EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Offshore
Logistics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, an individual (the
“Executive”), effective as of the 1st day of June, 2005 (“Effective Date”). Except as
otherwise provided herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified in
Section 10.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter into an employment agreement
embodying the terms of such employment and services; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such employment and service as a Senior Vice
President of the Company and to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company
and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment, Duties and Acceptance.
(a) Employment Period.
(i) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive for a term commencing on the
Effective Date and expiring at the end of the day on May 31, 2007 (the “Initial Employment
Period”).
(ii) The Initial Employment Period shall be automatically further extended at the end
of the Initial Employment Period and on each anniversary thereafter (each such date being a
“Renewal Date”), so as to terminate one (1) year from such Renewal Date, unless at least
ninety (90) days prior to a Renewal Date either Party gives a Notice of Non-Renewal to the
other Party that the Employment Period should not be further extended after the next Renewal
Date, in which event the end of the term of the Executive’s employment by the Company shall
be the Renewal Date next following such Notice of Non-Renewal. As used in this Agreement,
the “Employment Period” shall mean the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on
the expiration of the term of the Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to this
Section 1(a), subject to earlier termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company
pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(a), if a Change of
Control Effective Date (as defined in Section 10(i) hereof) occurs during the Employment
Period, then the Employment Period shall extend to include and shall terminate at the end of
the Change of Control Period, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
and the Employment Period shall no longer be subject to extension on the Renewal Date.
(b) Position. From and after the Effective Date during the remainder of the
Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as a Senior Vice President of the Company and
shall report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall
also serve in those offices and directorships of subsidiary corporations or entities of the Company
to which the Executive may from time to time be appointed or elected, including, but not limited
to, President of Air Logistics, L.L.C. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall devote
substantially all of the Executive’s business time, energy and talents to the Company and its
Affiliated Group. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for
the Executive, subject to the requirements of Section 5, to (A) serve on corporate, civic or
charitable boards or committees, provided that, without the written approval of the Board, the
Executive shall be permitted to serve on no more than one such corporate board, (B) deliver
lectures or fulfill speaking engagements and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such
activities do not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as a Senior
Vice President of the Company or violate any Company policies.
(c) Location of Services. The Executive’s principal location of employment shall be
at the Company offices located in New Iberia, Louisiana; provided, that the Executive will
be required to travel frequently outside of the applicable principal location of employment in
connection with the performing the Executive’s duties under this Agreement.
(d) Duties. The Executive agrees that during the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the Company in the Western Hemisphere responsible for the
management and supervision of the aircraft operations functions of the Company and the Affiliated
Group in the Western Hemisphere. During any Change of Control Period, the Executive’s position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant
of those held, exercised and assigned to the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date.
(e) Acceptance of Employment by the Executive. The Executive hereby accepts such
employment and shall render the services and perform the duties described above.
2. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an
annualized base salary (“Annual Base Salary”) at the rate of $215,000 (Company salary grade 12),
payable semi-monthly or such other payroll period pursuant to the Company’s normal payroll
practices for its senior executives. The current Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at such time
as the salaries of other senior executives of the Company are reviewed generally; provided,
that the Executive’s reviews shall occur at least annually and may be increased and decreased, but
not decreased below $215,000 per year, during the Employment Period. All such reviews shall
consider factors the Company deems material; including, but not limited to: (i) market
benchmarking; (ii) increases in cost of living; (iii) Executive’s job performance; and (iv) overall
Company performance. During any Change of Control Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be at least
equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which
has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and the Affiliated Group in respect
of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Change of Control Effective
Date occurs. During any Change of Control Period, (x) Annual
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Base Salary shall not be reduced, and (y) the term “Annual Base Salary” as utilized in this
Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as determined pursuant to the foregoing subpart (x).
(b) Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year completed during the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (“Annual Bonus”) based upon performance
targets that are established by the Committee, provided that the Executive’s target Annual
Bonus shall be equal to 50% of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), and the
maximum Annual Bonus shall be equal to 100% of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary. Annual
performance metrics will be set by the Committee based upon objective performance criteria of the
Company, such as earnings per share and return on capital employed, as well as individual
performance and, with respect to the Company’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, pursuant to the
provisions of the FY 2006 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. During any Change of Control Period,
the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Change of Control Period, an
Annual Bonus in cash at least equal to the Recent Annual Bonus. Each such Annual Bonus shall be
paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for
which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such
Annual Bonus.
(c) Stock Option Grant. The Company shall grant to the Executive stock options
pursuant to the Incentive Plan to purchase 3,700 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Stock
Options”). The Stock Options shall have a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of a
share of common stock of the Company on the date of grant which shall be as soon as reasonably
practicable after approval of this Agreement by the Committee, shall have a ten-year term, and
shall vest in three annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective
Date, with 33% of the Stock Options vesting on each of first two anniversaries of the Effective
Date, and the remaining 34% vesting on the third anniversary of the Effective Date,
provided in each case that the Executive remains in the employ of the Company through such
date. Except as specifically provided herein, the terms and conditions of the Stock Options shall
be subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan and the award agreement evidencing the grant. During
the Employment Period, the Executive may receive such additional Awards (as defined in the
Incentive Plan), if any, pursuant to the Incentive Plan as may be determined, from time to time, by
the Committee.
(d) Performance Accelerated Restricted Stock Unit Grant. The Company shall grant to
the Executive pursuant to the Incentive Plan, 3,700 Performance Accelerated Restricted Stock Units
(the “Restricted Shares”). The Restricted Shares will vest five years after the Effective Date so
long as Executive has been continuously employed by the Company and the Company’s annualized total
shareholder return (as defined in the award agreement) is at least 3% during the entire vesting
period. Vesting of the Restricted Shares will be accelerated if the Company’s annualized total
shareholder returns during such vesting period reach certain thresholds provided in the award
agreement evidencing the grant of the Restricted Shares (which thresholds shall be consistent with
those provided in awards to other senior executives of the Company) and under the circumstances
described in Section 3(e). Except as specifically provided herein, the terms and conditions of the
Restricted Shares shall be subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan and the award agreement
evidencing the grant. During the Employment Period, the Executive may receive such additional
Awards (as defined in the Incentive Plan), if any, pursuant to the Incentive Plan as may be
determined, from time to time, by the Committee.
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(e) Deferred Compensation. As soon as reasonably practicable after December 31 of
each year during the Employment Period the Company will credit an amount equal to fifteen percent
(15%) of the aggregate cash paid by the Company to Executive as Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
for the calendar year ended December 31 (less Company contributions to qualified plans) into a
Company deferred compensation plan (the Offshore Logistics, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective: January 1, 2004, as amended from time to time), which will be subject to the vesting
schedule set forth in such plan. In the event that legislation implemented subsequent to the date
of this Agreement causes the deferrals contemplated hereby not to be respected for tax purposes,
such amounts shall be paid to the Executive in the year of accrual on December 31st of each such
year (conditioned on the Executive’s continued employment on such date), on a fully taxable basis,
and without adjustment for tax impact.
(f) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive (subject to
applicable law and regulation) shall be eligible for participation in the Company health and
medical, welfare, retirement (including the Offshore Logistics, Inc. Employee Savings and
Retirement Plan, as amended from time to time), non-qualified deferred compensation, perquisite,
fringe benefit, and other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs, as may be in effect from
time to time, for executives of the Company generally; provided, that, except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, the Executive shall not be eligible for any Company severance benefit
plans, practices, policies and programs. As soon as reasonably practicable after execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Executive and thereafter during the Employment
Period, the Company shall provide the Executive with a Company-paid portable, term life insurance
policy covering the Executive’s life in the amount of $500,000 with death benefits payable to the
Executive’s designated beneficiaries. The Executive shall cooperate with the Company in applying
for such coverage, including submitting to a physical exam and providing all relevant health and
personal data. During any Change of Control Period, in no event shall the benefits described in
this Section 2(f) provide the Executive with benefits that are less favorable, in the aggregate,
than the most favorable of such benefits in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Change of Control Effective Date to other
peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Group.
(g) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for
prompt reimbursement for business expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive in accordance with
the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time for Company executives generally.
(h) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for paid
vacation at the rate of four (4) weeks per year in accordance with the policies of the Company.
(i) Company Automobile. During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide the
Executive with an automobile allowance of $1,500 per month to be used by Executive to acquire,
maintain and operate an automobile which Executive may use for business purposes during the
Employment Period.
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(j) Office and Support Staff. During any Change of Control Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments,
and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistants, at least equal to the most favorable of
the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and the Affiliated Group at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and the Affiliated Group.
3. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may provide the Executive with written notice in
accordance with Section 9(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s
employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective
on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”),
provided that, within the 30-day period after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned
to full time performance of the Executive’s duties.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment
Period with or without Cause.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive with
or without Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good
Reason if (x) an event or circumstance set forth in Section 10(aa) shall have occurred and the
Executive provides the Company with written notice thereof within 30 days after the Executive has
knowledge of the occurrence or existence of such event or circumstance, which notice shall
specifically identify the event or circumstance that the Executive believes constitutes Good
Reason, (y) the Company fails to correct the circumstance or event so identified within 30 days
after the receipt of such notice, and (z) the Executive resigns within 90 days after the date of
delivery of the notice referred to in clause (x) above.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other Party hereto
given in accordance with Section 9(b) of this Agreement. The failure by the Executive or the
Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such
fact or circumstance in enforcing the rights of the Executive or the Company hereunder.
(e) Special Vesting Terms for Stock Option and Awards. All unvested Stock Options and
other Awards (including, without limitation, the Restricted Shares) granted pursuant to this
Agreement or the Incentive Plan will become fully vested and unrestricted (i) in the event of the
Company’s termination of the Executive’s employment without Cause during the Employment Period,
(ii) upon termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company due to the
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Executive’s death or Disability, or (iii) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control. If the
Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the Termination Date, the period of exercise for the
Executive’s vested Stock Options shall be as follows:
(i) Upon the Executive’s termination of employment by reason of the Executive’s death
or Disability, any Stock Options held by the Executive that were exercisable immediately
before the Date of Termination may be exercised at any time until the earlier of (A) the
second anniversary of the Date of Termination and (B) the expiration date of the Stock
Options.
(ii) Upon the Executive’s termination of employment by the Company for Cause, any Stock
Options and Restricted Shares held by the Executive shall be forfeited, effective as of the
Date of Termination.
(iii) Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason other than the
Executive’s death or Disability or termination by the Company for Cause, any Stock Options
held by the Executive that were exercisable immediately before the Date of Termination may
be exercised at any time until the earlier of (A) the 90th day following the Date
of Termination and (B) the expiration date of such Stock Options.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(e), if the Executive
dies after the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated but while any of the
Stock Options remain exercisable as set forth above, such Stock Options may be exercised at
any time until the later of (A) the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the date of such
death and (2) the expiration date of such Stock Options and (B) the last date on which such
Stock Options would have been exercisable, absent this Section 3(e)(iv).
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(e), upon the termination
of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, other than termination for
Cause by the Company, during the 24-month period following any Change of Control Effective
Date, any Stock Options held by the Executive as of the Change of Control Effective Date
that remain outstanding as of the Date of Termination may thereafter be exercised, until the
later of (A) the last date on which such Stock Options would be exercisable in the absence
of this Section 3(e)(v) and (B) the earlier of (1) the third anniversary of the Change of
Control Effective Date and (2) the expiration date of such Stock Options.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, express or implied, except as provided
in Section 4(a)(ii), the provisions of this Agreement are in addition to and not in limitation of
the Executive’s rights under the Incentive Plan and any other plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Company or any of the Affiliated Group and for which the Executive may qualify.
(f) Resignation from All Positions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, upon the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, unless otherwise
requested by the President and Chief Executive Officer and accepted by the Executive, the Executive
shall immediately resign as of the Date of Termination from all positions that the
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Executive holds or has ever held with the Company and any other member of the Affiliated Group
(and with any other entities with respect to which the Company has requested the Executive to
perform services and which has been accepted by the Executive), including, without limitation, all
boards of directors of any member of the Affiliated Group. The Executive hereby agrees to execute
any and all documentation to effectuate such resignations upon request by the Company, but the
Executive shall be treated for all purposes as having so resigned upon termination of the
Executive’s employment, regardless of when or whether the Executive executes any such
documentation.
4. Obligations upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause; Non-Renewal by Company; Expiration. If, during
the Employment Period, (1) the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for
Cause, death or Disability, (2) the Executive shall terminate the Executive’s employment for Good
Reason, (3) the Executive’s employment terminates voluntarily or involuntarily by reason of the
Company providing to the Executive a Notice of Non-Renewal, or (4) the Executive’s employment
terminates voluntarily or involuntarily upon expiration of the term of this Agreement at the end of
a Change of Control Period unless the Company provides the Executive with a Comparable Offer at
least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Change of Control Period:
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after
the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
A. | the Accrued Amounts (as defined in Section 10(a) hereof); and | ||
B. | an amount equal to: |
(1) | in the event such termination occurs at any time other than a Change of Control Period, the product of (x) two and (y) the sum of (i) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the Date of Termination and (ii) the Target Bonus; or | ||
(2) | in the event such termination occurs during or at the end of a Change of Control Period, the product of (x) three and (y) the sum of (i) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary and (ii) the Highest Annual Bonus. |
(ii) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or
provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or
which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement (other than, in the event the Executive’s termination occurs outside
of a Change of Control Period, any severance plan, program, policy or practice or contract
or agreement) of the Company and its Affiliated Group (such amounts and benefits, the “Other
Benefits”) in accordance with the terms and normal procedures of each such plan, program,
policy or practice, based on accrued benefits through the Date of Termination.
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(iii) Until the earlier to occur of (A) the expiration of eighteen months after the
Date of Termination, (B) the date on which the Executive attains the age of 65, (C) the date
the Executive first becomes eligible to receive health benefits under another
employer-provided plan, from and after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or (D) the death
of the Executive, the Company shall, via proper COBRA election by Executive, continue
medical and dental benefits to the Executive (and, if applicable, to the spouse and
dependents of the Executive who received such benefits under the Executive’s coverage
immediately prior to the Date of Termination) at least equal to those that would have been
provided to the Executive (and to any such dependent) in accordance with the plans,
programs, practices and policies of the Company had the Executive remained actively
employed, provided that Executive makes all required COBRA payments to the Company, and the
Company shall immediately reimburse Executive for each such COBRA payment.
(iv) As a condition to the Executive’s receipt of payments and benefits described under
Sections 4(a)(i), 4(a)(ii) and 4(a)(iii) in the event the Executive’s termination occurs
outside of a Change of Control Period, the Executive must execute and deliver to the Company
a full release of all claims that the Executive may have (and such release must become
irrevocable) against the Company, its Affiliated Group, and all of their officers,
employees, directors, and agents, in a form mutually and reasonably agreeable to the Parties
hereunder; provided, however, that the Executive shall retain the Executive’s
indemnification and related rights as a former officer and director under the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and the Executive’s rights under the Directors and
Officers Insurance Policy(ies) maintained by the Company from time to time.
(b) Cause; Without Good Reason; Non-Renewal by Executive. If the Executive’s
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, if the Executive shall
resign without Good Reason during the Employment Period, or if the Executive’s employment
terminates by reason of the Executive providing to the Company a Notice of Non-Renewal, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than the Company’s
obligation to pay or provide to the Executive an amount equal to the Accrued Amounts and the Other
Benefits. For purposes of this Section 4(b) only, the Accrued Amounts shall not include the amount
described in Section 10(a)(i)(2).
(c) Death or Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s death or Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other
than the Company’s obligation to pay or provide to Executive’s estate, heirs or beneficiaries or to
Executive, as the case may be: (i) the Accrued Amounts; and (ii) the Other Benefits. With respect
to the provision of Other Benefits, in the event the Executive’s termination occurs during a Change
of Control Period, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 4(c) shall include,
without limitation, and the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive,
benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and the Affiliated
Group to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Group
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect
with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during
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the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date
of the Executive’s death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated
Group and their beneficiaries.
5. Covenants. The Executive recognizes that the Company’s willingness to enter into
this Agreement is based in material part on the Executive’s agreement to the provisions of this
Section 5, and that the Executive’s breach of the provisions of this Section 5 could materially
damage the Company.
(a) Confidential Information. The Company will provide its confidential and trade
secret information to the Executive, and the Executive agrees to hold in a fiduciary capacity for
the benefit of the Company and the Affiliated Group, all Confidential Information. The Executive
shall not communicate, divulge or disseminate Confidential Information at any time during or after
the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Affiliated Group, except with the prior written
consent of the Company, or as otherwise required by law or legal process or governmental inquiry or
as such disclosure or use may be required in the course of the Executive performing the Executive’s
duties and responsibilities hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if the Executive
is required to disclose any such confidential or proprietary information pursuant to applicable law
or governmental inquiry or a subpoena or court order, the Executive shall promptly notify the
Company in writing of any such requirement so that the Company or the appropriate member of the
Company and the Affiliated Group may seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate
remedy. The Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company and the Affiliated Group to
obtain such a protective order or other remedy. If such order or other remedy is not obtained
prior to the time the Executive is required to make the disclosure, then unless the Company waives
compliance with the provisions hereof, the Executive shall disclose only that portion of the
confidential or proprietary information which the Executive is advised by counsel in writing
(either the Executive’s or the Company’s) that the Executive is legally required to so disclose.
Upon the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company and the Affiliated Group for any
reason, the Executive shall promptly return to the Company all records, files, memoranda,
correspondence, notebooks, notes, reports, customer lists, drawings, plans, documents, and other
documents and the like relating to the business of the Company and the Affiliated Group or
containing any trade secrets relating to the Company and the Affiliated Group or that the Executive
uses, prepares or comes into contact with during the course of the Executive’s employment with the
Company and the Affiliated Group, and all keys, credit cards and passes, and such materials shall
remain the sole property of the Company and/or the Affiliated Group, as applicable. The Executive
agrees to execute any standard form confidentiality agreements with the Company that the Company
generally enters into or may enter into in the future with its senior executives. The Executive
agrees to represent in writing to the Company upon termination of employment that the Executive has
complied with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(a).
(b) Work Product and Inventions. The Company and/or its nominees or assigns shall own
all right, title and interest in and to the Developments, whether or not patentable, reduced to
practice or registrable under patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property law
anywhere in the world, made, authored, discovered, reduced to practice, conceived, created,
developed or otherwise obtained by the Executive (alone or jointly with others) during the
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Executive’s employment with the Company and the Affiliated Group, and arising from or relating
to such employment or the business of the Company or of other member of the Affiliated Group
(whether during business hours or otherwise, and whether on the premises of using the facilities or
materials of the Company or of other members of the Affiliated Group or otherwise). The Executive
shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company and to no one else all Developments, and hereby
assigns to the Company without further compensation all right, title and interest the Executive has
or may have in any Developments, and all patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights
relating thereto, and agrees that the Executive has not acquired and shall not acquire any rights
during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Affiliated Group or thereafter with
respect to any Developments.
(c) Non-Solicitation of Affiliated Group Employees. The Executive shall not, at any
time during the Restricted Period, other than in the ordinary exercise of the Executive’s duties
while serving as a Senior Vice President, without the prior written consent of the Company,
directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, or employ (whether as an employee, officer, agent,
consultant or independent contractor) any person who is or was at any time during the previous 12
months, an employee, representative, officer or director of the Company or any member of the
Affiliated Group. Further, during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not take any action
that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of directly encouraging or inducing any person
to cease their relationship with the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group for any reason.
A general employment advertisement by an entity of which the Executive is a part will not
constitute solicitation or recruitment.
(d) Non-Competition. In consideration of the Company’s promise to provide the
Executive with the confidential and trade secret information of the Company, the Executive agrees
as follows:
(i) Areas Other Than Louisiana. Except with respect to competition in the
State of Louisiana, or with respect to competition in or above the waters off the State of
Louisiana in the areas specified in subparagraph (B) of Section 5(d)(ii) of this Agreement,
during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly,
compete with the business of the Company anywhere in the world where the Company or any
member of the Affiliated Group conducts business by (1) becoming an officer, agent,
employee, partner or director of any other corporation, partnership or other entity, or
otherwise render services to or assist or hold an interest (except as a less than 2-percent
shareholder of a publicly traded corporation or as a less than 5-percent shareholder of a
corporation that is not publicly traded) in any Competitive Business, or (2) soliciting,
servicing, or accepting the business of (A) any active customer of the Company or any member
of the Affiliated Group, or (B) any person or entity who is or was at any time during the
previous twelve months a customer of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group,
provided that such business is competitive with any significant business of the Company or
any member of the Affiliated Group.
(ii) Louisiana. With respect to competition in the State of Louisiana, or with
respect to competition in or above the waters specified in subparagraph (B) of this Section
5(d)(ii).
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A. | Executive, during the Restricted Period, agrees to refrain from carrying on or engaging in a business similar to the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group, or from soliciting customers of the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group, within the Parishes of Lafayette, Vermillion, Cameron, Iberia, St. Xxxx, Plaquemines, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Xxxxxxx, Orleans, Calcasieu and Jefferson in the State of Louisiana, so long as the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group carries on a like business therein during the Restricted Period, and | ||
B. | Executive, during the Restricted Period, agrees to refrain from carrying on or engaging in a business similar to the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group or from soliciting customers of the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group in or above the waters of the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the Parishes of Lafayette, Vermillion, Cameron, Iberia, St. Xxxx, Plaquemines, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Xxxxxxx, Orleans, Calcasieu and Jefferson in the State of Louisiana, so long as the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group carries on a like business therein during the Restricted Period. | ||
C. | All non-capitalized terms in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this Section 5(d)(ii) are intended to and shall have the same meanings that those terms (to the extent they appear therein) have in La. R.S. 23:921.C. Subject to and only to the extent not inconsistent with the foregoing sentence, the Parties understand the following phases to have the following meanings: |
(1) | The phrase “carrying on or engaging in a business similar to the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group” includes engaging, as principal, agent, trustee, or through the agency of any corporation, partnership, association or agent or agency, in any business that conducts an offshore oil and gas helicopter service business in competition with the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group or being the owner (except as a less than 2-percent shareholder of a publicly traded corporation or as a less than 5-percent shareholder of a corporation that is not publicly traded) of any interest in any corporation or other entity, or an officer, director, or employee of any corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group), or a member or employee or any partnership, or an owner or employee of any other business that conducts an offshore oil and gas helicopter service business in competition with the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group. Moreover, the term also includes (i) directly or indirectly inducing any current customers of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group to patronize any offshore oil and gas helicopter service business in competition with the Company or any member of the Affiliated |
11
Group; (ii) canvassing, soliciting, or accepting any offshore oil and gas helicopter service business of the type conducted by the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group; (iii) directly or indirectly requesting or advising any current customers of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group to withdraw, curtail or cancel such customer’s offshore oil and gas helicopter service business with the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group; or (iv) directly or indirectly disclosing to any other person, firm, corporation or entity, the names and addresses of any of the current customers of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group. In addition, the term includes, directly or indirectly, through any person, firm, association, corporation or other entity with which Executive is now or may hereafter become associated, causing or inducing any present employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to accept employment with the Executive or with such person, firm association, corporation, or other entity. |
(2) | The phrase “a similar business to the business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group” means an offshore oil and gas helicopter service business. | ||
(3) | The phrase “carries on a like business” includes, without limitation, actions taken by or through a wholly-owned subsidiary or other affiliated corporation or entity. |
D. | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Section 5(d)(ii) of this Agreement shall not apply with respect to any geographic area outside of the geographic territory expressly set forth in this Section 5(d)(ii). |
(e) Assistance. The Executive agrees that during and after the Executive’s employment
by the Company, upon request by the Company, the Executive will assist the Company and the
Affiliated Group in the defense of any claims, or potential claims that may be made or threatened
to be made against the Company and/or any member of the Affiliated Group in any Proceeding, and
will assist the Company and the Affiliated Group in the prosecution of any claims that may be made
by the Company and/or any member of the Affiliated Group in any Proceeding, to the extent that such
claims may relate to the Executive’s employment or the period of the Executive’s employment by the
Company. The Executive agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if the
Executive is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any Proceeding involving such
claims or potential claims. The Executive also agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform
the Company if the Executive is asked to assist in any investigation (whether governmental or
otherwise) of the Company and/or any member of the Affiliated Group (or their actions), regardless
of whether a lawsuit has then been filed against the Company and/or any member of the Affiliated
Group with respect to such investigation. The Executive agrees to fully and completely cooperate
with any investigations conducted by or on behalf of the Company and for any member of the
Affiliated Group from
12
time to time. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for all of the Executive’s
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such assistance, including travel expenses and
any attorneys’ fees, and shall pay a reasonable per diem fee for the Executive’s service. In
addition, the Executive agrees to provide such services as are reasonably requested by the Company
to assist any successor to the Executive in the transition of duties and responsibilities to such
successor. Any services or assistance contemplated in this Section 5(e) shall be at mutually
agreed to and convenient times.
(f) Remedies. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the terms of this Section 5:
(i) are reasonable in geographic and temporal scope, (ii) are necessary to protect legitimate
proprietary and business interests of the Company in, inter alia, near permanent customer
relationships and confidential information. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (x)
the Executive’s breach of the provisions of this Section 5 will cause the Company irreparable harm,
which cannot be adequately compensated by money damages, and (y) if the Company elects to prevent
the Executive from breaching such provisions by obtaining an injunction against the Executive,
there is a reasonable probability of the Company’s eventual success on the merits. The Executive
consents and agrees that if the Executive commits any such breach or threatens to commit any
breach, the Company shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief from a court of
competent jurisdiction, in addition to, and not in lieu of, such other remedies as may be available
to the Company for such breach, including the recovery of money damages. If any of the provisions
of this Section 5 are determined to be wholly or partially unenforceable, the Executive hereby
agrees that this Agreement or any provision hereof may be reformed so that it is enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted by law. If any of the provisions of this Section 5 are determined to be
wholly or partially unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such determination shall not be a bar to or
in any way diminish the Company’s right to enforce any such covenant in any other jurisdiction.
6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Except as provided in Section 4(a)(ii), nothing in this
Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of the Affiliated Group and for which
the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 9(g), shall anything herein limit or otherwise
affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or
any of the Affiliated Group. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement
with the Company or any of the Affiliated Group at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall
be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
7. No Duty to Mitigate. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive
under any of the provisions of this Agreement and except as specifically provided in Section
4(a)(iii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
13
8. Assignment; Successors.
(a) No Assignment. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executive’s legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(b) Successors. The Company shall cause any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all or a substantial portion
of its business and/or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement immediately
upon such succession in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required
to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law; Captions; Amendments. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws. The Parties hereto irrevocably agree to submit to the jurisdiction and venue of
the courts of the State of Delaware in any Delaware Proceeding. In the event of a Delaware
Proceeding, the Company shall pay all of the Executive’s reasonable travel expenses incurred by him
for the Executive’s travel between the Executive’s principal residence and/or principal place of
business at such time and Delaware in connection with such Delaware Proceeding. The captions of
this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
Parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be given by hand delivery to the other Party or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
At the address most recently on file for the Executive at the Company at the time of such notice.
If to the Company:
Offshore Logistics, Inc.
0000 X. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
0000 X. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
14
With a Copy to:
Gardere Xxxxx Xxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: X. X. Xxxxxxx III
0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: X. X. Xxxxxxx III
or to such other address as either Party shall have furnished to the other Party in writing in
accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the
addressee.
(c) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
may withhold from any amounts payable or benefits provided under this Agreement any Federal, state,
local and foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
(e) No Waiver. The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or
the Company may have hereunder, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or
any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) Press Release. The Parties agree that the Company may issue a press release and
may otherwise publicly disclose the Executive’s employment with the Company.
(g) Director’s and Officer’s Insurance. The Company shall provide the Executive with
Director’s and Officer’s insurance coverage, including indemnification, on terms no less favorable
than the terms of the coverage provided to similarly situated current and former directors and
officers of the Company. In the event that the validity of this Agreement is challenged (other
than by the Executive or the Executive’s representatives), the Executive’s reasonable expenses
incurred therewith shall be reimbursed by the Company.
(h) Representations and Understandings. The Executive hereby represents and warrants
to the Company that the Executive is not party to any contract, understanding, agreement or policy,
whether or not written, with the Executive’s current employer (or any other previous employer) or
otherwise, that would be breached by the Executive’s entering into, or performing services under,
this Agreement, and that the Executive is fully able to assume the duties and responsibilities set
forth in this Agreement without restrictions of any kind. The Executive further represents that
the Executive has disclosed to the Company in writing all material threatened, pending, or actual
claims that are unresolved and still outstanding as of the Effective Date, in each case, against
the Executive of which the Executive is aware, if any, as a result of the Executive’s employment
with the Executive’s current employer (or any other previous employer) or the Executive’s
membership on any boards of directors.
15
(i) Entire Agreement; Conflicts. This Agreement and the other agreements referred to
herein, constitute the entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understanding, both written and oral. In the
event of direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any Company policies or
practices, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
(j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile and in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which shall constitute one and
the same document.
(k) Section 280G Limitation on Payments.
(i) In the event that all or any portion of the benefits provided under this Agreement,
either alone or together with other payments and benefits that the Executive receives or is
then entitled to receive from the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group, would
constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the Company
shall reduce such payments and benefits provided to the Executive under this Agreement to
the extent necessary so that no portion thereof shall be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code; but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax
benefit to the Executive shall exceed the net after-tax benefit if such reduction were not
made. “Net after-tax benefit” for these purposes shall mean (A) the total amount payable to
the Executive under this Agreement (and all other payments and benefits which the Executive
receives or is then entitled to receive from the Company or any member of the Affiliated
Group) that would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Code, less (B) the amount of federal income taxes payable with respect to the foregoing
calculated at the Executive’s applicable marginal income tax rate for each year in which the
foregoing shall be paid to the Executive (based upon the rate in effect for such year as set
forth in the Code at the time of the payment under this Agreement), less (C) the amount of
excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described in (A) above by
Section 4999 of the Code. The amount of any reduction made under this Section 9(k) in the
payment to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement is hereinafter referred to
as the “Relinquished Amount.”
(ii) All determinations required to be made under this Section 9(k), including whether
and when a Relinquished Amount shall be imposed and the amount of such Relinquished Amount,
shall be made by the Company’s independent auditing firm used immediately prior to the
Change of Control (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive. The Company shall provide any and all
information, records and documents relating to Executive’s compensation and benefits paid or
payable by the Company as may be reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm in connection
with its determination of the Relinquished Amount. In the event that the Accounting Firm is
serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of
Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make
the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as
the Accounting
16
Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by
the Company.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, expressed or implied, the
Company’s obligations to the Executive pursuant to this Section 9(k) shall be limited to
providing to the Executive payments and benefits in accordance with the determinations of
the Accounting Firm. The Company shall not be liable for any inaccuracies in the
determination of the Relinquished Amount by such Accounting Firm.
(l) Section 409A Compliance. The Parties acknowledge that Section 409A of the Code
was enacted pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, generally effective with respect to
amounts deferred after January 1, 2005, and only limited guidance has been issued by the Internal
Revenue Service with respect to the application of Code Section 409A to certain arrangements, such
as this Agreement. The Internal Revenue Service has indicated that it will provide further
guidance regarding interpretation and application of Section 409A of the Code during 2005. The
Parties acknowledge that the full effect of Section 409A of the Code on potential payments pursuant
to this Agreement cannot be determined at the time that the Parties are entering into this
Agreement. The Parties agree to work together in good faith in an effort to comply with Section
409A of the Code based on further guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service from time to
time, provided that the Company shall not be required to assume any increased economic burden.
10. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
respective meanings assigned to them below:
(a) “Accrued Amounts” shall mean:
(i) in the event termination of the Executive’s employment occurs at any time other
than a Change of Control Period, the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the
Target Bonus and (y) a fraction (which, for purposes of clarity, shall equal less than 1),
the numerator of which is the number of days in the then-current fiscal year through the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, (3) the Executive’s business
expenses that are reimbursable pursuant to this Agreement but have not been reimbursed by
the Company as of the Date of Termination, (4) any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued but
unused vacation allowances for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, and (5) any
Annual Bonus earned prior to the Termination Date but unpaid; or
(ii) in the event termination of the Executive’s employment occurs during a Change of
Control Period, the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the
Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or
portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for
less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed
17
for less than twelve full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during
the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the “Highest Annual
Bonus”) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current
fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, (3) the
Executive’s business expenses that are reimbursable pursuant to this Agreement but have not
been reimbursed by the Company as of the Date of Termination, (4) any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not therefore paid, and
(5) any Annual Bonus earned prior to the Termination Date but unpaid.
(b) “Affiliated Group” shall mean any entity controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(c) “Agreement” is defined in the Preamble to this Agreement.
(d) “Annual Base Salary” is defined in Section 2(a).
(e) “Annual Bonus” is defined in Section 2(b).
(f) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the Executive’s willful failure to substantially perform the Executive’s duties
under this Agreement, or the Executive’s willful failure to perform specific directives of
the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which directives are consistent
with the scope and nature of the Executive’s duties as set forth in Section 1(d) hereof,
other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness,
which failure has continued for a period of at least 30 days following delivery to the
Executive of a written demand for substantial performance specifying the manner in which the
Executive has failed hereunder; or
(ii) the Executive’s commission of malfeasance, fraud, or dishonesty, or the
Executive’s willful and material violation of Company policies; or
(iii) the Executive’s indictment or formal charge for, and subsequent conviction of, or
plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
or
(iv) the Executive’s material breach of Section 5 of this Agreement.
A termination of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for “Cause” unless
and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the
Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose, finding that, in the good
faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in one or more
of the clauses in Section 10(g) above, and specifying the particulars thereof.
18
(h) “Change of Control” shall mean:
(i) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (x) the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common
Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company
Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
corporation controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to
a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) of this
Section 10(h)(i); or
(ii) 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; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board, but excluding,
for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii) consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the
acquisition of assets of another corporation (a “Business Combination”), in each case,
unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals
and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50.1% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as
the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries ) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior
to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly 35% or more of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination, and
19
(C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of
the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such
Business Combination; or
(iv) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.
(i) “Change of Control Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Employment Period
on which a Change of Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated
prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (1) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (2) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the
“Change of Control Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
(j) “Change of Control Period” shall mean the greater of (i) the period commencing on the
Change of Control Effective Date and ending on the Termination Date in effect on the Change of
Control Effective Date, and (ii) the period commencing on the Change of Control Effective Date and
ending on the second anniversary of the Change of Control Effective Date.
(k) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(l) “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Company.
(m) “Company” shall mean Offshore Logistics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor
to its business and/or assets that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
(n) “Comparable Offer” shall mean a binding offer of employment by the Company to the
Executive on terms substantially the same as the terms of this Agreement, or on terms more
beneficial to the Executive, including, without limitation, terms and provisions regarding (i) the
Executive’s position, title, duties, authority, and responsibilities, (ii) base salary, annual
bonus, options, restricted shares, severance payments and other compensation provided to the
Executive, and (iii) health and medical, welfare, retirement, deferred compensation, perquisite,
fringe benefit and other benefit plans in which the Executive will be eligible for participation.
(o) “Competitive Business” shall mean any person or entity (including any joint venture,
partnership, firm, corporation, or limited liability company) that engages in any principal or
significant business of the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group as of the Date of
Termination (or any material or significant business being actively pursued as of the Date of
Termination that the Company or any member of the Affiliated Group enters into during the
Restricted Period).
(p) “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company and the Affiliated Group and their
20
businesses (including, without limitation, any proprietary and not publicly available
information concerning any processes, methods, trade secrets, research or secret data, costs, names
of users or purchasers of their respective products or services, business methods, operating
procedures or programs or methods of promotion and sale) that the Executive obtains during the
Executive’s employment by the Company and the Affiliated Group that is not public knowledge.
(q) “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company
for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein within 30 days of such notice, as the case may be; (ii) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company, other than for Cause or Disability, the date
on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination; (iii) if the Executive voluntarily
resigns without Good Reason, the date on which the Executive notifies the Company of such
termination; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death
of the Executive; (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company due to Disability,
the Disability Effective Date; or (vi) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive
or the Company as a result of a Notice of Non-Renewal, the end of the applicable Employment Period.
(r) “Delaware Proceeding” shall mean any action or proceeding brought under, with respect to
or in connection with this Agreement in the courts of Delaware.
(s) “Developments” shall mean any and all inventions, ideas, trade secrets, technology,
devices, discoveries, improvements, processes, developments, designs, know how, show-how, data,
computer programs, algorithms, formulae, works of authorship, works modifications, trademarks,
trade names, documentation, techniques, designs, methods, trade secrets, technical specifications,
technical data, concepts, expressions, patents, patent rights, copyrights, moral rights, and all
other intellectual property rights or other developments whatsoever.
(t) “Disability” shall mean the inability of the Executive to perform the Executive’s duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 150 consecutive days during the Employment Period as a
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness, which is determined to be total and
permanent by a licensed physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable
to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative. If the Parties cannot agree on a
licensed physician, each Party shall select a licensed physician and the two physicians shall
select a third who shall be the approved licensed physician for these purposes.
(u) “Disability Effective Date” is defined in Section 3(a).
(v) “Effective Date” is defined in the Preamble to this Agreement.
(w) “Employment Period” is defined in Section 1(a)(iii).
(x) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(y) “Executive” is defined in the Preamble to this Agreement.
(z) “Extended Employment Period” is defined in Section 1(a)(ii).
21
(aa) “Good Reason” shall mean, during any Change of Control Period and in the absence of the
Executive’s consent, (i) any reduction in the position or duties of the Executive, (ii) any failure
by the Company to comply with Section 2 hereof, or (iii) the relocation of the Executive’s job
location to a location more than fifty (50) miles from New Iberia, Louisiana.
(bb) “Highest Annual Bonus” is defined in Section 10(a)(ii).
(cc) “Incentive Plan” shall mean the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and any successor
plan, as each may be amended.
(dd) “Initial Employment Period” is defined in Section 1(a)(i).
(ee) “Notice of Non-Renewal” is defined in Section 1(a)(ii).
(ff) “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination is
other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be
not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice).
(gg) “Other Benefits” is defined in Section 4(a)(ii) and Section 4(c).
(hh) “Party” shall mean the Company and the Executive, individually, and “Parties” shall mean
the Company and the Executive collectively.
(ii) “Proceeding” shall mean any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or otherwise.
(jj) “Recent Annual Bonus” shall mean the Executive’s highest Annual Bonus for the last three
fiscal years prior to the Change of Control Effective Date (annualized in the event that the
Executive is not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year).
(kk) “Renewal Date” is defined in Section 1(a)(iii).
(ll) “Restricted Period” shall mean the period from the Effective Date through the date
eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination; provided, however, that there shall be no
Restricted Period in the event that the termination of the Executive’s employment occurs during a
Change of Control Period.
(mm) “Restricted Shares” is defined in Section 2(d).
(nn) “Stock Options” is defined in Section 2(c).
(oo) “Target Bonus” is defined in Section 2(b).
(pp) “Termination Date” shall mean May 31, 2007, or such later date to which the Employment
Period of this Agreement is extended in accordance with the terms of Section 1(a).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, the Company has
caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, as of the Effective Date.
“EXECUTIVE” | ||||
“COMPANY” | ||||
OFFSHORE LOGISTICS, INC. | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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