EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of October 27, 2003 (the “Effective Date”), and is by and between International Game Technology, a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), and G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation considers it important and in its best interest to xxxxxx the employment of key management personnel and desires to retain the services of the Executive on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to continue employment by the Corporation to render services to the Corporation on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective undertakings of the Corporation and the Executive set forth below, the Corporation and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Corporation hereby employs the Executive in the position of Chairman, and the Executive accepts such employment and agrees to perform services for the Corporation, for the period and upon the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. As Chairman, the Executive shall be responsible for:
| • | along with the members of the Corporation's Board of Directors (the "Board"), the governance of the Corporation; |
| • | providing strategic consultation with the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer regarding balance sheet issues such as stock |
| buy backs, splits, dividend recommendations, debt refinancing and profit and loss issues such as acquisitions and | |
| divestitures; | |
| • | providing Board members who are not employed by the Company the information that they reasonably will need or may otherwise |
| request to fulfill their duties for the Corporation; | |
| • | for as long as the Executive is the Chairman of the Board, presiding over quarterly and other special Board meetings; |
| • | interfacing with significant Corporation shareholders and customers, as deemed appropriate by the Board; |
| • | for as long as the Executive is Chairman of the Board, presiding over the Corporation's annual shareholders meetings; |
| • | being reasonably available to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer to oversee intra-company objectives as reasonably |
| requested by the Chief Executive Officer; | |
| • | directing the international operations of the Corporation, with Xxxxxx Karskens (for as long as he is employed by the |
| Corporation, or his successor) reporting directly to the Executive; and | |
| • | such other duties, consistent with his position, as the Board may delegate to the Executive from time to time. |
The Executive acknowledges the employment agreement entered into by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx on or about the date hereof and agrees to the division of responsibilities and authorities reflected therein and herein.
The Executive shall report to the Board.
The Executive will devote his full business time and efforts to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and to the business and affairs of Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Executive may engage in personal, charitable, professional and investment activities to the extent such activities do not materially conflict or interfere with the Executive’s duties and obligations under this Agreement or the Executive’s ability to perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. During the Term (as such term is defined below), the Executive shall not serve on the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any other business entity without the prior approval of the Board. The Executive shall resign from any such board of directors (or similar governing body) on which he may serve (even if such service has been approved by the Board) if the Executive’s activities on such board (or other body) conflict or interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Corporation.
If for any reason the Executive is not re-elected as a director or as Chairman of the Board, but remains as an executive officer of the Corporation, such failure to re-elect the Executive will not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
2. Term. The “Term” shall, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, be a period of three (3) years commencing on the Effective Date and ending at the close of business on the day before the third anniversary of the Effective Date (day before the third anniversary of the Effective Date is referred to as the “Initial Extension Date”). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, on Initial Extension Date and on each annual anniversary of the Initial Extension Date (the Initial Extension Date and each annual anniversary thereof is referred to as an “Extension Date”), the Term shall be automatically extended through and shall end with the close of business on the first (1st) anniversary of that Extension Date (for example, on the Initial Extension Date the Period of Employment shall be automatically extended through the close of business on the day before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date), unless at least sixty (60) days prior to such Extension Date the Corporation or the Executive has provided the other with written notice that the Term shall not be extended or further extended, as the case may be. The term “Term” shall include any extension thereof pursuant to the preceding sentence. Provision of notice that the Term shall not be extended or further extended, as the case may be, shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, and shall not entitle the Executive to severance benefits pursuant to Section 7.
3. Compensation.
3.1 Base Salary. As compensation in full for the services to be rendered by the Executive under this Agreement during the Term, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive a base salary (“Base Salary”) at an annualized rate determined as follows:
| • | from the Effective Date through and including December 6, 2003, the Executive's Base Salary shall be paid at an annualized |
| rate of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000) per year; | |
| • | after December 6, 2003 and continuing for the balance of the Term, the Executive's Base Salary shall be paid at an |
| annualized rate of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000) per year; | |
Such Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Corporation’s normal payroll procedures and policies.
3.2 Bonus Opportunity. For each fiscal year of the Corporation during the Term, commencing with the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2003, the Corporation shall grant to the Executive the opportunity to earn a bonus up to a maximum amount of One Hundred and Fifty Percent (150%) of the Executive’s Base Salary for such year. Fifty Percent (50%) of each such bonus opportunity will be based on the Corporation’s annual year-over-year increase in net operating income, Twenty Five Percent (25%) of each such bonus opportunity will be based on the annual operating performance of the Corporation’s international operations, and Twenty Five Percent (25%) of each such bonus opportunity will be based on other objectives established with respect to that year, each as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The specific bonus opportunity with respect to a particular fiscal year will be established by the Compensation Committee prior to or within the first three months of that fiscal year.
3.3 Stock Option. Concurrent with the date this Agreement, the Corporation shall grant to the Executive an option to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock of the Corporation. Such stock option shall be granted under the Corporation’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Such stock option shall be evidenced by a written option agreement in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A and shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of such agreement and the Plan (including, without limitation, provisions as to vesting and the term of the option). The per share exercise price for such stock option shall be the closing market price for a share of common stock of the Corporation on the New York Stock Exchange on the date executed. The number of shares subject to, and the exercise price of, the stock option shall be subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan (for example, to reflect stock splits and similar changes in capitalization). The Corporation has, on the date of this Agreement, delivered to the Executive a schedule of his outstanding stock options granted by the Corporation, and the Corporation hereby acknowledges and affirms the validity and effectiveness of each stock option set forth on such schedule (each such option, however, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable written stock option agreement that evidences such grant and the terms and conditions of the applicable Corporation incentive plan under which such option was granted; nothing in such schedule modifies any of the terms or conditions of any such option).
3.4 Participation in Benefit Plans. During the Term, the Executive shall also be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans or programs of the Corporation to the extent that his position, title, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make him eligible to participate in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans or programs. The Corporation does not guarantee the adoption or continuance of any particular employee benefit plan or program during the Term, and the Executive’s participation in any such plan or program shall be subject to the provisions, rules and regulations applicable thereto and as amended from time to time.
3.5 Withholding Taxes. The Corporation may withhold from any compensation or other benefits payable under this Agreement, all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
3.6 Continuing Medical Benefits. After the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Corporation (regardless of the reason for such termination), the Corporation shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive on the following basis:
| • | subject to the next clause, the medical benefits provided shall be the same as or similar to the benefits provided by the |
| Corporation to the Executive on the last day that he is employed by the Corporation; | |
| • | the benefits shall extend only to the Executive; the Corporation shall have no obligation to provide any benefits to any |
| dependent of the Executive even if such a dependent is covered by the Corporation's medical program as an eligible | |
| dependent of the Executive on the last day that the Executive is employed by the Corporation; | |
| • | the benefits shall terminate upon the Executive's death; |
| • | any co-pays or deductibles with respect to the medical benefits shall be paid or reimbursed by the Corporation (subject to |
| Section 3.5); | |
| • | such benefits shall be provided at no cost to the Executive (except for any taxes that may result from such benefits, which |
| taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the Executive; provided that the Corporation may require that the Executive | |
| remit to the Corporation in cash the amount necessary to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations due with respect | |
| to such benefits); | |
| • | such benefits shall be secondary to Medicare or any other insurance that may cover the Executive from time to time. |
The Corporation may, in its sole discretion and notwithstanding the foregoing, pay the Executive on a periodic basis an amount equal to the reasonable cost to obtain such benefits for the corresponding period in lieu of providing such benefits directly (the cost of such benefits to be determined before giving effect to any taxes that may result from the Corporation making such payment and such payment shall be subject to the tax withholding provisions of Section 3.5). For the sake of clarity, the Corporation shall have no obligation to provide long or short-term disability benefits or insurance, life insurance, or any other type of benefits (other than the medical benefits expressly contemplated above) to the Executive following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Corporation. The Executive agrees to enroll in Medicare parts A and B as soon as he is eligible to do so.
4. Confidential Information. Except as provided below, the Executive shall not, during the Term or at any time thereafter, divulge, furnish or make accessible to anyone or use in any way (other than in the ordinary course of the business of the Corporation or any of its respective affiliates) any confidential or secret knowledge or information of the Corporation which the Executive has acquired or become acquainted with or will acquire or become acquainted with prior to the termination of the period of his employment by the Corporation (including employment by the Corporation or any affiliated or predecessor companies prior to the date of this Agreement), whether developed by himself or by others, concerning any trade secrets, confidential or secret designs, processes, formulae, plans, devices or material (whether or not patented or patentable) directly or indirectly useful in any aspect of the business of the Corporation, any customer or supplier lists of the Corporation, any confidential or secret development or research work of the Corporation, or any other confidential information or secret aspects of the business of the Corporation. The Executive acknowledges that the above-described knowledge or information constitutes a unique and valuable asset of the Corporation and represents a substantial investment of time and expense by the Corporation, and that any disclosure or other use of such knowledge or information other than for the sole benefit of the Corporation and its affiliates would be wrongful and would cause irreparable harm to the Corporation. Both during and after the Term, the Executive shall refrain from any acts or omissions that would reduce the value of such knowledge or information to the Corporation. The foregoing obligations of confidentiality, however, shall not apply to any knowledge or information which is now published or which subsequently becomes generally publicly known, other than as a direct or indirect result of the breach of this Agreement by the Executive. The foregoing obligations of confidentiality shall not, however, limit the Executive’s disclosure of information (1) to the extent necessary to comply with government disclosure requirements or other applicable laws, (2) pursuant to subpoena or order of any judicial, legislative, executive, regulatory or administrative body, or for the Executive to enforce the Executive’s rights under this Agreement, (3) to employees, advisors, counsel, financial advisors and other third parties as may be necessary and appropriate in connection with the proper performance and enforcement of this Agreement; and (4) pursuant to the Executive’s normal reporting procedures as an executive of a publicly traded company (e.g., pursuant to Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx requirements or otherwise).
5. Ventures. If, during the Term, the Executive is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any project, program or venture involving the Corporation and a third party or parties, all rights with respect to such project, program or venture shall belong to the Corporation. Except as approved by the Board, the Executive shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or venture or to any commission, finder’s fee or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary to be paid to the Executive as provided in this Agreement.
6. Noncompetition Covenant.
6.1 Agreement not to Compete. The Executive agrees that during the Term of this Agreement and, if the Executive has received or is receiving severance benefits pursuant to Section 7, for the twenty-four (24) months following the Term, the Executive shall not, without the written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, engage in competition with the Corporation in any manner or capacity (e.g., as an advisor, principal, agent, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, member of any association, or otherwise) in any phase of the business which the Corporation is conducting during the Term, including the design, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing, leasing, financing or selling of accessories, devices, or systems related to the products or services being sold by the Corporation; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from investing as less than a one-half percent (0.5%) stockholder in the securities of any company listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system if such ownership is held indirectly through a mutual fund or similar investment.
6.2 Scope of Covenant. The obligations of the Executive under Section 6.1 shall apply to any geographic area in which the Corporation has engaged in business during the Term.
6.3 Non-Solicitation. The Executive agrees that during the Term and for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, he will not, without the prior written approval of the Board, hire, solicit or endeavor to entice away from the Corporation or, following termination of the Executive’s employment, otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Corporation with any employee of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries who earned annually $75,000 or more as an employee of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries during the last twelve months of the Executive’s own employment by the Corporation, or any person or entity who was, within the then most recent prior 12-month period, a customer, supplier or contractor of the Corporation or any of its affiliates.
7. Termination.
7.1 Termination of Employment. The Executive’s employment by the Corporation, and the Term, may be terminated at any time during the Term by the Corporation: (1) with Cause (as such term is defined below), or (2) without Cause, or (3) in the event of the Executive’s death, or (4) in the event of the Executive’s Disability (as such term is defined below) (in the case of Disability, the termination shall be effective ten (10) days after notice thereof is given to the Executive). The Executive’s employment by the Corporation, and the Term, may be terminated at any time during the Term by the Executive, on no less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Corporation. After the expiration of the Term, the Board may continue the employment of the Executive and the Executive may accept the employment on an at-will basis.
7.2 Benefits Upon Termination. If the Executive’s employment by the Corporation is terminated during the Term for any reason by the Corporation or by the Executive, or upon or following the expiration of the Term, the Corporation shall have no further obligation to make or provide to the Executive, and the Executive shall have no further right to receive or obtain from the Corporation, any payments or benefits except:
| (a) | the Corporation shall pay the Executive (or, in the event of his death, the Executive’s estate) any Accrued Obligations (as such term is defined below); and |
| (b) | if, during the Term (but not upon or following the expiration of the Term), the Executive’s employment is terminated either by the Corporation or the Executive due to the death or Disability of the Executive, by the Corporation other than for Cause (as such term is defined below), or by the Executive for any reason following (but not prior to) a Change in Control (as such term is defined below), the Corporation shall, subject to the conditions set forth in the following paragraph, also pay the Executive (or, in the event of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate) a severance benefit equal to two (2) times the Executive’s highest annualized rate of Base Salary in effect at any time during the Term. Subject to the conditions set forth in the following paragraph, the aggregate amount of such severance benefit shall be paid in a series of twenty-four (24) substantially equal monthly installments (without interest, with each installment equal to approximately 1/24th of the aggregate amount of the severance benefit) commencing with the month following the month in which the Executive’s employment by the Corporation terminates and continuing for the following twenty-three months until paid in full (subject to the Executive’s compliance with the following paragraph and the provisions of Section 6); and |
| (c) | if, during the Term (but not upon or following the expiration of the Term), the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Corporation without Cause or by the Executive for any reason following (but not prior to) a Change in Control (and, in each case, other than due to either (1) the Executive’s death, or (2) a good faith determination by the Board that the Executive has a Disability), the Corporation shall, subject to the conditions set forth in the following paragraph, also pay the Executive a one-time lump sum amount equal to a pro-rata portion of the bonus the Executive would have been entitled to under Section 3.2 for the year in which the termination of the Executive’s employment occurred (the amount of such pro-rata bonus to be determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion). |
As a condition precedent to any Corporation obligation to the Executive pursuant to Section 7.2(b) or (c) above, the Executive (or, in the event of his death, the Executive’s estate on behalf of the Executive) shall, upon or promptly following his last day of employment with the Corporation, provide the Corporation with a valid, executed, written Release (as such term is defined below) (in a form provided by the Corporation) and such release shall have not been revoked by the Executive pursuant to any revocation rights afforded by applicable law. The Corporation shall have no obligation to make any payment to the Executive pursuant to Section 7.2(b) or (c) above unless and until the Release contemplated by this paragraph becomes irrevocable by the Executive in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
The Executive agrees that the payments contemplated by Section 7.2 shall constitute the exclusive and sole remedy for any termination of his employment and the Executive covenants not to assert or pursue any other remedies, at law or in equity, with respect to any termination of employment. The Corporation and Executive acknowledge and agree that there is no duty of the Executive to mitigate damages under this Agreement. All amounts paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 7.2 shall be paid without regard to whether the Executive has taken or takes actions to mitigate damages.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 7.2 shall not affect: (1) the Executive’s receipt of benefits otherwise due terminated employees under group insurance coverage consistent with the terms of the applicable Corporation welfare benefit plan; (2) the Executive’s rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act to continue participation in medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage; (3) the Executive’s receipt of benefits otherwise due in accordance with the terms of the Corporation’s Profit Sharing Plan (401(k) plan) (if any); (4) the Executive’s receipt of benefits otherwise due in accordance with the terms of the Corporation’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (nonqualified deferred compensation plan) (if any); (5) any rights that the Executive may have under and with respect to a stock option or restricted stock award, to the extent that such award was granted before the date that the Executive’s employment by the Corporation terminates and to the extent expressly provided in the written agreement evidencing such award; or (6) the continuing medical benefit obligation to the Executive pursuant to Section 3.7.
7.3 Certain Defined Terms.
As used herein, “Accrued Obligations” means:
| • | any Base Salary that had accrued but had not been paid prior to the date of termination; and |
| • | any bonus that had become payable to the Executive with respect to a fiscal year ended prior to the termination of the |
| Executive's employment but had not actually been paid; and | |
| • | any reimbursement of reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the termination of the Executive's |
| employment and in accordance with the Corporation's expense reimbursement policies and which had not previously | |
| been paid. | |
As used herein, “Cause” means:
| • | The Executive's willful and material failure to perform his duties hereunder (other than any such failure due to the |
| Executive's physical or mental illness), or the Executive's willful and material breach of his obligations | |
| hereunder; | |
| • | The Executive's engaging in willful and serious misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material |
| injury to the Corporation; | |
| • | The Executive's being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to, a crime that constitutes a felony; or |
| • | The Executive's failure or inability to obtain or retain any license required to be obtained or retained by him in any |
| jurisdiction in which the Corporation does or proposes to do business. | |
As used herein, “Change in Control” has the same meaning as the term “Change in Control” under the Corporation’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, with the following modifications: (a) clause (4) of the definition of such term in the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan shall not apply, (b) the phrase “less than 50%” in clause (2) of the definition of such term in the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan is replaced with the phrase “less than 60%,” and (c) the phrase “more than 50%” in clause (3) of the definition of such term in the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan is replaced with the phrase “more than 40%.”
As used herein, “Disability” means a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity of the Executive and which renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s position, even with reasonable accommodation which does not impose an undue hardship on the Corporation, for ninety (90) days in any consecutive one-hundred eighty (180) day period. The Board reserves the right, in good faith, to make the determination of whether or not a Disability exists for purposes of this Agreement based upon information supplied by the Executive and/or his medical personnel, as well as information from medical personnel (or others) selected by the Corporation or its insurers.
As used herein, “Release” shall mean a written release, discharge and covenant not to xxx entered into by the Executive on behalf of himself, his descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and successors, and each of them, of and in favor of the Corporation, its parent (if any), the Corporation’s subsidiaries and affiliates, past and present, and each of them, as well as its and their trustees, directors, officers, agents, attorneys, insurers, employees, stockholders, members, representatives, assigns, and successors, past and present, and each of them (the “releasees”), with respect to and from any and all claims, wages, demands, rights, liens, agreements, contracts, covenants, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, judgments, orders and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and whether or not concealed or hidden, which he may then own or hold or he at any time theretofore owned or held or may in the future hold as against any or all of said releasees, arising out of or in any way connected with the Executive’s employment relationship with the Corporation and each of its subsidiaries with which the Executive has had such a relationship, or the termination of his employment or any other transactions, occurrences, acts or omissions or any loss, damage or injury whatever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, resulting from any act or omission by or on the part of said releasees, or any of them, committed or omitted prior to the date of such release including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claim under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Family Rights Act, any other claim under any other federal, state or local law or regulation, and any other claim for severance pay, bonus or incentive pay, sick leave, holiday pay, vacation pay, life insurance, health or medical insurance or any other fringe benefit, medical expenses, or disability (except that such release shall not constitute a release of any Corporation obligation to the Executive that may be due to the Executive pursuant to Section 7.2(b) or (c), as applicable, upon the Corporation’s receipt of such release or any obligations referred to in the last paragraph of Section 7.2). The Release shall also contain the Executive’s warrant that he has not theretofore assigned or transferred to any person or entity, other than the Corporation, any released matter or any part or portion thereof and that he will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation and the aforementioned releasees from and against any claim (including the payment of attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred whether or not litigation is commenced) that is directly or indirectly based on or in connection with or arising out of any such assignment or transfer made, purported or claimed.
7.4 Resignation From Board. Upon or promptly following any termination of Executive’s employment with the Corporation, the Executive agrees to resign from (1) each and every board of directors (or similar body, as the case may be) of the Corporation and each of its affiliates on which the Executive may then serve (if any), and (2) each and every office of the Corporation and each of its affiliates that the Executive may then hold, and all positions that he may have previously held with the Corporation and any of its affiliates.
7.5 Means and Effect of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the terminating party to the other party. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, matters of construction, validity and performance, is made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
8.2 Amendments. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be deemed effective unless made in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto.
8.3 No Waiver. No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel to enforce any provisions of this Agreement, except by a statement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver or estoppel is sought. Any written waiver shall not be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated, shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.
8.4 Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted herefrom and the remainder of such provision and of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, should the duration or geographical extent of, or business activities covered by, any provision of this Agreement be in excess of that which is valid and enforceable under applicable law, then such provision shall be construed to cover only that duration, extent or activities which may validly and enforceably be covered. The Executive acknowledges the uncertainty of the law in this respect and expressly stipulates that this Agreement be given the construction which renders its provisions valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms) possible under applicable law.
8.5 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, by either party without the written consent of the other party.
8.6 Injunctive Relief. Each party agrees that it would be difficult to compensate the non-breaching party fully for damages for any violation of any provision set forth in Section 4 or Section 6 hereof. Accordingly, each party specifically agrees that the other party shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of Sections 4 and 6 of this Agreement and that such relief may be granted without the necessity of proving actual damages. This provision with respect to injunctive relief shall not, however, diminish the right of the non-breaching party to claim and recover damages in addition to injunctive relief.
8.7 Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Executive’s employment by the Corporation shall, except for claims for injunctive relief set out in paragraph 8.6 above, be settled by binding arbitration, with a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association relating to employment. The proper venue for any such action is Washoe County, Nevada. In any action to enforce this Agreement, the Executive and the Corporation each agree to accept service of process by mail at its address, as applicable, as set forth in Section 8.8 below (or at any different address of which the Executive has notified the Corporation, or the Corporation has notified the Executive, as applicable, in writing). In any action in which service is made pursuant to this paragraph, the Executive and the Corporation each waive any challenge to the personal jurisdiction of the American Arbitration Association. Any judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In reaching his or her decision, the arbitrator shall have no authority to change or modify any provision of this Agreement.
8.8 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (1) delivered by hand, (2) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or (3) sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested. Any notice shall be duly addressed to the parties as follows:
| If to the Corporation: | If to the Executive: | ||
| International Game Technology | G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx | 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000 | Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Attn: General Counsel | |||
Any party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the foregoing provisions. Any communication shall be effective when delivered by hand, when otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or five (5) business days after being mailed in accordance with the foregoing.
8.9 Section Headings. The section headings of, and titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in, this Agreement are for the purpose of convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation thereof.
8.10 Provisions that Survive Termination. The provisions of Sections 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any termination of the Term.
8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
8.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the parties hereto respecting the matters within its scope. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements of the parties hereto that directly or indirectly bears upon the subject matter hereof. Any prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals or understandings relating to the subject matter hereof shall be deemed to have been merged into this Agreement, and to the extent inconsistent herewith, such negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals, or understandings shall be deemed to be of no force or effect. There are no representations, warranties, or agreements, whether express or implied, or oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as expressly set forth herein.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing paragraph to the contrary, the indemnification agreement previously entered into by and between the Corporation and the Executive is outside of the scope of the foregoing integration provisions and shall continue in effect in accordance with its terms.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Corporation have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in the first paragraph.
| INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY | EXECUTIVE |
| By:/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | By:/s/ G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
| Its:Chief Financial Officer | Its:Chairman |
EXHIBIT A
INTERNATIONAL GAME
TECHNOLOGY
2002 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT
THIS NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Option Agreement”) by and between INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY, a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), and G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx (the “Executive”) evidences the nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) granted by the Corporation to the Executive as to the number of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock first set forth below.
| Number of Shares of Common Stock:1 1,500,000 | Award Date: October 27, 2003 | |
| Exercise Price per Share:1 | $31.57 | Expiration Date:2 October 27, 2013 |
| Vesting1,2 The Option shall vest with respect to 300,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the first anniversary of the Award Date, 525,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the second anniversary of the Grant Date, and 675,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the third anniversary of the Grant Date. |
The Option is granted under the International Game Technology 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and subject to the Terms and Conditions of Nonqualified Stock Option (the “Terms”) attached to this Option Agreement (incorporated herein by this reference) and to the Plan. The Option has been granted to the Executive pursuant to, and in satisfaction of the Corporation’s obligation under, Section 3.3 of the Employment Agreement by and between the Executive and the Corporation dated as of October 27, 2003 (the “Employment Agreement”). The Option has been granted in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other form of compensation otherwise payable or to be paid to the Executive. The Option is not and shall not be deemed to be an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not defined herein. The parties agree to the terms of the Option set forth herein. The Executive acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Terms, the Plan, and the Prospectus for the Plan.
| "EXECUTIVE" | INTERNATIONAL GAME |
| TECHNOLOGY, a Nevada corporation | |
| /s/G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx | By:/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
| Signature | |
| Print Name:Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
| G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx | |
| Print Name | Title:Chief Financial Officer |
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
In consideration of the Corporation’s execution of this Option Agreement, the undersigned spouse of the Executive agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof and of the Plan.
| ________________________________ | ________________ |
| Signature of Spouse | Date |
| | Check this box and initial here ______ to indicate that you are not married and that the consent of your spouse is therefore not required. |
1 Subject to adjustment under Section 6.2 of the Plan
2 Subject to early termination and acceleration pursuant to Section 4 of this Option Agreement.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
1. Vesting; Limits on Exercise.
As set forth on the cover page of this Option Agreement, the Option shall vest and become exercisable in installments of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option. The Option may be exercised only to the extent the Option is vested and exercisable.
| • | Cumulative Exercisability. To the extent that the Option is vested and exercisable, the |
| Executive has the right to exercise the Option (to the extent not previously exercised), | |
| and such right shall continue, until the expiration or earlier termination of the Option. | |
| • | No Fractional Shares. Fractional share interests shall be disregarded, but may be cumulated. |
| • | Minimum Exercise. No fewer than 1001 shares of Common Stock may be purchased at any one time, |
| unless the number purchased is the total number at the time exercisable under the Option. | |
2. Continuance of Employment Required; No Employment Commitment.
Except as expressly provided in Section 4 below, the vesting schedule requires continued employment through each applicable vesting date as a condition to the vesting of the applicable installment of the Option and the rights and benefits under this Option Agreement. Employment for only a portion of the vesting period with respect to a vesting installment, even if employed for a substantial portion of that period, will not entitle the Executive to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a termination of employment as provided in (and subject to the limited exceptions expressly set forth in) Section 4 below.
Nothing contained in this Option Agreement or the Plan constitutes an employment or service commitment by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, affects the Executive’s status as an employee at will who is subject to termination without cause, confers upon the Executive any right to remain employed by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, interferes in any way with the right of the Corporation or any Subsidiary at any time to terminate such employment, or affects the right of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to increase or decrease the Executive’s other compensation. Nothing in the preceding sentence modifies, however, any contractual rights that the Executive may have pursuant to a written agreement with the Corporation (including, but not necessarily limited to, the Employment Agreement) other than this Option Agreement.
3. Method of Exercise of Option.
The Option shall be exercisable by the delivery to the Secretary of the Corporation of a written notice stating the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to the Option (or by completion of such other administrative exercise procedures as the Committee may require from time to time) and accompanied by:
| • | payment in full for the Exercise Price of the shares to be purchased, in cash or by electronic funds |
| transfer to the Corporation, or by check payable to the order of the Corporation, subject to such | |
| specific procedures or directions as the Committee may establish; | |
| • | satisfaction of the tax withholding provisions of Section 6.5 of the Plan; and |
| • | any written statements or agreements required pursuant to Section 6.4 of the Plan. |
The Committee also may, but is not required to, authorize a non-cash payment alternative specified below at or prior to the time of exercise. In which case, the Exercise Price and/or applicable withholding taxes, to the extent so authorized, may be paid in full or in part by delivery to the Corporation of:
| • | shares of Common Stock already owned by the Executive, valued at their Fair Market Value on the |
| exercise date, provided, however, that any shares acquired directly from the Corporation (upon | |
| exercise of a stock option or otherwise) must have been owned by the Executive for at least six (6) | |
| months before the date of such exercise; and/or | |
| • | irrevocable instructions to a broker to, upon exercise of the Option, promptly sell a sufficient number |
| of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option and deliver to the Corporation the | |
| amount necessary to pay the Exercise Price (and, if applicable, the amount of any related tax | |
| withholding obligations). | |
4. Early Termination of Option; Possible Acceleration of Vesting.
Except as expressly provided herein, the Option, to the extent not previously exercised, and all other rights in respect thereof, whether vested and exercisable or not, shall terminate and become null and void prior to the Expiration Date in the event that either: (1) the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary, or (2) the Option terminates pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan.
| • | Change in Control. If a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement) |
| occurs, the then outstanding and previously unvested portion of the Option shall automatically become | |
| vested upon such Change in Control. The foregoing sentence does not limit or otherwise affect | |
| the Corporation's ability to terminate the Option pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan to the | |
| extent that the Option is then vested. | |
| • | Death or Disability. If the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary due to |
| the Executive's death or Disability (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement), then: | |
| o | the outstanding and previously unvested portion of the Option shall | |
| automatically become fully vested as of the date of such termination of employment, | ||
| o | the Option shall continue to be exercisable for only one year after such termination | |
| of employment(subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan and | ||
| subject to the maximum ten-year term of the Option), and | ||
| o | the Option, to the extent not exercised prior to the expiration of such period, | |
| shall automatically terminate the end of such period. | ||
| • | Termination by the Company For Cause. If the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or a |
| Subsidiary and such termination is the result of a termination by the Corporation or a | |
| Subsidiary for Cause (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement), then the | |
| outstanding portion of the Option (whether or not vested) shall automatically terminate as of | |
| such termination of employment. | |
| • | Termination by the Company Without Cause. If the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or |
| a Subsidiary and such termination is the result of a termination by the Corporation or a | |
| Subsidiary other than for Cause (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement), and | |
| other than due to the Executive's death or Disability (as such term is defined in the | |
| Employment Agreement), then: |
| o | the outstanding and previously unvested portion of the Option shall | |
| automatically become fully vested as of the date of such termination of employment, | ||
| o | the Option shall continue to be exercisable for 90 days after such termination | |
| of employment(subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan and | ||
| subject to the maximum ten-year term of the Option), and | ||
| o | the Option, to the extent not exercised prior to the expiration of such period, | |
| shall automatically terminate the end of such period. | ||
| • | Termination by the Executive. If the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary |
| and such termination is the result of a resignation, retirement, quit or other termination of | |
| employment by the Executive, other than due to the Executive's death or Disability (as such | |
| term is defined in the Employment Agreement), then: |
| o | the outstanding and previously unvested portion of the Option shall | |
| automatically terminate as of the date of such termination of employment, | ||
| o | the Option, to the extent vested on the date of such termination of employment, shall | |
| continue to be exercisable for only 90 days after such termination of employment (subject | ||
| to earlier termination pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan and subject to the maximum ten-year term of the Option.) and | ||
| o | such vested portion of the Option, to the extent not exercised prior to the expiration of | |
| such period, shall automatically terminate the end of such period. | ||
5. Non-Transferability and Other Restrictions.
The Option and any other rights of the Executive under this Option Agreement or the Plan are nontransferable and exercisable only by the Executive, except as set forth in Section 1.9 of the Plan.
6. Notices.
Any notice to be given under the terms of this Option Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal office to the attention of the Secretary, and to the Executive at the address reflected or last reflected on the Corporation’s payroll records. Any notice shall be delivered in person or shall be enclosed in a properly sealed envelope, addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited (postage and registry or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government. Any such notice shall be given only when received, but if the Executive is no longer employed by the Corporation, notice to the Executive by the Corporation shall be deemed to have been duly given as of the date mailed in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.
7. Plan.
The Option and all rights of the Executive under this Option Agreement are subject to, and the Executive agrees to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, incorporated herein by this reference. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and of the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall govern; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Employment Agreement and the terms and conditions of either the Option Agreement or the Plan, the provisions of the Employment Agreement shall govern. The Executive agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and of this Option Agreement. The Executive acknowledges reading and understanding the Plan, the Plan Prospectus, and this Option Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly provided in other sections of this Option Agreement, provisions of the Plan that confer discretionary authority on the Board or the Committee do not and shall not be deemed to create any rights in the Executive unless such rights are expressly set forth herein or are otherwise in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee so conferred by appropriate action of the Board or the Committee under the Plan after the date hereof.
8. Entire Agreement.
This Option Agreement (including these Terms) and the Plan together constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The defined terms set forth in the Employment Agreement that are specifically referred to herein are outside of the scope of the preceding sentence; provided that all other provisions and aspects of the Employment Agreement are within the scope of the preceding sentence as to the Option. The Plan and this Option Agreement may be amended pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Plan. Such amendment must be in writing and signed by the Corporation. The Corporation may, however, unilaterally waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent such waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the Executive hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision hereof.
9. Governing Law.
This Option Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder and with respect to the Option shall be shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to conflict of law principles thereunder. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Option Agreement or the Option shall be settled by binding arbitration, with a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association relating to employment. The proper venue for any such action is Washoe County, Nevada. In any action to enforce this Option Agreement, the Executive and the Corporation each agree to accept service of process by mail at its address, as applicable, as set forth in the Employment Agreement (or at any different address of which the Executive has notified the Corporation, or the Corporation has notified the Executive, as applicable, in writing). In any action in which service is made pursuant to this paragraph, the Executive and the Corporation each waive any challenge to the personal jurisdiction of the American Arbitration Association. Any judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In reaching his or her decision, the arbitrator shall have no authority to change or modify any provision of this Agreement.
10. Other Restrictions.
In consideration of the granting of this Option, the Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year after he or she ceases to be employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary, the Participant will not own, manage, control or associate with as an agent, officer, employee, investor, lender, or otherwise with any business entity which competes worldwide with the business of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries in the design, manufacture and/or distribution of coin-operated gaming or amusement devices and/or lottery devices, systems or tickets; nor shall the Executive at any time after his or her employment by the Corporation or a Subsidiary terminates disclose, discuss, copy or otherwise use or suffer to be used, in any manner, in competition with or contrary to the interests of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, the customer lists, product research, engineering data or other trade secrets of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries. The Corporation and the Executive specifically agree that the scope of the foregoing provisions in this Section 10 are reasonable and fair. Should, however, a court of competent jurisdiction deem the foregoing provisions of this Section 10 to be impermissibly overbroad, it is the desire and intention of the parties that such provisions be enforced as to the greatest extent permitted under applicable law.
As well, should Executive receive severance benefits pursuant to an Employment Agreement that provides for a non-compete period that exceeds one (1) year, that Employment Agreement shall govern.
