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EXHIBIT 10.9
ATG GROUP, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made by and between ATG Group, Inc. (the "Company"),
and Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Executive") as of December 1, 1999.
1. Duties and Scope of Employment.
(a) Positions and Duties. Executive will continue to serve as Sr.
Vice President Corporate Development & Strategic Planning. Executive will render
such business and professional services in the performance of her duties,
consistent with Executive's position within the Company, as shall reasonably be
assigned to him by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") and/or its
Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"). The period of Executive's employment under
this Agreement is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
(b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will
devote her full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of
the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other
employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect
remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO (which approval will not be
unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that Executive may, without the
approval of the CEO, serve in any capacity with any civic, educational or
charitable organization, or as a member of corporate Boards of Directors (but in
all cases subject to Section 10).
2. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be
eligible to participate in accordance with the terms of all Company employee
benefit plans that are applicable to other senior executives of the Company, as
such plans and terms may exist from time to time.
3. At-Will Employment. Executive and the Company agree that Executive's
employment with the Company constitutes "at-will" employment. Executive and the
Company acknowledge that this employment relationship may be terminated at any
time, upon written notice to the other party, with or without good cause or for
any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or Executive. However, as
described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits
depending upon the circumstances of Executive's termination of employment.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay
Executive as compensation for her services a base salary at the annualized rate
of $200,000 (the "Base Salary"). The Base Salary will be paid through payroll
periods that are consistent with the Company's normal payroll practices, but in
all events will not be less frequent than once per month and will be subject
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to the usual, required withholding. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the
"Committee") will reevaluate the Base Salary at least annually and may increase
the Base Salary in accordance with its normal practices. The Base Salary will
not be reduced without Executive's consent.
(b) Bonuses. For each fiscal year of the Company, Executive will
be eligible to receive a target bonus of up to 100% of her then Base Salary
based upon the achievement of performance criteria specified by the Committee.
The actual amount of the bonus payable for any year will depend upon the extent
to which the applicable performance criteria have been satisfied. Any bonus that
actually is earned will be paid as soon as practicable (but no later than 2_
months) after the end of the fiscal year for which the bonus is earned, but only
if Executive was employed with the Company through the end of the fiscal year.
(c) Stock Options. At least once during each fiscal year of the
Company, the Compensation Committee will consider granting Executive an option
or options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock ("Shares") at a per
Share exercise price equal to no more than the fair market value per Share on
the grant date(s) of the option(s). The number and terms and conditions of any
options granted to Executive will be determined in the discretion of the
Committee, but the Committee generally will seek to grant options to Executive
in an amount and on terms and conditions that are at least as favorable as
option grants received by senior officers of companies comparable to the
Company.
5. Severance.
(a) Involuntary Termination other than for Cause, Death or
Disability. Except as provided in the following sentence and Section 5(b), if
the Company terminates Executive's employment with the Company without her
consent and for a reason other than "Cause" (as defined below), Executive
becoming "Disabled" (as defined below) or Executive's death, then promptly
following such termination of employment, Executive will (i) receive a lump-sum
payment equal to 100% of the Base Salary and target bonus, (ii) receive all
accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other benefits due to Executive
through the date of termination of employment in accordance with the Company's
then existing employee benefit plans and policies, (iii) be entitled to an
additional twelve (12) months vesting of any Company stock options (whether
granted to Executive on, before or after the date of this Agreement), (iv) have
four (4) years following termination of employment to exercise her vested
Company stock options (whether granted on, before or after the date of this
Agreement), (v) be paid her then existing Base Salary for a period of six (6)
months following her termination of employment, (vi) be 50% of her target annual
bonus not later than six (6) months following her termination of employment,
(vii) receive Company-paid coverage for a period of eighteen (18) months for
himself and her eligible dependents under the Company's health benefit plans
(or, at the Company's option, coverage under a separate plan), providing
benefits that are no less favorable than those provided under the Company's
plans immediately prior to her termination of employment, (viii) receive such
other compensation or benefits from the Company as may be required by law (for
example, under Section 4980B of the Code). If the Company terminates Executive's
employment with the Company without her consent within eighteen (18) months
after a "Change of Control" (as defined below) and for a reason other than
Cause, then promptly following such termination of employment, Executive will
(i) receive a lump-sum payment equal to 100% of the Base Salary and target
bonus, (ii) receive all accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other
benefits due to Executive through the date of
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termination of employment in accordance with the Company's then existing
employee benefit plans and policies, (iii) be entitled to immediate 100% vesting
of any stock options granted to Executive (whether granted to Executive on,
before or after the date of this Agreement), (iv) have four (4) years following
termination of employment to exercise her vested Company stock options (whether
granted on, before or after the date of this Agreement), (v) be paid her then
existing Base Salary and target bonus for a period of one (1) year following her
termination of employment, (vi) receive Company-paid coverage for a period of
two (2) years for himself and her eligible dependents under the Company's health
benefit plans (or, at the Company's option, coverage under a separate plan),
providing benefits that are no less favorable than those provided under the
Company's plans immediately prior to her termination of employment, (vii)
receive such other compensation or benefits from the Company as may be required
by law (for example, under Section 4980B of the Code). All payments and benefits
will be subject to applicable withholding.
(b) Certain Involuntary Terminations before a Change of Control.
If (i) the Company terminates Executive's employment with the Company in
circumstances described in the first sentence of Section 5(a), (ii) such
termination occurs within thirty (30) days before the Company enters into a
definitive agreement (or term sheet) that if the transactions contemplated
therein are completed would result in a Change of Control, and (iii) such
transactions actually are completed, then Executive's termination of employment
instead shall be deemed to be in accordance with the second sentence of Section
5(a) (thus entitling him to the benefits provided in such second sentence).
(c) Voluntary Termination for Good Reason. Except as provided in
the following sentence, if Executive voluntarily terminates her employment with
the Company for "Good Reason" (as defined below), then promptly following such
termination of employment, Executive will (i) receive a lump-sum payment equal
to 100% of the Base Salary and target bonus, (ii) receive all accrued vacation,
expense reimbursements and any other benefits due to Executive through the date
of termination of employment in accordance with the Company's then existing
employee benefit plans and policies, (iii) be entitled to an additional twelve
(12) months vesting of any Company stock options (whether granted to Executive
on, before or after the date of this Agreement), (iv) have four (4) years
following termination of employment to exercise her vested Company stock options
(whether granted on, before or after the date of this Agreement), (v) be paid
her then existing Base Salary for a period of six (6) months following her
termination of employment, (vi) be 50% of her target annual bonus not later than
six (6) months following her termination of employment, (vii) receive
Company-paid coverage for a period of eighteen (18) months for himself and her
eligible dependents under the Company's health benefit plans (or, at the
Company's option, coverage under a separate plan), providing benefits that are
no less favorable than those provided under the Company's plans immediately
prior to her termination of employment, (viii) receive such other compensation
or benefits from the Company as may be required by law (for example, under
Section 4980B of the Code). If Executive voluntarily terminates her employment
with the Company for Good Reason within eighteen (18) months after a Change of
Control, then promptly following such termination of employment, Executive will
(i) receive a lump-sum payment equal to 100% of the Base Salary and target
bonus, (ii) receive all accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other
benefits due to Executive through the date of termination of employment in
accordance with the Company's then existing employee benefit plans and policies,
(iii) be entitled to immediate 100% vesting of any stock options granted to
Executive (whether granted to Executive on, before or
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after the date of this Agreement), (iv) have four (4) years following
termination of employment to exercise her vested Company stock options (whether
granted on, before or after the date of this Agreement), (v) be paid her then
existing Base Salary and target bonus for a period of one (1) year following her
termination of employment, (vi) receive Company-paid coverage for a period of
two (2) years for himself and her eligible dependents under the Company's health
benefit plans (or, at the Company's option, coverage under a separate plan),
providing benefits that are no less favorable than those provided under the
Company's plans immediately prior to her termination of employment, (vii)
receive such other compensation or benefits from the Company as may be required
by law (for example, under Section 4980B of the Code). All payments and benefits
will be subject to applicable withholding.
(d) Other Voluntary Terminations. If Executive voluntarily
terminates her employment with the Company without Good Reason, then Executive
will (i) receive the Base Salary through the date of termination of employment,
(ii) receive all accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other benefits
due to Executive through the date of termination of employment in accordance
with established Company plans and policies, and (iii) not be entitled to any
other compensation or benefits (including, without limitation, accelerated
vesting of stock options) from the Company except to the extent provided under
the applicable stock option agreement(s) or as may be required by law (for
example, "COBRA" coverage under Section 4980B of the Code). All payments and
benefits will be subject to applicable withholding.
(e) Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated due to her death or her becoming
Disabled, then Executive or Executive's estate (as the case may be) will (i)
receive the Base Salary through the date of termination of employment, (ii) be
entitled to immediate vesting of 50% of any Company stock options held by
Executive that were unvested immediately prior to her termination of employment
(whether the options were granted on, before or after the date of the
Agreement), (iii) receive Company-paid coverage for a period of two (2) years
for Executive (if applicable) and Executive's eligible dependents under the
Company's health benefit plans (or, at the Company's option, coverage under a
separate plan), providing benefits that are no less favorable than those
provided under the Company's plans immediately prior to Executive's death, (iv)
receive all accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other benefits due
to Executive through the date of termination of employment in accordance with
Company-provided or paid plans and policies, and (v) not be entitled to any
other compensation or benefits from the Company except to the extent required by
law (for example, under Section 4980B of the Code). For purposes of clause (ii)
of the preceding sentence, the options having the lowest exercise price(s) shall
become vested.
(f) Involuntary Termination for Cause. If the Company terminates
Executive's employment with the Company for Cause, then Executive will (i)
receive the Base Salary through the date of termination of employment, (ii)
receive all accrued vacation, expense reimbursements and any other benefits due
to Executive through the date of termination of employment in accordance with
established Company plans and policies, and (iii) not be entitled to any other
compensation or benefits (including, without limitation, accelerated vesting of
stock options) from the Company except to the extent provided under the
applicable stock option agreement(s) or as may be required by law (for example,
under Section 4980B of the Code).
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(g) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means
intentional misconduct that has a material adverse effect on the Company.
Misconduct by Executive will be considered Cause only if Executive has received
written notice from the CEO of the misconduct and Executive has not cured the
misconduct within fifteen (15) business days of her receipt of the notice.
(h) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of
Control" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to any "person" (as such term is used
in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), entity or
group of persons acting in concert; (ii) any "person" or group of persons
becoming the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of
the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting
securities; (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity or its controlling entity) at
least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the
Company or such surviving entity (or its controlling entity) outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) a contest for the
election or removal of members of the Board that results in the removal from the
Board of at least 50% of the incumbent members of the Board.
(i) Disabled. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disabled" means
Executive being unable to perform the principal functions of her duties due to a
physical or mental impairment, but only if such inability has lasted or is
reasonably expected to last for at least six months. Whether Executive is
Disabled shall be determined by the Committee based on evidence provided by one
or more physicians selected by the Committee.
(j) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
means (without Executive's consent) (i) a material reduction in her title,
authority, status, or responsibilities, (ii) a material breach by the Company of
its obligations under this Agreement, or (iii) a relocation of Executive's
principal place of employment by more than twenty five (25) miles. With respect
to a termination of employment that occurs during the six (6) month period
immediately following a Change of Control, clause (i) of the preceding sentence
shall be applied by replacing the word "reduction" with the word "change."
6. Golden Parachute Excise Tax. In the event that the benefits provided
for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (including, but not by
way of limitation, any accelerated vesting on stock options) (the "Total
Payments") would subject Executive to the excise tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed
under Section 4999 of the Code, then the Company will pay Executive (i) an
amount sufficient to pay such excise tax, and (ii) an additional amount
sufficient to pay the excise tax and federal and state income taxes arising from
the payments made by the Company pursuant to this sentence. Any amount required
to paid to Executive under this Section 6 will be paid to him (and/or paid to
the appropriate authorities as tax withholding on Executive's behalf) no later
than five (5) days prior to the time when the excise and/or income taxes are
due. In addition, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to pay the
amount to Executive or the appropriate authorities as early as administratively
practicable after the amount of the excise tax is determined, but in no event
will the Company be required to pay the amount earlier than sixty (60)
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days before the excise tax is due. The determination of Executive's excise tax
liability and the amount, if any, required to be paid under this Section 6 will
be made in writing by the Company's independent auditors (the "Accountants").
For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the
Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning
applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations
concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company
and the Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents
as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under
this Section 6. The Company will pay all costs the Accountants may reasonably
incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.
7. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon
Executive's death and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of
the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this
Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, "successor" means any person,
firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by
purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or
substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights
of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent
and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition of Executive's right to compensation or other benefits will be null
and void.
8. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
called for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) on the
date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a
well established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after
being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid
and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or
at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:
If to the Company:
ATG Group, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
If to Executive:
9. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or
void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said
provision.
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10. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. For a period beginning on the
Effective Date and ending one year after the Executive ceases to be employed by
the Company, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, sole
proprietor, partner, director, member, consultant, agent, founder, co-venturer
or otherwise, will: (i) not engage, participate or invest in any business
activity anywhere in the United States that is directly competitive with the
principal markets, products and services of the Company at the time of
Executive's termination; provided, however, that it will not be a violation of
this Section 10(a) for Executive to own (as a passive investment): (A) not more
than two percent of any class of publicly traded securities of any entity or (B)
not more than five percent of any class of non-publicly traded securities of any
entity; (ii) not solicit, induce or influence any person to leave employment
with the Company; (iii) not directly or indirectly solicit business from any of
the Company's customers and users on behalf of any business that directly
competes with the principal business of the Company.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and
understanding between the Company and Executive concerning Executive's
employment relationship with the Company, and supersedes and replaces any and
all prior agreements and understandings concerning Executive's employment
relationship with the Company.
12. Arbitration and Equitable Relief.
(a) Except as provided in Section 12(d) below, Executive and the
Company agree that to the extent permitted by law, any dispute or controversy
arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, or the
interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination
thereof will be settled by arbitration to be held in or about Palo Alto,
California, in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association (the
"Rules"). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute
or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and
binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrator's decision in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) The arbitrator will apply California law to the merits of any
dispute or claim, without reference to rules of conflict of law. Executive
hereby expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts located in California for any action or proceeding arising from or
relating to this Agreement and/or relating to any arbitration in which the
parties are participants.
(c) The Company will pay the direct costs and expenses of the
arbitration. The Company and Executive each will separately pay its counsel fees
and expenses.
(d) The Company or Executive may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or other
interim or conservatory relief, as necessary to enforce the provisions of the
confidential information and trade secrets agreement between the Company and
Executive, without breach of this arbitration agreement and without abridgement
of the powers of the arbitrator.
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(e) Executive understands that nothing in Section 12 modifies
Executive's at-will status. Either the Company or Executive can terminate the
employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.
(f) EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS SECTION 12, WHICH
DISCUSSES ARBITRATION. EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT,
EXECUTIVE AGREES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TO SUBMIT ANY FUTURE CLAIMS
ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE
INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH, OR TERMINATION
THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION, AND THAT THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A
WAIVER OF EXECUTIVE'S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL
DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE EMPLOYER/EXECUTIVE RELATIONSHIP,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:
(i) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF
EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT
OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR
INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL
MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR
PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION;
(ii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL STATE
OR MUNICIPAL STATUTE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, AND ANY LAW OF THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA; AND
(iii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.
13. No Oral Modification, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may
be changed or terminated only in writing (signed by Executive and the Company).
14. Withholding. The Company is authorized to withhold, or cause to be
withheld, from any payment or benefit under this Agreement the full amount of
any applicable withholding taxes.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).
16. Effective Date. This Agreement is effective December 1, 1999.
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17. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the
opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from her private
attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully
understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and
voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the
respective dates set forth below:
EXECUTIVE
/s/ XXXXXXXXX X. XXXXX
------------------------------------ Date: December 1, 1999
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
ATG GROUP, INC.
/s/ XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
------------------------------------ Date: December 1, 1999
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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