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Exhibit 10.3
CHANGE IN CONTROL AND TERMINATION AGREEMENT
NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Employer") and _________
("Executive") entered into a Change in Control and Termination Agreement as of
____________________ ("Agreement"), and Employer and Executive hereby enter into
an amendment and restatement of the Agreement, effective _______ __, 200_, which
amended and restated Agreement is hereinafter set forth.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by Employer as its
______________;
WHEREAS, Employer desires to provide security to Executive in connection
with Executive's employment with Employer in the event of a Change in Control
affecting Employer; and
WHEREAS, Executive and Employer desire to enter into this Agreement
pertaining to the terms of the security Employer is providing to Executive with
respect to his employment in the event of a Change in Control;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be the period beginning
on the date hereof and terminating on the date 36 months after such date (the
"Term"), provided that for each day from and after the date hereof the Term will
automatically be extended for an additional day, unless either Employer or
Executive has given written notice to the other party of its or his election to
cease such automatic extension, in which case the Term shall be the 36-month
period beginning on the date such notice is received by such other party.
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2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Affiliate" or "Associate" shall have the meaning set
forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(b) "Base Salary" shall mean Executive's monthly base salary
at the rate in effect on the date of a reduction for purposes of
paragraph (g) of this Section, or on the date of a termination of
employment under circumstances described in subsections 3(a) or (b)
below, whichever is higher; provided, however, that such rate shall in
no event be less than the highest rate in effect for Executive at any
time during the Term.
(c) "Beneficiary" shall mean the person or entity designated
by Executive, by written instrument delivered to Employer, to receive
the benefits payable under this Agreement in the event of his death. If
Executive fails to designate a Beneficiary, or if no Beneficiary
survives Executive, such death benefits shall be paid:
(i) to his surviving spouse; or
(ii) if there is no surviving spouse, to his living
descendants per stirpes; or
(iii) if there is neither a surviving spouse nor
descendants, to his duly appointed and qualified
executor or personal representative.
(d) "Bonus" shall mean Executive's target annual incentive
bonus compensation for the calendar year in which the date of a
termination of employment under circumstances described in subsection
3(a) below occurs, under the incentive bonus compensation plan then
maintained by Employer; provided, however, that such target annual
incentive bonus compensation shall in no event be less than the highest
target annual incentive bonus compensation of Executive under any such
incentive bonus compensation plan for any calendar year commencing
during the Term.
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(e) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to take place on
the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) The acquisition by an entity, person or group
(including all Affiliates or Associates of such entity, person
or group) of beneficial ownership, as that term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of capital
stock of Employer entitled to exercise more than 30% of the
outstanding voting power of all capital stock of Employer
entitled to vote in elections of directors ("Voting Power");
(2) The effective time of (i) a merger or
consolidation of Employer with one or more other corporations as
a result of which the holders of the outstanding Voting Power of
Employer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
(other than the surviving or resulting corporation or any
Affiliate or Associate thereof) hold less than 50% of the Voting
Power of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (ii) a
transfer of 30% of the Voting Power, or a Substantial Portion of
the Property, of Employer other than to an entity of which
Employer owns at least 50% of the Voting Power; or
(3) The election to the Board of Directors of
Employer of candidates who were not recommended for election by
the Board of Directors of Employer in office immediately prior
to the election, if such candidates constitute a majority of
those elected in that particular election.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to take
place by virtue of any transaction in which Executive is a participant in a
group effecting an acquisition of Employer and, after such acquisition,
Executive holds an equity interest in the entity that has acquired Employer.
(f) "Good Cause" shall be deemed to exist if, and only if:
(1) Executive engages in acts or omissions
constituting dishonesty, intentional breach of fiduciary
obligation or
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intentional wrongdoing or malfeasance, in each
case that results in substantial harm to
Employer or any Affiliate; or
(2) Executive is convicted of a criminal violation
involving fraud or dishonesty.
(g) "Good Reason" shall be deemed to exist if, and only if:
(1) there is a significant change in the nature or
the scope of Executive's authorities or duties;
(2) there is a significant reduction in Executive's
monthly rate of Base Salary, his opportunity to earn a
bonus under an incentive bonus compensation plan
maintained by Employer or his benefits; or
(3) Employer changes by 100 miles or more the
principal location in which Executive is required to
perform services.
(h) "Pension Plan" shall mean any Retirement Plan that is a
defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
(i) "Retirement Plan" shall mean any qualified or
supplemental employee pension benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA, currently or hereinafter made available by Employer in which
Executive is eligible to participate.
(j) "Severance Period" shall mean the period beginning on
the date Executive's employment with Employer terminates under
circumstances described in subsection 3(a) and ending on the date 36
months thereafter.
(k) "Substantial Portion of the Property of Employer" shall
mean 50% of the aggregate book value of the assets of Employer and its
Affiliates and Associates as set forth on the most recent balance sheet
of Employer, prepared on a consolidated basis, by its regularly
employed, independent, certified public accountants.
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(l) "Welfare Plan" shall mean any health and dental plan,
disability plan, survivor income plan or life insurance plan, as defined
in Section 3(1) of ERISA, currently or hereafter made available by
Employer in which Executive is eligible to participate.
3. Benefits Upon Termination of Employment. (a) The following
provisions will apply if a Change in Control occurs during the Term, and (i) at
any time during the 24 months after the Change in Control occurs (whether during
or after the expiration of the Term), the employment of Executive with Employer
is terminated by Employer for any reason other than Good Cause, or Executive
terminates his employment with Employer for Good Reason, or (ii) at any time
during the seventh month after the Change in Control occurs (whether during or
after the expiration of the Term), Executive terminates his employment with
Employer for any reason:
(1) Employer shall pay Executive an amount equal to 36 times
the sum of (a) Executive's Base Salary plus (b) one-twelfth of his
Bonus. Such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum within 180
days after his date of termination of employment; provided, however,
Executive, by written notice to Employer, may elect to receive such
payment on any date that is no earlier than the later to occur of (i)
the date 10 days after the date of termination, and (ii) the date 10
days after receipt of such notice.
(2) Employer shall pay Executive an amount equal to the pro
rata portion of Executive's target annual incentive bonus compensation
for the calendar year in which the date of termination of employment
occurs, under the incentive bonus compensation plan then maintained by
Employer, that is applicable to the period commencing on the first day
of such calendar year and ending on the date of termination. Such amount
shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum within 180 days after his date
of termination of employment; provided, however, Executive, by written
notice to Employer, may elect to receive such payment on any date that
is no earlier than the later
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to occur of (i) the date 10 days after the date of termination, and (ii)
the date 10 days after receipt of such notice.
(3) Executive shall receive any and all benefits accrued
under any Retirement Plan, Welfare Plan or other plan or program in
which he participates at the date of termination of employment, to the
date of termination of employment, the amount, form and time of payment
of such benefits to be determined by the terms of such Retirement Plan,
Welfare Plan and other plan or program, and Executive's employment shall
be deemed to have terminated by reason of retirement, and without regard
to vesting limitations in all such Plans and other plans or programs not
subject to the qualification requirements of Section 401 (a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended ("Code"), under circumstances
that have the most favorable result for Executive thereunder for all
purposes of such Plans and other plans or programs. Payment shall be
made at the earliest date permitted under any such Plan or other plan or
program that is not funded with a trust agreement.
(4) (A) Employer shall pay to Executive a monthly
Supplemental Pension Benefit in an amount equal to the amount determined
pursuant to clause (i) below less the amount determined pursuant to
clause (ii) below:
(i) the aggregate monthly amount of the pension
benefit ("Pension") that would have been payable to Executive
under all Pension Plans if that Pension were computed (A) by
treating the Severance Period as service for all purposes of the
Pension Plans and (B) by considering his compensation during the
Severance Period to be his Base Salary and one-twelfth of his
Bonus for all purposes of the Pension Plans;
(ii) the aggregate monthly amount of any Pension
actually paid to Executive under all Pension Plans.
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(B) The Supplemental Pension Benefit payable to
Executive hereunder shall be paid (i) commencing at the later to occur
of the last day of the Severance Period or the date payment of his
Pension commences under the Pension Plans; and (ii) in the same form as
is applicable to the Pension payable to Executive under the Pension
Plans.
(C) If Executive dies prior to commencement of
payment to him of his Pension under the Pension Plans, under
circumstances in which a death benefit under the Pension Plans is
payable to his surviving spouse or other beneficiary, then Employer
shall pay a monthly Supplemental Death Benefit to Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary entitled to receive the death benefit
payable with respect to Executive under the Pension Plans in an amount
equal to the amount determined pursuant to clause (i) below less the
amount determined pursuant to clause (ii) below:
(i) the aggregate monthly amount of the death
benefit that would have been payable to the surviving spouse or
other beneficiary of Executive under the Pension Plans if that
death benefit were computed (A) by treating the Severance Period
as service for all purposes of the Pension Plans and (B) by
considering his compensation during the Severance Period to be
his Base Salary and one-twelfth of his Bonus for all purposes of
the Pension Plans;
(ii) the aggregate monthly amount of any death
benefit actually paid to the surviving spouse or other
beneficiary of Executive under the Pension Plans.
(D) The Supplemental Death Benefit payable with
respect to Executive hereunder shall be payable at the same time, in the
same form, and to the same persons as is applicable to the death benefit
payable with respect to Executive under the Pension Plans.
(E) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the
total of the actual years of service of Executive for purposes of each
of the Pension Plans
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and the years of service for which credit is given pursuant to
subparagraphs (3)(A) and (C) shall not exceed the maximum number of
years of service, if any, that can be considered pursuant to the terms
of such Pension Plan.
(F) Any actuarial adjustments made under the Pension
Plans with respect to the form or time of payment of a Pension or death
benefit to Executive or his surviving spouse or other beneficiary under
the Pension Plans shall also be applicable to the Supplemental Pension
Benefit or Supplemental Death Benefit payable hereunder and shall be
based upon the same actuarial assumptions as those specified in the
Pension Plans.
(5) If upon the date of termination of Executive's
employment Executive holds any options with respect to stock of
Employer, all such options will immediately become exercisable upon such
date and will be exercisable for 200 days thereafter. Any restrictions
on stock of Employer owned by Executive on the date of termination of
his employment will lapse on such date.
(6) During the Severance Period Executive and his spouse and
other dependents will continue to be covered by all Welfare Plans
maintained by Employer in which he and his spouse and other dependents
were participating immediately prior to the date of his termination as
if he continued to be an employee of Employer and Employer will continue
to pay the costs of coverage of Executive and his spouse and other
dependents under such Welfare Plans on the same basis as is applicable
to active employees covered thereunder; provided that, if participation
in any one or more of such Welfare Plans is not possible under the terms
thereof, Employer will provide substantially identical benefits.
Coverage under any such Welfare Plan will cease if and when Executive
obtains employment with another employer during the Severance Period,
and becomes eligible for coverage under any substantially similar
Welfare Plan provided by his new employer.
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(7) During the Severance Period, Executive shall not be
entitled to reimbursement for fringe benefits, including without
limitation, dues and expenses related to club memberships, automobile
expenses, expenses for professional services and other similar
perquisites.
(b) If the employment of Executive with Employer is terminated by
Employer or Executive other than under circumstances set forth in subsection
3(a), Executive's Base Salary shall be paid through the date of his termination,
and Employer shall have no further obligation to Executive or any other person
under this Agreement. Such termination shall have no effect upon Employee's
other rights, including but not limited to, rights under the Retirement Plans
and the Welfare Plans.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (1) in the
event Employer shall terminate the employment of Executive for Good Cause
hereunder, Employer shall give Executive at least thirty (30) days prior written
notice specifying in detail the reason or reasons for Executive's termination,
and (2) in the event Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason
hereunder, Executive shall give Employer at least thirty (30) days prior written
notice specifying in detail the reason or reasons for Executive's termination.
(d) This Agreement shall have no effect, and Employer shall have no
obligations hereunder, if Executive's employment terminates for any reason at
any time other than during the 24 months following a Change in Control.
4. Excise Tax. (a) In the event that a Change in Control shall
occur, and a final determination is made by legislation, regulation, ruling
directed to Executive or Employer, by court decision, or by independent tax
counsel described in subsection (b) next below, that the aggregate amount of any
payment made to Executive (1) hereunder, and (2) pursuant to any plan, program
or policy of Employer in connection with, on account of, or as a result of, such
Change in Control ("Total Payments") will be subject to the excise tax
provisions of Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor section thereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive from Employer, in addition to any other
amounts payable hereunder, a lump sum payment
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(the "Gross-Up Payment"), sufficient to cover the full cost of such excise taxes
and Executive's federal, state and local income and employment taxes on this
additional payment so that the net amount retained by Executive, after the
payment of all such excise taxes on the Total Payments, and all federal, state
and local income and employment taxes and excise taxes on the Gross-Up Payment,
shall be equal to the Total Payments. The Total Payments, however, shall be
subject to any federal, state and local income and employment taxes thereon. For
this purpose, Executive shall be deemed to be in the highest marginal rate of
federal, state and local taxes. The Gross-Up Payment shall be made at the same
time as the payments described in subsections 3(a)(1) and (2) above.
(b) Employer and Executive shall mutually and reasonably determine
the amount of the Gross-Up Payment to be made to Executive pursuant to the
preceding subsection. Prior to the making of any such Gross-Up Payment, either
party may request a determination as to the amount of such Gross-Up Payment. If
such a determination is requested, it shall be made promptly, at Employer's
expense, by independent tax counsel selected by Executive and approved by
Employer (which approval shall not unreasonably be withheld), and such
determination shall be conclusive and binding on the parties. Employer shall
provide such information as such counsel may reasonably request, and such
counsel may engage accountants or other experts at Employer's expense to the
extent that they deem necessary or advisable to enable them to reach a
determination. The term "independent tax counsel," as used herein, shall mean a
law firm of recognized expertise in federal income tax matters that has not
previously advised or represented either party. It is hereby agreed that neither
Employer nor Executive shall engage any such firm as counsel for any purpose,
other than to make the determination provided for herein, for three years
following such firm's announcement of its determination.
(c) In the event the Internal Revenue Service subsequently adjusts
the excise tax computation made pursuant to subsections 4(a) and (b) above,
Employer shall pay to Executive, or Executive shall pay to Employer, as the case
may be, the
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full amount necessary to make either Executive or Employer whole had the excise
tax initially been computed as subsequently adjusted, including the amount of
any underpaid or overpaid excise tax, and any related interest and/or penalties
due to the Internal Revenue Service.
5. Setoff. No payments or benefits payable to or with respect to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by any amount Executive or
his spouse or Beneficiary, or any other beneficiary under the Pension Plans, may
earn or receive from employment with another employer or from any other source,
except as expressly provided in subsection 3(a)(6).
6. Death. If Executive's employment with Employer terminates under
circumstances described in subsections 3(a) or (b), then upon Executive's
subsequent death, all unpaid amounts payable to Executive under subsections
3(a)(1), (2) or (3) or 3(b), or Section 4, if any, shall be paid to his
Beneficiary, all amounts payable under subsection 3(a)(4) shall be paid pursuant
to the terms of said subsection to his spouse or other beneficiary under the
Pension Plans, and if subsection 3(a) applies, his spouse and other dependents
shall continue to be covered under all applicable Welfare Plans during the
remainder of the Severance Period, if any, pursuant to subsection 3(a)(6).
7. No Solicitation of Representatives and Employees. Executive
agrees that he shall not, during the Term or the Severance Period, directly or
indirectly, in his individual capacity or otherwise, induce, cause, persuade, or
attempt to do any of the foregoing in order to cause, any representative, agent
or employee of Employer or any of its Affiliates to terminate such person's
employment relationship with Employer or any of its Affiliates, or to violate
the terms of any agreement between said representative, agent or employee and
Employer or any of its Affiliates.
8. Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that preservation of a
continuing business relationship between Employer or its Affiliates and their
respective customers, representatives, and employees is of critical importance
to the continued business success of Employer and its Affiliates and that it is
the active
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policy of Employer and its Affiliates to guard as confidential certain
information not available to the public and relating to the business affairs of
Employer and its Affiliates. In view of the foregoing, Executive agrees that he
shall not during the Term and at any time thereafter, without the prior written
consent of Employer, disclose to any person or entity any such confidential
information that was obtained by Executive in the course of his employment by
Employer or any of its Affiliates. This section shall not be applicable if and
to the extent Executive is required to testify in a legislative, judicial or
regulatory proceeding pursuant to an order of Congress, any state or local
legislature, a judge, or an administrative law judge or is otherwise required by
law to disclose such information.
9. Forfeiture. If Executive shall at any time violate any
obligation of his under Sections 7 or 8 in a manner that results in material
damage to the Employer or its business, he shall immediately forfeit his right
to any benefits under this Agreement, and Employer shall thereafter have no
further obligation hereunder to Executive or his spouse, Beneficiary or any
other person.
10. Executive Assignment. No interest of Executive, his spouse or
any Beneficiary, or any other beneficiary under the Pension Plans, under this
Agreement, or any right to receive any payment or distribution hereunder, shall
be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment,
garnishment, or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind, nor may such
interest or right to receive a payment or distribution be taken, voluntarily or
involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the obligations or debts of, or other
claims against, Executive or his spouse, Beneficiary or other beneficiary,
including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance, and claims in
bankruptcy proceedings.
11. Benefits Unfunded. Except as otherwise provided in Section 13,
all rights under this Agreement of Executive and his spouse, Beneficiary or
other beneficiary under the Pension Plans, shall at all times be entirely
unfunded, and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating
any assets of Employer for payment of any amounts due hereunder. None of
Executive, his
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spouse, Beneficiary or any other beneficiary under the Pension Plans shall have
any interest in or rights against any specific assets of Employer, and Executive
and his spouse, Beneficiary or other beneficiary shall have only the rights of a
general unsecured creditor of Employer. Except as otherwise provided in Section
13, and notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section, the Nominating
and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Employer, in its
discretion, shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to cause
amounts payable to Executive or his Beneficiary hereunder to be paid to the
trustee of the NIPSCO Industries, Inc. Umbrella Trust For Management established
effective January 1, 1991, as amended from time to time, or any similar trust at
any time established by Employer ("Trust").
12. Waiver. No waiver by any party at any time of any breach by the
other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of any other
provisions or conditions at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
13. Litigation Expenses. Employer shall pay Executive's reasonable
attorneys' fees and legal expenses in connection with any judicial proceeding to
enforce this Agreement, or to construe or determine the validity of this
Agreement or otherwise in connection therewith, whether or not Executive is
successful in such litigation. Within 10 days following the occurrence of a
Potential Change in Control (as defined in the Trust described in Section 11),
the Nominating and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Employer
shall cause Employer to contribute the sum of $100,000 to the Trust to be
applied in satisfaction of Employer's obligations under this Section. The
Nominating and Compensation Committee shall cause Employer to contribute
additional amounts to the Trust, at such time or times as the Committee deems
appropriate, to the extent the aggregate of (1) the aforementioned sum of
$100,000, plus Trust earnings thereon, and (2) any additional Employer
contributions to the Trust, plus Trust earnings thereon, is not sufficient to
satisfy in full Employer's obligations under this Section.
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14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted pursuant to the laws of Indiana.
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire Agreement
between the Employer and Executive and supersedes any and all previous
agreements; written or oral; between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof. No amendment or modification of the terms of this Agreement shall be
binding upon the parties hereto unless reduced to writing and signed by Employer
and Executive.
16. No Employment Contract. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall be construed to be an employment contract between Executive and Employer.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original.
18. Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is
held illegal or invalid, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby.
19. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives
and successors.
20. Employment with an Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement,
(A) employment or termination of employment of Executive shall mean employment
or termination of employment with Employer and all Affiliates, (B) Base Salary
and Bonus shall include remuneration received by Executive from Employer and all
Affiliates, and (C) the terms Pension Plan, Retirement Plan and Welfare Plan
maintained or made available by Employer shall include any such plans of any
Affiliate of Employer.
21. Notice. Notices required under this Agreement shall be in
writing and sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the following
addresses or to such other address as the party being notified may have
previously furnished to the other party by written notice:
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If to Employer: NiSource Inc.
000 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
If to Executive:
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has hereunto set his hand, and Employer
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all on the
day of , 200_, effective ___________ __, 200_.
NISOURCE INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
----------------------------------------
, Executive
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Schedule of Parties to Change of Control Agreements
The following NiSource executives have entered into amended Change in
Control and Termination Agreements with NiSource: Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx X.
Adik, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X. X'Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, S. XxXxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx.
The contracts are substantially identical in all material respects
except as to the parties, the execution dates, the amount of time following a
change of control that the termination provisions of the agreement apply (from
7-24 months), the monthly base payout (24 to 36 months), and whether or not the
executive's payout is grossed up for taxes. In addition, Mr. Adik's and Xx.
Xxxxx'x agreements provide that if a change of control occurs during the term of
the agreement, they may terminate their employment within 24 months for any
reason; and Xx. Xxxxx'x agreement provides that he will receive termination
benefits during the term of the agreement (regardless of whether a change of
control has occurred) if he is terminated for any reason other than for good
cause, if he terminates his employment for good reason or if his employment
terminates due to death or disability.
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