such
plan or program, the Company shall provide Executive with compensation or
benefits the aggregate value of which, in the reasonable judgement of the
Company, is no less than the aggregate value of the compensation or benefits
that Executive would have received under such plan or program had he been
eligible to participate therein or had such plan or program continued to be
maintained by the Company.
(ii) Except as may be provided under the terms of any applicable grants to
the Executive, under any plan or arrangement in which the Executive
participates under Section 5 or except as may be otherwise required by
applicable law, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section
4980B(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the
Executive shall have no right under this Agreement or any other agreement to
receive any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan,
arrangement or benefit, with respect to future periods after such termination
or resignation of employment. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(d),
in the event of a termination or resignation pursuant to this Section 7(b),
the Executive shall have no duty of mitigation with respect to amounts
payable to him pursuant to this Section 7(b) or other benefits to which he is
entitled pursuant hereto; provided, however, that, in the event the Executive
breaches any of the provisions of Sections 8 or 9 hereof, the amounts payable
to the Executive pursuant to this Section 7(b), or other benefits to which he
is entitled pursuant hereto, will be offset or reduced by any compensation,
payments or benefits he may receive from a subsequent employer.
(iii) The date of termination of employment by the Company pursuant to
this Section 7(b) shall be the date specified in the written notice of
termination from the Company to the Executive or, if no date is specified
therein, ten business days after receipt by the Executive of the written
notice of termination from the Company. The date of a resignation by the
Executive pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall be the date specified in the
written notice of resignation from the Executive to the Company or, if no
date is specified therein, ten business days after receipt by the Company of
the written notice of resignation from the Executive.
(c) Death or Permanent Disability. If the Executive's employment
hereunder terminates by reason of Executive's death or Permanent Disability
prior to expiration of the Term, the Executive (or his beneficiary (or if no
such beneficiary is designated, his estate), conservator or guardian, as the
case may be) shall be entitled to receive: (i) the Salary provided for in
Section 3(a) as accrued through the date of the Executive's death or
Permanent Disability; (ii) any Bonus earned but not yet paid in respect of
any calendar year preceding the year in which the Executive's death or
Permanent Disability occurs; (iii) a Bonus for the calendar year in which the
Executive's death or Permanent Disability occurs equal to a pro rata portion
of the Executive's Target Bonus for such year, determined on the basis of the
number of days in such year through the date of Executive's death or
Permanent Disability; and (iv) any unreimbursed expenses. Bonus payments
provided for in this Section 7(c) shall be made at such time and in such
manner as is provided in Section 3(b). As used in this Section, the term
"beneficiary" includes both the singular and the plural of such term, as may
be appropriate. For purposes of this Agreement, "Permanent Disability" shall
be defined in the same manner as such term or a similar term is defined in
any
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long-term disability policy maintained by the Company for the Executive and
in effect on the date of the Executive's termination of employment with the
Company, provided that, in the event that the Company does not maintain a
long-term disability policy for the Executive, Permanent Disability shall
mean a physical or mental incapacity that substantially prevents him from
performing his duties hereunder for a period of 6 consecutive months and that
can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. Any dispute as to
whether or not Executive is disabled within the meaning of the preceding
sentence shall be resolved by a physician reasonably satisfactory to
Executive and the Company, and the determination of such physician shall be
final and binding upon both Executive and the Company.
8. Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights.
(a) Definition of "Inventions". As used herein, the term "Inventions"
shall mean all inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets,
formulas, techniques, data, programs, systems, specifications,
documentations, algorithms, flow charts, logic diagrams, source codes,
processes, and other information, including works-in-progress, whether or not
subject to patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, or mask work
protection, and whether or not reduced to practice, which are made, created,
authored, conceived, or reduced to practice by Executive, either alone or
jointly with others, during the period of employment with the Company
(including, without limitation, all periods of employment with the Company
prior to the Effective Date), whether or not performed on the Company's
premises or property, which (A) relate to the actual or anticipated business,
activities, research, or investigations of the Company or (B) result from or
is suggested by work performed by Executive for the Company (whether or not
made or conceived during normal working hours or on the premises of the
Company), or (C) which result, to any extent, from use of the Company's
premises or property.
(b) Work for Hire. Executive expressly acknowledges that all
copyrightable aspects of the Inventions (as defined above) are to be
considered "works made for hire" within the meaning of the Copyright Act of
1976, as amended (the "Act"), and that the Company is to be the "author"
within the meaning of such Act for all purposes. All such copyrightable
works, as well as all copies of such works in whatever medium, fixed or
embodied, shall be owned exclusively by the Company as of the date of
creation, and Executive hereby expressly disclaims any and all interest in
any of such copyrightable works and waives any right of droit morale or
similar rights.
(c) Assignment. Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Inventions
constitute trade secrets of the Company and shall be the sole property of the
Company or any other entity designated by the Company. In the event that
title to any or all of the Inventions, or any part or element thereof, may
not, by operation of law, vest in the Company, or such Inventions may be
found as a matter of law not to be "works made for hire" within the meaning
of the Act, Executive hereby conveys and irrevocably assigns to the Company,
without further consideration, all his right, title and interest, throughout
the universe and in perpetuity, in all Inventions and all copies of them, in
whatever medium, fixed or embodied, and in all written or computer records,
graphics, diagrams, notes, or reports relating thereto in Executive's
possession or under his control, including, with respect to any of the
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foregoing, all rights of copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, mask
work, and any and all other proprietary rights therein, the right to modify
and create derivative works, the right to invoke the benefit of any priority
under any international convention, and all rights to register and renew the
same. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, this subsection (c) shall not
require Executive to assign any Invention that would cause this Section 8, or
any portion thereof, to be void or unenforceable under Section 2870 of the
California Labor Code, and Executive acknowledges receipt of the notification
required by Section 2872 of the California Labor Code.
(d) Proprietary Notices; No Filings; Waiver of Moral Rights. Executive
acknowledges that all Inventions shall, at the sole option of the Company,
bear the Company's patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and mask work
notices.
Executive agrees not to file any patent, copyright or trademark
applications relating to any Invention except with prior written consent of
an authorized representative of the Company (other than Executive).
Executive hereby expressly disclaims any and all interest in any
Inventions and waives any right of droit morale or similar rights, such as
rights of integrity or the right to be attributed as the creator of the
Invention.
(e) Further Assurances. Executive agrees to assist the Company, or any
party designated by the Company, promptly on the Company's request, whether
before or after the termination of employment, however such termination may
occur, in perfecting, registering, maintaining, and enforcing, in all
jurisdictions, the Company's rights in the Inventions by performing all acts
and executing all documents and instruments deemed necessary or convenient by
the Company, including, by way of illustration and not limitation:
(i) Executing assignments, applications, and other documents and
instruments in connection with (A) obtaining patents, copyrights,
trademarks, mask works, or other proprietary protections for the
Inventions and (B) confirming the assignment to the Company of all
right, title and interest in the Inventions or otherwise establishing
the Company's exclusive ownership rights therein.
(ii) Cooperating in the prosecution of patent, copyright, trademark
and mask work applications, as well as in the enforcement of the
Company's rights in the Inventions, including, but not limited to,
testifying in court or before any patent, copyright, trademark or mask
work registry office or any other administrative body.
Executive will be reimbursed for all out-of-pocket costs reasonably
incurred in connection with the foregoing, if such assistance is requested by
the Company after the termination of Executive's employment. In addition, to
the extent that, after the termination of employment for whatever reason,
Executive's technical expertise shall be required in connection with the
fulfillment of the aforementioned obligations, the Company will compensate
Executive at a reasonable rate for the time actually spent by Executive at
the Company's request rendering such assistance.
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(f) Power of Attorney. Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the
Company to be his Attorney-in-Fact to execute any document and to take any
action in his name and on his behalf and to generally use his name for the
purpose of giving to the Company the full benefit of the assignment
provisions set forth above.
(g) Disclosure of Inventions. Executive will make full and prompt
disclosure to the Company of all Inventions subject to assignment to the
Company, and all information relating thereto in Executive's possession or
under his control as to possible applications and use thereof.
9. No Competing Employment; No Interference; Confidentiality;
Remedies.
(a) No Competing Employment. For so long as the Executive is employed
by the Company or any of its affiliates and subsidiaries and continuing for
the two-year period commencing at the expiration of the Term hereof or the
earlier termination of Executive's employment for any reason other than death
(such period being referred to hereinafter as the "Restricted Period"), the
Executive shall not, unless he receives after the Effective Date the prior
written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, whether as owner,
consultant, employee, partner, venturer, agent, through stock ownership,
investment of capital, lending of money or property, rendering of services,
or otherwise, compete with the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries in any business in which any of them is engaged during the Term
hereunder or at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
hereunder, including without limitation the design, manufacture and/or
distribution of men's or women's sportswear or accessories (such businesses
are hereinafter referred to as the "Business"), or assist, become interested
in or be connected with any corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture,
sole proprietorship or other entity which so competes with the Business,
except that the provisions of this Section 9(a) will not be deemed breached
merely because Executive owns equity in (i) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx of California, (ii)
California Sunshine Active Wear, Inc.; or (iii) Nantucket Industries, Inc. or
because Executive "beneficially owns", either individually or as a member of
a "group" (as such terms are used in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), not more than five percent
(5%) of the voting securities of any one or more companies that file reports
pursuant to the Exchange Act. After the expiration of the Term hereof and
during the two-year period referenced above, the restrictions imposed by this
paragraph shall not apply to any business in which the Company or its
affiliates and subsidiaries were not engaged at the time of termination of
the Executive's employment hereunder or to any geographic area in which the
Company or its affiliates and subsidiaries were not engaged in the Business
at the time of termination.
(b) No Interference. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall
not, for the purpose of competing with the Business, directly or indirectly,
whether for his own account or for the account of any other individual,
partnership, firm, corporation or other business organization or entity
(other than the Company), intentionally solicit, endeavor to entice away from
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or otherwise
intentionally interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries with any person who is employed by or otherwise
engaged to perform services for the Company or any of its affiliates or
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subsidiaries or influence, or seek to influence, any person or entity who is
a customer, client or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries to divert their business to any person or entity that competes
with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, nor shall the
Executive participate in the efforts of any individual, partnership, firm,
corporation or other business corporation or entity for which he provides
services, by which he is employed, or in which he invests, to do so, except
that the provisions of this Section 9(b) will not be deemed breached merely
because Executive owns equity in (i) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx of California, (ii)
California Sunshine Active Wear, Inc.; or (iii) Nantucket Industries, Inc. or
because Executive "beneficially owns", either individually or as a member of
a "group" (as such terms are used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), not
more than five percent (5%) of the voting securities of any one or more
companies that file reports pursuant to the Exchange Act. After the
expiration of the Term hereof and during the two-year period referenced in
subsection 9(a), the restrictions imposed by this paragraph shall not apply
to any business in which the Company or its affiliates and subsidiaries were
not engaged at the time of termination of the Executive's employment
hereunder or to any geographic area in which the Company or its affiliates
and subsidiaries were not engaged in the Business at the time of termination.
(c) Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes that the
services to be performed by him hereunder, and the services performed by him
during prior periods of employment with the Company, are special, unique and
extraordinary and that, by reason of such employment, he has acquired and
will continue to acquire confidential information and trade secrets
concerning the operations of the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries.
Accordingly, the Executive agrees that he will not, except with the prior
written consent of the Board or as may be required by law, directly or
indirectly, disclose during the Term or any time thereafter any secret or
confidential information that he has learned by reason of his association
with the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or use any such
information to the detriment of the Company or its affiliates or subsidiaries
so long as such confidential information or trade secrets have not been
disclosed or are not otherwise in the public domain. The term "confidential
information" means any information about the Company, its subsidiaries and
affiliates, and their respective clients and customers, not previously
disclosed to the public or to the trade by the Company's management,
including, without limitation, any products, data, formulae, facilities and
methods, trade secrets and other intellectual property, systems, records
(including computer records), procedures, manuals, confidential reports,
product price lists, client and customer lists, financial information
(including the revenues, costs or profits associated with any of the
Company's products), business plans, prospects or opportunities.
(d) Remedies; Survival of Agreement. In the event that the Executive
materially breaches any of the covenants set forth in this Section 9 and
fails to cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company
within 10 business days after receipt of written notice thereof to the
Executive, any obligation of the Company to make any payment to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation any payments
pursuant to Section 7(b) (other than payments of Salary or Bonus earned prior
to the date of such breach and unreimbursed expenses), shall be cancelled.
In addition, the Executive acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants
contained in this Section 9 may result in material irreparable injury to the
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Company or its affiliates or subsidiaries 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, in addition to any other rights or remedies it
may have, to seek an injunction enjoining or restraining the Executive from
any violation or threatened violation of this Section 9. The Executive's
agreement as set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement.
10. Source of Payments. All payments provided under this Agreement,
other than payments made pursuant to a benefit plan which may provide
otherwise, shall be paid in cash from the general funds of the Company, and
no special or separate fund shall be established, and no other segregation of
assets made, to assure payment. The Executive shall have no right, title, or
interest whatever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid
the Company in meeting its obligations hereunder. Nothing contained in this
Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be
construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship, between
the Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any
person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such
right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the
Company.
11. Tax Withholding. Payments to the Executive of all compensation
contemplated under this Agreement shall be subject to all applicable legal
requirements with respect to the withholding of taxes.
12. Nonassignability; Binding Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any
right, duty, obligation or interest hereunder shall be assignable or
delegable by the Executive without the Company's prior written consent;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall preclude the Executive
from designating any of his beneficiaries to receive any benefits payable
hereunder upon his death or disability, or his executors, administrators, or
other legal representatives, from assigning any rights hereunder to the
person or persons entitled thereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon,
and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto, any successors to or assigns
of the Company and the Executive's heirs and the personal representatives of
the Executive's estate.
13. Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or
waived in any manner except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties
hereto. The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this
Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of
a provision of this Agreement.
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14. Notices. Any notice hereunder by either party to the other shall
be given in writing by personal delivery, telex, telecopy or certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the applicable address set forth below:
(i) To the Company: Guess ?, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
(ii) To the Executive: Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Guess ?, Inc.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
(or such other address as may from time to time be designated by notice by
any party hereto for such purpose). Notice shall be deemed given, if by
personal delivery, on the date of such delivery or, if by telex or telecopy,
on the business day following receipt of answerback or telecopy confirmation
or, if by certified mail, on the date shown on the applicable return receipt.
15. California Law. This Agreement is to be governed by and interpreted
in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect
to the choice-of-law provisions thereof. If, under such law, any portion of
this Agreement is at any time deemed to be in conflict with any applicable
statute, rule, regulation or ordinance, such portion shall be deemed to be
modified or altered to conform thereto or, if that is not possible, to be
omitted from this Agreement, and the invalidity of any such portion shall not
affect the force, effect and validity of the remaining portion hereof.
16. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any claim relating to its
validity, interpretation, enforceability or breach, or any other claim or
controversy arising out of the employment relationship or the commencement or
termination of that relationship, including, but not limited to, claims for
breach of covenant, breach of implied covenant or intentional infliction of
emotional distress, which are not settled by agreement between the parties,
shall be settled by arbitration in Los Angeles, California before a board of
three arbitrators, one to be selected by the Company, one by Executive and
the other by the two persons so selected, all in accordance with the labor
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect;
provided, however, that the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to seek
relief under Section 9 in accordance with Section 9(d). In consideration of
the parties' agreement to submit to arbitration disputes with regard to this
Agreement and with regard to any alleged contract or tort or other claim
arising out of the employment relationship, and in consideration of the
anticipated expedition and minimization of expense of this arbitration
remedy, each party agrees that the arbitration provisions of this Agreement
shall provide it with exclusive remedy, except as provided in the preceding
sentence, and each party expressly waives any right it might have to seek
redress in any other forum except as provided herein. The parties further
agree that the arbitrators acting hereunder shall be empowered to assess no
remedy other than the payment of compensatory damages or an order (including
temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief) enforcing the
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provisions of Section 9. Executive acknowledges that the Company would be
irreparably injured by Executive's breach of his obligations under Section 9
and that monetary damages would be inadequate. Subject to the provisions of
Section 17(b) hereof, the expenses of the third arbitrator and of a
transcript of any arbitration proceeding shall be divided equally between the
Company and Executive and each party shall bear the expense of the arbitrator
selected by it and of any witnesses it calls. Any decision and award or
order of the majority of the arbitrators shall be binding upon the parties
hereto and judgment thereon may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
17. Indemnity and Reimbursement of Legal Expenses.
(a) Indemnity. The Company will indemnify the Executive (and his legal
representatives or other successors) to the fullest extent permitted
(including payment of expenses in advance of final disposition of a
proceeding) by the laws of the State of California, as in effect at the time
of the subject act or omission, or by the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Company, as in effect at such time, or by the terms of any
indemnification agreement between the Company and the Executive, whichever
affords greatest protection to the Executive, and the Executive shall be
entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company may elect to
maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers (and to the
extent the Company maintains such an insurance policy or policies, the
Executive shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its
or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any
Company officer or director), against all costs, charges and expenses
whatsoever incurred or sustained by him or his legal representatives at the
time such costs, charges and expenses are incurred or sustained, in
connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he (or his legal
representatives or other successors) may be made a party by reason of his
being or having been a director, officer or employee of the Company or any
subsidiary thereof, or his serving or having served any other enterprises as
a director, officer or employee at the request of the Company.
(b) Legal Fees and Expenses. In the event of a dispute between the
Executive and the Company with respect to any of the Executive's rights under
this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for any and all
legal fees and related expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with
enforcing such rights if the Executive is successful in obtaining a money
judgment against the Company in a final arbitration proceeding. In addition,
the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable legal expenses in
connection with the negotiation and review of this Agreement and any
amendments thereto.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by either of the
parties hereto in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement this
13th day of August, 1996, effective as of the Effective Date.
GUESS ?, INC.
By:
Title:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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