EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.4
This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
is made effective as of January 25, 2008 (the "Effective
Date") by and among WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC., a Delaware corporation
("WellCare"),
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC., a Florida corporation (the "Corporation"),
and XXXXX XXXXXXXXX, an individual ("Executive"),
with respect to the following facts and circumstances:
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Corporation desires to employ Executive as its President and Chief Executive
Officer and the President and Chief Executive Officer of WellCare, and Executive
desires to accept such employment;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements
set
forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
EMPLOYMENT,
TERM AND DUTIES
1.1 Employment. The
Corporation hereby employs Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer
of
the Corporation, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement. During the Term, Executive also shall be employed as
President and Chief Executive Officer of WellCare. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Executive agrees that, if requested by the Company in the event
the Corporation hires a Chief Operating Officer, Executive will relinquish
the
title of President for as long as the Corporation employs a Chief Operating
Officer, and the relinquishment of such title shall not constitute Good Reason
for purposes of this Agreement. Executive shall report directly to
the Board of Directors of WellCare (the "Board"). Executive
shall be appointed to the Board as of the Effective Date and be nominated to
continue to serve as a member of the Board at each election of directors during
the Term and, if a Board member, shall be on the Executive Committee thereof,
if
any.
1.2 Term. The
Corporation will employ Executive, and Executive will serve as President (as
applicable) and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, for a term (the
"Term")
of four (4) years, commencing on the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated
under Article 4; provided,
that the Term shall automatically renew for additional one-year periods unless
either the Corporation or Executive gives notice of non-renewal at least ninety
(90) days prior to expiration of the Term (as it may have been extended by
any
renewal period).
1.3 Duties. Executive
shall perform all the duties and obligations reasonably associated with the
positions of President (as applicable) and Chief Executive Officer and
consistent with the Bylaws of WellCare and the Corporation as in effect from
time to time, subject to the supervision of the Board, and such other executive
duties consistent with the foregoing as are mutually agreed upon from time
to
time by Executive and the Board;
provided,
however,
that if the Corporation should have an Executive Chairman, Executive will share
responsibility, together with such Executive Chairman, for (a) the strategic
direction of the Corporation and (b) the Corporation's compliance and regulatory
programs (for which compliance and regulatory programs the Executive Chairman
will have primary responsibility). Executive shall perform the
services contemplated herein faithfully and diligently. Executive
shall devote substantially all his business time and efforts to the rendition
of
such services; provided,
that Executive may participate in social, civic, charitable, religious,
business, educational or professional associations and, with the prior approval
of the Board, serve on the boards of directors of companies, so long as such
participation does not materially interfere with the duties and obligations
of
Executive hereunder.
1.4 Primary
Work Location. Executive will perform the services hereunder
at the Corporation's offices located in the metropolitan area of Tampa,
Florida. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the nature of the
Corporation's business will require travel from time to
time.
ARTICLE
2
COMPENSATION
2.1 Salary. In
consideration for Executive's services hereunder, the Corporation shall pay
Executive an annual salary at the rate of not less than $400,000 per year during
each of the years of the Term, payable in accordance with the Corporation's
regular payroll schedule from time to time (less any deductions required for
Social Security, state, federal and local withholding taxes, and any other
authorized or mandated similar withholdings). The annual salary shall
be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or if there is none,
the
Board (the "Committee")
no less frequently than annually and may be increased (but not decreased) from
its then-existing level at the discretion of the Committee.
2.2 Bonus. Executive
shall be entitled to earn bonuses with respect to each fiscal year (or partial
fiscal year) during the Term, based upon Executive's achievement of performance
objectives set by the Committee after consultation with Executive, with a
targeted bonus of two hundred percent (200%) of Executive's annual salary for
such fiscal year (or partial fiscal year). Any such bonus earned by
Executive shall be paid annually within thirty (30) days after the delivery
of
audited financial statements by the Corporation's outside auditing
firm. Executive may also receive special bonuses in additional to his
annual bonus eligibility at the discretion of the Committee.
2.3 Incentive
Awards.
2.3.1 Initial
Equity Compensation. As an additional element of compensation
to Executive, in consideration of the services to be rendered hereunder, on
the
Effective Date, WellCare shall grant to Executive 250,000 shares of WellCare's
common stock (the "Restricted
Stock") and an option to purchase 500,000 shares of WellCare's common
stock for an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of one
share of WellCare's common stock as of the close of business on the Effective
Date (the "Option"). The
terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock shall be governed by one or more
stock
award
agreements
reflecting such grant, and the terms of the Option shall be governed by a stock
option agreement reflecting such grant, each consistent with the applicable
stock incentive plan of WellCare and providing for, among other things, the
terms set forth in this Section 2.3. The
Option
shall vest in equal monthly installments on the 25th day of each calendar month
for forty-eight (48) months commencing on the Effective Date. The
Restricted Stock shall vest in equal quarterly installments on the 25th day
of
every third calendar month for forty-eight (48) months commencing on the
Effective Date. Both the Option and the Restricted Stock awards shall
be subject to accelerated vesting as provided in Section 2.3.3. With
respect
to the 100,000 shares of the Restricted Stock that are scheduled to vest first,
Executive shall make an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and the Corporation shall pay, on a fully grossed-up basis, all federal, state,
and local income taxes incurred by Executive on compensation resulting from
the
grant or vesting of such Restricted Stock. Any
payment of taxes under the preceding sentence shall be made to or for the
benefit of Executive when such taxes are required to be paid or remitted to
the
taxing authority, but in any event by December 31 of the calendar year following
the calendar year in which the taxes are remitted, or, if no taxes are remitted,
by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which there
is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution of an audit or
litigation relating to the taxes. Upon the vesting of the remaining
150,000 shares of Restricted Stock, Executive may make a payment to the
Corporation, or authorize the Corporation to withhold from funds otherwise
due
to Executive, an amount equal to any applicable federal, state and local taxes
required to be paid or withheld by the Corporation as a result of such vesting,
in which case the Corporation shall remit such full amount to the relevant
taxing authority. If Executive does not make such a payment, or
authorize the withholding of other funds, Executive shall surrender to the
Corporation shares of such Restricted Stock having a fair market value at the
time of such vesting equal to the amount of any applicable federal, state and
local taxes required to be paid or withheld by the Corporation as a result
of
such vesting, in which case the Corporation shall remit such full amount to
the
relevant taxing authority.
2.3.2 Future
Awards. In addition to the Restricted Stock and the Option, at
appropriate times hereafter, the Committee shall review Executive's long-term
compensation and, after consultation with Executive, shall consider granting
additional stock options, restricted stock and/or other long term incentive
compensation to Executive.
2.3.3 Acceleration
of Vesting. The vesting of all long-term incentive
compensation awards to Executive, including, without limitation, the Option,
the
Restricted Stock, and all other equity-based incentive compensation awards
(collectively, "Incentive
Awards"), shall be subject to acceleration as set forth in Section
4.3.2(c). In addition, the vesting of all of Executive's Incentive
Awards shall be accelerated in full in connection with a Change of Control
(as
defined in Section 2.4), such that all such Incentive Awards are fully vested
immediately prior to such Change of Control.
2.3.4 Exercisability
of Options. Except with respect to options granted prior to
the date hereof, all vested options (including the Option, to the extent it
vests) will terminate on the earlier of, and be exercisable until, (a) the
expiration of the ten (10) year term of such options, or (b) one (1) year after
the termination of Executive's employment with the Corporation, regardless
of
the cause of such termination. As provided in the stock option
agreements pertaining to such options, unvested options will terminate on the
termination of Executive's employment with the Corporation, except to the extent
that such options become vested as a result of such termination under the terms
of the governing stock option agreement or this Agreement.
2.4 Definition
of Change of Control.
2.4.1 For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Change
of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(a)
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The
direct or indirect acquisition by an unrelated Person or Group of
Beneficial Ownership of stock that, together with stock already
Beneficially Owned by such Person or Group, constitutes more than
50% of
the voting power of WellCare's issued and outstanding voting stock
or more
than 50% of the fair market value of WellCare's issued and outstanding
stock;
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(b)
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The
direct or indirect sale or transfer by WellCare of substantially
all of
its assets to one or more unrelated Persons or Groups in a single
transaction or a series of related
transactions;
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(c)
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The
merger, consolidation or reorganization of WellCare with or into
another
corporation or other entity in which the Beneficial Owners of more
than
50% of the voting power of WellCare's issued and outstanding voting
securities immediately before such merger or consolidation do not
own,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the
issued
and outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or
other
entity immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization;
or
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(d)
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During
any consecutive 12-month period, individuals who at the beginning
of such
period constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose
election to the Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders
of WellCare was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors
on the
Board then still in office who were either directors at the beginning
of
such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously
so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members
of
the Board then in office.
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2.4.2 Notwithstanding
Section 2.4.1, none of the events set forth in Section 2.4.1 shall constitute
a
Change of Control if such event is not a "Change in Control Event" under
Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or successor guidance of the
Internal Revenue Service.
2.4.3 For
purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, a Person
or
Group shall not be deemed to be "unrelated" if: (a) such Person or Group
directly or indirectly has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the issued
and outstanding
voting power of WellCare's voting securities immediately before the transaction
in question, (b) WellCare has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the
voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such Person
or
Group, or (c) more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding
voting securities of such Person or Group are owned, directly or indirectly,
by
Beneficial Owners of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting power
of
WellCare voting securities immediately before the transaction in
question.
2.4.4 The
terms
"Person,"
"Group,"
"Beneficial
Owner," and "Beneficial
Ownership" shall have the meanings used in the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) Persons
will not be considered to be acting as a "Group" solely because they purchase
or
own stock of WellCare at the same time, or as a result of the same public
offering, (b) Persons will be considered to be acting as a "Group" if they
are
owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase
or
acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction, with WellCare, and (c)
if
a Person, including an entity, owns stock both in WellCare and in a corporation
that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock,
or
similar transaction, with WellCare, such Person shall be considered to be acting
as a Group with other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in such
corporation prior to the transaction.
ARTICLE
3
EXECUTIVE
BENEFITS
3.1 Vacation. Executive
shall be entitled to not less than four weeks of vacation each calendar year,
without reduction in compensation, and otherwise in accordance with the general
policies of the Corporation applicable generally to other senior executives
of
the Corporation.
3.2 Employee
Benefits. Executive shall receive all group insurance and
pension plan benefits and any other benefits on the most favorable basis
available to any senior executive of the Corporation under the Corporation
personnel policies in effect from time to time. Executive shall
receive all other such fringe benefits as the Corporation may offer to other
senior executives of the Corporation generally under the Corporation personnel
policies in effect from time to time, such as health and disability insurance
coverage and paid sick leave.
3.3 Indemnification;
Insurance. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
WellCare, the Corporation and Executive are entering into an Indemnification
Agreement providing, among other things, for indemnification of Executive to
the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In addition, the
Corporation shall cause Executive to be covered by policies of directors and
officers liability insurance covering directors and officers of the Corporation,
copies of which have been or will be provided to Executive, in accordance with
their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director
or
officer of the Corporation. The Corporation acknowledges that it
currently maintains $100,000,000 of unencumbered limits of A-Side DIC insurance
covering only (a) existing independent directors and (b) directors and officers
(including Executive) whose service in such capacity is commencing on or after
the Effective Date, and agrees that, in
addition
to such A-Side DIC insurance, as soon as reasonably practical, it will obtain
new or renewed directors and officers liability insurance program, with fresh
limits, that is at least as broad in coverage terms and amount as the
Corporation's existing directors and officers liability insurance program (such
existing A-Side DIC insurance and such new or renewed program, collectively,
the
"Current
Coverage"). The Corporation shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause policies of directors and officers liability insurance, at
least as broad in coverage terms and amount as the Current Coverage, with fresh
limits every year, to be maintained throughout the term of Executive's
employment with the Corporation and for at least six years
thereafter. In the event of any merger or other acquisition of the
Corporation, the Corporation shall no later than immediately prior to
consummation of such transaction purchase at least six years of "tail" or
extended coverage to cover acts or omissions of Executive during the term of
his
employment (unless such transaction does not result in a diminution in coverage
available to Executive or in fact provides greater coverage to
Executive).
3.4 Reimbursement
for Expenses. Executive shall be reimbursed by the Corporation
for all documented reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance
of his duties or otherwise in furtherance of the business of the Corporation
in
accordance with the policies of the Corporation in effect from time to
time.
ARTICLE
4
TERMINATION
4.1 Grounds
for Termination.
4.1.1 Death
or Disability. Executive's employment shall terminate
immediately in the event of Executive's death or Disability. "Disability"
means Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful business activity
by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which
can
be expected to result in death or that has rendered Executive unable to
effectively carry out his duties and obligations under this Agreement or unable
to effectively and actively participate in the management of WellCare and the
Corporation for a period of 90 consecutive days or for shorter periods
aggregating to 120 days (whether or not consecutive) during any consecutive
12
months of the Term. If there should be a dispute between the
Corporation and Executive as to Executive's Disability for purposes of this
Agreement, the question shall be settled by the opinion of an impartial
reputable physician or psychiatrist agreed upon by the parties or their
representatives, or if the parties cannot agree within ten (10) days after
a
request for designation of such party, then a physician or psychiatrist
designated by the Florida Medical Association. The certification of
such physician or psychiatrist as to the questioned dispute shall be final
and
binding upon the parties hereto.
4.1.2 Cause. The
Corporation shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment by giving
written notice of such termination to Executive upon the occurrence of any
one
or more of the following events ("Cause"):
(a)
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any
willful act or willful omission, other than as a result of Executive's
Disability, that represents a breach of any of the terms
of this Agreement to the material detriment of WellCare or the
Corporation;
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(b)
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bad
faith by Executive in the performance of his duties, consisting of
willful
acts or willful omissions, other than as a result of Executive's
Disability, to the material detriment of WellCare or the Corporation;
or
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(c)
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Executive's
conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime
that
constitutes a felony involving fraud, conversion, misappropriation,
or
embezzlement under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, which conviction has become final and
non-appealable.
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provided,
however,
that if a Change of Control shall occur during the Term, then the foregoing
clause (a) shall
thereafter
cease to constitute part of the definition of "Cause"
hereunder.
4.1.3 Good
Reason. Executive may terminate his employment under this
Agreement by giving written notice to the Corporation upon the occurrence of
any
one or more of the following events ("Good
Reason"):
(a)
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a
material
diminution during the Term in Executive's authority, duties or
responsibilities, or any change in Executive's title except as permitted
pursuant to Section 1.1;
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(b)
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Executive
no longer serving on the Board, other than pursuant to his removal
from
the Board for cause pursuant to a vote of the equityholders of WellCare
or
due to Executive's resignation from the
Board;
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(c)
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a
diminution during the Term in Executive's base salary or bonus
opportunity;
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(d)
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a
material breach by WellCare or the Corporation of any term of this
Agreement; or
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(e)
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a
change in Executive's office location to a point more than fifty
(50)
miles from Executive's offices in Tampa,
Florida.
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4.1.4 Opportunity
to Cure. Notwithstanding Sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, it shall be
a condition precedent to a party's right to terminate Executive's employment
for
Cause or Good Reason, as applicable, that (a) such party shall have first given
the other party written notice stating with reasonable specificity the breach
on
which such termination is premised within 90 days after the party providing
such
notice becomes aware of such breach, and (b) if such breach is susceptible
of
cure or remedy, such breach has not been cured or remedied within forty-five
(45) days after receipt of such notice.
4.1.5 Any
Other Reason. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
the Corporation shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment under
this Agreement at any time without Cause by giving written notice of such
termination to Executive, and Executive shall have the right to terminate
Executive's employment under this Agreement at any time without Good Reason
by
giving written notice of such termination to the
Corporation.
4.2 Termination
Date. Except as provided in Section 4.1.1 with respect to
Executive's death or Disability, and subject to Section 4.1.4, any termination
under Section 4.1 shall be effective upon receipt of notice by Executive or
the
Corporation, as the case may be, of such termination or upon such
other later date as may be provided herein or specified by the Corporation
or
Executive in the notice (the "Termination
Date").
4.3 Effect
of Termination.
4.3.1 Termination
with Cause or without Good Reason. In the event that
Executive's employment is terminated by the Corporation with Cause or by
Executive without Good Reason, the Corporation shall pay all Accrued Obligations
to Executive in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the Termination
Date. "Accrued
Obligations" means the sum of (a) Executive's base salary hereunder
through the Termination Date to the extent not theretofore paid, (b) the amount
of any incentive compensation, deferred compensation and other cash compensation
accrued by Executive as of the Termination Date to the extent not theretofore
paid, and (c) any vacation pay, expense reimbursements and other cash
entitlements accrued by Executive as of the Termination Date to the extent
not
theretofore paid.
4.3.2 Termination
without Cause or with Good Reason. In the event that
Executive's employment is terminated by the Corporation without Cause or by
Executive for Good Reason:
(a)
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The
Corporation shall pay all Accrued Obligations to Executive in a lump
sum
in cash within ten (10) days the Termination
Date;
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(b)
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The
Corporation
shall pay to Executive, in a lump sum in cash no later than the Severance
Payment Deadline (as defined in Section 4.3.4),
an amount equal
to two (2) times (or, if the Termination Date occurs on or after
the first
anniversary of the Effective Date, one (1) times) the sum of
(a) Executive's annual salary as in effect on the Termination Date
and (b) the greater of (i) Executive's target bonus for the fiscal
year
during which the Termination Date occurs or (ii) the highest performance
bonus earned by Executive with respect to any preceding fiscal
year;
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(c)
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The
vesting of all of Executive's Incentive Awards shall be accelerated
such
that the Incentive Awards are vested as of the Termination Date to
the
same extent that the Incentive Awards would have been vested had
Executive's employment continued for twenty-four (24) months (or,
if the
Termination Date occurs on or after the first anniversary of the
Effective
Date, twelve (12) months) after the Termination Date;
and
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(d)
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For
a period of
twenty-four (24) months (or, if the Termination Date occurs on or
after
the first anniversary of the Effective Date, twelve (12) months)
after the
Termination Date, the Corporation shall continue to provide medical,
dental and vision care and life insurance benefits to Executive and/or
Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been
provided
to them in accordance with Section 3.2;
provided,
further,
that Executive agrees to elect COBRA coverage to the extent available
under the Corporation's health insurance plans (and the Corporation
shall
reimburse the cost of any premiums for such coverage on an after-tax
basis). Any payment or reimbursement under this Section
4.3.2(d) that
is
taxable to Executive or any of his family members shall be made (subject
to the provisions of such health care plans that may require earlier
payment) by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which Executive or such family member incurred the
expense.
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4.3.3 Termination
Due to Death or Disability. In the event that Executive's
employment is terminated due to Executive's death or
Disability:
(a)
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The
Corporation shall pay all Accrued Obligations to Executive in a lump
sum
in cash within ten (10) days after the Termination
Date;
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(b)
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The
Corporation shall pay to Executive, in a lump sum in cash within
ten (10)
days after the Termination Date, an amount equal the sum of
(a) Executive's annual salary as in effect on the Termination Date
and (b) the greater of (i) Executive's target bonus for the fiscal
year
during which the Termination Date occurs or (ii) the highest performance
bonus earned by Executive with respect to any preceding fiscal
year;
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(c)
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The
vesting of all of Executive's Incentive Awards shall be fully accelerated
such that all Incentive Awards are vested in full as of the Termination
Date; and
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(d)
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For
a period of
twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, the Corporation shall
continue to provide benefits to Executive and/or Executive's family
at
least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance
with Section 3.2;
provided,
however,
that any benefits (such as participation in a 401(k) plan) which
may not
be provided pursuant to applicable law or regulations shall not be
provided during such period; provided,
further,
that Executive agrees to elect COBRA coverage to the extent available
under the Corporation's health insurance plans (and the Corporation
shall
reimburse the cost of any premiums for such coverage on an after-tax
basis). Any payment or reimbursement under this Section
4.3.3(c) that
is
taxable to Executive or any of his family members shall be made (subject
to the provisions of such health care plans that may require earlier
payment)
by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in
which Executive or such family member incurred the
expense.
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4.3.4 Waiver
and Release Agreement. In consideration of the severance
payments and other benefits described in clauses (b) and (d) of Section 4.3.2,
to which severance payments and benefits Executive would not otherwise be
entitled, and as a precondition to Executive becoming entitled to such severance
payments and other benefits under this Agreement, Executive agrees to execute
and deliver to the Company within 30 days after the applicable Termination
Date
a Waiver and Release Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A without
alteration or addition other than to include the date (the "Release"). If
Executive fails to execute and deliver the Release Agreement within 30 days
after the applicable Termination Date, or if Executive revokes such Release
as
provided therein, the Corporation shall have no obligation to provide any of
the
severance payments and other benefits described in clauses (b) and (d) of
Section 4.3.2. The timing of severance payments under clause (b) of
Section 4.3.2 upon Executive's execution and delivery of the Release shall
be
further governed by the following provisions (the last date on which such
payments may be made, the "Severance
Payment Deadline"):
(a)
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In
any case in which the Release (and the expiration of any revocation
rights
provided therein) could only become effective in a particular tax
year of
Executive, payments conditioned on execution of the release shall
be made
within 10 days after the Release becomes effective and such revocation
rights have lapsed.
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(b)
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In
any case in which the Release (and the expiration of any revocation
rights
provided therein) could become effective in one of two taxable years
of
Executive depending on when Executive executes and delivers the Release,
payments conditioned on execution of the Release shall be made within
10
days after the Release becomes effective and such revocation rights
have
lapsed, but not earlier than the first business day of the later
of such
tax years.
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4.4 Required
Delay For Certain Deferred Compensation and Section 409A. In
the event that any compensation with respect to Executive's termination is
"deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and
the
regulations promulgated thereunder ("Section
409A"), the stock of WellCare, the Corporation or any
affiliate
is publicly
traded on an established securities market or otherwise, and Executive is
determined to be a "specified employee," as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
of the Code, payment of such compensation shall be delayed as required by
Section 409A. Such delay shall last six (6) months from the date of
Executive's termination, except in the event of Executive's
death. Within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month
period, or, if earlier, Executive's death, the Corporation will make a catch-up
payment to Executive equal to the total amount of such payments that would
have
been made during the six-month period but for this Section 4.4. Such
catch-up payment shall bear simple interest at the prime rate of interest as
published by the
Wall Street Journals'
bank survey as
of the first day of the six month period, which such interest shall be paid
with
the catch-up payment. Wherever payments under this Agreement
are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be
a
separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.
4.5 Additional
Payments.
4.5.1 Gross
Up for Excise Tax. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Corporation or WellCare to or for the benefit of Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 4.5) (a "Payment")
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or
if
any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise
tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise
Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment
(a "Gross-Up
Payment") in an amount such that, after payment by Executive of all taxes
(including interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes, but not
including interest and penalties imposed by reason of Executive's failure to
file timely tax returns or to pay taxes shown due on such returns and any
interest, additions, increases or penalties unrelated to the Excise Tax or
the
Gross-Up Payment), including, without limitation, the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
4.5.1, in the event the amount of Pyaments subject to the Excise Tax exceeds
the
product (the "Parachute
Payment Limit") of 2.99 and Executive's applicable "base amount" (as such
term is defined for purposes of Section 4999 of the Code) by less than ten
percent (10%) of Executive's base salary, Executive shall be treated as having
waived such rights with respect to Payments designated by Executive to the
extent required such that the aggregate amount of Payments subject to the Excise
Tax is less than the Parachute Payment Limit.
4.5.2 Gross-Up
Determinations. Subject to the provisions of
Section 4.5.3, below, all determinations required to be made under this
Section 4.5, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and
the
amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving
at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting
firm
selected by Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Corporation (the "Accounting
Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the
Corporation and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt
of
notice from Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as
is
requested by the Corporation. All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the
Corporation. Any
Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 4.5,
shall be paid by the
Corporation to Executive within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no
Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall furnish Executive with a written
opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on Executive's applicable federal
income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any good faith determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Corporation and Executive. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Corporation should have
been made ("Underpayment"),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In
the event that the Corporation exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 4.5.3,
below, and Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting
Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Corporation to or for the benefit
of
Executive.
4.5.3 Claims. Executive
shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Corporation of
a
Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than fifteen (15) business days after Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation of the
nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
the thirty (30)-day period following the date on which Executive gives such
notice to the Corporation (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Corporation notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period
that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall: (a) give the
Corporation any information reasonably requested by the Corporation relating
to
such claim, (b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the
Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim
by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Corporation, (c) cooperate with the
Corporation in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and (d)
permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided,
however,
that the Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis,
for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect
thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and
expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
Section 4.5.3, the Corporation shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego
any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with
the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner; and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest
to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Corporation shall
determine; provided
further, however,
that if the Corporation directs Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a
refund, the Corporation shall (to the extent permitted by law) advance the
amount of such payment to Executive on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise
Tax or income tax
(including
interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance
or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided,
further,
that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes
for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which such contested amount
is
claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Corporation's control of the contest shall
be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case
may
be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
4.5.4 Refunds. If,
after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant
to Section 4.5.3, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with
respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Corporation's complying
with the requirements of said Section 4.5.3) promptly pay to the
Corporation the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon, after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the
receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to
Section 4.5.3, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled
to any refund with respect to such claim and the Corporation does not notify
Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to
the
expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance
shall
be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid; and the amount of such
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.
4.5.5 Timing
of Gross-Up Payment. Subject to the foregoing provisions of
this Section 4.5 that may require earlier payment, any Gross-Up Payment shall
be
paid to or for the benefit of Employee by December 31 of the calendar year
following the calendar year in which the Excise Tax is remitted, or, if no
Excise Tax is remitted, by December 31 of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which there is a final and nonappealable settlement or other
resolution of an audit or litigation relating to the Excise
Tax.
4.6 Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit
Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy
or
practice provided by the Corporation or its subsidiaries and for which Executive
may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights
as
Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with the Corporation
or
its subsidiaries at or subsequent to the Termination Date, which shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or
agreement, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
4.7 No
Set-Off or Mitigation. The Corporation's obligation to make
the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any setoff, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense, or other claim, right or action that the Corporation may
have against Executive or others, except to the extent of the mitigation and
setoff provisions provided for in this Agreement. In no event shall
Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by
way
of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions
of
this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive
obtains other employment. The Corporation agrees to pay as incurred,
to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that Executive
may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome
thereof) by the Corporation, Executive or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus,
in
each case, interest on any delayed payment at the applicable federal rate
provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
ARTICLE
5
RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS
5.1 Confidential
Information.
5.1.1 Obligation
to Maintain Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that, by
reason of Executive's employment by the Corporation, the Executive will have
access to confidential information (collectively, "Confidential
Information") of WellCare, the Corporation and their respective
subsidiaries (collectively, the "WellCare
Companies"). Executive acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is a valuable and unique asset of the WellCare Companies and
covenants that, both during and after the Term, Executive will not disclose
any
Confidential Information to any Person (except as Executive's duties as a
director, officer or employee of WellCare and the Corporation may require)
without the prior written authorization of the Board. The obligation
of confidentiality imposed by this Section 5.1 shall not apply to Confidential
Information that otherwise becomes known to the public through no act of
Executive in breach of this Agreement or which is required to be disclosed
by
court order, applicable law or regulatory requirements, nor shall it apply
to
Executive's disclosure of Confidential Information to his attorneys and advisors
in connection with a dispute between Executive and a WellCare
Company.
5.1.2 Company
Property. All records, designs, business plans, financial
statements, customer lists, manuals, memoranda, lists, research and development
plans, Intellectual Property and other property delivered to or compiled by
Executive by or on behalf of any WellCare Company or its providers, clients
or
customers that pertain to the business of any WellCare Company shall be and
remain the property of such WellCare Company and be subject at all times to
its
discretion and control. Likewise, all correspondence, reports,
records, charts, advertising materials and other similar data pertaining to
the
business, activities, research and development, Intellectual Property or future
plans of a WellCare Company that is collected by the Executive shall be
delivered promptly to such WellCare Company without request by it upon
termination of Executive's employment. For purposes of this Section
5.1.2, "Intellectual
Property" shall mean patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, trade
secrets, other such rights, and any applications therefor.
5.2 Inventions. Executive
is hereby retained in a capacity such that Executive's responsibilities may
include the making of technical and managerial contributions of value to the
WellCare Companies. Executive hereby assigns to the applicable
WellCare Company all rights, title and interest in such contributions and
inventions made or conceived by Executive alone or jointly with others during
the Term that relate to the business of such WellCare Company. This
assignment shall include (a) the right to file and prosecute patent applications
on such inventions in any and all countries, (b) the patent applications filed
and patents issuing thereon, and (c) the right to obtain copyright, trademark
or
trade name
protection
for any such work product. Executive shall promptly and fully
disclose all such contributions and inventions to the Corporation and assist
the
Corporation or any other WellCare Company, as the case may be, in obtaining
and
protecting the rights therein (including patents thereon), in any and all
countries; provided,
however,
that said contributions and inventions will be the property of the applicable
WellCare Company, whether or not patented or registered for copyright, trademark
or trade name protection, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no WellCare Company shall have any right, title or interest in any
work product or copyrightable work developed outside of work hours and without
the use of any WellCare Company's resources that does not relate to the business
of any WellCare Company and does not result from any work performed by Executive
for any WellCare Company.
5.3 Unfair
Competition.
5.3.1 Scope
of Covenant. Executive agrees that during the Term, and for
the one-year period beginning on the Termination Date, Executive shall not,
directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of or in conjunction with
any
other Person, without the prior written consent of the
Board:
(a)
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engage
as an officer, director, shareholder, owner, partner, joint venturer,
or
in any managerial capacity, whether as an employee, independent
contractor, consultant or advisor (paid or unpaid), or as a sales
representative, or otherwise participate, in each case, in any business
that sells, markets, or provides any benefits or services within
any state
in which a WellCare Company is doing business at the time Executive
ceases
to be employed by the Corporation that are in direct competition
with the
benefits or services provided by such WellCare Company in such
state;
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(b)
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recruit,
hire or solicit any employee or former employee of any WellCare Company
or
encourage any employee of any WellCare Company to leave such WellCare
Company's employ, unless such former employee has not been employed
by the
WellCare Group for a period in excess of six months; provided,
however,
that the provisions of this clause (b) shall not apply to any member
of
Executive's immediate family;
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(c)
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call
upon any Person who is at the time Executive ceases to be employed
by the
Corporation, or who was at any time during the one year period prior
to
the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation, a provider,
customer or agent of any WellCare Company for the purpose of soliciting
or
selling benefits or services that would violate clause (a) above;
or
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(d)
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request
or advise any provider, customer or agent of any WellCare Company
to
withdraw, curtail or cancel its business dealings with such WellCare
Company;
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provided,
however,
that nothing in this Section 5.3.1 shall
be construed
to preclude Executive from making any investment in the securities of any
business enterprise whether or not engaged in competition with any WellCare
Company, to the extent that such securities are actively traded on a national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States
or on
any foreign securities exchange, but only if such investment does not exceed
two
percent (2%) of the outstanding voting securities of such enterprise, provided
that such permitted activity shall not relieve the Executive from any other
provisions of this Agreement.
5.3.2 Reasonableness. It
is agreed by the parties that the foregoing covenants in this Section 5.3 impose
a reasonable restraint on Executive in light of the activities and business
of
the WellCare Companies on the date of the execution of this Agreement and the
current plans of the WellCare Companies. Executive acknowledges that
the covenants in this Section 5.3 shall not prevent Executive from earning
a
livelihood upon the termination of employment hereunder, but merely prevents
unfair competition with the WellCare Companies for a limited period of
time.
5.3.3 Severability. The
covenants in this Section 5.3 are severable and separate, and the
unenforceability of any specific covenant shall not affect the provisions of
any
other covenant. In the event any court of competent jurisdiction
shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth
herein are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such
restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent that such court deems reasonable,
and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.
5.3.4 Enforcement
by the Corporation not Limited. All of the covenants in this
Section 5.3 shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other
provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action
of Executive against any WellCare Company, whether predicated in this Agreement
or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the
Corporation or WellCare of such covenants.
5.4 Breach
of Restrictive Covenants. The parties agree that a breach or
violation of this Article 5 will result in immediate and irreparable injury
and
harm to the innocent party, and that such innocent party shall have, in addition
to any and all remedies of law and other consequences under this Agreement,
the
right to seek an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief
to
prevent the violation of the obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE
6
ARBITRATION
6.1 General. Except
for an action for equitable relief that is permitted to be sought pursuant
to
Section 5.4, any controversy, dispute, or claim between the parties to this
Agreement, including any claim arising out of, in connection with, or in
relation to the formation, interpretation, performance or breach of this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, before a single
arbitrator, in accordance with this Article 6 and the then most applicable
rules
of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon any award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any state or federal court having
jurisdiction thereof. Such arbitration shall be administered by the
American Arbitration
Association.
Arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for determining any such dispute,
regardless of its nature. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party
may in an appropriate matter apply to a court for provisional relief, including
a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, on the ground that
the award to which the applicant may be entitled in arbitration may be rendered
ineffectual without provisional relief. Unless mutually agreed by the
parties otherwise, any arbitration shall take place in Tampa,
Florida.
6.2 Selection
of Arbitrator. In the event the parties are unable to agree
upon an arbitrator, the parties shall select a single arbitrator from a list
of
nine arbitrators drawn by the parties at random from the "Independent" (or
"Gold
Card") list of retired judges or, at the option of Executive, from a list of
nine persons (which shall be retired judges or corporate or litigation attorneys
experienced in executive employment agreements) provided by the office of the
American Arbitration Association having jurisdiction over Tampa,
Florida. If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator from
the list so drawn, then the parties shall each strike names alternately from
the
list, with the first to strike being determined by lot. After each
party has used four strikes, the remaining name on the list shall be the
arbitrator. If such person is unable to serve for any reason, the
parties shall repeat this process until an arbitrator is
selected.
6.3 Applicability
of Arbitration; Remedial Authority. This agreement to resolve
any disputes by binding arbitration shall extend to claims against any parent,
subsidiary or affiliate of each party, and, when acting within such capacity,
any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of each party, or of
any
of the above, and shall apply as well to claims arising out of state and federal
statutes and local ordinances as well as to claims arising under the common
law. In the event of a dispute subject to this paragraph the parties
shall be entitled to reasonable discovery subject to the discretion of the
arbitrator. The remedial authority of the arbitrator (which shall
include the right to grant injunctive or other equitable relief) shall be the
same as, but no greater than, would be the remedial power of a court having
jurisdiction over the parties and their dispute. The arbitrator
shall, upon an appropriate motion, dismiss any claim without an evidentiary
hearing if the party bringing the motion establishes that he or it would be
entitled to summary judgment if the matter had been pursued in court
litigation. In the event of a conflict between the applicable rules
of the American Arbitration Association and these procedures, the provisions
of
these procedures shall govern.
6.4 Fees
and Costs. Any filing or administrative fees shall be borne
initially by the party requesting arbitration. The Corporation shall
be responsible for the costs and fees of the
arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the prevailing party in
such arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator, and in any enforcement or
other court proceedings, shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law,
to
reimbursement from the other party for all of the prevailing party's costs
(including but not limited to the arbitrator's compensation), expenses, and
attorneys' fees.
6.5 Award
Final and Binding. The arbitrator shall render an award and
written opinion, and the award shall be final and binding upon the
parties. If any of the provisions of this paragraph, or of this
Agreement, are determined to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, in whole
or
in part, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder
of
this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be reformed to the extent necessary
to
carry
out its provisions to the greatest extent possible and to insure that the
resolution of all conflicts between the parties, including those arising out
of
statutory claims, shall be resolved by neutral, binding
arbitration. If a court should find that the arbitration provisions
of this Agreement are not absolutely binding, then the parties intend any
arbitration decision and award to be fully admissible in evidence in any
subsequent action, given great weight by any finder of fact, and treated as
determinative to the maximum extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE
7
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 Amendments. The
provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, altered, amended or repealed
in
whole or in part except by the signed written consent of the parties sought
to
be bound by such waiver, alteration, amendment or repeal.
7.2 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and any agreements pertaining to the
Incentive Awards constitute the total and complete agreement of the parties
with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and
contemporaneous understandings and agreements heretofore made, and there are
no
other representations, understandings or agreements.
7.3 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one of more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed and original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the
same
instrument.
7.4 Severability. Each
term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement shall be viewed as
separate and distinct, and in the event that any such term, covenant, condition
or provision shall be deemed by an arbitrator or a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the court or arbitrator finding
such invalidity or unenforceability shall modify or reform this Agreement to
give as much effect as possible to the terms and provisions of this
Agreement. Any term or provision which cannot be so modified or
reformed shall be deleted and the remaining terms and provisions shall continue
in full force and effect.
7.5 Waiver
or Delay. The failure or delay on the part of the Corporation
or Executive to exercise any right or remedy, power or privilege hereunder
shall
not operate as a waiver thereof. A waiver, to be effective, must be
in writing and signed by the party making the waiver. A written
waiver of default shall not operate as a waiver of any other default or of
the
same type of default on a future occasion.
7.6 Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties to it and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns, except as otherwise provided
herein. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits,
obligations or duties hereunder may be assigned or transferred by Executive
except by operation of law. Without the prior written consent of
Executive, this Agreement shall not be assigned by the
Corporation. The Corporation will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all
or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation to assume
expressly and agree
to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken
place.
7.7 Necessary
Acts. Each party to this Agreement shall perform any further
acts and execute and deliver any additional agreements, assignments or documents
that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions or to effectuate
the purpose of this Agreement.
7.8 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware.
7.9 Notices. All
notices, requests, demands and other communications to be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on
the
date of service, if personally served on the party to whom notice is to be
given, or 48 hours after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is
to be
given by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, and properly addressed to the party at his address set forth as follows
or any other address that any party may designate by written notice to the
other
parties:
To Executive: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
On file with the Corporation | |
To WellCare or the Corporation: | WellCare Health Plans, Inc. |
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx | |
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxx | |
Xxxxx, XX 00000 | |
Attn: General Counsel | |
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
7.10 Headings
and Captions. The headings and captions used herein are solely
for the purpose of reference only and are not to be considered as construing
or
interpreting the provisions of this Agreement.
7.11 Construction. All
terms and definitions contained herein shall be construed in such a manner
that
shall give effect to the fullest extent possible to the express or implied
intent of the parties hereby.
7.12 Counsel. Executive
has been advised by the Corporation that he should consider seeking the advice
of counsel in connection with the execution of this Agreement and Executive
has
had an opportunity to do so. Executive has read and understands this Agreement,
and has sought the advice of counsel to the extent he has determined
appropriate. The Corporation shall reimburse Executive for the
reasonable fees and expenses of Executive's counsel(s) in connection with the
preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
7.13 Withholding
of Compensation. Executive hereby agrees that the Corporation
may deduct and withhold from the compensation or other amounts payable to
Executive
hereunder
or otherwise in connection with Executive's employment any amounts required
to
be deducted and withheld by the Corporation under the provisions of any
applicable Federal, state and local statute, law, regulation, ordinance or
order.
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the Effective Date.
WELLCARE
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WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC. | |
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Title: Chairman, Compensation Committee | |
|
CORPORATION
|
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | |
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Title: Duly Authorized | |
EXECUTIVE
|
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
EXHIBIT
A
WAIVER
AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS
WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT(this
"Release")is
entered into as of [TO
BE DETERMINED AT TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT](the
"Effective
Date"),
by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
(the "Executive")
in consideration of severance pay and
benefits (the
"Severance
Payment")
provided
to the Executive by Comprehensive Health Management, Inc., a Florida
corporation (the "Corporation"),
pursuant
to clauses
(b) and (d) of Section 4.3.2
of the
Employment Agreement by and between the
Corporation and the Executive
(the "Employment
Agreement").
1.
Waiver
and Release. Subject
to the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 1, the
Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of
his heirs, executors, administrators, attorneys and assigns, hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably releases, waives and forever discharges the
Corporation and each of its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors,
and
the subsidiaries, directors, owners,
members, shareholders, officers, agents, and employees of the Corporation and
its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and subsidiaries
(collectively, all of the foregoing are referred to as the "Employer"),
from any and all causes of action,
claims and damages, including attorneys'fees,
whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, presently asserted or
otherwise arising through the date of his signing of this
Release,
concerning his employment or separation from employment. Subject
to
the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 1, this
Release
includes, but is not limited to,
any
payments, benefits or damages arising under any federal law (including, but
not
limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive Order 11246, the Family and Medical
Leave Act, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, each
as
amended);any
claim arising under any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations
(including, but not limited to, any state or local laws, ordinances or
regulations requiring that advance notice be given of certain workforce
reductions); and any claim arising under
any common law principle or public policy, including, but not limited to, all
suits in tort or contract, such as wrongful termination, defamation, emotional
distress, invasion of privacy or loss of consortium. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Release to the contrary, this Release does not
encompass, and Executive does not release, waive or discharge, the obligations
of WellCare and/or the Corporation (a) to make the payments and provide the
other benefits contemplated by the Employment Agreement, or (b) under any
restricted stock agreement, option agreement or other agreement pertaining
to
Executive's equity ownership, or (c) under any indemnification or similar
agreement with Executive.
The
Executive understands that by signing this Release,
he
is not waiving any claims or administrative charges which cannot be waived
by
law. He is waiving, however, any right to monetary recovery or
individual relief should any federal, state or local agency (including the
Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission)
pursue any claim on his behalf arising out of or related to his employment
with
and/or separation from employment with the
Corporation.
The
Executive further agrees without any reservation whatsoever, never to xxx the
Employer or become a party to
a lawsuit on the basis of any and all claims of any type lawfully and validly
released in this Release.
2.
Acknowledgments. The
Executive is signing this Release knowingly and voluntarily. He
acknowledges that:
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(a)
|
He
is hereby advised in writing toconsult
an attorney before signing this Release
Agreement;
|
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(b)
|
He
has relied solely on his own judgment and/or that of
his attorney regarding the consideration for and the terms of
this Release and is signing this Release Agreement knowingly and
voluntarily
of his own free will;
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(c)
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He
is not entitled to the Severance Payment unless he agrees to and
honors
the terms of this Release;
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(d)
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He
has been given at least twenty-one
(21) calendar
days to consider this Release,
or he or she expressly waives his
right to have at least twenty-one
(21) days
to consider this Release;
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(e)
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He
may revoke this Release within seven (7) calendar days after signing
it by
submitting a written notice of revocation to the Employer. He
further understands that this Release
is not effective or enforceable until after the seven (7) day period
of
revocation has expired without revocation, and that if he or she
revokes
this Release within the seven (7) day revocation period, he will
not
receive the Severance
Payment;
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(f)
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He
has
read and understands the Release and
further understands that, subject to the limitations contained herein,
it
includes a general release of any and all known and unknown, foreseen
or
unforeseen claims presently asserted or otherwise arising through
the
date of his signing of this Release that he may have against the
Employer;
and
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(g)
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No
statements made or conduct by the Employer has in any way coerced
or
unduly influenced him or her to execute this Release.
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3.
No
Admission of Liability. This
Release
does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of
the
Employer, the Employer does not admit there has been any wrongdoing whatsoever
against the Executive, and the Employer expressly denies that any wrongdoing
has
occurred.
4.
Entire
Agreement. There
are no other agreements of any nature between the Employer and the Executive
with respect to the matters discussed in this Release Agreement, except as
expressly stated herein, and in signing this Release,
the Executive is not relying
on any agreements or representations, except those expressly
contained in this Release.
5.
Execution. It
is not necessary that the Employer sign this Release following the
Executive's
full and complete execution of it for it to become fully effective and
enforceable.
6.
Severability. If
any provision of this Release is found, held or deemed by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be void, unlawful or unenforceable under any applicable statute
or controlling law, the remainder of this Release shall continue
in full force and effect.
7.
Governing
Law. This
Release shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, excluding the
choice of law rules thereof.
8.
Headings. Section
and subsection headings contained in this Release are inserted for
the
convenience of reference only. Section and subsection headings shall
not be deemed to be a part of this Release for any purpose, and they shall
not
in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the
provisions hereof.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the
day
and year first herein above written.
EXECUTIVE:
_________________________
XXXXX
XXXXXXXXX