May 25, 2006 Michael G. Spinozzi 4634 Lohr Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Dear Mike:
Exhibit 10.10
May 25, 2006
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
0000 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Xxxx:
I am writing to confirm the following agreement related to your employment with Xxxxx Beauty
Company, Inc. (“Sally”).
You have expressed concern over your lack of financial protection in the event of a change of
control of Xxxxx. In order to allay the concern you have, and to comfortably allow you to focus on
the needs of the business following your hire on May 30, 2006, I am pleased to make you the
following offer.
In the event that you are terminated by Xxxxx (as opposed to separating from the company of your
own volition) for other than Just Cause (as defined hereafter), Xxxxx will pay you the sum
equivalent to one year’s base salary, that is, three hundred seventy five thousand dollars
($375,000) (the “Termination Payment”), less any taxes and other legally required withholding,
subject to the conditions of this letter agreement. No payment shall be due in the event you
separate from the company of your own volition or the termination is for Just Cause.
Your rights under this letter agreement and your eligibility for this Termination Payment shall end
on such date as you are offered a Separation Agreement (as defined hereafter) by Xxxxx or an
affiliate, or May 24, 2008, whichever comes first. We reserve the right to have you acknowledge
the voiding of this letter agreement prior to tendering you a Separation Agreement for signature.
In order to collect the Termination Payment under this letter agreement, you acknowledge you will
be required to sign a general release of claims and covenant not to xxx in favor of Xxxxx, its
affiliates, officers and employees on such terms as are proposed by Xxxxx.
As used in this letter agreement, the term “Separation Agreement” shall mean an agreement between
you and Xxxxx or an affiliate under which you are paid a sum of money in the event you are
terminated (whether during a specified time certain or not) following a “change of control” of
Xxxxx or a group of Xxxxx affiliates including Xxxxx. The term “change of control” shall be as
defined in the Separation Agreement at the sole discretion of the issuer. The Separation Agreement
which will be offered to you must be substantially similar to that offered other Xxxxx employees at
your job grade level.
As used in this letter agreement, the term “Just Cause” shall mean a termination of your
employment because of: (i) conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a
felony, misdemeanor (or any similar crime for purposes of laws outside the United States) or any
crime of moral turpitude, (ii) fraud or dishonesty, (iii) repeated willful failure to perform
assigned duties, (iv) gross negligence in the performance of duties, (v) willful violation of one
or more of a policy or established practice governing employee conduct, or (vi) intentionally
engaging in conduct that is harmful to the Company.
This letter agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes any and all
prior agreements, arrangements and understandings among the parties related to the payment of any
sum such as the Termination Payment. This letter agreement will be effective once we complete our
standard Xxxxx preconditions of hire, including filling out and signing our standard employment
application and a satisfactory background check and verification of your educational credentials.
Unless you are advised otherwise, these preconditions of hire will be deemed satisfied and this
letter agreement shall be effective on June 2, 2006.
You understand that nothing in this letter changes the “at will” nature of your employment and that
you remain an at-will employee notwithstanding any payment you may be due under this letter
agreement. This letter agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only in a writing signed
by you on one hand and the President of Xxxxx on the other hand. This letter agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the state of Texas in the same fashion as agreements entered into and
wholly performed within the state of Texas. If any portion of this letter agreement shall be held
invalid, illegal or enforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the other portions
shall not be
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affected. No representation has been made to you as to the tax implications of any payment under
this letter agreement. You acknowledge having the opportunity to review this matter with your
legal counsel.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Xxxxx, or in the event that Xxxxx no longer exists, the successor
of Xxxxx (the “Successor Company”), or you, reasonably and in good faith determine that payment of
any amount pursuant to this letter agreement at the time provided for herein would cause any amount
payable under this letter agreement to be subject to Section 409A(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended (the “Code”) then such amount shall instead be paid at the earliest time at which
it may be paid without causing this letter agreement and the amounts payable hereunder to be
subject to Section 409A(a)(1), and all of the provisions of this letter agreement shall be
interpreted in a manner consistent with this paragraph. Xxxxx, or in the event that Xxxxx no
longer exists, the Successor Company, shall have the right to make such amendments, if any, to this
letter agreement as shall be necessary to avoid the application of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code
to the payments of amounts pursuant to this letter agreement, and shall give prompt notice of any
such amendment to you. If Xxxxx, or in the event that Xxxxx no longer exists, the Successor
Company defers payments to you pursuant to this paragraph and Section 409A of the Code, then such
company shall provide you with prompt written notice thereof, including a reasonable explanation
and the estimated date on which it has determined it is permitted to make the payments deferred
under this paragraph. In any event, such amounts will not be paid later than 190 days from the
date of termination.
Please acknowledge your agreement with the terms of this letter agreement by signing below where
shown. I’m very happy to have you on board, Xxxx, and hope this agreement addresses your concern.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx
President
Xxxxx Beauty Company, Inc.
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx
President
Xxxxx Beauty Company, Inc.
Acknowledged and agreed:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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May 30, 2006 | |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Date |
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