EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of September 1, 2005 (the
“Effective Date”), by and between Xxxxxxxxxxx International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (the
“Company”), and Xxxx X. Xxxx (the “Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
Whereas, the Board has previously determined that it is in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders to retain the Executive and to induce the employment of the Executive
for the long-term benefit of the Company;
Whereas, the Company desires to employ the Executive on the terms set forth below to
provide services to the Company and its affiliated companies, and the Executive is willing to
accept such employment and provide such services on the terms set forth in this Agreement;
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable
consideration, the parties hereto do hereby agree:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of
the Exchange Act.
(b) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act
(c) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to substantially perform the
Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice of Termination for
Good Reason by the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d)), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
No act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful”
unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable
belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act,
or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or
upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or of a more senior officer of the Company or
based upon the advice of counsel for the Company (which may be the General Counsel or other counsel
employed by the Company or its subsidiaries) shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted
to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best
interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to
be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire
membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive, and the Executive is given an opportunity, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,
the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying
the particulars thereof in detail.
(e) “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of
the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 20
percent or more of either (A) the then outstanding common shares of the Company (the
“Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), excluding any Person who becomes such a
Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and
(C) of paragraph (iii) below;
(ii) individuals, who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual
was a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election
contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation
or similar transaction of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the sale, transfer or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s Assets (a “Corporate
Transaction”), unless, following such Corporate Transaction or series of related Corporate
Transactions, as the case may be, (A) all of the individuals and entities (which, for
purposes of this Agreement, shall include, without limitation, any corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated
organization or other business entity) who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 66 2/3
percent of, respectively, the then outstanding common shares and the combined voting power
of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (or other governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such
Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s Assets either
directly or through one or more subsidiaries or entities) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case
may be, (B) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Corporate Transaction or any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such
Corporate Transaction) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20 percent or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the entity resulting from such
Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
of such entity except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate
Transaction and (C) at least two-thirds of the
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members of the board of directors (or other governing body) of the entity resulting
from such Corporate Transaction were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
approval of such Corporate Transaction; or
(iv) Approval or adoption by the Board of Directors or the shareholders of the Company
of a plan or proposal which could result directly or indirectly in the liquidation,
transfer, sale or other disposal of all or substantially all of the Company’s Assets or the
dissolution of the Company.
(f) “Company’s Assets” shall mean the assets (of any kind) owned by the Company, including,
without limitation, the securities of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and any of the
assets owned by such subsidiaries.
(g) “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from performance of the Executive’s
duties with the Company on a substantial basis for 120 calendar days as a result of incapacity due
to mental or physical illness.
(h) “Employment Period” shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
the third anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that commencing on the date one
year after the Effective Date, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each
annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless
previously terminated, the Employment Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate
three years after such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice to the Executive that the Employment Period shall not be so extended.
(i) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.
(j) “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any position, authority, duties or
responsibilities inconsistent with the Executive’s position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 3(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a
diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which
is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, its obligations under Section 3(a)), other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by
the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) any failure by the Company to continue to provide the Executive with benefits
currently enjoyed by the Executive under any of the Company’s compensation, bonus,
retirement, pension, savings, life insurance, medical, health and accident, or disability
plans, or the taking of any other action by the Company which would directly or indirectly
reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Executive of any fringe benefits or perquisites
currently enjoyed by the Executive;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment;
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(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 10(b) of this
Agreement; or
(vi) following a Change of Control, the giving of notice by the Company to the
Executive that the Employment Period shall not be extended.
In the event of a Change of Control or other Corporate Transaction in which the Company’s
common shares cease to be publicly traded, “Good Reason” shall be deemed to exist upon the
occurrence of any of the events listed in clauses (i) — (vi) above and also in the event Executive
is assigned to any position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties or responsibilities that are (A) not at or with the publicly-traded ultimate
parent company of the successor to the Company or the corporation or other entity surviving or
resulting from such Corporate Transaction or (B) inconsistent with the Executive’s position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 3(a).
For purposes of this Agreement, any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the
Executive shall be conclusive.
(k) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified
and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily
holding securities pursuant to an offering by the Company of such securities, or (iv) a corporation
or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in the same
proportions as their ownership of common shares of the Company.
2. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees that the Company will continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement during the Employment Period. During the
Employment Period, the Executive may be seconded to the employment of any Weatherford affiliate,
but without prejudice to the Company’s obligations or the Executive’s rights under this Agreement.
The Executive shall carry out his/her duties as if they were duties to be performed on behalf of
the Company. Each Seconded Affiliate Company shall be subject to all of the obligations and
agreements of the Company under this Agreement and the Company shall be responsible for actions and
inactions of the Seconded Affiliate Company. Any breach or failure to abide by the terms and
conditions of this Agreement by a Seconded Affiliate Company shall be deemed to constitute a breach
or failure to abide by the Company.
3. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, the Executive’s position (including status,
offices, titles, reporting requirements, authority, duties and responsibilities) shall be
Senior Vice President and President — Evaluation, Drilling and Intervention division of the
Company.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave
to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and
time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to
use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the
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Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to
(A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures,
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities in clause (A), (B), and (C) together do not
significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and
agreed that to the extent that such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to
the date hereof, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the date hereof shall not thereafter be
deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an
annual base salary equal to the current base salary being received by the Executive (“Annual
Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate. During the Employment Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase
awarded to the Executive prior to the date hereof and thereafter at least annually;
provided, however, that a salary increase shall not necessarily be awarded as a result of
such review. Any increase in Annual Base Salary may not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced
after any such increase. The term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall
refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus for
each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period on the same basis as other executive
officers under the Company’s executive officer annual incentive program. Each such Annual
Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement
plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to all executive officers of
the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices,
policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities,
in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices,
policies and programs as in effect on the date hereof. As used in this Agreement, the term
“affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible to participate in and
shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without
limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life,
group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent
applicable generally to all executive officers of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under than such
plans,
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practices, policies and programs of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive on the date hereof.
(v) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to (A) at Executive’s option, a monthly car allowance or use of an automobile and
(B) such other fringe benefits (including, without limitation, payment of club dues,
financial planning services, cellular telephone, mobile email, annual physical examinations,
payment of professional fees and professional taxes and payment of related expenses, as
appropriate) in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies
of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive on the date hereof.
(vi) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive on the date hereof.
(vii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to at least five weeks paid vacation or such greater amount of paid vacation as may be
applicable to the executive officers of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Deferred Compensation Plan. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to continue to participate in any deferred compensation or similar plans
in which executive officers of the Company and its affiliated companies participate.
4. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period, it may provide the
Executive with written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement of its intention
to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the
Company shall terminate effective 30 days after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
“Disability Effective Date”), provided that within the 30-day period after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. In
addition, if a physician selected by the Executive determines that the Disability of the Executive
has occurred, the Executive (or his representative) may provide the Company with written notice in
accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement of the Executive’s intention to terminate his
employment. In such event, the Disability Effective Date shall be 30 days after receipt of such
notice by the Company.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the
Employment Period for Cause.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive at any
time during the Employment Period for Good Reason.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination during the Employment Period by the
Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) of the Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable,
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive’s employment under the
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provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than
the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date, in the case of a
notice by the Company, shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The
failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean:
(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later
date specified therein, as the case may be;
(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause,
the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Executive receives notice of such
termination; and
(iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective
Date, as the case may be.
5. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.
(a) Death, Disability, Good Reason or Other than For Cause. If, during the Employment
Period, the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability,
by the Company for any reason other than for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason:
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive (or Executive’s heirs, beneficiaries or
representatives as applicable) in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
(A) the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher
of (I) the highest Annual Bonus received by the Executive in the preceding five
calendar years and (II) the Annual Bonus that would be payable in respect of the
current fiscal year (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12
months) (such higher amount being referred to as the “Highest Annual Bonus”) and (y)
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive under any deferred compensation
plan sponsored by the Company (together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon), and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore
paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) shall be
hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”);
(B) an amount equal to two times the sum of (i) the highest Annual Base Salary
received by the Executive in the last five years ended prior to the Termination Date
and (ii) the Highest Annual Bonus;
(C) an amount equal to the total of the employer basic and matching
contributions credited to the Executive under the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan (the
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“401(k) Plan”) and all other deferred compensation plans (excluding the
Company’s ERP (as defined below)) during the 12-month period immediately preceding
the month of the Executive’s Date of Termination multiplied by two, such amount to
be grossed up so that the amount the Executive actually receives after payment of
any federal or state taxes payable thereon equals the amount first described above;
and
(D) the total value of all fringe benefits received by the Executive on an
annualized basis multiplied by two.
(ii) For a period of two years from the Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer
period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy,
the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and the Executive’s family equal to
those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 3(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive’s
employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that with respect to any of such
plans, programs, practices or policies requiring an employee contribution, the Executive (or
Executive’s heirs or beneficiaries as applicable) shall continue to pay the monthly employee
contribution for same, and provided further, that if the Executive becomes re-employed by
another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another
employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility. To the extent that the Executive or the Executive’s family is precluded from
continuing participation in any of the foregoing plans, programs, practices or policies for
any portion of such two year period, the Executive shall be provided with the after-tax
economic equivalent of the benefits that would have been provided under such plans,
programs, practices and policies for the portion of such two year period in which the
Executive or Executive’s family is unable to participate for the full period of two years.
(iii) All benefits and amounts under the Company’s deferred compensation plan
and all other benefit plans (except as specifically provided for in Section 6(b) below),
including all stock options, restricted stock or other stock-based awards held by the
Executive, not already vested shall become immediately 100% vested and fully exercisable as
of the Date of Termination.
(iv) The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with
outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in
his sole discretion.
(v) All country club memberships, luncheon clubs and other memberships which the
Company was providing for the Executive’s or his family’s use prior to the time that the
Notice of Termination is given shall be transferred and assigned to the Executive at no cost
to the Executive, the cost of transfer, if any, to be borne by the Company.
(vi) At the Executive’s sole discretion, the Company shall either transfer to the
Executive ownership and title to the Executive’s company car at no cost (other than any
individual income taxes owed by the Executive) to the Executive or, if the Executive
receives a monthly car allowance in lieu of a Company car, pay the Executive a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination equal to the Executive’s
annual car allowance multiplied by two.
(vii) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or
provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or
which the
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Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (collectively, the “Other
Benefits”).
(viii) If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death,
then Other Benefits (as defined in this Section) shall also include, without limitation, and
the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least
equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to
the estates and beneficiaries of the executive officers of the Company and such affiliated
companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if
any, in effect on the date hereof or, if more favorable, those in effect on the date of the
Executive’s death.
(ix) If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s
Disability, then Other Benefits (as defined in this Section) shall also include, without
limitation, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to
receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits
generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to the Executive’s disabled
peer executive officers and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, in effect generally on the date
hereof or, if more favorable, those in effect at the time of the Disability
(b) Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause during the
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive,
other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive and (z) Other
Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.
(c) Termination by Executive Other Than for Good Reason. If the Executive voluntarily
terminates his employment during the Employment Period for any reason other than for Good Reason,
the Executive’s employment shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than
for payment of Accrued Obligations and Other Benefits and the rights provided in Section 6. In
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days after the Date of Termination subject to such other options or restrictions as provided by
law.
6. Other Rights.
(a) Except as provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the
Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by
the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract
or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Except as otherwise provided
herein, amounts which are vested benefits, which vest according to the terms of this Agreement or
which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of
or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent
to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program or contract or agreement. If the Executive has any other employment or similar agreement
with the Company at the Date of Termination, the Executive agrees that he shall have the right to
receive all of the benefits provided under this Agreement or such other agreement, whichever one,
in its entirety, the Executive chooses, but not both agreements, and when the Executive has made
such election, the other agreement shall be superseded in its entirety and shall be of no further
force and effect. The Executive also agrees that to the extent he may be eligible for any
severance pay or similar benefit under any laws providing for severance or termination benefits,
such other severance pay or similar benefit shall be coordinated with the benefits owed hereunder,
such that the Executive shall not receive duplicate benefits.
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(b) With respect solely to the Company’s Nonqualified Executive Retirement Plan (“ERP”), if
the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, and no
Change of Control has occurred or is pending, any ERP benefits payable shall only be those that are
payable, if any, under the terms of the ERP as of the Date of Termination.
7. Full Settlement.
(a) No Rights of Offset. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for
in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may
have against the Executive or others.
(b) No Mitigation Required. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment
with the Company terminates, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt
in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement shall not
be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another
employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive
to the Company, or otherwise.
(c) Legal Fees. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted
by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company or the Executive of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of
performance thereto (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any
payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”).
8. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if it shall be determined that
any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (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 8) (a “Payment”)
would be subject to the excise tax or other tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (and any
successor provisions or sections to Section 4999) or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
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 the Executive shall
be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after
payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to
such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed
with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the 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 8(c), all determinations required to be made
under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of
such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination shall be
made by PricewaterhouseCoopers or, as provided below, such other certified public accounting firm
as may be designated by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed
supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days after the
receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company. In the event that the
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Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized
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 Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 8,
shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days after the receipt of the Accounting
Firm’s determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm, absent manifest error, shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder,
it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the
event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 8(c) and the Executive thereafter
is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of
the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service (the “IRS”) that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up
Payment (or an additional Gross-Up Payment) in the event the IRS seeks higher payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing 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 Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he 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 Executive in writing prior to the expiration of
such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive 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 to effectively contest such
claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claims;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such costs and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income 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
8(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its
sole option, may pursue or forego 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 Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to 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 Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or
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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 payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive 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 Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issues raised by the IRS or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 8(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the
Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 8(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 Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 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.
(e) Any provision in this Agreement or any other plan or agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the Company is required to pay a Gross-Up Payment pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement and pursuant to the provisions of another plan or agreement, then the Company shall
pay the greater of the amount determined pursuant to this Agreement or the amount determined
pursuant to the provisions of such other plan or agreement, but in no event shall the Company pay
amounts pursuant to both provisions.
9. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, provided that it shall not apply to information which is or shall become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of
this Agreement), information that is developed by the Executive independently of such information,
or knowledge or data or information that is disclosed to the Executive by a third party under no
obligation of confidentiality to the Company. After termination of the Executive’s employment with
the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may
otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall
an asserted violation of the provision of this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
10. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
(b) In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company,
the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, operation of law or otherwise (including any purchase, merger,
amalgamation, Corporate
12
Transaction or other transaction involving the Company or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company), to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or Company’s Assets to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the
Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession
shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the
Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder if
the Executive were to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason after a Change of
Control, except that, for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such
succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement,
“Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as provided above.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
|
Xxxx X. Xxxx | |
| 000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||
If to the Company:
|
Xxxxxxxxxxx International Ltd. | |
| 000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||
| Attention: General Counsel |
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal,
state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
(e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right to the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment
for Good Reason shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other
provision or right of this Agreement.
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(f) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreements.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the
authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in
its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
| /s/ XXXX X. XXXX | ||||
| Xxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
| Xxxxxxxxxxx International Ltd. |
||||
| By: | /s/ XXXXXXX X. DUROC-XXXXXX | |||
| Xxxxxxx J. Duroc-Xxxxxx | ||||
| Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer | ||||
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