COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
This Cooperation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 24, 2021 by and among Electromed, Inc. (the “Company”) and the entities and natural persons set forth in the signature pages hereto (collectively, “Xxxxxxx Value”) (each of the Company and Xxxxxxx Value, a “Party” to this Agreement, and collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and Xxxxxxx Value have engaged in various discussions and communications concerning the Company’s business, financial performance and strategic plans;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Xxxxxxx Value has a beneficial ownership (as determined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”)) interest in the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) totaling, in the aggregate, 507,059 shares, or approximately 5.9% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date hereof;
WHEREAS, Xxxxxxx Value submitted a letter to the Company on August 12, 2021 (the “Nomination Letter”) nominating a slate of director candidates to be elected to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) at the fiscal 2022 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company (the “2022 Annual Meeting”); and
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Company and Xxxxxxx Value have determined to come to an agreement with respect to the composition of the Board and certain other matters, as provided in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. |
Board Composition and Related Agreements. |
(a) Board Nominees. The Company agrees that the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall take all necessary actions to (A) nominate a total of seven persons for election to serve as members of the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting, (B) include Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx X. Tune (each a “New Director” and collectively, the “New Directors”) as two of the seven nominees, and (C) recommend, support and solicit proxies for the election of the New Directors at the 2022 Annual Meeting in the same manner as it recommends, supports and solicits proxies for the election of the Company’s other director nominees.
(b) Board Retirements. The Parties acknowledge that each of Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, D.D.S. has indicated his intention not to stand for reelection to the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The Company agrees that the Board will not include Xx. Xxxxxx or Xx. Xxxx in its slate of nominees for election to serve as directors of the Company at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
(c) Replacements. If any New Director (or any Replacement Director (as defined below)) is unable or unwilling to serve as a director and ceases to be a director, resigns as a director, is removed as a director, or for any other reason fails to serve or is not serving as a director at any time prior to the expiration of the Standstill Period (as defined below), and at such time Xxxxxxx Value beneficially owns (as determined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) in the aggregate at least the lesser of (i) 3.0% of the Company’s then-outstanding Common Stock and (ii) 256,773 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits, reclassifications, combinations and similar adjustments), Xxxxxxx Value shall have the ability to recommend a person to be a replacement director in accordance with this Section 1(c) (any such replacement nominee, when appointed to the Board, shall be referred to as a “Replacement Director”). Any Replacement Director must (A) be reasonably acceptable to the Board, (B) qualify as “independent” pursuant to applicable national securities exchange listing standards, (C) complete a background check to confirm the Company’s eligibility for reimbursements for its products under all state Medicaid agencies, and (D) have the relevant financial and business experience to be a director of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board (the “Nominating Committee”) shall make its determination and recommendation regarding whether such Replacement Director meets the foregoing criteria within five (5) business days after (i) such nominee has submitted to the Company the documentation required by Section 1(h)(v) and (ii) representatives of the Board have conducted customary interview(s) of such nominee, if such interviews are requested by the Board or the Nominating Committee. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to conduct any interview(s) contemplated by this Section 1(c) as promptly as practicable, but in any case, assuming reasonable availability of the nominee, within ten (10) business days after Xxxxxxx Value’s submission of such nominee. In the event the Nominating Committee does not accept a person recommended by Xxxxxxx Value as the Replacement Director, Xxxxxxx Value shall have the right to recommend additional substitute person(s) whose appointment shall be subject to the Nominating Committee recommending such person in accordance with the procedures described above. Upon the recommendation of a Replacement Director nominee by the Nominating Committee, the Board shall vote on the appointment of such Replacement Director to the Board no later than five (5) business days after the Nominating Committee’s recommendation of such Replacement Director; provided, however, that if the Board does not appoint such Replacement Director to the Board pursuant to this Section 1(c), the Parties shall continue to follow the procedures of this Section 1(c) until a Replacement Director is elected to the Board. Subject to applicable national securities exchange rules and applicable law, upon a Replacement Director’s appointment to the Board, the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall take all necessary actions to appoint such Replacement Director to any applicable committee of the Board of which the replaced director was a member immediately prior to such director’s resignation or removal. Subject to applicable national securities exchange rules and applicable law, until such time as any Replacement Director is appointed to any applicable committee of the Board, the other New Director will serve as an interim member of such applicable committee. Any Replacement Director designated pursuant to this Section 1(c) replacing a New Director prior to the mailing of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting shall stand for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting together with the other director nominees.
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(d) Finance and Strategy Committee. Immediately following the completion of the 2022 Annual Meeting, the Board shall establish a Finance and Strategy Committee of the Board (the “Finance and Strategy Committee”) to conduct a review of the Company’s business and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s strategy and opportunities to enhance shareholder value, including but not limited to strategic growth plans, long-term business plans, shareholder engagement, research and development, capital allocation, and buy- or sell-side M&A transactions. During the Standstill Period, the Finance and Strategy Committee shall consist of at least three (3) but not more than four (4) independent Board members (including at least one (1) New Director). Ms. Tune will be appointed as the initial Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee and shall be entitled to serve as Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee until the conclusion of the Standstill Period, in each case subject to her election to serve as a member of the Board.
(e) Director Committee Appointments. Without limiting Section 1(d) and subject to applicable national securities exchange rules and applicable laws, the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall take all actions necessary to ensure that during the Standstill Period, (i) each New Director (or any Replacement Director) will serve on at least one of the Audit, Personnel and Compensation, and Nominating and Governance committees of the Board and (ii) any new committee(s) and subcommittee(s) of the Board that may be established shall include at least one (1) New Director (or a Replacement Director). Without limiting the foregoing, the Board shall give each of the New Directors the same due consideration for membership to any existing or newly formed committee of the Board as any other independent director.
(f) Board Compensation and Other Benefits. The Company agrees that the New Directors (or any Replacement Director) shall receive (A) the same benefits of director and officer insurance as all other non-management directors on the Board, (B) the same compensation for his or her service as a director as the compensation received by other non-management directors on the Board and (C) such other benefits on the same basis as all other non-management directors on the Board.
(g) Board Policies and Procedures. Each Party acknowledges that the New Directors (or any Replacement Director), upon appointment to the Board, shall be governed by all of the same policies, processes, procedures, codes, rules, standards and guidelines applicable to members of the Board.
(h) Additional Agreements.
(i) Xxxxxxx Value hereby irrevocably withdraws the Nomination Letter.
(ii) Xxxxxxx Value shall comply, and shall cause each of its controlled Affiliates and Associates to comply with the terms of this Agreement and shall be responsible for any breach of this Agreement by any such controlled Affiliate or Associate. As used in this Agreement, the terms “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Exchange Act and shall include all persons or entities that at any time during the term of this Agreement become Affiliates or Associates of any person or entity referred to in this Agreement.
(iii) During the Standstill Period, except as otherwise provided herein, Xxxxxxx Value shall not, and shall cause each of its controlled Affiliates and Associates not to, directly or indirectly, (A) nominate or recommend for nomination any person for election at any annual or special meeting of the Company’s shareholders, (B) submit any proposal for consideration at, or bring any other business before, any annual or special meeting of the Company’s shareholders, or (C) initiate, encourage or participate in any “vote no,” “withhold” or similar campaign with respect to any annual or special meeting of the Company’s shareholders. Xxxxxxx Value shall not publicly or privately encourage or support any other shareholder, person or entity to take any of the actions described in this Section 1(h)(iii).
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(iv) Xxxxxxx Value shall appear in person or by proxy at the 2022 Annual Meeting and vote all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Xxxxxxx Value at the 2022 Annual Meeting in favor of all directors nominated by the Board for election and otherwise in accordance with the recommendations of the Board; provided, however, that in the event Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) or Glass Lewis & Co., LLC (“Glass Lewis”) recommends otherwise with respect to any proposals (other than the election of directors), Xxxxxxx Value shall be permitted to vote in accordance with the ISS or Glass Lewis recommendation; provided, further, that Xxxxxxx Value shall be permitted to vote in its sole discretion with respect to any publicly announced proposals relating to a merger, acquisition, disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or other business combination involving the Company requiring a vote of shareholders of the Company.
(v) Xxxxxxx Value acknowledges that, prior to any appointment, each Replacement Director is required to submit to the Company a fully completed copy of the Company’s standard director & officer questionnaire and other reasonable and customary director onboarding documentation applicable to directors of the Company, including completion of all background reviews necessary to confirm the Company’s continued eligibility for reimbursement by state agencies if such Replacement Director becomes a member of the Board.
(vi) During the period commencing with the date of this Agreement through the expiration of the Standstill Period, the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall not (A) increase the size of the Board to more than eight (8) directors or (B) seek to classify the Board, in each case without the prior written consent of Xxxxxxx Value.
(vii) The Company agrees that the Board and all applicable committees of the Board shall take all necessary actions to determine, in connection with their initial nomination by the Company at the 2022 Annual Meeting, that each of the New Directors is deemed to be (A) a member of the “Incumbent Board” or “Continuing Director” (as such term may be defined in the definition of “Change in Control,” “Change of Control” (or any similar term) under the Company’s incentive plans, options plans, equity plans, deferred compensation plans, employment agreements, severance plans, retention plans, loan agreements, or indentures, or any other related plans or agreements that refer to any such plan, policy or agreement’s definition of “Change in Control” or any similar term) and (B) a member of the Board as of the beginning of any applicable measurement period for the purposes of the definition of “Change in Control” or any similar term under the Company’s incentive plans, options plans, equity plans, deferred compensation plans, employment agreements, severance plans, retention plans, loan agreements, or indentures.
2. |
Standstill Provisions. |
(a) Xxxxxxx Value agrees that, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (x) the date that is thirty (30) calendar days prior to the deadline for the submission of shareholder nominations for the Company’s fiscal 2023 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws or (y) the date that is one hundred twenty (120) calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the 2022 Annual Meeting (the “Standstill Period”), Xxxxxxx Value shall not, and shall cause each of its controlled Affiliates and Associates not to, in each case directly or indirectly, in any manner:
(i) engage in any solicitation of proxies or become a “participant” in a “solicitation” (as such terms are defined in Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) of proxies (including, without limitation, any solicitation of consents that seeks to call a special meeting of shareholders), in each case, with respect to securities of the Company;
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(ii) form, join, or in any way knowingly participate in any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) with respect to the shares of the Common Stock (other than a “group” that includes all or some of the members of Xxxxxxx Value, but does not include any other entities or persons that are not members of Xxxxxxx Value as of the date hereof); provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit the ability of an Affiliate of Xxxxxxx Value to join the “group” following the execution of this Agreement, so long as any such Affiliate agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
(iii) deposit any shares of Common Stock in any voting trust or subject any shares of Common Stock to any arrangement or agreement with respect to the voting of any shares of Common Stock, other than any such voting trust, arrangement or agreement solely among the members of Xxxxxxx Value and otherwise in accordance with this Agreement;
(iv) seek or submit, or knowingly encourage any person or entity to seek or submit, nomination(s) in furtherance of a “contested solicitation” for the appointment, election or removal of directors with respect to the Company or seek, or knowingly encourage or take any other action with respect to the appointment, election or removal of any directors (except as specifically permitted in Section 1), in each case in opposition to the recommendation of the Board; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Xxxxxxx Value or its Affiliates or Associates from taking actions in furtherance of identifying director candidates in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting so long as such actions do not create a public disclosure obligation for Xxxxxxx Value or the Company and are undertaken on a basis reasonably designed to be confidential;
(v) (A) make any proposal for consideration by shareholders at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company, (B) make any offer or proposal (with or without conditions) with respect to any merger, tender (or exchange) offer, acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring, disposition or other business combination involving Xxxxxxx Value and the Company, (C) affirmatively solicit a third party to make an offer or proposal (with or without conditions) with respect to any merger, tender (or exchange) offer, acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring, disposition or other business combination involving the Company, or publicly encourage, initiate or support any third party in making such an offer or proposal, (D) publicly comment on any third party proposal regarding any merger, tender (or exchange) offer, acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring, disposition, or other business combination with respect to the Company by such third party prior to such proposal becoming public or (E) call or seek to call a special meeting of shareholders;
(vi) seek, alone or in concert with others, representation on the Board, except as specifically permitted in Section 1;
(vii) advise, knowingly encourage, knowingly support or knowingly influence any person or entity with respect to the voting or disposition of any securities of the Company at any annual or special meeting of shareholders with respect to the appointment, election or removal of director(s), except in accordance with Section 1; or
(viii) make any request or submit any proposal to amend the terms of this Agreement other than through non-public communications with the Company or the Board that would not be reasonably determined to trigger public disclosure obligations for any Party.
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(b) Except as expressly provided in Section 1 or Section 2(a), Xxxxxxx Value shall be entitled to (i) vote any shares of Common Stock that it beneficially owns as Xxxxxxx Value determines in its sole discretion and (ii) disclose, publicly or otherwise, how it intends to vote or act with respect to any securities of the Company, any shareholder proposal or other matter to be voted on by the shareholders of the Company and the reasons therefor.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Xxxxxxx Value from (i) communicating privately with the Board or any of the Company’s officers regarding any matter, so long as such communications are not intended to, and would not reasonably be expected to, require any public disclosure of such communications, (ii) communicating with shareholders of the Company and others in a manner that does not otherwise violate Section 2(a) or Section 12, or (iii) taking any action necessary to comply with any law, rule or regulation or any action required by any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange that has jurisdiction over Xxxxxxx Value.
(d) Nothing in Section 2 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the exercise in good faith by any New Director (or a Replacement Director) of such person’s fiduciary duties solely in such person’s capacity as a director of the Company.
3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company. |
The Company represents and warrants to Xxxxxxx Value that (a) the Company has the corporate power and authority to execute this Agreement and to bind it thereto, (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and assuming due execution by each counterparty hereto, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of the Company, and is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and subject to general equity principles, (c) as of the date of this Agreement, the Board was composed of seven (7) directors and there were no vacancies on the Board and (d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company, or (ii) result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document or material agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
4. |
Representations and Warranties of Xxxxxxx Value. |
Xxxxxxx Value represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the authorized signatory of Xxxxxxx Value set forth on the signature page hereto has the power and authority to execute this Agreement and any other documents or agreements to be entered into in connection with this Agreement and to bind Xxxxxxx Value thereto, (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Xxxxxxx Value, and assuming due execution by each counterparty hereto, is a valid and binding obligation of Xxxxxxx Value, enforceable against Xxxxxxx Value in accordance with its terms except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and subject to general equity principles, (c) the execution of this Agreement, the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof, in each case in accordance with the terms hereof, will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of the organizational documents of Xxxxxxx Value as currently in effect, (d) the execution, delivery and
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performance of this Agreement by Xxxxxxx Value does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Xxxxxxx Value, or (ii) result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document, agreement, contract, commitment, understanding or arrangement to which such member is a party or by which it is bound, (e) as of the date of this Agreement, Xxxxxxx Value is deemed to beneficially own 507,059 shares of Common Stock, (f) as of the date hereof, and except as set forth in clause (e) above, Xxxxxxx Value does not currently have, and does not currently have any right to acquire, any interest in any securities or assets of the Company or its Affiliates (or any rights, options or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable (whether or not convertible, exercisable or exchangeable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of a specified event) for such securities or assets or any obligations measured by the price or value of any securities of the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates, including any swaps or other derivative arrangements designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond to the ownership of shares of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company, whether or not any of the foregoing would give rise to beneficial ownership (as determined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and whether or not to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or any other class or series of the Company’s stock, payment of cash or by other consideration, and without regard to any short position under any such contract or arrangement).
5. |
Press Release; Communications. |
Promptly following the execution of this Agreement, the Company and Xxxxxxx Value shall jointly issue a mutually agreeable press release (the “Press Release”) announcing certain terms of this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Prior to the issuance of the Press Release and subject to the terms of this Agreement, neither the Company (including the Board and any committee thereof) nor Xxxxxxx Value shall issue any press release or make any public announcement regarding this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other Party. During the Standstill Period, neither the Company nor Xxxxxxx Value shall make any public announcement or statement that is inconsistent with or contrary to the terms of this Agreement. Xxxxxxx Value acknowledges and agrees that the Company may file this Agreement and file or furnish the Press Release with the SEC as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC. Xxxxxxx Value shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any Current Report on Form 8-K or other filing with the SEC made by the Company with respect to this Agreement, and the Company shall give reasonable consideration to any comments of Xxxxxxx Value. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Xxxxxxx Value may file this Agreement as an exhibit to its Schedule 13D with the SEC. The Company shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such Schedule 13D filing made by Xxxxxxx Value with respect to this Agreement, and Xxxxxxx Value shall give reasonable consideration to any comments of the Company.
6. |
Specific Performance. |
Each of Xxxxxxx Value, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury to the other Party hereto may occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached and that such injury may not be adequately compensable by the remedies available at law (including the payment of money damages). It is accordingly agreed that Xxxxxxx Value, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand (the “Moving Party”), shall each be entitled to seek specific enforcement of, and injunctive relief to prevent any violation of, the terms hereof, and the other Party hereto will not take action, directly or indirectly, in opposition to the Moving Party seeking such relief on the grounds that any other remedy or relief is available at law or in equity. This Section 6 is not the exclusive remedy for any violation of this Agreement.
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7. |
Expenses. |
Each Party shall be responsible for its own fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution and effectuation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that the Company shall reimburse Xxxxxxx Value for its reasonable documented expenses, including legal fees, incurred in connection with the negotiation and entry into this Agreement, the 2022 Annual Meeting and the matters related thereto, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.
8. |
Severability. |
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that the Parties would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such which may be hereafter declared invalid, void or unenforceable. In addition, the Parties agree to use their best efforts to agree upon and substitute a valid and enforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction for any of such that is held invalid, void or enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction.
9. |
Notices. |
Any notices, consents, determinations, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (a) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (b) upon confirmation of receipt, when sent by email (provided such confirmation is not automatically generated); or (c) two (2) business days after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the Party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Electromed, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx XX
Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxx
E-mail: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Faegre Drinker Xxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP
2200 Xxxxx Fargo Center, 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If to Xxxxxxx Value:
Xxxxxxx Value Partners LLC
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Email: xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
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Applicable Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without reference to the conflict of laws principles thereof that would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the other Party hereto or its successors or assigns, shall be brought and determined exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Minnesota. Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable legal requirements, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
11. |
Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party (including by means of electronic delivery or facsimile).
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12. |
Mutual Non-Disparagement. |
Subject to applicable law, each of the Parties covenants and agrees that, during the Standstill Period, or if earlier, until such time as the other Party or any of its agents, subsidiaries, Affiliates, executive officers or directors shall have breached this Section 12, neither it nor any of its respective agents, subsidiaries, Affiliates, executive officers or directors shall in any way publicly disparage, call into disrepute or otherwise defame or slander (as distinct from objective statements reflecting business criticism) the other Party or such other Party’s subsidiaries, Affiliates, officers (including any current officer of a Party or a Party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity following the execution of this Agreement), directors (including any current director of a Party or a Party’s subsidiaries who no longer serves in such capacity following the execution of this Agreement) or employees, or any of their businesses, products or services, in any manner that would reasonably be expected to damage the business or reputation thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not prevent the making of any factual statement, including, but not limited to, in connection with any compelled testimony or production of information by legal process, subpoena or as part of a response to a request for information from any governmental authority with purported jurisdiction over the Party from whom information is sought.
13. |
Entire Agreement; Amendment and Waiver; Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries; Term. |
This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to its subject matter. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings between the Parties other than those expressly set forth herein. No modifications of this Agreement can be made except in writing signed by an authorized representative of each of the Company and Xxxxxxx Value. No failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs, executors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns. No Party shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without, with respect to Xxxxxxx Value, the prior written consent of the Company, and with respect to the Company, the prior written consent of Xxxxxxx Value. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and is not enforceable by any other persons or entities. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by each Party, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Standstill Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 6 through Section 11 and this Section 13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall relieve any Party from liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized signatories of the Parties as of the date hereof.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
President and CEO |
[Signature Page to Agreement]
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XXXXXXX VALUE FUND LP |
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By: |
Xxxxxxx Value Partners GP LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Member |
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SVP DEAL FUND 1 LP |
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By: |
SVP Deal Fund 1 GP LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Member |
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XXXXXXX VALUE PARTNERS GP LLC |
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Member |
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SVP DEAL FUND 1 GP LLC |
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Member |
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XXXXXXX VALUE PARTNERS LLC |
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Member |
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
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XXXXXX XXXXXXX |
[Signature Page to Agreement]
Exhibit A
[See Exhibit 99.1 to current report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2021]