Contract
Exhibit
10(k)(vi)
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 30th day of
December 2008 by and between ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC., a New York corporation
with its principal office at 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the
“Company”), and XXXXX XXXX, residing at 15 Ardmore Park, Unit 2501, Xxxxxxxxx
000000 (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to employ the Executive as Vice President and President of
Arrow Asia Pacific, with the responsibilities and duties of an officer of the
Company under an Employment Agreement dated March 17, 2006 (the “Old
Agreement”); and
WHEREAS,
the Old Agreement contains provisions that do not comply with section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and applicable regulations
thereunder (“409A”) and other provisions that are obsolete; and
WHEREAS,
the Company and Executive wish to novate the Old Agreement and to replace it
with this Agreement.
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1.
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Employment and
Duties.
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a) Employment. The
Company hereby employs the Executive for the Employment Period defined in
Paragraph 3, to perform such duties for the Company, its subsidiaries and
affiliates and to hold such offices as may be specified from time to time by the
Company’s Board of Directors, subject to the following provisions of this
Agreement. The Executive hereby accepts such employment.
b) Duties and
Responsibilities. The Executive shall continue as Vice
President of the Company and President of Arrow Asia Pacific, provided that the
Board of Directors shall have the right to adjust the duties, responsibilities,
and title of the Executive as the Board of Directors may from time to time deem
to be in the interests of the Company (provided, however, that during the
Employment Period, without the consent of the Executive, he shall not be
assigned any titles, duties or responsibilities which, in the aggregate,
represent a material diminution in, or are materially inconsistent with, his
prior title, duties, and responsibilities as Vice President and President of
Arrow Asia Pacific).
If the
Board of Directors does not either continue the Executive in the office of Vice
President and President of Arrow Asia Pacific or elect him to some other
executive office satisfactory to the Executive, the Executive shall have the
right to decline to give further service to the Company and shall have the
rights and obligations which would accrue to him under Paragraph 6 if he were
discharged without cause. If the Executive decides to exercise such
right to decline to give further service, he shall within forty-five days after
such action or omission by the Board of Directors give written notice to the
Company stating his objection and the action he thinks necessary to correct it,
and he shall permit the Company to have a forty-five day period in which to
correct its action or omission. If the Company makes a correction
satisfactory to the Executive, the Executive shall be obligated to continue to
serve the Company. If the Company does not make such a correction,
the Executive’s rights and obligations under Paragraph 6 shall accrue at the
expiration of such forty-five day period.
c) Time Devoted to
Duties. The Executive shall devote all of his normal business
time and efforts to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries and its
affiliates, the amount of such time to be sufficient, in the reasonable judgment
of the Board of Directors, to permit him diligently and faithfully to serve and
endeavor to further their interests to the best of his ability.
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2.
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Compensation.
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a) Monetary Remuneration and
Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay
to the Executive for all services rendered by him in any capacity:
i. a
minimum base salary of $400,000 per year (payable in accordance with the
Company’s then prevailing practices, but in no event less frequently than in
equal monthly installments), subject to increase if the Board of Directors of
the Company in its sole discretion so determines; provided that, should the
company institute a company-wide pay cut/furlough program, such salary may be
decreased by up to 15%, but only for as long as said company-wide program is in
effect;
ii. such
additional compensation by way of salary or bonus or fringe benefits as the
Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion shall authorize or
agree to pay, payable on such terms and conditions as it shall determine;
and
iii. such
employee benefits that are made available by the Company to its other executives
generally.
b) Annual Incentive
Payment. The Executive shall participate in the Company’s
Management Incentive Plan (or such alternative, successor, or replacement plan
or program in which the Company’s principal operating executives, other than the
Chief Executive Officer, generally participate) and shall have a targeted
incentive thereunder of not less than $240,000 per annum; provided, however,
that the Executive’s actual incentive payment in any year shall be measured by
the Company’s performance against goals established for that year and that such
performance may produce an incentive payment ranging from none to twice the
targeted amount. The Executive’s incentive payment for any year will
be appropriately pro-rated to reflect a partial year of employment.
c) Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan. The Executive shall continue to participate
in the Company’s Unfunded Pension Plan for Selected Executives (the
“SERP”). The timing of payment under the SERP shall be in accordance
with its terms.
d) Expenses. During
the Employment Period, the Company agrees to reimburse the Executive, upon the
submission of appropriate documentation, for reasonable and necessary
out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, expenses for travel,
lodging and entertainment) incurred by the Executive in the course of his duties
hereunder in accordance with its expense reimbursement policy. Any
reimbursement that is taxable to Executive shall be paid no later than the end
of the year following the year in which it is incurred.
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e) Office and
Staff. The Company will provide the Executive with an office,
secretary and such other facilities as may be reasonably required for the proper
discharge of his duties hereunder.
f) Indemnification. The
Company agrees to indemnify the Executive for any and all liabilities to which
he may be subject as a result of his employment hereunder (and as a result of
his service as an officer or director of the Company, or as an officer or
director of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates), as well as the costs of any
legal action brought or threatened against him as a result of such employment,
to the fullest extent permitted by law.
g) Participation in
Plans. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the Executive shall have the right to participate in any and all of the plans or
programs made available by the Company (or it subsidiaries, divisions or
affiliates) to, or for the benefit of, executives (including the annual stock
option and performance share programs) or employees in general, on a basis
consistent with other similarly situated executives.
h) Withholdings. All
payments of compensation and benefits by the Company shall be subject to all
legally required and customary withholding.
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3.
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The Employment
Period.
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The
“Employment Period,” as used in the Agreement, shall mean the period beginning
as of the date hereof and terminating on the last day of the calendar month in
which the first of the following occurs:
a) the
death of the Executive;
b) the
disability of the Executive as determined in accordance with Paragraph 4 hereof
and subject to the provisions thereof;
c) the
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for cause in accordance
with Paragraph 5 hereof; or
d) December
31, 2010; provided, however, that, unless sooner terminated as otherwise
provided herein, the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for one
or more twelve (12) month periods beyond the then scheduled expiration date
thereof unless between the 18th and 12th month preceding such scheduled
expiration date either the Company or the Executive gives the other written
notice of its or his election not to have the Employment Period so
extended.
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4.
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Disability.
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For
purposes of this Agreement, the Executive will be deemed “disabled” if he is
absent from work because he is incapacitated due to an accident or physical or
mental impairment, and one of the following conditions is also satisfied: (i)
Executive is expected to return to his duties with the Company within 6 months
after the beginning of his absence or (ii) Executive is unable to perform his
duties or those of a substantially similar position of employment due to a
medically-determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than 6
months. If the Executive is absent on account of being disabled (as
defined in the preceding sentence), during such absence the Company shall
continue to pay to the Executive his base salary, any additional compensation
authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and other remuneration and
benefits provided in accordance with Paragraph 2 hereof, all without delay,
diminution or proration of any kind whatsoever (except that his remuneration
hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of any payments he may otherwise
receive as a result of his disability pursuant to a disability program provided
by or through the Company), and his medical benefits and life insurance shall
remain in full force. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with
Paragraph 3a), c) or d), the Employment Period shall end on the 180th
consecutive day of his disability absence, and Executive’s compensation under
Paragraph 2 shall immediately cease, except the medical benefits covering the
Executive and his family shall remain in place (subject to the eligibility
requirements and other conditions contained in the underlying plan, as described
in the Company’s employee benefits manual, and subject to the requirement that
the Executive continue to pay the “employee portion” of the cost thereof), and
the Executive’s life insurance policy under the Management Insurance Program
shall be transferred to him, as provided in the related agreement, subject to
the obligation of the Executive to pay the premiums therefor.
In the
event that the Executive is determined to be capable of performing his duties
before being absent for 180 consecutive days (and before expiration of the
Employment Period), the Executive shall be entitled to resume employment
with the Company under the terms of this Agreement for the then remaining
balance of the Employment Period.
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5.
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Termination for
Cause.
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In the
event of (i) any malfeasance, willful misconduct, fraud or gross negligence by
the Executive in connection with his employment hereunder or (ii) any other
willful or reckless misconduct by the Executive that, in the good faith opinion
of the company’s Board of Directors, demonstrably and adversely affects the
company’s business or reputation, the Company shall have the right to terminate
the Employment Period by giving the Executive notice in writing of the reason
for such proposed termination. If the Executive shall not have
corrected such conduct to the satisfaction of the Company within thirty days
after such notice, the Employment Period shall terminate and the Company shall
have no further obligation to the Executive hereunder but the restriction on the
Executive’s activities contained in Paragraph 8 and the obligations of the
Executive contained in Paragraphs 9(b) and 9(c) shall continue in effect as
provided therein.
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6.
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Termination Without
Cause.
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In the
event that the Company discharges the Executive without cause, the Executive
shall be entitled to the following compensation during the remainder of the
Employment Period (the length of which shall be determined under Paragraph 3(d))
unless sooner terminated by Executive’s disability or death): (i) the base
salary provided in Paragraph 2a) payable in accordance with the usual payroll
schedule, (ii) two-thirds of the targeted incentive provided in Paragraph 2b)
for each year during the Employment Period (or, on a pro rata basis, portion of
a year) payable on the normal payment date(s) for such incentive, (iii) the
vesting of any restricted stock awards and performance shares and the immediate
exercisability of any stock options, which would have vested, been earned or
become exercisable during the full Employment Period, and iv) continued
participation in the Company’s medical plan under the same terms and conditions
as an active employee, with eligibility for continuation coverage for Executive
and his eligible dependents under the plan’s COBRA provisions at the end of the
Employment Period at Executive’s own expense. However, participation
in the Company’s 401(k) plan, ESOP and all welfare and fringe benefit plans
(other than the medical plan) will cease on the Executive’s last day of active
work, subject to any conversion rights generally available to former
employees. Any amounts payable to the Executive under this Paragraph
6 shall be reduced by the amount of the Executive’s earnings from other
employment (which the Executive shall have an affirmative duty to seek;
provided, however, that the Executive shall not be obligated to accept a new
position which is not reasonably comparable to his employment with the
Company).
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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Executive is a “specified employee” for purposes of 409A,
no deferred compensation (including without limitation salary continuation
payments in accordance with clause (i) above) payable at separation from service
that is not exempt from application of 409A as a short term deferral or
separation pay will be paid to Executive during the 6-month period immediately
following the day he ceases active work for the Company, and any such payments
otherwise due during such 6-month period shall be paid on the first business day
following completion of such 6-month period along with simple interest at the
six-month Treasury rate in effect at the beginning of such 6-month
period.
The
provisions of Paragraph 8 restricting the Executive’s activities and the
Executive’s obligations under Paragraph 9(b) and 9(c) shall continue in effect
and the Company shall have no obligation to make the payments under this
Paragraph 6 (or to continue such payments) if the Executive is in material
breach of any of such provisions.
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7.
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Voluntary Termination
by the Executive.
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If the
Executive terminates his employment voluntarily (other than pursuant to
Paragraph 1(b)), the Employment Period shall terminate and the Company shall
have no further obligation to the Executive under this Agreement (other than as
required by law) but the restriction on the Executive’s activities contained in
Paragraph 8 and the obligations of the Executive contained in Paragraphs 9(b)
and 9(c) shall continue in effect.
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8.
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Non-Competition; Trade
Secrets.
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a) Disclosure of
Information. During the Employment Period and thereafter, the
Executive will not, directly or indirectly, use, attempt to use, disclose or
otherwise make known to any person or entity (other than to the Board of
Directors of the Company or otherwise in the course of the business of the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates and except as may be required by
applicable law):
i. any
knowledge or information, including, without limitation, lists of customers or
suppliers, trade secrets, know-how, inventions, discoveries, processes and
formulae, as well as all data and records pertaining thereto, which he may
acquire in the course of his employment, in any manner which may be detrimental
to or cause injury or loss to the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates;
or
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ii. any
knowledge or information of a confidential nature (including all unpublished
matters) relating to, without limitation, the business, properties, accounting,
books and records, trade secrets or memoranda of the Company, its subsidiaries
or affiliates, which he now knows or may come to know in any manner which may be
detrimental to or cause injury or loss to the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
b) Non-Competition. During
the Employment Period and for a period of one year after the termination of the
Employment Period, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage or
become interested in the United States, Canada or Mexico (whether as an owner,
shareholder, partner, lender or other investor, director, officer, employee,
consultant or otherwise) in the business of distributing electronic parts,
components, supplies or systems, or any other business that is competitive with
the principal business or businesses then conducted by the Company, its
subsidiaries or affiliates (provided, however, that nothing contained herein
shall prevent the Executive from acquiring or owning less than 1% of the issued
and outstanding capital stock or debentures of a corporation whose securities
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, or the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, if such
investment is otherwise permitted by the Company’s Human Resource and Conflict
of Interest policies);
c) Solicitation. During
the Employment Period and for a period of one year after the termination of the
Employment Period, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or
participate in the solicitation of any business of any type conducted by the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, during said term or thereafter, from
any person, firm or other entity which was or at the time is a supplier or
customer, or prospective supplier or customer, of the Company, its subsidiaries
or affiliates; or
d) Employment. During
the Employment Period and for a period of one year after the termination of the
Employment Period, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, employ or
retain, or arrange to have any other person, firm or other entity employ or
retain, or otherwise participate in the employment or retention of, any person
who was an employee or consultant of the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates, at any time during the period of twelve consecutive months
immediately preceding such employment or retention.
The
Executive will promptly furnish in writing to the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates, any information reasonably requested by the Company (including any
third party confirmations) with respect to any activity or interest the
Executive may have in any business.
Except as
expressly herein provided, nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the
Executive, at any time after the termination of the Employment Period, from
either (1) being gainfully employed or (ii) exercising his skills and
abilities outside of such geographic areas, provided in either case
the provisions of this Agreement are complied with.
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9.
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Preservation of
Business.
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a) General. During
the Employment Period, the Executive will use his best efforts to advance the
business and organization of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, to
keep available to the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, the services of
present and future employees and to advance the business relations with its
suppliers, distributors, customers and others.
b) Patents and Copyrights,
etc. The Executive agrees, without additional compensation, to
make available to the Company all knowledge possessed by him relating to any
methods, developments, inventions, processes, discoveries and/or improvements
(whether patented, patentable or unpatentable) which concern in any way the
business of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether acquired by the
Executive before or during his employment hereunder.
Any
methods, developments, inventions, processes, discoveries and/or improvements
(whether patented, patentable or unpatentable) which the Executive may conceive
of or make, related directly or indirectly to the business or affairs of the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any part thereof, during the
Employment Period, shall be and remain the property of the
Company. The Executive agrees promptly to communicate and disclose
all such methods, developments, inventions, processes, discoveries and/or
improvements to the Company and to execute and deliver to it any instruments
deemed necessary by the Company to effect the disclosure and assignment thereof
to it. The Executive also agrees, on request and at the expense of
the Company, to execute patent applications and any other instruments deemed
necessary by the Company for the prosecution of such patent applications or the
acquisition of Letters Patent in the United States or any other country and for
the assignment to the Company of any patents which may be issued. The
Company shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless from any and all costs,
expenses, liabilities or damages sustained by the Executive by reason of having
made such patent applications or being granted such patents.
Any
writings or other materials written or produced by the Executive or under his
supervision (whether alone or with others and whether or not during regular
business hours), during the Employment Period which are related, directly or
indirectly, to the business or affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates, or are capable of being used therein, and the copyright thereof,
common law or statutory, including all renewals and extensions, shall be and
remain the property of the Company. The Executive agrees promptly to
communicate and disclose all such writings or materials to the Company and to
execute and deliver to it any instruments deemed necessary by the Company to
effect the disclosure and assignment thereof to it. The Executive
further agrees, on request and at the expense of the Company, to take any and
all action deemed necessary by the Company to obtain copyrights or other
protections for such writings or other materials or to protect the Company’s
right, title and interest therein. The Company shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless from any and all costs, expenses, liabilities or
damages sustained by the Executive by reason of the Executive’s compliance with
the Company’s request.
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c) Return of
Documents. Upon the termination of the Employment Period,
including any termination of employment described in Paragraph 6, the Executive
will promptly return to the Company all property and records of the Company, its
subsidiaries and its affiliates, including without limitation, all copies of
information protected by Paragraph 8(a) hereof or pertaining to matters covered
by subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph 9 which are in his possession, custody or
control, whether prepared by him or others.
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10.
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Separability.
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The
Executive agrees that the provisions of Paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof constitute
independent and separable covenants which shall survive the termination of the
Employment Period and which shall be enforceable by the Company notwithstanding
any rights or remedies the Executive may have under any other provisions
hereof. The Company agrees that the provisions of Paragraph 6 hereof
constitute independent and separable covenants which shall survive the
termination of the Employment Period and which shall be enforceable by the
Executive notwithstanding any rights or remedies the Company may have under any
other provisions hereof.
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11.
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Specific
Performance.
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The
Executive acknowledges that (i) the services to be rendered under the provisions
of this Agreement and the obligations of the Executive assumed herein are of a
special, unique and extraordinary character; (ii) it would be difficult or
impossible to replace such services and obligations; (iii) the Company, its
subsidiaries and affiliates will be irreparably damaged if the provisions hereof
are not specifically enforced; and (iv) the award of monetary damages will not
adequately protect the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates in the event of
a breach hereof by the Executive. The Company acknowledges that (i)
the Executive will be irreparably damaged if the provisions of Paragraph 6
hereof are not specifically enforced and (ii) the award of monetary damages
will not adequately protect the Executive in the event of a breach thereof by
the Company. By virtue thereof, the Executive agrees and consents
that if he violates any of the provisions of this Agreement, and the Company
agrees and consents that if it violates any of the provisions of Paragraph 6
hereof, the other party, in addition to any other rights and remedies available
under this Agreement or otherwise, shall (without any bond or other security
being required and without the necessity of proving monetary damages) be
entitled to a temporary and/or permanent injunction to be issued by a
court of competent jurisdiction restraining the breaching party from committing
or continuing any violation of this Agreement, or any other appropriate decree
of specific performance. Such remedies shall not be exclusive and
shall be in addition to any other remedy which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates may have.
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12.
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Release
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As a
condition for payment under Paragraph 6, Executive shall execute and deliver an
irrevocable release of claims against the Company and its subsidiaries and its
directors, officers and employees in a form prescribed by the
Company. Such release shall be given to the Company no later than 22
days following the Executive’s last day of active work. The Company,
in its sole discretion, may delay payment of any amount otherwise due hereunder
pending receipt of such release and expiration of any applicable revocation
period. If the Executive fails to provide the executed release by the
expiration of such 22-day period, the Executive will forfeit any payments or
benefits still due under Paragraph 6, including but not limited to any
performance shares and unexercised stock options the vesting of which was
accelerated pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6.
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13.
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Miscellaneous.
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a) Entire Agreement;
Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the whole employment
agreement between the parties and may not be modified, amended or terminated
except by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto. It is
specifically agreed and understood, however, that the provisions of that certain
letter agreement dated as of December 30, 2008 granting to the Executive
extended separation benefits in the event of a change in control of the Company
shall survive and shall not be affected hereby. All other agreements
between the parties pertaining to the employment or remuneration of the
Executive not specifically contemplated hereby or incorporated or merged herein
are terminated and shall be of no further force or effect.
b) Assignment. Except
as stated below, this Agreement is not assignable by the Company without the
written consent of the Executive, or by the Executive without the written
consent of the Company, and any purported assignment by either party of such
party’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement shall be null and void;
provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may merge or
consolidate with or into another corporation, or sell all or substantially all
of its assets to another corporation or business entity or otherwise reorganize
itself, provided the surviving corporation or entity, if not the Company, shall
assume this Agreement and become obligated to perform all of the terms and
conditions hereof, in which event the Executive’s obligations shall continue in
favor of such other corporation or entity.
c) Waivers,
etc. No waiver of any breach or default hereunder shall be
considered valid unless in writing, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver
of any subsequent breach or default of the same or similar
nature. The failure of any party to insist upon strict adherence to
any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not operate or be construed as
a waiver of the right to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other
term of this Agreement on that or any other occasion.
d) Provisions Overly
Broad. In the event that any term or provision of this
Agreement shall be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be overly
broad in scope, duration or area of applicability, the court considering the
same shall have the power and hereby is authorized and directed to modify such
term or provision to limit such scope, duration or area, or all of them, so that
such term or provision is no longer overly broad and to enforce the same as so
limited. Subject to the foregoing sentence, in the event any
provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any
reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision
and shall not affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of
this Agreement.
e) Notices. Any
notice permitted or required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been given on the date of delivery or, if mailed by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, on the date of mailing:
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i.
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if
to the Executive to:
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Xxxxx
Xxxx
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx
0000
Xxxxxxxxx
000000
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ii.
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if
to the Company to:
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Arrow
Electronics, Inc.
00 Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
Either
party may, by notice to the other, change his or its address for notice
hereunder by providing written notice to the other in accordance with this
provision.
f) Choice of Law; Choice of
Forum. This Agreement shall be construed and governed in all
respects by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of law or where the parties are located at the time a
dispute arises. The parties consent and submit themselves to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in New York over any
dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.
ARROW
ELECTRONICS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Senior Vice President & General Counsel
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THE
EXECUTIVE
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx
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Xxxxx Xxxx
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