AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.2
AMENDED
AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”),
dated and effective the 1st day of August 2007 (the “Effective
Date”) is made by and between CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, an adult resident of
Missouri (the “Executive”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS,
the Executive and the Company have previously entered into that certain
Employment Agreement dated January 20, 2006 (the "Old Employment
Agreement") and the parties desire to amend and restate in its entirety the
Old Employment Agreement;
WHEREAS,
it is the desire of the Company to assure itself of the services of Executive
by
engaging Executive as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
and the Executive desires to serve the Company on the terms herein
provided;
WHEREAS,
in connection with the entry into the Agreement, the Executive will
be
granted performance units and restricted shares of Company
Stock pursuant to the Company's 2001 Stock Incentive Plan,
as amended as of the date hereof (the “Special
Equity”);
WHEREAS,
Executive’s agreement to the terms and conditions of Sections 17 and 19
are a material and essential condition of Executive’s employment with the
Company hereafter under the terms of this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Certain
Definitions.
(a) “Xxxxx”
shall mean Xxxx X. Xxxxx (and his heirs or beneficiaries under his will(s),
trusts or other instruments of testamentary disposition), and any entity or
group over which Xxxx X. Xxxxx has Control and that constitutes a Person as
defined herein. For the purposes of this definition, “Control”
means the power to direct the management and policies of an entity
or to appoint
or elect a majority of its governing board.
(b) “Annual
Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.
(c) “Board”
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) “Bonus”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.
(e) The Company
shall have “Cause” to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder upon
Executive’s:
(i) Executive’s
breach of a material obligation (which, if curable, is not cured within ten
business (10) days after Executive receives written notice of such breach)
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or
representation under this Agreement
or breach of any fiduciary duty to the Company which, if curable, is not
cured
within ten business (10) days after Executive receives
written notice of such breach; or any act of fraud or knowing material
misrepresentation or concealment upon, to or from the Company or the
Board;
(ii) Executive’s
failure to adhere in any material respect to (i) the Company’s Code of Conduct
in effect from time to time and applicable to officers and/or employees
generally, or (ii) any written Company policy, if such policy is material to
the
effective performance by Executive of the Executive’s duties under this
Agreement, and if Executive has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure
this
failure to comply within a period of time which is reasonable under the
circumstances but not more than the thirty (30) day period after written notice
of such failure is provided to Executive; provided that if Executive
cures this failure to comply with such a policy and then fails again to comply
with the same policy, no further opportunity to cure that failure shall be
required;
(iii) Executive’s
misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of a material amount of the
Company’s funds or property;
(iv) Executive’s
conviction of, the entering of a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere
or no contest (or the equivalent), or entering into any pretrial diversion
program or agreement or suspended imposition of sentence, with respect to either
a felony or a crime that adversely affects or could reasonably be expected
to
adversely affect the Company or its business reputation; or the institution
of
criminal charges against Executive, which are not dismissed within sixty (60)
days after institution, for fraud, embezzlement, any felony offense involving
dishonesty or constituting a breach of trust or moral turpitude;
(v) Executive’s
admission of liability of, or finding of liability, for a knowing and deliberate
violation of any “Securities Laws.” As used herein, the term
“Securities Laws” means any federal or state law, rule or regulation governing
generally the issuance or exchange of securities, including without limitation
the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(vi) conduct
by Executive in connection with Executive’s employment that constitutes gross
neglect of any material duty or responsibility, willful
misconduct, or recklessness which, if curable, is not cured within
ten business (10) days after Executive receives written notice of such
breach;
(vii) Executive’s
illegal possession or use of any controlled substance, or excessive use of
alcohol at a work function, in connection with Executive’s duties, or on Company
premises; “excessive” meaning either repeated unprofessional use or any single
event of consumption giving rise to significant intoxication or unprofessional
behavior;
(viii) willful
or grossly negligent commission of any other act or failure to act in connection
with the Executive’s duties as an executive of the Company which causes or
reasonably may be expected (as of the time of such occurrence) to cause
substantial economic injury to or substantial injury to the business reputation
of the Company or any
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subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including, without limitation, any
material violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as described herein
below.
If
Executive commits or is charged with committing any offense of the character
or
type specified in subparagraphs 1(e)(iv), (v) or (viii) above, then the Company
at its option may suspend the Executive with or without pay. If the
Executive subsequently is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo
contendere (or equivalent plea) to, or enters into any type of suspended
imposition of sentence or pretrial diversion program with respect to, any such
offense (or any matter that gave rise to the suspension), the Executive shall
immediately repay any compensation paid in cash hereunder from the date of
the
suspension. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock
option or equity incentive plan or award agreement, all vesting and all lapsing
of restrictions on restricted shares shall be tolled during the period of
suspension and all unvested options and restricted shares for which the
restrictions have not lapsed shall terminate and not be exercisable by or issued
to Executive if during or after such suspension the Executive is convicted
of,
pleads guilty or nolo contendere (or equivalent plea) to, or enters
into any type of suspended imposition of sentence or pretrial diversion program
with respect to, any offense specified in subparagraphs 1(e)(iv), (v) or (viii)
above or any matter that gave rise to the suspension.
(f) “Change
of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any
Person is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as determined for purposes of
Regulation 13D-G, as currently in effect, of the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities representing the Applicable Percentage (as defined
below) or more of the total voting power of all of the Company’s then
outstanding voting securities. For purposes of this Section 1(f), the
term “Person” shall not include: (A) the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or
(C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering
of said securities, or (D) Xxxxx. For purposes of this Agreement, in
the case of a recapitalization or other exchange involving the exchange of
Company voting stock for the Company's debt, the group of debtholders that
acquires such Company voting stock as the result of such recapitalization or
exchange shall not be treated as a single Person solely by reason of such
recapitalization or exchange; or
(ii) the
occurrence of a 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 who were the “beneficial owners” (as determined for purposes of
Regulation 13D-G, as currently in effect, of the Exchange Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, securities representing
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or
such assets as the case may be) or the parent of such entity in substantially
the same proportionate ownership as in effect immediately prior to the Business
Combination (the “Resulting Entity”); and (B) a majority of the members of
the board of directors or other governing body of the Resulting Entity were
members of the Board at the
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time of the execution of the initial agreement, or at the time of the action
of
the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iii) the
consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
or
(iv) if
and when Xxxxx shall no longer have the power to appoint a majority of the
Board, during any period of two (2) consecutive calendar years, individuals
who
either (A) at the beginning of such period are members of the Board ("Incumbent
Directors"), or (B) whose election to the Board during such period is approved
by a vote of the majority of those members of the Board who are Incumbent
Directors at the time of such approval, whereupon such individual so approved
shall be treated as an Incumbent Director with respect to future approvals,
cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing subsections 1(f)(i) through (iii), a Change of Control shall
not include any transaction or series of transactions, including any
transactions described above if, following such transaction or transactions, (x)
Xxxxx has the largest percentage ownership of the voting securities in the
Company or any successor or surviving corporation held by any Person (other
than any Person that includes Xxxxx), provided such percentage ownership is
more
than twenty-five percent or (y) Xxxxx has the power to appoint a majority of
the
members of the Board of Directors.
For
purposes of this definition, (A) at all times that Xxxxx is or are the
“beneficial owner(s)” (as determined for purposes of Regulation 13D-G, as
currently in effect, of the Exchange Act) of securities representing in the
aggregate at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of all of
the
Company’s then outstanding voting securities, “Applicable Percentage” means
fifty percent (50%); and (B) at all times that Xxxxx is or are the beneficial
owner(s) of securities representing in the aggregate less than fifty percent
(50%) of the total voting power of all of the Company’s then outstanding voting
securities, “Applicable Percentage” means any percentage that is more than the
greater of (1) the percentage of the total voting power of all of the Company’s
then outstanding voting securities represented by securities beneficially owned
by Xxxxx or (2) twenty-five percent (25%).
(g) “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
(h) “Committee”
shall mean either the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board, or
a
Subcommittee of such Committee duly appointed by the Board or the
Committee.
(i) “Company”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(j) “Company
Stock” shall mean the $.10 par value common stock of the Company.
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(k) “Date
of Termination” shall mean (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by
Executive’s death, the date of Executive’s death and (ii) if Executive’s
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 14(a)(ii) – (vi), the date of
termination of employment, as defined in 409(A) regulations under the
Code.
(l) For
purposes of this Agreement, Executive will be deemed to have a “Disability” if,
due to illness, injury or a physical or medically recognized mental condition,
(a) Executive is unable to perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement with
reasonable accommodation for 120 consecutive days, or 180 days during any twelve
month period, as determined in accordance with this Section, or (b) Executive
is
considered disabled for purposes of receiving / qualifying for long term
disability benefits under any group long term disability insurance plan or
policy offered by Company in which Executive participates. The
Disability of Executive will be determined by a medical doctor selected by
written agreement of Company and Executive upon the request of either party
by
notice to the other, or (in the case of and with respect to any applicable
long
term disability insurance policy or plan) will be determined according to the
terms of the applicable long term disability insurance policy /
plan. If Company and Executive cannot agree on the selection of a
medical doctor, each of them will select a medical doctor and the two
medical doctors will select a third medical doctor who will determine whether
Executive has a Disability. The determination of the medical doctor
selected under this Section will be binding on both
parties. Executive must submit to a reasonable number of examinations
by the medical doctor making the determination of Disability under this Section,
and to other specialists designated by such medical doctor, and Executive hereby
authorizes the disclosure and release to Company of such determination and
all
supporting medical records. If Executive is not legally competent,
Executive’s legal guardian or duly authorized attorney-in-fact will act in
Executive’s stead under this Section for the purposes of submitting Executive to
the examinations, and providing the authorization of disclosure, required under
this Section.
(m) “Executive”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(n) “Good
Reason” shall mean any of the events described herein that occur without
Executive's prior written consent: (i) any reduction in Executive’s Annual Base
Salary, Target Bonus Percentage, or title except as permitted hereunder, (ii)
any failure to pay Executive's compensation hereunder when due; (iii) any
material breach by the Company of a term hereof; (iv) relocation
of Executive’s primary workplace to a location that is more
than fifty (50) miles from the office where Executive is then
assigned to work as Executive’s principal office; (v) a transfer or reassignment
to another executive of material responsibilities that have been assigned to
Executive (and were not identified by the Company to be assigned only on an
interim basis at the time of assignment or thereafter) and generally are part
of
the responsibilities and functions assigned to a Chief Financial Officer of
a public corporation or (vi) any change in reporting structure such that
Executive no longer reports directly to the "Chief Executive Officer (or
equivalent position, if there is no Chief Executive Officer)" (in each case
“(i)” through “(vi)” only if Executive objects in writing within 30 days after
being informed of such events and unless Company retracts and/or rectifies
the
claimed Good Reason within 30 days following Company’s receipt of timely written
objection from Executive); (vii) if within six months after a Change of Control,
Executive has not received an offer from the surviving company to continue
in
his or her position immediately prior to such Change of Control under at least
the same terms and conditions
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(except
that the value of equity-based compensation after such Change of Control
need
only be commensurate with the value of equity-based compensation given to
executives with equivalent positions in the surviving company, if any)as
set
herein; (viii) the Company's decision not to renew this Agreement at the
end of
its term, or (ix) the failure of a successor to the business of the Company
to
assume the Company's obligations under this Agreement in the event of a Change
of Control during its term.
(o) “Notice
of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(b).
(p) “Options”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7
(q) “Performance
Unit” and “Performance Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9
hereof.
(r) “Person”
shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(s) “Plan”
shall mean the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan as amended by the Company from time
to
time.
(s) “Restricted
Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.
(t) “Term”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
(u) "Voluntary"
and "Voluntarily" in connection with Executive's termination of employment
shall
mean a termination of employment resulting from the initiative of the Executive,
excluding a termination of employment attributable to Executive's death or
Disability. A resignation by Executive that is in response to a
communicated intent by the Company to discharge Executive other than for Cause
is not considered to be "Voluntary" and shall be considered to be a termination
by the Company for the purposes of this Agreement.
2.
Employment
Term. The
Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts his
employment, under the terms and conditions hereof, for the period (the
“Term”) beginning on the Effective Date hereof and terminating upon the
earlier of (i) April 30, 2010 (the “Initial Term”) and (ii) the Date
of Termination as defined in Section 1(k), and, if not terminated earlier,
will
be automatically renewed at the end of its Initial Term and on each anniversary
thereafter for a period of one (1) year unless either party shall give written
notice of cancellation to the other party not later than ninety (90) days prior
to the end of the Initial Term or anniversaries thereof.
3. Position
and Duties. Executive
shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, with such
responsibilities, duties and authority as are customary for such role,
including, but not limited to, overall management responsibility for financial
reporting in the Company. Executive shall devote all necessary
business time and attention, and employ Executive’s reasonable best efforts,
toward the fulfillment and execution of all assigned duties, and the
satisfaction of defined annual and/or longer-term performance
criteria.
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4. Place
of Performance. In connection with Executive’s
employment during the Term, Executive's initial primary workplace shall be
the
Company’s offices in or near St. Louis, MO except for necessary travel on
the Company’s business.
5. Annual
Base Salary. During the
Term, Executive shall receive a base salary at a rate not less than
$515,000.00 per annum (the “Annual Base Salary”), less standard
deductions, paid in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices for
executives, but no less frequently than monthly. The Annual Base
Salary shall compensate Executive for any official position or directorship
of a
subsidiary or affiliate that Executive is asked to hold in the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates as a part of Executive’s
employment responsibilities. No less frequently than annually
during the Term, the Committee, on advice of the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, shall review the rate of Annual Base Salary payable to Executive,
and
may, in its discretion, increase the rate of Annual Base Salary payable
hereunder; provided, however, that any increased rate shall thereafter
be the rate of “Annual Base Salary” hereunder.
6. Bonus. Except
as otherwise provided for herein, for each fiscal year or other period
consistent with the Company’s then-applicable normal employment practices during
which Executive is employed hereunder on the last day (the “Bonus Year”),
Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus in an amount up to 70 % of
Executive’s Annual Base Salary (the “Bonus” and bonuses at such
percentage of Annual Base Salary being the “Target Bonus”) pursuant to,
and as set forth in, the terms of the Executive Bonus Plan as such Plan may
be
amended from time to time, plus such other bonus payments, if any, as shall
be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, with such Bonus being paid
on or before February 28 of the year next following the Bonus Year, or as soon
as is administratively practicable thereafter (e.g., after the public disclosure
of the Company’s financial results for the prior year on SEC Form 10-K or on
such replacement form as the SEC shall determine, for those years as the
Company’s securities are traded publicly, and the Company’s annual financial
results are reported to the shareholders, for those (if any) years as the
Company’s securities are not traded publicly).
7.
Stock Options. The Company has previously
granted to Executive options to purchase shares of Company Stock as set forth
in
Exhibit A hereto, and may, in the Committee’s discretion, grant to Executive
additional options to purchase shares of Company Stock (all of such options,
collectively, the “Options”) pursuant to the terms of the Plan, any
successor plan and an associated Stock Option Agreement.
8.
Restricted Shares. The Company has previously
granted to Executive Restricted Shares of Company Stock as set forth in Exhibit
A hereto, and may, in the Committee’s discretion, grant to Executive Restricted
Shares (collectively, the “Restricted Shares”), which shall be subject to
restrictions on their sale as set forth in the Plan and an associated Restricted
Shares Grant Letter.
9.
Performance Shares Units. The Company
has previously granted to Executive Performance Share Units of which some have
been converted into Performance Shares (which are not aggregated in the forgoing
description of Restricted Shares) as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and may,
in
the Committee’s discretion, grant to Executive further Performance Share Units
(collectively, the “Performance Units”), which shall be subject to
restrictions on their sale as set forth in the Plan and an associated
Performance Unit Grant Letter.
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10.
Executive Cash Bonus Plan. Executive
currently is a participant in the Company’s 2005 Executive Cash Award Plan with
a Plan Award (as defined in such Plan) as set forth in Exhibit B and shall
remain a participant in such Plan under the terms therefore for the term of
this
Agreement.
11.
Benefits. Executive shall be entitled
to receive such benefits and to participate in such employee group benefit
plans, including life, health and disability insurance policies, and financial
planning services, and other perquisites and plans as are generally provided
by
the Company to its senior executives of comparable level and responsibility
in
accordance with the plans, practices and programs of the Company, as amended
from time to time.
12. Expenses. The
Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties
as an employee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s generally
applicable policies and procedures. Such reimbursement is subject to
the submission to the Company by Executive of appropriate documentation and/or
vouchers in accordance with the customary procedures of the Company for expense
reimbursement, as such procedures may be revised by the Company from time to
time hereafter.
13.
Vacations. Executive shall be entitled
to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy as in effect
from time to time provided that, in no event shall Executive be
entitled to less than three (3) weeks vacation per calendar
year. Executive shall also be entitled to paid holidays and personal
days in accordance with the Company’s practice with respect to same as in effect
from time to time.
14.
Termination.
(a) Executive’s
employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company, on the one hand, or
Executive, on the other hand, as applicable, without any breach of this
Agreement, under the following circumstances:
(i) Death. Executive’s
employment hereunder shall automatically terminate upon Executive’s
death.
(ii)
Disability. If Executive has incurred a
Disability, the Company may give Executive written notice of its intention
to
terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 14th day after
delivery of such notice to Executive, provided that within the 14 days
after such delivery, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance
of Executive’s duties. Executive may provide notice to the Company of
Executive's resignation on account of a bona fide Disability at any
time.
(iii) Cause. The
Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause effectively
immediately upon delivery of notice to Executive, taking into account any
procedural requirements set forth under Section 1(e) above.
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(iv) Good
Reason. Executive may terminate Executive’s employment herein for
Good Reason upon (i) satisfaction of any advance notice and other procedural
requirements set forth under Section 1(n) above for any termination pursuant
to
Section 1(n)(i) through (vi) or (ii) at least 30 days’ advance written notice by
the Executive for any termination pursuant to Section 1(n)(vii) through
(ix).
(v) Without
Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder
without Cause upon at least 30 days’ advance written notice to the
Executive.
(vi) Resignation
Without Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment
without Good Reason upon at least fourteen (14) days’ written notice to the
Company.
(b) Notice
of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment by the
Company or by Executive under this Section 14 (other than pursuant to Sections
14(a)(i)) shall be communicated by a written notice (the “Notice of
Termination”) to the other party hereto, indicating the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, setting forth in reasonable detail
any
facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and specifying a Date
of Termination which notice shall be delivered within the applicable time
periods set forth in subsections 14(a)(ii)-(vi) above ( the “Notice
Period”); provided that the Company may pay to
Executive all Annual Base Salary, benefits and other rights due to Executive
during such Notice Period instead of employing Executive during such Notice
Period.
(c) Resignation
from Representational Capacities. Executive hereby acknowledges
and agrees that upon Executive's termination of employment with the Company
for
whatever reason, [s]he shall be deemed to have, and shall have in fact,
effectively resigned from all executive, director or other positions with the
Company or its affiliates at the time of such termination of employment, and
shall return all property owned by the Company and in Executive’s possession,
including all hardware, files and documents, at that time.
(d) Termination
in Connection with Change in Control. If Executive’s employment
is terminated by the Company without Cause either upon or within thirty days
before or thirteen (13) months after a Change of Control, or prior to a Change
in Control at the request of a prospective purchaser whose proposed purchase
would constitute a Change in Control upon its completion, such termination
shall
be deemed to have occurred immediately before such Change in Control for
purposes of this Agreement and the Plan.
15. Termination
Pay
(a) Effective
upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Company will be obligated to pay
Executive (or, in the event of Executive’s death, the Executive’s designated
beneficiary as defined below) only such compensation as is provided in this
Section 15, except to the extent otherwise provided for in any Company stock
incentive, stock option or cash award plan (including, among others, the Plan),
approved by the Board. For purposes of this Section 15, Executive’s
designated beneficiary will be such individual beneficiary or trust, located
at
such address, as Executive may designate by notice to Company from time to
time
or, if Executive fails to
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give
notice to Company of such a beneficiary, Executive’s
estate. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Company will have no
duty, in any circumstances, to attempt to open an estate on behalf of Executive,
to determine whether any beneficiary designated by Executive is alive or to
ascertain the address of any such beneficiary, to determine the existence of
any
trust, to determine whether any person purporting to act as Executive’s personal
representative (or the trustee of a trust established by Executive) is duly
authorized to act in that capacity, or to locate or attempt to locate any
beneficiary, personal representative, or trustee.
(b) Termination
by Executive for Good Reason or by Company without Cause.
If prior to expiration of the Term, Executive terminates his or her
employment for Good Reason, or if the Company terminates Executive’s
employment other than for Cause or Executive’s death or Disability, Executive
will be entitled to receive, subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the
following:
(i) (A)
all Annual Base Salary and Bonus duly payable under the applicable plan for
performance periods ending prior to the Date of Termination, but unpaid as
of
the Date of Termination, plus (B) in consideration for Executive’s obligations
set forth in Section 19 hereof, an amount equal to two (2) times the Executive’s
then-current rate of Annual Base Salary and Target Bonus, which total sum shall
be payable following the Date of Termination in fifty-two (52) equal bi-weekly
installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices
provided that, if a Change of Control occurs (or is deemed pursuant to
Sec. 14(d) hereof to have occurred after such termination) during such
twenty-four (24) month period (and such Change of Control qualifies either
as a
“change in the ownership or effective control” of the Company or a “change in
the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company as such
terms are defined under Section 409A of the Code), any amounts remaining
payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in a single lump sum immediately
upon such Change of Control.
(ii) if
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause either
upon or within thirty days before or thirteen (13) months after a Change of
Control, or prior to a Change in Control at the request of a prospective
purchaser whose proposed purchase would constitute a Change in Control upon
its
completion, the Company shall treat as earned all unvested Performance Units
for
which the performance term has not expired as of such Change of Control at
the
rate calculated pursuant to the Plan and the applicable Grant Letter, and shall
immediately convert those Units into Restricted Shares and accelerate as of
the
Date of Termination the removal of restrictions on such shares.
(iii) all
reasonable expenses Executive has incurred in the pursuit of Executive’s duties
under this Agreement through the Date of Termination which are payable under
and
in accordance with this Agreement, which amount will be paid within thirty
(30)
days after the submission by Executive of properly completed reimbursement
requests on the Company’s standard forms;
(iv) a
lump sum payment (net after deduction of taxes and other required withholdings)
equal to twenty-four (24) times the monthly cost, at the time Executive’s
employment terminated, for Executive to receive under COBRA the paid coverage
for
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health,
dental and vision benefits then being provided for Executive at the Company’s
cost at the time Executive’s employment terminated. This amount will
be paid at the same
time the payment is made under Section 15(b)(i) and will not take into
account future increases in costs during the applicable time period;
and
(v) notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in any award agreement, Executive shall be deemed
to be
actively employed during the twenty-four (24) month period following termination
of employment for purposes of vesting of all stock options, performance units
and restricted stock; provided that if a Change of Control
occurs (or is deemed pursuant to Sec. 14(d) hereof to have occurred after such
termination) within such period, all remaining stock options that would
have vested in the twenty-four (24) month period shall vest, and all remaining
restricted stock and performance units whose restrictions would have lapsed
in
the twenty-four (24) month period shall have their restrictions
lapse immediately upon such Change of Control; provided, however, that with
respect to any equity-based compensation awards subject to Section 409A of
the
Code (as determined by independent tax counsel retained by the Company), vesting
and/or the lapse of restrictions will only be accelerated if such Change of
Control qualifies either as a “change in the ownership or effective control” of
the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the
assets” of the Company as such terms are defined under Section 409A of the Code,
or the first subsequent time at which such distribution may be made in
compliance with Section 409A of the Code; and
(vi)
pay the cost of up to twelve (12) months, as required, of executive-level
out-placement services (which provides as part of the outplacement the use
of an
office and secretarial support as near as reasonably practicable to Executive’s
residence).
provided,
however, any of the benefits described in Section 15(b)(i) through (vi)
that are due to be paid or awarded during the first six (6) months after the
Date of Termination shall, to the extent required to avoid the tax consequences
of Section 409A of the Code as determined by independent tax counsel, be
suspended and paid after the six (6) month anniversary of Executive’s Date of
Termination.
(c) The
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payments provided
in Section 15, by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount
of
any payment provided for in this Section 15 be reduced by any compensation
earned by Executive as a result of employment by another company or business,
or
by profits earned by Employee from any other source at any time before or after
the date of Termination, so long as Executive is not in breach of the
Agreement.
(d) Termination
by Executive without Good Reason or by Company for Cause. If
prior to the expiration of the Term or thereafter, Executive Voluntarily
terminates Executive’s employment prior to expiration of the Term without Good
Reason or if Company terminates this Agreement for Cause, Executive will be
entitled to receive Executive’s then-existing Annual Base Salary only through
the date such termination is effective and will be reimbursed for all reasonable
expenses Executive has incurred in the pursuit of Executive’s duties under this
Agreement through the date of termination which are payable under and in
accordance with this Agreement; any
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unvested
options and shares of restricted stock shall terminate as of the date of
termination unless otherwise provided for in any applicable plan or award
agreement; and Executive shall be entitled to no other compensation, bonus,
payments or benefits except as expressly provided in this
paragraph.
(e) Termination
upon Disability or Death. If Executive’s employment shall
terminate by reason of Executive’s Disability (pursuant to Section 14(a)(ii)) or
death (pursuant to Section 14(a)(i)), the Company shall pay to Executive, in
a
lump sum cash payment as soon as practicable following the Date of Termination,
all unpaid Annual Base Salary and Bonus previously earned for a performance
period ending prior to the Date of Termination, but unpaid as of the Date of
Termination, and the pro rata portion of their Bonus for such year
(when and as paid to other senior executives of the Company) for the Performance
Period in which the termination occurred. In the case of Disability,
if there is a period of time during which Executive is not being paid Annual
Base Salary and not receiving long-term disability insurance payments, the
Company shall make interim payments equal to such unpaid disability insurance
payments to Executive until commencement of disability insurance payments;
provided that, to the extent required to avoid the tax consequences of
Section 409A of the Code, as determined by independent tax counsel, the first
payment shall cover all payments scheduled to be made to Executive during the
first six (6) months after the date Executive’s employment terminates, and the
first such payment shall be delayed until the day that is six (6) months after
the date Executive’s employment terminates.
(f) Benefits.
Except as otherwise required by law, Executive’s accrual of, and participation
in plans providing for, the Benefits will cease at the effective Date of the
Termination of employment.
(g) Conditions
To Payments. To be eligible to receive (and continue to receive) and retain
the payments and benefits described in Sections 15(b)(i) and 15(e), Executive
must comply with the provisions of Sections 17, 18 and 19. In
addition, to be eligible to receive (and continue to receive) and retain the
payments and benefits described in Sections 15(b) and 15(e) Executive (or
Executive’s executor and personal representatives in case of death) must first
execute and deliver to Company, and comply with, an agreement, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Company, effectively releasing and giving
up all claims Executive may have against Company or any of its subsidiaries
or
affiliates (and each of their respective controlling shareholders, employees,
directors, officers, plans, fiduciaries, insurers and agents) arising out of
or
based upon any facts or conduct occurring prior to that date. The agreement
will
be prepared by Company, will be based upon the standard form (if any) then
being
utilized by Company for executive separations when severance is being paid,
and
will be provided to Executive at the time Executive’s employment is terminated
or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (not to exceed five (5)
business days). The agreement will require Executive to consult with
Company representatives, and voluntarily appear as a witness for trial or
deposition (and to prepare for any such testimony) in connection with, any
claim
which may be asserted by or against Company, any investigation or administrative
proceeding, any matter relating to a franchise, or any business matter
concerning Company or any of its transactions or operations. A copy
of the standard form release being used by Company as of the date of this
agreement for executive separations when severance is being paid is attached
to
this Agreement as Exhibit C. It is understood that the final
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12
document may not contain provisions specific to the release of a federal
age
discrimination claim if Executive is not at least forty (40) years of age,
and
may be changed as Company’s
chief legal counsel considers necessary and appropriate to enforce the same,
including provisions to comply with changes in applicable laws and recent
court
decisions. Payments
under and/or benefits provided by Section 15 will not be made unless and
until
Executive executes and delivers that agreement to Company within twenty-one
(21)
days after delivery
of the document (or such lesser time as Company’s chief legal counsel may
specify in the document) and all conditions to the effectiveness of that
agreement and the releases
contemplated thereby have been satisfied (including without limitation the
expiration of any applicable revocation period without revoking
acceptance).
(h) Survival. The
expiration or termination of the Term shall not impair the rights or obligations
of any party hereto which shall have accrued hereunder prior to
such
expiration, subject to the terms of any agreement containing a general
release provided by Executive.
16. Excess
Parachute Payment.
(a) Anything
in this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent
that any payment, distribution or acceleration of vesting to or for the benefit
of Executive by the Company (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code
and
the regulations thereunder), whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the "Total
Payments") is or will be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of
the Code (the "Excise Tax"), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but
not
below zero) to the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below) if and to the extent
that a reduction in the Total Payments would result in Executive retaining
a
larger amount, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and
local income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax), than if Executive
received the entire amount of such Total Payments in accordance with their
existing terms (taking into account federal, state, and local income and
employment taxes and the Excise Tax). For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Safe Harbor Amount” means the largest portion of the Total
Payments that would result in no portion of the Total Payments being subject
to
the Excise Tax. Unless Executive shall have given prior written
notice specifying a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing,
the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Total Payments, by first reducing
or
eliminating the portion of the Total Payments which are payable in cash and
then
by reducing or eliminating non-cash payments in such order as Executive shall
determine; provided that Executive may not so elect to the extent that, in
the
determination of the Determining Party (as defined herein), such election would
cause Executive to be subject to the Excise Tax. Any notice given by
Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the
provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing Executive's
rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation.
(b) The
determination of whether the Total Payments shall be reduced as provided in
Section 16(a) and the amount of such reduction shall be made at the Company's
expense by an accounting firm selected by Company from among the ten largest
accounting firms in the United States or by qualified independent tax counsel
(the “Determining Party”); provided that Executive shall be given
advance notice of the Determining Party selected by the Company, and shall
have
the opportunity to reject to the selection, within two business days of
being notified of the selection,
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13
on
the
basis of that Determining Party’s having a conflict of interest or other
reasonable basis, in which case the Company shall select an
alternative auditing firm among the ten largest accounting firms in
the United States or alternative independent qualified tax counsel, which shall
become the Determining Party. Such Determining Party shall provide
its determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed supporting
calculations and documentation to the Company and Executive within ten (10)
days
of the termination of Executive’s employment or at such other time mutually
agreed by the Company and Executive. If the Determining Party
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive with respect to the Total
Payments, it shall furnish Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable
to
Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to any such payments
and, absent manifest error, such Determination shall be binding, final and
conclusive upon the Company and Executive. If the Determining Party
determines that an Excise Tax would be payable, the Company shall have the
right
to accept the Determination as to the extent of the reduction, if any, pursuant
to Section 16(a), or to have such Determination reviewed by another accounting
firm selected by the Company, at the Company’s expense. If the two
accounting firms do not agree, a third accounting firm shall be jointly chosen
by the Executive Party and the Company, in which case the determination of
such
third accounting firm shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the Company
and Executive.
(c) If,
notwithstanding any reduction described in this Section 16, the IRS determines
that Executive is liable for the Excise Tax as a result of the receipt of any
of
the Total Payments or otherwise, then Executive shall be obligated to pay back
to the Company, within thirty (30) days after a final IRS determination or
in
the event that Executive challenges the final IRS determination, a final
judicial determination, a portion of the Total Payments equal to the “Repayment
Amount.” The Repayment Amount with respect to the payment of benefits
shall be the smallest such amount, if any, as shall be required to be paid
to
the Company so that Executive’s net after-tax proceeds with respect to the Total
Payments (after taking into account the payment of the Excise Tax and all other
applicable taxes imposed on the Payment) shall be maximized. The
Repayment Amount shall be zero if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would
not
result in Executive’s net after-tax proceeds with respect to the Total Payments
being maximized. If the Excise Tax is not eliminated pursuant to this
paragraph, the Executive shall pay the Excise Tax.
(d) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Section 16, if (i) there is a reduction in the
Total
Payments as described in this Section 16, (ii) the IRS later determines that
Executive is liable for the Excise Tax, the payment of which would result in
the
maximization of Executive’s net after-tax proceeds (calculated as if Executive’s
benefits had not previously been reduced), and (iii) Executive pays the
Excise Tax, then the Company shall pay to Executive those payments or benefits
which were reduced pursuant to this Section 16 as soon as administratively
possible after Executive pays the Excise Tax so that Executive’s net after-tax
proceeds with respect to the Total Payments are maximized.
17. Competition/Confidentiality.
(a) Acknowledgments
by Executive. Executive acknowledges that (a) during the Term and
as a part of Executive’s employment, Executive has been and will be afforded
access to Confidential Information (as defined below); (b) public disclosure
of
such Confidential Information could have an adverse effect on the Company and
its business; (c) because Executive
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14
possesses
substantial technical expertise and skill with respect to the Company’s
business, Company desires to obtain exclusive ownership of each invention
by
Executive while Executive is employed by the Company, and Company will be
at a
substantial competitive disadvantage if it fails to acquire exclusive ownership
of each such invention by Executive; and (d) the provisions of this Section
17
are reasonable and necessary to prevent the improper use or disclosure of
Confidential Information and to provide Company with exclusive ownership
of all
inventions and works made or created by Executive.
(b) Confidential
Information. (i) The Executive acknowledges that during the Term
Executive will have access to and may obtain, develop, or learn of Confidential
Information (as defined below) under and pursuant to a relationship of trust
and
confidence. The Executive shall hold such Confidential Information in
strictest confidence and never at any time, during or after Executive’s
employment terminates, directly or indirectly use for Executive’s own benefit or
otherwise (except in connection with the performance of any duties as an
employee hereunder) any Confidential Information, or divulge, reveal, disclose
or communicate any Confidential Information to any unauthorized person or entity
in any manner whatsoever.
(ii) As
used in this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall
include, but not be limited to, any of the following information relating to
Company learned by the Executive during the Term or as a result of Executive’s
employment with Company:
(A) information
regarding the Company’s business proposals, manner of the Company’s operations,
and methods of selling or pricing any products or services;
(B) the
identity of persons or entities actually conducting or considering conducting
business with the Company, and any information in any form relating to such
persons or entities and their relationship or dealings with the Company or
its
affiliates;
(C) any
trade secret or confidential information of or concerning any business operation
or business relationship;
(D) computer
databases, software programs and information relating to the nature of the
hardware or software and how said hardware or software is used in combination
or
alone;
(E) information
concerning Company personnel, confidential financial information, customer
or
customer prospect information, information concerning subscribers, subscriber
and customer lists and data, methods and formulas for estimating costs and
setting prices, engineering design standards, testing procedures, research
results (such as marketing surveys, programming trials or product trials),
cost
data (such as billing, equipment and programming cost projection models),
compensation information and models, business or marketing plans or strategies,
deal or business terms, budgets, vendor names, programming operations, product
names, information on proposed acquisitions or dispositions, actual performance
compared to budgeted performance, long-range plans, internal financial
information (including but not limited to financial and operating results for
certain offices, divisions, departments, and key market areas that are not
disclosed to the public in such form), results of
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internal
analyses, computer programs and programming information, techniques and designs,
and trade secrets;
(F) information
concerning the Company’s employees, officers, directors and shareholders;
and
(G) any
other trade secret or information of a confidential or proprietary
nature.
(iii) Executive
shall not make or use any notes or memoranda relating to any Confidential
Information except for uses reasonably expected by Executive to be for the
benefit of the Company, and will, at Company’s request, return each original and
every copy of any and all notes, memoranda, correspondence, diagrams or other
records, in written or other form, that Executive may at any time have within
his possession or control that contain any Confidential
Information.
(iv) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information which
has
come within the public domain through no fault of or action by Executive or
which has become rightfully available to Executive on a non-confidential basis
from any third party, the disclosure of which to Executive does not violate
any contractual or legal obligation such third party has to the Company or
its
affiliates with respect to such Confidential Information. None of the
foregoing obligations and restrictions applies to any part of the Confidential
Information that Executive demonstrates was or became generally available to
the
public other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive or by any other
person bound by a confidentiality obligation to the Company in respect of such
Confidential Information.
(v) Executive
will not remove from the Company’s premises (except to the extent such removal
is for purposes of the performance of Executive’s duties at home or while
traveling, or except as otherwise specifically authorized by Company) any
Company document, record, notebook, plan, model, component, device, or computer
software or code, whether embodied in a disk or in any other form (collectively,
the “Proprietary Items”). Executive recognizes that, as
between Company and Executive, all of the Proprietary Items, whether or not
developed by Executive, are the exclusive property of the
Company. Upon termination of Executive’s employment by either party,
or upon the request of Company during the Term, Executive will return to Company
all of the Proprietary Items in Executive’s possession or subject to Executive’s
control, including all equipment (e.g., laptop computers, cell phone,
portable e-mail devices, etc.), documents, files and data, and Executive shall
not retain any copies, abstracts, sketches, or other physical embodiment of
any
such Proprietary Items.
18. Proprietary
Developments.
(a) Any
and all inventions, products, discoveries, improvements, processes, methods,
computer software programs, models, techniques, or formulae (collectively,
hereinafter referred to as “Developments”), made, conceived, developed,
or created by Executive (alone or in conjunction with others, during regular
work hours or otherwise) during Executive’s employment, which may be
directly or indirectly useful in, or relate to, the business conducted or to
be
conducted by the Company will be promptly disclosed by Executive to
Company and shall be Company’s exclusive property. The term
“Developments” shall not be deemed to include
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inventions,
products, discoveries, improvements, processes, methods, computer software
programs, models, techniques, or formulae which were in the possession of
Executive prior to the Term. Executive hereby transfers and assigns
to Company all proprietary rights which Executive may have or acquire in
any
Developments and Executive waives any other special right which the Executive
may have or accrue therein. Executive will execute any documents and
to take any actions that may be required, in the reasonable determination
of
Company’s counsel, to effect and confirm such assignment, transfer and waiver,
to direct the issuance of patents, trademarks, or copyrights to Company with
respect to such Developments as are to be Company’s exclusive property or to
vest in Company title to such Developments; provided, however, that the expense
of securing any patent, trademark or copyright shall be borne by Company.
The
parties agree that Developments shall constitute Confidential
Information.
(b) “Work
Made for Hire.” Any work performed by Executive during
Executive’s employment with Company shall be considered a “Work Made for
Hire” as defined in the U.S. Copyright laws, and shall be owned by and for
the express benefit of Company. In the event it should be established
that such work does not qualify as a Work Made for Hire, Executive agrees to
and
does hereby assign to Company all of Executive’s right, title, and interest in
such work product including, but not limited to, all copyrights and other
proprietary rights.
19. Non-Competition
and Non-Interference.
(a) Acknowledgments
by Executive. Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the
services to be performed by Executive under this Agreement are of a special,
unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual character; (b) the Company
competes with other businesses that are or could be located in any part of
the
United States; and (c) the provisions of this Section 19 are reasonable and
necessary to protect the Company’s business and lawful protectable interests,
and do not impair Executive’s ability to earn a living.
(b) Covenants
of Executive. For purposes of this Section 19, the term
“Restricted Period” shall mean the period commencing as of the date of
this Agreement and terminating on the second anniversary (or, in the case of
Section 19(b)(i), the first anniversary), of the date Executive’s employment
terminated provided that the “Restricted Period” also shall encompass
any period of time from whichever anniversary date is applicable until and
ending on the last date Executive is to be paid any payment under Section 15
hereof. In consideration of the acknowledgments by Executive, and in
consideration of the compensation and benefits to be paid or provided to
Executive by Company, Executive covenants and agrees that during the Restricted
Period, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, for Executive’s own
benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity other than the
Company:
(i) in
the United States or any other country or territory where the Company then
conducts its business: engage in, operate, finance, control or be employed
by a
“Competitive Business” (defined below); serve as an officer or director of a
Competitive Business (regardless of where Executive then lives or conducts
such
activities); perform any work as an employee, consultant (other than as a member
of a professional consultancy, law firm, accounting firm or similar professional
enterprise that has been retained by the Competitive Business and where
Executive has no direct role in such professional consultancy and maintains
the
confidentiality of
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all
information acquired by Executive during his or her employment with the
Company), contractor, or in any other capacity with, a Competitive Business;
directly or indirectly invest or own any interest in a Competitive Business
(regardless of where Executive then lives or conducts such activities); or
directly or indirectly provide any services or advice to a any business, person
or entity who or which is engaged in a Competitive Business (other than as
a
member of a professional consultancy, law firm, accounting firm or similar
professional enterprise that has been retained by the Competitive Business
and
where Executive has no direct role in such professional consultancy and
maintains the confidentiality of all information acquired by Executive during
his or her employment with the Company). A “Competitive
Business” is any business, person or entity who or which, anywhere within
that part of the United States, or that part of any other country or territory,
where the Company conducts business; owns or operates a cable television system;
provides direct television or any satellite-based, telephone system-based,
internet based or wireless system for delivering television, music or other
entertainment programming (other than as an ancillary service, such as cellular
telephone providers); provides telephony services using any wired connection
or
fixed (as opposed to mobile) wireless application; provides data or internet
access services; or offers, provides, markets or sells any service or product
of
a type that is offered or marketed by or directly competitive with a service
or
product offered or marketed by the Company at the time Executive’s employment
terminates; or who or which in any case is preparing or planning to do so.
The
provisions of this Section 19 shall not be construed or applied (i) so as to
prohibit Executive from owning not more than five percent (5%) of any class
of
securities that is publicly traded on any national or regional securities
exchange, as long as Executive’s investment is passive and Executive does not
lend or provide any services or advice to such business or otherwise violate
the
terms of this Agreement in connection with such investment; or (ii) so as to
prohibit Executive from working as an employee in the cable television business
for a company/business that owns or operates cable television franchises (by
way
of current example only, Time Warner, Cablevision, Cox or Comcast), provided
that the company/business is not providing cable services in any political
subdivision/ geographic area where the Company has a franchise or provides
cable
services (other than nominal overlaps of service areas) and the company/business
is otherwise not engaged in a Competitive Business, and provided Executive
does
not otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement in connection with that
work;
(ii) contact,
solicit or provide any service to any person or entity that was a customer
franchisee, or prospective customer of the Company at any time during
Executive’s employment (a prospective customer being one to whom the Company had
made a business proposal within twelve (12) months prior to the time Executive’s
employment terminated); or directly solicit or encourage any customer,
franchisee or subscriber of the Company to purchase any service or product
of a
type offered by or competitive with any product or service provided by the
Company, or to reduce the amount or level of business purchased by such
customer, franchisee or subscriber from the Company; or take away or procure
for
the benefit of any competitor of the Company, any business of a type provided
by
or competitive with a product or service offered by the Company; or
(iii) solicit
or recruit for employment, any person or persons who are employed by Company
or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or who were so employed at any time
within a period of six (6) months immediately prior to the date Executive’s
employment terminated, or
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otherwise
interfere with the relationship between any such person and the Company; nor
will the Executive assist anyone else in recruiting any such employee to work
for another company or business or discuss with any such person his or her
leaving the employ of the Company or engaging in a business activity in
competition with the Company. This provision shall not apply to secretarial,
clerical, custodial or maintenance employees.
If
Executive violates any covenant contained in this Section 19, then the term
of
the covenants in this Section shall be extended by the period of time Executive
was in violation of the same.
(c) Provisions
Pertaining to the Covenants. Executive recognizes that the
existing business of the Company extends to various locations and areas
throughout the United States and may extend hereafter to other countries and
territories and agrees that the scope of Section 19 shall extend to any part
of
the United States, and any other country or territory, where the Company
operates or conducts business, or has concrete plans to do so at the time
Executive’s employment terminates. It is agreed that the Executive’s
services hereunder are special, unique, unusual and extraordinary giving them
peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated
for by damages, and in the event of the Executive’s breach of this Section,
Company shall be entitled to equitable relief by way of injunction or otherwise
in addition to the cessation of payments and benefits hereunder. If
any provision of Sections 17, 18 or 19 of this Agreement is deemed to be
unenforceable by a court (whether because of the subject matter of the
provision, the duration of a restriction, the geographic or other scope of
a
restriction or otherwise), that provision shall not be rendered void but the
parties instead agree that the court shall amend and alter such provision to
such lesser degree, time, scope, extent and/or territory as will grant Company
the maximum restriction on Executive’s activities permitted by applicable law in
such circumstances. Company’s failure to exercise its rights to enforce the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by the existence or non
existence of any other similar agreement for anyone else employed by Company
or
by Company’s failure to exercise any of its rights under any such
agreement.
(d) Notices. In
order to preserve Company’s rights under this Agreement, Company is authorized
to advise any potential or future employer, any third party with whom Executive
may become employed or enter into any business or contractual relationship
with,
and any third party whom Executive may contact for any such purpose, of the
existence of this Agreement and its terms, and Company shall not be
liable for doing so.
(e) Injunctive
Relief and Additional Remedy. Executive acknowledges that the
injury that would be suffered by Company as a result of a breach of the
provisions of this Agreement (including any provision of Sections 17, 18 and
19)
would be irreparable and that an award of monetary damages to Company for such
a
breach would be an inadequate remedy. Consequently, Company will have the
right, in addition to any other rights it may have, to obtain injunctive relief
to restrain any breach or threatened breach or otherwise to specifically enforce
any provision of this Agreement, and Company will not be obligated to post
bond
or other security in seeking such relief. Without limiting Company’s
rights under this Section or any other remedies of Company, if Executive
breaches any of the provisions of Sections 17, 18 or 19, Company will have
the
right to cease making any payments otherwise due to Executive under this
Agreement.
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19
(f) Covenants
of Sections 17, 18 and 19 are Essential and Independent
Covenants. The covenants by Executive in Sections 17, 18 and 19
are essential elements of this Agreement, and without Executive’s agreement to
comply with such covenants, Company would not have entered into this Agreement
or employed Executive. Company and Executive have independently
consulted their respective counsel and have been advised in all respects
concerning the reasonableness and propriety of such covenants, with specific
regard to the nature of the business conducted by
Company. Executive’s covenants in Sections 17, 18 and 19 are
independent covenants and the existence of any claim by Executive against
Company, under this Agreement or otherwise, will not excuse Executive’s breach
of any covenant in Section 17, 18 or 19. If Executive’s employment hereunder is
terminated, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect as is
necessary or appropriate to enforce the covenants and agreements of Executive
in
Sections 17, 18 and 19. The Company’s right to enforce the covenants
in Sections 17, 18 and 19 shall not be adversely affected or limited by the
Company’s failure to have an agreement with another employee with provisions at
least as restrictive as those contained in Sections 17, 18 or 19 , or by the
Company’s failure or inability to enforce (or agreement not to enforce) in full
the provisions of any other or similar agreement containing one or more
restrictions of the type specified in Sections 17, 18 and 19 of this
Agreement.
20. Executive’s
Representations And Further
Agreements.
(a) Executive
represents, warrants and covenants to Company that:
(i) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive nor the performance
of
any of Executive’s duties hereunder in accordance with the Agreement will
violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any order, judgment,
employment contract, agreement not to compete or other agreement or arrangement
to which Executive is a party or is subject;
(ii) On
or prior to the date hereof, Executive has furnished to Company true
and complete copies of all judgments, orders, written employment contracts,
agreements not to compete, and other agreements or arrangements restricting
Executive’s employment or business pursuits, that have current application to
Executive;
(iii) Executive
is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the subject
matter of this Agreement, and that prior to assenting to the terms of this
Agreement, or giving the representations and warranties herein, Executive has
been given a reasonable time to review it and has consulted with counsel of
Executive’s choice; and
(iv) Executive
has not provided, nor been requested by Company to provide, to Company, any
confidential or non public document or information of a former employer that
constitutes or contains any protected trade secret, and will not use any
protected trade secrets in connection with the Executive’s
employment.
(b) During
and subsequent to expiration of the Term, the Executive will cooperate with
Company, and furnish any and all complete and truthful information, testimony
or
affidavits in connection with any matter that arose during the Executive’s
employment, that in any way relates to the business or operations of the Company
or any of its parent or subsidiary corporations or affiliates, or of which
the
Executive may have any knowledge or involvement; and will consult
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
20
with
and
provide information to Company and its representatives concerning such
matters. Executive shall fully cooperate with Company in the
protection and enforcement of any intellectual property rights that relate
to
services performed by Executive for Company, whether under the terms of
this Agreement or prior to the execution of this Agreement. This
shall include without limitation executing, acknowledging, and delivering to
Company all documents or papers that may be necessary to enable Company to
publish or protect such intellectual property rights. Subsequent to
the Term, the parties will make their best efforts to have such cooperation
performed at reasonable times and places and in a manner as not to unreasonably
interfere with any other employment in which Executive may then be
engaged. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted
as requiring the Executive to provide any testimony, sworn statement or
declaration that is not complete and truthful. If Company requires
the Executive to travel outside the metropolitan area in the United States
where
the Executive then resides to provide any testimony or otherwise provide any
such assistance, then Company will reimburse the Executive for any reasonable,
ordinary and necessary travel and lodging expenses incurred by Executive to
do
so provided the Executive submits all documentation required under Company’s
standard travel expense reimbursement policies and as otherwise may be required
to satisfy any requirements under applicable tax laws for Company to deduct
those expenses. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted
as
requiring the Executive to provide any testimony or affidavit that is not
complete and truthful.
21. Mutual
Non-Disparagement. Neither
the Company nor Executive shall make any oral or written statement about the
other party which is intended or reasonably likely to disparage the other party,
or otherwise degrade the other party’s reputation in the business or legal
community or in the telecommunications industry.
22. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act. Executive
agrees to comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of
the
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”), as amended, which
provides generally that: under no circumstances will foreign officials,
representatives, political parties or holders of public offices be offered,
promised or paid any money, remuneration, things of value, or provided any
other
benefit, direct or indirect, in connection with obtaining or maintaining
contracts or orders hereunder. When any representative, employee, agent,
or other individual or organization associated with Executive is required to
perform any obligation related to or in connection with this Agreement, the
substance of this section shall be imposed upon such person and included in
any
agreement between Executive and any such person. Failure by Executive
to comply with the provisions of the FCPA shall constitute a material breach
of
this Agreement and shall entitle the Company to terminate Executive’s employment
for Cause.
23. Purchases
and Sales of the Company’s
Securities. Executive
has read and agrees to comply in all respects with the Company’s Policy
Regarding the Purchase and Sale of the Company’s Securities by Employees, as
such Policy may be amended from time to time. Specifically, and
without limitation, Executive agrees that Executive shall not purchase or sell
stock in the Company at any time (a) that Executive possesses material
non-public information about the Company or any of its businesses; and
(b) during any “Trading Blackout Period” as may be determined by the
Company as set forth in the Policy from time to time.
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
21
24. Indemnification. (a) If
Executive is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise
involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a "proceeding"), by reason of
the
fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or
is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit
plan (hereinafter, a "Covered Person"), whether the basis of such proceeding
is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or
agent
or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or
agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest
extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists
or
may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts
paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person
in
connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in
Section 24(c) hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to
indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such Covered Person in
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person
only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the
Board.
(b)
The
Corporation shall
pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by Executive in defending
any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter, an
"advancement of expenses"), provided, however, that, if the Delaware
General Corporation Law so requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by
Executive in his or her capacity as such shall be made only upon delivery to
the
Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, an "Undertaking"), by or on behalf
of such Executive, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately
be
determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right
to
appeal (hereinafter, a "Final Adjudication") that Executive was not entitled
to
be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 24 or
otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
expenses conferred in Subsections 24(a) and (b) hereof shall be contract
rights and such rights shall continue even after Executive ceases to be employed
by the Company and shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors
and administrators.
(c)
If a claim under Section 24(a) or (b) hereof is not paid in full by
the Company within sixty (60) days after a written claim therefore has been
received by the Company, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of
expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days,
Executive may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover
the unpaid amount of the claim. If Executive is successful in whole
or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Company to recover
an
advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, Executive
shall
be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such
suit. In (i) any suit brought by Executive to enforce a right to
indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by Executive to enforce
a
right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and
(ii) any suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses
pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Company shall be entitled to
recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, Executive has not met
the
applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither the
failure of the Company (including its disinterested directors, committee
thereof, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a
determination
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
22
prior
to
the commencement of such suit that indemnification of Executive is proper
in the
circumstances because the Executive has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination
by the Company (including its disinterested directors, committee thereof,
independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that Executive has not met
such
applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Executive
has
not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit
brought by Executive, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought
by Executive to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of
expenses hereunder, or brought by the Company to recover an advancement of
expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that
Executive is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses,
under this Section 24 or otherwise shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be on
the Company.
(d)
The
rights to
indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section
24
shall not be exclusive of any other right of indemnification which Executive
or
any other person may have or hereafter acquire by any statute, the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
(e) The
Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
25. Withholding. Anything
to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made by Company
hereunder to Executive or his estate or beneficiary shall be subject
to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll
deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant
to applicable law or regulation.
26. Notices. Any
written notice required by this Agreement will be deemed provided and delivered
to the intended recipient when (a) delivered in person by hand; or (b) three
days after being sent via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; or
(c)
the day after being sent via by overnight courier, in each case when such notice
is properly addressed to the following address and with all postage and similar
fees having been paid in advance:
|
If
to the Company:
|
Charter
Communications, Inc.
|
|
Attn.:
Human Resources
|
|
00000
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
|
If
to the Executive:
|
00000
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
|
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
23
Either
party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other
communications to such party shall be delivered personally or mailed by giving
written notice to the other party in the manner described above.
27. Binding
Effect. This
Agreement shall be for the benefit of and binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives,
successors and, where applicable, assigns.
28. Entire
Agreement. As
of the Effective Date, the Employee and the Company hereby irrevocably agree
that the Old Employment Agreement is hereby terminated in its entirety, and
neither party thereto shall have any rights or obligations under the Old
Employment Agreement, including but not limited to, in the case of the Employee,
any right to any severance payment or benefit. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the listed parties with respect to
the
subject matter described in this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings and arrangements, both oral and written, between the parties
with
respect to such subject matter, except to the extent said agreements,
understandings and arrangements are referenced or referred to in this
Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or
rescinded in any manner, except by written instrument signed by both of the
parties hereto; provided, however, that the waiver by either party of a breach
or compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or compliance. Except to the
extent the terms hereof are explicitly and directly inconsistent with the
terms of the Plan, nothing herein shall be deemed to override or replace the
terms of the Plan, including but not limited to sections 6.4, 9.4 and 10.4
thereof.
29. Severability. In
case any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held by any
court of competent jurisdiction or any arbitrator selected in accordance with
the terms hereof to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such
provision shall have no force and effect, but such holding shall not affect
the
legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement
provided that the provisions held illegal, invalid or unenforceable does not
reflect or manifest a fundamental benefit bargained for by a party
hereto.
30. Assignment. Subject
to the Executive’s right to terminate in the event of a Change of Control
hereunder, this Agreement can be assigned by the Company only to a company
that
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company and
which assumes all of the Company’s obligations hereunder. The duties
and covenants of Executive under this Agreement, being personal, may not be
assigned or delegated except that Executive may assign payments due hereunder
to
a trust established for the benefit of Executive’s family or to Executive’s
estate or to any partnership or trust entered into by Executive and/or
Executive’s immediate family members (meaning, Executive’s spouse and lineal
descendants). This agreement shall be binding in all respects on
permissible assignees.
31. Notification. In
order to preserve the Company’s rights under this Agreement, the Company is
authorized to advise any third party with whom Executive may become employed
or
enter into any business or contractual relationship with, or whom Executive
may
contact for any
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
24
such
purpose, of the existence of this Agreement and its terms, and the Company
shall
not be liable for doing so.
32. Choice
of Law/Jurisdiction This Agreement is deemed to be accepted and
entered into in St. Louis County, Missouri. Executive and the Company intend
and
hereby acknowledge that jurisdiction over disputes with regard to this
Agreement, and over all aspects of the relationship between the parties hereto,
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri without giving effect
to
its rules governing conflicts of laws. Executive agrees that in any
suit to enforce this Agreement, or as to any dispute that arises between the
Company and the Executive regarding or relating to this Agreement and/or any
aspect of Executive’s employment relationship with Company, venue and
jurisdiction are proper in the County of St. Louis, and (if federal jurisdiction
exists) the United States District Court for the Eastern Division of Missouri
in
St. Louis, and Executive waives all objections to jurisdiction and venue in
any
such forum and any defense that such forum is not the most convenient
forum.
33. Section
Headings. The
section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only
and
shall not affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
34. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument.
[remainder
of page intentionally left blank]
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
25
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date
and year first above written.
Charter
Communications, Inc.
By:
/s/ Xxxx
Xxxx
Name:
Xxxx Xxxx
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Address: _________________________
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
26
Charter
Communications
Grant
Summary Report
Exhibit
A
Activity
as of 6/25/2007
Grant
Date
|
Grant
Type
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Granted
|
Exercised
|
Canceled
|
Subject
to Repurchase
|
Outstanding
|
Vested
|
Outstanding
Exercisable
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001
Non-Qualified Stock Option
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1/20/2006
|
Non-Qualified
|
$ |
1.19
|
1,000,000
|
250,000
|
0
|
0
|
750,000
|
250,000
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2/6/2006
|
Restricted
|
$ |
0.00
|
50,000
|
16,667
|
0
|
0
|
33,333
|
16,667
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
3/10/2006
|
Restricted
|
$ |
0.00
|
83,700
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
83,700
|
0
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
3/10/2006
|
Restricted
|
$ |
0.00
|
50,220
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
50,220
|
0
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
3/10/2006
|
Non-Qualified
|
$ |
1.00
|
145,800
|
36,450
|
0
|
0
|
109,350
|
36,450
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
3/9/2007
|
Non-Qualified
|
$ |
2.835
|
57,300
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
57,300
|
0
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
3/9/2007
|
Restricted
|
$ |
0.00
|
133,741
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
133,741
|
0
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Optionee
Total
|
1,520,761
|
303,117
|
0
|
0
|
1,217,644
|
303,117
|
0
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plan
Total
|
1,520,761
|
303,117
|
0
|
0
|
1,217,644
|
303,117
|
0
|
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
27
Exhibit
B
Executive
Cash Award Plan
Charter
- Approved Prototype July 31, 2007
28