Exhibit 10.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of February 22,
2002, by and among STONEPATH GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Employer"), and XXXXXX X. XXXXXX (the "Executive").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Executive is and has been employed by the Employer as its
Chief Executive Officer;
WHEREAS, Employer and Executive have heretofore entered into and
executed an Employment Agreement dated as of June 21, 2001 (the "Employment
Agreement");
WHEREAS, Employer and Executive desire to amend and restate the
Employment Agreement on the terms and conditions hereafter expressed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have
the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1:
"Agreement" means this Employment Agreement, as amended from
time to time.
"Basic Compensation" shall include all items of base and bonus
compensation and benefits provided for in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.
"Benefits" is defined in Section 3.1(b).
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of Employer.
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if (A)
any "Person" (as the term "Person" is used in ss.13(d) and ss.14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934), except for Executive, becomes, after the date
hereof, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of Employer
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of Employer's then
outstanding securities; (B) there occurs a contested proxy solicitation of
Employer's shareholders that results in the contesting party obtaining the
ability to vote securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power
of Employer's then outstanding securities; (C) there occurs a sale, exchange,
transfer or other disposition of 50% or more in value of the assets of Employer
to another Person or entity, except to an entity controlled directly or
indirectly by Employer; (D) there occurs a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization of Employer in which Employer is not the
surviving entity and in which the historic shareholders of Employer own less
than 50% of the outstanding securities of the acquiror immediately following the
transaction, or a plan of liquidation or dissolution of Employer other than
pursuant to bankruptcy or insolvency laws is adopted; or (E) during any period
of twelve consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by Employer
shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "change of control" shall not be deemed
to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement (i) in the event of a sale,
exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of
Employer to, or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization involving
Employer and Executive, alone or with other officers of Employer, or any entity
in which Executive (alone or with other officers) has, directly or indirectly,
at least a 25% equity or ownership interest; or (ii) in a transaction otherwise
commonly referred to as a "management leveraged buy-out".
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Disability" shall mean once the Executive is unable to
perform the essential functions of the Executive's duties with reasonable
accommodation for 180 consecutive days, or 180 days during any twelve-month
period. The disability of the Executive will be determined by a medical doctor
selected by written agreement of the Employer and the Executive upon the request
of either party by notice to the other. If the Employer and the Executive cannot
agree on the selection of a medical doctor, each of them will select a medical
doctor and the two medical doctors will attempt to make a determination of
disability. If they cannot agree, they will select a third medical doctor who
will determine whether the Executive has a disability. The determination of the
third medical doctor selected under this provision will be binding on both
parties. The Executive must submit to a reasonable number of examinations by the
medical doctor making the determination of disability under this provision, and
the Executive hereby authorizes the disclosure and release to the Employer of
such determination and all supporting medical records. If the Executive is not
legally competent, the Executive's legal guardian or duly authorized
attorney-in-fact will act in the Executive's stead for the purposes of
submitting the Executive to the examinations, and providing the authorization of
disclosure, required under this provision.
"Effective Date" means February 22, 2002.
"Employment Period" means the term of the Executive's
employment under this Agreement as defined in Section 2.2.
"For Cause" shall mean: (a) the Executive's material breach of
this Agreement; or (b) a judicial finding in a civil context, or a conviction or
entry of a guilty plea or plea of no contest in a criminal context, with respect
to theft, fraud, or misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by
Executive of any of the Employer's funds or property; provided, however, that in
order to terminate Executive for cause, Employer must first provide Executive
with written notice of the particular for cause
events alleged by Employer, and provide Executive with thirty (30) days in which
to cure the alleged for cause event or events.
"Good Reason" shall mean, unless Executive shall have
consented in writing thereto, any of the following: (i) a material reduction in
Executive's title, duties, responsibilities or status which are inconsistent
with Executive's position with Employer; (ii) the assignment to Executive of
duties inconsistent with the duties normally assigned to Persons in offices of
similar position to that of Executive; (iii) a reduction by Employer in
Executive's Basic Compensation; or (iv) the breach by Employer of any agreement
or obligation under this Agreement after notice and a thirty day right to cure.
"Person" means any individual, corporation (including any
non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, or
governmental body.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND DUTIES
2.1 EMPLOYMENT
The Employer agrees to, and hereby does, continue to employ
the Executive for the term of this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement.
2.2 TERM
Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the
Employment Period for the Executive's employment under this Agreement will be
from the Effective Date through June 21, 2006, or as earlier permitted under
this Agreement.
2.3 DUTIES
The Executive will serve as the Chief Executive
Officer of Employer and will perform all duties required in furtherance of his
position, including without limitation, all such duties as are customarily
associated with such position or such duties as are assigned or delegated to the
Executive by the Board of Directors. The Executive agrees to perform in good
faith and to the best of his ability all services which may be required of him
hereunder and will devote his full-time efforts and business time, skill,
attention and energies as are reasonably necessary to perform his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement and to promote the success of the
Employer's business. Executive may continue to engage in the following
activities: (a) attending board of directors' or like meetings of other
companies in which Executive or an affiliate has invested or in which Executive
has been elected to serve, and (b) managing his personal investments, provided
that such activities set forth in (a) and (b) (individually or collectively) do
not in the good faith view of Employer's Board of Directors materially interfere
or conflict with the performance of Executive's duties or responsibilities under
this Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION
3.1 BASIC COMPENSATION
(a) Base Salary. The Executive will be paid an annual base
salary of $360,000, subject to adjustment as provided below (the "Salary"),
which will be payable in equal periodic installments according to the Employer's
customary payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly. The
Executive's Salary will be reviewed by Employer's Board of Directors not less
frequently than annually, and may be adjusted upward or downward by Employer,
but in no event will the Base Salary be less than $360,000 per year.
(b) Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to receive annual bonus
compensation at the discretion of Employer's Board of Directors and in
accordance with Employer's executive bonus or incentive compensation plan that
may be in effect from time to time. In addition, Executive will be eligible to
participate in an annual incentive plan which will provide an incentive payment
based upon achievement of agreed upon performance goals. The Compensation
Committee of Employer will determine the goals to be measured against as well as
the target incentive (the "Target Incentive"), expressed as a percentage of base
salary, to be up to 100% of Base Salary, subject to adjustment from time to
time. In the event that the Executive is employed for a partial year, he shall
be entitled to such bonus as declared by the Compensation Committee or as set
forth in an incentive plan adopted by the Compensation Committee or Board of
Directors, on a prorata basis for that period of the year for which he was
employed.
(c) Benefits.
(i) The Executive will, during the
Employment Period, be permitted to participate in such pension, profit sharing,
bonus (subject to the provisions of Section 3.1(b)), life insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, and other employee benefit plans of the Employer
that may be in effect from time to time, to the extent the Executive is eligible
under the terms of those plans (collectively, the "Benefits"). The Executive
shall also be entitled to such other fringe benefits as are now or may become
available to any of Employer's other executive officers.
(ii) During the term of this Agreement,
the Employer shall pay the annual premium on a term or other life insurance
policy or policies on the life of Executive in the face amount of Two Million
Dollars ($2,000,000), payable to such beneficiaries as Executive may designate;
with the Employer's responsibility not to exceed an annual payment of $5,000.
(iii) A yearly expense allowance of
$12,000 (paid monthly or quarterly at the discretion of Executive) will be paid
by Employer to Executive to pay for an auto allowance for the cost of
maintaining and operating one automobile for business purposes, dues,
assessments and expenses incurred by the Executive relating to membership or
participation in professional or social groups or organizations which the
Executive determines are useful or necessary for the purpose of promoting and
maintaining the business of the Company or for other travel and entertainment
expenses incurred by Executive which he believes are useful or necessary for the
purpose of promoting and maintaining the business of the Company.
3.2 OPTIONS
(a) Employer has previously granted to Executive options to purchase
1,800,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $.82 per share (the
"June 2001 Options"). The June 2001 Options are subject to the terms of an
Amended and Restated Option to Purchase Common Stock of Stonepath Group, Inc.;
Amendment No. 2 to Option No. 2001-11, effective as of the Effective Date, which
each party hereto confirms remains in full force and effect.
4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
The Employer will pay the Executive's dues in such trade and
professional organizations as Executive deems appropriate, and will pay on
behalf of the Executive (or reimburse the Executive for) reasonable expenses
incurred by the Executive in the performance of the Executive's duties pursuant
to this Agreement, including without limitation reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in attending conventions, seminars, other business meetings and
for promotional expenses, provided that any such activities must be related to
Employer's business and all individual expenses (or those aggregated for a
single convention, seminar or other business trip) greater than $5,000 must be
approved by either Employer's Chief Financial Officer or Employer's Compensation
Committee (or if Employer has no Compensation Committee, its Board of
Directors). The Executive must file expense reports with respect to such
expenses in accordance with the Employer's policies.
5. VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS
The Executive will be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid
vacation each calendar year in accordance with the vacation policies of the
Employer in effect for its executive officers from time to time. The Executive
will also be entitled to the paid holidays and other paid leave set forth in the
Employer's policies. Vacation days during any calendar year that are not used by
the Executive during such calendar year may be used in any subsequent calendar
year; provided, however, that no more than six (6) weeks' paid vacation may be
accrued or carried forward. Accrued but unused vacation days will be paid for by
Employer in certain instances upon the termination of this Agreement as provided
for in Section 6.2 hereafter.
6. TERMINATION
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION
The Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement
may be terminated by Employer only on the following grounds:
(a) upon the death of the Executive;
(b) upon the disability of the Executive
immediately upon notice from either party to the other;
(c) For Cause (following the expiration of any
applicable Notice Period from Employer to Executive); and
(d) at the discretion of Employer, other than
For Cause.
The Executive may terminate his employment on the
following grounds:
(e) without Good Reason, provided that Executive
gives Employer at least sixty (60) days prior written notice of his termination
of employment; or
(f) for Good Reason (following the expiration of
any applicable Notice Period from Executive to Employer).
6.2 TERMINATION PAY
Effective upon the termination of this Agreement, the
Employer will be obligated to pay the Executive (or, in the event of his death,
his designated beneficiary as defined below) the compensation provided in this
Section 6.2:
(a) Termination by the Employer For Cause or
Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. If the Employer terminates this
Agreement for cause or Executive resigns or terminates his employment for other
than Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to receive his Basic
Compensation only through the date such termination is effective, but will not
be entitled to any accrued bonus compensation for the calendar year during which
such termination occurs, however, will be entitled to retain any bonus
compensation paid prior to such termination. Executive's options will be
treated, in this case, as set forth in any option agreement between Executive
and Employer.
(b) Termination upon Disability. If this
Agreement is terminated by either party as a result of the Executive's
Disability, the Employer will continue to pay the Executive his Basic
Compensation for a period of two (2) years following such termination, set-off
by any disability insurance benefits payable to Executive under any disability
insurance coverage furnished by the Employer to the Executive. Executive shall
also be entitled to receive that part of the Executive's accrued bonus
compensation, if any, for the calendar year during which his Disability occurs,
prorated through the end of the calendar quarter during which his termination is
effective. If this Agreement is terminated as a result of the Executive's
Disability, Executive shall fully vest in 100% of all options which Executive
received in connection with his employment by Employer, and Executive shall have
the full term of such options in which to exercise his rights under any or all
of them, subject to any accelerated exercise period contained in any such
option.
(c) Termination upon Death. If this Agreement
is terminated because of the Executive's death, Employer will continue to pay
Executive's estate his Basic Compensation through the end of the term of his
Agreement, and that part of the Executive's accrued bonus compensation, if any,
for the calendar year during which his death occurs, prorated through the end of
the calendar month during which his death occurs. If this Agreement is
terminated as a result of the Executive's death, Executive shall fully vest in
100% of all options which Executive received in connection with his employment
by Employer, and Executive shall have the full term of such options in which to
exercise his rights under any or all of them, subject to any accelerated
exercise period contained in any such option.
(d) Termination by Executive For Good Reason or
Termination by Employer Without Cause Prior to a Change of Control. If prior to
a Change of Control this Agreement is terminated by Executive for Good Reason,
or if this Agreement is terminated by Employer other than For Cause then (i)
Employer shall continue to pay to Executive his Basic Compensation (including
for this purpose the greater of Executive's most recent annual bonus or his
Target Incentive bonus), for the remaining term under this Employment Agreement;
and (ii) all options in Employer which Executive received in connection with his
employment by Employer shall vest over the remaining term of such options as if
Executive continued to remain employed by Employer; and Executive shall have the
full term of such options in which to exercise his rights under any or all of
them, subject to any accelerated exercise period contained in any such option.
(e) Termination by Executive For Good Reason or
Termination by Employer Without Cause Following a Change of Control. If during
the Term of this Agreement and following a Change of Control this Agreement is
terminated by Executive for Good Reason or by Employer other than For Cause,
then Employer shall within ten (10) days after the date of termination pay to
Executive in cash: (i) an amount equal to 2.99 times Executive's Basic
Compensation calculated at the rate in effect on the date of termination; (ii)
current and carried-over unused vacation days; and (iii) all other amounts to
which Executive is entitled, including (A) any bonus to which Executive would
have been entitled had he remained employed by Employer for a period of three
(3) years following the date of termination (calculated on an annual basis as
the greater of Executive's most recent annual bonus or the Target Incentive
bonus) , (B) any expense reimbursement amounts accrued to the effective date of
termination, and (C) any amounts under any other benefit plan of the Employer,
in each case at the time such payments are due. Also, for three years following
the date of termination, the Employer shall continue to provide Executive with
all fringe benefits or the economic equivalent thereof he was receiving as of
the date of termination, including, without limitation, all health, life and
disability insurance he was receiving immediately prior to the date of
termination, or the economic equivalent thereof, as if he were actually employed
for that period. Moreover, any options received by Executive in connection with
his employment by Employer which were not fully exercisable on the date of
Executive's termination pursuant to this Section 6 shall vest and immediately
become fully exercisable by Executive upon the date of termination, and
Executive shall have the remaining term of
such options in which to exercise any or all of them, subject to any accelerated
exercise period contained in any such option.
Executive shall have the right to elect with respect to the
payment to him of 2.99 times his Basic Compensation pursuant to Section 6.2(e)
above to take such payment in the form of either (x) a single sum payment in
cash or (y) securities of the Employer equal in value to the amount of such
payment, with such securities valued for purposes hereof at 75% of the average
closing price for the last 20 trading days on the principal exchange on which
the securities were listed. The Employer further agrees to include the proposed
resale of the shares acquired hereunder by Executive, at its sole cost and
expense, in the next Registration Statement to be filed by Employer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of offering shares of its
common stock to the public (thus, excluding Registration Statements on Forms
X-0, X-0 or any other form not available for registering common stock for sale
to the public), providing for the resale of Executive's shares in an open market
or private transaction.
7. TAX INDEMNITY PAYMENTS
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by Employer or any affiliates to or for the benefit of Executive,
whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of
the Agreement or otherwise but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 7 (a "Payment"), would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any successor provision
(collectively, "Section 4999"), 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"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment
(a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all
taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any Federal, state or local income and employment
taxes and Excise Tax (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect to any
such taxes) imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of
the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 7(b),
all determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether
and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment
and the assumption to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by Employer's public accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to Employer and Executive within
fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there
has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by Employer. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group affecting the Change of Control, Executive may
appoint another nationally recognized public accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the
Employer. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall
be paid by Employer to Executive within five (5) days of the receipt of the
Accounting Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no
Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall furnish Executive with a written
opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on Executive's applicable federal
income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon Employer
and Executive.
(c) Executive shall notify Employer in writing
of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require
a payment by Employer, or a change in the amount of the payment by Employer, of
the Gross-Up Payment and Employer shall be responsible to make such payment to
Employer. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable after
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise Employer of the
nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is required to be paid;
provided that the failure to give any notice pursuant to this Section 7(c) shall
not impair Executive's rights under this Section 7 except to the extent Employer
is materially prejudiced thereby. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to
the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which Employee gives
such notice to Employer (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If Employer notifies
Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, Executive shall:
(1) give Employer any information
reasonably requested by Employer;
(2) take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as Employer 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 Employer;
(3) cooperate with Employer in good
faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and
(4) permit Employer to participate in
any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that Employer shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an
after-tax-basis, for any Excise Tax or income, employment or other tax
(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 7(c), Employer 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 to such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund
or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to
prosecute such contest to a determination
before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in
one or more appellate courts, as Employer shall determine; provided further,
that if Employer directs Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund,
Employer shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive on an
interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income, employment or other tax
(including interest or penalties with respect to any such taxes) imposed with
respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and provided further, that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Executive with
respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to
such contested amount. Furthermore, Employer's control of the contest shall be
limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may
be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by Executive of an
amount advanced by Employer pursuant to Section 7(c), Executive becomes entitled
to receive, and receives, any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall
(subject to Employer's complying with the requirements of Section 7(c)) promptly
pay to Employer the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
Executive of an amount advanced by Employer pursuant to Section 7(c), a
determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with
respect to such claim and Employer does not notify Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30)
days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not
be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the
extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
8. CHARACTER OF TERMINATION PAYMENTS; MITIGATION
The amounts payable to Executive upon any termination
of this Agreement shall be considered severance pay in consideration of past
services rendered on behalf of the Employer and his continued service from the
date hereof to the date he becomes entitled to such payments. Executive shall
have no duty to mitigate his damages by seeking other employment and, should
Executive actually receive compensation from any such other employment, the
payments required hereunder shall not be reduced or offset by any such other
compensation.
9. NON-DISCLOSURE COVENANT
Employer and the Executive acknowledge that the services to be
performed by the Executive under this Agreement are unique and valuable and
that, as a result of the Executive's employment, the Executive will be in a
relationship of confidence and trust with Employer and will come into possession
of "Confidential Information" (i) owned or controlled by Employer and its
subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii) in the possession of Employer and its
subsidiaries and affiliates and belonging to third parties; or (iii) conceived,
originated, discovered or developed, in whole or in part, by the
Executive. As used herein "Confidential Information" means trade secrets and
other confidential or proprietary business, technical, personnel or financial
information of Employer, whether or not the Executive's work product, in
written, graphic, oral or other tangible or intangible forms, including but not
limited to specifications, samples, records, data, computer programs, drawings,
diagrams, models, consumer names, ID's or e-mail addresses, business or
marketing plans, studies, analyses, projections and reports, communications by
or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and
other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including
attorney work product), and software systems and processes that are not readily
available to the public, even if it is not specifically marked as a trade secret
or confidential, unless Employer advises the Executive otherwise in writing or
unless the information has been shared by Employer with entities not bound by
non-disclosure agreements. In consideration of the compensation and benefits to
be paid or provided to the Executive by the Employer under this Agreement, the
Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly use or disclose to anyone, either
during the Employment Period or after the termination of this Agreement, except
in the performance of his duties of his employment with Employer or with
Employer's prior written consent, any Confidential Information of Employer. This
non-disclosure covenant does not apply to information that is disclosed or
becomes public through another source that is not bound by a confidentiality
agreement with Employer; which Executive is required to disclose pursuant to
court order, subpoena or applicable law (provided that Executive will use
reasonable efforts to provide Employer with prompt notice of any such requests
or requirement so that Employer may seek an appropriate protective order); or
which is disclosed in any proceeding to enforce or interpret this Agreement. The
Executive agrees that in the event of the termination of the Executive's
employment for any reason, the Executive will deliver to Employer, upon request,
all property belonging to Employer, including all documents and materials of any
nature pertaining to the Executive's work with Employer and will not take with
him any documents or materials of any description, or any reproduction thereof
of any description, containing or pertaining to any Confidential Information.
10. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION
10.1 NON-COMPETTITION
During the term of this Agreement the Executive agrees that he
shall not work for or be interested in any business which provides services or
products which are directly competitive with "primary" services or products
offered by the Employer or a subsidiary or affiliate of Employer at the
Executive's termination date (the "Non-Compete Period"). In the event the
Executive is terminated for cause or Executive terminates for other than Good
Reason, the Non-Compete Period shall be extended until the earlier of (i) one
year; or (ii) the then scheduled expiration of the term of the Agreement. In the
event the Executive is terminated in a manner in which his Basic Compensation is
continued, or he is paid a lump-sum as though his employment had continued, the
Non-Compete Period shall be extended through the period of such compensation
continuation. For the purpose of this Agreement, a product or service shall be
deemed "primary" only if such service or product constitutes a primary component
of the core business of Employer on Executive's termination date. For the
further purposes of this Agreement, the term "work for or be interested in any
business" means that the Executive is a stockholder, director, officer,
employee, partner, individual proprietor, lender or consultant with that
business, but not if (i) his interest is limited solely to the passive ownership
of five percent (5%) or less of any class of the equity or debt securities of a
corporation whose shares are listed for trading on a national securities
exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. In the event that any part of
this Section 10 is adjudged invalid or unenforceable by any court of record,
board of arbitration or judicial or quasi judicial entity having jurisdiction
thereof by reason of length of time, geographical coverage, activities covered,
or for any other reason, then the invalid or unenforceable provisions of this
covenant shall be deemed reformed and amended to the maximum extent permissible
under applicable law and shall be enforced and enforceable as so amended in
accordance with the intention of the parties as expressed herein.
10.2 NON-SOLICITATION
During the Non-Compete Period, the Executive also agrees that
he will not directly or indirectly: (i) solicit the trade of, or trade with, any
past, present or prospective customer of the Employer for any business purpose
that directly or indirectly competes with the business of Employer or a
subsidiary or affiliate of Employer; or (ii) solicit or induce, or attempt to
solicit or induce, any employee of Employer to leave Employer for any reason
whatsoever, or assist or participate in the hiring of any employee of Employer
to work for another entity.
11. REPRESENTATIONS OF EXECUTIVE
As a material inducement to Employer to execute this Agreement
and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, the Executive hereby makes
the following representations to Employer, each of which are true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof.
11.1 NO PRIOR AGREEMENTS
Executive represents and warrants that Executive is
not a party to or otherwise subject to or bound by the terms of any contract,
agreement or understanding which in any manner would limit or otherwise affect
Executive's ability to perform his obligations hereunder, including without
limitation any contract, agreement or understanding containing terms and
provisions similar in any manner to those contained in Sections 9 and 10 of this
Agreement. Executive further represents and warrants that his employment with
the Employer will not under any circumstances require him to disclose or use any
confidential information belonging to prior employers or other persons or
entities, or to engage in any conduct which may potentially interfere with the
contractual, statutory or common-law rights of such other employers, persons or
entities. In the event that Executive knows or learns of any facts whatsoever
which suggest that such interference might arguably occur as the result of any
proposed actions by either Executive or the Employer, Executive expressly
promises that he will immediately bring such facts to the Employer's attention.
11.2 REVIEW BY COUNSEL
Executive expressly acknowledges and represents
that Executive has been given a full and fair opportunity to review this
Agreement with an attorney of Executive's choice, and that Executive has
satisfied himself, with or without consulting with counsel, that the terms and
provisions of this Agreement, specifically including, but not limited to, the
restrictive covenant and related provisions of Section 10 hereof, are reasonable
and enforceable.
11.3 NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Executive covenants that, as of the date hereof, he
is not involved in any venture or activity that could compete with Employer or
which could potentially interfere with his ability to perform under this
Agreement. During the Term, he will disclose to the Company, in writing, any and
all interests he may have, whether for profit or compensation or not, in any
venture or activity which could potentially interfere with his ability to
perform under this Agreement or create a conflict of interest for him with the
Company. For purposes of this Section 11.3 only, "conflict of interest" shall
mean ownership of greater than one percent (1%) of, or $25,000 worth of equity
in, another company which conducts business similar to that undertaken by the
Employer.
11.4 EXECUTIVE'S ABILITY
Executive represents that Executive's experience
and capabilities, and the limited provisions of Section 10, are such that he
will not be prevented from earning his livelihood in businesses similar to that
of Employer. Executive acknowledges that there are a significant number of
businesses for which his qualifications and experience would render him
qualified for employment that do not constitute a competing businesses such that
his ability to become employed after the termination or nonrenewal of this
Agreement would not be impaired.
12. COVENANTS
12.1 APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or prohibited by applicable rules of the principal exchange
upon which the Employer's shares of common stock regularly trade, Employer
agrees to appoint Executive to its Board of Directors as Chairman and to take
such actions as are necessary and reasonable to renominate him to that position
at all meetings of its stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors
and meetings of its Board of Directors called for the purpose of electing
officers through the period ending on the earlier of the second anniversary of
this Agreement or such earlier date that Executive no longer remains an employee
of Employer (such period referred to hereafter as the "Board Nomination
Period").
(b) Executive agrees to tender his resignation as a
member of Executive's Board of Directors following his termination or
resignation, immediately upon request from Employer.
12.2 CONSTITUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise prohibited by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or prohibited by applicable rules of the principal exchange
upon which the Employer's shares of common stock regularly trade, during the
Board Nomination Period, unless the Executive agrees otherwise, Employer agrees
to maintain its Board of Directors at seven (7) members. Also during the Board
Nomination Period, unless otherwise prohibited by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or prohibited by applicable rules of the principal exchange upon
which the Employer's shares of common stock regularly trade, Employer agrees
within thirty (30) days following the written request of Executive to: (x)
appoint two (2) nominees of Executive to its Board of Directors, provided such
nominees are reasonably acceptable to the Board of Directors, and at least one
(1) of the nominees is a director who qualifies as an "independent director"
under applicable rules and regulations of The American Stock Exchange and the
Nasdaq Stock Market; and (y) renominate such nominees to Board positions at all
meetings of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors.
13. GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND ADDITIONAL REMEDY
The Executive acknowledges that the injury that would
be suffered by the Employer as a result of a breach of the provisions of any
provision of Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement would be irreparable and that
an award of monetary damages to the Employer for such a breach would be an
inadequate remedy. Consequently Employer will have the right, in addition to any
other rights it may have, to obtain injunctive relief to restrain any breach or
threatened breach or otherwise to specifically enforce any provisions of
Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement, and the Employer will not be obligated to
post bond or other security in seeking such relief.
13.2 WAIVER
The rights and remedies of the parties to this
Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay
by either party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this
Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no
single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude
any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise
of any other right, power, or privilege.
13.3 TOLLING PERIOD
The non-competition, non-disclosure and non-
solicitation obligations contained in Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement shall
be extended by the length of time during which Executive shall have been in
breach of any of the provisions of such Sections 9 and 10, regardless of whether
the Employer knew or should have known of such breach.
13.4 EMPLOYER VIOLATION NOT A DEFENSE
In an action by the Employer to enforce any provision
of this Agreement, any claims asserted by Executive against the Employer shall
not constitute a defense to the Employer's action.
13.5 INDEMNIFICATION
Employer shall indemnify and defend Executive and his
heirs, executors and administrators against any costs or expense (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts paid in settlement, if such settlement is
approved by the Employer), fine, penalty, judgment and liability reasonable
incurred by or imposed upon Executive in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding, civil or criminal, to which Executive may be made a party or with
which Executive shall be threatened, by reason of Executive's being or having
been and officer or director, unless with respect to such matter Executive shall
have been adjudicated in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith or in
the reasonable belief that the action was in the best interests of the Employer,
or unless such indemnification is precluded by law, public policy, or in the
judgment of the Employer's Board of Directors, such indemnification is being
sought as a result of actions of Executive which were either: (i) grossly
negligent; (ii) reflective of Executive misconduct; (iii) in violation of rules,
regulations or laws applicable to the Employer; or (iv) in disregard of Employer
policies.
13.6 NOTICES
All notices, consents, waivers, and other
communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to
have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by facsimile (with
written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered
mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the addressee, if sent
by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), in
each case to the appropriate addresses and facsimile numbers set forth below (or
to such other addresses and facsimile numbers as a party may designate by notice
to the other parties):
If to Employer: Stonepath Group, Inc.
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to Executive: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
With a copy to: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire
Crosby, Heafey, Xxxxx & May
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
13.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS
This Agreement and the documents referenced herein,
contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or
written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement may not be amended orally, but only by an agreement in writing
signed by the parties hereto.
13.8 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
13.9 ARBITRATION, OTHER DISPUTES.
In the event of any dispute or controversy arising
under or in connection with this Agreement, the parties shall first promptly try
in good faith to settle such dispute or controversy by mediation under the
applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association before resorting to
arbitration. In the event such dispute or controversy remains unresolved in
whole or in part for a period of thirty (30) days after it arises, the parties
will settle any remaining dispute or controversy exclusively by arbitration in
the city in which Employer has its principal executive offices in accordance
with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court
having jurisdiction. All administration fees and arbitration fees shall be paid
solely by Employer. Notwithstanding the above, Employer shall be entitled to
seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to
prevent any continuation of any violation of section 9 or 10 hereof. The
prevailing party may recover attorneys' fees in any dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
13.10 ASSIGNABILITY, BINDING NATURE
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of
the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive other than his rights
to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation
of law.
13.11 SURVIVAL
The respective rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall survive any termination of the Executive's employment to the
extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
13.12 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION
The headings of Sections in this Agreement are
provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or
interpretation. All references to "Section" or "Sections" refer to the
corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or
number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
word "including" does not limit the preceding words or terms.
13.13 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this
Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in
full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
13.14 COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same agreement. This Agreement (and all other agreements, documents,
instruments and certificates executed and/or delivered in connection herewith)
may be executed by facsimile signatures, each of which shall be deemed an
original copy of this Agreement (or other such agreement, document, instrument
and certificate).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS AGREEMENT RESTRICTS EXECUTIVE'S RIGHTS TO OBTAIN
OTHER EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE EMPLOYER. BY SIGNING
IT, EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THIS FACT, AND FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE
HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE EMPLOYER TO READ THE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY,
AND/OR TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL OF HIS CHOICE CONCERNING THE LEGAL
EFFECTS OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT, PRIOR TO SIGNING IT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
WITNESS: EMPLOYER:
STONEPATH GROUP INC.
_________________________________
Signature
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
_________________________________ -----------------------------
Print Name Authorized Executive Officer
_________________________________
Address
_________________________________
Address
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx