Exhibit 10-G
SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 5th day of June, 1997, by and
between GPU, Inc. (the "Corporation"), GPU Generation Inc. (the "Company") and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx (the "Executive") amends and restates the former Severance
Protection Agreement dated February 6, 1997.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Boards") recognize that the possibility of a
Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and that the threat or the
occurrence of a Change in Control can result in significant distraction of the
Company's key management personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such
a situation;
WHEREAS, the Boards have determined that it is essential and in
the best interest of the Company, and the Corporation and its stockholders, for
the Company to retain the services of the Executive in the event of a threat or
occurrence of a Change in Control and to ensure the Executive's continued
dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern for the Executive's
personal financial and employment security; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the
employ of the Company, particularly in the event of a threat or the occurrence
of a Change in Control, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement with
the Executive to provide the Executive with certain benefits in the event the
Executive's employment is terminated as a result of, or in connection with, a
Change in Control.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of
the parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence as of
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November 1, 1996, and shall continue in effect until October 31, 1998 (the
"Term"); provided, however, that on November 1, 1997, and on each November 1
thereafter, the Term shall automatically be extended for one (1) year unless
either the Executive or the Company shall have given written notice to the other
at least ninety (90) days prior thereto that the Term shall not be so extended;
provided, further, however, that following the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the Term shall not expire prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24)
months after such occurrence.
2. Termination of Employment. If, during the Term, the
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Executive's employment with the Company and with all other Affiliates of the
Corporation shall be terminated within twenty-four (24) months following a
Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation
and benefits:
(a) If the Executive's employment with the Company and
with all other Affiliates of the Corporation shall be terminated (1) by the
Company for Cause or Disability, (2) by reason of the Executive's death, or (3)
by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the
Executive his Accrued Compensation. In addition to the foregoing, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Disability or by reason
of the Executive's death, the Company shall pay to the Executive or his
beneficiaries a Pro Rata Bonus. The Executive's entitlement to any other
compensation or benefits shall be determined in accordance with the Company's
employee benefits plans and other applicable programs and practices then in
effect.
(b) If the Executive's employment with the Company and
with all other Affiliates of the Corporation shall be terminated for any reason
other than as specified in Section 2(a), the Executive shall be entitled to the
following:
(1) the Company shall pay the Executive all
Accrued Compensation and a Pro Rata Bonus;
(2) the Company shall pay the Executive as
severance pay and in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to
the Termination Date, an amount determined by multiplying (A) two times the sum
of (i) the Executive's Base Amount and (ii) the Executive's Bonus Amount, by (B)
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months, not to exceed
twenty-four (24), in the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on
the Executive's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in the Company's Employee
Pension Plan), and the denominator of which is twenty-four (24).
(3) for a number of months equal to twenty-four
(24), or if earlier, until the Executive's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in
the Company's Employee Pension Plan) (the "Continuation Period"), the Company
shall at its expense continue on behalf of the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and
hospitalization coverages and benefits provided to the Executive immediately
prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the coverages and benefits
provided at any time thereafter. The coverages and benefits (including
deductibles and costs) provided in this Section 2(b)(3) during the Continuation
Period shall be no less favorable to the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries, than the most favorable of such coverages and benefits referred
to above. The Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing
coverages and benefits shall be reduced to the extent that the Executive obtains
any such coverages and benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer's
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benefit plans, in which case the Company may reduce any of the coverages or
benefits it is required to provide the Executive hereunder so long as the
aggregate coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans is no less
favorable to the Executive than the coverages and benefits required to be
provided hereunder. This Section 2(b)(3) shall not be interpreted so as to limit
any benefits to which the Executive, his dependents or beneficiaries may be
entitled under any of the Company's employee benefit plans, programs or
practices following the Executive's termination of employment, including without
limitation, retiree medical and life insurance benefits;
(4) the Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for
the costs, fees and expenses of outplacement assistance services (not to exceed
twenty percent (20%) of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base Amount and (B) the
Executive's Bonus Amount) provided by any outplacement agency selected by the
Executive; and
(5) the Company shall provide to the Executive the use of a
Company-leased vehicle, at no cost to the Executive, until the earlier of (A)
the date occurring six (6) months after the Termination Date or (B) the
Executive's sixty-fifth (65th) birthday, after which date the Executive shall
have the option to purchase the vehicle at its "blue book" value.
(c) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause (1) within twelve (12) months prior to a Change in Control or (2)
prior to the date of a Change in Control but the Executive reasonably
demonstrates that such termination (A) was at the request of a third party who
has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a
Change in Control (a "Third Party") and who effectuates a Change in Control or
(B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in
Control which has been threatened or proposed and which actually occurs, such
termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a Change in Control, provided
a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.
(d) (1) Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be
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determined that any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of
the Executive, by the Company, the Corporation, any Affiliate, any Person (as
defined in Section 15.6(a) hereof) who acquires ownership or effective control
of the Corporation or ownership of a substantial portion of the Corporation's
assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations thereunder) or any affiliate of
such Person, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to
the
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terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or
penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"),
then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
"Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all
taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Total Payments.
(2) Determination By Accountant. All mathematical determinations,
and all determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments are "parachute
payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), that are required to
be made under this Section 2(d), including determinations as to whether a
Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and amounts
relevant to the last sentence of this Section 2(d)(2), shall be made by an
independent accounting firm selected by the Executive from among the six (6)
largest accounting firms in the United States (the "Accounting Firm"), which
shall provide its determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed
supporting calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any
other relevant matter, both to the Company and the Executive by no later than
ten (10) days following the Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company or the Executive (if the Executive
reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise
Tax). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Executive, it shall furnish the Executive and the Company with a written
statement that such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable
(including the reasons therefor) and that the Executive has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal income tax return. If a
Gross-Up Payment is determined to be payable, it shall be paid to the Executive
within twenty (20) days after the Determination (and all accompanying
calculations and other material supporting the Determination) is delivered to
the Company by the Accounting Firm. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive, absent manifest error. As a
result of uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time
of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments not made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Company
which should
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not have been made ("Overpayments"). In either such event, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred.
In the case of an Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. In the case
of an Overpayment, the Executive shall, at the direction and expense of the
Company, take such steps as are reasonably necessary (including the filing of
returns and claims for refund), follow reasonable instructions from, and
procedures established by, the Company, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with
the Company to correct such Overpayment, provided, however, that (i) the
Executive shall not in any event be obligated to return to the Company an amount
greater than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment that he has retained
or has recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing authorities and (ii)
this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent of
Section 2(d)(1), which is to make the Executive whole, on an after-tax basis,
from the application of the Excise Tax, it being understood that the correction
of an Overpayment may result in the Executive repaying to the Company an amount
which is less than the Overpayment.
(e) The amounts provided for in Sections 2(a) and 2(b)(1),
(2) and (4) shall be paid in a single lump sum cash payment within thirty (30)
days after the Executive's Termination Date (or earlier, if required by
applicable law).
(f) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment
or otherwise and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any
compensation or benefits provided to the Executive in any subsequent employment
except as provided in Section 2(b)(3).
(g) The severance pay and benefits provided for in
this Section 2 shall be in lieu of any other severance pay to which the
Executive may be entitled under the GPU System Severance Procedure or any other
plan, agreement or arrangement of the Company or any other Affiliate of the
Corporation.
3. Notice of Termination. Following a Change in Control, any
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intended termination of the Executive's employment by the Company shall be
communicated by a Notice of Termination from the Company to the Executive, and
any intended termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive for Good
Reason shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination from the Executive to
the Company.
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4. Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal fees and
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related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred
by the Executive as they become due as a result of (a) the termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive for Good Reason
(including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending
or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), (b) the
Executive's hearing before the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
contemplated in Section 15.5 of this Agreement or (c) the Executive seeking to
obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any
other plan or arrangement maintained by the Company under which the Executive is
or may be entitled to receive benefits; provided, however, that the payment of
fees and expenses pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be made only after, and
only to the extent that, the Executive is unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain
or enforce such right or benefit through the procedures established under the
Legal Defense Fund maintained by the Company under the GPU System Companies
Master Executives' Benefits Protection Trust (or any similar fund under a
successor trust).
5. Transfer of Employment. Notwithstanding any other provision
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herein to the contrary, the Company shall cease to have any further obligation
or liability to the Executive under this Agreement if (a) the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates as a result of the transfer of his
employment to any other Affiliate of the Corporation, (b) this Agreement is
assigned to such other Affiliate, and (c) such other Affiliate expressly assumes
and agrees to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no assignment had taken
place. Any Affiliate to which this Agreement is so assigned shall be treated as
the "Company" for all purposes of this Agreement on or after the date as of
which such assignment to the Affiliate, and the Affiliate's assumption and
agreement to so perform this Agreement, becomes effective.
6. Corporation's Obligation. The Corporation agrees that it will
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take such steps as may be necessary to cause the Company (or any Affiliate that
has become the "Company" pursuant to Section 5 hereof) to meet each of its
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.
7. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all
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other communications provided for in the Agreement (including any Notice of
Termination) shall be in writing, shall be signed by the Executive if to the
Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to the Executive, and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
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prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses last given by each party to the
other, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the
attention of the Board with a copy to the Secretary of the Company. All notices
and communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery
thereof or on the third business day after the mailing thereof, except that
notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
8. Nature of Rights. The Executive shall have the status of a
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mere unsecured creditor of the Company and the Corporation with respect to his
right to receive any payment under this Agreement. This Agreement shall
constitute a mere promise by the Company and the Corporation to make payments in
the future of the benefits provided for herein. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that the arrangements reflected in this Agreement shall be
treated as unfunded for tax purposes and, if it should be determined that Title
I of ERISA is applicable to this Agreement, for purposes of Title I of ERISA.
Except as provided in Section 2(g), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus,
incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company, the Corporation or
any other Affiliate of the Corporation and for which the Executive may qualify,
nor shall anything herein limit or reduce such rights as the Executive may have
under any other agreements with the Company, the Corporation or any other
Affiliate of the Corporation. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the
Company, the Corporation or any other Affiliate of the Corporation shall be
payable in accordance with such plan or program, except as explicitly modified
by this Agreement.
9. Settlement of Claims. The Company's obligation to make the
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payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, defense, recoupment, or other right which
the Company may have against the Executive or others.
10. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be
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modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive, the Corporation and the
Company. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other
party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise, express or
implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by any party
which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
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11. Successors; Binding Agreement.
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(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the Company, the Corporation and their respective
Successors and Assigns. The Company and the Corporation shall require their
respective Successors and Assigns to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company and/or the
Corporation would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment
had taken place.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest
hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, his
beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal personal representative.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
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construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
Any action brought by any party to this Agreement shall be brought and
maintained in a court of competent jurisdiction in Berks County in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
13. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
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deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
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agreement between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements, if
any, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties
hereto, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
15. Definitions.
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15.1.Accrued Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Accrued Compensation" shall mean all amounts of compensation for services
rendered to the Company or any other Affiliate that have been earned or accrued
through the Termination Date but that have not been paid as of the Termination
Date including (a) base salary, (b) reimbursement for reasonable and necessary
business expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the
period ending on the Termination Date, (c) vacation pay and (d) bonuses and
incentive compensation; provided, however, that Accrued
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Compensation shall not include any amounts described in clause (a) or clause (d)
that have been deferred pursuant to any salary reduction or deferred
compensation elections made by the Executive.
15.2. Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Affiliate" means any entity, directly or indirectly, controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Corporation or any corporation or other entity
acquiring, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all the assets and
business of the Corporation, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
15.3. Base Amount. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Base Amount" shall mean the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in
effect as of the date of a Change in Control or, if greater, at any time
thereafter, determined without regard to any salary reduction or deferred
compensation elections made by the Executive.
15.4. Bonus Amount. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Bonus Amount" shall mean the greater of (a) the target annual bonus payable to
the Executive under the Incentive Plan in respect of the fiscal year during
which the Termination Date occurs or (b) the highest annual bonus paid or
payable under the Incentive Plan in respect of any of the three full fiscal
years ended prior to the Termination Date or, if greater, the three (3) full
fiscal years ended prior to the Change in Control.
15.5. Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, a
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termination of employment is for "Cause" if the Executive has been convicted of
a felony or the termination is evidenced by a resolution adopted in good faith
by two-thirds of the Board of Directors of the Corporation that the Executive:
(a) intentionally and continually failed
substantially to perform his reasonably assigned duties with the Company (other
than a failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or
mental illness or from the assignment to the Executive of duties that would
constitute Good Reason) which failure continued for a period of at least thirty
(30) days after a written notice of demand for substantial performance, signed
by a duly authorized officer of the Company, has been delivered to the Executive
specifying the manner in which the Executive has failed substantially to
perform, or
(b) intentionally engaged in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Corporation or the Company;
provided, however, that no termination of the Executive's employment shall be
for Cause as set forth in this Section 15.5(b) until (1) there shall have been
delivered to the
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Executive a copy of a written notice, signed by a duly authorized officer of the
Company, setting forth that the Executive was guilty of the conduct set forth in
this Section 15.5(b) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (2)
the Executive shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard in person by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation (with the assistance of the
Executive's counsel if the Executive so desires).
No act, nor failure to act, on the Executive's part, shall be
considered "intentional" unless the Executive has acted, or failed to act, with
a lack of good faith and with a lack of reasonable belief that the Executive's
action or failure to act was in the best interest of the Corporation and the
Company. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
no failure to perform by the Executive after a Notice of Termination is given to
the Company by the Executive shall constitute Cause for purposes of this
Agreement.
15.6. Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall mean the
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occurrence during the term of the Agreement of:
(a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Corporation)
of any common stock of the Corporation ("Common Stock") or other voting
securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election of
directors (the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as the term person is used
for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")), immediately after which such Person has
"Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
Voting Securities; provided, however, in determining whether a Change in Control
has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a Non-Control Acquisition
(as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a
Change in Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (i)
an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A)
the Corporation or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of
its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (a "Subsidiary") (ii) the Corporation
or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in connection with a Non-Control
Transaction (as hereinafter defined);
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(b) The individuals who, as of August 1, 1996, are
members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Incumbent Board"),
cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that if the
election, or nomination for election by the Corporation's shareholders, of any
new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent
Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as
a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual
shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially
assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest"
(as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual
or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other than the Board of Directors of the Corporation (a "Proxy Contest")
including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election
Contest or Proxy Contest; or
(c) The consummation of:
(1) A merger, consolidation or
reorganization with or into the Corporation or in which
securities of the Corporation are issued, unless such
merger, consolidation or reorganization is a
"Non-Control Transaction." A "Non-Control Transaction"
shall mean a merger, consolidation or reorganization
with or into the Corporation or in which securities of
the Corporation are issued where:
(A) the shareholders of the
Corporation, immediately before such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, own
directly or indirectly immediately following
such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, at least sixty percent (60%)
of the combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of the
corporation resulting from such merger or
consolidation or reorganization (the
"Surviving Corporation") in substantially
the same proportion as their ownership of
the Voting Securities immediately before
such merger, consolidation or
reorganization,
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(B) the individuals who
were members of the Incumbent Board
immediately prior to the execution of the
agreement providing for such merger,
consolidation or reorganization constitute
at least seventy percent (70%) of the
members of the board of directors of the
Surviving Corporation, or a corporation
beneficially directly or indirectly owning a
majority of the Voting Securities of the
Surviving Corporation, and
(C) no Person other than
(i) the Corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary,
(iii) any employee benefit plan (or any
trust forming a part thereof) that,
immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, was
maintained by the Corporation, the Surviving
Corporation, or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any
Person who, immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or reorganization had
Beneficial Ownership of twenty percent (20%)
or more of the then outstanding Voting
Securities or common stock of the
Corporation, has Beneficial Ownership of
twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined
voting power of the Surviving Corporation's
then outstanding voting securities or its
common stock.
(2) A complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation; or
(3) The sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation to any Person (other than a transfer to a
Subsidiary).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall
not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired
Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding
common stock or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Common Stock
or Voting Securities by the Corporation which, by reducing the number of shares
of Common Stock or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the
proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided
that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence)
as a result of the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or Voting Securities by
the Corporation, and after such share acquisition by the Corporation,
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15.7. Company and Corporation.
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For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Company and the
Corporation shall include their respective Successors and Assigns.
15.8. Disability. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Disability" shall mean a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the
Executive's ability to substantially perform his duties with the Company for six
(6) consecutive months, and within the time period set forth in a Notice of
Termination given to the Executive (which time period shall not be less than
thirty (30) days), the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of his duties; provided, however, that if the Company's Voluntary
Employees Beneficiary Association Long Term Disability Income Plan, or any
successor plan (the "Disability Plan"), is then in effect, the Executive shall
not be deemed disabled for purposes of this Agreement unless the Executive is
also eligible for "Total Disability" (as defined in the Disability Plan)
benefits (or similar benefits in the event of a successor plan) under the
Disability Plan.
15.9.Good Reason. (a) For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the
following events or conditions:
(1) a change in the Executive's status, title,
position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in
the Executive's reasonable judgment, represents an adverse change from his
status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior
thereto; the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities
which, in the Executive's reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with his status,
title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the Executive from or
failure to reappoint or reelect him to any of such offices or positions, except
in connection with the termination of his employment for Disability, Cause, as a
result of his death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;
(2) a reduction in the rate of the Executive's
annual base salary;
(3) the relocation of the offices of the Company
at which the Executive is principally employed to a location more than
twenty-five (25) miles from the location of such offices immediately prior to
such relocation, or the Company's requiring the Executive to be based anywhere
other than at such offices, except to the extent the Executive was not
previously assigned to a principal place of duty and except for required travel
on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent with the
Executive's previous business travel obligations;
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the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of
Common Stock or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock or Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by
the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.
(4) the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any
portion of the Executive's current compensation or to pay to the Executive any
portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred
compensation program of the Company in which the Executive participated, within
seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;
(5) the failure by the Company (A) to continue in effect
(without reduction in benefit level, and/or reward opportunities) any material
compensation or employee benefit plan in which the Executive was participating
immediately prior to such failure by the Company, including, but not limited to,
any of the plans listed in Appendix A hereto, unless a substitute or replacement
plan has been implemented which provides substantially identical compensation or
benefits to the Executive or (B) to continue to provide the Executive with
compensation and benefits, in the aggregate, at least equal (in terms of benefit
levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under each other
compensation or employee benefit plan, program and practice in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to such failure by the Company;
(6) the failure of the Company to obtain from its Successors
or Assigns the express assumption and agreement required under Section 11
hereof; or
(7) any purported termination of the Executive's employment
by the Company which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination
satisfying the terms set forth in the definition of Notice of Termination (and,
if applicable, the terms set forth in the definition of Cause).
(b) Any event or condition described in Section 15.9(a)(1)
through (7) which occurs (1) within twelve (12) months prior to a Change in
Control or (2) prior to a Change in Control but which the Executive reasonably
demonstrates (A) was at the request of a Third Party who effectuates a Change in
Control or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of a
Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed and which actually
occurs, shall constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement
notwithstanding that it occurred prior to a Change in Control.
15.10. Incentive Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, "Incentive Plan"
--------------
shall mean the Incentive Compensation Plan for Elected Officers, or any
successor annual incentive plan, maintained by the Company or any other
Affiliate.
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15.11. Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement,
---------------------
following a Change in Control, "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written
notice of termination of the Executive's employment, signed by the Executive if
to the Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to the
Executive, which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement,
if any, relied upon and which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated.
00.00.Xxx Rata Bonus. For purposes of this Agreement,
--------------
"Pro Rata Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the Bonus Amount multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year
through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365; provided,
however, that the Pro Rata Bonus shall be reduced, but not below zero, to the
extent of any bonus the Executive is entitled to receive pursuant to the
Incentive Plan in respect of the fiscal year (denoted a "Performance Period"
under the Incentive Plan) in which the Termination Date occurs. 15.13.
Successors and Assigns. For purposes of this Agreement, "Successors and
Assigns" shall mean, with respect to the Company or the Corporation, a
corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and
business of the Company or the Corporation, as the case may be (including this
Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.
15.14.Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement,
----------------
"Termination Date" shall mean (a) in the case of the Executive's death, his date
of death, (b) if the Executive's employment is terminated for Disability, thirty
(30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive
shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis
during such thirty (30) day period) and (c) if the Executive's employment is
terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination
(which, in the case of a termination for Cause shall not be less than thirty
(30) days, and in the case of a termination for Good Reason shall not be more
than sixty (60) days, from the date such Notice of Termination is given);
provided, however, that if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of
Termination is given the party receiving such Notice of Termination in good
faith notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the basis for
the termination, the Termination Date shall be the date on which the dispute is
finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, or by the
final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time
for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal
15
having been taken). Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive his Base Amount and continue the
Executive as a participant in all compensation, incentive, bonus, pension,
profit sharing, medical, hospitalization, dental, life insurance and disability
benefit plans in which he was participating when the notice giving rise to the
dispute was given, until the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this
Section whether or not the dispute is resolved in favor of the Company, and the
Executive shall not be obligated to repay to the Company any amounts paid or
benefits provided pursuant to this sentence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Company have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers and the
Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
GPU, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------
ATTEST: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Secretary
GPU Generation Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------
ATTEST: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
Secretary
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
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