Exhibit 10.1
June 28, 2000
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
[address redacted]
Dear Xxxxx:
This letter confirms our offer to you of employment by PSINet Inc. (the
"Company") and sets forth the terms and conditions which shall govern such
employment as outlined below. This offer is subject to ratification by the
Company's Board of Directors (to be considered at the meeting scheduled to take
place on or about July 25, 2000), but otherwise shall remain open until close of
business on July 5, 2000.
1. EMPLOYMENT.
a) The Company agrees to employ you as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, although you may serve in other executive
capacities within the Company and/or its subsidiaries as the Board of Directors
of the Company shall determine is appropriate over time. This is a corporate
officer position and as an officer of the Company you must stand for election by
the Board of Directors each year. You accept the employment and agree to remain
in the employ of the Company, and, except during vacations or periods of
illness, to provide management services to the Company, as determined by and
under the direction of the Chairman of the Company.
With respect to the provisions of said services, the parties agree to
observe and to abide by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
b) In connection with your employment by the Company, your principal place of
employment shall be the greater Washington, D.C. area and you shall not be
required permanently to relocate to a principal place of business outside the
greater Washington, D.C. area during the term of your employment hereunder.
c) During your employment, you will, except during vacations, periods of
illness, and other absences beyond your reasonable control, devote your best
efforts, skill and attention to the performance of your duties on behalf of the
Company.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. The term of the employment under this Agreement shall
commence on July 10, 2000 (the "Start Date"), and shall continue for a period of
three (3) years. The Company agrees to notify you 12 months prior to the
expiration of this term regarding its intentions with respect to the renewal of
your employment following the expiration of this term.
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 2
3. COMPENSATION.
a) BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay you a base salary at the rate of $350,000
per annum. Beginning on January 1, 2001 and on January 1st of each succeeding
year during the term of this Agreement, your base salary shall be increased at a
minimum by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of your then current base
salary. Your base salary shall be subject to additional increases at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors
(the "Compensation Committee"). Your base salary shall be payable in such
installments as the Company regularly pays its other salaried employees, subject
to such deductions and withholdings as may be required by law or by further
agreement with you.
b) PERFORMANCE BONUS. The Company will pay you a bonus subject to the successful
completion of the objectives established for your performance for the applicable
year. The performance criteria will be issued separately by the Compensation
Committee and may be changed, with mutual fairness, from time to time as
situations develop. The target performance bonus for the year ending December
31, 2000 will be $150,000 (pro-rated as required). The target performance bonus
for subsequent calendar years during the term of this Agreement will be
$150,000, or such greater amount as may be determined by the Compensation
Committee, and shall be payable to you subject to the successful completion of
the objectives established for your performance by the Compensation Committee.
c) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. On your Start Date, the Company shall grant you
options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Options")
pursuant to its Executive Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Such Options shall
be evidenced by an option agreement in such form as required by the Plan. Among
other terms and provisions prescribed by the Plan, the option agreement shall
provide that (i) the exercise price of the Options shall be the price per share
of the Company's common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market at the
close of business on your Start Date, (ii) the Options shall not be exercisable
after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Options are granted,
and (iii) the Options shall vest ratably, monthly, over forty-eight (48) months,
provided that, for each month's vesting purposes, you continue to be employed
full time by the Company or one of its subsidiaries during such month.
In addition, on July 10 of each subsequent year of this Agreement, the Company
shall grant you options to purchase an additional 25,000 shares of the Company's
common stock pursuant to the Plan or another option plan of the Company, such
grant being subject to the terms of this Agreement and (1) the achievement of
the performance criteria to be established pursuant to paragraph 3(b) above, (2)
your continued employment at the time of grant, and (3) the options having an
exercise price equal to the closing price per share (as reported by the NASDAQ
Stock Market) of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.
d) VESTING OF STOCK OPTIONS. In the event of a Change in Control, as defined in
Section 8 below, or upon the occasion of your death during the term of this
Agreement while you
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 3
are in compliance with the requirements hereof, the Company shall: (i) vest
immediately all of the unvested stock options you have received during the
period of your employment hereunder, (ii) in the event that your employment
is terminated or continued under conditions not substantially the same as
those called for in this Agreement, the Company shall, subject to shareholder
approval, if required, provide a loan sufficient to exercise all vested stock
options and pay any required taxes to which you may be subjected as a result,
with the terms of the loan to be no less favorable than installment free for
the duration, interest charged at the IRS minimum rate, with a five (5) year
balloon payment for interest and principal.
4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. You shall be provided employee benefits, including
(without limitation) 401(k) and related plans, revenue bonus plan participation,
four weeks' paid vacation which can accumulate to a maximum of eight (8) weeks,
and life, health, accident and disability insurance under the Company's standard
plans, policies and programs available to employees in accordance with the
provisions of such plans, policies, and programs.
5. TERMINATION.
a) Your employment with the Company may be terminated by the Company at any time
for "Cause" as defined in Section 5(c) hereof. In the event of a termination for
"Cause", all salary and benefits otherwise payable to you shall cease
immediately upon such termination. Upon such termination, the Company will
provide written notice whether it has elected to use the non-competition
restrictions set forth in Section 6(a) hereof. Termination by the Company or its
successors in interest for any reason other than Cause shall be deemed a breach
hereof. In addition, your employment may be terminated by you at any time for
any reason, provided you shall have given the Company at least thirty (30) days'
prior written notice of such termination. In the event of termination by you,
your salary and benefits shall continue during the thirty (30) day notice period
and shall cease thereafter, subject to the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof. By
the thirtieth (30th) day the Company must notify you in writing whether it has
elected to use the non-Competition restriction. Such decision may not be
rescinded. Failure of the Company to so notify you shall result in the
non-Competition restriction not being in place.
b) Subject to your compliance with your obligations under Section 6 hereof, in
the event that your employment terminates or is terminated by you or the Company
for any reason, and the Company has elected to use the non-Competition
restriction, you shall be entitled, for a period of twenty-four (24) months
after termination of employment, to the following (collectively, the
"Termination Payments"): (i) your then current rate of base salary as provided
in Section 3; (ii) all life insurance and health benefits, disability insurance
and benefits and reimbursement theretofore being provided to you; and (iii)
Company contributions, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to a SEP-IRA,
Xxxxx or other retirement mechanism selected by you sufficient to provide the
same level of retirement benefits you would have received if you had remained
employed by the Company during such twenty-four (24) month period. The Company
shall make up the difference in cash payments directly to you to the extent that
applicable law would not permit it to make such contributions.
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 4
c) The Company shall have "Cause" for termination of your employment by reason
of any breach of your agreement not to compete pursuant to Section 6 hereof,
your committing an act materially adversely affecting the Company which
constitutes wanton or willful misconduct, your conviction of a felony, your
voluntary resignation without having given the Company at least thirty (30)
days' prior written notice, or any material breach by you of this Agreement.
6. AGREEMENT NOT TO COMPETE.
a) In consideration of your employment pursuant to this Agreement and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby
acknowledged, you covenant to and agree with the Company that, so long as you
are employed by the Company under this Agreement and for a period of twenty-four
(24) months following the termination of such employment (but only if the
Company has elected to enforce the restriction), you shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company, either for yourself or for any other
person, firm or corporation, manage, operate, control, participate in the
management, operation or control of or be employed by any other person or entity
which is engaged in providing Internet-related network or communications
services competitive with the Internet-related network or communication services
offered to customers by the Company as of the date of termination or within six
(6) months thereafter. The foregoing shall in no event restrict you from: (i)
writing or teaching, whether on behalf of for-profit, or not-for-profit
institution(s); (ii) investing (without participating in management or
operation) in the securities of any private or publicly traded corporation or
entity; or (iii) after termination of employment, becoming employed by a
hardware, software or other vendor to the Company, provided that such vendor
does not offer network or communication services that are competitive with the
Internet-related network or communications services offered by the Company as of
the date of termination of employment or within six (6) months thereafter.
b) You may request permission from the Company's Board of Directors to engage in
activities, which would otherwise be prohibited by Section 6(a). The Company
shall respond to such request within thirty (30) days after receipt. The Company
will notify you in writing if it becomes aware of any breach or threatened
breach of any of the provisions in Section 6(a), and you shall have thirty (30)
days after receipt of such notice in which to cure or prevent the breach, to the
extent that you are able to do so. You and the Company acknowledge that any
breach or threatened breach by you of any of the provisions in Section 6(a)
above cannot be remedied by the recovery of damages, and agree that in the event
of any such breach or threatened breach which is not cured with such thirty (30)
day period, the Company may pursue injunctive relief for any such breach or
threatened breach. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that you
breached any of such provisions, you shall not be entitled to any Termination
Payments from and after date of the breach. In such event, you shall promptly
repay any Termination Payments previously made plus interest thereon from the
date of such payment(s) at twelve percent (12%) per annum. If, however, the
Company has suspended making such Termination Payments and a court of competent
jurisdiction finally determines that you did not breach such provision or
determines such provision to be unenforceable as applied to your conduct, you
shall be entitled to receive any suspended Termination Payment, plus interest
thereon from the date when due at
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 5
twelve percent (12%) per annum. The Company may elect (once) to continue paying
the Termination Payments before a final decision has been made by the court.
7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; OWNERSHIP OF WORK PRODUCT. All copyrights, patents,
trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights associated with any ideas,
concepts, techniques, inventions, processes, or works of authorship developed or
created by you during the course of performing the Company's work (collectively
the "Work Product") shall belong exclusively to the Company and shall, to the
extent possible, be considered a work made for hire for the Company within the
meaning of Title 17 of the United States Code. You hereby automatically assign,
and shall assign at the time of creation of the Work Product, without any
requirement of further consideration, any right, title, or interest you may have
in such Work Product, including any copyrights or other intellectual property
rights pertaining thereto. Upon request of the Company, you shall take such
further actions, including execution and delivery of instruments of conveyance,
as may be appropriate to give full and proper effect to such assignment.
8. TRANSFERABILITY.
a) As used in this Agreement, the term "Company" shall include any successor to
all or part of the business or assets of the Company. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by you and your personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees.
b) Except as provided under paragraph (a) of this Section 8, neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or
delegated by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party.
c) As used in this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) the
shareholders of the Company approve an agreement for the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (ii) the shareholders of the
Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation (and the Company implements it), other than (1) a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than eighty
percent (80%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the
Company, or such surviving entity, outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no "person"
(as defined below) acquires more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined
voting power of the Company's then-outstanding securities; or (iii) any
"person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other than ((A)) the
Company or ((B)) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company
or the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner"
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 6
9. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this
Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
provision were omitted. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any
particular provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the court
shall restrict the provision so as to be enforceable. However, if the provisions
of Section 6 shall be restricted, a proportional reduction shall be made in the
payments under Section 5(b).
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVERS. This letter Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
cancels all prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings and
communications of the parties, oral or written. No waiver or modification of any
provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by
both parties.
11. NOTICES. Any notices, requests, instruction or other document to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to the party intended to be notified at the address of such
party as set forth at the head of this agreement or such other address as such
party may designate in writing to the other.
12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS LETTER AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO, GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REFERENCE TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
13. COUNTERPARTS. This letter Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall
be one and the same instrument.
Please confirm your agreement with the forgoing by signing and
returning one copy of this letter Agreement to the undersigned, whereupon this
letter agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.
Sincerely,
PSINet Inc.
By: /s/Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX, CHAIRMAN & CEO
Accepted and Agreed to as of JUNE 28, 2000:
Xx. Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
June 28, 2000
Page 7
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
