1
EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made as of the 31st day
of July, 1998 and effective as of the 27th day of October, 1997 (the "Effective
Date") is entered into by NET2000 GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation with its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx (the "Executive").
The Company desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive
desires to be employed by the Company. In consideration of the mutual covenants
and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto,
the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and
the Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, subject to the terms
and conditions herein set forth.
2. Term of Employment. The term of the Executive's employment
hereunder shall commence on October 27, 1997 or such earlier date as may be
agreed to between the Executive and the Company (the "Commencement Date") and,
unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof,
ending two and one-half years after the Commencement Date. Thereafter, the term
of this Agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive one year terms,
unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof,
or unless either party gives to the other party written notice of intent not to
renew the Agreement at least sixty days prior to the end of the then current
term. For the purposes of this Agreement, the initial two and one-half year
term, as well as any extended terms, shall be the "Employment Period."
3. Title; Capacity. The Executive shall serve as Vice President of
the Company. The Executive shall be based at the Company's office in New York,
New York or such other place as is reasonably requested by the Company and is
mutually agreed upon by both parties. The Executive shall be subject to the
supervision of, and shall have such authority as is delegated to him by, the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company or if separate persons, the
senior most position of the Company or the Board of Directors (the "Board").
The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to undertake
the duties and responsibilities inherent in such position and such other duties
and responsibilities as the Board of Directors shall from time to time
reasonably assign to him. The Executive agrees to devote his entire business
time, attention and energies to the business and interests of the Company during
the Employment Period; provided that for reasonable periods of time each month
the Executive may engage in non-competitive business or charitable activities so
long as such activities do not interfere with the Executive's responsibilities
hereunder. The Executive agrees to abide by the rules, regulations,
instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company
2
and any changes therein which may be adopted from time to time by the Company.
The Executive acknowledges receipt of copies of all such rules and policies
committed to writing as of the date of this Agreement.
4. Compensation and Benefits.
4.1 Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive an annual salary
of $150,000 to be paid in accordance with the Company's payroll practices
commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing for the duration of the
Employment Period, prorated for any partial compensation period. On each
anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Executive's base salary
shall be increased, at a minimum, by an amount equal to the base salary then in
effect multiplied by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the
preceding year. Such salary shall be subject to adjustment thereafter by the
Board or by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation
Committee"), if such duties have been delegated thereto by the Board.
4.2 Bonus. The Executive shall also be eligible to receive a bonus
in cash and stock options in an amount up to 25% of the Executive's then current
salary per calendar year based on meeting annual deliverables or goals agreed to
with the senior management team of the Company. The Company shall pay 50% of the
Bonus in cash and the remaining 50% of the Bonus shall be paid as follows: the
Executive shall be granted an option to purchase shares of the Company's common
stock with an aggregate exercise price equal to 50% of the Bonus. The Company
shall determine the number of common shares to be granted under the option by
dividing 50% of the Bonus by the fair market value of the Company's common stock
at the time of grant. At the time of grant, the stock options shall have an
exercise price at the then fair market value of the Company's stock, a maturity
of 10 years and shall vest immediately. Other terms of stock options not defined
herein will be in accordance with the Company's then applicable stock option
plan.
For example, if the Company awards a Bonus to the Executive in an
amount equal to $20,000, the Executive would receive $10,000 in cash and
(assuming a fair market value of the Company's common stock of $1 per share at
the time of grant) an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company's common
stock at an exercise price of $1 per share.
4.3 Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes
available to its employees, if any, to the extent that Executive's position,
tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make him eligible to
participate.
4.4 Equity Incentive Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in the Company's 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") and
shall be eligible to receive additional stock options from the employee stock
option pool (currently 10%) in consideration of bonus or additional
compensation. Such agreements shall be signed and executed by the
-2-
3
Company as of the Commencement Date. The Executive shall be entitled to further
participate in the 1997 Plan or such other stock option plan from time to time
as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
4.5 Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the
Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred
or paid by the Executive in connection with, or related to, the performance of
his duties, responsibilities or services under this Agreement, upon presentation
by the Executive of documentation, expense statements, vouchers, and such other
supporting information as the Company may request, or as may be consistent with
standard company practices.
4.6 Car Allowance. The Company shall provide the Executive with an
automobile expense allowance of $500 per month, without regard to Executive's
ownership of an automobile.
5. Employment Termination. The employment of the Executive by the
Company pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of
the following:
5.1 Expiration of the Employment Period in accordance with Section
2;
5.2 At the election of the Company, for cause, immediately upon
written notice by the Company to the Executive. For the purposes of this Section
5.2, cause for termination shall be deemed to exist upon either (a) the
conviction of the Executive of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo
contendere by the Executive to, any crime involving moral turpitude that may
reasonably be expected to have an adverse impact on the Company's reputation or
standing in the community or any felony, or (b) willful misconduct in connection
with the Executive's duties, or willful failure to perform his responsibilities
in the best interest of the Company (including, without limitation, material
breach by the Executive of this Agreement but not minor violations of rules and
policies), except in cases involving the mental or physical incapacity or
disability of the Executive; provided however, that the Board may terminate the
Executive's employment pursuant to Section 5.2(b) only after the failure by the
Executive to correct or cure, or to commence and continue to pursue the
correction or curing of, such refusals within forty five (45) days after receipt
by the Executive of written notice by the Board of each specific claim of any
such misconduct or failure. The Executive shall have the opportunity to appear
before the Board to discuss such written notice during such forty five (45) day
period. "Willful misconduct" and "willful failure to perform" shall not include
action or inaction on the part of the Executive which were taken or not taken in
good faith by the Executive;
5.3 Upon the death or thirty (30) days after the disability of the
Executive. As used in this Agreement, the term "disability" shall mean the
inability of the Executive, due to a physical or mental disability, for a period
of one hundred eighty (180) days, regardless of whether consecutive, during any
360-day period to perform the services contemplated under this Agreement. A
determination of disability shall be made by a physician satisfactory to both
the Executive and the Company, provided that if the Executive and the Company do
not agree on a
-3-
4
physician, the Executive and the Company shall each select a physician and these
two together shall select a third physician, whose determination as to
disability shall be binding on all parties;
5.4 At the election of the Executive, upon not less than forty
five (45) days prior written notice of termination other than for "good reason"
as defined below; or
5.5 At the election of the Company, otherwise than for cause, upon
not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice or at the election of the
Executive for "good reason" upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written
notice of termination. "Good reason" shall include the occurrence of a material
breach of this Agreement by the Company or a material reduction in the
responsibilities or reporting relationship of the Executive.
6. Effect of Termination.
6.1 Termination for Cause or at the Election of the Executive. In
the event the Executive's employment is terminated for cause pursuant to Section
5.2, or at the election of the Executive pursuant to Section 5.4, the Company
shall pay to the Executive the salary and benefits otherwise payable to him
under Section 4 through the last day of his actual employment by the Company.
6.2 Termination for Death or Disability. If the Executive's
employment is terminated by death or because of disability as determined
pursuant to Section 5.3, the Company shall be obligated to pay the Executive or
the Estate (as the case may be), during each of the six months following the
termination date, a severance payment in an amount equal to one full month of
his Base Salary in effect as of the effective date of termination and in
addition an amount equal to one twelfth (1/12) of the prior year's Bonus. The
Company will be obligated to continue the Executive's medical benefits in effect
as of the effective date of the termination for disability for six months.
6.3 Termination at the Election of the Company or the Executive
for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section
5.5 at the election of the Company, otherwise than for cause, or by the
Executive for good reason, subject to this Section 6.3, the Company shall pay to
the Executive the base salary, bonus compensation and medical benefits for the
most recent twelve month period which would otherwise be payable to the
Executive of up to one year following the Executive's termination. The Company
may elect to cease to make payments hereunder at any time, provided that the
non-compete restrictions set forth in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) shall also cease at
such time, except that the Company will be obligated to pay the Executive his
base salary and medical benefits for a period of six months after notification
of its intention to release the Executive from his non-compete restrictions, as
well as bonus compensation equivalent to one-half the bonus for the most recent
twelve month period prior to termination.
6.4 Termination within 180 days of Agreement Expiration. If the
Executive is terminated within 180 days of the expiration of the Agreement, then
the Executive shall receive
-4-
5
during each of the six months following the termination date a severance payment
in an amount equal to one full month of his Base Salary in effect as of the
effective date of termination and in addition an amount equal to one twelfth
(1/12) of the prior year's Bonus. The Company will be obligated to continue the
Executive's medical benefits in effect as of the effective date of the
termination for six months.
6.5 Survival. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
7. Non-Compete.
(a) So long as the Company is not in breach of this Agreement,
during the Employment Period and for a period of eighteen (18) months after the
termination (subject to early termination as provided herein) or expiration
thereof, the Executive will not directly or indirectly:
(i) recruit, solicit or induce, or attempt to induce, any
employee or employees of the Company or its affiliates to terminate their
employment with, or otherwise cease their relationship with, the Company or its
affiliates; or
(ii) solicit, divert or take away, or attempt to divert or
to take away, the business or patronage of any of the clients, customers or
accounts of the Company or its affiliates that were clients, customers or
accounts of the Company while the Executive was employed by the Company, or
prospective clients, customers or accounts to which written correspondence was
made within the last 60 days while the Executive was employed by the Company;
provided, however, that Executive may participate in a passive
management role of another entity and have responsibilities for overseeing
employees of another entity, who of their own accord and with no direct or
indirect stimulus from Executive, participate in activities described in
Sections 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(ii).
(b) The parties agree that the relevant public policy aspects
of covenants not to compete have been discussed, and that every effort has been
made to limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are
reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's legitimate interests.
(c) If any restriction set forth in this Section 7 is found by
any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for
too long a period of time or over too great a range of activities or in too
broad a geographic area, it shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum
period of time, range of activities or geographic area as to which it may be
enforceable.
(d) The restrictions contained in this Section 7 are necessary
for the protection of the business and goodwill of the Company and/or its
affiliates and are considered
-5-
6
by the Executive to be reasonable for such purposes. The Executive agrees that
any material breach of this Section 7 will cause the Company and/or its
affiliates substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of any
such breach, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, the
Company shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive relief.
8. Proprietary Information and Developments.
8.1 Proprietary Information.
(a) The Executive agrees that all information, whether or not
in writing, relating to the business, technical or financial affairs of the
Company and that is generally understood in the industry as being trade secret,
confidential and/or proprietary, that is designated as being confidential or
proprietary information of the Company, either verbally or in writing, or that
is designated as representing trade secrets of the Company, either verbally or
in writing (collectively, "Proprietary Information"), is and shall be the
exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Proprietary
Information shall mean, by way of illustration and not limitation, all
confidential information (whether or not patentable and whether or not
copyrightable) owned, possessed or used by the Company, including, without
limitation, any invention, existing or future product, formula, method,
manufacturing techniques and procedures, composition, compound, project,
development, plan, vendor information, supplier information, customer
information, apparatus, equipment, trade secret, process, research, reports,
clinical data, financial data, technical data, test data, computer program,
software, software documentation, hardware design, technology, marketing or
business plan, forecast, unpublished financial statement, budget license, patent
applications, contracts, joint ventures, price, cost and personnel data.
(b) The Executive agrees not to and will not disclose any
Proprietary Information to others outside the Company or use the same for any
unauthorized purposes without written approval by an officer of the Company,
from the Effective Date, during or after his employment unless and until such
Proprietary Information (i) has become public knowledge through legal means
without fault by the Executive, or (ii) is already public knowledge prior to the
signing of this Agreement.
(c) The Executive agrees that all files, letters, memoranda,
reports, records, data, schematics, sketches, drawings, laboratory notebooks,
program listings, computer programs, databases, products, test equipment,
prototypes or other written, photographic, magnetic or other tangible material
containing or embodying Proprietary Information, whether created by the
Executive or others, which shall come into his custody or possession
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the Company Records) shall be, shall
continue to be and are the exclusive property of the Company to be used by the
Executive only in the performance of his duties for the Company. All such
Company Records or copies thereof and all other tangible property of the Company
in the custody or possession of the Executive shall be delivered to the Company,
upon the earlier of (i) a request by the Company or (ii) termination of this
Agreement.
-6-
7
After such request, termination or delivery, the Executive agrees not to and
shall not retain any such Company Records or copies thereof or any such other
tangible property.
8.2 Developments.
(a) The Executive agrees to make and will make full and prompt
disclosure to the Company of all inventions, know-how, improvements, product
ideas, new products, discoveries, methods, developments, software, and works of
authorship, whether or not patentable and whether or not copyrightable, and all
other intellectual property rights, including but not limited to patents,
copyrights, copyrightable works, trade secrets and trademarks, and all books,
schematics, magnetic files and written records related thereto which are or were
created, made, conceived, reduced to practice by or became owned by the
Executive or under his direction or jointly with others either (i) during his
employment whether or not during normal working hours or on the premises of the
Company, or (ii) prior to his employment by the Company if used by the Company
during his employment by the Company, in either event, to the extent relevant to
the Company's business, including but not limited to, its techniques,
developments, projects or products, but excluding systems, methods and
techniques used prior to his employment by the Company (all of which, whether
disclosed or not, are collectively referred to in this Agreement as
"Developments").
(b) The Executive agrees to assign and does hereby assign,
convey and transfer to the Company (or any person or entity designated by the
Company) all his rights, title and interest in and to all Developments; provided
that the Executive may use Developments described in (a)(ii) above in a manner
that complies with terms set forth in Section 7 (Non-Compete) and Section 8.1
(Proprietary Information) hereof.
(c) The Executive agrees to cooperate fully with the Company,
both during and after his employment with the Company, with respect to the
worldwide procurement, maintenance and enforcement, including assistance or
cooperation in legal proceedings, of copyrights, patents and similar protections
(both in the United States and foreign countries) relating to Developments; and,
if such cooperation by the Executive is required after the Executive has ceased
to be employed by the Company, then the Company will reimburse the Executive for
any expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with such
cooperation. The Executive shall sign all papers, copyright applications,
assignments, declarations, powers of attorney, patent applications, and other
related or necessary documents, which the Company may deem necessary or
desirable in order to enforce and/or protect its rights and interests in any
Developments or any Proprietary Information.
8.3 Other Agreements. Except as set forth in Exhibit B, if any,
Executive hereby represents that he is not bound by the terms of any agreement
with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing
any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of his
employment with the Company or to refrain from competing,
-7-
8
directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other
party. The Executive intends to exercise his best efforts and use his best
skills in performing his obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent
it may be prohibited by prior employment agreements. The Executive represents
that his performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of
the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence
proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by him in confidence or in
trust prior to his employment with the Company.
8.4 Company and Affiliates. Where the term "Company" is used in
this Section 8 it will be deemed to include any affiliate of the Company.
9. Notices. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective upon delivery personally, by
facsimile or by overnight mail, or upon deposit in the United States Post
Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other
party at the address shown above, or at such other address or addresses as
either party shall designate to the other in accordance with this Section 9.
10. Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in
this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter
forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural,
and vice versa.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits hereto
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject
matter of this Agreement.
12. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
14. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of both parties and their respective successors and
assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Company may be
merged or which may succeed to its assets or business, provided, however, that
the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by him.
15. Arbitration. The parties agree that any controversy, claim, or
dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, or
arising out of or relating to the employment of the Executive, or the
termination thereof, including any claims under federal, state, or local law,
shall be resolved by arbitration in Fairfax, Virginia in accordance with the
Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The
parties agree that any award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and
binding, and that judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.
-8-
9
16. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and save harmless
the Executive for any liability incurred by reason of any act or omission
performed by the Executive while acting in good faith on behalf of the Company
and within the scope of the authority of the Executive pursuant to this
Agreement and to the fullest extent provided under the By-laws, the Certificate
of Incorporation and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
except that the Executive must have in good faith believed that such action was
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such
conduct was unlawful.
17. Miscellaneous.
17.1 No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right
under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A
waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be effective
only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of any right
on any other occasion.
17.2 The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or
substance of any section of this Agreement.
17.3 In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid,
illegal or otherwise unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or impaired thereby.
17.4 This Agreement is effective as of the date of execution of
this Agreement, will survive Employees employment with the Company, and does not
in any way restrict Employees right or the right of the Company to terminate
Executive's employment.
17.5 Executive certifies and acknowledges that he has carefully
read all of the provisions of this Agreement and that he understands and will
fully and faithfully comply with its provisions.
[Intentionally blank]
-9-
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year set forth above.
NET2000 GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
--------------------------------------
Its: President
-------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
-10-
