EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of May 30, 2000,
between Cypress Financial Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"),
and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx ("Executive").
RECITALS:
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The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive
are conditions to the purchase 15,000,000 shares of the common stock of the
Company by FBR Financial Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership pursuant
to a purchase agreement of even date.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby
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accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement for the period beginning on the date hereof and ending as
provided in paragraph 5 hereof (the "Employment Period").
2. Position and Duties.
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(a) The Company hereby engages Executive as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. During the Employment Period, Executive shall render services to
the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below) as the Company's board of
directors (the "Board") may from time to time direct. The Board shall assign
Executive to a position or office commensurate with his experience and prior
positions and having such authority and duties as the Board may prescribe.
(b) During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the Board and
shall devote his best efforts and his full business time and attention (except
for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other
incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its Affiliates.
Executive shall perform his duties, responsibilities and functions to the
Company and its Affiliates hereunder to the best of his abilities in a diligent,
trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
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(a) During the Employment Period, Executive's base salary shall be
$250,000.00 per annum or such other rate as the Board may determine from time to
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time (as adjusted from time to time, the "Base Salary"), which salary shall be
payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company's
general payroll practices. In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company's employee welfare
benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company and its
Affiliates are generally eligible, and Executive shall be entitled to four weeks
of paid vacation each year, which if not taken during any year may not be
carried forward to any subsequent year.
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(b) In addition to the Base Salary, the Board may, in its sole discretion,
award a bonus to Executive following the end of each fiscal year during the
Employment Period based upon Executive's performance and the Company's operating
results during such year.
(c) Executive shall be entitled to payment of up to $750.00 per month to
reimburse Executive for use of an automobile.
(d) Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as
are generally made available to executive officers of the Company, and such
other fringe benefits as may be approved by the Board for executive officers of
the Company during the term hereof.
(e) During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive
for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the
Company's policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel,
entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company's requirements
with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.
(f) All amounts payable to Executive as compensation hereunder shall be
subject to all required withholding by the Company.
4. Board Membership. Following the consummation of the closing of the
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Company's purchase of the stock and assets of Orange County Professional
Services, Inc. and its related affiliates, with respect to all regular elections
of directors during the Employment Period, the Company shall nominate, and use
its reasonable efforts to cause the election of, Executive to serve as a member
of the Board. Upon the termination or expiration of the Employment Period,
Executive shall resign as a director of the Company and its Affiliates, as the
case may be.
5. Term.
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(a) Subject to prior termination of this Agreement as hereinafter
provided, the Employment Period shall end on May 30, 2003 and shall
automatically be renewed on the same terms and conditions set forth herein as
modified from time to time by the parties hereto for additional one-year periods
beginning on June 1, 2003, unless the Company or Executive gives the other party
written notice of the election not to renew the Employment Period at least 60
days prior to any such renewal date; provided that (i) the Employment Period
shall terminate prior to such date immediately upon Executive's resignation,
death or inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and
functions of Executive's position with the Company and its Affiliates as a
result of any mental or physical disability or incapacity even with reasonable
accommodations of such disability or incapacity provided by the Company and its
Affiliates or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable (as
determined by the Board in its good faith judgment) and (ii) the Employment
Period may be terminated by the Company at any time prior to such date for Cause
(as defined below) or without Cause. Except as otherwise provided herein, any
termination of the Employment Period by the Company shall be effective as
specified in a written notice from the Company to Executive.
(b) If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or
Executive Resigned for Good Reason (as defined below), Executive shall be
entitled to continue to receive his Base Salary payable in regular installments
for 180 after the date of termination or
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resignation (the "Severance Period"), if and only if Executive has executed and
delivered to the Company the General Release substantially in form and substance
as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and only so long as Executive has not
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breached the provisions of paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 hereof, and Executive shall not
be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits after termination of
the Employment Period.
(c) If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company for Cause or is
terminated pursuant to clause (a)(i) above, Executive shall only be entitled to
receive his Base Salary through the date of termination and shall not be
entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its
Affiliates thereafter.
(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of Executive's
rights to salary, bonuses, fringe benefits and other compensation hereunder
which accrue or become payable after the termination or expiration of the
Employment Period shall cease upon such termination or expiration, other than
those expressly required under applicable law (such as COBRA). The Company may
offset any amounts Executive owes it or its Affiliates against any amounts it or
its Affiliates owes Executive hereunder.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) commission of a
felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other
act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud with respect to the
Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their customers, (ii) reporting to
work under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, the use of illegal drugs
(whether or not at the workplace) or other repeated conduct causing the Company
or any of its Affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or economic
harm, (iii) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably
directed by the Board, (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect
to the Company or any of its Affiliates or (v) any material breach of this
Agreement.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to have
"Resigned for Good Reason" if the Executive shall have resigned from all of his
positions as employee, officer, director of the Company and its Affiliates
within 60 days after the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) If the Executive is an officer of the Company, the Executive is
removed from that post except for the purposes of assuming another post in the
Company, which other post the Executive accepts.
(ii) The imposition on the Executive of a requirement to relocate the
site of his employment by the Company to a place more than 100 miles from the
site of his present employment.
(iii) A reduction in the Executive's base salary from the Company,
which reduction continues after the Executive has protested in writing to the
Board, referring to this Agreement.
6. Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the
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information, observations and data (including trade secrets) obtained by him
while employed by the Company and its Affiliates concerning the business or
affairs of the Company and any of its Affiliates
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("Confidential Information") are the property of the Company or such Affiliate.
Therefore, Executive agrees that he shall not disclose to any unauthorized
person or use for his own purposes any Confidential Information without the
prior written consent of the Board, unless and to the extent that the
Confidential Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the
public other than as a result of Executive's acts or omissions. Executive shall
deliver to the Company at the termination or expiration of the Employment
Period, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes,
plans, records, reports, computer tapes, printouts and software and other
documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to the
Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the business of the
Company and its Affiliates which he may then possess or have under his control.
7. Inventions and Patents. Executive acknowledges that all inventions,
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innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which
relate to the Company's or any of its Affiliates' actual or anticipated
business, research and development or existing or future products or services
and which are conceived, developed or made by Executive while employed by the
Company and its Affiliates ("Work Product") belong to the Company or such
Affiliate. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and,
at the Company's expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board
(whether during or after the Employment Period) to establish and confirm such
ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of
attorney and other instruments). If applicable, this Agreement does not apply to
inventions which qualify fully for protection under Section 2870 of the
California Labor Code (which, if applicable, could apply to ideas or inventions
for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the
Company or its Affiliates were used and which were developed entirely on
Executive's own time, and (i) which do not relate at the time of conception or
reduction to practice of the invention (A) to the actual business of the Company
or its Affiliates, or (B) to the Company or its Affiliates actual or
demonstratably anticipated research or development or (ii) which do not result
from any work performed by Executive for the Company or its Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall disclose in confidence to the
Company any invention in order to permit the Company to make a determination as
to compliance by Executive with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
8. Exclusive Services, Non-Solicitation.
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(a) In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive
hereunder, Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment with the
Company and its Affiliates he shall become familiar with the Company's trade
secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning the Company and its
Affiliates and that his services shall be of special, unique and extraordinary
value to the Company and its Affiliates. Therefore, Executive agrees that,
during the Employment Period and during such time as Executive may render
consulting services pursuant to paragraph 9, he shall not directly or indirectly
own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render
services for, or in any manner engage in any business competing with the
businesses of the Company or its Affiliates, as such businesses exist or are in
process during the Employment Period on the date of the termination or
expiration of the Employment Period. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive
from being a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any
class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no
active participation in the business of such corporation.
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(b) During the Employment Period (and during such time as Executive may
render consulting services pursuant to paragraph 9) and for two years
thereafter, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or
entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any
Affiliate to leave the employ of the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way
interfere with the relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and any
employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any
Affiliate at any time during the Employment Period or two years thereafter or
(iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any Affiliate to cease
doing business with the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way interfere with
the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business
relation and the Company or any Affiliate (including, without limitation, making
any negative or disparaging statements or communications regarding the Company
or its Affiliates).
9. Option to Hire Executive as Consultant. Upon the expiration or
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termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement, the Company shall
have the option to engage Executive as a consultant on a yearly basis for up to
three consecutive years. As a consultant, Executive's duties shall include
those matters reasonably requested by the Board but which will not interfere
(as to time required) with the opportunity to maintain other employment
consistent with this paragraph 9. For each year that Executive provides
consulting services to the Company and its Affiliates pursuant to the option of
the Company contained in this paragraph 9, the Company shall pay Executive the
sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000), payable in twelve (12) installments
which are to be paid at the end of each month. The parties expressly agree that
when Executive is performing consulting services for the Company and its
Affiliates, Executive is acting as an independent contractor. Therefore,
Executive shall be solely liable for Social Security and income taxes which
result from Executive's compensation as a consultant. In addition, Executive
shall not be entitled to any other benefits including, without limitation, such
group medical, life and disability insurance and other benefits as may be
provided to employees of the Company or its Affiliates.
10. Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of paragraph 6, 7 or 8 of
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this Agreement, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are
unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that
the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such
circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area.
Because Executive's services are unique and because Executive has access to
Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto agree that money
damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of this Agreement.
Therefore, in the event a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the
Company or its successors or assigns, in addition to other rights and remedies
existing in their favor, shall be entitled to specific performance and/or
injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in
order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without
posting a bond or other security). Executive acknowledges that the restrictions
contained in paragraph 8 are reasonable and that he has had an opportunity to
review the provisions of this Agreement with his legal counsel.
11. Executive's Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants
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to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by 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 Executive is a party or by which he is bound, (ii)
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Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete
agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity, except
for that certain Separation and Release Agreement between Executive and the
Company, and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and
represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with independent legal
counsel regarding his rights and obligations under this Agreement and that he
fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.
12. Survival. Paragraphs 5 through 21 shall survive and continue in full
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force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the expiration or
termination of the Employment Period.
13. Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in
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writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight
courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the
recipient at the address below indicated:
Notices to Executive:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Notices to the Company:
Cypress Financial Services, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
attn: Chief Financial Officer
With a copy to:
FBR Financial Fund II, L.P.
c/o Friedman, Billings, Xxxxxx Investment Management, Inc.
Potomac Tower
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
attn: Xxxxxx X. XxXxxx, Xx.
or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so
delivered, sent or mailed.
14. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
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shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
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affect any other provision or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this
Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein.
15. Complete Agreement. This Agreement embodies the complete agreement
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and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
16. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be
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deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual
intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate
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counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.
18. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure
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to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Company and their
respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign
his rights or delegate his duties or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Company.
19. Choice of Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction,
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validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and
schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of California or any
other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of California.
20. Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended
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or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the
Board) and Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure
or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of
this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Company's right to terminate
the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any
provision of this Agreement.
21. Arbitration. Except with respect to disputes or claims under
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paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 hereof (which may be pursued in any court of competent
jurisdiction as specified below and with respect to which each party shall bear
the cost of its own attorney's fees and expenses except as otherwise required by
applicable law), each party hereto agrees that the arbitration procedure set
forth in Exhibit B hereto shall be the sole and exclusive method for resolving
any claim or dispute ("Claim") arising out of or relating to the rights and
obligations acknowledged and agreed to in this Agreement and the employment of
Executive by the Company and its Affiliates (including, without limitation,
disputes and claims regarding employment discrimination, sexual harassment,
termination and discharge), whether such Claim arose or the facts on which such
Claim is based occurred prior to or after the execution and delivery of adoption
of this
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Agreement. The parties agree that the result of any arbitration hereunder shall
be final, conclusive and binding on all of the parties. Nothing in this
paragraph shall prohibit a party hereto from instituting litigation to enforce
any "Final Determination" (as defined in Exhibit B hereto). Each party hereto
hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any United States District
Court or California state court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Orange
County, California, and agrees that such court shall be the exclusive forum with
respect to disputes and claims under paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 and for the
enforcement of any Final Determination. Each party hereto irrevocably consents
to service of process by registered mail or personal service and waives any
objection on the grounds of personal jurisdiction, venue or inconvenience of the
forum. Each party hereto further agrees that each other party hereto may
initiate litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction to execute any
judicial judgment enforcing a Final Determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
CYPRESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
_______________________________________
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
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Exhibit A
GENERAL RELEASE
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I, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, in consideration of and subject to the performance by
Cypress Financial Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (together with its
Affiliates, the "Company"), of its material obligations under the Employment
Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2000 (the "Agreement"), do hereby release and
forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company, its Affiliates and all
present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees,
successors and assigns of the Company and its Affiliates and the Company's
direct or indirect owners (collectively, the "Released Parties") to the extent
provided below.
1. I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under
paragraph 5(b) of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for
signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which
I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive the
payments and benefits specified in paragraph 5(b) of the Agreement unless I
execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within
the time period permitted hereafter or breach this General Release.
2. Except as provided in paragraph 4 below, I knowingly and voluntarily
release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties
from any and all claims, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-
claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated
damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and
attorneys' fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in
equity, both past and present (through the date of this General Release)
and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or
any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs,
executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are
connected with my employment with, or my separation from, the Company
(including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising
under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil
Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay
Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as
amended; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive
Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local
counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human
rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or
ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common
law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company;
or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of
emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other
expenses, including attorneys' fees incurred in these matters) (all of the
foregoing collectively referred to herein as the "Claims").
3. I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim,
demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.
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4. I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or
claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I
acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company
in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis
for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).
5. In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be
effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove
mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall
be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express
terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected
Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the
effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and
unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other
Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this
waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that
without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the
Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim
seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to
recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency
on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to
such Claims. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending charge or
complaint of the type described in paragraph 2 as of the execution of this
General Release.
6. I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the
consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any
time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any
improper or unlawful conduct.
7. I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to
the Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also
agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the
other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending
against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the
Agreement.
8. I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose
any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my
immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted
regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will
instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.
9. Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or
restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this
General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (NASD), any other self-regulatory organization or
governmental entity.
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10. I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal
investigation or administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding. I
understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited
to, making myself available to the Company upon reasonable notice for
interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company's request
to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal
process; volunteering to the Company pertinent information; and turning
over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my
possession all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent
with my other permitted activities and commitments. I understand that in
the event the Company asks for my cooperation in accordance with this
provision, the Company will reimburse me solely for reasonable travel
expenses, including lodging and meals, upon my submission of receipts.
11. Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this
General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any
rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any
Released Party of the Agreement.
12. Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be
interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in
any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General
Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been
contained herein.
BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:
1. I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;
2. I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT
RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION
IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974, AS AMENDED;
3. I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;
4. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I
HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION I HAVE CHOSEN NOT
TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;
5. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _______________ __, _____ TO CONSIDER IT
AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE _______________ __, _____ VERSION OF THIS
RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD;
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6. THE CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT SINCE _______________ ___, _____ EITHER ARE
NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST.
7. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO
REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE
UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;
8. I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE
ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND
9. I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED,
WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.
DATE: ___________ __, ______
______________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
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Exhibit B
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ARBITRATION PROCEDURE
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1. Notice of Claim. A party asserting a Claim (the "Claimant") shall
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deliver written notice to each party against whom the Claim is asserted
(collectively, the "Opposing Party"), with a copy to the persons required to
receive copies of notices under the Agreement (the "Additional Notice Parties"),
specifying the nature of the Claim and requesting a meeting to resolve same. The
Additional Notice Parties shall be given reasonable notice of and invited and
permitted to attend any such meeting. If no resolution is reached within 10
business days after delivery of such notice, the Claimant or the Opposing Party
may, within 45 days after giving such notice, invoke the arbitration procedure
provided herein by delivering to each Opposing Party and the Additional Notice
Parties a Notice of Arbitration, which shall specify the Claim as to which
arbitration is sought, the nature of the Claim, the basis for the Claim, and the
nature and amount of any damages or other compensation or relief sought (a
"Notice of Arbitration"). Each party agrees that no punitive damages may be
sought or recovered in any arbitration, judicial proceeding or otherwise.
Failure to file a Notice of Arbitration within 45 days shall constitute a waiver
of any right to relief for the matters asserted in the notice of claim. Any
Claim shall be forever barred, and no relief may be sought therefor, if written
notice of such Claim is not made as provided above within one year of the date
such claim accrues.
2. Selection of Arbitrator. Within 20 business days after receipt of the
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Notice of Arbitration, the Executive and the Board shall meet and attempt to
agree on an arbitrator to hear and decide the Claim. If the Executive and the
Board cannot agree on an arbitrator within ten business days, then they shall
request the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") in Orange County,
California to appoint an arbitrator experienced in the area of dispute who does
not have an ongoing business relationship with any of the parties to the
dispute. If the arbitrator selected informs the parties he cannot hear and
resolve the Claim within the time-frame specified below, the Executive and the
Board shall request the appointment of another arbitrator by the AAA subject to
the same requirements.
3. Arbitration Procedure. The following procedures shall govern the
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conduct of any arbitration under this section. All procedural matters relating
to the conduct of the arbitration other than those specified below shall be
discussed among counsel for the parties and the arbitrator. Subject to any
agreement of the parties, the arbitrator shall determine all procedural matters
not specified herein.
(a) Within 30 days after the delivery of a Notice of Arbitration, each
party shall afford the other, or its counsel, with reasonable access to
documents relating directly to the issues raised in the Notice of Arbitration.
All documents produced and all copies thereof shall be maintained as strictly
confidential, shall be used for no purpose other than the arbitration hereunder,
and shall be returned to the producing party upon completion of the arbitration.
There shall be no other discovery except that, if a reasonable need is shown,
limited depositions may be allowed in the discretion of the arbitrator, it being
the expressed intention and agreement of each party to have the arbitration
proceedings conducted and resolved as expeditiously, economically and fairly as
reasonably practicable, and with the maximum degree of confidentiality.
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(b) All written communications regarding the proceeding sent to the
arbitrator shall be sent simultaneously to each party or its counsel, with a
copy to the Additional Notice Parties. Oral communications between any of the
parties or their counsel and the arbitrator shall be conducted only when all
parties or their counsel are present and participating in the conversation.
(c) Within 20 days after selection of the arbitrator, the Claimant shall
submit to the arbitrator a copy of the Notice of Arbitration, along with a
supporting memorandum and any exhibits or other documents supporting the Claim.
(d) Within 20 days after receipt of the Claimant's submission, the
Opposing Party shall submit to the arbitrator a memorandum supporting its
position and any exhibits or other supporting documents. If the Opposing Party
fails to respond to any of the issues raised by the Claimant within 20 days of
receipt of the Claimant's submission, then the arbitrator may find for the
Claimant on any such issue and bar any subsequent consideration of the matter.
(e) Within 20 days after receipt of the Opposing Party's response, the
Claimant may submit to the arbitrator a reply to the Opposing Party's response,
or notification that no reply is forthcoming.
(f) Within 10 days after the last submission as provided above, the
arbitrator shall notify the parties and the Additional Notice Parties of the
date of the hearing on the issues raised by the Claim. Scheduling of the
hearing shall be within the sole discretion of the arbitrator, but in no event
more than 30 days after the last submission by the parties, and shall take place
within 50 miles of the corporate headquarters of the Company at a place selected
by the arbitrator or such other place as is mutually agreed. Both parties shall
be granted substantially equal time to present evidence at the hearing. The
hearing shall not exceed one business day, except for good cause shown.
(g) Within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, the arbitrator
shall issue a written decision to be delivered to both parties and the
Additional Notice Parties (the "Final Determination"). The Final Determination
shall address each issue disputed by the parties, state the arbitrator's
findings and reasons therefor, and state the nature and amount of any damages,
compensation or other relief awarded.
(h) The award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and non-
appealable, except as otherwise provided under applicable law, and judgment may
be entered upon it in accordance with applicable law in such court as has
jurisdiction thereof.
4. Costs of Arbitration. As part of the Final Determination, the
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arbitrator shall determine the allocation of the costs and expenses of the
arbitration, including the arbitrator's fee and both parties' attorneys' fees
and expenses, based upon the extent to which each party prevailed in the
arbitration. In the event that any relief which is awarded is non-monetary, then
such costs and expenses shall be allocated in any manner as may be determined by
the arbitrators.
5. Confidentiality of Proceedings. The parties hereto agree that all of
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the arbitration proceedings provided for herein, including any notice of claim,
the Notice of Arbitration, the submissions of the parties, and the Final
Determination issued by the arbitrator, shall be
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confidential and shall not be disclosed at any time to any person other than the
parties, their representatives, the arbitrator and the Additional Notice
Parties; provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent the party
prevailing in the arbitration from submitting the Final Determination to a court
for the purpose of enforcing the award, subject to comparable confidentiality
protections if the court agrees; and further provided that the foregoing shall
not prohibit disclosure to the minimum extent reasonably necessary to comply
with (i) applicable law (or requirement having the force of law), court order,
judgment or decree, including, without limitation, disclosures which may be
required pursuant to applicable securities laws, and (ii) the terms of
contractual arrangements (such as financing arrangements) to which the Company
or any Additional Notice Party may be subject so long as such contractual
arrangements were not entered into for the primary purpose of permitting
disclosure which would otherwise be prohibited hereunder.
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