EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 5, 2008, among Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings Corp.
(“Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings”), a Delaware corporation, Xxxxxxx Financial Solutions Inc. (the
“Company”), an Oregon corporation, and Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive, and the Executive wishes to accept such
employment on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
Accordingly, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment, Duties and Acceptance.
1.1 Employment, Duties. The Company hereby employs the Executive for the Term (as
defined in Section 2.1), to render exclusive and full-time services to the Company as President
Enterprise Solutions Group or in such other executive position as may be mutually agreed upon by
the Company and the Executive, and to perform such other duties consistent with such position as
may be assigned to the Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings (the
“CEO”). During the Term, the Executive shall report solely to the CEO (or his designee).
1.2 Acceptance. The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render the
services described above. During the Term, the Executive agrees to serve the Company faithfully
and to the best of the Executive’s ability, to devote the Executive’s entire business time, energy
and skill to such employment, and to use the Executive’s best efforts, skill and ability to promote
the Company’s interests. The Executive further agrees to accept election, and to serve during all
or any part of the Term, as an officer or director of the Company and of any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company, without any compensation therefor other than that specified in this
Agreement, if elected to any such position by the shareholders or by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Board”) or of any subsidiary or affiliate, as the case may be.
1.3 Location. The duties to be performed by the Executive hereunder shall be
performed primarily at the offices of the Company in Lake Mary, Florida subject to reasonable
travel requirements on behalf of the Company.
2. Term of Employment; Certain Post-Term Benefits.
2.1 The Term. This Agreement and the term of the Executive’s employment under this
Agreement (the “Term”) shall become effective as of January 1, 2008 (the “Effective
Date”) and will continue until December 31, 2010 (the “Termination Date”), subject to
earlier termination pursuant to Section 4.
2.2 End-of-Term Provisions. Prior to the end of the Term, the Company and the
Executive shall meet to discuss whether the Term should be extended. The Company shall have the
right at any time, however, to give written notice of non-renewal of the Term. In the event of
non-renewal of the Term by the Company and the Executive’s employment is terminated after the end
of the Term, other than for Cause (as defined below), or Disability (as defined below) following
such notice of non-renewal, then such termination shall be treated as a termination without Cause
and the Restricted Period (as defined below) shall be reduced to a period of one year post
termination of employment (the “Reduced Restricted Period”). During such Restricted
Period, the Executive shall receive 50% of the payments set forth in Sections 4.4(i) and 4.4(ii),
subject to Executive’s signing and not revoking the release of claims as set forth in Section 4.6.
For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company is willing to extend the Term and Executive does not
agree to extend the Term, then upon such termination of employment at the end of the Term, the
Executive shall be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 5 below, the Restricted
Period shall not be reduced and Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance benefits
with respect to such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Section 2.2
will not impact any payments or other benefits to which the Executive would then be entitled under
normal Company policies or the LTIP (as defined below) pursuant to the terms thereof.
3. Compensation; Benefits.
3.1 Salary. As compensation for all services to be rendered pursuant to this
Agreement, the Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary, payable in accordance with the
Company’s normal payroll practices, at the annual rate of not less than $375,000 less such
deductions or amounts to be withheld as required by applicable law and regulations (the “Base
Salary”). In the event that the Company, in its sole discretion, from time to time determines
to increase the Base Salary, such increased amount shall, from and after the effective date of the
increase, constitute “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.
3.2 Incentive Compensation.
3.2.1 Annual Bonus. Commencing with the 2008 fiscal year, the Executive will be
eligible to receive a bonus with respect to 2008 and each later fiscal year ending during the
Term computed in accordance with the provisions hereafter. If, with respect to any such fiscal
year, the Company achieves “Consolidated EBITDA” (as defined below) of at least the percentage
set forth in the table below of its business plan for such fiscal year, such bonus shall be the
percentage set forth in the table below of Base Salary with respect to the fiscal year for
which the bonus (any such bonus, an “Annual Bonus”) was earned:
| Percentage of Consolidated EBITDA in Business Plan |
Percentage of Base Salary |
|
| 89.9% and below | Nil | |
| 90 — 94.9 | 52% | |
| 95 — 99.9 | 56% |
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| Percentage of Consolidated EBITDA in Business Plan |
Percentage of Base Salary |
|
| 100 – 105 | 60% | |
| 105.1 – 110 | 64% | |
| 110.1 – 115 | 68% | |
| 115.1 – 120 | 72% | |
| 120.1 – 125 | 76% | |
| 125.1 and over | 80% |
An Annual Bonus if earned in accordance with this Agreement shall be paid no later than the
fifteenth day of the third month next following the year with respect to which such bonus was
earned, provided that, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement (including,
without limitation, Section 4.4), as a condition precedent to any bonus entitlement the Executive
must remain in employment with the Company at the time that the Annual Bonus is paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), may be applicable, such Annual Bonus shall be subject to,
and contingent upon, such shareholder approval as is necessary to cause the Annual Bonus to qualify
as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder as well as approval of this Section 3.2.1 by the MFW Compensation Committee
and any other required committees.
For the purposes of this Agreement, “Consolidated EBITDA” means for any fiscal year of the
Company, consolidated operating income for such fiscal year of the Company plus, without
duplication, the sum of (i) depreciation and amortization expense (excluding amounts of prepaid
incentives under customer contracts), (ii) any extraordinary non-cash expenses or losses, (iii) any
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition by M & F Worldwide Corp. of Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxx Company (the “Transaction”), (iv) allocation of fees charged by MFW or a subsidiary to the
Company relating to the operation of the Company and (v) all restructuring costs (as defined under
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles), in the case of clauses (i) through (v) above,
solely with respect to Xxxxxxx Financial Solutions, and minus (x) to the extent included in the
statement of such consolidated net income for such period, the sum of any extraordinary or
non-recurring income or gains (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in
the statement of such consolidated operating income for such period, gains on the sales of assets
outside of the ordinary course of business), and (y) any cash payments made during such period in
respect of items described in clause (ii) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the
relevant non-cash expenses or losses were reflected as a charge in the statement of consolidated
operating income, in the case of clauses (x) and (y) above, solely with respect to Xxxxxxx
Financial Solutions, all as determined on a consolidated basis, all of the foregoing to be
determined by the Board or the MFW Compensation Committee, as applicable. For the purposes of
determining compensation milestones for any fiscal year, Consolidated EBITDA will be adjusted by
the Board or the MFW Compensation Committee, as applicable, as appropriate for material
acquisitions or dispositions of any business or assets of or by the Company or its subsidiaries for
such fiscal year and thereafter.
3.2.2 Long Term Incentive Plan. During the Term, the Executive shall participate
in the M&F Worldwide Corp. 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”). The specific terms of
such award shall be set forth in an
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Award Agreement entered into with the Executive on or about the date hereof. If the term
is extended, the Executive shall participate in a new Long Term Incentive Plan that shall
commence after the LTIP ends. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that Section
162(m) of the Code may be applicable, the LTIP (and any subsequent Long Term Incentive Plan)
shall be subject to, and contingent upon, such shareholder approval as is necessary to cause
the LTIP to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
3.3 Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all
reasonable expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the Term in the performance
of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, upon presentation of expense statements or
vouchers or such other supporting information as the Company customarily may require of its
officers provided, however, that the maximum amount available for such expenses
during any period may be fixed in advance by the Board.
3.4 Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to a vacation period
or periods of five (5) weeks during any fiscal year taken in accordance with the vacation policy of
the Company during each year of the Term. Vacation time not used by the end of a year shall be
forfeited.
3.5 Fringe Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to all benefits
for which the Executive shall be eligible under any qualified pension plan, 401(k) plan, group
insurance or other so-called “fringe” benefit plan which the Company provides to its executive
employees generally, which benefits may be subject to change to reflect the objectives and
requirements of the Transaction.
4. Termination.
4.1 Death. If the Executive dies during the Term, the Term shall terminate forthwith
upon the Executive’s death. The Company shall pay to the Executive’s estate: (i) any Base Salary
earned but not paid; (ii) a pro rated Annual Bonus based on the number of days of the fiscal year
worked by the Executive; (iii) amounts payable under the LTIP in accordance with the terms thereof;
and (iv) Annual Bonus for the year prior to the year in which the Executive dies if at the time of
death the Executive has earned an Annual Bonus payment for such prior year and has not yet been
paid such Annual Bonus. The Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation (including
any Base Salary or Annual Bonus) or any other benefits under this Agreement, except to the extent
already earned and vested as of the day immediately prior to his death, or as earned, vested, or
accrued by virtue of his death.
4.2 Disability. If, during the Term the Executive is unable to perform his duties
hereunder due to a physical or mental incapacity for a period of 6 months within any 12 month
period (hereinafter a “Disability”), the Company shall have the right at any time
thereafter to terminate the Term upon sending written notice of termination to the Executive. If
the Company elects to terminate the Term by reason of
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Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive promptly after the notice of termination:
(i) any Base Salary earned but not paid, (ii) a pro rated Annual Bonus based on the number of days
of the fiscal year worked by the Executive until the date of the notice of termination, (iii)
amounts payable under the LTIP in accordance with the terms thereof, and (iv) Annual Bonus for the
year prior to the year in which the Executive is terminated if at the time of termination the
Executive has earned an Annual Bonus payment for such prior year and has not yet been paid such
Annual Bonus, in each case less any other benefits payable to the Executive under any disability
plan provided for hereunder or otherwise furnished to the Executive by the Company. The Executive
shall have no further rights to any compensation (including any Base Salary or Annual Bonus) or any
other benefits under this Agreement except to the extent already earned and vested as of the day
immediately prior to his termination by reason of Disability, or as earned, vested, or accrued by
virtue of his Disability.
4.3 Cause. The Company may at any time by written notice to the Executive terminate
the Term for “Cause” (as defined below) and, upon such termination, this Agreement shall terminate
and the Executive shall be entitled to receive no further amounts or benefits hereunder, except for
any Base Salary earned but not paid prior to such termination. For the purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” means: (i) continued neglect by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder,
(ii) continued incompetence or unsatisfactory attendance, (iii) conviction of any felony, (iv)
violation of the rules, regulations, procedures or instructions relating to the conduct of
employees, directors, officers and/or consultants of the Company, (v) willful misconduct by the
Executive in connection with the performance of any material portion of the Executive’s duties
hereunder, (vi) breach of fiduciary obligation owed to the Company or commission of any act of
fraud, embezzlement, disloyalty or defalcation, or usurpation of a Company opportunity, (vii)
breach of any provision of this Agreement, including any non-competition, non-solicitation and/or
confidentiality provisions hereof, (viii) any act that has a material adverse effect upon the
reputation of and/or the public confidence in the Company, (ix) failure to comply with a reasonable
order, policy or rule that constitutes material insubordination, (x) engaging in any discriminatory
or sexually harassing behavior or (xi) using, possessing or being impaired by or under the
influence of illegal drugs or the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol on the premises of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or while working or representing the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. A termination for Cause by the Company of any of the events
described in clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (ix), (x) and (xi) shall only be effective on 15 days advance
written notification, providing Executive the opportunity to cure, if reasonably capable of cure
within said 15-day period; provided, however, that no such notification is required if the Cause
event is not reasonably capable of cure or the Board determines that its fiduciary obligation
requires it to effect a termination of Executive for Cause immediately.
4.4 Termination by Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. If the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of death or
Disability) or by the Executive for Good Reason (as defined below), the Executive shall receive:
(i) as severance pay, an amount equal to one and one-half times the Base Salary payable in
installments in
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accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, (ii) continuation for a 12-month
period following the date of termination of group health plan benefits to the extent authorized by
and consistent with 29 U.S.C. § 1161 et seq. (commonly known as “COBRA”), with the cost of the
regular premium for such benefits shared in the same relative proportion by the Company and the
Employee as in effect on the date of termination, (iii) pro-rated Annual Bonus for the year in
which termination occurred if the Executive would have been eligible to receive such bonus
hereunder (including due to satisfaction by the Company of performance milestones) had the
Executive been employed at the time such Annual Bonus is normally paid, which pro-rated Annual
Bonus will be paid at the time and in the manner such Annual Bonus is paid to other executives
receiving such bonus payment, (iv) Annual Bonus for the year prior to the year in which the
Executive is so terminated if at the time of termination the Executive has earned an Annual Bonus
payment for such prior year and has not yet been paid such due to such termination, which prior
year Annual Bonus will be paid at the time and in the manner such prior year Annual Bonus is paid
to other executives receiving such prior year Annual Bonus and (v) amounts payable, if any, under
the LTIP in accordance with the terms thereof. The Executive shall have no further rights to any
compensation (including any Base Salary or Annual Bonus) or any other benefits under this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means, without the advance
written consent of the Executive: (i) a reduction in Base Salary, unless such reduction is made
generally to other senior executives of the Company, or (ii) a material and continuing reduction in
the Executive’s responsibilities, provided, that a change in reporting responsibilities
shall not constitute Good Reason and further provided that a termination by the
Executive for Good Reason shall be effective only if the Executive provides the Company with
written notice specifying the event which constitutes Good Reason within thirty (30) days following
the occurrence of such event or date Executive became aware or should have become aware of such
event and the Company fails to cure the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason within 30 days
after such notice.
4.5 Termination by Executive other than for Good Reason. The Executive is required to
provide the Company with 30 days prior written notice of termination to the Company. Subject to
Section 4.4, upon termination of employment by the Executive, the Executive shall receive any Base
Salary earned but not paid prior to such termination and shall have no further rights to any
compensation (including any Base Salary or Annual Bonus) or any other benefits under this
Agreement, except to the extent already earned and vested as of the day immediately prior to such
termination.
4.6 Release. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the Executive acknowledges and agrees that any and all payments, other than payment of any accrued
and unpaid Base Salary to which the Executive is entitled under this Section 4 are conditioned upon
and subject to the Executive’s execution of a general waiver and release (for the avoidance of
doubt, the restrictive covenants contained in Section 5 of this Agreement shall survive the
termination of this Agreement) in such form as may be prepared by the Company, of all claims,
except for such matters covered by provisions of this Agreement which expressly survive the
termination of this Agreement.
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4.7 Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, if any
payments or benefits due to the Executive hereunder would cause the application of an accelerated
or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code such payments or benefits shall be restructured in
a manner which does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax. Without limiting the
application of the preceding sentence, any payment of money due hereunder which is delayed in order
to avoid the application of Section 409A of the Code (e.g., a six-month delay in the commencement
of severance pay, if necessary, if at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment he is a
“specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be paid as soon as
possible without causing the application of Section 409A of the Code.
5. Protection of Confidential Information; Restrictive Covenants.
5.1 From the Effective Date, the Company will share with Executive confidential and trade
secret information regarding not only the Company but also its subsidiaries and affiliates. In
view of the fact that the Executive’s work for the Company will bring the Executive into close
contact with many confidential affairs of the Company not readily available to the public, trade
secret information and plans for future developments, the Executive agrees:
5.1.1 To keep and retain in the strictest confidence all confidential matters of the
Company, including, without limitation, “know how”, trade secrets, customer lists, pricing
policies, operational methods, technical processes, formulae, inventions and research projects,
other business affairs of the Company, and any material confidential information whatsoever
concerning any director, officer, employee, shareholder, partner, customer or agent of the
Company or their respective family members learned by the Executive heretofore or hereafter,
and not to disclose them to anyone outside of the Company, either during or after the
Executive’s employment with the Company, except in the course of performing the Executive’s
duties hereunder or with the Company’s express written consent. The foregoing prohibitions
shall include, without limitation, directly or indirectly publishing (or causing, participating
in, assisting or providing any statement, opinion or information in connection with the
publication of) any diary, memoir, letter, story, photograph, interview, article, essay,
account or description (whether fictionalized or not) concerning any of the foregoing,
publication being deemed to include any presentation or reproduction of any written, verbal or
visual material in any communication medium, including any book, magazine, newspaper,
theatrical production or movie, or television or radio programming or commercial; and
5.1.2 To deliver promptly to the Company on termination of the Executive’s employment by
the Company, or at any time the Company may so request, all memoranda, notes, records, reports,
manuals, drawings, blueprints and other documents (and all copies thereof), including data
stored in computer memories or on other media used for electronic storage or retrieval,
relating to the Company’s business and all property associated therewith, which the Executive
may then possess or have under the Executive’s control, and not retain any copies, notes or
summaries; provided Executive shall be entitled to keep a copy of this
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Agreement and compensation and benefit plans to which Executive is entitled to receive
benefits thereunder.
5.2 In support of Executive’s commitments to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s
confidential and trade secret information, during (i) the Term, and (ii) for a period of two years
following termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason (the “Restricted
Period”), the Executive shall not in the United States and in any non-US jurisdiction where the
Company may then do business: (a) directly or indirectly, enter the employ of, or render any
services to, any person, firm or corporation engaged in any business competitive with the business
of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (b) engage in such business on the
Executive’s own account; and the Executive shall not become interested in any such business,
directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, director, officer, principal,
agent, employee, trustee, consultant, or in any other relationship or capacity; (c) solicit or
encourage (or cause to be solicited or encouraged) or cause any client, customer or supplier of the
Company to cease doing business with the Company, or to reduce the amount of business such client,
customer or supplier does with the Company or (d) solicit or encourage (or cause to be solicited or
encouraged) to cease to work with the Company, or hire (or cause to be hired), any person who is an
employee of or consultant then under contract with the Company or who was an employee of or
consultant then under contract with the Company within the six month period preceding such activity
without the Company’s written consent. Provided, however, that this clause (d) shall not apply
during the Restricted Period to a consulting or advisory firm which is also then currently engaged
or under a retainer relationship (in each case, without any action by the Executive, whether
directly or indirectly) by a subsequent employer of the Executive.
5.3 If the Executive commits a breach, or poses a serious and objective threat to commit a
breach, of any of the provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2 hereof, the Company shall have the
following rights and remedies:
5.3.1 The right and remedy to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced
by any court having equity jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach
or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will
not provide an adequate remedy to the Company;
5.3.2 The right and remedy to require the Executive to account for and pay over to the
Company all compensation, profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or
received by the Executive as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of any of the
provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the Executive hereby agrees to account for and pay
over such benefits to the Company. Each of the rights and remedies enumerated above shall be
independent of the other, and shall be severally enforceable, and all of such rights and
remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available
to the Company under law or in equity; and
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5.3.3 In addition to any other remedy which may be available (i) at law or in equity, or
(ii) pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement, the payments by the Company of Base
Salary and the regular premium for group health benefits pursuant to Section 4.4 will cease as
of the date on which such violation first occurs. In addition, if the Executive breaches any
of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 and the Company obtains injunctive relief
with respect thereto (that is not later reversed or otherwise terminated or vacated by judicial
order), the period during which the Executive is required to comply with that particular
covenant shall be extended by the same period that the Executive was in breach of such covenant
prior to the effective date of such injunctive relief.
5.4 If any of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 or 5.2, or any part thereof, hereafter
are held by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of the
covenant or covenants, which shall be given full effect, without regard to those portions found
invalid.
5.5 If any of the covenants contained in Sections 5.1 or 5.2, or any part thereof, are held to
be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area covered thereby, the parties
agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration and/or
area of such provision and, in its reduced form, said provision shall then be enforceable.
5.6 The Executive agrees (whether during or after the Executive’s employment with the Company)
not to issue, circulate, publish or utter any false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors
about the Company or its affiliates or the officers, directors, managers, customers, partners, or
shareholders of the Company or its affiliates unless giving truthful testimony under subpoena.
5.7 For purposes of this Section 5 only, the term “Company” includes the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates which are related to the businesses of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings.
6. Inventions and Patents.
6.1 The Executive agrees that all processes, technologies and inventions (collectively,
“Inventions”), including new contributions, improvements, ideas and discoveries, whether
patentable or not, conceived, developed, invented or made by him during the Term shall belong to
the Company, provided that such Inventions grew out of the Executive’s work with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, are related in any manner to the business
(commercial or experimental) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or are
conceived or made on the Company’s time or with the use of the Company’s facilities or materials.
The Executive shall further: (a) promptly disclose such Inventions to the Company; (b) assign to
the Company, without additional compensation, all patent and other rights to such Inventions for
the United States and foreign countries; (c) sign all papers necessary to carry out the foregoing;
and (d) give testimony in support of the Executive’s inventorship.
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6.2 If any Invention is described in a patent application or is disclosed to third parties,
directly or indirectly, by the Executive within two years after the termination of the Executive’s
employment by the Company, it is to be presumed that the Invention was conceived or made during the
Term.
6.3 The Executive agrees that the Executive will not assert any rights to any Invention as
having been made or acquired by the Executive prior to the date of this Agreement, except for
Inventions, if any, disclosed to the Company in writing prior to the date hereof.
7. Intellectual Property.
The Company shall be the sole owner of all the products and proceeds of the Executive’s
services hereunder, including, but not limited to, all materials, ideas, concepts, formats,
suggestions, developments, arrangements, packages, programs and other intellectual properties that
the Executive may acquire, obtain, develop or create in connection with and during the Term, free
and clear of any claims by the Executive (or anyone claiming under the Executive) of any kind or
character whatsoever (other than the Executive’s right to receive payments hereunder). The
Executive shall, at the request of the Company, execute such assignments, certificates or other
instruments as the Company may from time to time deem necessary or desirable to evidence,
establish, maintain, perfect, protect, enforce or defend its right, title or interest in or to any
such properties.
8. Notices.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally,
sent by overnight courier or mailed first class, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail
(notices mailed shall be deemed to have been given on the date mailed), as follows (or to such
other address as either party shall designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance
herewith):
If to the Company, to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings Corp.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Senior Vice President Human Resources
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Holdings Corp.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Senior Vice President Human Resources
If to the Executive, to:
Such address as shall most currently appear on the records of the
Company.
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9. Governing Law; Dispute Resolution.
9.1 It is the intent of the parties hereto that all questions with respect to the construction
of this Agreement and the rights and liabilities of the parties hereunder shall be determined in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of
laws thereof that would call for the application of the substantive law of any jurisdiction other
than the State of Delaware.
9.2 Each party irrevocably agrees for the exclusive benefit of the other that any and all
suits, actions or proceedings relating to Section 5 of this Agreement (a “Proceeding”)
shall be maintained in either the courts of the State of Delaware or the federal District Courts
sitting in Bexar County, Texas or Wilmington, Delaware (collectively, the “Chosen Courts”)
and that the Chosen Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine or settle any
such Proceeding and that any such Proceedings shall only be brought in the Chosen Courts. Each
party irrevocably waives any objection that it may have now or hereafter to the laying of the venue
of any Proceedings in the Chosen Courts and any claim that any Proceedings have been brought in an
inconvenient forum and further irrevocably agrees that a judgment in any Proceeding brought in the
Chosen Courts shall be conclusive and binding upon it and may be enforced in the courts of any
other jurisdiction.
9.3 Each of the parties hereto agrees that this Agreement involves at least $100,000 and that
this Agreement has been entered into in express reliance on Section 2708 of Title 6 of the Delaware
Code. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally agrees (i) that, to the extent
such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, it will appoint
(and maintain an agreement with respect to) an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent
for acceptance of legal process and notify the other parties hereto of the name and address of said
agent, (ii) that service of process may also be made on such party by pre-paid certified mail with
a validated proof of mailing receipt constituting evidence of valid service sent to such party at
the address set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, as such address may be changed from time to
time pursuant hereto, and (iii) that service made pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above shall, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have the same legal force and effect as if served
upon such party personally within the State of Delaware.
9.4 Any controversy or claim arising out of or related to any other provision of this
Agreement shall be settled by final, binding and non-appealable arbitration in Bexar County, Texas
or Wilmington, Delaware by a single arbitrator. Subject to the following provisions, the
arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of JAMS then in effect. Any
award entered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be
entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent
jurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrator shall
have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy for a dispute
involving this Agreement other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of the
Agreement. Each party shall be responsible for its own expenses relating to the conduct
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of the arbitration or litigation (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and shall
share the fees of JAMS and the arbitrator, if applicable, equally.
10. General.
10.1 JURY TRIAL WAIVER. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AND KNOWINGLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY
TRIAL IN THE EVENT ANY ACTION ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE EXECUTIVE’S
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY IS LITIGATED OR HEARD IN ANY COURT.
10.2 Continuation of Employment. Unless the parties otherwise agree in writing,
continuation of the Executive’s employment with the Company beyond the expiration of the Term shall
be deemed an employment at will and shall not be deemed to extend any of the provisions of this
Agreement, and Executive’s employment may thereafter be terminated “at will” by the Executive or
the Company and Executive will be entitled to fringe benefits which the Executive is eligible to
receive for so long as the Executive continues to be employed with the Company and the Executive
shall be eligible for severance in accordance with the terms of the Company’s severance policy then
in effect.
10.3 Headings. The section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
10.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company, and supersedes
all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or oral, relating to the Executive’s
employment by the Company and its affiliates including without limitation any severance, retention,
change in control or similar types of benefits; provided, however, that the Executive’s
award under the Xxxxxxx 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan in the maximum aggregate amount of $120,300
shall not be prejudiced by the terms of this Agreement and shall be administered in accordance with
the terms of such award in effect immediately prior to the date hereof (which for the avoidance of
doubt is not accelerated as a result of the Transaction). Furthermore, except as stated above, the
Executive acknowledges and agrees that any prior employment agreement is terminated in its entirety
and the Executive has no further right to any payments or benefits thereunder. No representation,
promise or inducement has been made by either party that is not embodied in this Agreement, and
neither party shall be bound by or liable for any alleged representation, promise or inducement not
so set forth.
10.5 Assignment. This Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations
hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign its rights, together with
its obligations, hereunder (i) to any affiliate or (ii) to third parties in connection with any
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the
Company; in any event the obligations of the Company
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hereunder shall be binding on its successors or assigns, whether by merger, consolidation or
acquisition of all or substantially all of its business or assets.
10.6 Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed
or extended and the terms or covenants hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed
by all of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The
failure of either party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall
in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by either party of
the breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in
any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver
of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other term or covenant contained in this
Agreement.
10.7 Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to
any applicable law or regulation.
11. Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
11.1 As used herein, the term “subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other
business entity controlled directly or indirectly by the corporation or other business entity in
question, and the term “affiliate” shall mean and include any corporation or other business
entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the
corporation or other business entity in question.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| XXXXXXX FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS INC. |
||||
| By: | ||||
| Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
| XXXXXXX XXXXXX HOLDINGS CORP. |
||||
| By: | ||||
| Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
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