Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of May 19, 2003,
by and between RESORTQUEST INTERNATIONAL, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY") and Xxxx XxXxxxxx, a resident of Memphis, TENNESSEE ("EXECUTIVE").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to hire Executive to serve as the Senior
Vice President and General Counsel, and Executive desires to serve in such
capacity pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to contain the terms of employment
of Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. EMPLOYMENT; TERM; PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to
employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to employment with the Company
upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The term of
Executive's employment hereunder shall commence upon the date hereof (the
"EFFECTIVE DATE") and shall continue for a period from and after the Effective
Date until October 9, 2005 (the "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD"). For purposes of this
Agreement, a "CONTRACT YEAR" shall mean a one year period commencing on the
Effective Date or any anniversary thereof.
2. DUTIES; TITLE.
(a) Description of Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve the
Company as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and
report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of
the Company.
(ii) Executive shall faithfully perform the duties required of
his office. Executive shall devote all of his business time and effort
to the performance of his duties to the Company. Executive shall not,
during the Employment Period, be engaged in any other business activity
pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage if such activity
interferes with Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(b) Company Policies. Executive shall be subject to and shall comply
with all codes of conduct, personnel policies and procedures applicable to
senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, policies
regarding sexual harassment, conflicts of interest and xxxxxxx xxxxxxx.
3. CASH COMPENSATION.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to
Executive an annual salary of $ 170,000. (the "BASE SALARY").
(b) Annual Cash Bonus. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible for an annual cash bonus of up to a target of 50% of Executive's Base
Salary (the "YEAR-END BONUS") to be paid to him in each calendar year with the
determination of the Year-End Bonus, if any, to be based on the achievement of
certain goals and Company performance criteria as established by the CEO and
approved by the Board's Compensation Committee. The Year-End Bonus for each
calendar year shall be paid to Executive on or before April 30th of the
immediately succeeding year.
(c) Withholding. The Base Salary and each Year-End Bonus shall be
subject to applicable withholding and shall be payable in accordance with the
Company's payroll practices.
4. EQUITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Stock Option Grant. On the Effective Date, the Company will grant
to Executive options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock (the "COMMON
STOCK") of the Company. The 20,000 stock options shall (i) be granted pursuant
to the Company's Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"INCENTIVE PLAN"); (ii) be subject to the terms of a stock option agreement
between the Company and Executive in the form prescribed for Company executives
generally; (iii) vest and become exercisable (each a "VESTING DATE") in equal
increments over a three (3) year period; provided, however, Executive must be
employed by the Company on each such Vesting Date for such particular share
increment to vest; (iv) be exercisable at the last sales price of the Common
Stock as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the date of grant; and (v) have
a term of five years from the Effective Date.
5. BENEFITS; EXPENSES; ETC.
(a) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse
Executive, in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures, for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of
his duties for the Company.
(b) Vehicle Allowance. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to receive from the Company a vehicle allowance of [Six Hundred
Dollars] [($600)] per month.
(c) Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled
to four (4) weeks vacation during each Contract Year.
(d) Company Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in and enjoy the benefits of any health,
hospitalization, life, disability, retirement, pension, group insurance, or
other similar plan or plans which may be in effect or instituted by
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the Company for the benefit of executives generally, upon such terms as may be
therein provided.
(e) Relocation. Executive understands that he may be requested by the
Company to relocate from Executive's present residence to another geographic
location in order to more efficiently carry out Executive's duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement. In such event, the Company will pay all
reasonable relocation costs to move Executive's immediate family and their
personal property and effects. Such costs may include, by way of example, but
are not limited to, reasonable expenses related pre-move visits to search for a
new residence, investigate schools or for other purposes; reasonable temporary
lodging and living costs prior to moving into a new permanent residence;
duplicate home carrying costs; all closing costs on the sale of Executive's
present residence and on the purchase of a comparable residence in the new
location; and added income taxes that Executive may incur if any unreimbursed
relocation costs are not deductible for tax purposes.
6. TERMINATION. Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated
prior to the expiration of the Employment Period as follows:
(a) Termination by Death. Upon the death of Executive, Executive's
employment shall automatically terminate as of the date of death.
(b) Termination by Company for Permanent Disability. At the option of
the Company, Executive's employment may be terminated by written notice to
Executive or his personal representative in the event of the Permanent
Disability of Executive. As used herein, the term "PERMANENT DISABILITY" shall
mean a physical or mental incapacity or disability which renders Executive
unable substantially to render the services required hereunder for a period of
ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days during any twelve
(12) month period as determined in good faith by the Company.
(c) Termination by Company for Cause. At the option of the Company,
Executive's employment may be terminated by written notice to Executive upon the
occurrence of any one or more of the following events (each, a "CAUSE"):
(i) any action by Executive constituting fraud, self-dealing,
embezzlement, or dishonesty which occurs in the course of his
employment hereunder or which is injurious to the Company;
(ii) any conviction of, or plea of nolo contendre for, any
felony;
(iii) failure of Executive after reasonable notice promptly to
comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board;
(iv) a material breach by Executive of any of his obligations
under this Agreement and failure to cure such breach within ten (10)
days of his receipt of written notice thereof from the Company;
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(v) a failure by Executive to perform his responsibilities
under this Agreement that materially xxxxx the business operations
under Executive's control as a result of Executive's gross negligence
or willful misconduct; or
(vi) A breach by Executive of the policy set forth in Section
14(f).
(d) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. At the option of
Executive, Executive may terminate his employment by written notice to Company
given within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the following
circumstances ("GOOD REASON"), unless the Company cures the same within thirty
(30) days of such notice:
(i) Any adverse change by the Company in the Executive's
position or title described in Section 2 hereof;
(ii) The assignment to Executive, over his reasonable
objection, of any duties materially inconsistent with his status as
Senior Vice President and General Counsel or a substantial adverse
alteration in the nature of his responsibilities;
(iii) A reduction by Company of his Base Salary;
(iv) The Company's relocation of Executive's principal
business location to an area outside of a fifty (50) mile radius of its
current location, except for (x) required travel on Company business,
or (y) relocation to any metropolitan area where the Company maintains
business operations;
(v) The failure by the Company, without Executive's consent,
to pay him any portion of his current compensation, except pursuant to
this Agreement;
(vi) Except as permitted by this Agreement, the failure by
Company to continue in effect any compensation plan (or substitute or
alternative plan) in which Executive is entitled to participate which
is material to Executive's total compensation, or the failure by the
Company to continue Executive's participation therein on a basis that
is materially as favorable both in terms of the amount of benefits
provided and the level of Executive's participation relative to other
participants at Executive's level (unless such change or
non-continuation is pursuant to a general change in benefits applicable
to all executives of the Company);
(vii) The failure by Company to continue to provide Executive
with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by executives
under the Company's pension and deferred compensation plans, and the
life insurance, medical, health and accident, and disability plans in
which Executive is entitled to participate, except as required by law,
or the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Executive
of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive, or the failure by
the Company to provide Executive with the number of paid vacation days
to which Executive is entitled (unless such failure is pursuant to a
general change in benefits applicable to all executives of the
Company); or
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(viii) A material breach by the Company of any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
(e) Termination by Company Without Cause or by Executive Without Good
Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the Company other than
for Permanent Disability or Cause upon written notice to Executive at any time
("WITHOUT CAUSE") or by Executive other than for Good Reason upon thirty (30)
days prior written notice to the Company at any time ("WITHOUT GOOD REASON").
7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
(a) Effect Generally. If Executive's employment is terminated prior to
October 9, 2005, the Company shall not have any liability or obligation to
Executive other than as specifically set forth in Section 6, Section 7 and
Section 8 hereof. Upon the termination of Executive's employment for any reason,
he shall, upon the request of the Company, resign from all corporate offices
held by Executive.
(b) Effect of Termination by Death. Upon the termination of Executive's
employment as a result of death, Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive
an amount equal to: (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of
termination; (ii) a pro rata portion of Executive's Year-End Bonus, if any, for
the year in which termination occurs; (iii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End
Bonus for prior calendar years, accrued and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed
expenses incurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to
Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or policy of the
Company, excluding benefits payable pursuant to any plan beneficiary designation
or contractual beneficiary designation by Executive; and (iv) Executive's vested
stock options as of the date of death which pursuant to the Incentive Plan are
exercisable for ninety (90) days following the termination date.
(c) Effect of Termination for Permanent Disability. Upon the
termination of Executive's employment hereunder as a result of Permanent
Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to: (i)
accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination; (ii) a pro rata
portion of Executive's Year-End Bonus, if any, for the year in which termination
occurs; (iii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End Bonus for prior calendar years,
long-term disability benefits available to executives of the Company, accrued
and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses incurred pursuant to Section 5(a)
or (b) and any other benefits owed to Executive pursuant to any written employee
benefit plan or policy of the Company; and (iv) Executive's vested stock options
as of the date of termination, exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days
after the termination date. Payments to Executive hereunder shall be reduced by
any payments received by Executive under any worker's compensation or similar
law.
(d) Effect of Termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive
Without Good Reason. Upon the termination of Executive's employment by the
Company for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason, Executive shall be
entitled to receive an amount equal to: (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the date of termination; and (ii) any unpaid Year-End Bonus for prior
calendar years, accrued but unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses incurred
pursuant to Section 5(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to Executive
pursuant to any
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written employee benefit plan or policy of the Company. All stock options, to
the extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate on the date of termination
of employment under this Section 7(d). Executive shall also forfeit any right to
a Year-End Bonus for the calendar year in which Executive's termination occurs.
(e) Effect of Termination by the Company Without Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason. Upon the termination of Executive's employment hereunder by the
Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall be
entitled to: (i) an amount equal to Executive's Base Salary over a 24 month
period, payable in installments as normal payroll over the 24 months following
the date of termination; (ii) an amount equal to two (2) times the maximum
amount Executive may earn as a Year-End Bonus for the year in which termination
occurs, payable in installments as normal payroll over the 24 months following
the date of termination; (iii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End Bonus for
prior calendar years, accrued and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses
incurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to
Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or policy of the
Company; (iv) Executive's vested stock options as of the date of termination,
exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days after the termination date; and (v)
continued coverage during the 24 month period following the date of termination
under the Company's employee medical and life insurance plans. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event that Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company Without Cause after the Company has entered into a definitive agreement
that would result in a Change of Control and such Change of Control shall occur,
(i) Executive's unvested options shall accelerate and immediately vest and (ii)
Executive shall have until the later of: (A) ninety (90) days from the date of
such termination or (B) thirty (30) days from the Change of Control to exercise
all vested options.
8. CHANGE OF CONTROL.
(a) Definition. A "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall be deemed to have taken
place if:
(i) any person or entity, including a "GROUP" as defined in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than the
Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, or any employee benefit
plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries becomes the beneficial
owner of Company securities having 50% or more of the combined voting
power of the then outstanding securities of the Company that may be
cast for the election of directors of the Company (other than as a
result of the issuance of securities initiated by the Company in the
ordinary course of business);
(ii) as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender
or exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of assets
or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing
transactions, the holders of all the Company's securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction constitute, following such transaction, less
than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
securities of the Company or any successor corporation or entity
entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors of the
Company or such other corporation or entity after such transactions; or
(iii) the Company sells all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company.
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(b) Effect of Change of Control. In the event that within one (1) year
following a Change of Control, the Company terminates Executive Without Cause or
Executive terminates employment for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to
(in lieu of the benefits provided pursuant to Section 7(e)): (i) an amount equal
to Executive's Base Salary over a 24 month period, payable in installments as
normal payroll over the 24 months following the date of termination; (ii) the
payment of two (2) times the maximum amount Executive may earn as a Year-End
Bonus for the year in which termination occurs; (iii) any unpaid portion of the
Year-End Bonus for prior calendar years, accrued and unpaid vacation pay,
unreimbursed expenses incurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or (b) and any other
benefits owed to Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or
policy of the Company; (iv) the vested portion of Executive's stock options and
the acceleration and immediate vesting of any unvested portion of Executive's
stock options; and (v) continued coverage during the 24 month period following
the date of termination under the Company's employee medical and life insurance
plans. Executive shall have ninety (90) days from the date of such termination
to exercise all vested stock options.
9. EXECUTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) General. Executive and the Company understand and agree that the
purpose of the provisions of this Section 9 is to protect legitimate business
interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and is not intended to
impair or infringe upon Executive's right to work, earn a living, or acquire and
possess property from the fruits of his labor. Executive hereby acknowledges
that the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 9 are reasonable
and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to earn a living
after the termination of his employment with the Company. Therefore, subject to
the limitations of reasonableness imposed by law upon restrictions set forth
herein, Executive shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section
9.
(b) Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this Section 9
shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply to
both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:
"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means any confidential or proprietary
information possessed by the Company, including, without limitation, any
confidential "know-how," customer lists, details of client and consultant
contracts, current and anticipated customer requirements, pricing policies,
price lists, market studies, business plans, operational methods, marketing
plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, computer software
programs (including object code and source code), data and documentation, data
base technologies, systems, structures and architectures, inventions and ideas,
past, current and planned research and development, compilations, devices,
methods, techniques, processes, financial information and data, business
acquisition plans, new personnel acquisition plans and any other information
that would constitute a trade secret under the common law or statutory law of
the State of Tennessee.
"PERSON" means any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association or other entity or enterprise.
"PROTECTED EMPLOYEES" means employees of the Company or its affiliated
companies who are employed by the Company or its affiliated companies at any
time within six (6) months
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prior to the date of termination of Executive for any reason whatsoever or any
earlier date (during the Restricted Period) of an alleged breach of the
Restrictive Covenants by Executive.
"RESTRICTED PERIOD" means the period of Executive's employment by the
Company plus a period extending two (2) years from the date of termination of
employment; provided, however, the Restricted Period shall be extended for a
period equal to the time during which Executive is in breach of his obligations
to the Company under this Section 9.
"RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS" means the restrictive covenants contained in
Section 9(c) hereof:
(c) Restrictive Covenants.
(i) Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential
Information. Executive understands and agrees that the Confidential
Information constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and its
affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Executive's own use or
converted by Executive for the use of any other Person. Accordingly,
Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, at any time during the Restricted Period or thereafter,
reveal, divulge or disclose to any Person not expressly authorized by
the Company any Confidential Information, and Executive shall not, at
any time during the Restricted Period or thereafter, directly or
indirectly, use or make use of any Confidential Information in
connection with any business activity other than that of the Company.
The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended
to, and does not, alter either the Company's rights or Executive's
obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law
including, without limitation, any state or federal statutory or common
law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.
(ii) Non-Competition. Executive shall not, during the
Restricted Period, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of
or in conjunction with any other Person: (x) engage, as an officer,
director, shareholder, owner, partner, joint venturer or in a
managerial capacity whether as an employee, independent contractor,
consultant or advisor, or as sales representative, in any noncommercial
property management, rental or sales business or hotel management
business in direct competition with the Company or any subsidiary of
the Company, within one hundred (100) miles of the locations in which
the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries conducts any
noncommercial property management, rental or sales business or hotel
management business (the "TERRITORY"), or (y) call upon any Person
which is at that time, or which has been, within one (1) year prior to
that time, a customer of the Company (including the subsidiaries
thereof) within the Territory for the purpose of providing
noncommercial property management, rental or sales services to property
owners and/or renters in direct competition with the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company within the Territory. The foregoing shall not
be deemed to prohibit Executive from acquiring as an investment not
more than two percent (2%) of the capital stock of a competing business
whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or
over-the-counter.
(iii) Non-solicitation of Protected Employees. Executive
understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and
each of its Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the
Company and may not be converted to Executive's
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own use or converted by Executive for the use of any other Person.
Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that during the Restricted Period
Executive shall not directly or indirectly on Executive's own behalf or
on behalf of any Person solicit any Protected Employee to terminate his
or her employment with the Company.
(iv) Non-interference with Company Opportunities. Executive
understands and agrees that all business opportunities with which he is
involved during his employment with the Company constitute valuable
assets of the Company and its affiliated entities, and may not be
converted to Executive's own use or converted by Executive for the use
of any other Person. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that during
the Restricted Period or thereafter, Executive shall not directly or
indirectly on Executive's own behalf or on behalf of any Person,
interfere with, solicit, pursue, or in any way make use of any such
business opportunities.
(v) Company Property. All records, designs, patents, business
plans, financial statements, manuals, memoranda, lists and other
property delivered to or compiled by Executive by or on behalf of the
Company or its representatives, vendors or customers which pertain to
the business of the Company shall be and remain in the property of the
Company and be subject at all times to its discretion and control.
Likewise, all correspondence, reports, records, charts, advertising
materials and other similar data pertaining to the business, activities
or future plans of the Company which is collected by Executive shall be
delivered promptly to the Company without request by it upon
termination of Executive's employment.
(d) Exceptions from Disclosure Restrictions. Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing or
using Confidential Information that:
(i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than
as a result of an unauthorized disclosure by Executive or his agent;
(ii) becomes available to Executive in a manner that is not in
contravention of applicable law from a source (other than the Company
or its affiliated entities or one of its or their officers, employees,
agents or representatives) that is not known by Executive, after
reasonable investigation, to be bound by a confidential relationship
with the Company or its affiliated entities or by a confidentiality or
other similar agreement; or
(iii) is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other
legal process; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is
required by law, court order or legal process, Executive shall provide
the Company with prompt notice of such requirement so that the Company
may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required
disclosure by Executive.
(e) Enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants.
(i) Rights and Remedies upon Breach. In the event Executive
breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of
the Restrictive Covenants, the
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Company shall have the right and remedy to enjoin, preliminarily and
permanently, Executive from violating or threatening to violate the
Restrictive Covenants and to have the Restrictive Covenants
specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being
agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive
Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money
damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company. The rights
referred to herein shall be independent of any others and severally
enforceable, and shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity.
(ii) Severability of Covenant. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in all
respects. If any court determines that any Restrictive Covenant, or any
part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given
full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.
(f) Waiver of Severance. If Executive is terminated by the Company
without Cause or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (including,
in both instances, termination following a Change of Control), Executive is
entitled to waive his right to receive severance compensation set forth in
Section 7(e) and 8(b) (by a written waiver delivered to the Company on the
effective date of termination) and, in such case, the non-competition provisions
of Section 9 shall not apply.
(g) Obligations Following the Expiration of the Employment Period.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the expiration of the
Employment Period, Executive shall not be subject to the Restrictive Covenant
set forth in Section 9(c)(ii) and 9(c)(iii) unless the Company exercises its
option to engage Executive as a consultant to provide certain strategic,
transition and other advisory services to the Company. If the Company exercises
its option to engage Executive as a consultant, the Restrictive Covenant under
Section 9(c)(ii) and 9(c)(iii) shall continue in full force and effect for the
term of the consulting period elected by the Company. In such event, Executive
and the Company shall sign a consulting agreement, mutually agreeable to the
parties for a period not to exceed two (2) years, and Executive shall receive a
consulting fee equal to the amount of Executive's Base Salary for each year of
the term of the consulting agreement. In no event shall Executive be obligated
to devote his full business time and effort to the performance of the consulting
duties pursuant to this Section 9(g).
10. COOPERATION IN FUTURE MATTERS. Executive hereby agrees that, for a
period of three (3) years following the date of his termination, he shall
cooperate with the Company's reasonable requests relating to matters that
pertain to Executive's employment by the Company, including, without limitation,
providing information of limited consultation as to such matters, participating
in legal proceedings, investigations or audits on behalf of the Company, or
otherwise making himself reasonably available to the Company for other related
purposes. Any such cooperation shall be performed at times scheduled taking into
consideration Executive's other commitments, and Executive shall be compensated
(except for cooperation in connection with legal proceedings) at a reasonable
hourly or per diem rate to be agreed by the parties to the extent such
cooperation is required on more than an occasional and limited basis. To the
extent that Executive is receiving payments pursuant to Section 9(g) above, the
Company shall be under
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no obligation to provide payment to Executive under this Section 10. Executive
shall also be reimbursed for all reasonable out of pocket expenses. Executive
shall not be required to perform such cooperation to the extent it conflicts
with any requirements of exclusivity of service for another employer or
otherwise, nor in any manner that in the good faith belief of Executive would
conflict with his rights under or ability to enforce this Agreement.
11. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify Executive and hold him
harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages,
obligations or liabilities (including actual attorneys' fees and expenses)
arising out of any acts or failures to act by the Company, its directors,
employees or agents that occurred prior to the Effective Date, or arising out of
or relating to any acts, or omissions to act, made by Executive on behalf of or
in the course of performing services for the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by the Bylaws of the Company, or, if greater, as permitted by
applicable law, as the same shall be in effect from time to time. If any claim,
action, suit or proceeding is brought, or any claim relating thereto is made,
against Executive with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the
Company pursuant to this Section, Executive shall notify the Company in writing
thereof, and the Company shall have the right to participate in, and to the
extent that it shall wish, in its discretion, assume and control the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to Executive.
12. EXECUTIVE'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Executive represents
and warrants that he is free to enter into this Agreement and, as of the
Effective Date, that he is not subject to any conflicting obligation or any
disability which shall prevent or hinder Executive's execution of this Agreement
or the performance of his obligations hereunder; that no lawsuits or claims are
pending or, to Executive's knowledge, threatened against Executive; and that he
has never been subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceedings, has
never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, and has
never been subject to an investigation or proceeding by or before the Securities
and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission. The Company shall
have the authority to conduct an independent investigation into the background
of Executive and Executive agrees to fully cooperate in any such investigation.
The Company shall notify Executive if it intends to conduct such an
investigation.
13. NOTICES. Any and all notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given under any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or
mailed by first class registered mail, return receipt requested, or by
commercial courier or delivery service, or by facsimile or electronic mail,
addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or at such other
address as any party may specify by notice to all other parties given as
aforesaid):
(a) if to the Company, to: ResortQuest International, Inc.
000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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(b) if to Executive, to: Xxxx XxXxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xx.,
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
and/or to such other persons and addresses as any party shall have specified in
writing to the other by notice as aforesaid.
14. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by a written agreement
signed by all of the parties hereto. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall
be construed to impose any obligation on the Company to renew this Agreement and
neither the continuation of employment nor any other conduct shall be deemed to
imply a continuing obligation upon the expiration of this Agreement. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the parties
with respect to such subject matter, including the Original Agreement.
(b) Assignment; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall not be assignable
by Executive, but it shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of,
his heirs, executors, administrators, and legal representatives. This Agreement
shall be binding upon the Company and inure to the benefit of the Company and
its respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may only be
assigned by the Company to an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the Company; provided that no such assignment shall relieve the
Company of its obligations hereunder.
(c) Waiver. No waiver of any breach or default hereunder shall be
considered valid unless in writing, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver
of any subsequent breach or default of the same or similar nature.
(d) Enforceability. Subject to the terms of Section 9(e) hereof, if any
provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not
in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other severable
provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any
such invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein, unless the
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision substantially impairs the
benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.
(e) Release. Any amounts payable and benefits or additional rights
provided pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 beyond accrued but unpaid salary, expenses
and bonus shall only be payable if Executive delivers to the Company a release
of all claims that Executive has or may have against Company and its affiliates
(other than claims to payments, benefits or entitlements specifically payable or
provided hereunder, claims under COBRA, claims to vested accrued benefits under
the Company's employee benefit plans or any rights of indemnification under the
Company's organizational documents) occurring up to the release date,
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A.
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(f) Anti-Nepotism. Executive acknowledges and agrees that relatives of
Executive may be hired by the Company only if (i) the individuals concerned will
not work in a direct supervisory relationship, (ii) the employment will not pose
difficulties for supervision, security, safety, or morale and (iii) the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approves the hiring of such
relative. "Relative" is defined to include any person who is related by blood,
adoption or marriage, or whose relationship with the employee is similar to that
of persons who are related by blood, adoption or marriage. This policy also
applies to individuals who are not legally related, but who reside with
Executive.
(g) Headings. The section headings contained herein are for the
purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the
contents of the sections.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, including by facsimile, all of which taken together shall be
deemed one original.
(i) Confidentiality of Agreement. The parties agree that the terms of
this Agreement as they relate to compensation, benefits, and termination shall,
unless otherwise required by law (including, in the Company's reasonable
judgment, as required by federal and state securities laws), be kept
confidential; provided, however, that any party hereto shall be permitted to
disclose this Agreement or the terms hereof with any of its legal, accounting,
or financial advisors provided that such party ensures that the recipient shall
comply with the provisions of this Section 14(h).
(j) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
under the laws of the State of Tennessee and for all purposes shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of said state.
(k) No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement shall not confer any
rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, and permitted assigns.
(l) Arbitration. Any controversy or claim between or among the parties
hereto, relating to this Agreement or the termination of Executive's employment
shall be determined by binding arbitration in accordance with the Federal
Arbitration Act (or if not applicable, the law of the state of Tennessee), the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association in effect
as of the date hereof, and the provisions set forth below. In the event of any
inconsistency, the provisions herein shall control. Judgment upon any
arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Any party to
the Agreement may bring an action, including a summary or expedited proceeding,
to compel arbitration of any controversy or claim to which this Agreement
applies in any court having jurisdiction over such action; provided, however,
that all arbitration proceedings shall take place in Memphis, Tennessee. The
arbitration body shall set forth its findings of fact and conclusions of law
with citations to the evidence presented and the applicable law, and shall
render an award based thereon. In making its determinations and award(s), the
arbitration body shall base its award on applicable law and precedent, and shall
not entertain arguments regarding punitive damages, nor shall the arbitration
body award punitive damages to any person. Each party shall bear its own costs
and expenses.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Employment
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
RESORTQUEST INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
----------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------------
EXECUTIVE:
----------------------------------------
Xxxx XxXxxxxx
14
EXHIBIT A
SETTLEMENT, WAIVER AND GENERAL RELEASE
[DATE]
ResortQuest International, Inc.
000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
1. TERMINATION.
(a) I, ________________, hereby confirm my resignation from my position
as _____ __________________________ of ResortQuest International, Inc. (the
"Company"). I further hereby acknowledge that my employment with the Company
will terminate on _______________ (the "Termination Date"). I acknowledge that
the Company will not have an obligation to rehire me or to consider me for
reemployment after the Termination Date and that my employment with the Company
is permanently and irrevocably severed.
(b) I hereby confirm that I will not be eligible for any benefits or
compensation after the Termination Date, other than as specifically provided
hereunder and in Section 7 of my employment agreement dated as of _____________
with the Company (the "Employment Agreement"). In addition, effective as of the
Termination Date, I hereby irrevocably resign from all offices, trusteeships,
committee memberships and fiduciary capacities held with, or on behalf of the
Company or any benefit plans of the Company.
(c) I further acknowledge and agree that, after the Termination Date, I
will not represent myself as being a director, employee, officer, trustee, agent
or representative of the Company for any purpose and will not make any public
statements relating to the Company, other than general statements relating to my
position, title or experience with the Company, subject to the confidentiality
provision under Section 9(c)(i) of the Employment Agreement and in no event will
I make any statements as an agent or representative of the Company.
2. CONSIDERATION. I acknowledge that this Settlement, Waiver and General
Release is being executed in accordance with Section 14(e) of the Employment
Agreement.
3. GENERAL RELEASE.
(a) For and in consideration of the payments to be made and the
promises set forth under this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, I, for
myself and for my heirs, dependents, executors, administrators, trustees, legal
representatives and assigns (collectively referred to as "Releasors"), hereby
forever release, waive and discharge the Company, its affiliates, employee
benefit and/or pension plans or funds, insurers, successors and assigns, and all
of its or their past, present and/or future directors, officers, trustees,
agents, members, partners, counsel, employees, fiduciaries, administrators,
representatives and assigns, whether
15
acting on behalf of the Company or its affiliates or in their individual
capacities (collectively referred to as "Releasees"), from any and all claims,
demands, causes of action, fees and liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether
known or unknown, which Releasors ever had, now have, or hereafter may claim to
have against Releasees by reason of any actual or alleged act, omission,
transaction, practice, policy, procedure, conduct, occurrence, or other matter
up to and including the date of my execution of this Settlement, Waiver and
General Release, in connection with, or in any way related to or arising out of,
my employment, service as a director, service as a trustee, service as a
fiduciary or termination of any of the foregoing with the Company.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Settlement,
Waiver and General Release is intended to and shall release the Releasees from
any and all claims, whether known or unknown, which Releasors ever had, now
have, or may hereafter claim to have against the Releasees including, but not
limited to, (i) any claim of discrimination or retaliation under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,
the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 ("ERISA") or the Family and Medical Leave Act; (ii) any claim under the
Tennessee Anti-Discrimination Act, the Tennessee Equal Pay Act the Tennessee
Handicap Discrimination Law and the Smokers' Right Law; (iii) any other claim
(whether based on federal, state or local law, statutory or decisional) relating
to or arising out of my employment, the terms and conditions of such employment
the termination of such employment and/or any of the events relating directly or
indirectly to or surrounding the termination of such employment, including, but
not limited, breach of contract (express or implied), wrongful discharge,
tortious interference, detrimental reliance, defamation, emotional distress or
compensatory or punitive damages; and (iv) any claim for attorney's fees, costs,
disbursements and the like.
(c) Except as provided herein, I agree that I will not from any source
or proceeding, seek or accept any award or settlement with respect to any claim
or right covered by Section 3(a) or (b) above, including, without limitation,
any source or proceeding involving any person or entity, the United States Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission or other similar federal or state agency.
Except as provided herein or as otherwise required by law, I further agree that
I will not, at any time hereafter, commence, maintain, prosecute, participate in
as a party, permit to be filed by any other person on my behalf (to the extent
it is within my control or permitted by law), or assist in the commencement or
prosecution of as an advisor, witness (unless compelled by legal process or
court order) or otherwise, any action or proceeding of any kind, judicial or
administrative (on my own behalf, on behalf of any other person and/or on behalf
of or as a member of any alleged class of persons) in any court, agency,
investigative or administrative body against any Releasee with respect to any
actual or alleged act, omission, transaction, practice, conduct, occurrence or
any other matter up to and including the date of my execution of this
Settlement, Waiver and General Release which I released pursuant to Section 3(a)
or (b) above. I further represent that, as of the date I sign this Settlement,
Waiver and General Release, I have not taken any action encompassed by this
Section 3(c). If, notwithstanding the foregoing promises, I violate this Section
3(c), I will indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from and against any and all
demands, assessments, judgments, costs, damages, losses and liabilities and
reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, disbursements and the like and other
reasonable expenses which result from, or are incident to, such violation.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 3(c) shall not
apply to any claims that I may have under the ADEA and
16
shall not apply to the portion of the release provided for in Section 3(a) or
(b) relating to the ADEA.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters
to which the release and covenants in this Section 3 do not apply are: (i) my
rights of indemnification or contribution to which I was entitled immediately
prior to the Termination Date under the Company's By-laws, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise with regard to my service as an
officer or director of the Company (including, without limitation, under Section
11 of the Employment Agreement); (ii) my rights as a stockholder (other than the
right to xxx, which is released); (iii) my rights under any tax-qualified
pension plan or claims for accrued vested benefits any other employee benefit
plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company or under COBRA;
or (iv) my rights under the provisions of the Employment Agreement which are
intended to survive termination of employment.
(e) I acknowledge and agree that this Settlement, Waiver and General
Release constitutes a voluntary waiver of any and all rights and claims I may
have as of this date, including rights or claims arising under the ADEA. I have
waived rights or claims pursuant to this Settlement, Waiver and General Release
in exchange for consideration and one-eighth of the consideration paid to me is
attributable to this ADEA portion of the Settlement, Waiver and General Release.
I have been advised that I may consult with the attorney of my choosing
concerning this Settlement, Waiver and General Release prior to executing it. I
also have been allowed a period of at least 21 days to consider the terms of
this Settlement, Waiver and General Release, and in the event I decide to
execute this Agreement in fewer than 21 days, I have done so with the express
understanding that I have been given and declined the opportunity to consider
this Settlement, Waiver and General Release for a full 21 days. I also
understand that I may revoke the release contained in this Paragraph only
(regarding claims under the ADEA), at any time during the seven days following
the date of execution of this Agreement, and the release contained in this
Paragraph only shall not become effective or enforceable until such revocation
period has expired.
4. GOVERNING LAW; ENFORCEABILITY. The interpretation of this Settlement,
Waiver and General Release will be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Tennessee without regard to that state's principles of
conflicts of law. If, at any time after the execution of this Settlement, Waiver
and General Release, any provision of this Settlement, Waiver and General
Release will be held to be illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, solely such provision will be of no force or effect.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. I acknowledge that I have been advised by the Company
in writing to consult, and I have consulted, independent legal counsel of my
choice before signing this Settlement, Waiver and General Release. I further
acknowledge that I have carefully read this Settlement, Waiver and General
Release in its entirety; that I have had an adequate opportunity to consider it
and to consult with any advisors of my choice about it; that I have consulted
with independent legal counsel of my choice who has answered to my satisfaction
all questions I had regarding this Settlement, Waiver and General Release; that
I understand all the terms of this Settlement, Waiver and General Release and
their significance; that I am legally competent to execute this Agreement; that
I have not relied on any statements or explanations made by the Company, any
agent of the Company or its counsel; that I knowingly and voluntarily assent to
all
17
the terms and conditions contained herein; and that I am signing this
Settlement, Waiver and General Release voluntarily and of my own free will.
6. SURVIVAL. The provisions in the Employment Agreement which are intended
to survive termination of employment, including but not limited to those
contained in Sections ___, 9, 10, 11, 14(i) and 14(l) of the Employment
Agreement, shall survive and continue in full force and effect.
By:
----------------------------------
Dated:
-------------------------------
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO:
RESORTQUEST INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
-----------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
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