EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”),
entered into July 13, 2006, effective as of April 1, 2006 (the “Effective
Date”),
is by
and between Orthofix Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”),
and
Xxxxxx Xxxx, an individual (the “Executive”).
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENTS
A. The
Company and the Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement, dated as
of
March 1, 2003 (the “Prior
Agreement”),
but
desire to terminate the Prior Agreement and enter into this written employment
agreement to memorialize the terms of their relationship
in order
to retain the long-term services of the Executive.
B. The
Executive desires to render such services, upon the terms and conditions
contained herein.
C. The
Company and the Executive agree and acknowledge that pursuant to this Agreement
the Executive will receive consideration and other benefits over and above
that
which he was entitled to receive under the Prior Agreement and over and above
that which he would otherwise be entitled to receive as compensation for
services performed for the Company.
D. The
Company is a subsidiary of Orthofix International N.V., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles (the “Parent”)
for
whom Executive will also perform services as contemplated hereby, and under
certain compensation plans of which Executive shall be eligible to receive
compensation, and Parent is agreeing to provide such compensation and guarantee
the Company’s payment obligations hereunder.
E. Capitalized
terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meaning for them set
forth
on Exhibit
A
attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
The
parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
I. EMPLOYMENT
AND DUTIES
1.1 Duties.
The
Company hereby employs the Executive as an employee, and the Executive agrees
to
be employed by the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
While serving as an employee of the Company, the Executive shall serve as
Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of
the
Company, and be appointed to serve as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of the Parent. The Executive shall have
such
power and authority and perform such duties, functions and responsibilities
as
are associated with and incident to such positions, and as the Board may
from
time to time require of him; provided,
however,
that
such authority, duties, functions and responsibilities are commensurate with
the
power, authority, duties, functions and responsibilities generally performed
by
chief financial officers of companies which are similar in size and nature
to,
and the financial position of, the Parent Group. The Executive also agrees
to
serve, if elected, as an officer or director of any other direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Parent, in each such case at no compensation in addition
to
that provided for in this Agreement, but the Executive serves in such positions
solely as an accommodation to the Company and such positions shall grant
him no
rights hereunder (including for purposes of the definition of Good
Reason).
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1.2 Services.
During
the Term (as defined in Section 1.3), and excluding any periods of vacation,
sick leave or disability, the Executive agrees to devote his full business
time,
attention and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. During
the
Term, it shall not be a violation of this Section 1.2 for the Executive to
(a)
serve on civic or charitable boards or committees (but not corporate boards),
(b) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements or (c) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance
of
the Executive’s responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement. The
Executive must request the Board’s prior written consent to serve on a corporate
board, which consent shall be at the Board’s reasonable discretion and only so
long as such service does not
interfere with the performance of his responsibilities hereunder.
1.3 Term
of Employment.
The
term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue
until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1, 2009 (the “Initial
Term”)
unless
sooner terminated or extended as provided hereunder. This Agreement shall
automatically renew for additional one-year periods on each of the third
and
fourth anniversaries of the Effective Date (each such extension, the
“Renewal
Term”)
unless
either party gives the other party written notice of its or his election
not to
extend such employment at least 180 days prior to the third and fourth
anniversary dates, respectively. Further, if a Change of Control occurs when
less than two full years remain in the Initial Term or during any Renewal
Term,
this Agreement shall automatically be extended for two years only from the
Change of Control Date and thereafter shall terminate on the second anniversary
of the Change of Control Date in accordance with its terms. The Initial Term,
together with any Renewal Term or extension as a result of a Change of Control,
are collectively referred to herein as the “Term.”
In
the
event that the Executive continues to be employed by the Company after the
Term,
unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, such continued employment
shall be on an at-will, month-to-month basis upon terms agreed upon at such
time
without regard to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and this Agreement
shall be deemed terminated at the end of the Term, regardless of whether
such
employment continues at-will, other than Articles VI and VII, which shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for any
reason.
II. COMPENSATION
2.1 General.
The
base
salary and Incentive Compensation (as defined in Section 2.3.) payable to
the
Executive hereunder, as well as any stock-based compensation, including stock
options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock grants, shall be
determined from time to time by the Board and paid pursuant to the Company’s
customary payroll practices or in accordance with the terms of the applicable
stock-based Plans (as defined in Section 2.4).
The
Company shall pay the Executive in cash, in accordance with the normal payroll
practices of the Company, the base salary and Incentive Compensation set
forth
below. For the avoidance of doubt, in providing any compensation payable
in
stock, the Company may withhold, deduct or collect from the compensation
otherwise payable or issuable to the Executive a portion of such compensation
to
the extent required to comply with applicable tax laws to the extent such
withholding is not made or otherwise provided for pursuant to the agreement
governing such stock-based compensation.
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2.2 Base
Salary.
The
Executive shall be paid a base salary of no less than $22,531.25 per month
($270,375 on an annualized basis) while he is employed by the Company during
the
Term;
provided,
however,
that
nothing shall prohibit the Company from reducing the base salary as part
of an
overall cost reduction program that affects all senior executives of the
Parent
Group and does not disproportionately affect the Executive,
so long
as such reductions do not reduce the base salary to a rate that is less than
90%
of the minimum base salary amount set forth above (or, if the minimum base
salary amount has been increased during the Term, 90% of such increased amount).
The
base
salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board for increase (but not decrease,
except as permitted above) as part of its annual compensation review, and
any
increased amount shall become the base salary under this Agreement.
2.3 Bonus
or other Incentive Compensation.
With
respect to each fiscal year of the Company during the Term, the Executive
shall
be eligible to receive annual bonus compensation in an amount based on
reasonable goals for the earning of such compensation as may be determined
by
the Board from time to time (the “Goals”).
Amounts that may be earned upon attainment of all reasonably achievable annual
Goals will be targeted to equal not less than 40% of the annual base salary
in
such fiscal year. The amount of any actual payment under the Bonus Plan will
depend upon the achievement (or not) of the various performance metrics
comprising the Goals, with an opportunity to earn maximum annual bonus
compensation of not less than 60% of annual base salary in such fiscal year
under Parent’s Executive Annual Incentive Plan or any successor plan or as may
be determined by the Board from time-to-time (the “Bonus
Plan”).
Amounts will be less than either such target if the Goals are not met as
set
forth under the terms of the plan. Amounts payable under the Bonus Plan shall
be
determined by the Board and shall be payable no later than two and one-half
months after the end of such fiscal year. In addition, the Executive shall
be
eligible to receive such additional bonus or incentive compensation as the
Board
may establish from time to time in its sole discretion. Any bonus or incentive
compensation under this Section 2.3 under the Bonus Plan or otherwise is
referred to herein as “Incentive
Compensation.”
Stock-based compensation shall not be considered Incentive Compensation under
the terms of this Agreement unless the parties expressly agree otherwise
in
writing.
2.4 Stock
Compensation.
The
Executive shall be eligible to receive stock-based compensation, whether
stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock grants or otherwise,
under
the Parent’s 2004
Long
Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”)
or
other stock-based compensation plans as Parent may establish from time to
time
(collectively, the “Plans”).
The
Executive shall be considered for such grants no less often than annually
as
part of the
Board’s annual compensation review, but any such grants shall be at the sole
discretion of the Board.
III. EMPLOYEE
BENEFITS
3.1 General.
Subject
only to any post-employment rights under Article V, so long as the Executive
is
employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, he shall be eligible
for the
following benefits to
the
extent generally available to senior executives of the Company or by virtue
of
his position, tenure, salary and other qualifications. Any eligibility shall
be
subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Company’s
benefits policies and applicable plans (including as to deductibles, premium
sharing, co-payments or other cost-splitting arrangements).
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3.2 Savings
and Retirement Plans.
The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of,
all
savings, pension, salary continuation and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs available to senior executives of the Company.
3.3 Welfare
and Other Benefits.
The
Executive and/or the Executive’s eligible dependents, as the case may be, shall
be entitled to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, all welfare benefit
plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including
without limitation, medical, prescription, drug, dental, disability, salary
continuance, group life, dependent life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) and other benefits (including, without limitation,
executive physicals and tax and financial planning assistance) at a level
that
is available to other senior executives of the Company.
3.4 Vacation.
The
Executive shall be entitled to 3 weeks paid vacation per 12-month period.
3.5 Expenses.
The
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
business-related expenses incurred by the Executive in performing his duties
under this Agreement. Reimbursement of the Executive for such expenses will
be
made upon presentation to the Company of expense vouchers that are in sufficient
detail to identify the nature of the expense, the amount of the expense,
the
date the expense was incurred and to whom payment was made to incur the expense,
all in accordance with the expense reimbursement practices, policies and
procedures of the Company.
3.6 Key
Man Insurance.
The
Company shall be entitled to obtain a “key man” or similar life or disability
insurance policy on the Executive, and neither the Executive nor any of his
family members, heirs or beneficiaries shall be entitled to the proceeds
thereof. Such insurance shall be available to offset any payments due to
the
Executive pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement due to his death or
Disability.
IV. TERMINATION
OF EMPLOYMENT
4.1 Termination
by Mutual Agreement.
The
Executive’s employment
may be terminated at any time during the Term by mutual written agreement
of the
Company and the Executive.
4.2 Death.
The
Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.
4.3 Disability.
In the
event the Executive incurs a Disability for a continuous period exceeding
90
days or for a total of 180 days during any period of 12 consecutive months,
the
Company may, at its election, terminate the Executive’s employment during the
Term by delivering a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 4.8) to
the
Executive 30 days in advance of the date of termination.
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4.4 Good
Reason.
The
Executive may terminate his employment at any time during the Term for Good
Reason by delivering a Notice of Termination to the Company 30 days in advance
of the date of termination; provided,
however,
that
the Executive agrees not to terminate his employment for Good Reason until
the
Executive has given the Company at least 30 days’ in which to cure the
circumstances set forth in the Notice of Termination constituting Good Reason
and if such circumstances are not cured by the 30th
day, the
Executive’s employment shall terminate on such date. If the circumstances
constituting Good Reason are remedied within the cure period to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Executive, such event shall no longer constitute Good
Reason
for purposes of this Agreement and the Executive shall thereafter have no
further right hereunder to terminate his employment for Good Reason as a
result
of such event. Unless
the Executive provides written notification of an event described in the
definition of Good Reason within 90 days after the Executive has actual
knowledge of the occurrence of any such event, the Executive shall be deemed
to
have consented thereto and such event shall no longer constitute Good Reason
for
purposes of this Agreement.
4.5 Termination
without Cause.
The
Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time during the Term
without Cause by delivering to the Executive a Notice of Termination 30 days
in
advance of the date of termination; provided that as part of such notice
the
Company may request that the Executive immediately tender the resignations
contemplated by Section 4.9 and otherwise cease performing his duties hereunder.
The Notice of Termination need not state any reason for termination and such
termination can be for any reason or no reason. The date of termination shall
be
the date set forth in the Notice of Termination.
4.6 Cause.
The
Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time during the Term for
Cause by delivering a Notice of Termination to the Executive. The Notice
of
Termination shall include a
copy of
a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority
of
the entire membership of the Board,
at
a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose, finding that in
the
good faith opinion of the Board an event constituting Cause has occurred
and
specifying the particulars thereof. A Notice of Termination for Cause may
not be
delivered unless in conjunction with such Board meeting the Executive was
given
reasonable notice and the opportunity for the Executive, together with the
Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board prior to such vote. If the
event constituting Cause for termination is other
than as a result of a breach or violation by the Executive of any provision
of
Article VI and only if the event constituting Cause is curable, then
the
Executive
shall have 30 days from the date of the Notice of Termination to cure such
event
described therein to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board in its sole
discretion and, if such event is cured by the Executive within
the cure period,
such
event shall no longer constitute Cause for purposes of this Agreement and
the
Company shall thereafter have no further right to terminate the
Executive’s
employment for Cause as a result of such event. The Executive shall have
no
other rights under this Agreement to cure an event that constitutes Cause.
Unless
the Company provides written notification of an event described in the
definition of Cause within 90 days after the Company knows or has reason
to know
of the occurrence of any such event, the Company may not terminate the Executive
for Cause unless such event is recurring or uncurable. Knowledge shall mean
actual knowledge of the Board or the Company’s senior
executives.
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4.7 Voluntary
Termination.
The
Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment at any time during the
Term
by delivering to the Company a Notice of Termination 30 days in advance of
the
date of termination (a “Voluntary
Termination”).
For
purposes of this Agreement, a Voluntary Termination shall not include a
termination of the Executive’s employment by reason of death or for Good Reason,
but shall include voluntary termination upon retirement in accordance with
the
Company’s retirement policies. A Voluntary Termination shall not be considered a
breach or other violation of this Agreement.
4.8 Notice
of Termination.
Any
termination of employment under this Agreement by the Company or the Executive
requiring a notice of termination shall require delivery of a written notice
by
one party to the other party (a “Notice
of Termination”).
A
Notice of Termination must indicate the specific termination provision of
this
Agreement relied upon and the date of termination. It must also set forth
in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
for
such termination, other than in the event of a Voluntary Termination or
termination without Cause. The date of termination specified in the Notice
of
Termination shall comply with the time periods required under this Article
IV,
and may in no event be earlier than the date such Notice of Termination is
delivered to or received by the party getting the notice. If the Executive
fails
to include a date of termination in any Notice of Termination he delivers,
the
Company may establish such date in its sole discretion. No Notice of Termination
under Section 4.4 or 4.6 shall be effective until the applicable cure period,
if
any, shall have expired without the Company or the Executive, respectively,
having corrected the event or events subject to cure to the reasonable
satisfaction of the other party.
4.9 Resignations.
Upon
ceasing to be an employee of the Company for any reason, or earlier upon
request
by the Company pursuant to Section 4.5, the Executive agrees to immediately
tender written resignations to the Company with respect to all officer and
director positions he may hold at that time with any member of the Parent
Group.
V. PAYMENTS
ON TERMINATION
5.1 Death;
Disability; Resignation for Good Reason; Termination without
Cause.
If at
any time during the Term the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated pursuant to Section 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5, the Executive shall
be
entitled to the following only:
(a) any
unpaid base salary and accrued unpaid vacation then owing through the date
of
termination or Incentive Compensation that is as of such date actually earned
or
owing under Article II, but not yet paid to the Executive, which amounts
shall
be paid to the Executive within 30 days of the date of termination; provided,
however, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the pro rata amount of
any
Bonus Plan Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year of his termination
of
employment (based on the number of business days he was actually employed
by the
Company during the fiscal year in which the termination of employment occurs)
that he would have received had his employment not been terminated during
such
year. Nothing in the foregoing sentence is intended to give the Executive
greater rights to such Incentive Compensation than a pro rata portion of
what he
would ordinarily be entitled to under the Bonus Plan Incentive Compensation
that
would have been applicable to him had his employment not been terminated,
it
being understood that Executive’s termination of employment shall not be used to
disqualify Executive from or make him ineligible for a pro rata portion of
the
Bonus Plan Incentive Compensation to which he would otherwise have been
entitled. The pro rata portion of Bonus Plan Incentive Compensation shall
be
paid at the time such Incentive Compensation is paid to senior executives
of the
Company (“Severance
Bonus Payment Date”),
provided with respect to termination of employment for reasons other than
death,
the payment at such time can be characterized as a “short-term deferral” for
purposes of Section 409A, or if the payment cannot be so characterized, such
payment shall be made on the later of the Severance Bonus Payment Date or
the
first day of the seventh calendar month following the Executive’s date of
termination.
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(b) a
one-time lump sum severance payment in an amount equal to 100% of the
Executive’s Base Amount. The lump sum severance payment shall be paid within 30
days after the date of termination; provided,
however,
that
such payment shall be delayed until the first day of the seventh month following
the date of termination (unless termination is as a result of the Executive’s
death) if the payment would otherwise be expected to trigger imposition of
the
additional tax under Section 409A.
(c) all
stock
options, stock appreciation rights or similar stock-based rights previously
granted to the Executive shall vest in full and be immediately exercisable.
Any
risk of forfeiture included in restricted or other stock grants previously
made
to the Executive shall immediately lapse. To the extent permitted by Section
409A and subject to the earlier expiration of the option or stock appreciation
right at the expiration of its term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 4.4 or 4.5, the Executive shall have until the later
of (i)
December 31 of the calendar year that his options or stock appreciation rights
would otherwise expire due to his termination or (ii) two and one-half months
after the date his options or stock appreciation rights would otherwise expire
due to his termination to exercise any outstanding stock options or stock
appreciation rights. Such vesting and extension shall occur notwithstanding
any
provision in any Plans or related grant documents which provides a shorter
period for exercise upon termination by the Company without Cause (which
for
this purpose shall include a termination by the Executive for Good Reason),
and
with respect to lapsing, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any
Plans
or grant documents.
(d) to
the
fullest extent permitted by Section 409A and the Company’s then-current benefit
plans, continuation of coverage (including family coverage) under basic employee
group benefits that are welfare benefits (such as group health and group
life
benefits), but not pension, retirement, profit-sharing, severance or similar
compensatory benefits, for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents
substantially similar to coverage they were receiving or which they were
entitled to immediately prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment
for the lesser of 12 months after termination or until the Executive secures
coverage from new employment and the period of COBRA health care continuation
coverage provided under Section 4980B of the Code shall run concurrently
with
the foregoing 12 month period. In order to receive such benefits, the Executive
or his eligible dependents must continue
to make any required co-payments, deductibles, premium sharing or other
cost-splitting arrangements the Executive was otherwise paying immediately
prior
to the date of termination and nothing herein shall require the Company to
be
responsible for such items.
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(e) to
the
fullest extent permitted by Section 409A without triggering imposition of
the
additional tax thereunder, payment or reimbursement to the Executive of the
costs and expenses of any executive outplacement firm selected by the Executive
in an amount not to exceed $25,000 during the 24-month period following his
date
of termination. The Executive shall provide the Company with reasonable
documentation of such costs and expenses.
In
the
event the Executive’s termination is pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3, in lieu of
a lump sum payment, the Executive or his heirs, beneficiaries, personal
representatives, or guardians, as applicable, shall receive (i) salary-related
portions of the Base Amount on regular payroll dates of the Company until
the
first anniversary of the date of termination of the Executive and (ii) Incentive
Compensation-related portions of the Base Amount on the dates that such
Incentive Compensation is actually paid by the Company to its senior executives;
provided,
however,
that
such payment shall be delayed until the first day of the seventh month following
the date of termination if the payment would otherwise be expected to trigger
imposition of the additional tax under Section 409A; provided further, that
all
such delayed payments will be paid on the first day of the seventh month
following the date of termination. Further, any payments by the Company under
Section 5.1(b) above pursuant to a termination under Section 4.2 or 4.3 shall
be
reduced by any payments received by the Executive pursuant to any of the
Company’s employee welfare benefit plans providing for payments in the event of
death or Disability.
5.2 Termination
for Cause; Voluntary Termination.
If at
any time during the Term the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated pursuant to Section 4.6 or 4.7, the Executive shall be entitled
to
only the following:
(a) any
unpaid base salary and accrued unpaid vacation then owing through the date
of
termination or Incentive Compensation that is as of such date actually earned
or
owing under Article II, but not yet paid to the Executive, which amounts
shall
be paid to the Executive within 30 days of the date of termination. Nothing
in
this provision is intended to imply that the Executive is entitled to any
partial or pro rata payment of Incentive Compensation on termination unless
the
Bonus Plan expressly provides as much under its specific terms.
(b) whatever
rights, if any, that are available to the Executive upon such a termination
pursuant to the Plans or any award documents related to any stock-based
compensation such as stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted
stock grants. This Agreement does not grant any greater rights with respect
to
such items than provided for in the Plans or the award documents in the event
of
any termination for Cause or a Voluntary Termination.
5.3 Termination
following Change of Control.
The
Executive shall have no specific right to terminate this Agreement or right
to
any severance payments or other benefits solely as a result of a Change of
Control or Potential Change of Control. However, if during a Change of Control
Period during the Term, (a) the Executive terminates his employment with
the
Company pursuant to Section 4.4, or (b) the Company terminates the Executive’s
employment pursuant to Section 4.5, the lump sum severance payment under
Section
5.1 shall be increased from 100% of the Base Amount to 150% times the Base
Amount and the period for continuation of benefits under Section 5.1 shall
be
increased to 18 months from 12 months. The terms and rights with respect
to such
payments shall otherwise be governed by Section 5.1. No other rights result
from
termination during a Change of Control Period; provided,
however,
that
nothing in this Section 5.3 is intended to limit or impair the rights of
the
Executive under the Plans or any documents evidencing any stock-based
compensation awards in the event of a Change of Control if such Plans or
award
documents grant greater rights than are set forth herein.
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5.4 Release.
The
Company’s obligation to pay or provide any benefits to the Executive following
termination (other than in the event of death pursuant to Section 4.2) is
expressly subject to the requirement that he execute and not breach or rescind
a
release relating to employment matters and the circumstances surrounding
his
termination in favor of the members of the Parent Group and their officers,
directors and related parties and agents, in a form acceptable to the Company
at
the time of termination of employment.
5.5 Other
Benefits.
Except
as expressly provided otherwise in this Article V, the provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the Executive’s participation in, or terminating
distributions and vested rights under, any pension, profit-sharing, insurance
or
other employee benefit plan of the Parent Group to which the Executive is
entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans, or expense reimbursements he
is
otherwise entitled to under Section 3.5.
5.6 No
Mitigation.
It will
be difficult, and may be impossible, for the Executive to find reasonably
comparable employment following the termination of the Executive’s employment,
and the protective provisions under Article VI contained herein will further
limit the employment opportunities for the Executive. In addition, the Company’s
severance pay policy applicable in general to its salaried employees does
not
provide for mitigation, offset or reduction of any severance payment received
thereunder. Accordingly, the parties hereto expressly agree that the payment
of
severance compensation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will
be
liquidated damages, and that the Executive shall not be required to seek
other
employment, or otherwise, to mitigate any payment provided for hereunder.
5.7 Limitation;
No Other Rights.
Any
amounts due or payable under this Article V are in the nature of severance
payments or liquidated damages, or both, and the Executive agrees that such
amounts shall fully compensate the Executive, his dependents, heirs and
beneficiaries and the estate of the Executive for any and all direct damages
and
consequential damages that they do or may suffer as a result of the termination
of the Executive’s employment, or both, and are not in the nature of a penalty.
Notwithstanding the above, no member of the Parent Group shall be liable
to the
Executive under any circumstances for any consequential, incidental, punitive
or
similar damages. The Executive expressly acknowledges that the payments and
other rights under this Article V shall be the sole monies or other rights
to
which the Executive shall be entitled to and such payments and rights will
be in
lieu of any other rights or remedies he might have or otherwise be entitled
to.
In
the
event of any termination under this Article V, the Executive hereby expressly
waives any rights to any other amounts, benefits or other rights, including
without limitation whether arising under current or future compensation or
severance or similar plans, agreements or arrangements of any member of the
Parent Group (including as a result of changes in (or of) control or similar
transactions), unless Executive’s entitlement to participate or receive benefits
thereunder has been expressly approved by the Board.
Similarly, no one in the Parent Group shall have any further liability or
obligation to the Executive following the date of termination, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement.
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5.8 No
Right to Set Off.
The
Company shall not be entitled to set off against amounts payable to the
Executive hereunder any amounts earned by the Executive in other employment,
or
otherwise, after termination of his employment with the Company, or any amounts
which might have been earned by the Executive in other employment had he
sought
such other employment.
5.9 Adjustments
Due to Excise Tax.
(a) If
it is
determined that any amount or benefit to be paid or payable to the Executive
under this Agreement or otherwise in conjunction with his employment (whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of
this
Agreement or otherwise in conjunction with his employment) would give rise
to
liability of the Executive for the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the
Code, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision (the
“Excise
Tax”),
then
the amount or benefits payable to the Executive (the total value of such
amounts
or benefits, the “Payments”)
shall
be reduced in a manner mutually agreeable to the parties in writing to the
extent necessary so that no portion of the Payments to the Executive is subject
to the Excise Tax. Such reduction shall only be made if the net amount of
the
Payments, as so reduced (and after deduction of applicable federal, state,
and
local income and payroll taxes on such reduced Payments other than the Excise
Tax (collectively, the “Deductions”))
is
greater than the excess of (1) the net amount of the Payments, without reduction
(but after making the Deductions) over (2) the amount of Excise Tax to which
the
Executive would be subject in respect of such Payments.
(b) In
the
event it is determined that the Excise Tax may be imposed on the Executive
prior
to the possibility of any reductions being made pursuant to Section 5.9(a),
the
Company and the Executive agree to take such actions as they may mutually
agree
in writing to take to avoid any such reductions being made or, if such reduction
is not otherwise required by Section 5.9(a), to reduce the amount of Excise
Tax
imposed.
(c) The
independent public accounting firm serving as the Company's auditing firm,
or
such other accounting firm, law firm or professional consulting services
provider of national reputation and experience reasonably acceptable to the
Company and Executive (the “Accountants”)
shall
make in writing in good faith all calculations and determinations under this
Section 5.9, including the assumptions to be used in arriving at any
calculations. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations
under
this Section 5.9, the Accountants and each other party may make reasonable
assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G
and
Section 4999. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants
and
each other such information and documents as the Accountants and each other
may
reasonably request to make the calculations and determinations under this
Section 5.9. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants incur in
connection with any calculations contemplated hereby.
10
VI. PROTECTIVE
PROVISIONS
6.1 Noncompetition.
Without
the prior written consent of the Board (which may be withheld in the Board’s
sole discretion), so long as the Executive is an employee of the Company
or any
other member of the Parent Group and for a one-year period thereafter, the
Executive agrees that he shall not anywhere in the Prohibited Area, for his
own
account or the benefit of any other, engage or participate in or assist or
otherwise be connected with a Competing Business. For the avoidance of doubt,
the Executive understands that this Section 6.1 prohibits the Executive from
acting for himself or as an officer, employee, manager, operator, principal,
owner, partner, shareholder, advisor, consultant of, or lender to, any
individual or other Person that is engaged or participates in or carries
out a
Competing Business or is actively planning or preparing to enter into a
Competing Business. The parties agree that such prohibition shall not apply
to
the Executive’s passive ownership of not more than 5% of a publicly-traded
company.
6.2 No
Solicitation or Interference.
So long
as the Executive is an employee of the Company or any other member of the
Parent
Group (other than while an employee acting solely for the express benefit
of the
Parent Group) and for a one-year period thereafter, the Executive shall not,
whether for his own account or for the account or benefit of any other Person,
throughout the Prohibited Area:
(a) request,
induce or attempt to influence (i) any customer of any member of the Parent
Group to limit, curtail, cancel or terminate any business it transacts with,
or
products or services it receives from or sells to, or (ii) any Person employed
by (or otherwise engaged in providing services for or on behalf of) any member
of the Parent Group to limit, curtail, cancel or terminate any employment,
consulting or other service arrangement, with any member of the Parent Group.
Such prohibition shall expressly extend to any hiring or enticing away (or
any
attempt to hire or entice away) any employee or consultant of the Parent
Group.
(b) solicit
from or sell to any customer any products or services that any member of
the
Parent Group provides or is capable of providing to such customer and that
are
the same as or substantially similar to the products or services that any
member
of the Parent Group, sold or provided while the Executive was employed with,
or
providing services to, any member of the Parent Group.
(c) contact
or solicit any customer for the purpose of discussing (i) services or products
that are competitive with and the same or closely similar to those offered
by
any member of the Parent Group or (ii) any past or present business of any
member of the Parent Group.
(d) request,
induce or attempt to influence any supplier, distributor or other Person
with
which any member of the Parent Group has a business relationship or to limit,
curtail, cancel or terminate any business it transacts with any member of
the
Parent Group.
11
(e) otherwise
interfere with the relationship of any member of the Parent Group with any
Person which is, or within one-year prior to the Executive’s date of termination
was, doing business with, employed by or otherwise engaged in performing
services for, any member of the Parent Group.
The
one-year post employment period herein shall be extended to 18
months if
the
Executive’s termination is pursuant to Section 5.3.
6.3 Confidential
Information.
During
the period of the Executive’s employment with the Company or any
member of the Parent Group
and at
all times thereafter, the Executive shall hold in secrecy for the Company
all
Confidential Information that may come to his knowledge, may have come to
his
attention or may have come into his possession or control while employed
by the
Company (or otherwise performing services for any member of the Parent Group).
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Executive shall not be required
to
maintain the confidentiality of any Confidential Information which (a) is
or becomes available to the public or others in the industry generally (other
than as a result of disclosure or inappropriate use, or caused, by
the
Executive in violation of this Section 6.3) or (b) the Executive is
compelled to
disclose under any applicable laws, regulations or directives of any government
agency, tribunal or authority having jurisdiction in the matter or under
subpoena. Except as expressly required in the performance of his duties to
the
Company under this Agreement, the Executive shall not use for his own benefit
or
disclose (or permit or cause the disclosure of) to any Person, directly or
indirectly, any Confidential Information unless such use or disclosure has
been
specifically authorized in writing by the Company in advance. During the
Executive’s employment and as necessary to perform his duties under
Section 1.2, the Company will provide and grant the Executive access to the
Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes that any Confidential
Information is of a highly competitive value, will include Confidential
Information not previously provided the Executive and that the Confidential
Information could be used to the competitive and financial detriment of any
member of the Parent Group if misused or disclosed by the Executive. The
Company
promises to provide access to the Confidential Information only in exchange
for
the Executive’s promises contained herein, expressly including the covenants in
Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.4.
6.4 Inventions.
(a) The
Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company any and all ideas,
improvements, discoveries and inventions, whether or not they are believed
to be
patentable (“Inventions”),
that
the Executive conceives of or first actually reduces to practice, either
solely
or jointly with others, during the Executive’s employment with the Company or
any other member of the Parent Group, and that relate to the business now
or
thereafter carried on or contemplated by any
member of the Parent Group or
that
result from any work performed by the Executive for any member of the Parent
Group.
12
(b) The
Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Inventions shall be the sole and
exclusive property of the Company (or member of the Parent Group) and are
hereby
assigned to the Company (or applicable member of the Parent Group). During
the
term of the Executive’s employment with the Company (or any other member of the
Parent Group) and thereafter, whenever requested to do so by the Company,
the
Executive shall take such action as may be requested to execute and assign
any
and all applications, assignments and other instruments that the Company
shall
deem necessary or appropriate in order to apply for and obtain Letters Patent
of
the United States and/or of any foreign countries for such Inventions and
in
order to assign and convey to the Company (or any other member of the Parent
Group) or their nominees the sole and exclusive right, title and interest
in and
to such Inventions.
(c) The
Company acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of this Section 6.4 do
not
apply to an Invention: (i) for which no equipment, supplies, or facility
of any
member of the Parent Group or Confidential Information was used; (ii) that
was
developed entirely on the Executive’s own time and does not involve the use of
Confidential Information; (iii) that does not relate directly to the business
of
any member of the Parent Group or to the actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development of any member of the Parent Group; and (iv) that
does
not result from any work performed by the Executive for any member of the
Parent
Group.
6.5 Return
of Documents and Property.
Upon
termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive (or his
heirs or personal representatives) shall immediately deliver to the Company
(a) all documents and materials containing Confidential Information
(including without limitation any “soft” copies or computerized or electronic
versions thereof) or otherwise containing information relating to the business
and affairs of any
member of the Parent Group
(whether
or not confidential), and (b) all other documents, materials and other
property belonging to any
member of the Parent Group that
are
in the possession or under the control of the Executive.
6.6 Reasonableness;
Remedies.
The
Executive acknowledges that each of the restrictions set forth in this Article
VI are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company’s business and
opportunities (and those of the Parent Group) and that a breach of any of
the
covenants contained in this Article VI would result in material irreparable
injury to the Company and the other members of the Parent Group for which
there
is no adequate remedy at law and that it will not be possible to measure
damages
for such injuries precisely. Accordingly, the Company and any member of the
Parent Group shall be entitled to the remedies of injunction and specific
performance, or either of such remedies, as well as all other remedies to
which
any member of the Parent Group may be entitled, at law, in equity or otherwise,
without the need for the posting of a bond or by the posting of the minimum
bond
that may otherwise be required by law or court order.
6.7 Extension;
Survival.
The
Executive and the Company agree that the time periods identified in this
Article
VI will be stayed, and the Company’s obligation to make any payments or provide
any benefits under Article V shall be suspended, during the period of any
breach
or violation by the Executive of the covenants contained herein. The parties
further agree that this Article VI shall survive the termination or expiration
of this Agreement for any reason. The Executive acknowledges that his agreement
to each of the provisions of this Article VI is fundamental to the Company’s
willingness to enter into this Agreement and for it to provide for the severance
and other benefits described in Article V, none of which the Company was
required to do prior to the date hereof. Further, it is the express intent
and
desire of the parties for each provision of this Article VI to be enforced
to
the fullest extent permitted by law. If any part of this Article VI, or any
provision hereof, is deemed illegal, void, unenforceable or overly broad
(including as to time, scope and geography), the parties express desire is
that
such provision be reformed to the fullest extent possible to ensure its
enforceability or if such reformation is deemed impossible then such provision
shall be severed from this Agreement, but the remainder of this Agreement
(expressly including the other provisions of this Article VI) shall remain
in
full force and effect.
13
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be given in writing
and
shall be deemed to have been effectively made or given if personally delivered,
or if sent via U.S. mail or recognized overnight delivery service or sent
via
confirmed e-mail or facsimile to the other party at its address set forth
below
in this Section 7.1, or at such other address as such party may designate
by written notice to the other party hereto. Any effective notice hereunder
shall be deemed given on the date personally delivered, three business days
after mailed via U.S. mail or one business day after it is sent via overnight
delivery service or via confirmed e-mail or facsimile, as the case may be,
to
the
following address:
If
to the
Company:
Orthofix
Inc.
Attn:
General Counsel
The
Storrs Building
Suite
250
00000
Xxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Facsimile:
000-000-0000
E-mail:
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
With
a
copy which shall not constitute notice to:
Xxxxx
& XxXxxxxx LLP
Pennzoil
Place, South Tower
000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
E-mail:
Xxxxxxxx.X.Xxxxxx@Xxxxxxxx.xxx
14
If
to the
Executive:
At
the
most recent address on file with the Company
With
a
copy which shall not constitute notice to:
Vedder,
Price, Xxxxxxx & Kammholz, P.C.
000
Xxxxx
XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
E-mail:
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
7.2 Legal
Fees.
(a) The
Company shall pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses of the Executive’s
counsel in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement.
(b) It
is the
intent of the Company that the Executive not be required to bear the legal
fees
and related expenses associated with the enforcement or defense of the
Executive's rights under this Agreement by litigation, arbitration or other
legal action because having to do so would substantially detract from the
benefits intended to be extended to the Executive hereunder. Accordingly,
the
parties hereto agree that any dispute or controversy arising under or in
connection with this Agreement shall be resolved exclusively and finally
by
binding arbitration in Huntersville, North Carolina, in accordance with the
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may
be
entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company
shall be responsible for its own fees, costs and expenses and shall pay to
the
Executive an amount equal to all reasonable attorneys' and related fees,
costs
and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with such arbitration
unless the arbitrator determines that the Executive (a) did not commence
or
engage in the arbitration with a reasonable, good faith belief that his claims
were meritorious or (b) the Executive’s claims had no merit and a reasonable
person under similar circumstances would not have brought such claims. If
there
is any dispute between the Company and the Executive as to the payment of
such
fees and expenses, the arbitrator shall resolve such dispute, which resolution
shall also be final and binding on the parties, and as to such dispute only
the
burden of proof shall be on the Company.
7.3 Severability.
If an
arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any term
or
provision hereof is void, invalid or otherwise unenforceable, (a) the
remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired and (b) such
arbitrator or court shall replace such void, invalid or unenforceable term
or
provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that
comes
closest to expressing the intention of the void, invalid or unenforceable
term
or provision. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties expressly intend that
this
provision extend to Article VI of this Agreement.
15
7.4 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the
subject matter hereof and shall supersede any and all previous contracts,
arrangements or understandings between the Company, the Parent and the Executive
relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company, expressly including the
Prior Agreement, which Prior Agreement is hereby terminated in its entirety
and
of no further force and effect. The Executive expressly acknowledges that
he has
no further rights, and hereby waives or forfeits any and all rights he may
have
or may have had, under the Prior Agreement as a result of its termination
hereby, and neither the Company nor any member of the Parent Group shall
have
any obligation to make any payments or satisfy any other liability to him
thereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall modify or alter the Indemnity
Agreement dated August 1, 2005, by and between Parent and the Executive (the
“Indemnity
Agreement”)
or
alter or impair any of the Executive’s rights under the Plans or related award
agreements. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other
agreement between the Executive and the Company (or any other member of the
Parent Group), this Agreement shall control.
7.5 Amendment; Modification.
Except
for increases in Base Salary, and adjustments with respect to Incentive
Compensation, made as provided in Article II, this Agreement may be amended
at
any time only by mutual written agreement of the Executive and the Company;
provided,
however,
that,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Plans (or any
award
documents under the Plans) or the Indemnity Agreement to the contrary, if
any
provision of this Agreement, the Plans (or any award documents under the
Plans)
or the Indemnity Agreement contravenes the final regulations or regulations
anticipated to be promulgated under Section 409A or any other guidance from
the
United States Department of Treasury with respect to 409A, the Company may
reform this Agreement, the Plans (or any award documents under the Plans),
the
Indemnity Agreement or any provision thereof (including,
without limitation, an amendment instituting
a six-month waiting period before
a
distribution) or
otherwise incorporate the necessary provisions to maintain to the maximum
extent
practicable the original intent of the provision without violating the
provisions of Section 409A to the extent that the Company, in its reasonable
discretion, shall determine.
7.6 Withholding.
The
Company shall be entitled to withhold, deduct or collect or cause to be
withheld, deducted or collected from payment any amount of withholding taxes
required by law, statutory deductions or collections with respect to payments
made to the Executive in connection with his employment, termination (including
Article V) or his rights hereunder, including as it relates to stock-based
compensation.
7.7 Representations.
(a) The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (i) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall
not
conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement,
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or
by
which he is bound, and (ii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by
the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of
the
Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Executive hereby
acknowledges and represents that he has consulted with legal counsel regarding
his rights and obligations under this Agreement and that he fully understands
the terms and conditions contained herein.
16
(b) The
Company hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that (i) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company do not and shall
not
conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any material contract,
agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is
a party
or by which it is bound and (ii) upon the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Executive, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
7.8 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction.
This
Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with
the
laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to any provision of that
State’s rules on the conflicts of law that might make applicable the law of a
jurisdiction other than that
of the
State of North Carolina.
Except
as
otherwise provided in Section 7.2, all actions or proceedings arising out
of
this Agreement shall exclusively be heard and determined in state or federal
courts in the State of North Carolina having appropriate jurisdiction. The
parties expressly consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in
any
such action or proceeding and waive any objection to venue laid therein or
any
claim for forum nonconveniens.
7.9 Successors.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by the Executive, the Company, and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators,
legal
representatives,
successors, and assigns. In the event of a Business Combination (as defined
in
clause (iii) of Change of Control), the provisions of this Agreement shall
be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parent or entity resulting from
such Business Combination or to which the assets shall be sold or transferred,
which entity from and after the date of such Business Combination shall be
deemed to be the Company for purposes of this Agreement. In the event of
any
other assignment of this Agreement by the Company, the Company shall remain
primarily liable for its obligations hereunder; provided,
however,
that
if
the Company is financially unable to meet its obligations hereunder, the
Parent
shall assume responsibility for the Company’s obligations hereunder pursuant to
the guaranty provision following the signature page hereof. The Executive
expressly acknowledges that the Parent and other members of the Parent Group
(and their successors and assigns) are third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and may enforce this Agreement on behalf of themselves or the Company.
Both parties agree that there are no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement
other than as expressly set forth in this Section 7.9.
7.10
Nonassignability.
Neither
this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable by
the
Executive, his beneficiaries, dependents or legal representatives without
the
Company’s prior written consent; provided,
however,
that
nothing in this Section 7.10 shall preclude (a) the Executive from designating
a
beneficiary to receive any benefit payable hereunder upon his death or (b)
the
executors, administrators or other legal representatives of the Executive
or his
estate from assigning any rights hereunder to the Person(s) entitled
thereto.
17
7.11
No
Attachment.
Except
as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall
be
subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance,
charge, pledge or hypothecation in favor of any third party, or to execution,
attachment, levy or similar process or assignment by operation of law in
favor
of any third party, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect
any
such action shall be null, void and of no effect.
7.12
Waiver.
No term
or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor there
be
any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement,
except
by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel.
No such
written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated
therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term
or
condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition
for
the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.
7.13
Construction.
The
headings of articles or sections herein are included solely for convenience
of
reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the
provisions of this Agreement. References to days found herein shall be actual
calendar days and not business days unless expressly provided
otherwise.
7.14
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed by any
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.
7.15
Effectiveness.
This
Agreement shall be effective upon the Effective Date when signed by the
Executive and the Company.
7.16
Survival.
Except
as provided in Section 1.3 with respect to expiration of the Term, Articles
VI and VII shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement
for any
reason.
18
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
ORTHOFIX
INC.
|
EXECUTIVE
|
||
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
|
|||
Name:
|
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Title:
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Guaranty
by Parent
Parent
(Orthofix International N.V.) is not a party to this Agreement, but joins
in
this Agreement for the sole purpose of guaranteeing the obligations of the
Company to pay, provide, or reimburse the Executive for all cash or other
benefits provided for in this Agreement, including the provision of all benefits
in the form of, or related to, securities of Parent and to elect or appoint
Executive to the positions with Parent and provide Executive with the authority
relating thereto as contemplated by Section 1.1 of this Agreement, and to
ensure
the Board will take the actions required of it hereby.
ORTHOFIX
INTERNATIONAL N.V.
|
||
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
|
||
Name:
|
Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |
Title:
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
19
EXHIBIT
A
Definitions
For
purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the meanings
set forth below:
“Base
Amount”
shall
mean an amount equal to the sum of:
(i)
the
Executive’s annual base salary at the highest annual rate in effect at any time
during the Term; and
(ii)
the
greater of (i) the Executive’s target bonus under Section 2.3 in effect during
the fiscal year in which termination of employment occurs, or (ii) the average
of the Incentive Compensation (as defined in Section 2.3) actually earned
by the
Executive (A) with respect to the two consecutive annual Incentive Compensation
periods ending immediately prior to the year in which termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company occurs or, (B) if greater, with respect
to the two consecutive annual Incentive Compensation periods ending immediately
prior to the Change of Control Date or the Potential Change of Control Date;
provided,
however,
that if
the Executive was not eligible for Incentive Compensation for such two
consecutive Incentive Compensation periods, the amount included pursuant
to this
clause (ii) shall be the Incentive Compensation paid to the Executive for
the
most recent annual Incentive Compensation Period. In the event the Incentive
Compensation paid to the Executive for any such prior Incentive Compensation
period represented a pro rated full-year amount because the Executive was
not
employed by the Company for the entire Incentive Compensation period, the
Incentive Compensation paid to the Executive for such period for purposes
of
this clause (ii) shall be an amount equal to such pro-rated full-year amount.
“Board”
shall
mean the Board of Directors of Parent. Any obligation of the Board other
than
termination for Cause under this Agreement may be delegated to an appropriate
committee of the Board, including its compensation committee, and references
to
the Board herein shall be references to any such committee, as
appropriate.
“Cause”
shall
mean termination of the Executive’s employment because of the Executive’s: (i)
involvement in fraud,
misappropriation or embezzlement related to the business or property of the
Company; (ii) conviction for, or guilty plea to, or plea of nolo contendere
to,
a felony or crime of similar gravity in the jurisdiction in which such
conviction or guilty plea occurs; (iii) intentional wrongful disclosure of
Confidential Information or other intentional wrongful violation of Article
VI;
(iv) willful and continued failure by the Executive to follow the reasonable
instructions of the Board or Chief Executive Officer; (v) willful commission
by
the Executive of acts that are dishonest and demonstrably and materially
injurious to a member of the Parent Group, monetarily or otherwise; (vi)
willful
or material violation of, or willful or material noncompliance with, any
securities law, rule or regulation or stock exchange listing rule adversely
affecting the Parent Group including without limitation (a) if the Executive
has
undertaken to provide any certification or related back-up material required
for
the chief and principal executive and chief and principal financial
officers certifications
required under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, including the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act”),
and
he willfully or materially fails to take reasonable and appropriate steps
to
determine whether or not the certificate or related back-up material was
accurate or otherwise in compliance with the requirements of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act or (b) the Executive’s willful or material failure to establish and
administer effective systems and controls applicable to his area of
responsibility necessary for the Parent to timely and accurately file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. No
act or
omission shall be deemed willful or material for purposes of this definition
if
taken or omitted to be taken by Executive in a good faith belief that such
act
or omission to act was in the best interests of the Parent Group or if done
at
the express direction of the Board.
20
“Change
of Control”
shall
occur upon any of the following events:
(i) the
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within
the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), in any individual
transaction or series of related transactions, of 50% or more of either (A)
the
then outstanding shares of common stock of Parent (the “Outstanding
Common Stock”)
or (B)
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding
Voting Securities”);
excluding,
however,
the
following: (1) any acquisition directly from Parent, other than an acquisition
by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being
so
converted was itself acquired directly from Parent; (2) any acquisition by
Parent; (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by Parent or any entity controlled by Parent; or
(4) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses
(A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) of this definition of Change of
Control;
(ii) a
change
in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who as of the
Effective Date constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Board”)
cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however,
for
purposes of this paragraph, that any individual who becomes a member of the
Board subsequent to the Effective Date, whose appointment, election, or
nomination for election by Parent’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of
those
individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the
Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board;
but
provided further
that any
such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of
either
an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule
14a-11
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other
than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent
Board;
(iii) consummation
of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other business combination
or the
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent
(including assets that are shares held by Parent in its subsidiaries) (any
such
transaction, a “Business
Combination”);
expressly
excluding,
however,
any
such Business Combination pursuant to which all of the following conditions
are
met: (A) all or substantially all of the Person(s) who are the beneficial
owners of the Outstanding Common Stock and Outstanding Voting Securities,
respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination will beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding
shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the outstanding
voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the
case
may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns
Parent
or all or substantially all of Parent’s assets either directly or through one or
more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Common
Stock
and Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (other
than Parent, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of Parent or such
entity resulting from such Business Combination) will beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common
stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such entity entitled
to
vote generally in the election of directors except to the extent that such
ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) individuals
who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority
of
the members of the board of directors of the entity resulting from such Business
Combination;
21
(iv) the
approval by the shareholders of Parent of a complete liquidation or dissolution
of Parent;
(v) the
Parent Group (or any of them) shall sell or dispose of, in a single transaction
or series of related transactions, business operations that generated two-thirds
of the consolidated revenues of the Parent Group (determined on the basis
of
Parent’s four most recently completed fiscal quarters for which reports have
been filed under the Exchange Act) and such disposal shall not be exempted
pursuant to clause (iii) of this definition of Change of Control;
(vi) Parent
files a report or proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing in response to Form 8-K or Schedule
14A
(or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) that a change
of
control of Parent has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future
pursuant to any then-existing agreement or transaction; notwithstanding the
foregoing, unless determined in a specific case by a majority vote of the
Board,
a “Change
of Control”
shall
not be deemed to have occurred solely because: (A) an entity in which Parent
directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting securities,
or any Parent-sponsored employee stock ownership plan, or any other employee
plan of Parent or the Company, either files or becomes obligated to file
a
report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule
14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report
or
item therein) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by
form or
report or item therein, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of
stock
of Parent, or because Parent reports that a change of control of Parent has
or
may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by reason of such
beneficial ownership or (B) any Parent-sponsored employee stock ownership
plan,
or any other employee plan of Parent or the Company, either files or becomes
obligated to file a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule
13D, Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule,
form
or report or item therein) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial
ownership by form or report or item therein, disclosing beneficial ownership
by
it of shares of stock of Parent, or because Parent reports that a change
of
control of Parent has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future
by
reason of such beneficial ownership; or
22
(vii)
any
other
transaction or series of related transactions occur that have substantially
the
effect of the transactions specified in any of the preceding clauses in this
definition.
Notwithstanding
the above definition of Change of Control, the Board, in its sole discretion,
may determine that a Change of Control has occurred for purposes of this
Agreement, even if the events giving rise to such Change of Control are not
expressly described in the above definition.
“Change
of Control Date”
shall
mean the date on which a Change of Control occurs.
“Change
of Control Period”
shall
mean the 24 month
period commencing on the Change of Control Date; provided,
however,
if the
Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the
Change of Control Date but on or after a Potential Change of Control Date,
and
it is reasonably demonstrated that the Executive’s (i) employment was terminated
at the request of an unaffiliated third party who has taken steps reasonably
calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) termination of employment
otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of the Change of Control,
then the “Change
of Control Period”
shall
mean the 24 month
period beginning on the date immediately prior to the date of the Executive’s
termination of employment with the Company.
“Code”
shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Competing
Business”
means
any business or activity that (i) competes with any member of the Parent
Group
for which the Executive performed services or the Executive was involved
in for
purposes of making strategic or other material business decisions and involves
(ii) (A) the same or substantially similar types of products or services
(individually or collectively) manufactured, marketed or sold by any member
of
the Parent Group during Term or (B) products or services so similar in nature
to
that of any member of the Parent Group during Term (or that any member of
the
Parent Group will soon thereafter offer) that they would be reasonably likely
to
displace substantial business opportunities or customers of the Parent
Group.
“Confidential
Information”
shall
include Trade Secrets and includes information acquired by the Executive
in the
course and scope of his activities under this Agreement, including information
acquired from third parties, that (i) is not generally known or disseminated
outside the Parent Group (such as non-public information), (ii) is designated
or
marked by any member of the Parent Group as “confidential” or reasonably should
be considered confidential or proprietary, or (iii) any member of the Parent
Group indicates through its policies, procedures, or other instructions should
not be disclosed to anyone outside the Parent Group. Without limiting the
foregoing definitions, some examples of Confidential Information under this
Agreement include (a) matters of a technical nature, such as scientific,
trade
or engineering secrets, “know-how”, formulae, secret processes, inventions, and
research and development plans or projects regarding existing and prospective
customers and products or services, (b) information about costs, profits,
markets, sales, customer lists, customer needs, customer preferences and
customer purchasing histories, supplier lists, internal financial data,
personnel evaluations, non-public information about medical devices or products
of any member of the Parent Group (including future plans about them),
information and material provided by third parties in confidence and/or with
nondisclosure restrictions, computer access passwords, and internal market
studies or surveys and (c) and any other information or matters of a similar
nature.
23
“Disability”
as used
in this Agreement shall have the meaning given that term by any disability
insurance the Company carries at the time of termination that would apply
to the
Executive. Otherwise, the term “Disability”
shall
mean the inability of the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement as a result of a physical or mental illness, disease
or
personal injury he has incurred. Any
dispute as to whether or not the Executive has a “Disability”
for
purposes of this Agreement shall be resolved by a physician reasonably
satisfactory to the Board and the Executive (or his legal representative,
if
applicable). If the Board and the Executive (or his legal representative,
if
applicable) are unable to agree on a physician, then each shall select one
physician and those two physicians shall pick a third physician and the
determination of such third physician shall be binding on the parties.
“Exchange
Act”
shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Good
Reason”
shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following without the written consent of
the
Executive: (i) any duties, functions or responsibilities are assigned to
the
Executive that are materially inconsistent with the Executive’s duties,
functions or responsibilities with the Company or the Parent as contemplated
by
Section 1.1; (ii) any action by the Company or the Parent that results in
a
material adverse change in the nature or scope of the position, power, duties,
functions, responsibilities or authorities of the Executive with the Company
or
the Parent from those contemplated by Section 1.1; (iii) the base salary
of the
Executive is reduced, unless a reduction in accordance with Section 2.2;
(iv)
there is a material adverse change or termination of the Executive’s right to
participate, on a basis substantially consistent with practices applicable
to
senior executives of the Company generally, in any bonus, incentive,
profit-sharing, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation, restricted
stock, discretionary pay or similar policy, plan, program or arrangement
of the
Company, or any material adverse failure to provide the compensation and
benefits contemplated by Sections 2.3, 2.4 and Article III; (v) there is
a
material termination or denial of the Executive’s right, on a basis
substantially consistent with practices applicable generally to senior
executives of the Company, to participate in and receive service credit for
benefits as provided under, all life, accident, medical payment, health and
disability insurance, retirement, pension, salary continuation, expense
reimbursement and other employee and perquisite policies, plans, programs
and
arrangements that generally are made available to senior executives of the
Company, except for any arrangements that the Board adopts for select senior
executives to compensate them for special or extenuating circumstances or
as
needed to comply with applicable law or as necessary to avoid the imposition
of
any additional tax under Section 409A, or (vi) any material breach by the
Company of its representations under Section 7.7(b), or the guaranty by Parent
on the signature page of the Agreement.
24
“Parent”
shall
mean Orthofix International N.V., an entity organized under the laws of the
Netherlands Antilles.
“Parent
Group”
shall
mean Parent, together with its subsidiaries including the Company.
“Person”
shall
include individuals or entities such as corporations, partnerships, companies,
firms, business organizations or enterprises, and governmental or
quasi-governmental bodies.
“Potential
Change of Control”
shall
mean the earliest to occur of: (i) the date on which Parent executes an
agreement or letter of intent, the consummation of the transactions described
in
which would result in the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) the date
on
which the Board approves a transaction or series of transactions, the
consummation of which would result in a Change of Control, and ending when,
in
the opinion of the Board, the Parent (or the Company) or the respective third
party has abandoned or terminated any Potential Change of Control.
“Potential
Change of Control Date”
shall
mean the date on which a Potential Change of Control occurs; provided,
however,
such
date shall become null and void when, in the opinion of the Board, the Parent
(or the Company) or the respective third party has abandoned or terminated
any
Potential Change of Control.
“Prohibited
Area”
means
North America, South America and the European Union, which Prohibited Area
the
parties have agreed to as a result of the fact that those are the geographic
areas in which the members of the Parent Group conduct a preponderance of
their
business and in which the Executive provides substantive services to the
benefit
of the Parent Group.
“Section
409A”
shall
mean Section 409A of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder (and
any
similar or successor federal or state statute or regulations).
“Trade
Secrets”
are
information of special value, not generally known to the public that any
member
of the Parent Group has taken steps to maintain as secret from Persons other
than those selected by any member of the Parent Group.
25