Employment Agreement
EXHIBIT
10.15
This Agreement is entered into as of June 15, 2006, by and between
Xxxxx Xxxxxx (the “Executive”) and Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”).
1. Duties and Scope of Employment.
(a) Position. For the term of his employment under this Agreement (the “Employment”), the
Company agrees to employ the Executive in the position of Executive Vice President of Sales. The
Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Obligations to the Company. During his Employment, the Executive (i) shall devote his
full business efforts and time to the Company, (ii) shall not engage in any other employment,
consulting or other business activity that would create a conflict of interest with the Company,
(iii) shall not assist any person or entity in competing with the Company or in preparing to
compete with the Company and (iv) shall comply with the Company’s policies and rules, as they may
be in effect from time to time.
(c) No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he
is under no obligations or commitments, whether contractual or otherwise, that are inconsistent
with his obligations under this Agreement. The Executive represents and warrants that he will not
use or disclose, in connection with his Employment, any trade secrets or other proprietary
information or intellectual property in which the Executive or any other person has any right,
title or interest and that his Employment will not infringe or violate the rights of any other
person. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has returned all property and
confidential information belonging to any prior employer.
(d) Commencement Date. The Executive previously commenced full-time Employment. This
Agreement shall govern the terms of Executive’s Employment effective as of June 15, 2006 (the
“Commencement Date”).
2. Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive as compensation for his services a base
salary at a gross annual rate of not less than $180,000. Such salary shall be payable in
accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures. (The annual compensation specified in
this Subsection (a), together with any increases in such compensation that the Company may grant
from time to time, is referred to in this Agreement as “Base Salary.”)
3. Vacation and Employee Benefits. During his Employment, the Executive shall be eligible for
paid vacations in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as it may be amended from time to
time, with a minimum of 15 vacation days per year. During his Employment, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans
maintained by the Company, subject in each
case to the generally applicable terms and conditions
of the plan in question and to the determinations of any person or committee administering
such plan.
4. Business Expenses. During his Employment, the Executive shall be authorized to incur
necessary and reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses in connection with his
duties hereunder. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for such expenses upon presentation of
an itemized account and appropriate supporting documentation, all in accordance with the Company’s
generally applicable policies.
5. Term of Employment.
(a) Employment Term. The Company hereby employs Executive to render services to the Company
in the position and with the duties and responsibilities described in Section 1 for the period
commencing on the Commencement Date and ending upon the earlier of (i) three (3) years from such
date, and (ii) the date Executive’s Employment is terminated in accordance with Subsection 5(b).
This Agreement will automatically renew for annual one- year periods unless either party
gives to the other written notice on or before May 1, 2007 or May 1 of each succeeding year, of
such party’s intent to modify, amend or terminate this Agreement according to the terms hereof.
(b) Termination of Employment. The Company may terminate the Executive’s Employment at any
time and for any reason (or no reason), and with or without Cause (as defined below), by giving the
Executive 30 days’ advance notice in writing. The Executive may terminate his Employment by giving
the Company 30 days’ advance notice in writing. The Executive’s Employment shall terminate
automatically in the event of his death. The termination of the Executive’s Employment shall not
limit or otherwise affect his obligations under Section 7.
(c) Rights Upon Termination. Upon Executive’s voluntary termination of employment or the
Company’s termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall only be entitled to the
compensation, benefits and reimbursements described in Sections 1 2, and 3 for the period preceding
the effective date of the termination and no other benefits. Upon the Company’s termination of
Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Executive shall only be entitled to the compensation,
benefits and reimbursements described in Sections 1, 2, and 3 for the period preceding the
effective date of the termination and the severance pay benefits described in Section 6. The
payments under this Agreement shall fully discharge all responsibilities of the Company to
Executive. This Agreement shall terminate when all obligations of the parties hereunder have been
satisfied.
(d) Rights Upon Death or Disability. If Executive’s Employment ends due to death, Executive’s
estate shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to his earned but unpaid sales commissions as
of the time his death occurred. If Executive’s Employment ends due to Permanent Disability (as
such term is defined below), Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to his earned
but unpaid sales commissions as of the time his employment ended and the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) benefits described in the next sentence. If Executive or his
personal representative elects to continue health insurance coverage under COBRA for Executive and
his dependents following the termination of his
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employment, then the Company will pay the monthly
premium under COBRA until the earliest of (a) the close of the 24-month period following the termination of his employment, (b) the
expiration of his continuation coverage under COBRA or (c) the date he becomes eligible for
substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment
6. Termination Benefits.
(a) Preconditions. Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, Subsections (b) and
(c) below shall not apply unless the Executive:
(i) Has executed a general release of all claims (in a form prescribed by the
Company);
(ii) Has returned all property of the Company in the Executive’s possession;
and
(iii) If requested by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), has
resigned as a member of the Board and as a member of the boards of directors of all
subsidiaries of the Company, to the extent applicable.
(b) Severance Pay in the Absence of a Change in Control. If, during the term of this
Agreement and prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control or more than 12 months following a
Change in Control, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason
other than Cause or Permanent Disability (as such terms are defined below), then the Company shall
pay the Executive a lump sum severance payment equal to (i) one and one-half times his Base Salary
in effect at the time of the termination of Employment and (ii) all unpaid sales commissions earned
by the Executive as of the time of the termination of Employment. If, during the term of this
Agreement and prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control or more than 12 months following a
Change in Control, Executive resigns his Employment for Good Reason (as such term is defined
below), then the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum severance payment equal to (i) one
times his Base Salary in effect at the time of the termination of Employment and (ii) all unpaid
sales commissions earned by the Executive as of the time of the termination of Employment.
However, the amount of the severance payment under this Subsection (b) shall be reduced by the
amount of any severance pay or pay in lieu of notice that the Executive receives from the Company
under a federal or state statute (including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act). The severance payments under this Subsection (b) shall in no event
commence prior to the earliest date permitted by Section 409A(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the commencement of such severance payments must be delayed, as
determined by the Company, then the deferred installments shall be paid in a lump sum on the
earliest practicable date permitted by Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.
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(c) Severance Pay in Connection with a Change in Control. If, during the term of this
Agreement and within 12 months following a Change in Control, the Company terminates the
Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause or Permanent Disability or
the Executive resigns his Employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay the Executive a
lump sum severance payment equal to (i) two times his Base Salary in effect at the time of the
termination of Employment and (ii) all unpaid sales commissions earned by the Executive as of the
time of the termination of Employment. However, the amount of the severance payment under this
Subsection (c) shall be reduced by the amount of any severance pay or pay in lieu of notice that
the Executive receives from the Company under a federal or state statute (including, without
limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act). The severance payments under
this Subsection (c) shall in no event commence prior to the earliest date permitted by Section
409A(a)(2) of the Code. If the commencement of such severance payments must be delayed, as
determined by the Company, then the deferred installments shall be paid in a lump sum on the
earliest practicable date permitted by Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.
(d) Parachute Taxes. If amounts paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement (the “Total Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations
thereunder or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax and any
such interest or penalties are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Total
Payments shall be reduced to ensure that the Total Payments are not subject to Excise Tax. In
determining whether to cap the Total Payments, compensation or other amounts that the Executive is
entitled to receive other than pursuant to this Agreement shall be disregarded. All determinations
and calculations required to be made under this provision will be made by an independent accounting
firm selected by Executive from among the largest eight accounting firms in the United States (the
“Accounting Firm”). If the Accounting Firm determines that the Total Payments are to be reduced
under the preceding sentences, then the Company will promptly give Executive notice to that effect
and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. Executive may then elect, in his sole discretion,
which and how much of the Total Payments are to be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such
election no Excise Tax will be payable), and Executive will advise the Company in writing of his
election within 10 business days of receipt of notice. If Executive makes no such election within
such 10-day period, then the Company may elect which and how much of the Total Payments are to be
eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election no Excise Tax will be payable), and it will
notify Executive promptly of such election. The fees of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the
Company.
(e) Definition of “Cause.” For all purposes under this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) An unauthorized use or disclosure by the Executive of the Company’s
confidential information or trade secrets, which use or disclosure causes material
harm to the Company;
(ii) A material breach by the Executive of any material agreement between the
Executive and the Company;
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(iii) A material failure by the Executive to comply with the Company’s written
policies or rules;
(iv) The Executive’s conviction of, or plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a
felony under the laws of the United States or any State thereof;
(v) The Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct which causes
material harm to the Company;
(vi) A continued failure by the Executive to perform reasonably assigned duties
after receiving written notification of such failure from the Board; or
(vii) A failure by the Executive to cooperate in good faith with a governmental
or internal investigation of the Company or its directors, officers or employees, if
the Company has requested the Executive’s cooperation.
(f) Definition of “Good Reason.” “Good Reason” exists upon :
(i) a change in the Executive’s position with the Company that materially
reduces his level of authority or responsibility;
(ii) a reduction in the Executive’s base salary by more than 10% unless
pursuant to a Company-wide salary reduction affecting all Executives
proportionately;
(iii) relocation of the Executive’s principal workplace by more than 50 miles;
(iv) a substantial reduction, without good business reasons, of the facilities
and perquisites (including office space and location) available to the Executive
immediately prior to such reduction; or
(v) a material reduction in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the
Executive is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the
Executive’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced, unless such reduction
is made in connection with a reduction in the kind or level of employee benefits of
employees of the Company generally.
(g) Definition of “Permanent Disability.” For all purposes under this Agreement, “Permanent
Disability” shall mean the Executive’s inability to perform the essential functions of the
Executive’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a period of at least 120
consecutive days because of a physical or mental impairment.
7. Non-Solicitation and Non-Disclosure.
(a) Non-Solicitation. During the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and
continuing until the second anniversary of the date the Executive’s Employment terminated for any
reason, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly, personally or through
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others, solicit or attempt to solicit (on the Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other
person or entity) either (i) the employment of any employee or consultant of the Company or any of
the Company’s affiliates or (ii) the business of any customer of the Company or any of the
Company’s affiliates.
(b) Non-Competition. As one of the Company’s executive and management personnel and officer,
Executive has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge and confidential information concerning the
business of the Company, including certain trade secrets the Company wishes to protect. Executive
further acknowledges that during his employment he will have access to and knowledge of Proprietary
Information (as defined below). To protect the Company’s Proprietary Information, Executives
agrees that during his employment with the Company, whether full-time or half-time and for a period
of 24 months after his last day of employment with the Company, he will not directly or indirectly
engage in (whether as an employee, consultant, proprietor, partner, director or otherwise), or have
any ownership interest in, or participate in the financing, operation, management or control of,
any person, firm, corporation or business that engages in a “Restricted Business” in a “Restricted
Territory” as defined below. It is agreed that ownership of (i) no more than one percent (1%) of
the outstanding voting stock of a publicly traded corporation, or (ii) any stock he presently owns
shall not constitute a violation of this provision.
(c) Definitions. The term “Proprietary Information” shall mean any and all confidential
and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of the Company. By way of illustration but not
limitation, Proprietary Information includes (a) trade secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas,
processes, formulas, source and object codes, data, programs, other works of authorship, know-how,
improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and techniques; and (b) information regarding
plans for research, development, new products, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets and
unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (c)
information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Company. “Restricted
Business” shall mean the design, development, marketing or sales of software, or any other process,
system, product, or service marketed, sold or under development by the Company at the time
Executive’s employment with the Company ends. “Restricted Territory” shall mean any state, county,
or locality in the United States in which the Company conducts business.
(d) Reasonable. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the time limitation on the
restrictions in this Section 7, combined with the geographic scope, is reasonable. Executive also
acknowledges and agrees that this provision is reasonably necessary for the protection of
Proprietary Information, that through his employment he shall receive adequate consideration for
any loss of opportunity associated with the provisions herein, and that these provisions provide a
reasonable way of protecting the Company’s business value which will be imparted to him. If any
restriction set forth in this Section 7 is found by any court of competent jurisdiction to be
unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or over too great a range of
activities or in too broad a geographic area, it shall be interpreted to extend only over the
maximum period of time, range of activities or geographic area as to which it may be enforceable.
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(e) Non-Disclosure. The Executive has entered into a Proprietary Information and Inventions
Agreement with the Company, which is incorporated herein by this reference.
8. Successors.
(a) Company’s Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon any successor (whether direct
or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all
or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets. For all purposes under this
Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets
which becomes bound by this Agreement.
(b) Employee’s Successors. This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive’s personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Notice. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, when delivered by
FedEx with delivery charges prepaid, or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Executive, mailed notices shall be
addressed to him at the home address that he most recently communicated to the Company in writing.
In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and
all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.
(b) Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or
discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the
Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). No waiver by
either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same
condition or provision at another time.
(c) Whole Agreement. No other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or
written and whether express or implied) that are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have
been made or entered into by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement and the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement contain the entire understanding
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(d) Taxes. All payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to reduction to reflect
taxes or other charges required to be withheld by law. The Company shall not have a duty to design
its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes the Executive’s tax liabilities, and the
Executive shall not make any claim against the Company or the Board related to tax liabilities
arising from the Executive’s compensation.
(e) Choice of Law and Severability. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of New Jersey (except their provisions governing the
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choice of law). If any
provision of this Agreement becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any applicable jurisdiction by reason of the scope, extent or duration of its coverage,
then such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to conform to
applicable law so as to be valid and enforceable or, if such provision cannot be so amended without
materially altering the intention of the parties, then such provision shall be stricken and the
remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. If any provision of this
Agreement is rendered illegal by any present or future statute, law, ordinance or regulation
(collectively the “Law”), then such provision shall be curtailed or limited only to the minimum
extent necessary to bring such provision into compliance with the Law. All the other terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without impairment or
limitation.
(f) No Assignment. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of the Executive hereunder
are personal to the Executive and may not be transferred or assigned by the Executive at any time.
The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to any entity that assumes the Company’s
obligations hereunder in connection with any sale or transfer of all or a substantial portion of
the Company’s assets to such entity.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.
| /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
| Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
| Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. | ||||||
| By | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President | |||||
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