EXHIBIT 10.7
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated this 5/th/ day of March,
1999, is entered into by and between CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and XXXXX X. XXXXXX (the "Executive"), with
reference to the following facts:
RECITALS:
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WHEREAS:
A. The Company desires to employ the Executive as its Projects Director in
order to enable the Company to avail itself of the skill, knowledge and
experience of the Executive and to assure the successful management of the
Company, and the Executive desires to become employed in such executive
officers position or positions;
B. The Company and the Executive desire to enter into a written employment
agreement formally documenting their relationship and setting forth the
duties and responsibilities the Company desires the Executive to undertake,
and which the Executive has agreed to undertake.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained
herein, and for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby mutually acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement (collectively
"parties" and individually a "party") agree as follows:
AGREEMENT:
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1. DEFINITIONS
A. Set forth below are definitions of capitalized words or terms which
(together with those common words and terms set forth in section 14.L)
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are generally used throughout this Agreement, or references to
sections or paragraphs containing those definitions (capitalized terms
used only in a specific section or paragraph of this Agreement are
defined in that section or paragraph):
B. "Advance" is defined in section 9.
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C. "Affiliate" means any "Person" (as defined below) controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with a party.
D. "Agreement" means this Agreement, as originally executed and as it may
be: (i) amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated from time to
time (but only to the extent amended, modified, supplemented and/or
restated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement); and/or (ii)
renewed or extended in accordance with its terms.
E. "Applicable Laws" means any federal (both of the United States and
Canada), state, provincial local or foreign laws or regulations as may
be applicable.
F. "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, as such body may
be reconstituted from time to time.
G. "Company" means Clean Energy Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation, and any successor and assign of the Company, as more
particularly described in, or permitted and prescribed pursuant to,
section 16.A.
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H. "Disability" (or the related term "Disabled") means any of the
following:
(1) the receipt of any disability insurance benefits by the
Executive;
(2) a declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction that the
Executive is legally incompetent;
(3) the Executive's material inability due to medically documented
mental or physical illness or disability to fully perform the
Executive's regular obligations of his office and as an employee
of the Company (with reasonable accommodations for such
disability, if then required by Applicable Law), for a six (6)
month continuous period, or for nine (9) cumulative months within
any one (1) year continuous period; or
(4) the reasonable determination by the Board that the Executive will
not be able to fully perform the Executive's regular obligations
of his office and as an employee of the Company (with reasonable
accommodations if then required by Applicable Law) for a six (6)
month continuous period.
If the Board determines that the Executive is Disabled under
subsection (4) above, and the Executive disagrees with the conclusion
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of the Board, then the Company shall engage a qualified independent
physician reasonably acceptable to the Executive to examine the
Executive at the Company's sole expense. The determination of such
physician shall be provided in writing to the parties and shall be
final and binding upon the parties for all purposes of this Agreement.
The Executive hereby consents to examination in the manner set forth
above, and waives any physician-patient privilege arising from any
such examination as it relates to the determination of the purported
disability.
I. "Employee Benefit Plan" is defined in section 4.D.
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J. "Employee Deductions" are defined in section 6.
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K. "Monthly Salary" is defined in section 4.A.
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L. "Performance Bonus" is defined in section 4.C.
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M. "Person" means an individual or natural person, a corporation,
partnership (limited or general), joint-venture, association, business
trust, limited liability company/partnership,
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business trust, trust (whether revocable or irrevocable), pension or
profit sharing plan, individual retirement account, or fiduciary or
custodial arrangement.
N. "Personal Time-Off" is defined in section 7.
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O. "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, partnership (limited or
general), joint-venture, association, business trust, limited
liability company/partnership, business trust or rust in which the
Company holds a controlling interest, including but not limited to
Clean Energy Technologies (Canada) Inc., a British Columbia
corporation.
P. "Termination By Company For Cause" means a termination of the
Executive caused by a determination of two-thirds of the Board,
excluding the Executive if then a member of the Board, that one of the
following events has occurred:
(1) Any of the Executive's representations or warranties in this
Agreement is not materially true, accurate and/or complete;
(2) The Executive has intentionally and continually breached or
wrongfully failed and/or refused to fulfill and/or perform:
(a) any of the Executive's material obligations, promises or
covenants under this Agreement, or
(b) any of the material warranties, obligations, promises or
covenants in any agreement (other than this Agreement)
entered into between the Company and the Executive, without
cure, if any, as provided in such agreement;
(3) The Executive has intentionally failed and/or refused to obey any
lawful and proper order or directive of the Board, and/or the
Executive has intentionally interfered with the compliance by
other employees of the Company with any such orders or
directives;
(4) The Executive has intentionally breached the Executive's
fiduciary duties to the Company;
(5) The Executive has intentionally caused the Company to be
convicted of a crime, or to incur criminal penalties in material
amounts;
(6) The Executive has committed: (A) any act of fraud,
misrepresentation, theft, embezzlement or misappropriation,
and/or any other dishonest act against the Company and/or any of
its Affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures; or (B) any other
offense involving moral turpitude, which offense is followed by
conviction or by final action of any court of law; or (C) a
felony;
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(7) The Executive repeatedly and intemperately used alcohol or drugs,
to the extent that such use (A) interfered with or is likely to
interfere with the Executive's ability to perform the Executive's
duties, and/or (B) endangered or is likely to endanger the life,
health, safety, or property of the Executive, the Company, or any
other person;
(8) The Executive has intentionally demonstrated or committed such
acts of racism, sexism or other discrimination as would tend to
bring the Company into public scandal or ridicule, or could
otherwise result in material and substantial harm to the
Company's business, reputation, operations, affairs or financial
position; and/or
(9) The Executive engaged in other conduct constituting legal cause
for termination.
(10) No act, nor failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be
considered "intentional" unless the Executive has acted, or
failed to act, with a lack of good faith and with a lack of
reasonable belief that the Executive's action or failure to act
was in the best interests of the Company. In the event the
Executive is both Disabled and the provisions of subsection (7)
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of this subsection P are applicable, the Company shall
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nevertheless have the right to deem such event as a Termination
By Company For Cause.
Q. Termination By Executive For Good Reason" means the Executive's
termination of this Agreement based on his reasonable determination
that one of the following events has occurred:
(1) Any of the Company's representations or warranties in this
Agreement is not materially true, accurate and/or complete;
(2) The Company intentionally and continually breached or wrongfully
failed to fulfill or perform:
(a) its material obligations, promises or covenants under this
Agreement; or
(b) any material warranties, obligations, promises or covenants
of the Company in any agreement (other than this Agreement)
entered into between the Company and the Executive, without
cure, if any, as provided in such agreement;
(3) The Company terminated this Agreement and the Executive's
employment hereunder, and such termination does not constitute
Termination By Company For Cause;
(4) Without the consent of the Executive, the Company:
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(a) substantially altered or materially diminished the position,
nature, status, prestige or responsibilities of the
Executive from those in effect by mutual agreement of the
parties from time-to-time;
(b) assigned additional duties or responsibilities to the
Executive which were wholly and clearly inconsistent with
the position, nature, status, prestige or responsibilities
of the Executive then in effect; or
(c) removed or failed to reappoint or re-elect the Executive to
the Executive's offices under this Agreement (as they may be
changed or augmented from time-to-time with the consent of
the Executive), or as a director of the Company, except in
connection with the Disability of the Executive;
(5) Without the consent ratification (express or implied) of the
Executive, the Executive was removed from the Board without his
consent; or the Company failed to nominate or reappoint the
Executive to the Board (unless the Executive is deceased or
Disabled, or such removal or failure is attributable to an event
which would constitute Termination By Company For Cause), or if
the Executive was so nominated, the stockholders of the Company
failed to re-elect the Executive to the Board;
(6) The Company intentionally required the Executive to commit or
participate in any felony or other serious crime; and/or
(7) The Company engaged in other conduct constituting legal cause for
termination.
In the event any of the events described above in this subsection O
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occurs, and such event is reasonably susceptible of being cured, the
Company shall be entitled to a grace period of thirty (30) days
following receipt of written notice of such event. If the Executive
determines, in his sole discretion, that such event is not reasonably
susceptible of being cured within a period of thirty (30) days), the
Executive may grant a longer cure period to the Company to cure such
event to the reasonable satisfaction of the Executive, provided the
Company promptly commences and diligently pursues such cure. The
noted grace periods shall not apply to any other event described in
this subsection O.
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2. EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS
A. Engagement; Duties. The Company hereby engages the Executive as its
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Projects Director, and the Executive accepts such position, upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein. As the Company's Projects
Director, the Executive shall be responsible for managing and handiing
various research and development, proto-type development and product
manufacturing projects, as well as such other things as may be
necessary or advisable to discharge his duties as the Company's
Projects Director under this
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Agreement and the Company's Bylaws.
The Executive shall report only to the Board and the Company's
President and Head of Research and Development. The Executive's
responsibilities with respect to the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries may be changed or supplemented by the Board from time-to-
time, in their discretion. The Executive shall also hold such offices
with the Subsidiaries and/or joint ventures of the Company as the
Board may, in its discretion and with the consent of the Executive,
from time-to-time determine. The Board shall determine the amount of
the Executive's total remuneration which will be allocated to and paid
by the Company and by each of its Subsidiaries. The Executive shall
be reasonably available to travel as the needs of the Company's
business may require.
B. Performance. The Executive shall devote the Executive's entire and
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undivided business time, energy, abilities and attention solely and
exclusively to the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder and
the business of the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries); provided,
however, the foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit the
Executive from attending to personal matters from time-to-time as
needed during business hours to the extent reasonably necessary to
address such matters. The Executive shall at all times faithfully,
loyally, conscientiously, diligently and, to the best of the
Executive's ability, perform all of the Executive's duties and
obligations under this Agreement, and otherwise promote the interests
and welfare of the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries), all consistent
with the highest and best standards of the Company's industry. The
Executive shall, in all cases:
(1) strictly comply with and adhere to all Applicable Laws, and the
Company's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and policies;
(2) obey all reasonable rules and regulations and policies now in
effect or as subsequently modified governing the conduct of
employees of the Company, and
(3) not commit any acts of gross negligence, willful misconduct,
dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation, racism, sexism or other
discrimination, or any other acts which would tend to bring the
Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) into public scandal or
ridicule, or would otherwise result in material harm to the
Company's business or reputation.
C. Facilities and Services. The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall
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provide such support staff, facilities, equipment and supplies as are
reasonably necessary or suitable for the adequate performance of the
Executive's duties and obligations under this Agreement, including
technical and secretarial help.
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3. TERM
A. Initial Term. The Company hereby employ the Executive pursuant to
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the terms of this Agreement, and the Executive hereby accepts such
employment with the Company, for the period beginning on the date of
this Agreement and ending on March 5, 2000 (the "Initial Term").
B. Automatic Renewal; Termination by the Company. Unless this Agreement
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is previously terminated by either party as provided in section 10
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below, this Agreement will be automatically renewed for additional and
consecutive one (1) year terms (each, a "Renewal Term") following the
expiration of each Initial or Renewal Term, (each a "Term"), unless
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either party gives written notice to the other party, no later than
sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then pending Term, of
its election not to automatically renew this Agreement for an
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additional year.
4. COMPENSATION
A. Monthly Base Salary. The Company shall pay or caused to be paid to
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the Executive a monthly base salary of nine thousand one hundred sixty
six Canadian dollars and sixty seven cents (Cdn. $9,166.67) (the
"Monthly Salary"). The Monthly Salary shall be payable in periodic
installments as agreed from time-to-time by the Executive and the
Board, but at least semi-monthly, and shall be subject to any Tax
Withholdings and/or Employee Deductions that are applicable. In any
pay period in which the Executive shall be employed for less than the
entire number of business days in such pay period, the Monthly Salary
for such pay period shall be prorated on the basis of the number of
business days during which the Executive was actually employed during
such pay period, divided by the actual number of business days in such
pay period.
B. Automatic Percentage Increase In Monthly Base Salary. Commencing on
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the first annual anniversary date of this Agreement, and on each
annual anniversary date thereafter, the Monthly Salary then effective
shall be increased by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the
Monthly Salary for the immediately prior year. Additionally,
commencing on or prior to the first annual anniversary date of this
Agreement, and on or prior to each annual anniversary date thereafter,
the Board shall review the Executive's Monthly Salary to determine
whether to increase the Monthly Salary by an amount in excess of said
five percent (5%) increment, without any obligation by the Board to
authorize such increase.
C. Performance Bonus. The Board shall from time-to-time, but not less
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than one (1) time per year, evaluate the performance of the Executive
and award to the Executive a performance bonus (the "Performance
Bonus") in such amount as the Board may determine, in its sole
discretion, to be reasonable, after taking into consideration other
compensation paid or payable to the Executive under this Agreement, as
well as the financial and non-financial progress of the business of
the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) and the contributions of the
Executive toward that progress. Payment of
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the Performance Bonus shall be subject to any applicable Tax
Withholdings and/or Employee Deductions.
D. Participation in Employee Benefit Plans. The Executive shall have
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the same rights, privileges, benefits and opportunities to participate
in any employee benefit plans of the Company which may now or
hereafter be in effect on a general basis for the Company's executive
officers or employees, including without limitation retirement,
pension, profit-sharing, savings and insurance (including, but not
limited to, health, dental, disability and/or group insurance)
(collectively, "Employee Benefit Plans"). In the event the Executive
receives payments from a disability plan maintained by the Company,
the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall have the right to offset
such payments against Monthly Salary otherwise payable to the
Executive during the period for which payments are made by such
disability plan.
E. Stock Options.
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(1) The Company agrees to grant to the Executive an option (the
"Option") to purchase up to sixty thousand (60,000) unregistered
shares of the Company's common stock, which right to purchase
shall vest incrementally over a period of five (5) years based
upon continuous employment, with the first increment of sixteen
thousand (16,000) shares vesting one year from the date of this
Agreement. The purchase price per share shall be U.S. $2 per
share.
(2) The term for the Executive to exercise the Option with respect to
any vested share shall expire five (5) years from the date of
vesting of such share provided, however, if the Executive's
employment with the Company has been previously terminated
pursuant to subsection (4) below, the expiration date shall be
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accelerated to two (2) years after the effective date of
termination (if earlier than the option expiration date).
(3) In the event of the death or Disability of the Executive, all
unvested Options Shares which would have vested within the twelve
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(12) month period following the date of death or Disability will
vest effective as of the date of death or Disability, and the
prospective right to purchase the balance of the remaining
unvested option shares shall lapse.
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(4) In the event the Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated, and such termination is attributable to:
(a) an event defined as Termination By Company for Cause; and/or
(b) termination by the Executive which does not constitute
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Termination By Executive For Good Reason; then
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the prospective right to purchase unvested option shares shall
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lapse to the extent such rights do not vest prior to the
effective date of termination.
(5) In the event the Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated, and such termination is attributable to:
(a) an event defined as a Termination by Executive for Good
Reason;
(b) termination by the Company which does not constitute a
Termination By Company for Cause and/or
(c) an event defined as a Change in Control; then
the prospective right to purchase all unvested options shares
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which would have vested within the twelve (12) month period
following the date of such event will vest effective as of the
date of such event, and the prospective right to purchase the
balance of the remaining unvested option shares shall lapse.
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(6) The grant of the Options shall be evidenced by a Stock Option
Certificate reflecting the above terms plus such additional terms
and conditions as required by a Plan established by the Company
and containing such other terms as the Company believes to be
reasonable.
(7) The Executive shall be responsible for all income taxes
(including tax withholdings) attributable to the grant or
exercise of the Option, or the sale of the option shares acquired
by exercise of the Option.
5. BUSINESS EXPENSES
During the Term of this Agreement the Executive is authorized to incur, and
the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall directly pay or reimburse the
Executive for his or her payment of the Executive's reasonable and
necessary business expenses, duly and actually incurred by the Executive in
connection with the duties and services to be performed by the Executive
under this Agreement, including without limitation entertainment, meals,
travel, lodging and other similar out-of-pocket expenses, upon the
Executive's submission to the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) of itemized
expense statements setting forth the date, purpose and amount of the
expense incurred, together with corresponding receipts showing payment by
the Executive in cases where he or she seeks reimbursement, all in
conformity with business expense payment and/or reimbursement policies as
may be established by the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) from time to
time, all of which shall comply with the substantiation requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code 0f 1986, as amended, and the Income Tax Act of
Canada, as amended, and any other applicable taxing authorities, and
regulations promulgated by such authorities thereto, pertaining to the
deductibility of such expenses. Direct payment and/or reimbursement shall
be made by the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) no later than thirty (30)
days of the Executive submission of the foregoing documentation. The
Executive shall be entitled to direct payment and/or reimbursement in full
for
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the aforesaid business expenses, notwithstanding that the Company is
prohibited under the Code and/or regulations promulgated thereunder from
deducting the entire amount of such expenses. The Company (and/or its
Subsidiaries) shall have the option to pay directly the persons entitled to
payment for such business expenses.
6. TAX WITHHOLDINGS AND EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS
The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall be entitled to deduct from any
payments to the Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
(including any payments arising from the early termination of this
Agreement), amounts sufficient to cover applicable federal (United States
and Canada), state, provincial, local and/or foreign income tax
withholdings and/or deductions as may be required in connection with such
payment, including without limitation old-age and survivor's and other
social security payments, state or provincial disability and other
withholdings payment as may be required by law (collectively, the "Tax
Withholdings"), as well as all other elective employee deductions
applicable to such payment such as, for example, deductions relating to any
Employee Benefit Plan in which the Executive participates (collectively,
the "Employee Deductions").
7. PERSONAL TIME-OFF
The Executive shall be entitled each calendar year during the term of this
Agreement to such number of personal time-off days for such purposes,
including vacations and time for personal affairs ("Personal Time-Off") as
are approved by the Board, but not less than the greater of (i) fifteen
(15) business days, or (ii) the number of personal time-off days (including
vacation and personal days) generally given by the Company to its
employees. Personal Time-Off shall be in addition to regular paid legal
holidays provided to all employees of the Company. The Executive's
compensation shall be paid in full with respect to approved Personal Time-
Off days. Should the Executive fail to use all Personal Time-Off days in
any calendar year, the Executive shall have the option of (i) receiving
payment for such days on a pro rata basis, or (ii) "carrying-over" unused
Personal Time-Off days to succeeding years. Personal time-off shall be
taken during a period or periods mutually satisfactory to both the Company
and the Executive.
8. INSURANCE
If requested by the Company, the Executive shall submit to such physical
examinations and otherwise take such actions and execute and deliver such
documents as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Company, at its
expense and for its own benefit, to obtain disability and/or life insurance
on the life of the Executive. The Executive represents and warrants that
he has no reason to believe that he is not insurable for disability or life
coverage with a reputable insurance company at rates now prevailing in the
city of the Company's principal executive offices, for healthy persons of
the Executive's own age and gender.
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9. ADVANCES
A. Provision Of Advances; Offsets Generally. The Company (and/or its
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Subsidiaries) may from time-to-time, upon written consent from the
Chairman of the Board or the Board, and without any obligation to do
so, make advances to the Executive against any compensation or other
amounts to be paid by the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) to the
Executive (each, an "Advance"). Any amounts due hereunder to the
Executive shall, at the election of the Company, be offset by any then
outstanding Advances.
B. Offset Rights Against Termination Pay. Subject to the terms of any
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written agreement relating to Advances, in the event of termination of
employment of executive, the Executive agrees that the Company (and/or
its Subsidiaries) shall have the right to offset the amount of any and
all outstanding Advance(s) against any salary or wages due, or any
other amounts due to the Executive from the Company, and that any
remaining balance of the Advance(s) shall be repaid by the Executive
within thirty (30) days after the Executive's termination date. If
such Advance(s) are not repaid within said thirty (30) days, simple
interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance at the rate of ten percent
(10%) per annum. The Executive agrees to pay all costs of collection
incurred by the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) with respect
thereto, including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal costs.
C. Right of Set-Off. The Company's obligation to make payments to the
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Executive hereunder shall not, except with respect to Advance(s) as
provided above, be affected by any circumstance, including without
limitation any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
right which the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) may have against the
Executive or others.
10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT BEFORE EXPIRATION OF TERM
A. Death or Disability. Notwithstanding any other term of this
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Agreement, the applicable Term shall terminate upon the death or
Disability of the Executive, subject to compliance with Applicable
Laws.
B. Termination of Agreement by Company for Cause. Subject to compliance
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with Applicable Laws, the Company may terminate this Agreement and the
Executive's employment hereunder at any time in the event such
termination constitutes Termination By Company For Cause, upon giving
written notice to the Executive specifying in reasonable detail:
(1) the event which constitutes the cause;
(2) the pertinent facts and circumstances underlying the cause; and
(3) the effective date of the termination (which date may, at the
Company's election, be effective upon receipt of said written
notice by the Executive). Such notice
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shall also afford the Executive an opportunity to be heard in
person by the Board (with the assistance of the Executive's legal
counsel, if the Executive so desires). Such hearing shall be held
reasonably promptly after such notice but, in any event, before
the effective date of the prospective termination.
C. Termination of Agreement by Executive for Good Reason. The Executive
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may terminate this Agreement and the Executive's employment hereunder
at any time in the event such termination constitutes Termination By
Executive For Good Reason, upon giving written notice to the Company
specifying in reasonable detail:
(1) the event which constitutes the good reason;
(2) the pertinent facts and circumstances underling the good reason;
and
(3) the effective date of termination (not to exceed ninety {90} days
from the date of such notice, but which date may, at the
Executive's election, be effective upon receipt of said written
notice by the Company).
11. EFFECT OF TERMINATION
A. Death Or Disability; Termination By Company For Cause; Termination By
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Executive For Good Reason. In the event the Executive's employment
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hereunder is terminated before the expiration of a Term, and such
termination is attributable to:
(1) an event defined as Death or Disability;
(2) an event defined as Termination By Company For Cause; and/or
(3) termination by the Executive which does not constitute
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Termination By Executive For Good Reason, then
all rights and obligations of the Company and the Executive under
section 2 [Employment Obligations], section 4 [Compensation],
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section 5 [Business Expenses] and section 7 [ Personal Time-Off]
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shall terminate as of the effective date of the termination;
provided, however:
(a) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall pay the
Executive's accrued but unpaid Monthly Salary and Personal
Time-Off days through the effective date of the termination
on or before the close of business on such effective date;
and the Executive shall not be entitled to Monthly Salary
and/or Personal Time-Off days after the effective date of
the termination;
(b) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall pay any declared
but unpaid Performance Bonus;
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(c) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall reimburse the
Executive for any business expenses incurred prior to the
effective date of the termination, within three (3) business
days after the Executive's submission of the Executive's
expense report to the Company; and
(d) The Executive shall not be entitled to continue to
participate in any Employee Benefit Plans except to the
extent provided in such plans for terminated participants,
or as may be required by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, amounts which are vested in any Employee Benefit
Plans shall be payable in accordance with such plan.
B. Termination By Executive For Good Reason Or Termination By Company
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Without Cause. In the event the Executive's employment hereunder is
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terminated before the expiration of a Term, and such termination is
attributable to:
(1) an event defined as a Termination by Executive for Good Reason;
and/or
(2) termination by the Company which does not constitute a
Termination By Company for Cause; then
all rights and obligations of the Company and the Executive under
section 2 [Employment Obligations], section 4 [Compensation],
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section 5 [Business Expenses], and section 7 [Personal Time-Off]
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shall terminate as of the effective date of the termination date;
provided, however:
(a) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall continue to pay
the Executive's then effective Monthly Salary through the
pending Term of this Agreement, on the same basis as
previously paid to the Executive, but subject to such
minimum increases as are described in section 4;
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(b) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall pay the
Executive's declared but unpaid Performance Bonus;
(c) At the election of the Executive, the Company (and/or its
Subsidiaries) shall (i) permit the Executive to continue to
participate in any Employee Benefit Plans, except to the
extent prohibited in such plans for terminated employees, or
as may be required by Applicable Law; or (ii) provide the
Executive with additional compensation, payable on a monthly
basis, which would approximate the cost to the Executive to
obtain comparable benefits;
(d) The Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) shall reimburse the
Executive for the Executive's business expenses incurred
through the effective date of the termination, within three
(3) business days of the Executive's submission of the
Executive's expense report to the Company; and
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C. Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the
----------
amount of any payment pursuant to this section 11 by seeking other
----------
employment or otherwise, and no such payment shall be offset or
reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the
Executive in any subsequent employment. The provisions of this
section 11 shall not be deemed to prejudice the rights of the Company
----------
or the Executive to any remedy or damages to which such party may be
entitled by reason of a breach of this Agreement by the other party,
whether at law or equity.
12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARTIES
A. By All Parties. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby
--------------
represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this
Agreement, each of which is deemed to be a separate representation and
warranty, as follows:
(1) Organization, Power and Authority. Such party, if an entity, is
---------------------------------
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its state, territory or province of incorporation or
organization, and has all requisite corporate or other power and
authority to enter into this Agreement.
(2) Authorization. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
-------------
such party, and the performance by such party of the transactions
herein contemplated, have, if such party is an entity, been duly
authorized by its governing organizational documents, and are not
prohibited by its governing organization documents, and no
further corporate or other action on the part of such party is
necessary to authorize this Agreement, or the performance of such
transactions.
(3) Validity. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
--------
by such party and, assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by all of the other parties hereto, is valid and binding
upon such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited
by: (1) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditor rights generally; and (2) general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(4) Non-Contravention. Neither the execution or delivery of this
-----------------
Agreement, nor the performance by such party of the transactions
contemplated herein: (1) if such party is an entity, will breach
or conflict with any of the provisions of such party's governing
organizational documents; or (2) to the best of such party's
knowledge and belief, will such actions violate or constitute an
event of default under any agreement or other instrument to which
such party is a party.
(5) Legal Representation. Such party: (1) had the advice, or
--------------------
sufficient opportunity to obtain the advice, of legal counsel
separate and independent from legal counsel for any other party
hereto; and (2) such party was not represented by the legal
counsel of any other party hereto in connection with the
transactions
-14-
contemplated by this Agreement, nor was such party under any
belief or understanding that such legal counsel was representing
such party's interests.
(6) Fairness. The terms and conditions of the transactions
--------
contemplated by this Agreement are fair and reasonable to such
party based upon all of the facts and circumstances at the time
this Agreement is entered into; and such party has voluntarily
entered into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
without duress or coercion.
B. By Executive. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the
------------
Company that the Executive is not Disabled at the time of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive.
13. NON-LIABILITY FOR EXECUTIVE'S DEBTS
Except as provided under Applicable Laws, the Executive's rights and
obligations under this Agreement shall not be subject to encumbrance or to
the claims of the Executive's creditors (other than the Company), or
subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Executive or the
Executive's heirs, successors and assigns, and any attempt to do any of the
foregoing shall be null and void ab initio and without force and effect.
14. INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION
A. Preparation of Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in
------------------------
the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and each provision
hereof. In the event any ambiguity, conflict, omission or other
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be
construed as if jointly drafted by the parties, and no presumption or
burden of proof shall be presumed, implied or otherwise construed
favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of this
Agreement or of any provision hereof.
B. Performance on Business Day. In the event the date on which a party
---------------------------
is required to take any action under the terms of this Agreement is
not a business day, the action shall, unless otherwise provided
herein, be deemed to be required to be taken on the next succeeding
business day. For purposes of this section, the term "business day"
shall mean Monday through Friday (excluding any legal holidays).
C. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and
------------------------------------------
warranties made by any party in connection with any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement shall, irrespective of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any other party hereto, survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance or
consummation of any transaction described in this Agreement, and shall
continue in full force and effect forever thereafter (subject to any
applicable statutes of limitation).
D. Independent Significance. The parties intend that each
------------------------
representation, warranty and covenant shall have independent
significance. If any party has falsely made or breached
-15-
any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any
respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty
or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the
relative levels of specificity) which the party has not falsely made
or breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party
has falsely made or breached the first representation, warranty or
covenant.
E. Entire Agreement; No Collateral Representations. Each party
-----------------------------------------------
expressly acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement:
(1) is the final, complete and exclusive statement of the agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof;
(2) supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements, memorandums,
proposals, commitments, guaranties, assurances, communications,
discussions, promises, representations, understandings, conduct,
acts, courses of dealing, warranties, interpretations or terms of
any kind, whether oral or written (collectively and severally,
the "prior agreements"), and that any such prior agreements are
of no force or effect except as expressly set forth herein; and
(3) may not be varied, supplemented or contradicted by evidence of
prior agreements, or by evidence of subsequent oral agreements.
No prior drafts of this Agreement, and no words or phrases from
any prior drafts, shall be admissible into evidence in any action
or suit involving this Agreement.
F. Amendment; Waiver; Forbearance. Except as expressly provided
------------------------------
herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the terms, provisions,
obligations or rights contained herein, may be amended, modified,
supplemented, augmented, rescinded, discharged or terminated (other
than by performance), except by a written instrument or instruments
signed by all of the parties to this Agreement. No waiver of: (i)
any breach of any term, provision or agreement; (ii) the performance
of any act or obligation under this Agreement; and/or (iii) any right
granted under this Agreement, shall be effective and binding unless
such waiver shall be in a written instrument or instruments signed by
each party claimed to have given or consented to such waiver. Except
to the extent that the party or parties claimed to have given or
consented to a waiver may have otherwise agreed in writing, no such
waiver shall be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any other term,
provision, agreement, act, obligation or right under this Agreement,
or of any preceding or subsequent breach thereof. No forbearance by a
party in seeking a remedy for any noncompliance or breach by another
party hereto shall be deemed to be a waiver by such forbearing party
of its rights and remedies with respect to such noncompliance or
breach, unless such waiver shall be in a written instrument or
instruments signed by the forbearing party.
-16-
G. Remedies Cumulative. The remedies of each party under this Agreement
-------------------
are cumulative and shall not exclude any other remedies to which such
party may be lawfully entitled.
H. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement, or the
------------
application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall to any extent
be determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under present or
future laws, then, and in such event:
(1) the performance of the offending term or provision (but only to
the extent its application is invalid, illegal or unenforceable)
shall be excused as if it had never been incorporated into this
Agreement, and, in lieu of such excused provision, there shall be
added a provision as similar in terms and amount to such excused
provision as may be possible and still be legal, valid and
enforceable; and
(2) the remaining part of this Agreement (including the application
of the offending term or provision to persons or circumstances
other than those as to which it is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable) shall not be affected thereby, and shall continue
in full force and effect to the fullest legal extent.
I. Time is of the Essence. Except and to the extent there is a
----------------------
specific cure provision in this Agreement, each party understands and
agrees that:
(1) time of performance is strictly of the essence with respect to
each and every date, term, condition, obligation and provision
hereof imposed upon such party; and
(2) the failure to timely perform any of the terms, conditions,
obligations or provisions hereof by such party shall constitute a
material breach and a noncurable (but waivable) default under
this Agreement by such party.
J. Parties in Interest. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer any
-------------------
rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons
other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns, if any, or as may be permitted hereunder; nor shall anything
in this Agreement relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of
any third person to any party to this Agreement; nor shall any
provision give any third person any right of subrogation or action
against any party to this Agreement.
K. No Reliance Upon Prior Representations. Each party acknowledges
--------------------------------------
that: (1) no other party has made any oral representation or promise
which would induce such party, prior to executing this Agreement, to
change such party's position to his, her or its detriment, to
partially perform, or to part with value in reliance upon such
representation or promise; and (2) such party has not so changed its
position, performed or parted with value prior to the time of the
execution of this Agreement, or such party has taken such action at
its own risk.
-17-
L. Rules of Construction. In interpreting the meaning of this
---------------------
Agreement: (i) the term "person" is defined in its broadest sense to
include any individual or natural person, entity (as such term is
defined in this subsection L) and/or fiduciary (as such term is
------------
defined in this subsection L), and their respective successors and
------------
assigns; (ii) the term "entity" means any legal entity, including any
corporation, association, joint stock company, partnership (limited,
general or limited liability), joint-venture, and limited liability
company, business trust, trust (whether revocable or irrevocable),
pension or profit sharing plan, individual retirement account, or
fiduciary or custodial arrangement; (iii) the term "fiduciary" means
any person acting in a fiduciary capacity, including in their capacity
as a trustee or a custodian; (iv) the term "affiliate" means any
person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a
party (for purposes of the foregoing, the term "control" (including
with the correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under
common control with") means the possession directly or indirectly of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or by contract or otherwise); (v) the term "subsidiary"
means any entity in which a party holds a controlling interest; (vi)
the words "herein" and "hereunder" and other words of similar report
refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular
sections, subsections, paragraph, subparagraph or other subdivision of
this Agreement; (vii) the words "including," "includes," and "include"
shall be deemed to be followed by the words "including without
limitation;" (viii) the word "or" shall not be deemed to be exclusive
unless the context indicates otherwise; and (ix) the word "all" shall
be deemed to include the word "any," and vice versa. All pronouns and
any variation thereof used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer
to the masculine, feminine, or neuter (as the case may be), and to the
singular or plural (as the case may be), as the identity of the person
or persons or the context may require for proper interpretation of
this Agreement. Any references in this Agreement to "dollars" shall be
deemed to refer to the currency of Canada, unless such reference
specifically references a dollar-denominated currency of a country
other than Canada. The headings used in this Agreement are for
convenience and reference purposes only, and shall not be used in
construing or interpreting the scope or intent of this Agreement or
any provision hereof. Each cross-references in this Agreement shall,
unless specifically directed to another agreement or document, be
construed only to refer to provisions within this Agreement, and shall
not be construed to refer to the overall transaction or to any other
agreement or document. Each exhibit, addendum, schedule and/or
attachment referenced in this Agreement shall be construed to be
incorporated into this Agreement by such reference and made a part
hereof. References to any agreements (other than this Agreement) shall
include all amendments, modifications, supplements and/or renewals
thereof. Unless the context requires otherwise: (1) any reference
herein to any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign statutes or
laws (collectively, the "Statutes") will be deemed to include all
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder: and (2) any references
herein to any Statute and/or any specific section or provision of any
such Statute are intended to refer to such section or provision
thereof as presently enacted and as subsequently amended, succeeded,
recodified or renumbered.
-18-
15. ENFORCEMENT
A. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and remedies of each
-------------
party arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including
equitable remedies) shall be solely governed by, interpreted under,
and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws (without regard
to the conflicts of law principles) of the province of British
Columbia, as if this Agreement were made, and as if its obligations
were to be performed in their entirety, within the province of British
Columbia.
B. Recovery of Fees and Costs. If any party institutes, or should any
--------------------------
party otherwise become a party to, any action or proceeding based upon
or arising out of this Agreement, including the enforcement or
interpretation of this Agreement or any provision hereof, or for
damages by reason of any alleged breach of this Agreement or any
provision hereof, or for a declaration of rights in connection
herewith, or for any other relief, including equitable relief, in
connection herewith, the "prevailing party" (as such term is defined
below) in any such action or proceeding, whether or not such action or
proceeding proceeds to final judgment or determination, shall be
entitled to receive from the non-prevailing party as a cost of suit,
and not as damages, all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any
right of the prevailing party (collectively, "fees and costs"),
including:
(1) reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and expenses;
(2) witness fees (including experts engaged by the parties, but
excluding officers, directors, employees, managers or general
partners of the parties);
(3) accountants' fees;
(4) fees of other professionals and
(5) any and all other similar fees incurred in the prosecution or
defense of the action or proceeding; including the following:
(a) postjudgment motions;
(b) contempt proceedings;
(c) garnishment, levy, and debtor and third party examinations;
(d) discovery; and
(e) bankruptcy litigation.
All of the aforesaid fees and costs shall be deemed to have accrued
upon the commencement of such action, and shall be paid whether or not
such action is prosecuted to judgment. Any judgment or order entered
in such action shall contain a specific provision providing for the
recovery of the aforesaid fees, costs and expenses
-19-
incurred in enforcing such judgment and an award of prejudgment
interest from the date of the breach at the maximum rate of interest
allowed by law. The term "prevailing party" is defined as the party
who is determined to prevail by the court after its consideration of
all damages and equities in the action or proceeding (the court shall
retain the discretion to determine that no party is the prevailing
party, in which case no party shall be entitled to recover its fees
and costs under this subsection ).
-----------
16. ASSIGNMENT AND DELEGATION; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
A. Assignment or Delegation. Except as specifically provided in this
------------------------
Agreement, neither party (an "assigning party") may directly or
indirectly sell, license, transfer or assign (whether through a
merger, consolidation, conversion, sale of assets, sale or exchange of
securities, or by operation of law, or otherwise) any of such party's
rights or interests under this Agreement, or delegate any of such
party's duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in
part, including to any subsidiary or to any affiliate, without the
prior written consent of the other party (a "consenting party"), which
consent may be withheld in the consenting party's sole and absolute
discretion; provided, however:
(1) Subject to prior compliance with subsection (3) and subsection
-------------- ----------
(4) below, an assigning party may assign all of the rights and
---
interests and delegate all of the duties and obligations of the
assigning party under this Agreement in connection with a
transaction whose principal purpose is to change the State in
which the assigning party is incorporated, or to form a holding
company, or to effect a similar reorganization as to form of
entity without change of beneficial ownership, including through:
(a) a merger or consolidation or stock exchange or divisive
reorganization (i.e., spin-off, split-off or split-up) or
other reorganization with respect to the assigning party
and/or its stockholders; or
(b) the sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition by the
assigning party of its assets in a single or series of
related transactions, so long as such transferee, purchaser
or surviving person shall expressly assume such obligations
of the assigning party;
(2) Subject to subsection (3) and subsection (4) below, an assigning
-------------- --------------
party may, with the prior written consent of the consenting
party, which consent the consenting party may withhold in its
sole and absolute discretion, assign all of the rights and
interests and delegate all of the duties and obligations of the
assigning party under this Agreement to any other person in
connection with the transfer or sale of the entire business of
the assigning party (other than with respect to a sale described
in subsection (1) above), or the merger or consolidation of the
--------------
assigning party with or into any other person (other than with
respect to a merger or consolidation described in subsection (1)
--------------
above), so long as such transferee,
-20-
purchaser or surviving person shall expressly assume such
obligations of the assigning party;
(3) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) or subsection (2)
-------------- --------------
above to the contrary, no assignment or transfer under
subsection (1) or subsection (2) may be effectuated unless the
-------------- --------------
proposed transferee or assignee first executes such agreements
(including a restated Employment Agreement) in such form as the
consenting party may deem reasonably satisfactory to:
(a) evidence the assumption by the proposed transferee or
assignee of the obligations of the assigning party; and
(b) to ensure that the consenting party continues to receive
such rights, benefits and protections (both legal and
economic) as were contemplated by the consenting party when
entering into this Agreement; and
(4) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) or subsection (2)
-------------- --------------
above to the contrary:
(a) any assumption by a successor or assign under subsection (1)
--------------
or subsection (2) above shall in no way release the
--------------
assigning party from any of its obligations or liabilities
under this Agreement; and
(b) and any merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale or
conveyance under subsection (1) or subsection (2) above
-------------- --------------
shall not be deemed to abrogate the rights of the consenting
party elsewhere contained in this Agreement.
(5) Any purported assignment or transfer in violation of the terms of
this subsection 16.A shall be null and void ab initio and of no
---------------
force and effect, and shall vest no rights or interests in the
purported assignee or transferee.
B. Successors and Assigns. Subject to subsection 16.A above, each and
---------------------- ---------------
every representation, warranty, covenant, condition and provision of
this Agreement as it relates to each party hereto shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of such party and his, her or its
respective successors and permitted assigns, spouses, heirs,
executors, administrators and personal and legal representatives,
including any successor (whether direct or indirect, or by merger,
consolidation, conversion, purchase of assets, purchase of securities
or otherwise).
17. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Costs and Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement,
------------------
each party shall pay all legal and other fees, costs and expenses
incurred or to be incurred by such party in negotiating and preparing
this Agreement; in performing due diligence or retaining
-21-
professional advisors; and in complying with such party's covenants,
agreements and conditions contained herein.
B. Cooperation. Each party agrees, without further consideration, to
-----------
cooperate and diligently perform any further acts, deeds and things,
and to execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably
necessary or otherwise reasonably required to consummate, evidence,
confirm and/or carry out the intent and provisions of this Agreement,
all without undue delay or expense.
C. Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
-------
all notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other
communications (collectively and severally called "notices") required
or permitted to be given hereunder, or which are given with respect to
this Agreement, shall be in writing, and shall be given by:
(1) personal delivery (which form of notice shall be deemed to
have been given upon delivery),
(2) by telegraph or by private airborne/overnight delivery service
(which forms of notice shall be deemed to have been given upon
confirmed delivery by the delivery agency),
(3) by electronic or facsimile or telephonic transmission, provided
the receiving party has a compatible device or confirms receipt
thereof (which forms of notice shall be deemed delivered upon
confirmed transmission or confirmation of receipt), or
(4) by mailing in the Canadian or United States mail (as may be
applicable) by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid (which forms of notice shall be deemed
to have been given upon the fifth {5th} business day following
the date mailed.
Notices shall be addressed at the addresses first set forth below, or
to such other address as the party shall have specified in a writing
delivered to the other parties in accordance with this paragraph. Any
notice given to the estate of a party shall be sufficient if addressed
to the party as provided in this subsection C.
------------
If to the Company: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.
0000 XxxXxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
If to Executive: Xxxxx X. XxXxxx
_________________________________
_________________________________
-22-
D. Counterparts; Electronically Transmitted Documents. This Agreement
--------------------------------------------------
may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument, binding on all parties hereto. Any signature page of this
Agreement may be detached from any counterpart of this Agreement and
reattached to any other counterpart of this Agreement identical in
form hereto by having attached to it one or more additional signature
pages. If a copy or counterpart of this Agreement is originally
executed and such copy or counterpart is thereafter transmitted
electronically by facsimile or similar device, such facsimile document
shall for all purposes be treated as if manually signed by the party
whose facsimile signature appears.
E. Execution by All Parties Required to be Binding. This Agreement
-----------------------------------------------
shall not be construed to be an offer and shall have no force and
effect until this Agreement is fully executed and delivered by all
parties hereto pursuant to the terms of section17.D. Until such time
-----------
as all parties fully execute this Agreement, any party who has
previously executed and delivered this Agreement may revoke such
execution and delivery.
F. WHEREFORE, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement in the City
of Burnaby, Province of British Columbia, Canada, as of the date first
set forth above.
COMPANY: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.
a Delaware Corporation
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, President
EXECUTIVE: /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxx
----------------------------
Xxxxx X. XxXxxx
-23-
