EXHIBIT 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made as of March 1, 1997 by and among
Donnelley Enterprise Solutions Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxx Xxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive as its President,
Systems Management Group division ("SMG"), and the Executive desires to
accept such employment, for the term and upon the conditions set forth in
this Agreement.
Agreement
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Now, therefore, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Company offers and the Executive hereby accepts employment,
effective as of March 1, 1997.
2. Term. Subject to earlier termination as hereafter provided, the
Executive shall be employed hereunder for an original term commencing on the
Effective Date and ending at 5:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the fourth anniversary
of the Effective Date, or such later date to which the parties may agree. The
term of this Agreement is hereafter referred to as "the term of this Agreement"
or "the term hereof".
3. Capacity and Performance.
3.1. Offices. During the term hereof and for the compensation
described in Section 4 below, the Executive shall serve as the Division
President, SMG division. The Executive shall be subject to the direction
of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or
any one of them to whom the Executive then reports, hereinafter referred to
as the "Reporting Executive"), and shall have such other powers, duties and
responsibilities consistent with the Executive's position as President, SMG
division, as may from time to time be prescribed by the Reporting
Executive. In addition, for so long as the Executive is employed by the
Company and, unless otherwise determined by the Reporting Executive,
without further compensation, the Executive shall serve as a director of
one or more of the Company's subsidiaries if so elected or appointed from
time to time.
3.2. Performance. During the term hereof, the Executive shall be
employed by the Company and shall perform and discharge (faithfully,
diligently and to the best of the
Executive's ability) such duties and responsibilities on behalf of the
Company and its subsidiaries as may be designated from time to time by the
Reporting Executive. During the term hereof, the Executive shall devote the
Executive's full business time and attention to the advancement of the
business and interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and to the
discharge of the Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder. Nothing
contained herein shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the Executive
from (a) serving in various capacities in community, civic, religious or
charitable organizations, (b) serving as a member of the boards of non-
affiliated entities provided such entities do not compete with the Company
and such service does not create a conflict of interest as determined by
the Board, or (c) attending to personal business and investment matters. It
is expressly agreed that any such service or activity permitted by the
previous sentence shall not unreasonably interfere with the performance of
the Executive's duties and, if so, the Executive, after consultation with
the Board, will comply with the reasonable requests to cease or limit the
service or activity.
4. Compensation and Benefits. As compensation for all services performed
by the Executive under this Agreement and performance of the Executive's duties
and of the obligations to the Company and its subsidiaries, pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise and subject to Section 5 hereof:
4.1. Base Salary. During the term hereof, the Company shall pay the
Executive a base salary at the rate of $175,000 per year, payable in
accordance with the payroll practices of the Company for its executives but
no less than monthly and subject to increase at any time or from time to
time by the Reporting Executive in his or her sole discretion. Such base
salary, as from time to time increased, is hereafter referred to as the
"Base Salary". The Base Salary payable to the Executive in 1997 shall be
prorated for the period from the Effective Date through December 31, 1997
and for any subsequent period of service less than one full year.
4.2. Bonus Compensation. During the term hereof, the Company from
time to time shall pay the Executive an annual bonus (the "Bonus"). The
Bonus in respect of 1997 (the "1997 Bonus") will be calculated as follows:
The Company will calculate the dollar amount of the 1997 SMG Bonus pursuant
to Section 4.2.1. below and the dollar amount of the 1997 DESI Bonus
pursuant to Section 4.2.2. below, adjust such amounts in accordance with
Section 4.2.3, and pay to the Executive the sum of such amounts:
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4.2.1. (a) If the Targeted Operating Income (as defined below) for the
SMG Division for calendar year 1997 (the "1997 SMG TOI"), is less than 70%
x Base SMG Target (the "Minimum SMG Target"), the 1997 SMG Bonus shall
equal zero;
(b) If the 1997 SMG TOI is equal to or greater than the Minimum SMG
Target but less than (TBD) (the "Base SMG Target"), the 1997 SMG Bonus
shall equal the number obtained by multiplying 30% of the Executive's 1997
Salary by a fraction (which shall not be greater than one), the numerator
of which is the difference between the 1997 SMG TOI and the Minimum SMG
Target and the denominator of which is the amount determined by subtracting
the Minimum SMG Target from the Base SMG Target;
(c) If the 1997 SMG TOI is equal to or greater than the Base SMG
Target but less than 150% x SMG Target (the "Maximum SMG Target"), the 1997
SMG Bonus shall equal the sum of the number obtained by multiplying 60% of
the Executive's 1997 Salary by a fraction (which shall not be greater than
one), the numerator of which is the difference between the 1997 SMG TOI and
the Base SMG Target and the denominator of which is the amount determined
by subtracting the Base SMG Target from the Maximum SMG Target; or
(d) If the 1997 SMG TOI is equal to or greater than the Maximum SMG
Target, the 1997 SMG Bonus shall equal 60% of the Executive's 1997 Salary.
4.2.2. (a) If the Adjusted Operating Income (as defined below) for
DESI taken as a whole for calendar year 1997 (the "1997 DESI AOI"), is less
than 70% x Base DESI Target (the "Minimum DESI Target"), the 1997 DESI
Bonus shall equal zero;
(b) If the 1997 DESI TOI is equal to or greater than the Minimum DESI
Target but less than (TBD) (the "Base DESI Target"), the 1997 DESI Bonus
shall equal the sum of the number obtained by multiplying 10% of the
Executive's 1997 Salary by a fraction (which shall not be greater than
one), the numerator of which is the difference between the 1997 DESI AOI
and the Minimum DESI Target and the denominator of which is the amount
determined by subtracting the Minimum DESI Target from the Base DESI
Target;
(c) If the 1997 DESI TOI is equal to or greater than the Base
DESI Target
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but less than 150% x Base DESI Target (the "Maximum DESI Target"), the
1997 DESI Bonus shall equal the sum of the number obtained by
multiplying 20% of the Executive's 1997 Salary by a fraction (which
shall not be greater than one), the numerator of which is the
difference between the 1997 DESI TOI and the Base DESI Target and the
denominator of which is the amount determined by subtracting the Base
DESI Target from the Maximum DESI Target; or
(d) If the 1997 DESI TOI is equal to or greater than the Maximum
DESI Target, the 1997 DESI Bonus shall equal 20% of the Executive's
1997 Salary.
4.2.3. Any compensation paid to the Executive as Bonus shall be
in addition to the Base Salary. The 1997 Bonus payable to the
Executive shall be pro-rated for any period of service less than a
full year by multiplying (x) the amount of the Bonus calculated for
such year by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days from and including January 1 of such year through and including
the effective date of the Executive's termination of employment and
the denominator of which is 365. All bonus and benefit plans are
subject to annual review and change by the Board relative to key
strategic objectives for the year.
4.3. Vacations. During the term hereof, the Executive shall be
entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation per annual vacation period of the
Company, such vacation to be taken at such times and intervals as shall be
determined by the Executive in the Executive's reasonable discretion. The
Executive may not accumulate or carry over from one calendar year to
another any unused, accrued vacation time, unless the Reporting Executive
determines that business demands require deferral and carry over of
vacation from any year into up to the first six (6) months of the
succeeding year. The Executive shall not be entitled to compensation for
vacation time not taken, except that upon termination of employment, the
Executive shall be paid for all vacation time accrued but not taken.
4.4. Other Benefits. During the term hereof and subject to any
contribution therefor generally required of executives of the Company, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans
and other programs (including, but not limited to, any medical, dental,
retirement, disability, life insurance, sick leave and other benefits) from
time to time adopted by the Board and in effect for executives of the
Company generally, except to the extent such plans are in a category of
benefit otherwise already provided to the Executive. Such participation
shall be subject to (i) the terms of the
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applicable plan documents, (ii) generally applicable Company policies and
(iii) the discretion of the Board or any administrative or other committee
provided for in or contemplated by such plan. The Company may alter,
modify, add to or delete its employee benefit plans at any time as the
Board, in its sole judgment, determines to be appropriate.
4.5. Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the
Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred or paid by the
Executive in the performance of the Executive's duties and responsibilities
hereunder, subject to (i) any expense policy of the Company set by the
Board from time to time, and (ii) such reasonable substantiation and
documentation requirements as may be specified by the Board from time to
time.
4.6. Severance. In the event the Executive's employment with the
Company is (i) terminated by the Company other than for Cause in accordance
with Section 5.4 or (ii) terminated by the Executive in accordance with
Section 5.5, the Executive will be entitled to receive twenty-four (24)
monthly payments equal to the Executive's then applicable Base Salary
calculated on a monthly basis at the time of such termination (i.e., 1/12th
of the Base Salary), paid on the last day of a calendar month.
5. Termination of Employment and Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 2 hereof, the Executive's employment hereunder shall
terminate prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement under the
following circumstances:
5.1. Retirement or Death. In the event of the Executive's retirement
or death during the term hereof, the Executive's employment hereunder shall
immediately and automatically terminate. In the event of the Executive's
retirement after the age of sixty-five, age fifty-five with the prior
consent of the Board or death during the term hereof, the Company shall pay
to the Executive (or in the case of death, the Executive's designated
beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been designated by the Executive, to
the Executive's estate) (i) Base Salary earned but unpaid through and
including the date of such retirement or death, (ii) any amount payable
pursuant to Section 4.6, (iii) any unpaid portion of any Bonus for any
fiscal year preceding the year in which such retirement or death occurs
that was earned but had not previously been paid and (iv) at the times the
Company pays its executives bonuses in accordance with its general payroll
policies, any Bonus which would have been paid had such retirement or death
not occurred during the fiscal year of such retirement or death (pro-rated
based on a formula, the numerator of which shall be the number of days
during the fiscal year of such retirement or death in which the Executive
was employed by the Company and the denominator of which shall be 365 or
366, as the case may be).
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5.2. Disability.
5.2.1. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder, upon written notice to the Executive, in the event that the
Executive becomes disabled during the Executive's employment hereunder
through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a
physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is unable to
perform substantially all of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities hereunder for an aggregate of one hundred eighty
(180) days during any period of three hundred and sixty-five (365)
consecutive calendar days.
5.2.2. The Board may designate another employee to act
temporarily in the Executive's place during any period of the
Executive's disability. Notwithstanding any such designation, the
Executive shall continue to receive the Base Salary in accordance with
Section 4.1 and to receive benefits in accordance with Section 4.5, to
the extent permitted by the then current terms of the applicable
benefit plans, until the Executive becomes eligible for disability
income benefits under any disability income plan maintained by the
Company or until the termination of the Executive's employment,
whichever shall first occur. Upon becoming so eligible, or upon such
termination, whichever shall first occur, the Company shall pay to the
Executive (i) Base Salary earned but unpaid through and including the
date of such eligibility or termination, (ii) any amount payable
pursuant to Section 4.6, (iii) any unpaid portion of any Bonus for any
fiscal year preceding the year in which such eligibility or
termination occurs that was earned but had not previously been paid
and (iv) at the times the Company pays its executives bonuses in
accordance with its general payroll policies, any Bonus which would
have been paid had disability not occurred during the fiscal year in
which such eligibility or termination occurs (pro-rated based on a
formula, the numerator of which shall be, as applicable, (i) the
number of days from and including January 1 of the fiscal year in
which such eligibility occurs to but excluding the date of such
eligibility or (ii) the number of days on which the Executive was
employed by the Company during the fiscal year in which such
termination occurs and the denominator of which shall be 365 or 366,
as the case may be).
5.2.3.Except as provided in Section 5.2.2, while receiving
disability income payments under any disability income plan maintained
by the Company, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any
Base Salary under Section 4.1 or
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Bonus payments under Section 4.2 but shall continue to participate in
the Company's benefit plans in accordance with Section 4.5 and the
terms of such plans, until the termination of the Executive's
employment. During the twelve (12) month period from and including the
date of termination, the Company shall pay for the cost of the
Executive's participation in the Company's group medical and dental
plans, provided that the Executive is entitled to continue such
participation under applicable law and the terms of such plan.
5.2.4. If any question shall arise as to whether during any
period the Executive is disabled through any illness, injury, accident
or condition of either a physical or psychological nature so as to be
unable to perform substantially all of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities hereunder, the Executive may, and at the request of
the Company shall, submit to a medical examination by a physician
either (i) mutually selected by the Company and the Executive or the
Executive's duly appointed guardian or (ii) failing mutual agreement,
a physician selected by each of a physician selected by the Company
and a physician selected by the Executive, to determine whether the
Executive is so disabled and such determination shall for the purposes
of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. If such question shall
arise and the Executive shall fail to submit to such medical
examination, the Board's determination of the issue shall be binding
on the Executive.
5.3. By the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder for Cause as provided in Section 11.2. If
the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated for Cause, the Company
shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive relating to
the Executive's employment hereunder, or the termination thereof, except
that the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) Base Salary earned but
unpaid through and including the date of termination, (ii) any amount
payable pursuant to Section 4.6, and (iii) any other amounts accrued by the
Executive but unpaid through and including the date of termination (it
being understood that a Bonus does not accrue until December 31 of the year
on which such Bonus is based).
5.4. By the Company other than for Cause. The Company may terminate
the Executive's employment hereunder other than for Cause at any time after
the Effective Date upon two weeks prior written notice to the Executive.
In the event of such termination, then the Company shall pay the Executive
(i) Base Salary earned but unpaid through and including the date of
termination, (ii) any amount payable pursuant to Section 4.6, (iii) the
amounts specified in Section 4.7, (iv) any unpaid portion of any Bonus for
any fiscal year preceding the year in which such termination occurs that
was
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earned but had not previously been paid, (v) at the times the Company
pays its executives bonuses in accordance with its general payroll
policies, any Bonus which would have been paid had termination not occurred
during the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (pro-rated based on
a formula, the numerator of which shall be the number of days during the
fiscal year in which such termination occurs the Executive was employed by
the Company and the denominator of which shall be 365 or 366, as the case
may be), and (vi) any other amounts accrued by the Executive but unpaid
through and including the date of termination. In addition, 100% of the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to each option, including the
Options, held by the Executive on the date of such termination and which
are then unexercisable shall become exercisable as of the date of such
termination, and such Options may be exercised for a period up to ninety
(90) days following termination of the Executive's employment.
5.5. By the Executive upon Breach or for Good Reason. The Executive
may terminate the Executive's employment hereunder (i) in the event that
the Company fails to perform, in any material respect, its obligations
under this Agreement, after written notice to the Company setting forth in
reasonable detail the nature of such breach if such breach remains uncured
for a period of 30 days following such written notice to the Company
provided that said notice shall not be required in the event of repeated,
intentional or willful failure to perform by the Company, (ii) there is a
material diminution in the responsibilities, duties and powers of the
Executive, or (iii) the Executive's offices are moved from their present
location to a location outside of the New York metropolitan area. In the
event of termination in accordance with this Section 5.5, then the Company
shall pay to the Executive (i) Base Salary earned but unpaid through and
including the date of termination, (ii) any amount payable pursuant to
Section 4.6, (iii) the amounts specified in Section 4.7, (iv) any unpaid
portion of any Bonus for any fiscal year preceding the year in which such
termination occurs that was earned but had not previously been paid, (v) at
the times the Company pays its executives bonuses in accordance with its
general payroll policies, any Bonus which would have been paid had
termination not occurred during the fiscal year in which such termination
occurs (pro-rated based on a formula, the numerator of which shall be the
number of days during the fiscal year in which such termination occurs the
Executive was employed by the Company and the denominator of which shall be
365 or 366, as the case may be), and (vi) any other amounts accrued by the
Executive but unpaid through and including the date of termination. In
addition, 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each
option, including the Options, held by the Executive on the date of such
termination and which are then unexercisable shall become exercisable as of
the date of such termination, and such Options may be exercised for a
period up to ninety (90) days following termination of the Executive's
employment.
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5.6. By the Executive Other than upon Breach or for Good Reason. The
Executive may terminate the Executive's employment hereunder at any time
upon ninety (90) days' written notice to the Company. In the event of
termination of the Executive pursuant to this Section 5.6, the Board may
elect to waive the period of notice, or any portion thereof, and, whether
or not the Board so elects, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) Base
Salary for the full notice period, (ii) any amount payable pursuant to
Section 4.6, (iii) at the times the Company pays its executives bonuses in
accordance with its general payroll policies, any Bonus which would have
been paid had termination not occurred during the fiscal year in which such
termination occurs (pro-rated as set forth in Section 5.5 above), and (iv)
any other amounts accrued by the Executive but unpaid through and including
the date of termination.
5.7. Post-Agreement Employment. In the event the Executive remains
in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates following termination
of this Agreement, by the expiration of the term hereof or otherwise, then
such employment shall be at will, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
6. Effect of Termination. The provisions of this Section 6 shall
apply in the event of termination due to the expiration of the term of this
Agreement, pursuant to Section 5 or otherwise.
6.1. Receipt of Certain Benefits. It is the mutual intention of the
Company and the Executive that the Executive receive the full benefit of
the compensation and benefits provided to the Executive during the term
hereof which compensation and benefits may be payable over periods beyond
the particular year of employment. The Executive shall not be obligated to
seek other employment by way of mitigation of the amounts due to the
Executive nor shall the Executive's earnings after termination reduce the
Company's obligations hereunder. Nothing in this Section 6.1 is intended
or shall be construed to affect the rights and obligations of the Company
and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Executive, on the other, with
respect to any loans, stock pledge arrangements, option plans or other
agreements to the extent said rights or obligations survive termination of
employment under the provisions of the documents relating thereto.
6.2. Termination of Health and Welfare Benefits. Except for medical
and dental insurance coverage continued pursuant to Sections 5.2 hereof and
any right of continuation of health coverage to the extent provided by
Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA, health and welfare benefits shall
terminate pursuant to the terms of the applicable benefit plans based on
the date of termination of the Executive's employment without
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regard to any continuation of Base Salary or other payments to the
Executive following such date of termination pursuant to Section 5.
6.3. Survival of Certain Provisions. Provisions of this Agreement
shall survive any termination if so provided herein or if necessary or
desirable fully to accomplish the purposes of such provision, including,
without limitation, the obligations of the Executive under Sections 7 and 8
hereof. The obligation of the Company to make payments to or on behalf of
the Executive under Sections 4.7, 5.4 or 5.5 hereof is expressly
conditioned upon the Executive's continued full performance of obligations
under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive recognizes that, except as
expressly provided in Section 4.7, 5.4 or 5.5, no compensation is earned
after termination of employment.
7. Confidential Information; Intellectual Property.
7.1. Confidentiality. The Executive acknowledges that the Company
and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information, that the
Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its
Affiliates and that the Executive may learn of Confidential Information
during the course of employment. The Executive will comply with the
policies and procedures of the Company for protecting Confidential
Information and shall never disclose to any Person (except as required by
applicable law or for the proper performance of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates), or use for the
Executive's own benefit or gain or otherwise use in a manner adverse to the
interests of the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information
obtained by the Executive incident to the Executive's employment or other
association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. The Executive
understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after the
Executive's employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such
termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive's covenant not to
disclose Confidential Information does not apply to information which (i)
becomes generally available to the public or otherwise becomes known
through sources other than the Executive, (ii) is subsequently disclosed to
the Executive by a source other than the Company who was under no duty of
confidence or (iii) is required to be disclosed by the Executive through
discovery in litigation or by order of a court or otherwise as required by
law.
7.2. Return of Documents. All documents, records, tapes and other
media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or
otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in
part, thereof (the "Documents"), whether or not prepared by the Executive,
shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates,
provided, however, that Executive shall in all cases be entitled to retain
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copies of documents relating to the Executive's employment rights,
compensation, benefits or other obligations of the Company to the Executive
and the Executive to the Company. The Executive shall safeguard all
Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time the Executive's
employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Board or its
designee may specify, all Documents then in the Executive's possession or
control.
7.3. Assignment of Rights to Intellectual Property. The Executive
shall promptly and fully disclose all Intellectual Property to the Company.
The Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company (or as
otherwise directed by the Company) the Executive's full right, title and
interest in and to all Intellectual Property. The Executive agrees to
execute any and all applications for domestic and foreign patents,
copyrights or other proprietary rights and to do such other acts (including
without limitation the execution and delivery of instruments of further
assurance or confirmation) requested by the Company to assign the
Intellectual Property to the Company and to permit the Company to enforce
any patents, copyrights or other proprietary rights to the Intellectual
Property. The Executive will not charge the Company for time spent in
complying with these obligations. All copyrightable works that the
Executive creates shall be considered "work made for hire".
8. Agreement not to Compete with the Business. The Executive agrees that
during the term of the Executive's employment hereunder and for a period of two
(2) years following the date of termination thereof (the "Non-Competition
Period"), the Executive will not, directly or indirectly (a) own, manage,
operate, control or participate in any manner in the ownership, management,
operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner,
director, principal, consultant, agent or otherwise with, or have any financial
interest in, or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of, any business,
venture or activity which competes with the business of the Company, or any
group, division or subsidiary of the Company, as described in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 relating to the Company's initial public
offering of Common Stock or, beginning with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ending December 31, 1996, the Company's most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to
the date (the "Date of Termination") the Executive's employment under this
Agreement is terminated (hereinafter, "Competitive Business") in the United
States or any other geographic area where such Competitive Business is being
conducted at the Date of Termination or (b) recruit or otherwise seek to induce
any employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate their
employment or violate any agreement with or duty to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. It is understood and agreed that, for the purposes of the
foregoing provisions of this Section 8, (i) no business, venture or activity
shall be deemed to be a Competitive Business unless not less than five percent
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of the Company's consolidated gross sales or operating income is derived from,
or not less than five percent of the Company's consolidated assets are devoted
to, such business, venture or activity; and (ii) no business, venture or
activity conducted by any entity by which the Executive is employed or in which
the Executive is interested or with which the Executive is connected or
associated shall be deemed to be a Competitive Business unless it is one from
which five percent or more of such entity's consolidated gross sales or
operating income is derived, or to which five percent or more of such entity's
consolidated assets are devoted; provided, however, that if the actual gross
sales or operating income or assets of such entity derived from or devoted to
such business, venture or activity is equal to or in excess of 10% of the most
nearly comparable figure for the Company, such business, venture or activity of
such entity shall be deemed to be a Competitive Business. Further, ownership of
not more than five percent of the voting stock of any publicly held corporation
shall not, of itself, constitute a violation of this Section 8.
9. Enforcement of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges that the
Executive has carefully read and considered all the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including without limitation the restraints imposed upon the
Executive pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive agrees that said
restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company
and its Affiliates and that the restraints are reasonable as to the definition
of Competitive Business and length of time. The Executive further acknowledges
that, were the Executive to breach any of the covenants or agreements contained
in Sections 7 or 8 hereof, the damage to the Company could be irreparable. The
Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to any other remedies
available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive
relief against any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any of said
covenants or agreements. The parties further agree that in the event that any
provision of Section 7 or 8 hereof shall be determined by any Court of competent
jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its being extended over too great
a time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of activities, such
provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit its enforcement to the
maximum extent permitted by law.
10. Conflicting Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants
that the execution of this Agreement and the performance of the Executive's
obligations hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement
to which or by which the Executive is a party or is bound and that the Executive
is not now subject to any covenants against competition or similar covenants
that would affect the performance of the Executive's obligations hereunder. The
Executive will not disclose to or use on behalf of the Company or any of its
Affiliates any proprietary information of a third party without such party's
consent.
11. Definitions. Terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement are used
herein as so defined. In addition, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
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11.1. Affiliates. "Affiliates" means all persons and entities
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control
with the Company.
11.2. Cause. The following events or conditions shall constitute
"Cause" for termination: (i) the willful refusal of the Executive to
substantially perform the Executive's duties to the Company (other than any
refusal resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), including the Executive's obligations under this Agreement or
(ii) a willful and material breach by the Executive of Section 7.1, 7.3 or
8 or (iii) a conviction for fraud, embezzlement or other act of dishonesty
by the Executive that causes material injury to the Company or any of its
Affiliates or (iv) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony
involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (v) the Executive's engaging in
activities (A) which constitute a violation of any policy, rule or
regulation adopted by the Company, including policies related to conflicts
of interest, xxxxxxx xxxxxxx, reimbursement of business expenses and the
like, or (B) which result in a material injury to the business, financial
condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its
Affiliates, as determined by the Board or a committee thereof.
For purposes of this Section 11.2, no act or failure to act on the
Executive's part shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that
the actions or omissions were in the best interest of the Company.
Notwithstanding and with respect to clause (i) only in the immediately
preceding paragraph, the Executive shall not be deemed terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of
a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of
the entire membership of the Board (excluding the Executive if the
Executive is a member of the Board) at a meeting of the Board called and
held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an
opportunity for the Executive, together with the Executive's counsel, to be
heard before the Board and after the Executive has been provided with a
period of not less than 30 days within which to correct the situation)
finding that in the opinion of the Board the Executive engaged in the
conduct set forth in such clause (i) and specifying the particulars in
reasonable detail.
11.3. Confidential Information. "Confidential Information" means any
and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally
known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom they
plan to compete or do business and any and all information the disclosure
of which would otherwise be adverse to the
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interests of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Confidential Information
includes without limitation such information relating to (i) the services or
products sold or offered by the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) the
costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the
Company and its Affiliates, (iii) the identity and special needs of the
customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (iv) the people and
organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business
relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes
comparable information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received
belonging to others or which was received by the Company or any of its
Affiliates with any understanding that it would not be disclosed.
11.4. ERISA. "ERISA" means the federal Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, and in the case of any referenced section thereof any successor
section thereto, collectively and as from time to time amended and in effect.
11.5. Intellectual Property. "Intellectual Property" means inventions,
discoveries, developments, methods, processes, compositions, works, concepts and
ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable or constituting trade secrets)
conceived, made, created, developed or reduced to practice by the Executive
(whether alone or with others, whether or not during normal business hours or on
or off Company premises) during the Executive's employment that relate to either
the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any prospective activity
of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
11.6. Person. "Person" means an individual, a corporation, an
association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an estate, a trust and
any other entity or organization.
12. Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall
be reduced by any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company
under applicable law.
13. Miscellaneous.
13.1. Assignment. Neither the Company nor the Executive may make any
assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein (provided, however, that
nothing contained herein shall be construed to place any limitation or
restriction on the transfer of the Common Stock in addition to any restrictions
set forth in any agreement applicable to
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such shares) without the prior written consent of the other. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Executive,
and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and permitted
assigns.
13.2. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall
to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then the application of such provision in such circumstances shall
be deemed modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by
law, and both the application of such portion or provision in circumstances
other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable and the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and
provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
13.3. Waiver; Amendment. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be
effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of
either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this
Agreement, or the waiver by either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall
not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a
waiver of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be amended or modified only
by a written instrument signed by the Executive and the Company.
13.4. Notices. Any and all notices, requests, demands and other
communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
effective when delivered in person or two business days after being deposited in
the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, and addressed
(a) in the case of the Executive, to Xxxxx Xxxx, 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX,
00000 or, (b) in the case of the Company, at its principal place of business and
to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer; or to such other address as
either party may specify by notice to the other.
13.5. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive's
employment and, except as otherwise provided herein, supersedes all prior
communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with the Company
with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment,
including the Original Agreement.
13.6. Headings. The headings and captions in this Agreement are for
convenience only and in no way define or describe the scope or content of any
provision of this Agreement.
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13.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
13.8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Illinois without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would
cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other
jurisdiction.
13.9. Legal Fees. In any action brought by the Executive to enforce the
Executive's rights hereunder, DESI shall reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless
the Executive from her fees and reasonable expenses of counsel; provided,
however, that such indemnification shall not extend to any action brought by the
Executive in bad faith or without a reasonable likelihood of success under the
terms of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Company, by its
duly authorized representative, and by the Executive, as of the date first above
written.
THE COMPANY: DONNELLEY ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED
By _____________________________________________
Name: Date:
Title:
THE EXECUTIVE: ________________________________________________
Xxxxx Xxxx Date:
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