AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.4
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of the 28th
day of December, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Ventas, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx (the “Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Executive has, pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement dated as of March 5,
1999 (the “Existing Employment Agreement”), served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since March 5, 1999 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”) since January 28, 2003;
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend and restate in its entirety, subject to
Section 21 herein, the Existing Employment Agreement and enter into this Agreement pursuant to
which the Executive will continue to serve as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective covenants and agreements
contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive agree as
follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and Executive hereby agrees
to be employed by the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth. The
term of employment of Executive by the Company pursuant to this Agreement (the “Employment
Term”) shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until terminated pursuant to
Section 6 or amended pursuant to Section 21.
2. DUTIES. The Company hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts employment with
the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer. During the Employment Term, Executive shall
have the title, status and duties of President and Chief Executive Officer, shall report directly
to the Board, and shall have duties consistent with and authority comparable to Chief Executive
Officers of other publicly-traded REITs, including the designation of senior management. During
the Employment Term, the Company shall cause Executive to be nominated for election as a member of
the Board.
3. EXTENT OF SERVICES. Executive, subject to the direction and control of the Board, shall
have the power and authority commensurate with her status as President and Chief Executive Officer
and necessary to perform her full-time duties hereunder. During the term, Executive shall devote
her working time, attention, labor, skill and energies to the business of the Company, and shall
not, without the consent of the Company, be actively engaged in any other business activity,
whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage,
that competes, conflicts or interferes with the performance of her duties hereunder in any material
way.
4. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services hereunder rendered, Executive shall receive
during the Employment Term:
(a) BASE SALARY. A base salary at a rate of not less than six hundred thousand
dollars ($600,000) per year subject to increases from time to time as determined by the Executive
Compensation Committee acting in its sole discretion. Executive’s base salary shall be payable in
equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures (but no less
frequently than semimonthly). The term “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement shall
refer to Executive’s base salary annualized, as most recently increased.
(b) 2007 ANNUAL BONUS AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. In addition to Base
Salary, Executive shall be eligible to receive such other bonuses and incentive compensation as the
Board may approve from time to time. Provided that Executive’s employment is not terminated prior
to December 31, 2007, she shall be entitled to the following annual bonus and long-term incentive
compensation in respect of her services during 2007:
(i) Annual Bonus Paid in 2008 in Respect of Services Rendered During 2007. Executive’s
annual bonus for the 2007 fiscal year under the Company’s annual incentive plan shall be
$2,100,000, which shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as annual bonuses in
respect of fiscal 2007 are paid to the Company’s other senior executives. Executive shall
not be entitled to any other annual bonus in respect of fiscal 2007; provided, however, that
if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for
Good Reason and Executive has executed and delivered a general release of claims in form
substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Release”), the Company
shall pay Executive on Executive’s Date of Termination a lump sum payment in the amount of
$2,100,000;
(ii) Long-Term Incentives Awarded in 2008 in Respect of Services Rendered During 2007.
Executive shall in 2008 be awarded a package of long-term incentives in respect of services
during 2007 that shall have a total value at grant of $5,400,000. This package of
incentives shall be divided among restricted stock, stock options and/or awards under the
Company’s Performance Cash Plan in the manner determined by the Executive Compensation
Committee in the exercise of its sole discretion; provided, however, that if Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason
and Executive has executed and delivered the Release, the Company shall pay Executive on
Executive’s Date of Termination a lump sum payment in cash in the amount of $5,400,000.
Executive shall not be entitled to any other long-term incentive compensation in respect of
fiscal 2007.
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5. BENEFITS.
(a) Executive shall be entitled to participate in any and all pension benefit, welfare benefit
(including, without limitation, medical, dental, disability and group life insurance coverages) and
fringe benefit plans from time to time in effect for executives of the Company and its affiliates.
Without limitation of the foregoing, the Company shall provide Executive,
without any cost to Executive, with two million dollars of life insurance coverage and
executive disability coverage with an “own occupation” definition of disability providing annual
benefits of at least 100% of Executive’s Base Salary. To the extent any of the benefits or
payments within this Section 5(a) are treated as taxable to the Executive, the Company shall pay
Executive an additional amount such that the net amount or benefit retained by Executive after
deduction or payment of all federal, state, local and other taxes with respect to amounts or
benefits under this Section 5(a) shall be equal to the full amount of the payments or benefits
required by this Section 5(a).
(b) Executive shall be granted on the Effective Date 179,813 shares of restricted common stock
of the Company under the Ventas, Inc. 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended. The agreement
evidencing such award shall be substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.
(c) Executive shall be entitled to participate in such bonus, stock option and other incentive
compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates in effect from time to time for executives of
the Company.
(d) Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation each year, earned on the
Effective Date and the first day of each subsequent calendar year. The Executive shall schedule the
timing of such vacations in a reasonable manner. The Executive may also be entitled to such other
leave, with or without compensation, as shall be mutually agreed by the Company and Executive.
(e) Executive may incur reasonable business related expenses including for promoting the
business and expenses for entertainment, travel, cellular telephone and similar items related
thereto. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all such reasonable expenses subject to the
Company’s reimbursement procedures regarding the reporting and documentation of such expenses.
(f) The Company shall pay or promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel expenses
incurred by Executive to travel to and from the Chicago area once each week. To the extent any of
the payments within this Section 5(f) are treated as taxable to the Executive, the Company shall
pay Executive an additional amount such that the net amount retained by Executive after deduction
or payment of all federal, state, local and other taxes with respect to amounts under this Section
5(f) shall be equal to the full amount of the payments required by this Section 5(f).
(g) The Company intends that all provisions of this Agreement will be fully operative,
effective, binding and enforceable as of the Effective Date and agrees to adopt such employee
benefit plans, amendments to employee benefit plans or other arrangements, as applicable, take such
other acts and pay such other amounts as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
Agreement effective on the Effective Date. Without limitation of the foregoing, to the extent
Executive experiences any economic or tax or other detriment or diminution in benefit on account of
or related to any of such provisions not being fully operative, effective, binding and enforceable
on the Effective Date fully in accordance with the terms and provisions of such provisions, or any
delay or failure to comply with such provisions, the
Company shall immediately take such actions, and pay such amounts, as Executive and the
Executive Compensation Committee reasonably determine are appropriate so that the Executive
achieves at least the same economic, tax and other benefits the Executive would have had if such
provisions were fully operative, effective, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms
as of the Effective Date.
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6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon
Executive’s death during the Employment Term. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment Term (pursuant to the definition of
Disability set forth below), it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate
Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate
effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective
Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned
to performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall
mean the total disability as determined by the Board in accordance with standards and procedures
similar to those under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or, if none, a physical or mental
infirmity which impairs the Executive’s ability to perform substantially her duties for a period of
180 consecutive days.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment
Term for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the
Executive’s (i) conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a crime involving moral turpitude; or
(ii) willful and material breach by Executive of her duties and responsibilities which is directly
and materially harmful to the business and reputation of the Company and which is committed in bad
faith or without reasonable belief that such breaching conduct is in the best interests of the
Company and its affiliates, but with respect to (ii) only if the Board adopts a resolution by a
vote of at least 75% of its members so finding after giving the Executive and her attorney an
opportunity to be heard by the Board. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon advice of counsel for the Company
shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in
the best interests of the Company.
(c) GOOD REASON. Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive for Good
Reason or otherwise. “Good Reason” shall exist upon the occurrence, without Executive’s
express written consent, of any of the following events:
(i) a diminution in Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities (including the assignment to
Executive of any duties inconsistent with Executive’s position, authority, duties or
responsibilities), in each case, as President and Chief Executive Officer, excluding for
this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and
which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive, it being understood that it shall constitute a diminution in Executive’s position
within the meaning of this provision if Executive is, following a
transaction in which the Company is a participant, no longer the chief executive
officer of a publicly traded company;
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(ii) the Company shall (A) reduce the Base Salary or annual maximum bonus opportunity
of Executive or (B) reduce (other than pursuant to a uniform reduction applicable to all
similarly situated executives of the Company) Executive’s benefits and perquisites;
(iii) the Company shall require Executive to relocate Executive’s principal business
office to any location more than 30 miles from its location on the Effective Date except
that a relocation of the Executive’s principal business office to the Chicago business
district shall not constitute Good Reason;
(iv) the Company’s failure or refusal to comply with any provision of this Agreement;
(v) the Company (1) is a debtor in any bankruptcy case in which an order for relief is
entered under any chapter of the federal Bankruptcy Code; (2) is adjudicated a bankrupt
under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization law; (3) has a receiver of all or a
substantial portion of its assets or property appointed; or (4) makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or
(vi) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement as
contemplated by Section 12(c).
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a termination by Executive for any
reason during the 30-day period immediately following the one-year anniversary of a Change of
Control shall be deemed to be a termination with Good Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one
of the following events:
(i) An acquisition of any voting or other securities by any “Person” (having the
meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (“1934 Act”) and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as
defined in Section 13(d)), such that immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial
Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 0000 Xxx) of 20% or more of either
(i) any class of then-outstanding equity securities of the Company (“Outstanding Shares”) or
(ii) the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting Securities”); provided, however,
that in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, Outstanding Shares or Voting
Securities which are acquired in an acquisition by (i) the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or, (ii) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof)
maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall not constitute an acquisition
which would cause a Change of Control;
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(ii) The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constituted the Board (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute over 50% of the Board; provided,
however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of
any new director was approved by a vote of over 50% of the Incumbent Board, such new
director shall, for purposes of this Section 6(d), be considered as though such person were
a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further, however, that no individual shall be
considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a
result of either an actual or threatened “Election Contest” (as described in Rule 14a-11
promulgated under the 0000 Xxx) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Incumbent Board (a “Proxy Contest”),
including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or
Proxy Contest;
(iii) Consummation of a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company,
unless each of the following events occurs in connection with such merger, consolidation or
reorganization:
1) the stockholders of the Company, immediately before such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly
immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, of over 50% of
the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of all
voting securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or
reorganization (the “Surviving Company”) in substantially the same proportion as
their Beneficial Ownership of the Outstanding Shares and Voting Securities
immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization;
2) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to
the execution of the agreement providing for such merger, consolidation or
reorganization constitute over 50% of the members of the board of directors of the
Surviving Company; and
3) no Person (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any employee
benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Company, the
Surviving Company or any Person who, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation
or reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of 20% or more of the then Outstanding
Shares or Voting Securities) has Beneficial Ownership of 20% or more of the then
Outstand Shares of the Surviving Company or combined voting power of the Surviving
Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(iv) Approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company, or the occurrence of the same.
(v) Approval by the Company’s stockholder of an agreement for the assignment, sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a subsidiary of
the Company), or the occurrence of the same.
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(vi) The occurrence of any transaction which is reasonably likely to result in the
Company not continuing to be a real estate investment trust as defined under section 856 of
the Code (for example, such as because the Company will not have sufficient qualifying
income or assets).
(vii) Any other event that the Board shall determine constitutes an effective Change of
Control or Company.
(viii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur
solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than
the permitted amount of the Outstanding Shares or Voting Securities as a result of the
acquisition of Outstanding Shares or Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the
number of Outstanding Shares or Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportional
number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person; provided that if a Change of
Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition
of Shares or Voting Securities by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial
Owner of any additional Outstanding Shares or Voting Securities which increases the
percentage of the then Outstanding Shares or Voting Securities Owned by the Subject Person,
then a Change of Control shall occur.
(e) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by Executive
for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination given in accordance with this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written
notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) specifies the
intended termination date (which date, in the case of a termination for Good Reason, shall be not
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive or the Company to
set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder
or preclude Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(f) DATE OF TERMINATION. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, the later of
the date specified in the Notice of Termination or the date that is one day after the last day of
any applicable cure period, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than
for Cause or Disability, or Executive resigns without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be
the date on which the Company or Executive notified Executive or the Company, respectively, of such
termination and (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as
the case may be.
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7. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. Following any termination of Executive’s
employment hereunder for any reason whatsoever, the Company shall pay Executive her Base Salary
through the Date of Termination, all amounts earned by Executive through the Date of Termination
(including accrued vacation and bonus and expenses incurred but not yet reimbursed), and all
amounts owed to Executive pursuant to the terms and conditions of the benefit plans, programs and
arrangements of the Company at the time such payments are due. In addition, Executive shall be
entitled to the following additional payments and benefits.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Term, Executive’s employment shall
terminate by reason of Executive’s death or Disability, the Company shall pay to Executive (or her
designated beneficiary or estate, as the case may be) the prorated portion of any Target Bonus (as
defined in Section 7(d)) Executive would have received for the year of termination of employment.
Such amount shall be paid within 30 days of the date when such amounts would otherwise have been
payable to the Executive if Executive’s employment had not terminated. In addition, if during the
Employment Term, Executive’s employment shall terminate by reason of Executive’s Disability, the
Company shall provide the benefits set forth in Section 7(b)(2).
(b) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE. Subject to Executive’s execution and delivery
of the Release, if the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment other than for Cause (but not
for Disability) or the Executive shall terminate her employment for Good Reason:
(1) The Company shall pay Executive on the Executive’s Date of Termination an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the prorated portion of the Target Bonus for Executive for the year
in which the Date of Termination occurs, plus (ii) an amount equal to three (3) times the
sum of the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus as of the Date of Termination.
(2) For a period of two (2) years following the Date of Termination, the Executive
shall be treated as if she had continued to be an Executive for all purposes under the
Company’s Health Insurance Plan and Dental Insurance Plan; or if the Company has not yet
established its own Health Insurance Plan and/or Dental Plan or the Executive is prohibited
from participating in such plan, the Company shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide
health and dental insurance coverage for Executive which is equivalent to the coverage
provided to Executive as of the Date of Termination. Such benefits shall not have any
waiting period for coverage and shall provide coverage for any pre-existing condition.
Following this continuation period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive continuation
coverage under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA treating the end of this period as a termination
of the Executive’s employment if allowed by law.
(3) For a period of two (2) years following the Date of Termination, Company shall
maintain in force, at its expense, all life insurance being provided or required to be
provided to the Executive by the Company as of the Date of Termination and shall thereafter
enable Executive to assume such life insurance at the Executive’s expense.
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(4) For a period of two (2) years following the Executive’s Date of Termination, the
Company shall provide short-term and long-term disability insurance benefits to Executive
equivalent to the coverage that the Executive would have had she remained employed under the
disability insurance plans applicable to Executive on the Date of Termination. Should
Executive become disabled during such period, Executive shall be entitled to receive such
benefits, and for such duration, as the applicable plan provides.
(5) To the extent not already vested pursuant to the terms of such plan, the
Executive’s interests under any retirement, savings, deferred compensation, profit sharing
or similar arrangement of the Company shall be automatically fully (i.e., 100%) vested,
without regard to otherwise applicable percentages for the vesting of employer contributions
based upon the Executive’s years of service with the Company.
(6) The Company shall adopt such employee benefit plans or amendments to its employee
benefit plans, if any, as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement.
(7) Executive shall become vested in all restricted stock awards, stock options and
other performance related compensation, including any performance cash plan awards or awards
under a successor or replacement plan, on the basis of the maximum payout for any open
performance cycles.
(8) The Company shall provide Executive with executive office space and an executive
secretary (both the office space and secretary shall be of a quality comparable to that the
Executive had during the Employment Term) in a city or other locale chosen by Executive for
a period of one year after the termination of Executive’s employment with an aggregate cost
not to exceed $50,000.
(c) DEATH AFTER TERMINATION. In the event of the death of Executive during the period
Executive is receiving payments pursuant to this Agreement, Executive’s designated beneficiary
shall be entitled to receive the balance of the payments; or in the event of no designated
beneficiary, the remaining payments shall be made to Executive’s estate.
(d) TARGET BONUS. For the purposes of all provisions of this Agreement, the term
“Target Bonus” shall mean the greater of (x) the highest actual bonus paid to Executive
pursuant to the Company’s annual incentive plan with respect to any of the three preceding calendar
years and (y) the full amount of the annual bonus that would be payable to the Executive, assuming
all performance criteria (at the maximum level) on which such bonus is based were deemed to be
satisfied, in respect of services for the calendar year in which the date in question occurs.
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8. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. If Executive becomes entitled to any payments
or benefits whether pursuant to the terms of or by reason of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement, agreement, policy or program (including without limitation any restricted stock, stock
option, stock appreciation right or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction
on the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing) with the
Company, any successor to the Company or to all or a part of the business or assets of the
Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, spin off, or otherwise and
regardless of whether such payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or such successor) or any
person whose actions result in a change of control or any person affiliated with the Company or
such persons (in the aggregate, “Payments” or singularly, “Payment”), which
Payments are reasonably determined by the Executive to be subject to the tax imposed by Section
4999 or any successor provision of the Code or any similar state or local tax, or any interest or
penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise
Tax”), the Company shall pay Executive an additional amount (“Gross-Up Payment”) such
that the net amount retained by Executive, after deduction or payment of (i) any Excise Tax on
Payments, (ii) any federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the payment provided for
by this Section, and (iii) any additional interest and penalties imposed because the Excise Tax is
not paid when due, shall be equal to the full amount of the Payments. The Gross-Up Payment shall
be paid to the Executive within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of written notice from the
Executive that the Excise Tax has been paid, is or was payable or will be payable at any time in
the future.
9. TAX PAYMENT. For purposes of determining the amount of payments pursuant to Sections 5(a),
5(f), 5(g), 8, 10 and 16 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to pay
federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year
in which the payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates
of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence or the Executive’s place of
business, whichever is higher, on the date the payment is to be made. Without limitation on any
other provision of this Agreement, all such payments involving the calculation of taxes shall be
made no later than two (2) days after the receipt by the Company of written advice from a
professional tax advisor selected by the Executive that taxes are payable. The expense incurred in
obtaining such advice shall be paid by the Company. Without limitation on any other provisions of
this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Executive for all taxes with respect to the amounts for
which payments described in the first sentence of this Section are required to be made pursuant to
this Agreement and all other costs including interest and penalties with respect to the payment of
such taxes. To the extent any of the payments pursuant to this Section are treated as taxable to
the Executive, the Company shall pay Executive an additional amount such that the net amount
retained by the Executive after deduction or payment of all federal, state, local and other taxes
with respect to amounts pursuant to this Section shall be equal to the full amount of the payments
required by this Section.
10. DISPUTES. Any dispute or controversy arising under, out of, or in connection with this
Agreement shall, at the election and upon written demand of either party, be finally determined and
settled by binding arbitration in the City of Chicago, Illinois, in accordance with the Labor
Arbitration rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the
award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall pay all costs of
the arbitration and all reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees of the Executive in connection
therewith, including any litigation to enforce any arbitration award. To the extent any of the
payments within this Section are treated as taxable to the Executive, the Company shall pay
Executive an additional amount such that the net amount retained by Executive after deduction or
payment of all federal, state, local and other taxes with respect to
amounts under this Section shall be equal to the full amount of the payments required by this
Section.
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11. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY.
(i) The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with
the Company the Executive has and will become familiar with trade secrets and other
confidential information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and that the
Executive’s services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and
its subsidiaries.
(ii) Executive acknowledges that it is the policy of the Company and its subsidiaries
to maintain as secret and confidential all valuable and unique information and techniques
acquired, developed or used by the Company and its subsidiaries relating to their business,
operations, actual or potential products, strategies, potential liabilities, employees,
tenants, proposed or perspective tenants and customers, business partners and customers,
(including without limitation information protected by the Company’s attorney/client, work
product, or tax advisor/audit privileges; tax matters and information; financial analysis
models; the Company’s strategic plans; negotiations with third parties; methods, policies,
processes, formulas, techniques, know-how and other knowledge; trade practices, trade
secrets, or financial matters; lists of customers or customers’ purchases; lists of
suppliers, manufacturers, representatives, or other distributors; lists of and information
about tenants; requirements for systems, programs, machines, or their equipment; information
regarding the Company’s bank accounts, credit agreement or financial projections
information; information regarding the Company’s directors or officers or their personal
affairs) which gives the Company and its subsidiaries a competitive advantage in the
businesses in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged (“Confidential
Information”). “Confidential Information” shall not include information that (A) is or
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by
Executive in violation of this Agreement, (B) was available to Executive on a
non-confidential basis prior to the date hereof, or (C) is compelled to be disclosed by a
court or governmental agency, provided that prior written notice is given to the Company and
Executive cooperates with the Company in any efforts by the Company to limit the scope of
such obligation and/or to obtain confidential treatment of any material disclosed pursuant
to such obligation. Executive recognizes that all such Confidential Information is the sole
and exclusive property of the Company and its subsidiaries, and that disclosure of
Confidential Information would cause damage to the Company and its subsidiaries. Executive
shall not disclose, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information obtained during her
employment with the Company, and will take all necessary precautions to prevent disclosure,
to any unauthorized individual or entity inside or outside the Company, and will not use the
Confidential Information or permit its use for the benefit of Executive or other third party
other than the Company. These obligations shall continue for so long as the Confidential
Information remains Confidential Information.
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(b) NONCOMPETITION, NONSOLICITATION, NONINTERFERENCE. Executive shall not during the
Employment Term, and during the one-year period after the termination of Executive’s employment
with the Company for any reason (the “Restricted Period”), either directly or indirectly
(through another business or person) engage in or facilitate any of the following activities
anywhere in the United States:
(i) soliciting to hire, recruit or employ any person who is, or during the six-month
period preceding such activity was, employed by the Company or any subsidiary, or causing or
attempting to cause any third party to do any of the foregoing;
(ii) performing services as an employee, director, officer, consultant, independent
contractor or advisor; or investing in, whether in the form of equity or debt, owning any
interest or otherwise having an ownership or other interest or a connection to any
Prohibited Entity or performing services as an employee, director, officer, consultant,
independent contractor or advisor to any other company, entity or person if those services
relate directly to a business or businesses that directly and materially compete with the
Company anywhere in the United States. Nothing in this Section (ii) shall, however,
restrict Executive from (A) making an investment in and owning up to one-percent (1%) of the
common stock of any company whose stock is listed on a national exchange, provided that such
investment does not give Executive the right or ability to control or influence the policy
decisions of any direct competitor, or (B) except as provided in Section 11(c) below,
performing services as an employee, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor or
advisor in an operating company which provides healthcare services or goods other than
leasing or financing of real property (for example, a hospital or a nursing facility). For
purposes of this Agreement, a Prohibited Entity is any company, entity or person that
derives more than 20% of its consolidated gross revenues from a business or businesses that
directly and materially compete with the Company.
(c) OTHER PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES. Executive acknowledges that her position at the
Company provides her with access to highly sensitive information concerning the Company’s principal
lessee and its affiliates and leases to such lessee and its affiliates which are critical to the
Company’s ability to effectively function and to the properties to be purchased by the Company, and
that if Executive were to provide services for such principal lessee and/or its affiliates such
services would cause irreparable damages to the Company. Executive shall not during the Employment
Term and the Restricted Period, either directly or indirectly (through another business or person)
engage in or facilitate any of the following activities anywhere in the United States or in any
location outside the United States where the Company conducts or plans to conduct business:
performing services as an employee, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor or
advisor; or investing in, whether in the form of equity or debt, owning any interest or otherwise
having an ownership or other interest or a connection to Kindred Healthcare, Inc. or any of its
parent, sister, subsidiary or affiliated entities in any manner, including without limitation as an
owner, principal, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, consultant, contractor, agent,
broker, representative or otherwise (unless Executive becomes a stockholder in Kindred Healthcare
as part of a restructuring of Kindred Healthcare where the Company’s stockholders receive Kindred
Healthcare stock), provided, however that subsection (c) shall not preclude Executive from owning
any equity or debt interest in Kindred
Healthcare to which she became entitled by reason of her previous employment by Kindred
Healthcare.
12
(d) NON-DISPARAGEMENT.
(i) Executive agrees not to make, or cause to be made, any statement, observation or
opinion, or communicate any information (whether oral or written, directly or indirectly)
that (A) accuses or implies that the Company and/or any of its affiliates, together with
their respective present or former officers, directors, partners, stockholders, employees
and agents, and each of their predecessors, successors and assigns, engaged in any wrongful,
unlawful, unethical or improper conduct, whether relating to Executive’s employment (or
termination thereof), the business or operations of the Company, or otherwise; or (B)
disparages, impugns or in any way reflects adversely upon the business, good will, products,
business opportunities, competency, character, behavior or reputation of the Company and/or
any of its affiliates, together with their respective present or former officers, directors,
partners, stockholders, employees and agents, and each of their predecessors, successors and
assigns.
(ii) The Company agrees not to make, or cause to be made, any statement, observation or
opinion, or communicate any information (whether oral or written, directly or indirectly)
that (A) accuses or implies that Executive engaged in any wrongful, unlawful, unethical or
improper conduct, whether relating to Executive’s employment (or termination thereof), the
business or operations of the Company, or otherwise; or (B) disparages, impugns or in any
way reflects adversely upon the business, business opportunities, competency, character,
behavior or reputation of Executive.
(iii) Nothing herein shall be deemed to preclude Executive or the Company from
providing truthful testimony or information pursuant to subpoena, court or other similar
legal process.
(e) NEW EMPLOYER. Executive shall provide the terms and conditions of this Section 11
to any prospective new employer or new employer and shall permit the Company to contact any such
company, entity or individual to confirm Executive’s compliance with this Section 11 and shall
provide the Company with such information as it requests to allow such inquiry.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(i) Executive acknowledges that the covenants contained in this Section 11 are
reasonable in the scope of the activities restricted, the geographic area covered by the
restrictions, and the duration of the restrictions, and that such covenants are reasonably
necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate interests in its Confidential Information, its
reputation, and in its relationships with its employees, customers, and suppliers.
(ii) The Company has, and the Executive has had an opportunity to, consult with their
respective legal counsel and to be advised concerning the reasonableness and propriety of
such covenants. Executive acknowledges that her
observance of the covenants contained herein will not deprive Executive of the ability
to earn a livelihood or to support her dependents.
13
(g) RIGHT TO INJUNCTION. In recognition of the confidential nature of the
Confidential Information, and in recognition of the necessity of the limited restrictions imposed
by Section 11, Executive and the Company agree that it would be impossible to measure solely in
money the damages which the Company would suffer if Executive were to breach any of her obligations
hereunder. Executive acknowledges that any breach of any provision of this Agreement would
irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, Executive agrees that if she breaches any of the
provisions of Section 11, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies to which
the Company may be entitled under this Agreement or otherwise, to an injunction to be issued by a
court of competent jurisdiction, to restrain any breach, or threatened breach, of any provision of
Section 11, and Executive hereby waives any right to assert any claim or defense that the Company
has an adequate remedy at law for any such breach.
(h) ASSISTANCE. During the one-year period following a termination of Executive’s
employment with the Company, Executive shall from time to time provide the Company with such
reasonable assistance and cooperation as the Company may reasonably from time to time request in
connection with any financial and business issues, investigation, claim, dispute, judicial,
legislative, administrative or arbitral proceeding, or litigation arising out of matters within the
knowledge of Executive and related to her position as an employee of the Company at the times and
on the terms agreed to in good faith by Executive and the Company.
12. SUCCESSORS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary
dissolution of the Company or by any merger or consolidation where the Company is not the surviving
corporation, or upon any transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets. In
the event of such merger, consolidation or transfer, the provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the surviving corporation or corporation to which
such stock or assets of the Company shall be transferred.
(c) The Company shall 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
Company, or any business of the Company for which Executive’s services are principally performed,
to assume expressly, absolutely and unconditionally and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as
herein before defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes
and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
14
13. OTHER SEVERANCE BENEFITS. Executive hereby agrees that in consideration for and subject
to the receipt of the payments to be received under this Agreement, Executive waives any and all
rights to any payments or benefits under any other plans, programs, contracts or arrangements of
the Company or their respective affiliates that provide for severance payments or benefits upon a
termination of employment, except as provided in this Agreement.
14. PRESS RELEASE. The Company shall not issue or permit to be issued any press release or
other public announcement regarding the Executive or the terms of Executive’s employment (including
related to any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason) without Executive’s prior
approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
15. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. Beginning on the Effective Date and continuing thereafter,
including after the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, the Company shall indemnify,
defend and hold the Executive harmless from and against any and all Expenses, liabilities, damages,
costs, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, incurred by Executive in
connection with any Proceeding involving her by reason of her being or having been an officer,
director, employee or agent of the Company (or any affiliate of the Company) to the fullest extent
permitted by law, whether or not Executive is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any
threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, and whether or not Executive is successful in such
Proceeding. In addition, upon receipt from Executive of (i) a written request for an advancement
of Expenses which Executive reasonably believes will be subject to indemnification hereunder and
(ii) a written undertaking by Executive to repay any such amounts if it shall ultimately be
determined that she is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise, the
Company shall advance such Expenses to Executive or pay such Expenses for Executive, all in advance
of the final disposition of any such matter. The provisions of the preceding two sentences shall
survive the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason whatsoever and the
termination of this Agreement. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of
Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
Executive may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the
By-Laws of the Company, any other agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of the Board,
or otherwise. For purposes hereof, “Expenses” shall include all reasonable fees and
expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs,
transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and
binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and disbursements and expenses of
the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or
defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding; and
“Proceeding” shall include (without limitation) any and all proceedings, including, without
limitation, actions, suits, arbitrations, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,
investigations, administrative hearings and other proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, and whether or not by or in the right of the Company. Beginning on
the Effective Date and continuing thereafter, including after the termination of Executive’s
employment hereunder, Executive shall have coverage under a director’s and officer’s liability
insurance policy in amounts no less than, and on terms no less favorable than those, as provided to
officers of the Company as of the Effective Date and in amounts no less than, and on terms no less
favorable than those, as provided to the other members of the Board and senior executive officers
of the Company from time to time.
15
16. ATTORNEY FEES. The Company will pay, or reimburse Executive for, at Executive’s
discretion, all attorneys fees, costs and expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the
negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement. All reasonable costs and expenses
(including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by Executive in seeking to interpret this
Agreement or enforce rights pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid on behalf of or reimbursed to
Executive promptly by the Company, whether or not Executive is successful in asserting such rights;
provided, however, that no reimbursement shall be made of such expenses relating to any
unsuccessful assertion of rights if and to the extent that Executive’s assertion of such rights was
in bad faith. To the extent any of the payments within this Section are treated as taxable to the
Executive, the Company shall pay Executive an additional amount such that the net amount retained
by Executive after deduction or payment of all federal, state, local and other taxes with respect
to amounts under this subsection shall be equal to the full amount of the payments required by this
Section.
17. WITHHOLDING. All payments to be made to Executive hereunder will be subject to all
applicable required withholding of taxes.
18. NO MITIGATION. Executive shall have no duty to mitigate her damages by seeking other
employment or taking other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive
under this Agreement and the payments required hereunder shall not be reduced or offset by any
amounts, including compensation from other employment. Further, the Company’s obligations to make
any payments hereunder shall not be subject to or affected by any set off, counterclaims or
defenses which the Company may have against Executive or others.
19. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and effective when delivered by personal or
overnight couriers, or registered mail, in each case with confirmation of receipt, prepaid and
addressed as follows:
If to Executive:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
With a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx
00 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
00 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
If to Company:
Ventas, Inc.
10350 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
10350 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Attn: General Counsel
Either party may change its specified address by giving notice in writing to the other in
accordance with the foregoing method.
16
20. WAIVER OF BREACH AND SEVERABILITY. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach by either party. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision, which other
provision shall remain in full force and effect. In the event any provision of this Agreement is
found to be invalid or unenforceable, it may be severed from the Agreement and the remaining
provisions of the Agreement, including all make- whole provisions of this Agreement, shall continue
to be binding and effective.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements (including the
Existing Employment Agreement), promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations
and warranties between them, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof;
provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary found herein (including this Section
21), Section 6 of the Existing Employment Agreement shall not be modified in any way and the loans
granted and outstanding as of the Effective Date pursuant to such Section 6 shall continue to
represent the Executive’s obligations to the Company. The penultimate sentence of Section 5(c) of
the Existing Agreement shall also remain in full force and effect. No provisions of this Agreement
may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in
writing signed by Executive and such officer of the Company specifically designated by the Board.
22. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. All payments pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 22. If Executive is a “Specified
Employee” of the Company for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (“Code Section 409A”)
at the time of a payment event set forth in this Agreement, then no severance or other payments
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made to Executive by the Company until the amount of time has
passed that is necessary to avoid incurring excise taxes under Code Section 409A. Should this
Section 22 result in a delay of payments to Executive, on the first day any such payments may be
made without incurring a penalty pursuant to Code Section 409A (the “409A Payment Date”), the
Company shall begin to make such payments as provided for in this Agreement, provided that any
amounts that would have been payable earlier but for the application of this Section 22, shall be
paid in lump-sum on the 409A Payment Date along with accrued interest at the rate of interest
published in the Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” (or equivalent) on the date that payments
to Executive should have been made under this Agreement. For purposes of this provision, the term
Specified Employee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or any successor provision and the treasury regulations and
rulings issued thereunder. If any compensation or benefits provided by this Agreement may result
in the application of Code Section 409A, the Company shall, in consultation with the Executive,
modify the Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary in order to exclude such
compensation from the definition of “deferred compensation” within the meaning of such Code
Section 409A or in order to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A of the Code and without
any diminution in the value of the payments or benefits to the Executive.
17
23. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware.
24. HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used
to interpret or construe its provisions.
25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
VENTAS, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Director | ||||||
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||||
Executive |
18
Exhibit A
VENTAS, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the
28th day of December, 2006 (“Effective Date”), by and between VENTAS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (“Company”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, an employee of the Company (“Employee”).
RECITALS:
A. Company has adopted the 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (“Plan”), to promote
the interests of Company, its subsidiaries (hereinafter the term “Company” includes, where
appropriate, all of Company’s subsidiaries, as that term is defined in Section 424(f) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”)) and its stockholders by encouraging selected
employees of Company, such as Employee, to invest in Company’s shares of Common Stock, having a par
value of $.25 per share (“Common Stock”).
B. Company believes that such investment should increase the personal interest and special
efforts of Employee in providing for the continued success and progress of Company and should
enhance the efforts of Company to attract and retain competent key employees.
AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Common Stock. The Company shall cause to be issued to Employee 179,813
shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”). The certificates representing the Shares, together with a
stock power duly endorsed in blank by Employee, shall be deposited with the Company to be held by
it until the restrictions imposed upon the Shares by this Agreement have expired.
2. Vesting of Shares. If Employee has not forfeited any of the Shares, the
restriction on the Transfer (as defined herein) of the Shares shall expire with respect to
one-fifth (20%) of the Shares on each of the first five annual anniversaries of the Effective Date.
Upon expiration of the restriction against Transfer of any of the Shares pursuant to this Section
2, the Shares shall vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of (A) a Change of Control,
(B) the death or Disability of Employee or (C) termination of Employee’s employment by the Company
without Cause or by Employee with Good Reason (as each of such terms in this Paragraph 2 are
defined in Employee’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof
(“Employment Agreement”), the Shares shall automatically vest and all restrictions on the Shares
shall lapse.
3. Forfeiture of Shares. If Employee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other
than death or Disability or termination by the Company without Cause or by Employee with Good
Reason (as such terms are defined in Employee’s Employment Agreement), all of the Shares which have
not vested in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement shall be forfeited
and reconveyed to the Company by Employee without additional consideration and Employee shall
have no further rights with respect thereto.
4. Restriction on Transfer of Shares. Employee shall not Transfer any of the Shares
owned by Employee until such restriction on the Transfer of the Shares is removed pursuant to this
Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Transfer” shall mean any sale, exchange,
assignment, gift, encumbrance, lien, transfer by bankruptcy or judicial order, transfers by
operation of law and all other types of transfers and dispositions, whether direct or indirect,
voluntary or involuntary.
5. Rights as Stockholder. Unless the Shares are forfeited, Employee shall be
considered a stockholder of the Company with respect to all such Shares that have not been
forfeited and shall have all rights appurtenant thereto, including the right to vote or consent to
all matters that may be presented to the stockholders and to receive all dividends and other
distributions paid on such Shares. If any dividends or distributions are paid in Common Stock,
such Common Stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as the Shares with respect to which it
was paid.
6. Restrictive Legend. Each certificate representing the Shares may bear the
following legend:
The sale or other transfer of the shares represented by this Certificate,
whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, is subject to
certain restrictions on transfer as set forth in the Ventas, Inc. 2000
Incentive Compensation Plan, and in the related Restricted Stock Agreement.
A copy of the Plan and such Restricted Stock Agreement may be obtained
from the Secretary of Ventas, Inc.
When the Shares have become vested, Employee shall have the right to have the preceding legend
removed from the certificate representing such vested Shares.
7. Agreement Does Not Grant Employment Rights. The granting of Shares shall not be
construed as granting to Employee any right to employment by the Company. The right of the Company
to terminate Employee’s employment at any time, whether by dismissal, discharge, retirement or
otherwise, is specifically reserved.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of Plan. This Agreement is and shall be, in all respects, subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a copy of which Employee acknowledges receiving prior to
the execution hereof and the terms of which are incorporated by reference.
(b) Captions. The captions and section headings used herein are for convenience only,
shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement and shall not in any way restrict or modify the
context or substance of any section or paragraph of this Agreement.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws rules.
A-2
(d) Section 83(b) Election Under the Code. If Employee timely elects, under Section
83(b) of the Code, to include the fair market value of the Shares on the date hereof in such
Employee’s gross income for the current taxable year, Employee agrees to give prompt written notice
of such election to the Company. Employee hereby acknowledges that the Company will be obligated
to withhold income taxes for the income includable in Employee’s income and hereby agrees to make
whatever arrangements are necessary to enable the Company to withhold as required by law.
(e) Defined Terms. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same
meanings as set forth in the Plan unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on and as of the date first
above written.
VENTAS, INC. | ||||||||
By: | ||||||||
Title: | ||||||||
XXXXX X. XXXXXX |
A-3
Exhibit B
General Release
This agreement, release and waiver (the “Agreement”), made as of the day of ,
(the “Effective Date”), is made by and between Ventas, Inc. (together with all successors
thereto, “Company”) and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx (“Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company have entered into an Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement dated the day of December, 2006 (“Employment Agreement”);
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration for receiving benefits and severance under the Employment Agreement
and in consideration of the representations, covenants and promises set forth in this Agreement,
the parties agree as follows:
1. | Release. Except with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Employment
Agreement, the Executive, and Executive’s heirs, executors, assigns, agents, legal
representatives, and personal representatives, hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges
the Company, its agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective officers, directors,
agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of
and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses,
attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity,
or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising
out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to the
day prior to execution of this Agreement, including but not limited to any and all such claims
and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with the Executive’s
employment with the Company; the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company;
claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other
ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements,
sabbatical benefits, severance benefits, or any other form of compensation or equity; claims
pursuant to any federal, state, local law, statute, ordinance or cause of action including,
but not limited to, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the federal Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; the federal Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990; tort law; contract law; wrongful discharge; discrimination; fraud; defamation;
harassment; emotional distress; or breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing. This Release does not apply to the payment of any benefits to which the Executive
may be entitled under a Company sponsored tax qualified retirement or savings plan, nor to any
rights of the Executive to indemnification under the Articles of Incorporation or by-laws of
the Company or other agreement between Executive and the Company, nor to any rights of the
Executive under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by the
Company. |
|
2. | No Inducement. Executive agrees that no promise or inducement to enter into this
Agreement has been offered or made except as set forth in this Agreement, that the Executive
is entering into this Agreement without any threat or coercion and without reliance or any
statement or representation made on behalf of the Company or by any person employed by or
representing the Company, except for the written provisions and promises contained in this
Agreement. |
3. | Damages. The parties agree that damages incurred as a result of a breach of this
Agreement will be difficult to measure. It is, therefore, further agreed that, in addition to
any other remedies, equitable relief will be available in the case of a breach of this
Agreement. It is also agreed that, in the event Executive files a claim against the Company
with respect to a claim released by Executive herein (other than a proceeding before the
EEOC), the Company may withhold, retain, or require reimbursement of all or any portion of the
benefits and severance payments under the Severance Agreement until such claim is withdrawn by
Executive. |
|
4. | Advice of Counsel; Time to Consider; Revocation. Executive acknowledges the
following: |
(a) | Executive has read this Agreement, and understands its legal
and binding effect. Executive is acting voluntarily and of Executive’s own
free will in executing this Agreement. |
||
(b) | Executive has been advised to seek and has had the opportunity
to seek legal counsel in connection with this Agreement. |
||
(c) | Executive was given at least 21 days to consider the terms of
this Agreement before signing it. |
Executive understands that, if Executive signs the Agreement, Executive may revoke it within
seven days after signing it. Executive understands that this Agreement will not be
effective until after the seven-day period has expired; provided, however, that if Executive
shall revoke this Agreement, Executive shall be obligated to return to the Company all
payments made to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement that were contingent upon
the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
5. | Severability. If all or any part of this Agreement is declared by any court or
governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not
invalidate any other portion of this Agreement. Any section or a part of a section declared
to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect
to the terms of the section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid. |
|
6. | Amendment. This Agreement shall not be altered, amended, or modified except by
written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive. A waiver of any portion of this
Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any other portion of this Agreement. |
|
7. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument. |
|
8. | Headings. The headings of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and
shall not have any force or effect. |
B-2
9. | Applicable Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and construed
in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky without regard to its choice of
law principles. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates specified below.
EXECUTIVE | ||||||||
DATE: | ||||||||
VENTAS, INC. | ||||||||
BY: | ||||||||
TITLE: | ||||||||
DATE: | ||||||||
B-3