EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made effective January 1, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), between XXXXXXXXX
ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and XXXX X. XXX XXXXX, an individual (the
“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth the terms of their agreements
relating to the employment of Executive by the Company; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the Company and the
Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby employs the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts
such employment subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The Executive
is engaged as an employee of the Company and the Executive and the Company do not intend to create
a joint venture, partnership or other relationship that might impose a fiduciary obligation on the
Executive or the Company in the performance of this Agreement, other than as an officer and
director of the Company.
2. Executive’s Duties. The Executive is employed on a full-time basis. Throughout the term
of this Agreement, the Executive will use his/her best efforts and due diligence to assist the
Company in the objective of achieving the most profitable operation of the Company and the
Company’s affiliated entities consistent with developing and maintaining a quality business
operation. The Executive shall also devote all of Executive’s working time, attention and
energies to the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
2.1 Specific Duties. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive will serve as the
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Company. The Executive will
perform all of the services required to fully and faithfully execute the position to which
the Executive is appointed and such other services as may be assigned by the Company’s Board
of Directors in their sole discretion. The Executive agrees to use the Executive’s best
efforts to perform all of the services required to fully and faithfully execute the offices
and positions to which the Executive is appointed and elected. In addition, the precise
duties to be performed by Executive may be changed or curtailed in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.2 Rules and Regulations. From time to time, the Company may issue policies and
procedures applicable to employees and the Executive including an employment policies
manual. The Executive agrees to comply with such policies and procedures, except to the
extent such policies are inconsistent with this Agreement. Such policies and procedures may
be supplemented, modified, changed or adopted without notice in the sole discretion of
the
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Company at any time. In the event of a conflict between such policies and procedures and
this Agreement, this Agreement will control unless compliance with this Agreement will
violate any law or regulation applicable to the Company or its affiliated entities.
3. Other Activities. The Executive shall not engage in any business activity that in the
judgment of the Board conflicts with the Executive’s duties hereunder, whether or not such activity
is pursued for gain, profit, or other pecuniary advantage. In addition, except for the activities
permitted under paragraph 3.1 of this Agreement or approved by the Board of Directors in writing,
the Executive will not: (a) engage in activities which require such substantial services on the
part of the Executive that the Executive is unable to perform the duties assigned to the Executive
in accordance with this Agreement; (b) serve as an officer or director of any publicly held entity;
or (c) directly or indirectly invest in, participate in or acquire an interest in any oil and gas
business, including, without limitation, (i) producing oil and gas, (ii) drilling, owning or
operating oil and gas leases or xxxxx, (iii) providing services or materials to the oil and gas
industry, (iv) marketing or refining oil or gas, or (v) owning any interest in any corporation,
partnership, company or entity which conducts any of the foregoing activities. The limitations in
this paragraph 3 will not prohibit an investment by the Executive in publicly traded securities.
The Executive is not restricted from maintaining or making investments, or engaging in other
businesses, enterprises or civic, charitable or public service functions if such activities,
investments, businesses or enterprises do not result in a violation of clauses (a) through (c) of
this paragraph 3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will be permitted to participate in
the activities set forth in Section 3.1 that will be deemed to be approved by the Company, if such
activities are undertaken in strict compliance with this Agreement.
3.1 Royalty Interests and Gifts. The foregoing restriction in clause (c) will not
prohibit the ownership of royalty interests where the Executive owns or previously owned
the surface of the land covered by the royalty interest and the ownership of the royalty
interest is incidental to the ownership of the surface estate or the ownership of royalty,
overriding royalty or working interests that are received by gift or inheritance subject to
disclosure by Executive to the Company in writing.
4. Executive’s Compensation. The Company agrees to compensate the Executive as follows:
4.1 Base Salary. Executive will be paid a base salary (the “Base Salary”) in an
annual rate of not less than Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000.00), which will
be paid to the Executive in installments consistent with the Company’s customary payroll
practices, beginning January 23, 2008, during the term of this Agreement.
4.2 Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary described at paragraph 4.1 of this Agreement, the
Company may periodically pay bonus compensation to the Executive. Any bonus compensation will be
paid by separate check apart
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from Executive’s Base Salary less appropriate deductions pursuant to Internal Revenue Service
guidelines. In order to be entitled to the bonus compensation set forth herein and any future
bonuses, Executive must be an active full-time employee of the Company on the date the bonus is to
be paid. Upon notice of intent to separate employment or separation of employment for any reason
prior to the date any bonuses are paid, Executive shall not be eligible for any pro rata bonus
compensation. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that except as provided above, the award of
bonus is not guaranteed or promised in any way. Any additional bonus compensation will be at the
absolute discretion of the Company in such amounts and at such times as the Board of Directors of
the Company (or a Compensation Committee thereof) may determine.
4.3 Equity Compensation. In addition to the compensation set forth in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
of this Agreement, the Executive may periodically be granted awards of Company restricted
stock under and subject to the Company’s equity compensation plans (the “Equity Compensation
Plans”). Such equity compensation will vest over a four (4) year period which begins to run from
the date of each grant. In order to be entitled to the award of equity compensation, the
Executive must be an active full-time employee of the Company on the grant date. Further, the
terms and provisions of the Equity Compensation Plans control and direct the award of Company
restricted stock.
4.4 Benefits. The Company agrees to extend to the Executive retirement benefits and
deferred compensation (if any and if made available) and reimbursement of reasonable expenditures.
The Company will also provide the Executive the opportunity to apply for coverage under the
Company’s medical, life and disability plans, if any. If the Executive is accepted for coverage
under such plans, the Company will provide such coverage on the same terms as is customarily
provided by the Company to the plan participants as modified from time to time. The Executive is
subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Company’s benefit plans or policies.
4.5 Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be eligible for thirty (30) days of Paid Time Off
(“PTO”) each continuous year of employment during the term of this Agreement under the Company’s
PTO policy. Such PTO shall be calculated from the Executive’s original date of hire. No
additional compensation will be paid for failure to take PTO and no PTO may be carried forward from
one twelve (12) month period to another.
4.6 Membership Dues. The Company will reimburse the Executive for: (a) the monthly dues
necessary to maintain a full membership in a club in the Oklahoma City area selected by the
Executive; and (b) the reasonable cost of any approved business entertainment at such club. All
other costs, including, without implied limitation, any initiation costs, initial membership costs,
personal use and business entertainment unrelated to the Company will be the sole obligation of the
Executive and the Company will have no liability with respect to such amounts.
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5. Term. The employment relationship evidenced by this Agreement is an “at will” employment
relationship and the Company reserves the right to terminate the Executive at any time with or
without cause. In the absence of termination as set forth in paragraph 6 below, this Agreement
will extend for a term commencing on the Effective Date, and ending on December 31, 2009 (the
“Expiration Date”). Unless the Company provides thirty (30) days prior written notice of
non-extension to the Executive, on or before the Expiration Date, the term and the Expiration Date
will be automatically extended for one (1) additional year from the Expiration Date.
6. Termination. This Agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of the term stated
in paragraph 5 of this Agreement unless earlier terminated pursuant to this paragraph 6.
6.1 Termination by Company. The Company will have the following rights to terminate
Executive’s employment:
6.1.1 Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s
employment without Cause at any time by the service of written notice of termination
to the Executive specifying an effective date of such termination not sooner than
ten (10) days after the date of such notice (the “Termination Date”). In the
event the Executive is terminated without Cause (other than a CC Termination
under paragraph 6.3 of this Agreement), the Executive will receive as
termination compensation a lump sum payment equal to twelve (12) months Base Salary
(as in effect on the Termination Date). If on the Termination Date, the Executive is
a “specified employee” as defined in regulations under Section 409A of the Code,
such payment will commence on the first payroll payment date which is more than
six months following the Termination Date. The right to the foregoing termination
compensation set forth above is subject to the Executive’s execution of the
Company’s severance agreement which will operate as a release of all legally
waivable claims against the Company. Such payment is further
conditioned upon the Executive’s compliance with all of the provisions of this
Agreement, including all post-employment obligations.
6.1.2 Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the employment of the
Executive hereunder at any time for Cause (as hereinafter defined) (such a
termination being referred to in this Agreement as a “Termination For
Cause”) by giving the Executive written notice of such termination, which shall take
effect immediately upon the giving of such notice to the Executive. As used in
this Agreement, “Cause” means (A) the Executive’s material breach or threatened
breach of this Agreement; (B) the Executive fails to substantially perform the
Executive’s duties hereunder; (C) the misappropriation or fraudulent conduct by
the Executive with respect to the assets or operations of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliated companies; (D) the
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Executive’s willful disregard of the instructions of the Board or the Executive’s material
neglect of duties or failure to act, other than by reason of disability or death; (E) the
Executive’s personal misconduct which substantially injures the Company; or (F) the
conviction of the Executive for, or a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any
crime involving fraud, theft or dishonesty. In the event Executive’s employment is
terminated for Cause, the company will not have any obligation to provide any further
payments or benefits to the Executive after the effective date of such termination.
6.2 Termination by Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his
employment with or without Cause by the service of written notice of such termination to the
Company specifying an effective date of such termination thirty (30) days after the date of such
notice. The Company may in its sole discretion, elect to waive all or any part of the 30-day
notice period with no further obligations being owed to the Executive by the Company. In the
event employment is terminated by the Executive, neither the Company nor the Executive will have
any further obligations hereunder, except for any obligations which expressly survive termination
of employment including Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 ,12 and 13.
6.3 Termination After Change in Control. If during the term of this Agreement there is a
“Change of Control” and within one (1) year thereafter there is a CC Termination (as hereafter
defined), then the Executive will be entitled to a severance payment (in addition to any other
rights and other amounts payable to the Executive under Section 6.7 or under Company plans in which
Executive is a participant) payable in a lump sum in cash within 10 days following the CC
Termination in an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(a) two (2) times the Executive’s Base
Salary for the last 12 calendar months ending immediately prior to the CC Termination and bonus
paid during such 12 month period pursuant to Section 4.2 (based on the average of the last three
years’ annual bonuses or such lesser number of years as Executive may have been employed). If the
foregoing amount is not paid within ten (10) days after the CC Termination, the unpaid amount will
bear interest at the per annum rate of 12%. The right to the foregoing termination compensation
under clause (a) above is subject to the Executive’s execution of the Company’s severance agreement
which will operate as a release of all legally waivable claims against the Company. Such
payment is further conditioned upon the Executive’s compliance with all of the
provisions of this Agreement, including all post- employment obligations. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if at the time of a CC Termination, the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined
in regulations under Section 409A of the Code, such payment will be made on the first day which is
more than six months following the CC Termination. In connection with any Change of Control, the
Company shall obtain the assumption of this Agreement, without limitation or reduction, by any
successor to the Company or any parent corporation of the Company.
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6.3.1 Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” means
the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”),
other than Executive or his affiliates or Xxx X. Xxxx or his affiliates (the “Exempt Persons”), of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 40%
or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
“Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
“Outstanding Company Voting Securities”). For purposes of this paragraph (a) the following
acquisitions by a Person will not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly
from the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company; (iii) any acquisition by any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company; or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (c) of this paragraph 6.3.1.
(b) The individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of
Directors. Any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered a member of the Incumbent
Board as of the date hereof, but any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
Person other than the Incumbent Board will not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board as of the
date hereof.
(c) The consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business
Combination”), unless following such Business Combination: (i) the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including,
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without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior
to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of
the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) other than one or
more of the Exempt Persons beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 40% or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from
such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to
the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of
the Board, providing for such Business Combination.
(d) The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.
6.3.2 CC Termination. The term “CC Termination” means any of the following: (a) the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than under paragraphs 6.1.2, 6.4
or 6.5; or (b) the Executive resigns as a result of a change in the Executive’s duties or
title, a reduction in the Executive’s then current Base Salary or a significant reduction
in the Executive’s then current benefits as provided in Section 4, a relocation of more
than 25 miles from the Executive’s then current place of employment being required by the
Board of Directors or a default by the Company under this Agreement.
6.4 Incapacity of Executive. If the Executive suffers from a physical or mental condition,
which in the reasonable judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, prevents the Executive in
whole or in part from performing the duties specified herein for a period of sixteen (16)
consecutive weeks, the Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company, in which event,
the Company will pay Executive the equivalent of six (6) months Base Salary in effect on the date
of termination. If, on the termination date, the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in
regulations under Section 409A of the Code, such payment will commence on the first payroll
payment date which is more than six months following the termination date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the amount payable hereunder will be reduced by any benefits payable under any
disability plans provided by the Company under paragraph 4.4 of this Agreement. The right to the
compensation due under this paragraph 6.4 is subject to the execution by the Executive or the
Executive’s legal representative
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of the Company’s severance agreement which will operate as a release of all legally waivable
claims against the Company. In applying this section, the Company will comply with any applicable
legal requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
6.5 Death of Executive. If the Executive dies during the term of this Agreement, Executive’s
employment will terminate without compensation to the Executive’s estate except: (a) the
obligation to continue the Base Salary payments under paragraph 4.1 of this Agreement for twelve
(12) months after the effective date of such termination.
6.6 Effect of Termination. The termination of Executive’s employment will
terminate all obligations of the Executive to render services on behalf of the Company. The
Executive will maintain the confidentiality of all information acquired by the Executive during the
term of his employment in accordance with paragraph 7 of this Agreement and the Executive shall
comply with all other post employment requirements including paragraphs 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 6, no accrued bonus, severance pay or other form
of compensation will be payable by the Company to the Executive by reason of the termination of his
employment. All keys, entry cards, credit cards, files, records, financial information, furniture,
furnishings, computers, equipment, supplies and other items relating to the Company will remain the
property of the Company. The Executive will have the right to retain and remove all personal
property and effects that are owned by the Executive and located in the offices of the Company.
All such personal items will be removed from such offices no later than ten (10) days after the
effective date of termination, and the Company is hereby authorized to discard any items remaining
and to reassign the Executive’s office space after such date. Prior to the effective date of
termination, the Executive will cooperate with the Company to provide for the orderly
separation of the Executive’s employment.
6.7 Equity Compensation Provisions. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in any option agreement, restricted stock agreement, plan or other agreement relating to
equity based compensation, in the event of a termination under paragraph 6.3 of this Agreement, or
in the event of a termination under paragraph 6.1.1 of this Agreement if at the time of such
termination Xxx X. Xxxx is not the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company: (a) all
units, stock options, incentive stock options, performance shares, stock appreciation rights and
restricted stock granted and held by Executive immediately prior to such termination will
immediately become 100% vested; and (b) the Executive’s right to exercise any previously
unexercised options will not terminate until the latest date on which such option would expire but
for Executive’s termination of employment. To the extent Company is unable to provide for one or
both of the foregoing rights the Company will provide in lieu thereof a lump-sum cash payment equal
to the difference between the total value of such units, stock options, incentive stock options,
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performance shares, stock appreciation rights and shares of restricted stock (the “Equity
Compensation Rights”) with the foregoing rights as of the date of Executive’s termination of
employment and the total value of the Equity Compensation Rights without the foregoing
rights as of the date of the Executive’s termination of employment. The foregoing amounts
will be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith based on a valuation performed by
an independent consultant selected by the Board of Directors and the cash payment, if any,
will be paid in a lump sum in the case of a termination under Section 6.1.1, at the same
time as the severance payment is otherwise due under such Section, and in the case of a
termination under Section 6.3, at the same time the payment is due under such Section. The
right to the foregoing termination compensation under clauses (a) and (b) above is subject
to the Executive’s execution of the Company’s severance agreement which will operate as a
release of all legally waivable claims against the Company. Such payment is further
conditioned upon the Executive’s compliance with all of the provisions of this Agreement,
including all post-employment obligations.
7. Confidentiality. The Executive recognizes that the nature of the Executive’s services are
such that the Executive will have access to information which constitutes trade secrets, is of a
confidential nature, is of great value to the Company or is the foundation on which the business
of the Company is predicated. The Executive agrees not to disclose to any person other than the
Company’s employees or the Company’s legal counsel or other parties authorized by the Company to
receive confidential information (“Confidential Information”) nor use for any purpose, other than
the performance of this Agreement, any Confidential Information. Confidential Information includes
data or material (regardless of form) which is: (a) a trade secret; (b) provided, disclosed or
delivered to Executive by the Company, any officer, director, employee, agent, attorney,
accountant, consultant, or other person or entity employed by the Company in any capacity, any
customer, borrower or business associate of the Company or any public authority having
jurisdiction over the Company of any business activity conducted by the Company; or (c) produced,
developed, obtained or prepared by or on behalf of Executive or the Company (whether or not such
information was developed in the performance of this Agreement) with respect to the Company or any
assets oil and gas prospects, business activities, officers, directors, employees, borrowers or
customers of the foregoing. However, Confidential Information will not include any information,
data or material which at the time of disclosure or use was generally available to the public
other than by a breach of this Agreement, was available to the party to whom disclosed on a
non-confidential basis by disclosure or access provided by the Company or a third party, or was
otherwise developed or obtained independently by the person to whom disclosed without a breach of
this Agreement. On request by the Company, the Company will be entitled to a copy of any
Confidential Information in the possession of the Executive. The provisions of this paragraph 7
will survive the termination, expiration or cancellation of Executive’s employment for a period of
one (1) year after the date of termination. The Executive will deliver to the Company all
originals and copies of the documents or materials containing Confidential Information. For
purposes of paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of this
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Agreement, the Company expressly includes any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates.
8. Non-Solicitation. The Executive agrees that during the Non-Solicitation Period (as
hereafter defined), Executive will not directly, either personally or by or through his agent, on
behalf of himself or on behalf of any other individual, association or entity, (i) use any of the
Confidential Information for the purposes of calling on any established customer of the Company or
soliciting or inducing any of such customers to acquire, or providing to any of such customers, any
product or service provided by the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Company; (ii)
solicit, influence or encourage any established customer of the Company to divert or direct
such customer’s business to the Executive or any person or entity by which or with which the
Executive is employed, associated, affiliated or otherwise related; or (iii) solicit, divert or
attempt to solicit or divert any entity which has been identified and contacted by the Company,
either directly or through such entity’s agent(s), with respect to a possible acquisition by the
Company. For the purposes hereof, the term “Non-Solicitation Period” shall mean a period of six
(6) months after Executive’s employment ceases for any reason.
9. Non-Interference.
The Executive agrees that during the Non-Interference
Period (as hereafter defined) he will not, directly or indirectly, either personally or by or
through his agent, on behalf of himself or on behalf of any other individual, association or
entity, hire, solicit or seek to hire any employee of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of
the Company, or any individual who was an employee of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of
the Company during the twelve-month period prior to the Termination Date, or in any other manner
attempt, directly or indirectly, to persuade any such employee to discontinue his or her status of
employment with the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Company or to become employed in
a business or activities likely to be competitive with the business of the Company or any affiliate
or subsidiary of the Company. For the purposes hereof, the term “Non-Interference Period” shall
mean a period of six (6) months after Executive’s employment ceases for any reason.
10. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of
this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies
applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular
provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall
be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or
unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn,
without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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11. Remedies. The Executive acknowledges and understands that the provisions of this
Agreement are of a special and unique nature, the loss of which cannot be adequately compensated
for in damages by an action at law, and that the breach or threatened breach of the provisions of
this Agreement would cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries irreparable harm. In the event
of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled to an injunction restraining the
Executive from such breach. In addition to the foregoing and not in any way in limitation
thereof, or in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available, if the Executive violates any
provision of Paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof, any compensation or severance payments then or thereafter
due from the Company to the Executive shall be terminated forthwith and the Company’s obligation to
pay and the Executive’s right to receive such compensation as severance payments shall terminate
and be of no further force or effect, in each case without limiting or affecting the Executive’s
obligations under such Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 or the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ or affiliates’
other rights and remedies available at law or equity. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed as prohibiting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates from pursuing, or
limiting the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ or affiliates’ ability to pursue, any other
remedies available for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Executive. The
provisions of Paragraph 13 of this Agreement relating to arbitration shall not be applicable to the
Company to the extent it seeks an injunction in any court to restrain the Executive from violating
Paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof.
12. Proprietary Matters.
12.1 The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company owns all right, title and
interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, trademark rights and all
other intellectual and industrial property rights) relating to any and all inventions
(whether or not patentable), works of authorship, design, know-how, ideas and information
made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by the Executive during the
term of this Agreement which are useful in, or directly or indirectly related to, the
business of the Company or any Confidential Information (collectively, the “Proprietary
Rights”). The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that all such Proprietary Rights are
“works made for hire” of which the Company is the author. The Executive agrees to promptly
disclose and provide all Proprietary Rights to the Company; provided, in the event the
Proprietary Rights shall not be deemed to constitute “works made for hire,” or in the event
the Executive should, by operation of law or otherwise, be deemed to retain any rights in
the Proprietary Rights, the Executive agrees to assign to the Company, without further
consideration, the Executive’s entire right, title and interest in and to each and every
such Proprietary Right.
12.2 The Executive hereby agrees to assist Company in obtaining and enforcing United
States and/or foreign letters patent and copyright registrations covering the Proprietary
Rights and further agrees that Executive’s obligation to
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assist Company shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder. If
Company is unable because of Executive’s mental or physical incapacity or for any other
reason to secure Executive’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any
United States or foreign letters patent or copyright registrations covering inventions
assigned to Company, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Company and
its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact to act for
and on Executive’s behalf to execute and file any such applications and to do all other
lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent or
copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by
Executive. Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to Company any and all claims of any
nature whatsoever which Executive now or hereafter may have for infringement of any patent
or copyright resulting from any such application for letters patent or copyright
registrations assigned hereunder to Company. Executive will further assist Company in every
lawful way to enforce any copyrights or patents obtained, including without limitation,
testifying in any suit or proceeding involving any of the copyrights or patents or executing
any documents deemed necessary by Company, all without further consideration except as
contemplated by the immediately following sentence but at the expense of Company. If
Executive is called upon to render such assistance after termination of Executive’s
employment hereunder, then Executive shall be entitled to a fair and reasonable per diem fee
(which shall not be less than Executive’s equivalent daily Base Salary) in addition to
reimbursement of any expenses incurred at the request of Company.
13. Arbitration. Any dispute between the parties out of or related to this Agreement or the
employment relationship, whether arising during the term of this Agreement or afterwards, and
involving a claim for money damages shall be subject to binding arbitration and resolved pursuant
to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. All arbitration shall be final and binding
and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and the arbitration decision shall be
enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. This obligation to arbitrate shall survive even
if this Agreement shall be alleged to be rescinded or terminated. The arbitration hearing shall
be convened in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Company will pay the costs and expenses of the
arbitration including, without limitation, the fees for the arbitrators.
14. Miscellaneous. The parties further agree as follows:
14.1 Time. Time is of the essence of each provision of this Agreement.
14.2 Notices. Any notice, payment, demand or communication required or
permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement will be in writing and will be
deemed to have been given when received by personal delivery, by facsimile, by overnight
courier, or by certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, directed to the following
address or to such other or additional addresses as any party might designate by written
notice to the other party:
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To the Company:
|
XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc. | |
| 0000 X.X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
| Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
To the Executive:
|
Xxxx X. Xxx Xxxxx | |
| 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
14.3 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the parties’ rights or obligations
hereunder can be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the other parties to
this Agreement.
14.4 Construction. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is determined, to any extent, to be invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons
or circumstances other than those as to which the same is held invalid or unenforceable, will not
be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement will be valid and enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted by law. This Agreement is intended to be interpreted, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Oklahoma
14.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter herein contained, and no modification hereof
will be effective unless made by a supplemental written agreement executed by all of the parties
hereto.
14.6 Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiary; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective affiliates, officers,
employees, agents, successors and assigns (including, in the case of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliated companies, the successor to the business of the Company as a result of
the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates); provided, that the Executive may not assign this Agreement or any
of his rights or interests herein, in whole or in part, to any other person or entity without the
prior written consent of the Company.
14.7 Supercession. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive expression
of the agreement between the Company and the Executive and supersedes and replaces in all
respects any prior oral or written employment agreements. On execution of this Agreement
by the Company and the Executive, the relationship between the Company and the Executive after the
effective date of this Agreement will be governed by the terms of this Agreement and not by any
other agreements, oral or otherwise.
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14.8 Non-Contravention. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the
execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate, constitute a default under, or
otherwise give rights to any third party, pursuant to the terms of any Agreement to which
Executive is a party.
14.9 Indemnity. EXECUTIVE AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE COMPANY,
ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS (THE “INDEMNIFIED PARTIES”)
AGAINST ANY LOSS, CLAIM, DAMAGE, LIABILITY OR EXPENSE, AS INCURRED, (“LOSS”) TO WHICH THE
INDEMNIFIED PARTIES MAY BECOME SUBJECT OR INCUR, INSOFAR AS SUCH LOSS ARISES OUT OF
OR IS BASED UPON ANY INACCURACY IN ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY GIVEN BY EXECUTIVE IN THIS
AGREEMENT AND TO REIMBURSE THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FOR ANY AND ALL EXPENSES (INCLUDING THE
FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF COUNSEL CHOSEN BY THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES) AS SUCH
EXPENSES ARE REASONABLY INCURRED BY THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES IN
CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATING, DEFENDING, SETTLING, COMPROMISING OR PAYING ANY SUCH
LOSS.
14.10 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to comply
with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such
intent. To the extent any benefit paid under this Agreement shall be subject to Section 409A
of the Code, such benefit shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A,
including any IRS 409A Guidance. Any provision of this Agreement that would cause the
payment of any benefit to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force and
effect until amended to comply with Section 409A (which amendment may be retroactive
to the extent permitted by the IRS 409A Guidance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement effective the date
first above written.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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| XXXXXXXXX ENERGY, INC. |
|||||
| By: | /s/ Xxx X. Xxxx | 03/19/08 | |||
| Xxx X. Xxxx | Date | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer (the “Company”) |
|||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxx Xxxxx | 01/16/08 | |||
| Xxxx X. Xxx Xxxxx | Date | ||||
(the “Executive”) |
|||||
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