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Exhibit 10(l)
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of the 16th day of December, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), by and between Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxxx Xxxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is in its best interests
and that of its stockholders to assure that the Company will have the continued
dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or
occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein). The Company believes it
is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue
of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened
Change of Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and
dedication to the current Company and in the event of any threatened or pending
Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control that ensure that the compensation and
benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and that are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish
these objectives, the Company has entered into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. (a) "Effective Date" means the first
date during the Change of Control Period (as defined herein) on which a Change
of Control occurs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company
is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it
is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment
(1) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps reasonably
calculated to effect a Change of Control or (2) otherwise arose in connection
with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then "Effective Date" means the
date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) "Change of Control Period" means the period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided,
however, that, commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof, the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of
Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years
from such Renewal Date, unless, at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date, the
Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period
shall not be so extended.
(c) "Affiliated Company" means any company controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Company.
(d) "Change of Control" means:
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(1) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (B) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that, for purposes of this Section 1(d), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company or (iv) any acquisition by
any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections
1(d)(3)(A), 1(d)(3)(B) and 1(d)(3)(C).
(2) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.
(3) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a
"Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business
Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that
were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the
then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of
such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business
Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trus) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least
a majority of
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the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for
such Business Combination; or
(4) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(e) "Recent Annual Bonus Percentage" means the highest actual annual
bonus percentage awarded to the Executive under the Company's annual incentive
plans, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the
last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date.
(f) "Highest Annual Bonus Percentage" means the higher of (i) the
Executive's Recent Annual Bonus Percentage and (ii) sixty-five percent (65%).
(g) "Highest Annual Bonus" means an amount equal to the product of (i)
the Executive's Annual Base Salary at the Date of Termination and (ii) the
Highest Annual Bonus Percentage.
(h) "Bonus Payment Amount" means the amount actually paid to the
Executive pursuant to Section 13 of the Company's Incentive Bonus Plan or any
comparable provision of any successor annual bonus plan.
SECTION 2. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue
the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second
anniversary of the Effective Date (the "Employment Period").
SECTION 3. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (1) During
the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall
be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of
those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall
be performed at the office or location where the Executive was employed
immediately preceding the Effective Date or at any other location less than 35
miles from such office.
(2) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational
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institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do
not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that, to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION. (1) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary (the "Annual Base Salary"), which
Annual Base Salary shall be paid at a monthly rate at least equal to 12 times
the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary that
has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and the Affiliated
Companies in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in
which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least annually, beginning no more than 12 months
after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective
Date. Any increase in the Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce
any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. The Annual Base
Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term "Annual Base
Salary" shall refer to the Annual Base Salary as so increased.
(2) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash, determined as a percentage of Annual
Base Salary which shall not be less than the Recent Annual Bonus Percentage.
Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of
the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(3) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies, and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each
case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and the Affiliated Companies for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(4) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
participation in and shall receive all benefits under the Company's Executive
Life Insurance Plan and Estate
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Preservation Plan, and any other welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company and the Affiliated Companies (including,
without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
employee/spouse/dependent life insurance and travel accident insurance plans and
programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and the Affiliated Companies, but in no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits that are
less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans,
practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated
Companies.
(5) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and the Affiliated Companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
the Affiliated Companies.
(6) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial
planning services, parking benefits and fitness center membership, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and the Affiliated Companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(7) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided
to the Executive by the Company and the Affiliated Companies at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(8) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and the Affiliated Companies as in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and the Affiliated Companies.
(9) EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, upon termination of employment for any reason, the Employment
Period shall
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cease and the Executive shall have no further right to any of the payments or
benefits described in Sections 2 and 3.
SECTION 4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically if the Executive dies
during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability (as defined herein) of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of "Disability"), it may give to
the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of its intention
to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after
receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"),
provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not
have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. "Disability"
means the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company
on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity
due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent
by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. "Cause" means:
(1) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or any Affiliated
Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company that specifically identifies the manner in
which the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company believes that
the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(2) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this Section 4(b), no act, or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of
counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be
for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel for
the Executive, to be heard before the Board),
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finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of
the conduct described in Section 4(b)(1) or 4(b)(2), and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. "Good Reason" means:
(1) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 3(a), or any other action by the Company that
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and that is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(2) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of
Section 3(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure
not occurring in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly
after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(3) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or
location other than as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(B) or the Company's
requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially
greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(4) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(5) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
10(c).
For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of
Good Reason made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for
any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary
of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b).
"Notice of Termination" means a written notice that (1) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the extent
applicable, 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, and (3) if the Date of Termination (as defined herein)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Date of
Termination (which Date of Termination shall be not more than 30 days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth
in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the
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Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's respective rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (1) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified in the Notice of Termination, as the case may be, (2)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause
or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination, and (3) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
SECTION 5. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. (a) GOOD
REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company terminates the Executive's employment other than for Cause
or Disability or the Executive terminates employment for Good Reason:
(1) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination, the aggregate of the
following mounts:
(A) the sum of (i) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the
Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) the
product of (x) the Highest Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365,
reduced (but not below zero), if the Date of Termination occurs in the
same fiscal year as the Change of Control, by the Executive's Bonus
Payment Amount, (iii) if elected by the Executive, any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive under the Company's Supplemental
Savings Plan, Incentive Bonus Plan and/or Stock Equivalent Unit Plan
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon), and (iv) any
accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid
(the sum of the amounts described in subclauses (i), (ii), (iii) and
(iv), the "Accrued Obligations"); and
(B) the amount equal to the product of (i) three and (ii) the
sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Executive's
Highest Annual Bonus; and
(C) if elected by the Executive within 60 days following
execution of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Date, in lieu
of and substitution for the applicable portion of the Executive's
monthly benefit otherwise payable under the final paragraph of Article
IV, Section 1 or paragraph (a) of Article V, Section 3 of the
Company's Retirement Plan and the final paragraph of Section 3 of
Supplemental Retirement Plan (collectively, the "Retirement Plans"),
an
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amount equal to the excess of (i) the lump sum actuarial equivalent
(utilizing the interest rate and mortality table in effect for lump
sum distributions under the Retirement Plan immediately prior to the
Effective Date, and determined assuming benefit commencement as of the
Date of Termination) of the benefit under the Retirement Plans that
the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment continued
for three years after the Date of Termination, assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested and assuming that
the Executive's compensation in each of the three years is the Annual
Base Salary and Highest Annual Bonus, over (ii) the lump sum actuarial
equivalent (determined in the same manner as in clause (i) above) of
the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the
Retirement Plans as of the Date of Termination without regard to such
three years' compensation and service;
(2) for three years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or such
longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue welfare benefits to
the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those that
would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 3(b)(4) if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies and their families,
provided, however, that, if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan
during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining
the Executive's eligibility for retiree benefits pursuant to such welfare
plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered
to have remained employed until three years after the Date of Termination,
provided, however, that the Executive's commencement of such retiree
benefits shall not be any sooner than the Executive's earliest retirement
date under the Retirement Plans;
(3) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall
be selected by the Executive in the Executive's sole discretion; and
(4) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or that the Executive is eligible to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and the Affiliated Companies (such other amounts
and benefits, the "Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of the Other Benefits. The
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Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits"
as utilized in this Section 5(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and the
Affiliated Companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and the Affiliated Companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and the Affiliated Companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, the Company shall
have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement, except for
payment of the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of the
Other Benefits. The Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the
provision of the Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this
Section 5(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and the
Affiliated Companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance
with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if
any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their
families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's
family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and the Affiliated Companies and their families.
(d) CAUSE: OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment
is terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement, except for payment to
the Executive of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (2) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (3) the Other Benefits, in each case, to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement, except for payment of
the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of the Other
Benefits. In such case, all the Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
SECTION 6. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or the Affiliated Companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 11(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
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rights as the Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with the
Company or the Affiliated Companies. Amounts that are vested benefits or that
the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice
or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or the Affiliated
Companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement,
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
Section 7. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense, or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such
amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other
employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted
by law, all legal fees and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a
result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any
payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus, in each case, interest on any delayed
payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
SECTION 8. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company or
the Affiliated Companies to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or
payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 8) (the "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, collectively, the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (the "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, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) and 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 Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by KPMG Peat
Marwick or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by
the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") that shall
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provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive
within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there
has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations
required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall
be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days
of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result
of the 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 that will not have been made by the Company should have
been made (the "Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be
made hereunder. In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 8(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Company (or such
shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such
claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that the Company desires to contest such claim, the
Executive shall:
(1) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(2) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such
claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(3) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(4) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;
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provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 8(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest, and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
applicable taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole
option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund
or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to
prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in
a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which the Gross-Up
Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 8(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), a determination
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to
such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
SECTION 9. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or the Affiliated
Companies, and their respective businesses, which information, knowledge or data
shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by
the Company or the Affiliated Companies and which information, knowledge or data
shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts of the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After
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termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be
required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those persons designated
by the Company. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any mounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
SECTION 10. SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to the
Executive, and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be
assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. "Company" means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
if to the Executive:
Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxx
00 Xxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
if to the Company:
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Prudential Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such United States federal, state or local or foreign taxes as shall
be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Sections 4(c)(1) through 4(c)(5), shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a), prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's
employment may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time
prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further
rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date: (i) this
Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and (ii) if the Executive receives severance
benefits under Section 5(a), the Executive shall not be entitled to receive
severance pay or benefits under any other plan, program, policy or arrangement
of the Company providing severance benefits.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused
these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx 1/18/2000
--------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
XXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
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Title: S.V.P. - Personnel & Admin
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