EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Service
Merchandise Company, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx (the "Executive"), effective as of May 11, 1998. The Company and the
Executive are sometimes referred to herein as the "parties".
ARTICLE I
EMPLOYMENT
The Company hereby employs the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts
employment with the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE II
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Scope of Service. The Executive shall, during the term of this
Agreement, devote all of her business time and attention and exert her best
efforts in the performance of her duties hereunder and, in performing such
duties, shall promote the profit, benefit and advantage of the Company and its
business. The Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement, engage in
any other business activity (whether or not such business activity is pursued
for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage) if such business activity would
impair the Executive's ability to carry out her duties hereunder; provided,
however, that this paragraph shall not be construed to prevent the Executive
from investing her personal assets as a passive investor.
2.2 Position and Duties. Subject to the power of the Company to elect and
remove officers, the Executive shall, during the term of this Agreement, serve
as Senior Vice President Hardlines, and shall report directly to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall faithfully and diligently
perform the services and functions relating to her office (or reasonably
incident thereto) as may be designated from time to time by the Chief Executive
Officer.
2.3 Term of Employment. The Executive's employment with the Company
hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date of this Agreement (the
"Employment Date") and shall continue until terminated by either of the parties
upon ten (10) days written notice to the other in accordance with Section 4.5 of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
3.1 Base Annual Salary. As compensation for services performed by the
Executive during the term of her employment hereunder, the Company agrees to pay
and Executive agrees to accept an annual base salary ("Base Salary"), payable in
accordance with the then current payroll policies of the Company, of not less
than Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00), subject to applicable
withholding taxes. Such Base Salary shall be subject to
annual review by the Chief Executive Officer, and may, as a result of any annual
review, provide an increase in the Executive's Base Salary.
3.2 Incentive Compensation. During the term of her employment hereunder,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following incentive compensation
in addition to her Base Salary:
(a) Bonus Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the
Company's Executive Management Bonus Program. This program pays a
bonus ranging from 25% of Base Salary for achievement of the Board
of Directors' determined profit goal to 50% of Base Salary for
achievement of 120% of the profit goal. Executive shall be
entitled to receive a minimum guaranteed bonus of Seventy Thousand
Dollars ($70,000.00) in March of 1999 for the 1998 performance
period under the terms of this program. Any bonus earned under the
Executive Management Bonus Program will be offset by the minimum
guaranteed bonus described above. In addition, Executive shall be
entitled to receive a one-time Fifty Thousand Dollar ($50,000.00)
bonus payable within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date
of this Agreement.
(b) Employee Stock Incentive Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in the Company's Amended and Restated 1989 Employee
Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan") and the Company
shall grant to the Executive the awards described below:
(i) Restricted Stock. Pursuant to, and in accordance with the
terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, the Company shall grant to
the Executive as of the Executive's Employment Date, fifty
thousand (50,000) shares of Restricted Stock (as that term is
defined in the Stock Incentive Plan) that shall vest as
follows:
Date of Vesting % Vesting
1st Anniversary of Employment (1999) 1/3
2nd Anniversary of Employment (2000) 1/3
3rd Anniversary of Employment (2001) 1/3
(ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options. Pursuant to, and in accordance
with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, the Company shall
grant to the Executive as of the Executive's Employment Date
a Non-Qualified Stock Option (as that term is defined in the
Stock Incentive Plan) to purchase two hundred fifty thousand
(250,000) shares which shall vest as follows:
Date of Vesting % Vesting
1st Anniversary of Employment (1999) 1/3
2nd Anniversary of Employment (2000) 1/3
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3rd Anniversary of Employment (2001) 1/3
In addition, you will be granted an additional fifty thousand
(50,000) Non-Qualified Stock Options in each of the Company's
fiscal year 1999 and 2000.
3.3 Other Benefits.
(a) Standard Benefit Plans. During the term of her employment
hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
standard benefit plans of the Company (including, without
limitation, any life, accident, medical, hospitalization,
disability, pension or profit sharing plan afforded by the Company
to its employees generally), if and to the extent that the
Executive is eligible to so participate in accordance with the
terms of any such plan, provided, however, that both parties
understand and agree that the termination benefits provided under
the terms of the Severance Agreement executed between the Company
and Executive of even date herewith (the "Severance Agreement")
are in lieu of any severance benefits to which the Executive may
otherwise be entitled under the Company's Severance Pay Plan.
Notwithstanding any of the above, nothing herein is intended, or
shall be construed, to effect the Company's right to amend or
terminate any of its standard benefit plans or to require the
Company to institute any particular plan or benefit except as
otherwise specifically required in this Agreement. Benefit plans
that the Company currently provides for its employees generally,
and in which the Executive shall be entitled to participate
include, without limitation, the following:
SMC Healthcare Plan (3 month waiting period)
Group Life Insurance (2X base salary) *
Long Term Disability *
Retirement Plan (eligible after one year of service)
Savings and Investment Plan - 401(k) (eligible after one year of
service)
Three weeks paid vacation per year *
(b) Additional Benefits. In addition to participation in the Benefit
Plans described in subparagraph (a) above, and in addition to the
benefits described in the Severance Agreement, the Company shall
provide the following benefits during the term of the Executive's
employment hereunder:
(i) Executive will be entitled to an annual allowance of Five
Thousand Dollar ($5,000.00) for tax/financial planning.
(ii) The Company will provide a vehicle for Executive's use in
accordance with Company policy. The car will be of the
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* Effective as of the date of your employment in accordance with Company policy
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Executive's choice valued at approximately Thirty Two
Thousand Dollars ($32,000.00),
(iii)The Company will provide reimbursement for payment of
relocation expenses as provided in the Company's relocation
plan including:
Temporary Housing (a two bedroom condominium up to 90 days)
Duplicate Mortgage Payments. The Company will pay for
mortgage payments for the lesser of any duplicate monthly
mortgage payments for a new or former residence up to three
months.
Real Estate Expense. The Company will provide the services of
a third-party relocation company. Essentially, this program
will cover the expenses you would normally incur in the sale
of your residence, including but not limited to, real estate
fees, title insurance, loan repayment penalty, and so on. The
Company will also cover expenses you incur in the purchase of
a new home, up to two percent (2%) of the purchase price.
Moving Expense. The Company will pay all reasonable expenses
related to moving all household and personal items provided
in the Company's relocation plan.
Commuting Expense. The Company will reimburse Executive for
travel expenses for returning home, plus the final trip for
moving to the Nashville area, for up to six months.)
Taxes. The Company will reimburse Executive for expenses
arising from the relocation, which are considered taxable
income at a rate of 29.45% to cover FIT and HI FICA taxes.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Construction and Amendment. This Agreement, along with the Severance
Agreement herewith contains all the material terms and conditions governing the
Company's continued employment of the Executive and shall supersede any and all
prior oral and written understandings and agreements, and all contemporaneous
oral understandings and agreements, between the Company and the Executive. In
this respect, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company's sole
obligation to the Executive with respect to the future termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company (for whatever reason and under whatever
circumstances) are set forth in this Agreement and in the Severance Agreement.
No amendment
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to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be effective unless agreed
to in writing by the Company and the Executive.
4.2 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, which shall remain in full force and effect.
4.3 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Tennessee.
4.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and the Executive and his
heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Executive's
rights and benefits under this Agreement are personal and, except as otherwise
provided herein, no such right or benefit shall be subject to voluntary or
involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer without the prior written consent
of the Company.
4.5 Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under,
or given by reason of, this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered in person or when mailed, by certified mail
(return receipt requested), postage prepaid, addressed as follows (or to such
other address as the party may specify by notice pursuant to this provision,
except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt):
(a) To the Company:
Service Merchandise Company, Inc.
7100 Service Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
(b) To the Executive:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
4.6 Additional Instruments. The parties shall execute and deliver any and
all additional instruments and agreements that may be necessary or proper to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
4.7 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one
and the same instrument.
4.8 Waiver of Breach. No waiver at any time by either party hereto of any
breach by the other of, or compliance by the other with, any condition or
provision of this Agreement to be
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performed by such other party shall operate or be construed as a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the dates
indicated below.
SERVICE MERCHANDISE COMPANY, INC.
Date: July 14, 1998 By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
EXECUTIVE
Date: July 14, 1998 /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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