EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RETENTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.12
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION AND
RETENTION
AGREEMENT
(2009)
THIS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RETENTION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), by and between
COIL TUBING TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC., a Nevada corporation, (referred to herein
as the “Company”), and XXXXX
XXXXXXXX (referred to herein as “Xxxxxxxx”) (collectively
“the
Parties”) is
effective on the 1st day of
June, 2009 (the “Effective
Date”).
The
Parties previously entered into an Executive Compensation and Retention
Agreement which was effective July 1, 2007. Thereafter on or around
September 7, 2007 the Parties entered into an Amended and Restated Executive
Compensation and Retention Agreement (collectively the “Prior
Agreement”). Xxxxxxxx
would be constructively terminated under the terms of the Prior Agreement, if
Xxxxxxxx’x
duties change from President and Chief Executive Officer to a lesser
position. With an Effective Date of June 1, 2009, the Company entered
into an Executive Compensation and Retention Agreement with Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
(“Xxxxx” and “Xxxxx
Agreement”). Under
the Xxxxx Agreement, Xxxxx was named Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Xxxxxxxx has agreed to remain with the Company as its
Chairman of the Board and Vice President on terms similar to, but as modified
herein, the Prior Agreement. Accordingly, the Prior Agreement is
replaced and superseded in its entirety by this Agreement.
In
consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, the Company and Xxxxxxxx
hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT. The
Company hereby agrees to appoint and retain Xxxxxxxx as its Chairman of the
Board and Vice-President, and Xxxxxxxx agrees to serve the Company, in the
capacities described herein during the Period of Appointment (as defined in
Section 2 of this Agreement), in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement.
2. PERIOD
OF APPOINTMENT. The term “Period of Appointment” shall mean the period which
commences on the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to
Section 6, ends on December 31, 2011; provided, however, that the Period of
Appointment may be extended as provided herein. On January 1 of each
year that Xxxxxxxx is employed by the Company, the period of appointment will be
extended for an additional year. Each extension shall
occur automatically unless Xxxxxxxx provides the Company in writing that he will
not be exercising the extension by December 1 of each year prior to the relevant
January 1. For example, the Period of Appointment will
automatically extend to December 31, 2012 unless Xxxxxxxx provides notice that
he will not be exercising the extension for 2012 on or before December 1,
2009. As a result, unless Xxxxxxxx provides notice otherwise, there
will be at least two (2) years remaining on the Period of Appointment at all
times.
3. DUTIES
DURING THE PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.
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a.
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DUTIES.
During the Period of Appointment, Xxxxxxxx shall be employed by the
Company and serve as its “Chairman of the Board and
Vice-President.” In such capacities, Xxxxxxxx will perform such
services as are customary for a chairman of the board and
vice-president. Nothing herein is intended to restrict the
duties of Xxxxxxxx or limit him from serving in such other executive
officer positions as the Board of Directors deems
appropriate.
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b.
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SCOPE.
During the Period of Appointment, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the office of Vice-President is entitled, Xxxxxxxx
shall devote full time and attention to the affairs of the
Company.
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4. COMPENSATION
AND OTHER PAYMENTS.
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a.
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ANNUAL
SALARY. Annual salary shall be set at $132,000.00 per annum payable in
regular installments but in no event less often than
monthly.
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b.
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ANNUAL
INCREASES. Xxxxxxxx’x annual salary will be increased in an
amount to be determined by the Board of the Company or a Committee of the
Board of the Company, but in no event shall such increases be in an amount
less than ten percent (10%).
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c.
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BONUSES. Xxxxxxxx
may participate in any and all bonus plans established by the Board or a
Committee of the Board.
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5. OTHER
BENEFITS.
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a.
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INCENTIVE
SHARES. At the end of each calendar year (December 31) during
the Period of Appointment and the end of each subsequent year or, at
Xxxxxxxx’x option, within thirty (30) days thereafter, the Company will
issue to Xxxxxxxx the number of shares necessary to provide to Xxxxxxxx
five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding common stock of the
Company (excluding any shares of common stock issuable to other executives
of the Company as a result of incentive share clauses of such executives’
employment agreements). As a result, on December 31, 2009 and
each year thereafter during the Period of Appointment, subject to the
termination provisions of Section 6 or, at Xxxxxxxx’x option, within 30
days thereafter, the Company will issue Xxxxxxxx shares of common stock
equal to five percent (5%) of the then total issued and outstanding common
stock of the Company (excluding any shares of common stock issuable to
other executives of the Company as a result of incentive share clauses of
such executives’ employment agreements). Such shares will be
subject to any and all restrictions appropriate or necessary to comply
with state or federal registration
requirements.
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b.
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REGULAR
REIMBURSED BUSINESS EXPENSES. The Company shall promptly reimburse
Xxxxxxxx for all expenses and disbursements reasonably incurred by
Xxxxxxxx in the performance of his duties hereunder during the Period of
Appointment.
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c.
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BENEFIT
PLANS. Xxxxxxxx and his eligible family members shall be
entitled to participate immediately (except for any Company plan which
includes or requires a waiting period, in which event Xxxxxxxx shall be
entitled to participate as soon as he is eligible under the terms of such
plan), on terms no less favorable to Xxxxxxxx than the terms offered to
other employees, in any group and/or executive life, hospitalization or
disability insurance plan, health program, vacation policy, pension,
profit sharing, ESOP, 401(k) and similar benefit plans (qualified,
non-qualified and supplemental) or other fringe benefits that may be
offered by the Company as approved by the Board of Directors from time to
time.
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d.
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HEALTH
INSURANCE. The Company shall provide Xxxxxxxx and his wife,
whether or not he remains employed by the Company, health insurance until
the end of the Period of Appointment or he is eligible for Medicare
benefits, whichever is later.
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e.
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PERQUISITES.
The Company shall provide Xxxxxxxx at least such perquisites as are
commonly provided to other executives of the Company and are commiserate
with his Appointment.
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6. TERMINATION.
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a.
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GENERAL. Xxxxxxxx’x
employment hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and continue
until the end of the term specified in section 2 above, except that the
employment of Xxxxxxxx hereunder shall terminate prior to such time in
accordance with the following:
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i.
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DEATH
OR DISABILITY. Upon Xxxxxxxx’x death during the term of his
employment hereunder or, at the option of the Company, in the event of
Xxxxxxxx’x disability, upon thirty (30) days notice to
Xxxxxxxx.
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ii.
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FOR
CAUSE. For “Cause” immediately upon written notice by the
Company to Xxxxxxxx. A termination for Cause shall
mean:
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(1)
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the
commission of an intentional act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation,
misappropriation, or embezzlement by Xxxxxxxx which has a material
detrimental impact on the Company;
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(2)
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Xxxxxxxx’x
unauthorized use or disclosure of any Confidential Information or trade
secrets of the Company which has a material detrimental impact on the
Company;
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(3)
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a
significant violation by Xxxxxxxx of a law or regulation applicable to the
Company’s business, which has a material detrimental impact on the Company
and which the Board of the Company reasonably determines does or is
reasonably likely to cause material injury to the
Company;
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(4)
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Xxxxxxxx’x
indictment of, or conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere or
guilty to a felony or any other crime which involves moral
turpitude;
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(5)
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Xxxxxxxx’x
continued failure, in the reasonable discretion of the Board, to perform
the principal duties, functions and responsibilities of his position
(other than any such failure resulting from Xxxxxxxx’x disability) or to
follow the directives of the Board after written notice from the Company
identifying the deficiencies in performance and a reasonable cure period
of not less than thirty (30) days of any breach capable of cure; gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of Xxxxxxxx’x duties;
or
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(6)
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a
material and willful breach of Xxxxxxxx’x fiduciary duties to the
Company.
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iii.
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WITHOUT
CAUSE. Without Cause upon thirty (30) days written notice by
the Board of Directors to Xxxxxxxx or upon Xxxxxxxx to the Board of
Directors. If Xxxxxxxx terminates the Agreement for any reason,
he shall have no liability to the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates as a result thereof.
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iv.
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CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION. Upon Xxxxxxxx’x Constructive
Termination. Constructive Termination of Xxxxxxxx’x employment
with the Company will be deemed to have occurred if Xxxxxxxx terminates
his employment with the Company within six (6) months following the date
on which:
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(1)
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the
Company demotes Xxxxxxxx to a lesser position, either in title or
responsibility;
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(2)
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the
Company decreases Xxxxxxxx’x pay below the highest level in effect at any
time Xxxxxxxx’x employment with the Company or reduces Xxxxxxxx’x benefits
below the levels in effect during Xxxxxxxx’x employment with the Company
(other than as a result of any amendment or termination of any group or
other executive benefit plan, which amendment or termination is applicable
to all executives of the Company or any inadvertent reduction in benefits
that Company cures within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice
of such reduction);
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(3)
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the
Company requires Xxxxxxxx to relocate to a principal place of business
more than fifty (50) miles from the principal place of business occupied
by Company as of the date hereof;
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(4)
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the
Company is subject to a Change in Control, unless Xxxxxxxx accepts an
appointment or employment with a successor to the Company;
or
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(5)
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the
Company breaches any material term of this Agreement which is not cured by
the Company within ten (10) days after receiving written notice of such
breach.
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b.
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OBLIGATIONS
OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. The following provisions
describe the obligations of the Company to Xxxxxxxx under this Agreement
upon termination of his Appointment. However, except as
explicitly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall
limit or otherwise adversely affect any rights which Xxxxxxxx may have
under applicable law, under any other agreement with the Company, or under
any compensation or benefit plan, program, policy or practice of the
Company.
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i.
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TERMINATION
BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE OR RESIGNATION WITHOUT CAUSE. In the
event this Agreement terminates by reason of the Company’s termination of
Xxxxxxxx’x Appointment for Cause or because of Xxxxxxxx’x resignation
Without Cause, the Company shall:
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(1)
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Pay
to Xxxxxxxx within ten (10) days any amount of Compensation (as enumerated
in section 4 above) earned but not yet paid;
and
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(2)
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Provide
Xxxxxxxx’x health insurance as obligated in section 5(d)
above.
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ii.
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TERMINATION
BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE, OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION. In
the event this Agreement terminates by reason of the Company’s termination
of Xxxxxxxx’x Appointment Without Cause or Xxxxxxxx is Constructively
Terminated, the Company shall:
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(1)
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Pay
to Xxxxxxxx in a lump sum within ten (10) days the remaining amount of
Compensation provided for in section four (4) above through the end of the
Period of Appointment including any minimum annual increases and bonuses
and an additional one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000);
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(2)
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Provide
Xxxxxxxx’x health insurance as obligated in section 5(d) above;
and
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(3)
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Issue
to Xxxxxxxx the Incentive Shares provided for in section 5 above at the
end of any years which remain of the Period of Appointment (or at
Xxxxxxxx’x election, within thirty (30) days thereafter) the appropriate
number of shares for each year.
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iii.
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TERMINATION
BY DEATH OR DISABILITY OR XXXXXXXX’X RESIGNATION FOR CAUSE. In
the event this Agreement terminates by reason of Xxxxxxxx’x Death or
Disability or because of Xxxxxxxx’x resignation For Cause, the Company
shall:
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(1)
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Pay
to Xxxxxxxx or his estate the remaining amount of Compensation provided
for in section 4 above through the end of the Period of
Appointment;
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(2)
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Provide
Xxxxxxxx’x health insurance as obligated in section 5(d) above;
and
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(3)
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Issue
to Xxxxxxxx the Incentive Shares provided for in section 5 above at the
end of any years which remain of the Period of Appointment (or at
Xxxxxxxx’x election, within thirty (30) days thereafter) the appropriate
number of shares for each year.
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c.
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MITIGATION. In
no event shall Xxxxxxxx be obligated to seek another appointment or
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Xxxxxxxx under any of the provisions of this
Agreement. Any severance benefits payable to Xxxxxxxx shall not
be subject to reduction for any compensation received from another
appointment or employment.
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d.
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CHANGE
OF CONTROL. For purposes of this Agreement, Change of Control
shall be deemed to have occurred (i) if more than 33% of the voting shares
of the Company are acquired by a third party in a plan of reorganization,
merger and/or consolidation or (ii) if majority voting control of the
Company is acquired by any person other than Xxxxxxxx and/or
Xxxxx. For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control does
not include the stock distribution as is provided for and described in the
Registration Statement the Company has on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (and amendments thereto) as of the Effective Date of
this Agreement.
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7. INDEMNIFICATION. To
the extent practical, the Company shall maintain, for the benefit of Xxxxxxxx
and other executives directors and/or officers liability
insurance. In addition, Xxxxxxxx shall be indemnified by the Company
against liability as an officer, Chairman of the Board and Vice-President of the
Company and any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law. Xxxxxxxx’x rights under this Section
shall continue so long as he may be subject to such liability, whether or not
this Agreement may have terminated.
8. INVENTIONS;
ROYALTY FREE LICENSE.
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a.
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INVENTIONS
DEFINED. “Inventions” includes all rights to discoveries,
inventions, improvements, designs and innovations (including all data and
records pertaining thereto) that relate to the business of the Company,
whether or not patentable, copyrightable or reduced to writing, that
Xxxxxxxx may discover, invent or originate during the term of his
employment hereunder, either alone or with others and whether or not
during working hours or by use of the facilities of the
Company.
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x.
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XXXXXXXX
TO RETAIN RIGHTS. Xxxxxxxx is to retain or maintain any and all
rights to Inventions.
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c.
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COMPANY
TO LICENSE. In connection with entering into the Prior
Agreement, Xxxxxxxx granted to the Company a license to use his
inventions. The licensing agreement previously entered will
continue to be in effect and is attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
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d.
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WAIVER
OF ROYALTIES. In connection with entering into the Prior
Agreement, Xxxxxxxx agreed to waive any and all royalties due to him by
the Company throughout his Appointment under the Prior
Agreement. Xxxxxxxx hereby agrees to continue to waive any and
all royalties due to him by the Company during his term of employment by
the Company under this Agreement as provided in the Waiver of Royalties
Agreement entered into in connection with the Prior Agreement and which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B.
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9. CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION.
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a.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF PROPRIETARY INTEREST. Xxxxxxxx agrees that all Confidential
Information learned by him during his employment with the Company, whether
developed by Xxxxxxxx or in conjunction with others or otherwise, is and
shall remain the exclusive property of the
Company.
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b.
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CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION DEFINED. “Confidential Information” means all
confidential and proprietary information of the Company, to the extent
such property is the property of the Company and not the property of
Xxxxxxxx or another, and that is not otherwise publicly
available. “Confidential Information” does not include the
“Inventions” referenced in section 8. Without limited the
foregoing, Confidential Information includes the
following:
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i.
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Information
derived from reports, investigations, experiments, research and work in
progress,
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ii.
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Methods
of operation,
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iii.
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Marketing
data,
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iv.
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Proprietary
computer programs and codes,
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v.
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Drawings
designs, plans and proposals,
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vi.
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Marketing
and sales programs,
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vii.
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Client
lists,
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viii.
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Historical
financial information and financial
projections,
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ix.
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Pricing
formulae and policies,
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x.
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All
other concepts, ideas, materials and information prepared or performed for
or by the Company, and
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xi.
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All
information related to the business, products, purchases or sales of the
Company and any of its suppliers and
customers.
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c.
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COVENANT
NOT TO DIVULGE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Company is
entitled to prevent the disclosure of Confidential
Information. The Company agrees to and will provide
Confidential Information to Xxxxxxxx at the inception of his employment
and Xxxxxxxx acknowledges and agrees that, during the course of his
employment he will be exposed to, have access to, and gain knowledge of
Confidential Information. As a portion of the consideration for
the employment of Xxxxxxxx and for the compensation being paid to him
hereunder and thereafter to hold in strict confidence and not to disclose
or allow to be disclosed or made available to any person, firm or
corporation, other than to his professional advisors (who have the
obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information) and to
persons engaged by the Company to further the business of the Company, and
not to use except in the pursuit of the business of the Company, the
Confidential Information, without the prior written consent of the
Company.
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d.
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RETURN
OF MATERIALS. In the event of any termination or cessation of
his employment with the Company for any reason, or request by the Company
at anytime, Xxxxxxxx shall promptly deliver to the Company all documents,
data and other information derived from or otherwise pertaining to
Confidential Information. Xxxxxxxx shall not take or retain any
documents or other information, or any reproduction or excerpt thereof,
containing or pertaining to any Confidential
Information.
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10. GENERAL
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a.
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NOTICES. All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing or by
written telecommunication, and shall be deemed to have been duly given
upon delivery if delivered personally or via written telecommunication, or
five days after mailing if mailed by certified mail, return receipt
requested or by written telecommunication, to the relevant address set
forth below, or to such other address as either of the parties shall have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith:
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If to the Company, addressed
to:
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If to the Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx addressed
to:
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
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00000
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X
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00000
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X
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Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
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Xxxxxx,
XX
00000
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Notice
and communications shall be effective when actually received by the
addressee.
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b.
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WITHHOLDING. All
payments required to be made to Xxxxxxxx by the Company under this
Agreement shall be subject to withholding, at the time payments are
actually made to Xxxxxxxx and received by him, of such amounts, if
any, relating to federal, state and local taxes as may required
by law.
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c.
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TAXES. In
the event that the aggregate of all payments or benefits made or provided
to, or that may be made or provided to, Xxxxxxxx under this Agreement and
under all other plans, programs and arrangements of the Company (the
“Aggregate Payment”) are determined to constitute a “parachute payment” or
some other category of payment which results in special tax treatment,
Xxxxxxxx and the Company shall cooperate with each other in connection
with any proceeding or claim relating to the existence or amount of
liability for the payment, and all expenses incurred by Xxxxxxxx in
connection therewith shall be paid by the Company promptly upon notice of
demand from Xxxxxxxx.
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d.
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REIMBURSEMENT
OF LEGAL EXPENSES. In the event that Xxxxxxxx is successful,
whether in mediation, arbitration or litigation, in pursuing any claim or
dispute involving Xxxxxxxx’x Appointment with the Company, including any
claim or dispute relating to (a) this Agreement, (b) termination of
Xxxxxxxx’x Appointment with the Company or (c) the failure or refusal of
the Company to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the
Company shall promptly reimburse Xxxxxxxx for all costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) relating solely, or
allocable, to such successful
claim.
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e.
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LAW
GOVERNING. This Agreement shall be governed under the laws of
the State of Texas.
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f.
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SEVERABILITY. If
any provision hereof is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or
operation of any other provision and such invalid provision shall be
deemed to be severed from the
Agreement.
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g.
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WAIVERS. No
delay or omission by either party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall impair such right, power or privilege, nor shall
any single or partial exercise such right, power or privilege preclude any
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege.
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h.
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COUNTERPARTS. This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the
same document.
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i.
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CAPTIONS. The
captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms of provisions
hereof.
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j.
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REFERENCE
TO AGREEMENT. Use of the words “herein, “hereof,” “hereto,”
“hereunder” and the like in this Agreement refer to this Agreement only as
a whole and not to any particular section or subsection of this Agreement,
unless otherwise noted.
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k.
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SUCCESSORS. This
Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto, their heirs, administrators, successors, and
assigns.
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l.
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ASSIGNABILITY. This
Agreement and the rights and obligations thereunder may not be assigned by
any act of either party or by operation of law without the prior written
consent of each party. However, the Company may fulfill its
obligation to compensate Xxxxxxxx through one or more of its wholly owned
subsidiaries.
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m.
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GENDER
AND NUMBER. The masculine gender shall be deemed to denote the
feminine or neuter genders, the singular to denote the plural, and the
plural to denote the singular, where the context so
permits.
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[Signature
Page Attached]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement this 16th day
of June, 2009.
XXXXX
XXXXXXXX
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By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
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By:
/s/ Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, President and Chief Executive Officer
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XXXXX
XXXXXXXX
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