EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is effective as of June 1st , 2009
by and between Ecoland International Inc., a Nevada corporation or its
successors or assigns (the "Company"), and Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, an individual (the
"Executive"), and is made with reference to the following facts:
A.
Company is engaged in the Mineral and Mining Business;
B.
Company desires to retain the services of Executive, and Executive is willing to
provide such services to the Company;
C.
Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for
Executive's employment by the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing facts and mutual agreements set
forth below, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows:
1.
Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby
accepts such employment and agrees to perform Executive's duties and
responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth.
1.1
Employment Term. The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
commence as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date") and shall continue for
three (3) years, unless terminated in accordance with Section 5 hereof. The
period commencing as of the Effective Date, and ending two (2) years thereafter
or such later date to which the term of Executive's employment under the
Agreement shall have been extended by written mutual agreement is hereinafter
referred to as the "Employment Term."
1.2
Duties and Responsibilities. During the Employment Term, Executive shall serve
as a member of the Board of Directors, as acting Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and perform all duties and accept all responsibilities incident to such
position or other appropriate duties as may be reasonably assigned to Executive
by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") from time to time consistent
with Executive's status as a senior executive.
1.3 Base
Salary. For all the services rendered by Executive hereunder for the Company,
the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") at the minimum
annual rate of $120,000 per annum (payable in accordance with the Company's then
applicable payroll policies) as compensation for all services rendered by
Executive hereunder. The Base Salary shall be subject to all state, federal, and
local payroll tax withholding and any other withholdings required by law.
Following each quarter after the Effective Date, Executive shall be reviewed by
the Company's Board to determine whether a raise in the Base Salary and other
additional compensation and benefits is appropriate, in the sole and absolute
discretion of the Board; provided, however, that at no time shall Executive's
Base Salary be less than $120,000 per annum. The Base Salary shall be payable,
in cash, registered common stock or restricted common stock, or other securities
of the Company as the Company and the Executive may agree from time to
time.
1.4
Benefit Coverages. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all employee pension and welfare benefit plans and programs made
available to the Company's senior level executives as a group or to its
employees generally, as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to
time (the "Benefit Coverages"), including, without limitation, pension, profit
sharing, savings and other retirement plans or programs, medical, dental,
hospitalization, short-term and long-term disability and life insurance plans,
accidental death and dismemberment protection and travel accident
insurance.
1.5
Performance Bonuses. Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year
of the Company, which is currently May 31st, during the Employment Term, the
Executive will be eligible to receive a bonus (the "Performance Bonus") in an
amount as determined at the discretion of the Board of the Company. To the
extent that, for any given year of the Employment Term, Executive has been
employed for less than the full year, the Performance Bonus shall be reduced on
a pro rata basis for the amount of time actually worked during such year. All
bonus payments shall be subject to customary withholdings required by
law.
1.6
Expenses. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be reimbursed for all
reasonable business expenses incurred and paid by Executive in providing
services on behalf of the Company,
1.7
Vacations and Holidays. Each year, the Executive shall be entitled to an
aggregate of four (4) weeks' paid vacation plus holidays in accordance with the
Company's policies, as amended from time to time, for senior executive
officers.
2.
Confidential Information.
2.1
Executive recognizes and acknowledges that by reason of Executive's employment
by and service to the Company before, during and, if applicable, after the
Employment Term, Executive will have access to certain confidential and
proprietary information relating to the Company's business, as well as the
businesses, which may include, but is not limited to, trade secrets, trade
"know-how," product development techniques and plans, formulas, customer lists
and addresses, cost and pricing information, marketing and sales techniques,
strategy and programs, computer programs and software and financial information
(collectively referred to as "Confidential Information"). Executive acknowledges
that such Confidential Information is a valuable and unique asset of the
Company, and Executive covenants that he will not, unless expressly authorized
in writing by the Company, as the case may be, at any time during the course of
Executive's employment use any Confidential Information or divulge or disclose
any Confidential Information to any person, firm or corporation except in
connection with the performance of Executive's duties for the Company and in a
manner consistent with the Company's policies regarding Confidential
Information. Executive also covenants that at any time after the termination of
such employment, directly or indirectly, he will not use any Confidential
Information or divulge or disclose any Confidential Information to any person,
firm or corporation, unless such information is in the public domain through no
fault of Executive or except when required to do so by a court of law, by any
governmental agency having supervisory authority over the business of the
Company or by any administrative or legislative body (including a committee
thereof) with apparent jurisdiction to order Executive to divulge, disclose or
make accessible such information. All written Confidential Information
(including,
without limitation, in any computer or other electronic format) that comes into
Executive’s possession during the course of Executive’s employment shall remain
the property of the Company as the case may be. Except as required in the
performance of Executive's duties for the Company, or unless expressly
authorized in writing by the Company, Executive shall not remove any written
Confidential Information from the Company's premises, or the premises of the
other, as the case may be, except in connection with the performance of
Executive's duties for the Company, as the case may be, and in a manner
consistent with the Company's policies regarding Confidential Information. Upon
termination of Executive's employment, the Executive agrees to return
immediately to the Company, as the case may be, all written Confidential
Information (including, without limitation, in any computer or other electronic
format) in Executive's possession.
3.
Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.
3.1
During Executive's employment by the Company, Executive will not, except with
the prior written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, own, manage,
operate, join, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management,
operation, control or financing of, or be connected as an officer, director,
Executive, partner, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise
with other than existing relationships and contractual relationships to use or
permit Executive's name to be used in connection with, any business or
enterprise (a "Competitor") which competes with the Company or generates,
directly or indirectly, for itself or others revenues from the type of product
and services provided by the Company or its affiliates during Executive's
employment by the Company.
3.2 The
foregoing restrictions shall not be construed to prohibit the ownership by
Executive of less than five percent (5%) of any class of securities of any
corporation which is a Competitor having a class of securities registered
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), provided that such ownership represents a passive investment and that
neither Executive nor any group of persons including Executive in any way,
either directly or indirectly, manages or exercises control of any such
corporation, guarantees any of its financial obligations, otherwise takes any
part in its business, other than exercising Executive's rights as a shareholder,
or seeks to do any of the foregoing.
3.3
Executive further covenants and agrees that during Executive's employment by the
Company and for the period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Executive will
not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, divert, take away, or attempt to
solicit, divert or take away, any of the Company's customers or (ii) encourage
any customer to reduce its patronage of the Company.
3.4
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive agrees that during
Executive's employment by the Company and for the period of
twenty-four
(24)
months thereafter, he will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any customer to
retain from any other person, firm or entity any services of a type generally
similar to or competitive with the product and/or services of the Company during
the period of Executive's employment by the Company.
3.5
Executive further covenants and agrees that during Executive's employment by the
Company and for the period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Executive will
not, directly or indirectly, solicit or hire, or encourage the solicitation or
hiring of any person who was an Executive of the Company at any time during the
term of Executive's employment by the Company by any employer other than the
Company for any position as an Executive, independent contractor, consultant or
otherwise. The foregoing covenant of Executive shall not apply to (i) any person
whom Executive employed prior to the formation of the Company, or (ii) any
person after a period of twelve (12) months has elapsed subsequent to the date
on which such person's employment by the Company has terminated.
4.
Equitable Relief.
4.1.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in Sections 2
and 3 are reasonable and necessary to protect and preserve the legitimate
interests, properties, goodwill and business of the Company and its affiliates,
that the Company would not have entered into this Agreement in the absence of
such restrictions and that irreparable injury will be suffered by the Company
should Executive breach any of the provisions of those sections. Executive
represents and acknowledges that (i) he has been advised by the Company to
consult Executive's own legal counsel in respect to this Agreement and (ii) that
he has had full opportunity, prior to execution of this Agreement, to review
this Agreement thoroughly with Executive's counsel.
4.2.
Executive further acknowledges and agrees that a breach of any of the
restrictions in Sections 2 and 3 cannot be adequately compensated by monetary
damages. Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and
permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, as
well as an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits
arising from any violation of Sections 2 or 3 hereof, which rights shall be
cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company
may be entitled. In the event that any of the provisions of Sections 2 and 3
hereof should ever be adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, service or
other limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction, it is the
intention of the parties that the provisions shall be amended to the extent of
the maximum time, geographic, service or other limitations permitted by
applicable law, that such amendment shall apply only within the jurisdiction of
the court that made such adjudication and that the provision be enforced to the
maximum extent permitted by law.
4.3
Executive irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees that any suit, action or
other legal proceeding arising out of Sections 2 or 3 hereof, including, without
limitation, any action commenced by the Company for preliminary and permanent
injunctive relief and other equitable relief, may be brought in the United
States District Court for the Central District of California, or if such court
does not have jurisdiction or will not accept jurisdiction, in any court of
general jurisdiction in Los Angeles County, California; (ii) consents to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or
proceeding; and (iii) waives any objection which Executive may have to the
laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.
Executive also irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the service of any
process, pleadings, notices or other papers in a manner permitted by the notice
provisions of Section 7 hereof.
4.4
Executive agrees that for a period of five (5) years following the termination
of Executive's employment by the Company, Executive will provide, and that at
all times after the date hereof the Company may similarly provide, a copy of
Sections 2 and 3 hereof to any business or enterprise (i) which Executive may
directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, finance, join, control or
participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing or control of, or
(ii) with which Executive may be connected as an officer, director, employee,
partner, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise, or in
connection with which Executive may use or permit Executive's name to be used;
provided, however, that this provision shall not apply in respect of Section 3
hereof after expiration of the time period set forth therein.
5.
Termination. The Employment Term shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one
of the following events:
5.1
Disability. The Company may terminate the Employment Term if Executive is unable
substantially to perform Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder to
the full extent required by the Board by reason of illness, injury or incapacity
(a "Disability") for six (6) consecutive months, or for more than six (6) months
in the aggregate during any period of twelve (12) calendar months; provided,
however, that the Company shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary then
in effect for the balance of the then remaining Employment Term determined
without reference to such termination (the "Remaining Employment Term"), but the
amount the Company shall be required to pay Executive shall be reduced by the
amount of any disability payments received by Executive pursuant to the Benefit
Coverages. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to the following: (i) a pro
rata bonus, if any, for the year of termination; (ii) any other amounts earned,
accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above;
(iii) the
continued right to exercise any vested stock option, if any, for a period of one
(1) year following the date of Executive's termination; (iv) continued
participation for the Remaining Employment Term in those Benefit
Coverages
in which Executive was participating on the date of termination which, by their
terms, permit a former employee to participate; and (v) any other benefits in
accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company. In such event, the
Company shall have no further liability or obligation to Executive for
compensation under this Agreement except as otherwise specifically provided in
this Agreement. Executive agrees, in the event of a dispute under this Section
5.1, to submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician selected by the
Board, provided that Executive's own physician may be present at Executive's
request and sole expense.
5.2
Death. The Employment Term shall terminate in the event of Executive's death. In
such event, the Company shall pay to Executive's executors, legal
representatives or administrators, as applicable, an amount equal to the
installment of Executive's Base Salary set forth in Section 1.3 hereof for the
month in which Executive dies and a pro rata share of any annual bonus to which
Executive would otherwise be entitled for the year in which such death occurs.
In addition, Executive's estate shall be entitled to (i) any other amounts
earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above; (ii) the
continued right to exercise any vested stock option for a period of one (1) year
following the date of death; and (iii) any other benefits in accordance with
applicable plans and programs of the Company. The Company shall have no further
liability or obligation under this Agreement to Executive's executors, legal
representatives, administrators, heirs or assigns or any other person claiming
under or through Executive except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement.
5.3
Cause. The Company may terminate the Employment Term, at any time, for "cause"
upon thirty (30) days' written notice, in which event all payments under this
Agreement shall cease, except for Base Salary to the extent already accrued. For
purposes of this Agreement, Executive's employment may be terminated for "cause"
(i) if Executive is convicted of a felony; (ii) any material neglect or breach
of duty by Executive, or any failure by Executive to perform such duties as may
be delegated to Executive from time to time; (iii) any willful breach of duty by
Executive in the course of his employment; (iv) any material breach of any
provision of this Agreement; or (v) Executive commits theft, larceny,
embezzlement, or fraud, any acts of dishonesty, illegality, moral turpitude or
gross mismanagement as determined in good faith by the Board, whose
determination shall be final and binding; provided, however, with respect to
items (ii) and (iii), thirty (30) days' written notice must be given by the
Company to Executive the first offense, which Executive shall have the right to
cure to the Board's satisfaction. No such advance notice shall be required to
terminate for "cause" with respect to the next offense.
5.4
Termination Without Cause. The Company may remove Executive, at any time prior
to the end of the Employment Term, without cause from the position in which
Executive is employed hereunder (in which case the Employment Term shall be
deemed to have ended) upon not less than sixty (60) days' prior written notice
to Executive; provided, however, that in the event that such notice is given,
Executive shall be under no obligation to render any additional services to the
Company and, subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, shall be allowed to
seek other employment. Upon any such removal, Executive shall be entitled to
receive as liquidated damages for the failure of the Company to continue to
employ Executive, only the amount due to Executive under the Company's
then-current severance pay plan for employees. No other payments or benefits
shall be due under this Agreement to Executive, except that Executive shall be
entitled to receive payments or benefits under the then-existing Benefit
Coverages in which Executive is participating in accordance with the respective
terms of such Benefit Coverages. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement
or the Ecoland Stock Option Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is
terminated by the Company without cause after the first twelve (12) months, an
amount equal to the lesser of one-half (1/2) of the remaining options to be
vested under the then-remaining Employment Term or twelve (12) additional months
of vesting shall be vested and exercisable in accordance with the Ecoland Stock
Option Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon such removal, without
cause under Section 5.4. in the event that Executive executes a written release
of any and all claims against the Company and all related parties with respect
to all matters arising out of Executive's employment by the Company (other than
Executive's entitlement under any stock options, employee benefit plan or
program sponsored by the Company in which Executive participated and under which
Executive has accrued a benefit), and the termination thereof, Executive shall
be entitled to receive, in lieu of the payment described in subsection 5.4.
Hereof, which Executive agrees to waive, (i) in equal monthly installments, as
liquidated damages for the failure of the Company to continue to employ
Executive, an amount equal to the amount of Executive's Base Salary and annual
bonus, if any, for the lesser of the Remaining Employment Term or twelve (12)
months, provided that Executive remains in compliance with the provisions of
Sections 2 and 3 hereof; (ii) continuation of those Benefit Coverages as in
effect at the time of such termination or removal, or to receive cash in lieu of
such benefits or premiums, as applicable, where such Benefit Coverages may not
be continued (or where such continuation would adversely affect the tax status
of the plan pursuant to which the Benefit Coverage is provided) under applicable
law or regulation, for the lesser of the Remaining Employment Term or twelve
(12) months; (iii) any other amounts earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid
under Section 1 above; and (iv) any other benefits in accordance with applicable
plans and programs of the Company.
6.
Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder
shall survive any termination of the Executive's employment to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and
obligations.
7.
Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
personally, by facsimile transmission, or when mailed, by United States
certified or registered mail, prepaid, to the parties or their assignees at the
following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address as shall be
given in writing by any party):
If
to the Company:
Ecoland
International, Inc.
Attn:
Board of Directors
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx
0000Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
If
to Executive:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx
0000Xxxxxxxx, Arizona
or to
such other names or addresses as the Company or Executive, as the case may be,
shall designate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices in
the manner specified in this section.
8.
Arbitration; Expenses. In the event of any dispute under the provisions of this
Agreement other than a dispute in which the sole relief is an equitable remedy
such as an injunction, the parties shall be required to have the dispute,
controversy or claim settled by arbitration in the City of Los Angeles,
California in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules then in effect of
the American Arbitration Association.
9.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of California as if this Agreement was to be
performed entirely within the State of California by residents of such State,
and without reference to principles of conflicts of laws.
10.
Further Assurances. Each of the parties agrees that from time to time, at the
request of any other party and without further consideration or consent, they
will execute and deliver such additional instruments as any other party may
reasonably request as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
Agreement.
11.
Indemnification by the Company. The Company hereby agrees and covenants to full
and completely indemnify and defend Executive in the performance of Executive's
duties to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In addition, as of
the Effective Date, the Company shall procure, and Executive shall be covered by
an officer and director liability insurance policy.
12.
Attorneys' Fees. In the event any litigation, arbitration, mediation or other
proceeding ("Proceeding") is initiated by any party(ies) against any other
party(ies) to enforce, interpret or otherwise obtain judicial or quasi-judicial
relief in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party(ies) in such
Proceeding shall be entitled to recover from the unsuccessful party(ies) (a) all
costs, expenses, actual attorneys' and expert witness fees, relating to or
arising out of such Proceeding (whether or not such Proceeding proceeds to
judgment), and (b) any post-judgment or post-award proceeding, including,
without limitation, one to enforce any judgment or award resulting from any such
Proceeding. Any such judgment or award shall contain a specific provision for
the recovery of all such subsequently incurred costs, expenses, actual
attorneys' and expert witness fees. The arbitrator(s) or court shall determine
who is the prevailing party, whether or not the dispute or controversy proceeds
to final judgment. Company and Executive expressly acknowledge that this section
is not intended to in any way alter the parties' agreement that arbitration
shall be the exclusive method of resolving any dispute related to this Agreement
or Executive's employment with the Company as set forth in Section 7. Company
and Executive agree that the reference to litigation in this section is included
so that the prevailing party can recover its attorneys' fees and costs if (a)
either party files a lawsuit in violation of Section 7 (e.g., fees and costs
incurred obtaining a court order compelling arbitration); or (b) a court rules
that the arbitration provision in Section 7 is unenforceable for any
reason.
13.
Entire Agreement. All prior agreements, representations and understandings
between the parties are incorporated in this Agreement and schedules and exhibit
hereto, which together constitute the entire contract between the parties. The
terms of this Agreement are intended by the parties as a final expression of
their agreement with respect to such terms as are included herein and may not be
contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous written or oral
representations, agreements or understandings, whether express or implied. The
parties further intend that this Agreement constitutes the complete and
exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may
be introduced in any judicial proceeding, if any, involving this Agreement. No
amendment or variation of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made
in writing and signed by each of the parties.
14. Venue
and Jurisdiction. For purposes of venue and jurisdiction, this Agreement shall
be deemed made and to be performed in the City of Los Angeles,
California.
15.
Counterparts; Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be
executed by facsimile (with originals to follow by United States mail), and such
facsimile shall be conclusive evidence of the consent and ratification of the
signatories hereto.
16.
Headings. The headings of the various Sections of this Agreement have been
inserted only for convenience and shall not be deemed in any manner to modify or
limit any of the provisions of this Agreement or be used in any manner in the
interpretation of this Agreement.
17.
Interpretation. Whenever the context so requires, all words used in the singular
shall be construed to have been used in the plural (and vice versa), each gender
shall be construed to include any other genders, and the word "person" shall be
construed to include a natural person, a corporation, a firm, a partnership, a
joint venture, a trust, an estate or other entity.
18.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and all remaining
provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
19.
Successors-in-Interest and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the successors-in-interest and assigns of each
party to this Agreement, except that the duties and responsibilities of
Executive hereunder are of a personal nature and shall not be assignable or
delegable in whole or in part by Executive. Nothing in this Section shall create
any rights enforceable by any other persons not a party to this Agreement,
unless such rights are expressly granted in this Agreement to other specifically
identified persons.
20.
Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended and the observance of
any term of this Agreement may not be waived (either generally or in a
particular instance and neither retroactively or prospectively), without the
written consent of the parties hereto.
21.
Beneficiaries; References. Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted
under any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to
receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executive's
death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive's
death or a judicial determination of Executive's incompetence, reference in this
Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to
Executive's beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, have executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.
Ecoland
International, Inc.
a Nevada
corporation
|
By:
/s/ Shareholders Written
approval
|
Executive
|
By:
|
/s/Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
June
1, 2009
|
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