Exhibit 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made and entered into by and between THE GREAT A TLANTIC &
PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. (the "Company"), and XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX (the
"Employee").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee (the "Parties") have agreed to enter
into this agreement (the "Agreement") relating to the employment of the Employee
by the Company,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the Parties,
intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment.
(a) The Company agrees to continue to employ the Employee, and the Employee
agrees to remain in the employment of the Company, in accordance with the terms
and provisions of this Agreement, for the period set forth below (the
"Employment Period").
(b) The Employment Period under this Agreement shall commence as of December 11,
2006 and, subject only to the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 below relating
to termination of employment, shall continue until (i) the close of business on
December 10, 2009 or (ii) such later date as shall result from the operation of
subparagraph (c) below (the "Terminal Date").
(c) Commencing on June 11, 2008, and on the first business day of each month
thereafter (such date and each such first business day, the "Renewal Date") the
Terminal Date set forth in subparagraph (b) above shall be extended so as to
occur eighteen months from the Renewal Date unless either the Company or the
Employee shall have given written notice to the other Party on or before such
Renewal Date that the Terminal Date is not to be extended.
2. Duties.
It is the intention of the Parties that during the term of her employment
under this Agreement, the Employee will serve as the Senior Vice President of
Merchandising. The Employee will devote her full business time and attention to
the affairs of the Company and her duties as the Senior Vice President of
Merchandising. The Employee will have such duties as are appropriate to her
position, and will have such authority as required to enable her to perform
these duties.
3. Salary and Bonus.
3.1 Salary. The Company will pay the Employee a base salary at an initial annual
rate of not less than $415,000.00, which base salary as in effect from time to
time will not be reduced and will be reviewed periodically (at intervals of not
more than twelve (12) months) by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Board") for the purpose of considering increases thereof. In
evaluating increases in the Employee's base salary, the Compensation Committee
of the Board will take into account such factors as corporate performance,
individual merit, and such other considerations as it deems appropriate. The
Employee's base salary will be paid in accordance with the standard practices
for other corporate executives of the Company.
3.2 Bonuses. The Employee will be eligible to receive annually or otherwise any
bonus awards, whether payable in cash, shares of common stock of the Company or
otherwise, which the Company, the Compensation Committee of the Board or such
other authorized committee of the Board determines to award or grant.
4. Benefit Programs.
The Employee will receive such benefits and awards, including without
limitation stock options and restricted share awards, as the Compensation
Committee of the Board shall determine and will be eligible to participate in
all employee benefit plans and programs of the Company from time to time in
effect for the benefit of senior executives of the Company, including, but not
limited to, pension and other retirement plans, group life insurance,
hospitalization and surgical and major medical coverage, sick leave, salary
continuation arrangements, vacations and holidays, long-term disability, and
such other benefits as are or may be made available from time to time to senior
executives of the Company.
5. Business Expenses and Perquisites.
The Employee will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by her
in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company, provided she
properly accounts therefor in accordance with the Company's policies. She will
also be entitled to such other perquisites as are customary for senior
executives of the Company.
6. Office and Services Furnished. The Company shall furnish the Employee with
office space, secretarial assistance and such other facilities and services as
shall be suitable to the Employee's position and adequate for the performance of
her duties hereunder.
7. Termination of Employment by the Company.
7.1 Involuntary Termination by the Company Other Than For Permanent and Total
Disability or For Cause. The Company may terminate the Employee's employment at
any time and for any reason (other than for Permanent and Total Disability as
provided in Section 7.2 below, for Performance as provided in Section 7.3 below
or for Cause as provided in Section 7.4 below) by giving her a written notice of
termination to that effect at least 14 days before the date of termination. In
the event the Company terminates the Employee's employment for any reason (other
than for Permanent and Total Disability as provided in Section 7.2, below, for
Performance as provided in Section 7.3 below or for Cause as provided in Section
7.4 below), the Employee shall be entitled to the benefits described in Section
10 or Section 11, whichever is applicable.
7.2 Termination Due to Permanent and Total Disability. If the Employee incurs a
Permanent and Total Disability, as defined below, the Company may terminate the
Employee's employment by giving her written notice of termination at least 14
days before the date of such termination. In the event of such termination of
the Employee's employment because of Permanent and Total Disability, the
Employee shall be entitled to receive (i) her base salary pursuant to Section
3.1 and any other compensation and benefits to the extent actually earned by the
Employee pursuant to this Agreement or any benefit plan or program of the
Company as of the date of such termination of employment at the normal time for
payment of such salary, compensation or benefits, and (ii) any reimbursement
amounts owing under Section 5. For purposes of this Agreement, the Employee
shall be considered to have incurred a Permanent and Total Disability if she is
unable to substantially carry out her duties under this Agreement by reason of
any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected
to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a
continuous period of not less than 12 months. The existence of such Permanent
and Total Disability shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company and shall be evidenced by such medical
certification as the Secretary of the Company shall require.
7.3 Termination for Performance. The Company may terminate the Employee's
employment for Performance if the Employee fails to meet satisfactorily the
performance goals established for the Employee. The determination as to whether
the Employee has met satisfactorily such performance goals shall be determined
by the Company in its sole discretion. The Company shall exercise its right to
terminate the Employee's employment for Performance by giving her written notice
of termination on or before the date of such termination specifying the
performance goal or goals that the Employee failed to meet. In the event of such
termination of the Employee's employment for Performance, the Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(a) The Company shall pay to the Employee her base salary pursuant to Section
3.1 and any other compensation and benefits to the extent actually earned by the
Employee under this Agreement or any benefit plan or program of the Company as
of the date of such termination at the normal time for payment of such salary,
compensation or benefits.
(b) The Company shall pay the Employee any reimbursement amounts owing under
Section 5.
(c) The Company shall pay to the Employee as a severance benefit a total of
fifty-two (52) weeks of base salary continuation. Such salary continuation
payments will be made to the Employee on the Company's normal and routine
bi-weekly pay dates. In the event that the Employee dies before the end of such
52-week period, the payments for the remainder of such period shall be paid to
the Employee's estate.
(d) During the period of 12 months beginning on the date of the Employee's
termination of employment, the Employee shall remain covered by the medical
plans of the Company that covered her immediately prior to her termination of
employment as if she had remained in employment for such period. In the event
that the Employee's participation in any such plan is barred, the Company shall
arrange to provide the Employee with substantially similar benefits. Any medical
insurance coverage for such 12-month period pursuant to this subsection (d)
shall become secondary upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the Employee
begins to be covered by comparable medical coverage provided by a new employer,
or (ii) the earliest date upon which the Employee becomes eligible for Medicare
or a comparable Government insurance program. The Employee's COBRA entitlements
shall become effective at the end of the extended benefit coverage provided
pursuant to this subsection (d).
(e) Any outstanding stock options with respect to the common stock of the
Company held by the Employee on the date of termination of the Employee's
employment, to the extent then exercisable, shall remain exercisable for a
period of three months following such termination of employment (but in no event
beyond the expiration date of the applicable option).
7.4 Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Employee's employment
for Cause if (i) the Employee willfully, substantially, and continually fails to
perform the duties for which she is employed by the Company, (ii) the Employee
willfully fails to comply with reasonable instructions, (iii) the Employee
willfully engages in conduct which is or would reasonably be expected to be
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, (iv) the Employee
willfully engages in an act or acts of dishonesty resulting in material personal
gain to the Employee at the expense of the Company, (v) the Employee is
convicted of a felony, (vi) the Employee engages in an act or acts of gross
malfeasance in connection with her employment hereunder, (vii) the Employee
commits a material breach of the confidentiality provision set forth in Section
15, or (viii) the Employee exhibits demonstrable evidence of alcohol or drug
abuse having a substantial adverse effect on her job performance hereunder. The
Company shall exercise its right to terminate the Employee's employment for
Cause by giving her written notice of termination at least 14 days before the
date of such termination specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances
constituting such Cause. In the event of such termination of the Employee's
employment for Cause, the Employee shall be entitled to receive (i) her base
salary pursuant to Section 3.1 and any other compensation and benefits to the
extent actually earned pursuant to this Agreement or any benefit plan or program
of the Company as of the date of such termination at the normal time for payment
of such salary, compensation or benefits and (ii) any amounts owed under the
reimbursement policy of Section 5.
8. Termination of Employment by the Employee.
(a) Good Reason. The Employee may terminate her employment for Good Reason by
giving the Company a written notice of termination at least 14 days before the
date of such termination specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances
constituting such Good Reason. In the event of the Employee's termination of her
employment for Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to the benefits
described in Section 10 or Section 11, whichever is applicable. For purposes of
this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean (i) a significant reduction in the scope
of the Employee's authority, functions, duties or responsibilities from that
which is contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) any reduction in the Employee's
base salary, or (iii) a significant reduction in the employee benefits provided
to the Employee other than in connection with an across-the-board reduction
similarly affecting substantially all senior executives of the Company. If an
event constituting a ground for termination of employment for Good Reason
occurs, and the Employee fails to give notice of termination within 3 months
after the occurrence of such event, the Employee shall be deemed to have waived
her right to terminate employment for Good Reason in connection with such event
(but not for any other event for which the 3-month period has not expired).
(b) Other. The Employee may terminate her employment at any time and for any
reason, other than pursuant to subsection (a) above, by giving the Company a
written notice of termination to that effect at least 14 days before the date of
termination. In the event of the Employee's termination of her employment
pursuant to this subsection (b), the Employee shall be entitled to receive (i)
her base salary pursuant to Section 3.1 and any other compensation and benefits
to the extent actually earned by the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or any
benefit plan or program of the Company as of the date of such termination at the
normal time for payment of such salary, compensation or benefits, and (ii) any
reimbursement amounts owing under Section 5.
9. Termination of Employment By Death. In the event of the death of the Employee
during the course of her employment hereunder, the Employee's estate shall be
entitled to receive (i) her base salary pursuant to Section 3.1 and any other
compensation and benefits to the extent actually earned by the Employee pursuant
to this Agreement or any other benefit plan or program of the Company as of the
date of such termination at the normal time for payment of such salary,
compensation or benefits, and (ii) any reimbursement amounts owing under Section
5. In addition, in the event of such death, the Employee's beneficiaries shall
receive any death benefits owed to them under the Company's employee benefit
plans.
10. Benefits Upon Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason (No Change of
Control). If (a) the Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate (i)
because of termination by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1 other than for
Cause or Performance or Permanent and Total Disability, or (ii) because of
termination by the Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 8(a), and (b)
such termination of employment does not occur within 13 months following a
"Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in Section 12), the Employee,
upon execution of a Confidential Separation and Release Agreement, shall be
entitled to the following:
(a) The Company shall pay to the Employee her base salary pursuant to Section
3.1 and any other compensation and benefits to the extent actually earned by the
Employee under this Agreement or any benefit plan or program of the Company as
of the date of such termination at the normal time for payment of such salary,
compensation or benefits.
(b) The Company shall pay the Employee any reimbursement amounts owing under
Section 5.
(c) The Company shall pay to the Employee as a severance benefit for each month
during the 18-month period beginning with the month next following the date of
termination of the Employee's employment, an amount equal to one-twelfth of the
sum of (i) her annual rate of base salary immediately preceding her termination
of employment, and (ii) the average of her three highest annual bonuses awarded
under the Company's annual management incentive bonus plan for any of the five
fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year of her termination of
employment, (or, if she was not eligible for a bonus for at least three fiscal
years in such five-year period, then the average of such bonuses for all of the
fiscal years in such five-year period for which she was eligible, and if she was
not eligible for such a bonus in any previous fiscal year, then 100% of her
target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred), with
any deferred bonuses counting for the fiscal year in which it was earned rather
than the year in which it was paid. Each such monthly benefit shall be paid to
the Employee on the Company's normal and routine bi-weekly pay dates. In the
event that the Employee dies before the end of such 18-month period, the
payments for the remainder of such period shall be made to the Employee's
estate.
(d) The Company shall pay to the Employee as a bonus for the fiscal year in
which the termination occurred an amount equal to a portion (determined as
provided in the next sentence) of the bonus that the Employee would actually
have received under the Company's annual management incentive bonus plan for the
fiscal year of termination of the Employee's employment if her employment had
not terminated (determined on the basis of her actual bonus opportunity and the
actual degree of achievement of the applicable performance goals) or, if no
bonus opportunity for that year had been established for the Employee at the
time of such termination of employment, such portion of the bonus awarded to her
under the Company's annual management incentive bonus plan for the fiscal year
immediately preceding the fiscal year of the termination of her employment, with
deferred bonuses counting for the fiscal year in which it was earned rather than
the year in which it was paid. Such portion shall be determined by dividing the
number of days of the Employee's employment during such fiscal year up to her
termination of employment by 365 (366 if a leap year). Such payment shall be
made on or about the date on which bonuses for the applicable fiscal year are
paid to executives of the Company generally under the Company's annual
management incentive bonus plan.
(e) During the period of 18 months beginning on the date of the Employee's
termination of employment, the Employee shall remain covered by the medical,
dental, vision, life insurance, and, if reasonably commercially available
through nationally reputable insurance carriers, long-term disability plans of
the Company that covered her immediately prior to her termination of employment
as ifshe had remained in employment for such period. In the event that the
Employee's participation in any such plan is barred, the Company shall arrange
to provide the Employee with substantially similar benefits (but, in the case of
long-term disability benefits, only if reasonably commercially available). Any
medical insurance coverage for such 18-month period pursuant to this subsection
(e) shall become secondary upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the
Employee begins to be covered by comparable medical coverage provided by a new
employer, or (ii) the earliest date upon which the Employee becomes eligible for
Medicare or a comparable Government insurance program.
11. Benefits Upon Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason (Change of
Control). If (a) the Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate (i)
because of termination by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1 other than for
Cause or Performance or Permanent and Total Disability, (ii) because of
termination by the Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 8(a), or (iii)
for any reason during the 30 days beginning on the first anniversary of a Change
of Control, and (b) such termination of employment occurs within 13 months
following a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in Section 12), the
Employee, upon execution of a Confidential Separation and Release Agreement,
shall be entitled to the following:
(a) The Company shall pay to the Employee her base salary pursuant to Section
3.1 and any other compensation and benefits to the extent actually earned by the
Employee under this Agreement or any benefit plan or program of the Company as
of the date of such termination at the normal time for payment of such salary,
compensation or benefits.
(b) The Company shall pay the Employee any reimbursement amounts owing under
Section 5.
(c) The Company shall pay to the Employee as a severance benefit an amount equal
to three (3) times the sum of (i) her annual rate of base salary immediately
preceding her termination of employment, and (ii) the average of her three
highest annual bonuses awarded under the Company's annual management incentive
bonus plan for any of the five fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal
year of her termination of employment (or, if she was not eligible for a bonus
for at least three fiscal years in such five-year period, then the average of
such bonuses for all of the fiscal years in such five-year period for which she
was eligible, and if she was not eligible for such a bonus in any previous
fiscal year, then 100% of her target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which
the termination occurred, with any deferred bonuses counting for the fiscal year
in which it was earned rather than the year in which it was paid. Such severance
benefit shall be paid in a lump sum within 45 days after the date of such
termination of employment.
(d) The Company shall pay to the Employee as a bonus for the fiscal year in
which the termination occurred an amount equal to a portion (determined as
provided in the next sentence) of the bonus that the Employee would actually
have received under the Company's annual management incentive bonus plan for the
fiscal year of termination of the Employee's employment if her employment had
not terminated (determined on the basis of her actual bonus opportunity and the
actual degree of achievement of the applicable performance goals) or, if no
bonus opportunity for that year had been established for the Employee at the
time of such termination of employment, such portion of the bonus awarded to her
under the Company's annual management incentive bonus plan for the fiscal year
immediately preceding the fiscal year of the termination of her employment, with
deferred bonuses counting for the fiscal year in which it was earned rather than
the year in which it was paid. Such portion shall be determined by dividing the
number of days of the Employee's employment during such fiscal year up to her
termination of employment by 365 (366 if a leap year). Such payment shall be
made on or about the date on which bonuses for the applicable fiscal year are
paid to executives of the Company generally under the Company's annual
management incentive bonus plan.
(e) During the period of 36 months beginning on the date of the Employee's
termination of employment, the Employee shall remain covered by the medical,
dental, vision, life insurance, and, if reasonably commercially available
through nationally reputable insurance carriers, long-term disability plans of
the Company that covered her immediately prior to her termination of employment
as if she had remained in employment for such period. In the event that the
Employee's participation in any such plan is barred, the Company shall arrange
to provide the Employee with substantially similar benefits (but, in the case of
long-term disability benefits, only if reasonably commercially available). Any
medical insurance coverage for such 36-month period pursuant to this subsection
(e) shall become secondary upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the
Employee begins to be covered by comparable medical coverage provided by a new
employer, or (ii) the earliest date upon which the Employee becomes eligible for
Medicare or a comparable Government insurance program.
12. Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) any person or persons acting together
which would constitute a "group" for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), (other than the Company,
any subsidiary of the Company, and Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG (a
partnership organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany or any
successor to such partnership, hereinafter "Tengelmann")) shall beneficially own
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, at least
30% of the total voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company
entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board and such voting power
exceeds the then current voting power of Tengelmann; (b) control of Tengelmann
is acquired by any person or persons other than family members or entities
controlled by family members of Xxxxxx Xxxx; (c) Current Directors (as herein
defined) shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
members of the Board (for this purpose, a "Current Director" shall mean any
member of the Board as of the date hereof and any successor of a Current
Director whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by at least two-thirds of the Current Directors then
on the Board); (d) the shareholders of the Company approve (i) a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or (ii) an agreement providing for the
merger or consolidation of the Company other than a merger or consolidation in
which (x) the holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to
the consolidation or merger have, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of
the common stock of the continuing or surviving corporation immediately after
such consolidation or merger or (y) the Board immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation would, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a
majority of the board of directors of the continuing or surviving corporation;
or (e) the shareholders of the Company approve an agreement (or agreements)
providing for the sale or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of
transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
13. Entitlement to Other Benefits. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, this Agreement shall not be construed as limiting in any way any
rights or benefits that the Employee or her spouse, dependents or beneficiaries
may have pursuant to any other plan or program of the Company.
14. Non-Competition.
The Employee agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for a period
of eighteen months following termination of her employment, the Employee will
not, within any of the geographical areas of the United States in which the
Company is then conducting business (either directly or through franchisees),
directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by,
participate in, provide consulting services to, or be connected in any manner
with the ownership, management, operation or control of any business similar to
any of the types of businesses conducted by the Company to any significant
extent during her employment or on the date of termination of her employment,
except the Employee may own for investment purposes up to 1% of the capital
stock of any company whose stock is publicly traded, and during such eighteen
month period following termination of her employment the Employee will not
contact or solicit employees of the Company for the purpose of inducing such
employees to leave the employ of the Company. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, if the Employee breaches this non-competition
provision, then the Company may, in addition to any other rights and remedies
available to it at law or under this Agreement, discontinue paying to the
Employee any of the severance benefits described in Sections 7, 10 and 11.
15. Confidential Information and Trade Secrets.
The Employee hereby acknowledges that she will have access to and become
acquainted with various trade secrets and proprietary information of the Company
and other confidential information relating to the Company. The Employee
covenants that she will not, directly or indirectly, disclose or use such
information except as is necessary and appropriate in connection with her
employment by the Company and that she will otherwise adhere in all respects to
the Company's policies against the use or disclosure of such information.
16. Arbitration; Injunctive Relief.
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
directly or indirectly, or the performance or breach thereof, will be settled by
arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration will be held
in New York, New York, or such other place as may be agreed upon at the time by
the parties to the arbitration. The parties shall bear their own expenses in
connection with any arbitration or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, directly or indirectly, or the performance or breach thereof;
provided, however, that in the event that the Employee substantially prevails,
the Company agrees promptly to reimburse the Employee for all expenses
(including costs and fees of witnesses, evidence and attorneys fees and
expenses) reasonably incurred by her in investigating, prosecuting, defending,
or preparing to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or claim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, directly or indirectly, or the performance or
breach thereof. The parties acknowledge and agree that a breach of Employee's
obligations under Sections 14 or 15 could cause irreparable harm to Company for
which Company would have no adequate remedy at law, and further agree that,
notwithstanding the agreement of the parties to arbitrate controversies or
claims as set forth above, the Company may apply to a court of competent
jurisdiction to seek to enjoin preliminarily or permanently any breach or
threatened breach of the Employee's obligations under Sections 14 and 15.
17. Indemnification.
The Company shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless to the fullest
extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Maryland, against any
and all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorney's fees, judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by her by
reason of any claim or cause of action asserted against her because of her
service at any time as a director or officer of the Company. The Company shall
advance to the Employee the amount of her expenses incurred in connection with
any proceeding relating to such service to the fullest extent legally
permissible under the laws of the State of Maryland. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section 17 shall not apply
in the case of any claim or cause of action by or in the right of the Company or
any subsidiary thereof.
18. Liability Insurance.
To the extent that Company maintains a directors and officers liability
insurance policy in effect, the Company will take all steps necessary to ensure
that the Employee is covered under such policy for her service as a director or
officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company with respect to claims
made at any time with respect to such service.
19. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution made, or benefit
provided (including, without limitation, the
acceleration of any payment, distribution or benefit and the accelerated
exercisability of any stock option), to or for the benefit of the Employee
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 19) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (or any similar excise tax) or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Employee 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"), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company
an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after
payment by the Employee of all taxes (including any Excise Tax, income tax or
employment tax and taking into account any lost or reduced tax deductions on
account of such Gross-Up Payment) imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment and any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes, the Employee retains
from the Gross-Up Payment an amount equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 19(c), all determinations required
to be made under this Section 19, including determination of whether a Gross-Up
Payment is required and of the amount of any such Gross-up Payment, shall be
made by Price Waterhouse Coopers or the Company's then current accounting firm
(the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and the Employee within 15 business days of the date of
termination of the Employee's employment, if applicable, or such earlier time as
is requested by the Company, provided that any determination that an Excise Tax
is payable by the Employee shall be made on the basis of substantial authority.
The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to this Section
19(b), shall be paid to the Employee within five business days of the receipt of
the Accounting Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no
Excise Tax is payable by the Employee, it shall furnish the Employee with a
written opinion that she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax
on her Federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
meeting the requirements of this Section 19(b) shall be binding upon the Company
and the Employee; subject only to payments pursuant to the following sentence
based on a determination that additional Gross-Up Payments should have been
made, consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder (the amount
of such additional payments is referred to herein as the "Gross-Up
Underpayment"). In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 19(c) and the Employee thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Gross-Up
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Gross-Up Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee. The fees and
disbursements of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the Company.
(c) The Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but not later than ten business days after the Employee receives
written notice of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such Claim is requested to be paid. The Employee
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim and that it will bear the costs and
provide the indemnification as required by this sentence, the Employee shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax, income tax or employment tax (taking into
account any lost or reduced tax deductions on account of such payments),
including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of
such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 19(c), the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct the Employee to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a
refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Employee agrees
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Employee to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Employee on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise
Tax, income tax or employment tax (taking into account any lost or reduced tax
deductions on account of such advance), including interest or penalties with
respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any
imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any
extension of the statute of limitations relating to the payment of taxes for the
taxable year of the Employee with respect to which such contested amount is
claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the
Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Employee shall be
entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 19(c), the Employee becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 19(c)) promptly pay to the Company
the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Employee of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 19(c), a determination is
made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such
claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of its intent to
contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then any obligation of the Employee to repay such advance shall
be forgiven and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
20. No Duty to Seek Employment. The Employee shall not be under any duty or
obligation to seek or accept other employment following termination of
employment, and, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 14, no amount,
payment or benefits due to the Employee hereunder shall be reduced or suspended
if the Employee accepts subsequent employment.
21. Deductions and Withholding.
All amounts payable or which become payable under any provision of this
Agreement shall be subject to any deductions authorized by the Employee and any
deductions and withholdings required by law.
22. Modifications to Comply with IRC Section 409A.
If any payments under this Agreement would not comply with the requirements
of Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, the Parties hereto
agree to use their best efforts to modify the terms of such payments in a manner
mutually agreeable to both Parties so that such requirements are satisfied.
23. Governing Law.
The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement will be
governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to the conflict
of law provisions.
24. Severability.
If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality
or unenforceability will not affect any other provision hereof.
25. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
hereto and their personal representatives, and, in the case of the Company, its
successors and assigns. To the extent the Company's obligations under this
Agreement are transferred to any successor or assign, such successor or assign
shall be treated as the "Company" for purposes of this Agreement. Other than as
contemplated by this Agreement, the Employee may not assign her rights or duties
under this Agreement.
26. Continuing Effect.
Wherever appropriate to the intention of the Parties hereto, the respective
rights and obligations of the Parties, including but not limited to the
obligations referred to in Sections 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 19, hereof, will
survive any termination or expiration of the term of this Agreement.
27. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and
supersedes any and all other agreements and understandings between the Parties
in respect of the matters addressed in this Agreement.
28. Amendment and Waiver.
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Parties, and
then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance or for the specific purpose for which such amendment, waiver or consent
was given.
29. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by
its duly authorized officer and the Employee has hereunto set her hand as of the
day and year first above written.
THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC
TEA COMPANY, INC.
BY:
---------------------------------
ITS:
--------------------------------
DATE:
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XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX DATE
