Exhibit 10.9
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 3, 1999, is made
by and between DESTIA COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation, having its
principal office at 00 Xxxxx 00 Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 ("Destia") and
Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxx ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Destia desires to employ Executive and Executive desires to
provide services to Destia;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the other mutual
covenants and conditions contained herein and for other good and valuable
consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged,
Destia and Executive agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Employment and Term. (a) Destia hereby employs Executive
commencing as of the date of consummation of the initial public offering of the
common stock of Destia (the "Commencement Date"). The initial term of
Executive's employment shall be five years, subject to earlier termination as
specified herein (the "Employment Term"). Any renewal or extension of the
Employment Term and this Agreement shall be subject to the mutual agreement of
Executive and Destia, subject to Section 8 hereof.
(b) Executive shall be employed as the Chief Executive Officer of Destia,
with powers and duties consistent with such position, for the duration of the
Employment Term. In addition, Destia shall cause Executive to be nominated for
election to the Board of Directors of Destia at each election of directors that
occurs during the Employment Term. Executive shall report to the Board of
Directors of Destia.
(c) Executive shall be employed at offices of Destia maintained for
Executive in the New York metropolitan area.
SECTION 2. Full-Time Employment. (a) During Executive's employment by
Destia, Executive shall devote Executive's entire business time, energy and
skill to the performance of Executive's duties hereunder and to the business of
Destia. Executive shall faithfully and diligently perform such duties, shall
adhere to the instructions of the Board of Directors of Destia and shall use his
best efforts to promote the interests of Destia consistent with the foregoing.
Executive shall adhere to all corporate policies of Destia and, to the extent
applicable to Executive's duties hereunder, Destia's subsidiaries and
affiliates. Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of
any partnership, or as an officer, director or executive of any other
corporation, partnership or other organization, be actively engaged in or
concerned with any other duties or pursuits which interfere with the performance
of his duties hereunder, or which may be inimical to or contrary to the best
interests of Destia. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be
entitled to devote a reasonable portion of his time to civic responsibilities,
charitable organizations and personal financial matters so long as such
activities do not interfere with the Executive's responsibilities hereunder.
(b) Executive represents and warrants that he is free to be employed by
Destia upon the terms contained in this Agreement and that he is not a party to
any employment contract or restrictive covenant or other arrangement which could
reasonably be expected to prevent, interfere with or hinder, or be deemed to be
breached by, full performance of his duties hereunder.
SECTION 3. Compensation. (a) Base Salary. For all services rendered by
Executive in any capacity during Executive's employment under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, service as an executive, officer, or member of
any committee of Destia or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Destia agrees
to pay or cause to be paid to Executive a base salary at the rate of not less
than $500,000 per annum (effective as of January 1, 1999), payable in equal
installments in accordance with the prevailing salary payment practices of
Destia in effect from to time (the "Base Salary"). In addition, in the event
Executive is promoted during Executive's employment under this Agreement,
Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed and increased effective upon the
effective date of such promotion to take into account Executive's increased
responsibilities. In the event that sickness or accident disability payments
under Destia's insurance programs shall become payable to Executive in respect
of any period of Executive's employment hereunder the salary installment payable
to Executive hereunder in respect of his Base Salary on the next succeeding
salary installment payment date shall be an amount computed by subtracting (i)
the amount of such disability payments which shall have become payable during
the period between such date, from (ii) the salary installment otherwise payable
to Executive hereunder in respect of his Base Salary on such date
(b) Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual bonus payment
from Destia to be awarded and payable in accordance with Destia's bonus program
for senior executives. Executive's annual target bonus shall be 50% of
Executive's base salary. Destia's bonus program for senior executives shall
provide that Executive shall be entitled to a bonus payment of up to 100% of
base salary for superior performance. Any bonus in excess of the aforementioned
amounts shall be paid at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of Destia
and shall be made to the extent, at such time and in such amount as determined
by the Board of Directors of Destia in its sole discretion.
(c) Intentionally omitted.
(d) Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in medical,
dental, life insurance and other benefits (collectively, the "Benefits") in
accordance with the prevailing policies of Destia for executive employees.
SECTION 4. Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to an annual vacation of
four (4) weeks (without deduction in salary or other compensation or Benefits).
Such vacation shall be taken at such time or times as may be convenient to the
operations of Destia and shall be consistent with the prevailing vacation
policies of Destia. Within 10 days of the termination or expiration of the
Employment Term, any accrued but unused vacation earned by Executive shall be
paid to Executive at the rate of Executive's base salary at the time of
termination or expiration of the Employment Term.
SECTION 5. Reimbursement for Expenses. Executive is authorized to incur
reasonable and necessary traveling expenses and other reasonable and necessary
traveling expenses and other reasonable and necessary disbursements for or on
behalf of Destia in the performance of Executive's duties during Executive's
employment under this Agreement in accordance with Destia's prevailing expense
incurrence policies. Destia will reimburse Executive for all such expenses in
accordance with its prevailing expense reimbursement policies upon presentation
of a properly itemized account of such expenditures and the business reasons for
such expenditures. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to an additional
payment of up to $1000 per month for automotive expenses.
SECTION 6. Termination of Employment By Destia. (a) Termination. Executive
shall be subject to dismissal from his position as an executive of Destia at any
time and with or without Cause. The effect of any termination of the employment
of Executive with Cause is set forth in Section 8(a) hereof. The effect of any
termination of the employment of Executive without Cause is set forth in Section
8(d) hereof.
(b) Definition of Cause. The term "Cause" shall be defined to include: (i)
any wilful breach by Executive of the performance of any of his duties pursuant
to this Agreement; (ii) any wilful breach by Executive of any other obligation
under this Agreement; (iii) any attempt by Executive to secure any personal
profit in connection with the business of Destia, other than as expressly
provided for in this Agreement; (iv) failure by Executive to devote sufficient
business time to the affairs of Destia; (v) material breach by Executive of any
of the representations or warranties contained in this Agreement; (vi)
activities of Executive inimical to the best interests of Destia; provided,
however, that such activities shall not include mistakes in business judgment
made in good faith; (vii) conviction of, or a plea of nolo contendere to, a
felony or any act of fraud, whether or not related to the affairs of Destia;
(viii) subject to Sections 6(c) and 6(d) below, death or disability of
Executive; and (ix) any other dishonesty, moral turpitude or other misconduct
that, in the absence of any agreement in writing between the parties hereto,
would entitle Destia to terminate Executive's employment in accordance with its
prevailing employment policies; provided further, however, that in the event of
actions allegedly constituting Cause pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (v) or
(vi) that are susceptible to cure, Destia shall provide Executive with no less
than thirty (30) days' notice of such deficiencies prior to any termination as a
result there of and during such prior notice period shall afford Executive the
opportunity to remedy such deficiencies to Destia's reasonable satisfaction.
(c) Termination by Reason of Incapacity. In the event that Executive
suffers a disability which prevents him from substantially performing his duties
under this Agreement for a period of at least sixty (60) calendar days within a
365-calender day period (whether consecutive or non-consecutive) (a
"Disability"), Destia shall have the right to dismiss Executive for Cause upon
ten (10) calendar days written notice. In the event of any dispute between
Destia and Executive as to whether Executive has suffered a Disability, the
determination of whether Executive has suffered a Disability shall be made by an
independent physician selected by Destia (subject to Executive's reasonable
consent), and the decision of such physician shall be binding upon Destia and
Executive.
(d) Termination by Death. In the event Executive dies during the
Employment Term, this Agreement shall terminate automatically, such termination
to be effective on the date of Executive's death.
SECTION 7. Termination of Employment By Executive. The employment of
Executive under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been terminated by
Executive for "Good Reason" if Executive voluntarily terminates employment
following the occurrence of a material breach by Destia of any of its
obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that Executive shall
provide written notice of such material breach within thirty (30) days after
Executive's discovery of such material breach and Destia shall have the
opportunity to cure such default within thirty (30) days after receipt of such
written notice. If Destia does not cure the default within such time, then
Executive's employment shall be deemed to have been terminated for Good Reason
by Executive, thirty (30) days after receipt of such written notice by Destia,
or such shorter period as Destia may elect. No resignation or other voluntary
termination by Executive other than pursuant to this Section 7 shall be deemed
under any circumstances to be a termination with Good Reason, a "constructive
termination" or otherwise not in breach of Executive's obligations under this
Agreement.
SECTION 8. Effect of Termination. (a) For Cause; Without Good Reason. In
the event of termination of this Agreement (x) by Destia for Cause (except by
reason of death or Disability) or (y) by Executive without Good Reason, Destia
shall pay to Executive any Base Salary accrued but not paid to Executive prior
to the date of such termination and Executive shall be entitled to any Benefits
which may then be due under any of the benefit or other plans in which Executive
is a participant. Executive shall forfeit any right to any bonus not previously
paid to Executive by Destia and shall not be entitled to any further
compensation or benefits hereunder (including, without limitation, the
Benefits).
(b) By Reason of Executive's Death. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement by reason of the death of the Executive, Destia (i) shall pay
Executive's legal representatives (A) any unpaid salary installment in respect
to Executive's Base Salary to the last day of the month in which Executive's
death occurs, and (B) any bonus previously awarded but not yet paid to the
Executive and (ii) shall continue to provide (subject to any applicable
eligibility criteria) any medical and dental benefits comprising part of the
Benefits (or comparable benefits) to the spouse and any dependents of Executive
at the time of Executive's death, for a period equal to the longer of
twelve (12) months from the last day of the month in which Executive's death
occurs and the remainder of the Employment Term.
(c) By Reason of the Incapacity of the Executive. In the event of the
termination of this Agreement by reason of the Disability of the Executive,
Destia (i) shall pay the Executive (A) Executive's Base Salary to the last day
of the month in which such termination occurs and (B) any bonus previously
awarded but not yet paid to the Executive and (ii) shall continue to provide
(subject to any applicable eligibility criteria) any medical benefits comprising
part of the Benefits (or comparable benefits) to Executive, Executive's spouse
and any dependants of Executive who enjoyed such medical benefits at the time of
Executive's Disability, for a period equal to the longer of twelve (12) months
from the last day of the month in which such termination occurs and the
remainder of the Employment Term.
(d) Without Cause; For Good Reason; Non-Renewal. In the event of (x)
termination of this Agreement (1) by Destia without Cause or (2) by Executive
for Good Reason or (y) the failure of Destia to make a binding offer to
Executive for a renewal of the Employment Term for at least two years on terms
no less favorable to Executive than the terms applicable to Executive's
employment immediately prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, Destia
(i) shall pay the Executive (A) Executive's Base Salary through the date of
termination, in accordance with its prevailing salary payment practices (as
determined by Destia in its sole discretion), (B) within thirty (30) days of
such termination, a severance payment in the amount equal to the greater of (1)
the Base Salary payable to Executive for the remainder of the Employment Term
and (2) two years' Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of termination
plus two (2) year's bonuses based on such Base Salary using the average of the
actual bonus percentages used by Destia in the payment of bonuses to Executive
during the two (2) years prior to such termination and (C) within thirty (30)
days of termination any bonus previously awarded to but not yet paid to
Executive and (ii) shall continue to provide Executive with Benefits (or
comparable benefits), including (subject to applicable eligibility criteria)
medical benefits comprising a portion of the Benefits (or comparable benefits)
in respect of Executive's spouse and any dependents of the Executive as of the
date of such termination, until the latter of (A) two years following the date
of termination and (B) the remainder of the Employment Term. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that any termination in accordance with this Section
8(d) shall occur within two years following a Change of Control (as defined in
the Destia 1999 Flexible Incentive Plan), the amounts payable to Executive
pursuant to subsection 8(d)(i)(B) and the period for which Benefits will be
provided pursuant to subsection 8(d)(ii) above shall be increased to the greater
of three (3) years from the date of termination or the remainder of the
Employment Term, and Executive shall be entitled to an additional payment equal
to the amount of any excise taxes payable by Executive pursuant to Section 4999
of the Code as a result of such termination plus all federal, state and local
taxes applicable taxes applicable to Destia's payment of such excise taxes,
including any additional excise taxes due under Section 4999 of the Code with
respect to payments made pursuant to this provision, including any such taxes
resulting from the acceleration of options or other benefits. The determination
of the amounts required to be paid under this Employment Agreement shall be made
by a nationally recognized United States public accounting firm which may be the
independent public accounting firm used by
Destia to audit its financial statements. In addition, upon any such termination
in accordance with this Section 8(d), all options granted to Executive in
accordance with the terms of the Plan (or any comparable incentive plan) shall
become immediately vested and exercisable.
(e) Sole Remedy. Executive shall not be entitled to any form of severance
benefits, including, without limitation, benefits otherwise payable under any of
Destia's regular severance policies, other than those set forth herein. In
consideration of the compensation and benefits available hereunder, Executive,
except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, unconditionally
releases Destia and its present and future Affiliates, directors, officers,
employees and agents, or any of them, from any and all claims, liabilities and
obligations of any nature pertaining to termination of Executive's employment
hereunder. Executive and Destia further agree that upon any termination of
Executive's employment in accordance with the terms hereof, each of Executive
and Destia shall act in good faith in connection with any such termination and
neither Executive nor Destia shall disparage or otherwise defame the business
reputation of the other party hereto.
SECTION 9. Non-Competition and Permitted Business Activities. Non-Compete
During Employment Term. (a) Executive agrees that during the Employment Term of
this Agreement, except with the written consent of Destia, such Executive shall
not (i) accept any form of employment with remuneration from any business
related to the provision of telecommunications services (a "Competing Business")
or (ii) hold any beneficial ownership interest, directly or indirectly, in any
Competing Business; provided however, that none of the foregoing shall prohibit
Executive from owning, for the purpose of passive investment, less than 5% of
any class of securities of another publicly-held corporation.
(b) Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement, and for a
period of twelve (12) consecutive months after termination of employment for any
reason, Executive shall not, except in the course of his duties hereunder,
directly or indirectly induce or attempt to induce or otherwise counsel, advise,
solicit or encourage any person to leave the employ of Destia (or any subsidiary
or affiliate thereof) to accept employment with any person or entity other than
Destia.
(c) Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement, and for a
period of twelve (12) consecutive months after termination of such employment
for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce or
attempt to solicit, induce or otherwise counsel, advise, or encourage any
customer, agent, dealer, distributor or consultant of Destia (or any subsidiary
or affiliate thereof) to become a customer, agent, dealer, distributor or
consultant, directly or indirectly, of another person or entity other than
Destia.
SECTION 10. Ownership of Work Product. (a) Executive acknowledges that
during the Employment Term, he may conceive of, discover, invent or create
inventions, improvements, new contributions, literary property, material, ideas
and discoveries, whether patentable or copyrightable or not (collectively, "Work
Product"), and that various business opportunities may be presented to
him by reason of his employment by Destia. Executive acknowledges that, unless
Destia otherwise agrees in writing, all such Work Product and business
opportunities shall be owned by and belong exclusively to Destia and that he
shall have no personal interest therein.
(b) Executive shall further, unless Destia otherwise agrees in writing,
(i) promptly disclose any such Work Product and business opportunities to
Destia, (ii) assign to Destia, upon request and without additional compensation,
the entire rights to such Work Product and business opportunities, (iii) execute
all documents necessary to carry out the foregoing and (iv) give testimony in
support of his inventorship or creation in any appropriate case upon request of
the senior management of Destia. Executive agrees that he will not assert any
rights to any Work Product or business opportunity as having been made or
acquired by him prior to the date of this Agreement except for Work Product or
business opportunities, if any, disclosed to and acknowledged by Destia in
writing prior to the date hereof.
(c) The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive for a period of three
(3) years following expiration, cancellation or other termination of this
Agreement.
SECTION 11. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information. (a) Executive
shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Destia all Confidential
Information (as defined below) and shall not, during the term of Executive's
employment hereunder or after the termination of such employment, communicate or
divulge any Confidential Information to, or use any Confidential Information for
the benefit of, any person (including Executive) other than Destia, affiliates
of Destia or persons designated in writing by Destia. "Confidential Information"
shall mean customer lists, costs and specifications of Destia's products and
services, know-how, trade secrets, financial data, operational methods,
marketing and sales information, marketing plans and strategies, business plans,
personnel information, research projects, development plans or projects and all
other information of a proprietary nature. Upon termination of Executive's
employment with Destia for any reason whatsoever, Executive shall promptly
return to Destia any documents or other written, recorded or graphic matter
containing, relating or referring to any Confidential Information (and all
copies and extracts thereof and any notes relating thereto) in Executive's
possession or control and deliver to Destia a written confirmation that all such
Confidential Material has been so returned.
(b) The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive for a period of three
(3) years following expiration, cancellation or other termination of this
Agreement.
SECTION 12. Liability for Actions or Inactions; Indemnification. (a)
Executive shall not be liable, in damages or otherwise, to Destia for any act or
failure to act on behalf of Destia, performed within the scope of his authority
conferred by the terms of his employment under this Agreement, unless such act
or omission constituted Cause or fraudulent or willful misconduct, was performed
or omitted in bad faith or constituted gross negligence.
(b) Destia shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive from and against
any and all claims, losses, damages and expenses incurred by reason
of any acts, omission or alleged acts or omissions undertaken or
omitted (a) in the good faith belief that such act or omission was
in furtherance of the business of Destia; (b) not in contravention
of this Agreement; and (c) not in contravention of the standard set
forth in Section 12(a) hereof, incurred as a result of any actual or
threatened civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action,
proceeding or claim; provided, however, that if Executive ultimately
is found by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any arbitrator
to have acted or omitted to act in a manner which is in
contravention of the standard set forth in any of the foregoing
clauses (a), (b) or (c), Executive shall repay all amounts paid or
reimbursed by Destia. Destia shall not be required to indemnify
Executive for any amount paid or payable by Executive in the
settlement of any action, proceeding or investigation agreed to
without the written consent of Destia (which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld or delayed). Promptly after receipt by
Executive of notice of his involvement in any action, proceeding or
investigation, Executive shall, if a claim in respect thereof for
indemnification is to be made by Executive against Destia under this
Section, notify Destia in writing of such involvement. No failure by
Executive to so notify Destia shall relieve Destia from the
obligation to indemnify Executive unless and to the extent that
Destia shall have been actually prejudiced by such failure. To the
extent it wishes, Destia shall be entitled to assume the defense of
any action that is the subject of this Section; provided, however,
that Executive may retain his own counsel (i) at his own expense in
order to participate in such defense, and (ii) at the expense of
Destia if representation of both Executive and Destia would, in the
reasonable judgment of Executive, be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them.
(c) The provisions of this Section 12 shall survive following
expiration, cancellation or other termination of this Agreement
until all liability under all applicable statutes of limitations is
barred.
(c) The provisions of this Section 12 are in addition to any
indemnification rights that Executive may have pursuant to Destia's
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, or policies application to
executive-employees of Destia.
SECTION 13. Entire Agreement. (a) This entire Agreement, together with the
Incentive Stock Option Agreement that is an Exhibit hereto, contains the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, both written and
oral, of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof including the
Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997.
SECTION 14. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Service of Process. (a) This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York (other than its rules of conflicts of laws to the extent that
the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby).
(b) With respect to any suit, action, or proceedings relating to this
Agreement ("Proceedings"), the parties irrevocably:
(i) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the
State of New York and the United States District Court located in the
Borough of Manhattan in New York City; and
(ii) waive any objection that they may have at any time to the
laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court; waive any
claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum;
and further waive the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings,
that such court does not have jurisdiction over such party.
(c) The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the
manner provided for notices in Section. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect
the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 15. Specific Enforcement. If Executive breaches, or threatens to
commit a breach of, any of the provisions of Sections 9, 10 or 11 hereof, Destia
shall have the right and remedy to have such provision specifically enforced by
any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such
breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to Destia and that
money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to Destia. Nothing in this
Section 15 shall be construed to limit the right of Destia to collect money
damages in the event of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof.
SECTION 16. Third Party Beneficiaries. None of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any third party (other
than Executive's heirs and representatives), including, without limitation, any
creditor of Destia or of Executive. No such third party shall obtain any right
under any provision of this Agreement or shall by reason of any such provision
make any claim in respect of any debt, liability, or obligation (or otherwise)
against Destia.
SECTION 17. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect
of any litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement and Executive's
employment by Destia. Each party (a) certifies that no representative, agent or
attorney of the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such
other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing
waiver; and (b) acknowledges that it has been induced to enter into this
Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications set
forth in this Section.
SECTION 18. Expenses. Each party hereto shall assume and pay its own
expenses incident to the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, the
preparation for carrying it into effect and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each
party shall pay all legal fees and other fees to consultants and advisors
incurred by it relating to this Agreement and such transactions and shall
indemnify and hold the other party harmless from and against any claims for such
expenses and fees.
SECTION 19. Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended and the terms hereof may be waived,
only by a written instrument signed by each party, or, in the case of a waiver,
by the party waiving compliance. Except where a specific period for action or
inaction is provided herein, no delay on the part of a party in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. Neither
any waiver on the part of a party of any such right, power or privilege, nor any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege shall preclude
any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or
privilege.
SECTION 20. Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
hand or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified or express mail or
reputable overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered
by hand, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one business day in the case of
express mail or overnight courier service), as follows:
if to Destia:
Destia Comunications, Inc.
00 Xxxxx 00 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
if to Executive:
at the then current address for Executive maintained in the Destia
employee files.
SECTION 21. Calculations. All calculations of Dollar amounts hereunder
shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent. Equidistant amounts shall be rounded
upwards.
SECTION 22. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the
application of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held
invalid, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to
other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby;
provided, however, that the parties shall negotiate in good faith with respect
to an equitable modification of the provision or application thereof held to be
invalid. To the extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, each
party hereto hereby waives any provision of law, which renders any provision of
this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect.
SECTION 23. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties, and their legal representatives, and permitted
successors and assigns.
SECTION 24. Captions. All headings, paragraph titles and captions
contained in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for
reference and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this
Agreement or the intent of any provisions hereof.
SECTION 25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be on original and all of which, when taken
together, shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
DESTIA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
XX. XXXXXX XXXX
_______________________________
