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EXHIBIT 10.1
AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH BINKS A. GRAVAL
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of June 29th, 1997 by and between PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC. a
Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and BINKS A. GRAVAL, an individual
("Executive").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company wish to provide for the terms and
conditions of Executive's employment as President and Chief Executive of the
Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as
set forth below.
1. Employment and Duties. The Company hereby employs Executive to serve
as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with the powers and
duties customarily accorded to such position, including those powers and duties
set forth in the Bylaws of the Company for such office and such other duties
consistent therewith as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Company. Initially, Executive's managerial and
supervisorial duties shall be limited to those departments and operations as
determined by the Board of Directors and subsequently expanded to include other
departments and operations as directed by the the Board of Directors. Executive
shall endeavor in good faith to perform his duties in an efficient, faithful and
business-like manner. During the term of his employment, it is intended that
Executive also serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") and the Company will take action within its powers the include
Executive among the slate of directors proposed to be nominated by the Board at
any applicable stockholders meeting.
2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on June 29th, 1997 and
shall expire on June 28th, 2002 unless terminated earlier as set forth in
Section 6 hereof or by mutual agreement of the parties hereto (the "Term").
3. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be
paid a base salary (the "Base Salary"), payable in accordance with the Company's
normal payroll practices. During the first year of the term of this Agreement,
Executive's Base Salary shall be $115,200 and may be paid, at the election of
the Company, either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company equal to
that portion of Executive's Base Salary which is unpaid divided by the average
trading price of the common stock over the 5 trading day period prior to the
payment date of Executive's Base Salary. After the first year of the term,
Executive's Base Salary shall be paid in cash, unless the Executive determines
to accept another form of payment. The annual Base Salary payable to Executive
shall be reviewed at least annually; with a minimal increase of 20% per annum
for each year of this agreement.
(b) Performance Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to a performance
bonus paid upon the occurrence of certain events (the "Acquisition Performance
Bonus"). The Acquisition Performance Bonus shall equal a percentage of the
purchase price upon signing an agreement to acquire either substantially all of
the assets or voting stock of a company and a percentage of the purchase price
upon the closing of such an acquisition. The percentages shall be as follows:
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Purchase Price of Acquisition Percentage upon Signing Percentage upon Closing
----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Up to $2 million 3% 3%
Between $2-$4 million 2% 2%
Notwithstanding the percentages set forth above, a minimum of $100,000 shall be
payable upon signing an acquisition agreement and $100,000 upon closing the
acquisition. However, should the Company be unable to pay the Acquisition Bonus
in cash during the first year of this Agreement, the Executive may choose that
Acquisition Bonus be paid in shares of common stock of the Company equal to that
portion of Executive's Acquisition Bonus which is unpaid divided by the average
trading price of the common stock over the 5 trading day period prior to the
payment date of Executive's Acquisition Bonus.
(c) Operational Bonus. The Company will adopt a bonus plan for officers
of the Company. The Board of Directors will determine the aggregate dollar
amount of the bonus prior to the beginning of each year, the distribution among
officers of the bonus and the threshold for awarding bonuses, be it sales,
earnings or return on equity. Any bonus paid to Executive pursuant to the
Operational Bonus shall be paid quarterly.
(d) Stock Options. On the execution of this Agreement, the Company
shall grant Executive non-qualified options to purchase 500,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock (the "Options"). The Options will be exercisable at an
exercise price of $0.10 per share. The Options will remain exercisable by
Executive, whether or not Executive remains employed by the Company, until the
tenth anniversary of the date of the initial grant (subject to the effect, if
any, of Section 6(a)(x) below). The Company shall register the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Options and shall use its best efforts to
maintain a current registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, in respect of such shares. The Options shall be issued under the
Company's stock incentive plans maintained for its executives and shall contain
standard anti-dilution mechanism to adjust for stock dividends, stock splits,
reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, consolidations and mergers as are
provided for therein.
(e) Stock Options. On each anniversary of the date of the agreement ,
the Company shall grant Executive non-qualified options to purchase 200,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Anniversary Options"). The
Anniversary Options will be exercisable at $0.19, being bid value on June 29th,
1997. Once vested, the Anniversary Options will remain exercisable by Executive,
whether or not Executive remains employed by the Company, until the tenth
anniversary of the date of the initial grant (subject to the effect, if any, of
Section 6(a)(x) below). The Company shall register the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Anniversary Options and shall use its best efforts
to maintain a current registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
in respect of such shares.
4. Other Executive Benefits. During the term of the Agreement, the
Company shall provide to Executive benefits commensurate with his position,
including each of the following benefits:
(a) Medical and Dental Coverage. The Company agrees to provide coverage
to executive and dependent members of his family under the same medical and
dental plans as may be maintained from time to time in the discretion of the
Company's Board for the benefit of the other executive officers and the
dependent members of their families.
(b) Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid
vacation during Executive's first year of this Agreement and shall be entitled
to six (6) weeks during each year of employment with the Company thereafter for
the term of this Agreement. In each case, such entitlement shall accrue pro rata
over the contract year and shall be taken at such time or times as shall not
unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company. Unutilized vacation
entitlement shall be paid in cash annually.
(c) Business Expenses. The Company will pay or reimburse Executive for
any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in the course of providing his
services hereunder, which comply with the Company's travel and expense policies
adopted from time to time by the Board for the executive officers. Such
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reimbursement shall be made by the Company based on receipts submitted to the
Company by Executive in the same manner and within the same time period as
applicable to the other executive officers of the Company.
(d) Automobile Allowance. The Company shall provide Executive with the
use of a luxury automobile that is selected by Executive and approved by the
Board of Directors. On the earlier of significant damage or destruction or
attaining three years of age, the company shall replace such automobile with a
new automobile selected by Executive and approved by the Board of Directors. The
Company shall pay all costs of insurance, repair, maintenance and operation of
such automobile.
(e) Benefit Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate in any
pension, profit-sharing, stock option, stock purchase or other benefit plan of
the Company now existing or hereafter adopted for the benefit of employees
generally or the senior executives of the Company.
(f) Life Insurance. Provided the following policies may be obtained at
a reasonable cost, the Company shall obtain a $1,000,000 standard term life
insurance policy and a $1,000,000 standard term accidental death policy for the
benefit of named beneficiaries.
(g) Disability. Provided the following policy may be obtained at a
reasonable cost, the Company shall provide Executive with a long-term disability
policy which provides for an annual disability payment in an amount equal to
125% of Executive's Base Salary.
5. Confidential Information.
(a) Non-Disclosure. Executive hereby agrees, during the term of this
Agreement, he will not disclose to any person or otherwise use or exploit any
proprietary or confidential information, including, without limitation, trade
secrets, processes, records of research, proposals, reports, methods, processes,
techniques, computer software or programming, or budgets or other financial
information, regarding the Company, its business, properties, customers or
affairs (collectively, "Confidential Information") obtained by him at any time
during the term, except to the extent required by Executive's performance of
assigned duties for the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the term "Confidential Information" shall not include information
which (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result
of disclosure by Executive in violation of this Agreement, (ii) is or becomes
available to Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the
Company, provided that such source is not known by Executive to be furnishing
such information in violation of a confidentiality agreement with or other
obligation of secrecy to the Company, (iii) has been made available, or is made
available, on an unrestricted basis to a third party by the Company, by an
individual authorized to do so or, (iv) is known by Executive prior to its
disclosure to Executive. Executive may use and disclose Confidential Information
to the extent necessary to assert any right or defend against any claim arising
under this Agreement or pertaining to Confidential Information or its use, to
the extent necessary to comply with any applicable statute, constitution,
treaty, rule, regulation, ordinance or order, whether of the United States, any
state thereof, or any other jurisdiction applicable to Executive, or if
Executive receives a request to disclose all or any part of the information
contained in the Confidential Information under the terms of a subpoena, order,
civil investigative demand or agency, whether of the United States or any state
thereof, or any other jurisdiction applicable to Executive.
(b) Injunctive Relief. Executive agrees that the remedy at law for any
breach by him of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 5 may be
inadequate and that in the event of any such breach, the Company may, in
addition to the other remedies that may be available to it at law, seek
injunctive relief prohibiting him (together with all those persons associated
with him) from the breach of such covenants and agreements.
6. Termination.
(a) Termination by Company for "Cause" or Voluntarily by Executive. The
Company may terminate this Agreement for "Cause" effective immediately upon
written notice thereof to Executive. For purposes of
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this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean and be limited to the following event: (i) an
act of fraud, embezzlement or similar conduct by Executive involving the
Company; (ii) any action by Executive involving the arrest of Executive for
violation of any criminal statute constituting a felony if the Board reasonably
determines that the continuation of Executive's employment after such event
would have an adverse impact on the operations or reputation of the Company in
the financial community; or (iii) a continuing, repeated willful failure or
refusal by Executive to perform his duties; provided, however, that this
Agreement may not be terminated under this subclause (iv) unless Executive shall
have first received written notice from the Board advising Executive of the
specific acts or omissions alleged to constitute a failure or refusal to perform
and such failure or refusal to perform continues after Executive shall have had
a reasonable opportunity to correct the acts or omissions cited in such notice.
In the event of termination for "Cause", or voluntarily by Executive
other than as permitted in Sections 6(b)(i), 6(b)(ii) and 6(c), (x) Executive
shall be entitled to receive that portion of the Base Salary and all benefits
accrued through the date of termination and, (y) all Options that have become
exercisable as of the date of termination shall remain so for a period of 90
days.
(b) Termination by Company Other Than for "Cause".
(i) Death. Provided that notice of termination has not previously
been given under any Section hereof, if Executive shall die during the term of
this Agreement, this Agreement and all of the Company's obligations hereunder
shall terminate, except that Executive's estate or designated beneficiaries
shall be entitled to receive (A) all earned and unpaid Base Salary through the
date of termination and (B) the Base Salary, Performance Bonus, and all benefits
with respect to the then current contract year which would have been payable or
provided to Executive had the term ended one year following the last day of the
month in which Executive's death occurred; and (C) all other benefits that may
be due to Executive or Executive's estate or beneficiaries under the general
provisions of any benefit plan, stock incentive plan or other plan in which
Executive is then a participant, which benefits shall continue to be provided
for a period of one year following the date of death. In addition, of the
Options which are scheduled to vest on the next anniversary of the commencement
of the Agreement, a percentage of such number of Options shall vest at the date
of death determined by dividing the number of days which have elapsed since the
last such anniversary by the number 365 and multiplying the result by 100.
Further, all Options that have become exercisable as of the date of death
(including those which do so as a result of the provisions of the preceding
sentence) shall remain so for a period of twelve (12) months.
(ii) Disability. Provided that notice of termination has not
previously been given under any Section hereof, if Executive becomes ill or is
injured or disabled during the term such that Executive fails to perform all or
substantially all of the duties to be rendered hereunder and such failure
continues for a period in excess of 26 consecutive weeks (a "Disability"), the
Company shall continue to employ Executive under this Agreement for one year
form the date of the Disability (which one year period shall commence at the
beginning of the 26 week period referred to herein) and shall continue to pay
Executive the Base Salary in effect on the date of the Disability (determined at
the beginning of the 26 week period referred to herein), the Performance Bonus
and all benefits then in effect; provided, that (A) the Company may relieve
Executive of his duties and responsibilities hereunder to the extent permitted
by law and (B) any long-term disability payments received by Executive under any
disability insurance plan made available to Executive by the Company if the
premiums were paid by the Company shall be deducted from the salary and bonus
payments otherwise required to be paid to Executive hereunder. If during the
term and subsequent to the Disability commencement date (which shall be at any
time following the end of the 26 week period referred to herein) Executive shall
fully recover, the Company shall have the right (exercisable within 60 days
after receipt of notice from Executive of such recovery), but not the
obligation, to restore Executive to full-time service at full compensation. If
the Company elects not to restore Executive to full-time service, Executive
shall be entitled to obtain other employment. If Executive is not restored to
full-time employment with the Company, all stock options that have become
exercisable as of the date of Disability (determined at the end of the 26 week
period referred to herein) shall remain so for a period of 12 months.
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(iii) Without "Cause". If the Company elects to terminate Executive
for any reason whatsoever other than as provided in Section 6(a) or if the
Company causes a Defacto Termination of Executive (as defined below) (each a
"Severance Termination"), Executive shall receive the "Separation Package". As
used herein, the "Separation Package" shall consist of two years' Base Salary
(at the annual rate in effect at the date of the Severance Termination) plus an
amount equal to the Performance Bonus actually paid to Executive with respect to
the eight fiscal quarters preceding the date of the Severance Termination (or if
Executive has been employed for less than two years, the amount of Performances
Bonus paid to Executive for the entire period of employment multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number eight and the denominator of
which is the actual number of fiscal quarters for which Executive was employed
by the Company). In addition, all Options and Anniversary Options which are
scheduled to vest on the next anniversary of the commencement of the Agreement
shall vest as of the date of the Severance Termination. Further, all options
that have become exercisable as of the date of such termination (including those
which do so as a result of the provisions of the preceding sentence) shall
remain so for a period of 24 months. In the event of a Severance Termination,
Executive will also be provided with reasonable office space and secretarial
support as well as the same mailing address and telephone number which Executive
had during the term for up to six months, and the Company shall pay the costs of
outplacement services with a provider of its choice at a level appropriate to
Executive's title and position as requested by Executive. For purposes of this
paragraph, a "Defacto Termination" shall include any of the following events:
(i) the Company shall fail to pay or shall reduce the Base Salary, Performance
Bonus or other benefits provided herein, except as permitted hereuner, or shall
otherwise breach any material provision hereof which breach is not cured within
10 days after receipt of notice thereof from Executive; (ii) the Company shall
fail to cause Executive to remain the Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
(iii) Executive shall not be continuously afforded the authority, powers,
responsibilities and privileges contemplated in Section 1 above (whether or not
accompanied by a change in title); (iv) the Company shall require Executive's
primary services to be rendered in an area other than the Company's principal
offices in the Los Angeles metropolitan area; or (v) after a Change in Control
(as defined below), the Company increases the Base Salary for senior executives
of the Company generally without similarly increasing the Base Salary of
Executive. For purposes of clause (iii), Executive shall be deemed not to have
been continuously afforded the authority, powers, responsibilities and
privileges contemplated in Section 1 above if there shall occur any reduction in
the scope, level or nature of Executive's employment hereunder, or any demotion,
any phasing out or assignment to others, of the duties contemplated herein.
(c) Change in Control.
(i) Following a Change in Control, this Agreement shall continue to
be binding upon the Company and Executive shall be entitled to the payments
provided for in this Section 6 in the event of termination resulting from death,
disability, cause, or a Separation Termination, all as provided for in Sections
6(a) and 6(b).
(ii) Executive may (but shall not be obligated to) terminate this
Agreement effective 30 days after the giving of such notice given at any time
within two years following a Change in Control. In the event that Executive
elects to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 6(c)(ii), Executive
shall be entitled to the following payments:
(A) If the Change in Control is effected to an Adverse Person
(as defined below), then Executive shall be entitled to and receive the
Severance Package. In addition, all Options and Anniversary Options then held by
Executive which are not yet vested shall vest as of the date of such
termination. Further, all options that have become exercisable as of the date of
such termination (including those which do so as a result of the provisions of
the preceding sentence) shall remain so for the entire remaining term of the
Options.
(B) If the Change in Control is effected to a person other
than an Adverse Person, Executive shall be entitled to receive the Severance
Package. In addition, all Options and Anniversary Options which are scheduled to
vest on the next scheduled vesting date during the 24 months following the
termination date shall vest as of the date of such termination. Further, all
options that have become exercisable as of the date of such termination
(including those which do so as a result of the provisions of the preceding
sentence) shall remain so for a period of 24 months.
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(d) Payment of Termination Amounts. Executive may elect to have all
amounts to be paid to Executive pursuant to this Section 6 payable (i) over the
remaining term of this Agreement or for such shorter period as expressly
provided for herein, as applicable, or (ii) in a lump sum within 30 days
following termination; provided, however, in the case of death or disability,
the Acquisition Performance Bonus component shall be payable at such time as
performance-based bonuses are paid to similarly situated employees of the
Company and only if the specified targets set forth in Section 3(b) for the
applicable periods are actually met. In the event Executive elects to be paid
pursuant to clause (i), Executive agrees promptly to notify the Company in
writing of Executive's acceptance of full-time employment; within 15 days after
receipt of such notice, the Company shall pay Executive in a lump sum any
amounts which remain otherwise due to Executive hereunder.
(e) Stock and Similar Rights. Except with regard to the vesting and
exercise dates of Options and Anniversary Options as set forth in this Section
6, Executive's rights under any other agreement or plan under which stock
options, restricted stock or similar awards are granted shall be determined n
accordance with the terms and provisions of such plans or agreements.
(f) No Mitigation or Offset. Payment of any sum under this Section 6
shall not be subject to any claim of mitigation nor shall the Company be
entitled to any right of offset with respect thereto.
(g) Other Insurance Policies. Upon any termination of Executive's
employment, and upon reimbursement to the Company of all amounts paid by the
Company in connection with such policies, Executive shall have the right to
purchase or otherwise direct the disposition or assignment of any disability
insurance policy on him held by the Company (excluding only group disability
insurance policies) upon the payment of One Dollar ($1.00) as the total
consideration for each such policy.
7. Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in
Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events which occur
after the date hereof:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
(a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule 13d-3")) of 20% or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting
Securities").
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board.
(c) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, unless, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation: (i) more than 60% of the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, which may be the
Company (the "Resulting Corporation"), entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the "Resulting Corporation Voting Securities") shall then
be owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of
the Persons who were the beneficial owners of Outstanding Voting Securities
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, in
substantially the same proportions as their respective ownerships of Outstanding
Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or
consolidation; (ii) no Person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) of the Company, the Resulting Corporation, and any Person
beneficially owning, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the combined voting power
of Outstanding Voting Securities) shall own beneficially, directly or indirectly
20% or more of the combined voting power of the Resulting Corporation Voting
Securities; or (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board shall have
been members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the
agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation.
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(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of (x) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (y) the sale or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a
corporation (the "Buyer") with respect to which (i) following such sale or other
disposition, more than 60% of the combined voting power of securities of Buyer
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors ("Buyer Voting
Securities"), shall be owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the
Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition, in substantially the same proportion as their respective ownership
Outstanding Voting Securities, immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition; (ii) no Person (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) of the Company or Buyer and any Person that shall immediately
prior to such sale or other disposition own beneficially, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of the combined voting power of Outstanding Voting
Securities), shall own beneficially, directly or indirectly, 20 % or more of the
combined voting power or Buyer Voting Securities; and (z) at least a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors of Buyer shall have been members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the agreement or action of the
Board providing for such sale or other disposition or assets of the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, an Adverse Person shall mean any
person which acquires control of the Company in a transaction involving a Change
in Control.
8. Insurance. During the term, the Company shall maintain, at no cost
to Executive, officers and directors liability insurance that would cover
Executive in an amount of no less than $5,000,000.
9. General provisions.
(a) Notices. All notices, requirements, request, demands, claims or
other communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, requirement,
request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly
given (i) if personally delivered, when so delivered, (ii) if mailed, two (2)
business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail,
return-receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to the intended
recipient as set forth below, (iii) if given by telecopier, once such notice or
other communication is transmitted to the telecopier number specified below, and
the appropriate telephonic conformation is received, provided that such notice
or other communication is promptly thereafter mailed in accordance with the
provisions of clause (ii) above or (iv) if sent through an overnight delivery
service under circumstances by which such service guarantees next day delivery,
the date following the date so sent:
If to the Company, to:
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
If to Executive, to:
BINKS A. GRAVAL
000 X. 0xx. Xxxxxx, #000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Any party may change the address to which notices, request, demands, claims and
other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other party
notice in the manner herein set forth.
(b) Assignment. This Agreement and the benefits hereunder are
personal to the Company and are not assignable or transferable, nor may be the
services to be performed hereunder be assigned by the Company to any person,
firm or corporation; provided, however, that this Agreement and the benefits
hereunder may be assigned by the Company to any corporation into which the
Company may be merged or consolidated, and this Agreement and
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the benefits hereunder will automatically be deemed assigned to any such
corporation, subject, however, to Executive's right to terminate this Agreement
to the extent provided in Section 6. In the event of any assignment of this
Agreement to any corporation acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company or to any other corporation into which the Company may be merged or
consolidated, the responsibilities and duties assigned to Executive by such
successor corporation shall be the responsibilities and duties of, and
compatible with the status of, a senior executive officer of such successor
corporation. The Company may delegate any of its obligations hereunder to any
subsidiary of the Company, provided that such delegation shall not relieve the
Company of any of its obligations hereunder. Executive may not assign its rights
hereunder or delegate his duties hereunder to any Person.
(c) Complete Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes and cancels any and all previous written or oral negotiations,
commitments, understandings, agreements and any other writings or communications
in respect of such subject matter.
(d) Amendments. This Agreement may be modified, amended, superseded
or terminated only by a writing duly signed by both parties.
(e) Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability,
without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such
jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
(f) No Waiver. Any waiver by either party of a breach of any
provisions of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver
of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of
this Agreement. The failure of either party to insist upon strict adherence to
any term of this Agreement on one or more occasions shall be considered a waiver
or to deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence
to that term or any other term of this Agreement.
(g) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their permitted assigns,
successors and legal representatives.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed
to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and
the same document.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement has been negotiated and entered
into in the State of California and shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of California.
(j) Arbitration. The parties hereby expressly agree that any
controversy of claim relating to this Agreement, including the construction,
enforcement or application of the terms hereof, shall be submitted to
arbitration in Los Angeles, California by the American Arbitration Association
in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of such association. The
arbitrator shall be a retired judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court or other
party acceptable to the parties and the rules of evidence shall apply. The costs
of the arbitrator shall be borne equally. Each party shall be responsible for
its own attorney's fees and costs. However, the arbitrator shall have the right
to award costs and expenses (including actual attorneys' fees) to the prevailing
party as well as equitable relief. The award of the arbitrator shall be final
and binding and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the parties from seeking an injunction
or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction under
appropriate circumstances. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the parties
from seeking an injunction or other equitable relief from a court of competent
jurisdiction under appropriate circumstances.
(k) Headings. The headings included in this Agreement are for the
convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed
the same as of the day and year first above written.
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Its: Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/ Binks A. Graval
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Binks A. Graval
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