AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This Agreement and General Release (hereinafter, the “Agreement”) offered to Xxxx Xxxxxx (the “Executive”) by JetBlue Airways Corporation (the “Company”) is dated as of September 13, 2016.
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to retire from his position with the Company as Chief Financial Officer on November 1, 2016 (the “Retirement Date”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Executive as a Senior Advisor on an at will basis for a period of time of 12 months starting on November 1, 2016 (unless extended or terminated by either party sooner); and
WHEREAS, this agreement, when executed by the Executive and the Company, shall be effective as of the Retirement Date; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions set forth below, and intending to be legally bound thereby, the Company and the Executive covenant and agree as follows:
1.Retirement. The Executive agrees to retire from his position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company by executing the letter attached as Appendix A to this Agreement as of the Retirement Date.
2.Payment and Benefits. In consideration for the Executive’s obligations herein, the Company shall provide the following payments and benefits:
a. | Payments to Executive: |
(i) The Executive shall continue to receive his Base Salary at the annual rate of FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($425,000.00), less all applicable withholdings and deductions, from the Retirement Date through the termination of employment as a Senior Advisor (the “Advisory Period”).
(ii) No later than April 1, 2017, the Executive shall receive a lump sum payment of NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($95,000.00), less all applicable withholdings and deductions.
(iii) The Advisory Period shall be intended to continue until November 1, 2017 (“Advisory End Date”), although either the Company or the Executive may terminate employment as a Senior Advisor at will at any time. During the Advisory Period, Executive shall continue to be actively employed by the Company with duties to be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
(iv) The parties agree that Executive may be based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and may perform his duties remotely, at Company headquarters in Long Island City, New York, and wherever he can best fulfill his duties to the Company, as determined by the Executive in consultation with the Company. All reasonable travel and related expenses incurred by the Executive in the fulfillment of his duties hereunder will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures of the Company as in effect from time to time.
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(v) At the end of the Advisory Period, the Executive’s employment shall terminate and he shall receive a lump sum payment of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND CENTS ($25,000.00) less all applicable withholdings and taxes, in consideration for and subject to the Executive executing the Updated General Release attached as Appendix B to this Agreement (the “Lump Sum Payment”). The Lump Sum Payment shall be made within 15 business days of the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of the Updated General Release attached as Appendix B.
(vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing, should the Executive obtain full-time employment, with substantially equivalent benefits, during the Advisory Period, should the Company terminate Executive’s employment as a Senior Advisor or should the Executive die, the Company shall convert any remaining salary payments due to him through the Advisory End Date into a lump sum payment (less all applicable withholdings and deductions), to be made within 15 business days of the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of the Updated General Release attached as Appendix B payable to Executive (or his designated beneficiary). The Executive shall notify Xxxxx X. Xxxx, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, within 5 days after he obtains full-time employment. Upon his acceptance of such employment, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall end and any and all benefits discussed in this Paragraph 2 that are continuing during the Advisory Period shall terminate; provided, however, the Flight Benefits set forth in 2(e) shall continue and the Executive shall receive the Bonus, payable as set forth in Section 2(b) below.
b. Bonus. The Company shall pay Executive a pro rata bonus payment in respect of his service for the 2016 calendar year for the time period between January 1, 2016 through the Retirement Date at target and as determined by relevant plan documents. The bonus shall be paid at the same time that annual bonuses are otherwise paid to employees generally, but in no event later than March 15, 2017. The Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that his employment during the Advisory Period will not otherwise be bonus eligible.
c. 401(k). The Company shall continue to make 401(k) matching contributions, if any, on behalf of the Executive during the Advisory Period, subject to the terms of the applicable plan.
d. Benefits. The Company agrees to continue the Executive’s existing medical and dental benefits during the Advisory Period, subject to the terms and conditions of the plans.
e. Flight Benefits. Regardless of the terms of this Agreement, it is understood and agreed by the Company that the Executive is entitled to his current JetBlue CrewTravel privileges during the Advisory Period and lifetime positive space flight benefits on JetBlue and standby on OALs subject to the terms of JetBlue’s pass travel programs and any future changes to those programs including, but not limited to any changes as may be required by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
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f. Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares Units. The Company agrees that outstanding Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units held by the Executive will vest per the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and agreements.
g. Executive Physical. The Company agrees to pay Executive the cost of an Executive Physical during his Advisory Period, subject to the applicable policies governing Executive Physicals.
h. Career Transition. Executive shall be reimbursed up to $40,000 to be used for career transition support as determined by Executive during the Advisory Period.
i. Moving Expenses and Sale of Residence. The Company agrees to pay reasonable costs for a white glove move of Executive’s belongings from his New York residence (the “New York Residence”) to his home in New Orleans. The Company further agrees to reimburse Executive for up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for real estate consulting service fees.
j. The Company agrees to pay Xxxxx-Xxxxx Law PLLC for legal services rendered to the Executive in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement.
3.No Other Payments of Benefits. Except for the payments and benefits provided for in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement, and those accrued but unused benefits and obligations to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Executive is not entitled to any other compensation or benefits of any kind from the Company, including, but not limited to, any claims for salary, bonuses, severance, or any other payments or benefits whatsoever under any Company plan or program. The Executive’s equity grants shall be governed by the terms of the applicable plans as may be amended from time to time.
4.Release. In consideration of the obligations of the Company herein, specifically some of the payment and benefits described in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement, of which the Executive acknowledges that the Executive is not otherwise entitled, the Executive hereby fully and forever unconditionally releases and discharges the Company and all of its past and present officers, directors, employees, insurers, agents, subsidiaries, successors and assigns (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Releasees”), from any and all manner of actions and causes of action, suits, debts, dues, accounts, bonds, covenants, contracts, agreements, judgments, charges, claims and demands whatsoever which the Executive, the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns has, or may hereafter have against the Releasees arising out of or by reason of any cause, matter or thing whatsoever occurring on or before the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, but without limitation to, any or all matters relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company and the separation thereof, the Executive’s benefits, and all matters arising under any international, federal, state, or local statute, rule or regulation or principle of contract law or common law, in law or in equity, including, but not limited to, claims arising under Title VII of the Civils Rights Act of 1964 , the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, all as amended, and any other federal, state or local laws regarding employment discrimination, excepting only claims for worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation and rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”).
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Nothing in this agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or regulatory authority, including but not limited to the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Executive does not waive or release any rights arising after the Effective Date of this Agreement.
5.Restrictive Covenants
a. Non-Compete. The parties agree that during the Advisory Period, if the Executive engages in Competitive Activity, which shall be defined as directly or indirectly owning, managing, operating, joining, controlling or participating in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be employed by, any air carrier with its base of operations in North, Central or South America (the “Competitive Airlines”), the Executive’s employment shall terminate, the Company’s obligation to make and/or continue future payments and benefits under this Agreement shall terminate, and the Executive shall be required to repay to the Company any payments and benefits previously paid to him under this Agreement within 3 business days of him engaging in the Competitive Activity. The Executive must notify Xxxxx X. Xxxx, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, within 5 business days of engaging in Competitive Activity. Subject to the terms herein, during the Advisory Period, the Executive shall not be precluded from working for any airline consulting firms (provided that the Executive may not be placed at a Competitive Airline or directly or indirectly perform full time duties for a Competitive Airline), freight carriers, airline investment banking firms, regional airlines, manufacturers, air taxi services, fractional jet operators, foreign airlines, and other similar companies.
b. Non-Solicit. Unless the Company agrees and provides written consent to the contrary , the Executive agrees that during the Advisory Period, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly (i) interfere with or attempt to interfere with any person who is, or was during the then most recent 12-month period, an employee, officer, representative or agent of the Company or its affiliates, or solicit, induce or attempt to solicit, induce any of them to leave the employ of the Company or its affiliates or violate the terms of their contracts, or any employment arrangements, with the Company or its affiliates; (ii) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or its affiliates, or interfere in any way with the relationship between the Company or its affiliates and any employee of the Company or its affiliates; or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company or its affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or its affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or its affiliates and any of their respective customers, suppliers, licensees or other business relations. As used herein, the term “indirectly” shall include, without limitation, the Executive’s permitting the use of the Executive’s name by any competitor of the Company to induce or interfere with any employee or business relationship of the Company.
c. The Parties understand and agree that notwithstanding Executive’s duties hereunder, he may engage in teaching, serve on corporate and non-profit boards, and engage in other consulting activities.
6.Company Property. The Executive shall retain use of all Company property in the Executive’s possession during the Advisory Period. Thereafter, the Executive shall return all Company property.
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After giving effect to the return of the property discussed above, the Executive represents and warrants that the Executive has no Company records or copies of records or correspondence or copies of correspondence, other than non-confidential documents relating to the Executive’s own employment by the Company.
7.Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that the Executive will not publish or communicate to any person or entity Disparaging (as defined herein) remarks, comments or statements concerning the Releasees. The Company and its officers shall not publish or communicate to any person or entity any Disparaging remarks comments or statements concerning the Executive. “Disparaging” remarks, comments, or statements are those that impugn the character, honesty, integrity, morality, or business acumen or abilities in connection with any aspect of the operation of the Company’s business or the Executive.
8.Protection of Confidential Information. The Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive remains subject to and agrees to abide by any and all existing duties and obligations respecting confidential and/or proprietary information of the Company.
9.Non-Assignment of Rights. Executive warrants that the Executive has not assigned or transferred any right or claim described in the general release given in Paragraph 4 above.
10.Voluntary and Knowing. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive fully understands the terms of this Agreement and that the Executive knowingly and voluntarily, of the Executive’s own free will without any duress, being fully informed, after due deliberation and after consultation with the Executive’s own counsel, accepts its terms and signs the same as the Executive’s own free act.
11.Revocation Period and Effective Date. Executive acknowledges that the Company has provided the Executive the opportunity to review and consider this Agreement for at least twenty-one (21) days from the date the Company provided the Executive this Agreement. Executive represents that he was advised by the Company to review this Agreement with an attorney before signing. If Executive executes this Agreement prior to the expiration of twenty-one (21) days from the date the Company provided the Executive with this Agreement, the Executive voluntarily and knowingly waives any right the Executive may have, prior to signing this Agreement, to additional time within which to consider the Agreement. The Executive may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days after he executes this Agreement by providing written notification of the intended revocation to Xxxxx X. Xxxx, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, at the Company. This Agreement becomes effective on the eighth day after it is executed by both parties, provided that it is not revoked by the Executive prior to that date (the “Effective Date”).
12.No Exit Incentive. The payments provided under this Agreement are no offered in connection with any specific exit incentive or other employment termination program.
13.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects, whether as to validity, construction, capacity, and performance or otherwise by the laws of the State of New York.
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14.Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement between the Company and the Executive and supersedes any and all understandings and agreements (including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement) made prior hereto, if any.
15.Modification. No provision of this Agreement shall be amended, waived, or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
16.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, both of which together shall constitute the original agreement. This Agreement may also be executed by facsimile signature.
17.No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed that the execution of this Agreement by the Company is not to be construed as an admission of any liability on its part to Executive other than to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
Date: September 13, 2016
XXXX XXXXXX | JETBLUE AIRWAYS | ||
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | CORPORATION | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Title: | EVP People | ||
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APPENDIX A
Xxxxx Xxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
JetBlue Airways Corporation
00-00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xxxxx,
Effective __________, 2016, I hereby resign my position as Chief Financial Officer of JetBlue Airways Corporation.
Sincerely,
Xxxx Xxxxxx
__________, 2016
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APPENDIX B
UPDATED RELEASE
This Updated General Release (hereinafter the “Release”) is dated this _____ day of _____________, 2017).
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company entered into an Agreement and General Release in ____________, 2016 (the “2016 Agreement”) whereby Executive retired from his employment with the Company as Chief Financial Officer and became employed as a Senior Advisor through DATE; and
WHEREAS, the Executive now desires to resign from his position as a Senior Advisor and to terminate his employment with the Company.
1.Release. Therefore, in consideration of the obligations of the Company set forth in the 2016 Agreement, to which the Executive acknowledges that the Executive is not otherwise entitled, the Executive hereby fully and forever unconditionally releases and discharges the Company and all of its past or present officers, directors, employees, insurers, agents, subsidiaries, successors and assigns (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Releasees”), from any and all manner of actions and causes of action, suits, debts, dues, accounts, bonds, covenants, contracts, agreements, judgments, charges, claims and demands whatsoever which the Executive, the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns has, or may hereafter have against the Releasees arising out of or by reason of any cause, matter or thing whatsoever occurring on or before the Effective Date of this Release, including, but without limitation to, any or all matters relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company and the termination thereof, the Executive’s benefits, and all matters arising under any international, federal, state, or local statute, rule or regulation or principle of contract law or common law, in law or in equity, including, but not limited to, claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, all as amended, and any other federal, state or local laws regarding employment discrimination, excepting only claims for worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation and rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) and the obligations set forth in the 2009 Agreement. The Executive does not waive or release any rights arising after the Effective Date of this Release.
2.Revocation Period and Effective Date. Executive acknowledges that the Company has provided the Executive the opportunity to review and consider this Updated General Release Agreement for at least twenty-one (21) days from the date the Company provided the Executive this Release. Executive represents that he was advised by the Company to review this Release with an attorney before signing. If Executive executes this Release prior to the expiration of twenty-one (21) days from the date the Company provided the Executive with this Release, the Executive voluntarily and knowingly waives any right the Executive may have, prior to signing this Release, to additional time within which to consider the Release. The Executive may revoke this Release within seven (7) days after he executes this Release by providing written notification of the intended revocation to Xxxxx X. Xxxx, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, at the Company. This Release becomes effective on the eighth day after it is executed by both parties, provided that it is not revoked by the Executive prior to that date (the “Effective Date”).
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
Date: ____________, 2016
XXXX XXXXXX | JETBLUE AIRWAYS | ||
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | CORPORATION | ||
By: | |||
Title: | |||
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