CEO Employment Agreement Between U.S. Premium Beef, LLC And Stanley D. Linville Employment Years 2013 – 2015
CEO Employment Agreement
Between
U.S. Premium Beef, LLC
And
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Employment Years 2013 – 2015
This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) made effective as of the 28 day of January, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between U.S. Premium Beef, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“USPB”), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Chief Executive Officer” or “CEO”).
1. Employment and Term of Agreement.
(a) Employment. USPB will employ CEO as the chief executive officer of USPB under this Agreement from the Effective Date until December 31, 2015 (the “Expiration Date”) or the date the employment is otherwise terminated as provided in this Agreement (“Termination Date”).
(b) Term of Employment. Employment of CEO under this Agreement starts on the Effective Date and continues until the Expiration Date or the Termination Date, whichever is earlier. This Agreement continues until the payments under this Agreement have been made and the obligations have been discharged or fulfilled. CEO’s employment will be annualized by calendar year in which the CEO is employed (year 2013, year 2014, year 2015). For clarity: CEO’s employment terminates on the Expiration Date or the Termination Date, whichever is earlier; the compensation provisions under Section 3(a) through Section 3(h) terminate when the compensation has been paid; Section 5 continues until the payments under that section have been made which include payments under Section 5(d) continuing for 12 months after termination of CEO’s employment with USPB for USPB Noncompetition Payments; Section 6(a) [Noncompetition Agreement] continues until 12 months after termination of CEO’s employment with USPB; Sections 6(b) [Confidential Information] through Section 6(e) [Covenants], Section 7 [Indemnification] and Section 8 [Other Provisions] survive the Expiration Date or Termination Date.
2. Location of Employment. CEO’s principal place of employment shall be at the principal offices of USPB located in Kansas City, Missouri, or at another location as mutually agreed by USPB and CEO.
3. Compensation. CEO shall be paid compensation for services as provided in this Section 3. All compensation paid under this Agreement will be paid to CEO less necessary deductions and withholdings.
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(b) Incentive Cap. The compensation provided in Sections 3(c) [Annual Incentive], and 3(d) [Long-Term Incentive], and including any incentive compensation under Section 5 [Compensation Upon Termination] as it pertains to incentive compensation, specifically Section 5(a), clauses (3) and (4), and Section 5(c), clauses (3) and (4); shall be subject to a cumulative annual cap (referred to as “Incentive Cap”) pro-rated over the term of this Agreement not to exceed $450,000 per year averaged over the term (whether the term extends to the Expiration Date or through an earlier Termination Date), provided, however, that for purposes of Section 5(c)) [Termination By USPB For Other Than Cause, Death or Disability or By CEO For Good Reason], the proration term shall extend through the Expiration Date. For example, other than an earlier termination under Section 5(c), if employment under this Agreement is earlier terminated after two (2) years, the Incentive Cap would be $450,000 per year averaged over two (2) years or $900,000). An example of the incentive compensation under Sections 3(c) and 3(d) is provided on Exhibit A.
(1) Any Annual Incentive accruing with respect to an employment year 2013, 2014, or 2015, shall be payable, on or before the date (the “Annual Incentive Payment Date”) that is sixty (60) days following the end of the employment year or, ten (10) days following receipt by the USPB Board of Directors, of all completed financial statements that are relevant to the calculation of the Annual Incentive, whichever is later, but in no event later than April 15th of the calendar year first occurring after the end of the employment year.
(2) For purposes of calculating any Annual Incentive under this 3(c), or any Long-Term Incentive under Section 3(d), USPB’s Total Benefits shall be determined by USPB’s accountants using generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied to the fiscal year.
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4. Termination.
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(1) refused or failed, after reasonable written notice that the refusal or failure would constitute a default under this Agreement, to carry out any reasonable and material order of the Board of Directors given to him in writing;
(2) been guilty of a willful breach of the terms of this Agreement;
(3) demonstrated gross negligence or willful misconduct in the execution of his material assigned duties;
(4) been convicted of a felony or other serious crime;
(5) engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other illegal conduct to the detriment of USPB;
(6) intentionally imparted confidential information relating to USPB to a third party, other than in the course of carrying out CEO’s duties, which as resulted in material damage to USPB; or
(7) otherwise fails to reasonably perform his duties and obligations as contemplated under this Agreement.
(d) Termination By USPB Other Than For Cause, Death, Or Disability. If the circumstances set forth above in Sections 4(a), [Permanent Disability] 4(b) [Death] have not occurred and CEO has not been terminated under Section 4(c), USPB may terminate CEO’s employment for any reason or no reason and with or without cause upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to CEO.
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(1) a significant reduction or adverse alteration in the duties, authorities or responsibilities as CEO;
(2) a significant reduction by USPB in CEO’s incentive compensation as provided in this Agreement; or
(3) a material and willful breach by USPB of any of its obligations to CEO under this Agreement.
5. Compensation Upon Termination.
(a) Termination Upon Death Or Permanent Disability. If CEO’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(a) [Permanent Disability] or 4(b) [Death] above, CEO shall be entitled to, and USPB’s obligation under this Agreement shall be limited to:
(1) the payment of salary accrued under Section 3(a) [Annual Salary] to the date of the termination plus continued monthly payment of salary under Section 3(a) [Annual Salary] through the date (“Deemed Termination Date”) that is the earlier of the first anniversary of the termination or the Expiration Date;
(2) if termination occurs under Section 4(a) [Permanent Disability], provision of fringe benefits listed in Section 3(g), through the Deemed Termination Date, but excluding vacation pay, personal and sick days, vehicle, telecommunications, and 401K contributions, (subject to any necessary consent of applicable insurers which, if consent is not obtained within 30 days after termination, then the cash value of the monthly premiums at the date of termination shall be paid to CEO in equal monthly payments), through the Deemed Termination Date;
(3) payment of the Annual Incentive in the amounts and at the times provided under Section 3(c) [Annual Incentive] through the employment year in which the Deemed Termination Date occurs pro-rated for the last employment year based upon the period through the Deemed Termination Date;
(4) payment of the Long-Term Incentive is as provided in Section 3(d)(1) [Long Term Incentives] (less any amounts paid) that would have accrued if the CEO had remained employed under this Agreement through the Deemed Termination Date, with payments to be made at the same times specified in Section 3(d)(2);
(5) payments under this Section 5(a)(3), and (4) are subject to the Incentive Cap under Section 3(b).
(b) Termination By USPB For Cause Or By CEO For Other Than Good Reason. If CEO’s employment is terminated by USPB pursuant to Section 4(c) [For Cause] above, or if CEO terminates his employment pursuant to Section 4(e) [By CEO For Other Than Good Reason] above, USPB’s obligation under this Agreement shall be limited to the payment of salary accrued under Section 3(a) [Annual Salary] to the date of the termination, and the payment of noncompetition compensation under Section 5(d) [Noncompetition Compensation], unless CEO is terminated pursuant to Section 4(c)(4) [Felony or Serious Crime] or Section 4(c)(5) [Fraud, Embezzlement, Illegal Conduct] in which case noncompetition compensation will not be paid.
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(c) Termination By USPB Other Than For Cause, Death or Disability; Termination By CEO For Good Reason. If CEO’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(d) [Other than For Cause, Death, Or Disability] or 4(f) [By CEO For Good Reason] above, CEO shall be entitled to, and USPB’s obligation under this Agreement shall be limited to:
(1) the payment of the salary accrued under Section 3(a) [Annual Salary] to the date of the termination plus continued monthly payment of salary under Section 3(a) through the Expiration Date;
(2) provision of fringe benefits listed in Section 3(g) [Other Benefits, Vacation, etc.] through the Expiration Date, but excluding vacation pay, personal and sick days, vehicle, telecommunications, and 401K contributions, (subject to any necessary consent of applicable insurers which, if consent is not obtained within 30 days after termination, then the cash value of the monthly premiums at the date of termination shall be paid to CEO in equal monthly payments);
(3) payment of the Annual Incentive in the amounts and at the times provided under Section 3(c) as if CEO has remained employed through the Expiration Date;
(4) payment of the Long-Term Incentive at the amounts provided in Section 3(d)(1) (less any amounts paid) that would have accrued if the CEO had remained employed under this Agreement through the end of employment year 2015, with payments to be made at the same times specified in Section 3(d)(2);
(5) payments under this Section 5(c)(3) and (4) are subject to the Incentive Cap under Section 3(b); and
(6) payment of the noncompetition compensation under Section 5(d).
(d) Noncompetition Compensation. In the event that CEO’s employment is terminated (including by expiration of this Agreement), other than by death or permanent disability under Section 4(a) [Permanent Disability] or death under Section 4(b) [Death] or for cause under Sections 4(c)(4) [Felony or Serious Crime] or 4(c)(5) [Fraud, Embezzlement], and CEO is not employed by USPB, then USPB shall provide noncompetition compensation for: (1) each of the twelve (12) months first following the termination of employment of CEO with USPB (“USPB Noncompetition Payments”), provided USPB may terminate the USPB Noncompetition Payments prior to the end of the twelve month period if the Board of Directors determines the CEO violated the noncompetition restriction in Section 6(a) or any of the remaining obligations under Section 6. The period in which noncompetition compensation is provided, from start to expiration or earlier termination for the USPB Noncompetition Payments, is the “Noncompetition Period.” Noncompetition compensation shall be paid during the Noncompetition Period as follows:
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(1) Monthly Payments. USPB shall pay CEO an additional month’s salary in an amount equal to the annual salary under Section 3(a) [Annual Salary] that would be paid to CEO under this Agreement if CEO was employed or CEO’s annual salary at the time of termination, whichever is greater, divided by twelve (12), which payments shall be paid at normal salary payment intervals in effect for USPB’s management personnel at the date of termination; and
(2) Group Benefits. USPB shall also provide to CEO the benefits provided to other employees of USPB such as group medical, life, disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, but excluding paid vacations, personal and sick days, allowances, telecommunications equipment or services, expense reimbursement (except on prior written approval), or 401K contributions, subject to any necessary consent of applicable insurers. If the consent of the applicable insurers is not received within 30 days or in the event any applicable law or any benefit plan referred to in Section 3(g) prohibits or otherwise precludes the provision of the benefits to CEO, the cash value of the current premiums will be distributed to CEO in equal monthly payments during the Noncompetition Period. The value of any prohibited or precluded benefits shall be equal to the sum of the amount of premium, payment, or contribution that USPB would have made on behalf of the CEO for the benefits during the Noncompetition Period.
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(c) Return of Information. Upon termination of CEO’s employment with USPB for whatever reason, CEO shall return to or leave all Confidential Information with USPB and its Affiliates, without making or retaining copies of the Confidential Information, including all documents, records, notebooks and other repositories containing Confidential Information.
(d) Breach of Covenants. If CEO breaches any of the covenants and agreements contained in this Section 6, then, in addition to any other rights or remedies of USPB, USPB shall have at its option the following specific rights and remedies: (1) CEO’s right to any payments pursuant to Section 5(d) [Noncompetition Compensation] may be terminated by USPB; (2) USPB shall have the right to enforce any legal or equitable remedy (including injunctive relief) that may be available to USPB; and (3) USPB shall be entitled to relief as necessary to remedy any willful breach of the covenants and agreements under this Section that injures USPB or National Beef Packing Company, LLC or its affiliates.
(e) Covenants Survive Termination. Except to the extent otherwise expressly limited to a restricted period in Section 6(a) [Noncompetition], all covenants and provisions contained in this Section 6 shall survive any termination of CEO’s employment with Company.
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(b) Exclusions from Indemnification. The right to indemnification in Section 7(a) does not include any liability or expense relating to a matter in which the CEO is finally adjudged to have breached or failed to perform a duty that CEO owes to the USPB Entities and the breach or failure to perform constitutes any of the following: (1) a willful failure to deal fairly with the USPB Entities, or USPB or its members in connection with a matter in which the CEO has a material conflict of interest; (2) a violation of the criminal law, unless the CEO had reasonable cause to believe that CEO’s conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe that CEO’s conduct was unlawful; (3) a transaction from which the CEO derived an improper personal profit; or (4) willful misconduct. Determination of whether the CEO is entitled to the indemnification provided for above shall be made as provided in the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
(c) Insurance. USPB further agrees that during the term of employment and for a period of six (6) years after termination of employment, USPB shall maintain in full force and effect a director’s and officer’s insurance policy insuring the CEO against liability asserted and incurred by the CEO in the CEO’s capacity as an officer, manager, employee or agent of USPB Entities or arising from the CEO’s status as an officer, manager, employee or agent of USPB Entities. The insurance shall be in amounts and contain terms and conditions as are reasonable and customary for a company of the size and scope of USPB participating in the industry and business in which USPB is engaged, all as determined by the mutual agreement of USPB and the CEO.
(d) Claims After Termination of Employment. If CEO is no longer employed by USPB and existing or new claims are made against USPB Entities or the CEO, the CEO shall be paid (at a daily rate equal to CEO’s Base Salary at the time of termination divided by 260) for all time spent as a witness, for depositions, and similar pre-approved claim-related expenses to defend against an indemnified claim. The USPB Entities shall promptly make information of USPB Entities available to CEO to defend the claims which may impose liability on CEO.
(a) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any successor of USPB. Any successor shall absolutely and unconditionally assume all of USPB’s obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Disputes. Any dispute, controversy or claim for damages arising in connection with this agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Kansas City, Missouri, at a location designated by USPB by an arbitrator selected by the parties and in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The parties shall share equally the expenses of arbitration, unless otherwise agreed.
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(c) Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, performance, enforcement and remedies relating to this agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by the substantive laws of the state of Missouri.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the CEO and USPB in reference to all matters in this Agreement. This Agreement replaces and rescinds any prior agreements or understandings between CEO and USPB.
CEO
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Linville_______________ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Chair Board of Directors
Date: November 23, 2012
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EXHIBIT A
COMPENSATION EXAMPLE
USPB CEO Compensation Plan | Exhibit A | |||||||
CEO | ||||||||
Contract Through 12/31/2015 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Total | ||||
USPB Total Benefits (Inc + Grid Prem) | $ | 45,000,000 | $ | 45,000,000 | $ | 45,000,000 | $ | 135,000,000 |
Base Annual Salary | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 900,000 |
Annual Incentive .75% over $25 mm Ben. |
$ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 450,000 |
Long Term Incentive Plan .50% over $75 |
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Total Incentive | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 450,000 | $ | 750,000 |
Annual Ave. | $ | 250,000 | ||||||
Maximum 3-year average annual incentive compensation of $450,000. |
Total Benefits | The sum of audited fiscal year-end USPB earnings before tax and fiscal year USPB grid premiums. |
Grid Premiums | The net sum of all USPB member grid premiums and discounts calculated through the USPB grid taking into account all calculators including but not limited to base price, dressing percent, quality grade, outlier cattle and other specific categories less the base price calculator excluding any set base price premium. (Example, 25 cents over the western Kansas reported USDA average, average, 25 cents would be added in to the net grid premium.) |
1000 Additional Phantom Units |
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