EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
effective this 6th day of August, 2007 ("Effective
Date"),
between FORTRESS
INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company")
and
Xxxxxxx Dec (the "Executive").
NOW,
THEREFORE, in exchange for the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and the Executive, each intending to be legally bound,
hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1.
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DEFINITIONS
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The
following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the
purposes of this Agreement:
1.1. Affiliates.
"Affiliates"
of a
Person, or a Person "affiliated"
with
another Person, are any Persons which, directly or indirectly, through one
or
more intermediaries, controls or are controlled by or are under common control
with, the Person specified.
1.2. Base
Salary.
"Base
Salary"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1
hereof.
1.3. Board.
"Board"
means
the Company’s Board of Directors.
1.4. Cause.
1.4.1 Termination
of the Executive’s employment for "Cause"
shall
mean any of the following:
(i) any
act
that would constitute a material violation of the Company’s material written
policies provided that the Company specifically terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause hereunder within 120 days from the date the Company has
actual notice of such;
(ii) intentionally
engaging in conduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company
provided that the Company specifically terminates the Executive's employment
for
Cause hereunder within 120 days from the date the Company has actual notice
of
such; or
(iii) conviction
of (1) a crime of embezzlement or a crime involving moral turpitude; (2) a
crime
with respect to the Company involving a breach of trust or dishonesty; or (3)
in
either case, a plea of guilty or no contest to such a crime provided that the
Company specifically terminates the Executive's employment for Cause hereunder
within 120 days from the date the Company has actual notice of
such.
1.4.2 In
any
case, if the Company desires to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause
in accordance with Sections 1.4.1(i), (ii) or (iii), it shall first give written
notice of the facts and circumstances providing the basis for Cause to the
Executive, and to allow the Executive 30 days from the date of such notice
to
remedy, cure or rectify, if possible, the situation giving rise to the Company's
allegations of Cause (the "Cure Period"); provided, however, that the Executive
shall have only one such opportunity to cure, regardless of the grounds on
which
Cause is asserted, during the Employment Period. During the Cure Period, the
Executive may not be entitled to payment of any compensation, in the Company's
sole discretion; provided, however, that if the Executive's compensation is
withheld and the Executive successfully remedies, cures, or rectifies the
situation giving rise to the Company's notice of Cause during the Cure Period,
resulting in the Company's withdrawal of its written notice of Cause, the
Executive shall be compensated for the Cure Period.
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1.4.3 A
termination for Cause after a Change in Control shall be based only on events
occurring after such Change in Control; provided, however, the foregoing
limitation shall not apply to an event constituting Cause which was not
discovered by the Company prior to a Change in Control.
1.4.4 Cause
shall be determined in good faith by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the
whole Board (excluding the Executive if the Executive is a member of the Board).
1.4.5 Change
in
Control of the Company. "Change
in Control of the Company"
means
(a) a sale, transfer or exclusive licensing by the Company of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis (measured by either book value in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied or fair
market value determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Board)
in
any transaction or series of transactions (other than sales in the ordinary
course of business); (b) any sale, transfer or issuance or series of sales,
transfers and/or issuances of shares of the Company's capital stock by the
Company or any holders thereof which results in any Person or Persons, other
than the holders of Company’s capital stock as of the date hereof, owning
capital stock of the Company possessing the voting power (under ordinary
circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board; (c) the stockholders of the
Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the total voting
power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (d) the
stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company.
1.5. Date
of Termination.
"Date
of Termination"
shall
mean (a) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death, or (b) if the Executive’s
employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason
other than the Executive’s death, the date on which Executive ceases to be an
employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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1.6. Disability. Termination
of the Executive’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries based on
"Disability"
shall
mean termination of the Executive’s employment at the Company’s sole discretion,
upon thirty (30) days prior written notice in the event the Executive becomes
“Disabled,” as defined in any group term disability insurance maintained by the
Company applicable to the Executive, or, (b) if the Company shall not maintain
such insurance, the determination by an independent physician acting reasonably
and in good faith that the Executive is incapacitated by reason of a physical
or
mental illness which is long-term in nature and which prevents the Executive
from performing the substantial and material duties of his employment with
the
Company, provided
that
such incapacity can reasonably be expected to prevent the Executive from working
at least six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period. The Company may require
the Executive to have the examination described in the preceding sentence at
any
time for the purpose of determining whether the Executive has a long-term
disability, and the Executive agrees to submit to such examination upon request
of the Board; provided
that the
Company shall pay all costs and expenses associated with such examination.
This
Section
1.6
shall be
interpreted and applied consistently with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
the Family and Medical Leave Act and other applicable law.
1.7. Good
Reason.
Termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive for a "Good
Reason"
shall
mean termination by the Executive because of: (a) a requirement to move the
Executive’s primary place of business more than fifty (50) miles from the office
the Executive works in on the date hereof (which termination occurs prior to
such move) without the written consent of the Executive, (b) failure of the
Company to pay any installment of the Executive’s Base Salary when such
installment is due pursuant to this Agreement, which failure is not cured within
fifteen (15) days; (c) any other breach or breaches of this Agreement by the
Company, which breaches are, singularly or in the aggregate, material, and
which
are not cured within thirty (30) days of written notice of such breach or
breaches to the Company by the Executive; or (d) a reduction by the Company
of
the Executive’s Base Salary without the express written consent of the
Executive. For a termination of employment to be treated as a termination for
Good Reason, (i) the Executive’s separation from employment must occur within 1
year from the date of the initial material change or diminution described above;
(ii) the Executive must notify the Company of the material change or diminution
within 90 days from the date of the initial change or diminution; and (iii)
the
Executive must give the Company 30 days in which to remedy the
condition.
1.8. Person.
"Person"
means
an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
1.9. Restrictive
Period.
For
purposes of this Agreement the term “Restrictive
Period”
shall
have the following meanings.
1.9.1 If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the third (3rd)
anniversary of the Commencement Date, then the Restrictive Period shall be
the
period from the Termination Date through the third anniversary of the
Commencement Date (or if the Termination Date is within twelve (12) months
of
the third anniversary of the Commencement Date), then for a period of one (1)
year measured from the Termination Date through the first anniversary of the
Termination Date.
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1.9.2 Subject
to Section
7.4
hereof,
if the Executive’s employment is terminated after the third anniversary of the
Commencement Date, then the Restrictive Period shall be the twelve (12) month
period measured from the Termination Date through the first anniversary of
the
Termination Date.
1.10. Subsidiary.
"Subsidiary"
means,
with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which (a) if a corporation,
a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership
or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall
be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons
shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership,
association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control
any
managing director or general partner of such limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity.
2.
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EMPLOYMENT
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2.1. Employment
Period.
2.1.1 The
Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts said
employment and agrees to render services to the Company, on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period commencing no later than
August 20th, 2007 (the “Commencement
Date”)
and
ending on August 14th, 2010 (the “Expiration
date”),
unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions herein (such period
is the “Employment
Period”);
provided, however, that if this Agreement is renewed pursuant to Section 2.1.2
below, then the “Expiration Date” for the then current “Renewal Term” (as
hereinafter defined) shall be the date that is last day of the one year period
of any Renewal Term.
2.1.2 This
Agreement shall be automatically renewed for an additional one year period
commencing at the expiration of the initial Employment Period or any subsequent
renewal term (each, a "Renewal
Term")
unless
the Company provides written notice of termination to the Executive not less
than sixty (60) days prior to the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Employment Period shall
immediately terminate prior to any Expiration Date (i) upon Executive’s death,
Disability or termination for a Good Reason or (ii) upon termination by the
Company for Cause; in all other circumstances, thirty (30) days' prior written
notice is required by either party to the other to terminate this
Agreement.
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2.2. Duties. During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall devote the Executive's full working
time and attention and use the Executive's best efforts and skill to further
the
interests of the Company. The Executive shall, to the best of his ability,
execute the strategic plan of the Company as approved by the Board, perform
his
duties, adhere to the Company’s published policies and procedures, promote the
Company’s interests, reputation, business and welfare, and work actively with
the Board and other senior managers to help augment the existing business base,
increase the corporate contract backlog and identify and develop new business
opportunities. The Executive shall perform such services for the Company as
is
consistent with the Executive's position (subject to the power and authority
of
the Board to expand or limit such services and to overrule actions of officers
of the Company) and as lawfully directed, from time to time, by the Board.
During the Employment Period, the Executive’s title shall be Chief Financial
Officer. During the Employment Period the Executive shall report to the Board,
and Executive may use such additional titles as assigned and approved by the
Board. The Executive shall not, during the Employment Period, be employed or
involved in any other business activity for gain, profit or other pecuniary
advantage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may (a) volunteer
services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or
other charitable organization as the Executive may wish to serve; and (b) manage
his personal, financial and legal affairs, so long as such activities do not
interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company
as provided hereunder or violate any of the terms of this or any other agreement
entered into with the Company. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive
may
be required to travel on business in connection with the Executive's performance
of the Executive's duties hereunder, but that the Executive's base will be
the
location of the Company’s headquarters in Columbia or Beltsville, Maryland or
such other location as determined by the Board.
2.3. Insurance.
The
Company may, at its discretion, apply for and procure in its own name and for
its own benefit life and/or disability insurance on the Executive in any amount
or amounts considered available. The Executive agrees to cooperate in any
medical or other examination, supply any information and execute and deliver
any
applications or other instruments in writing as may be reasonably necessary
to
obtain and constitute such insurance. The Executive hereby represents that
the
Executive has no reason to believe that the Executive's life is not insurable
at
rates now prevailing for a healthy person of the Executive's gender and
age.
2.4. Corporate
Opportunity.
The
Executive agrees that, unless approved by the Board, he will not take personal
advantage of any business opportunities which arise during his employment with
the Company and which may be of benefit to the Company. All material facts
regarding such opportunities must be promptly reported to the Board for
consideration by the Company.
3.
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COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS
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3.1. Base
Salary.
During
the Employment Period, the Company shall pay the Executive an initial base
salary of Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00) per year
("Base
Salary")
paid
in approximately equal installments bi-weekly. The Company will review the
Executive’s Base Salary on December 31 of each year of the Employment Period in
order to determine what Base Salary adjustments, if any, shall be made, subject
to an annual minimum increase of five percent (5%), but in no event may the
Executive's Base Salary be reduced below that paid in the preceding
year.
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3.2. Annual
Bonus.
For
calendar year 2007 (ending on or about December 31, 2007) and for each other
calendar year that begins during the Employment Period (each such calendar
year,
a "Bonus
Year"),
the
Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus in an amount and on such terms
as
are established by the Company's Board up to fifty percent (50%) of the Base
Salary (each, a "Bonus")
in
accordance with the bonus plan or formula applicable to the Executive. The
2007
Bonus shall be prorated to reflect that the 2007 Bonus Year is a partial year
commencing on the Commencement Date and ending on December 31, 2007. In
addition, the Executive shall be eligible for any other bonus as the
Compensation Committee of the Board may determine in its sole discretion. Any
Bonus for an applicable calendar year, or portion thereof, shall be paid to
the
Executive no later than the ninetieth (90th) day following the conclusion of
the
Bonus Year.
3.3. Vacation
and Benefits. The
Executive shall continue to receive vacation, health insurance and other
employee benefits as the Company makes available to other executives, as may
exist at any particular time and from time to time during the Executive’s
employment.
3.4. Withholding.
All
payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to the Executive shall
be
subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other
payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably determine should be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
3.5. Policies,
Procedures & Benefit Plans.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, the Executive’s employment shall be subject to the
policies and procedures which apply generally to the Company’s employees as the
same may be interpreted, adopted, revised or deleted from time to time, during
the Employment Period, by the Board in its sole discretion. The Executive agrees
to comply with such policies and procedures in all material respects. During
the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in any Company
benefit plans on the same basis as other executive level employees of the
Company. The Board reserves the right to change, alter, or terminate benefits,
plans and carriers in its sole direction. All matters of eligibility for
coverage or benefits under any health, hospitalization, life, disability, or
other insurance plan, program or policy shall be determined in accordance with
the provisions of the plan, program, or policy; the Company shall not be liable
to the Executive, the Executive’s family, heirs, executors, or beneficiaries,
for any payment payable or claimed to be payable under any such benefit plan,
program, or policy. Provided that the Executive can be insured at standard
rates, the Company shall maintain the Executive’s existing life insurance
policy(ies) as set forth on Exhibit
A
attached
hereto, or if it is not possible to continue the existing policies, then provide
the Executive a $1,000,000 life insurance policy with a reputable and
responsible insurance company acceptable to the Company and the
Executive.
3.6. Equity.
3.6.1 Equity
Amount.
At the
Commencement Date, Executive shall be granted 40,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock (the “Stock”) pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Plan. The Stock
shall vest as follows: 50% of the Stock shall vest on the date that is eighteen
(18) months after the Commencement Date and the remaining 50% shall vest on
the
third anniversary of the Commencement Date. In addition the employee is eligible
to receive an additional 40,000 shares of stock based on achieving milestones
as
laid out in his employment offer letter attached as exhibit __.
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3.6.2 Restricted
Shares.
The
Stock has not been, and will not be at the time of issuance, registered under
the Securities Act, and will be issued in a transaction that is exempt from
the
registration requirements of the Securities Act and will be “restricted
securities” under the federal securities laws and cannot be offered or resold
except pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or an available
exemption from registration. All certificates evidencing the Stock shall bear,
in addition to any other legends required under applicable securities laws,
the
following legend:
“THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT
TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.”
4.
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SUPPORT
AND EXPENSES
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4.1. Office.
During
the Employment Period the Company shall provide Executive with furnished
offices in the Company’s headquarters (which shall be consistent with the
Executive’s duties and sufficient for the efficient performance of those duties,
all in the reasonable determination of the Board).
4.2. Expenses.
During
the Employment Period, including following any Date of Termination for
appropriate expenses incurred on or prior to the Date of Termination, the
Company shall reimburse the Executive promptly or otherwise provide for or
pay
for all pre-approved reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in
furtherance of, or in connection with, the business of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time
with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject
to
such reasonable documentation and other limitations as may be established from
time to time by the Board, including against presentation of vouchers or
receipts therefor.
4.3. Automobile.
During
the Employment Period the Company
will
reimburse Executive for automobile costs up to a maximum of eight hundred
dollars ($800.00) per month.
4.4. Timing
of Reimbursements. Reimbursements made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement
will generally be made by March 15th
of the year following the year in which the expenses were incurred. Any
reimbursement not made by March 15th,
will be made in the year following the year in which the expenses are
incurred.
5.
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TERMINATION
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5.1. Termination
Due to Death or Disability, For Cause or By the Executive.
If the
Employment Period is terminated (a) by reason of the Executive’s death or
Disability; (b) by the Company for Cause; or (c) by the Executive (other than
for a Good Reason); then
the
Executive shall only be entitled to receive the Executive’s Base Salary and the
reimbursement of any applicable expenses pursuant to Section
4.2
through
the Date of Termination, and the Executive shall have no right to any other
compensation thereafter (including without limitation pursuant to Section
3.1
and
3.2
of this
Agreement, but not including Section
5.3).
No
Person shall be entitled hereunder to participate in any employee benefit plan
after the Date of Termination if the Employment Period is terminated in
connection with this Section
5.1,
except
as otherwise expressly required by applicable law (i.e., COBRA) and provided
that
nothing herein shall be interpreted to limit the Executive’s conversion rights,
if any, under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans.
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5.2. Termination
by the Company Other Than for Death, Disability, or Cause or by the Executive
for a Good Reason.
In
addition to the payment to the Executive of the Executive's Base Salary and
the
reimbursement of any applicable expenses pursuant to Section
4.2
through
the Date of Termination, if (a) the Employment Period is terminated (i) by
the
Company for reasons other than death, Disability, or Cause, (ii) pursuant to
a
Change in Control of the Company, as defined by Section
1.4.A,
or (ii)
by the Executive for a Good Reason, or (iii) in accordance with the terms of
Section
2.1.2
hereof
(provided the Company provides the requisite notice to the Executive to
terminate prior to any Expiration Date); and (b) the Executive executes a
general release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B (the
"Release")
on or
before the effective Date of Termination; and (c) the Executive has not breached
the terms of the “Assignment Agreement” (as defined below); then
the
Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the Executive’s Base Salary
(at the rate in effect at the Date of Termination) for a period commencing
on
the Date of Termination and ending twelve (12) months from the Date of
Termination. Any payment under this Section
5.2
shall be
made in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule at the time the
payments are made. If the Executive elects and remains eligible for health
coverage pursuant to Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("COBRA")
(and
subject to withholding pursuant to Section
3.5
above);
then
commencing within
fifteen (15) business days following the date on which the Release becomes
effective pursuant to its terms, the Company will, for a period commencing
on
the Date of Termination and ending twelve (12) months from the Date of
Termination, pay a percentage of the premium for such COBRA health coverage
equal to the percentage of the premium for health insurance coverage paid by
the
Company on the Date of Termination. The Executive shall not be entitled to
any
other salary or compensation after termination of the Employment Period (other
than as set forth in this Section
5.2
and
Section
5.3)
and no
Person shall be entitled hereunder to participate in any employee benefit plan
after the Date of Termination if the Employment Period is terminated in
connection with this Section
5.2,
except
as otherwise specifically provided hereunder or as required by applicable law
(i.e., COBRA) and provided
that
nothing herein shall be interpreted to limit the Executive’s conversion rights,
if any, under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans. In furtherance of and
not in limitation of the foregoing, the Executive may only be terminated by
the
affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board (excluding the Executive
if he
is a member of the Board).
5.3. Cooperation
with Company After Termination of Employment. For
a
period of six (6) months following termination of the Employment Period for
any
reason, as such period may be extended with the consent of the Executive, the
Executive shall fully cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to
the
winding up of pending work on behalf of the Company including, but not limited
to, any litigation in which the Company is involved, and the orderly transfer
of
any such pending work to other executives of the Company as may be designated
by
the Company. The Executive shall be compensated for any time spent pursuant
to
this Section
5.3
at the
specific request of the Company at a per diem
amount
based upon the Executive's Base Salary at the Date of Termination.
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5.4. Termination
by Mutual Consent.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Section
5,
if at
any time during the course of this Agreement the parties by mutual consent
decide to terminate it, they shall do so by separate agreement setting forth
the
terms and conditions of such termination.
5.5. Notwithstanding
any other provision with respect to the timing of payments under Section 5.2,
if, at the time of the Executive’s termination, the Executive is deemed to be a
“specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and any successor statute, regulation and guidance
thereto) of the Company, then only to the extent necessary to comply with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code, any payments to which the Executive
may become entitled under Section 5.2 which are subject to Section 409A of
the
Code (and not otherwise exempt from its application) will be withheld until
the
first business day of the seventh month following the date of termination,
at
which time the Executive shall be paid an aggregate amount equal to six months
of payments otherwise due to the Executive under the terms of Section 5.2,
as
applicable. After the first business day of the seventh month following the
date
of termination and continuing each month thereafter, the Executive shall be
paid
the regular payments otherwise due to the Executive in accordance with the
terms
of Section 5.2, as thereafter applicable.
6.
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INVENTION,
ASSIGNMENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
|
6.1. The
parties hereto have entered into an Invention Assignment and Confidentiality
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
C
(the
"Assignment
Agreement"),
which
may be amended by the parties from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof.
The provisions of the Assignment Agreement are intended by the parties to
survive and shall survive termination or expiration of the Employment Period
and
this Agreement.
7.
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NON-SOLICITATION
CUSTOMERS OR EMPLOYEES;
NON-COMPETITION
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7.1. Covenant
Not-to-Solicit Customers. Subject
to Section
7.4
below,
during Executive's employment with the Company through the applicable
Restrictive Period, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly, individually
or on behalf of any other person or entity, whether as principal, agent,
stockholder, employee, consultant, representative or in any other capacity,
solicit any person or entity, that:
(a) is
a
customer or client of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which the Executive
had dealings with by virtue of the Executive’s employment with the Company as of
the Termination Date;
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(b) has
been
a customer or client of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which the
Executive had dealings with by virtue of the Executive’s employment with the
Company at any time within two (2) years prior to the Termination Date;
or
(c) is
a
prospective customer or client that the Executive had been actively soliciting
with, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries as of the
Termination Date.
7.2. Covenant
Not-to-Solicit Employees.
Subject
to Section
7.4
below,
during Executive's employment with the Company and from the Termination Date
through the applicable Restrictive Period, the Executive shall not directly
or
indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person or entity, whether
as
principal, agent, stockholder, employee, consultant, representative or in any
other capacity:
(a) recruit,
solicit or encourage any person to leave the employ of the Company or any of
its
subsidiaries; or
(b) hire
any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries as a regular employee,
consultant, independent contractor or otherwise.
7.3. Non-Competition.
The
Executive recognizes and acknowledges the competitive and proprietary nature
of
the business operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subject to
Section
7.4
below,
during the Executive’s employment with the Company and for the applicable
Restrictive Period, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company, for himself or on behalf of any other person or entity, directly
or indirectly, whether as principal, agent, stockholder, employee, consultant,
representative or in any other capacity, own, manage, operate or control, or
be
concerned, connected or employed by, or otherwise associate in any manner with,
engage in or have a financial interest in any business that competes with the
business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the area of specialized
engineering, construction management and facilities management that provides
services to mission critical facilities. Nothing contained herein shall preclude
the Executive from purchasing or owning stock in any such competitive business
if such stock is publicly traded, and provided that his holdings do not exceed
one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock of such
business.
7.4. Reduction
and Extension of Restrictions.
(a) If
the
Termination Date with respect to the Executive’s termination occurs on or before
the third (3rd)
anniversary of the Closing Date, then the provisions of Sections
7.1, 7.2 and 7.3
above
apply to Executive regardless of the reason for the termination. If the
Termination Date with respect to the Executive’s termination occurs after the
third anniversary of the Closing Date, then the provisions of Sections
7.1, 7.2 and 7.3
above
apply only to terminations made pursuant to Section
5.1
and
shall not apply with respect to terminations made pursuant to Section
5.2.
(b) The
Company at Company’s option, by written notice delivered to Executive not less
than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then current, applicable
Restrictive Period, may extend the Restrictive Period (as previously extended
under this Section 7.4(b)) for an additional twelve (12) months, provided that
Company pays to Executive during the extended Restrictive Period an amount
equal
to the Executive’s Base Salary (at the rate effective as of the applicable
Termination Date and over time and in the manner Executive would have received
these payments had he continued to be employed by the Company).
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10
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7.5. Non-Disparagement.
The
Executive agrees not to make any public statement, or engage in any conduct,
that is disparaging to the Company, or any of its employees, officers, directors
or shareholders, including, but not limited to, any statement that disparages
the products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities or other
aspects of the business of the Company. Notwithstanding any term to the contrary
herein, the Executive shall not be in breach of this Section
7
for the
making of any truthful statements under oath.
7.6. Reasonableness
of Restrictions.
The
Executive has carefully read and considered the provisions of this Section
7,
and,
having done so, agrees (a) that the restrictions set forth herein are
reasonable, in terms of scope, duration, geographic area, and otherwise, (b)
that the protection afforded to the Company hereunder is necessary to protect
its legitimate business interests, (c) that the agreement to observe such
restrictions form a material part of the consideration for this Agreement and
the Executive's employment by the Company and (d) that upon the termination
of
the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, he will be able to
earn a livelihood without violating the foregoing restrictions. In the event
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any of the provisions of this Section
7
shall be
held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions thereof shall
nevertheless continue to be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or
unenforceable parts had not been included therein. In the event that any
provision of this Section relating to the time period and/or the areas of
restriction and/or related aspects shall be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to exceed the maximum restrictiveness such court deems reasonable
and enforceable, the time period and/or areas of restriction and/or related
aspects deemed reasonable and enforceable by the court shall become and
thereafter be the maximum restriction in such regard, and the restriction shall
remain enforceable to the fullest extent deemed reasonable by such
court.
8.
|
EXECUTIVE’S
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
|
8.1. Other
Agreements.
The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive
is
not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete agreement or
confidentiality agreement with any other Person.
8.2. Enforceability.
The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that upon the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the
valid
and binding obligation of the Executive, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
8.3. No
Breach; No Conflict of Interest.
The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall
not
conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement,
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or
by
which the Executive is bound and (b) the Executive is not, to the best of the
Executive's knowledge and belief, involved in any situation that might create,
or appear to create, a conflict of interest with loyalty to or duties for the
Company.
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11
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8.4. Notification
of Materials or Documents from Other Employers.
The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive
has
not brought and will not bring to the Company or use in the performance of
responsibilities at the Company any materials or documents of a former employer
or client that are not generally available to the public, unless the Executive
has obtained express written authorization from the former employer or client
and the Company for their possession and use.
8.5. Notification
of Other Post-Employment Obligations.
The
Executive also understands that, as part of the Executive's employment with
the
Company, the Executive is not to breach any obligation of confidentiality that
the Executive has to former employers or clients, and agrees to honor all such
obligations to former employers or clients during employment with the
Company.
8.6. Consultation
with Counsel.
The
Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that the Executive has consulted
with independent legal counsel regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations
under this Agreement and that the Executive fully understands the terms and
conditions contained herein.
8.7. No
Tax Guarantee. Payments
or benefits under this Agreement are subject to any applicable employment or
tax
withholdings or deductions. Executive and the Company agree that it is their
intention that all payments or benefits provided under this Agreement comply
with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)
and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly. If it is determined that
a
provision is not compliant with Section 409A, the parties will, by mutual
agreement, amend this Agreement as necessary to comply with Section 409A,
provided however, that the Company will not be obligated to incur additional
expense. Executive acknowledges that he has been advised to seek independent
advice from his tax advisor(s) with respect to the application of Section 409A
of the Code (and Section 83(b) as it relates to the issuance or grant of any
restricted stock to Executive) to any payments or benefits under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee the tax treatment
of any payments or benefits under this Agreement, including without limitation
under the Code, federal, state or local laws.
9.
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ARBITRATION
|
9.1. The
Executive and the Company mutually consent to the resolution by arbitration
of
certain claims or controversies (collectively, "Claims")
arising out of or relating to the Executive's employment or termination of
employment under this Agreement that either party may have against the other,
including the Company’s officers, shareholders, directors, employees, or benefit
plans, the benefit plans' sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators, or affiliates;
and all successors and assigns of any of them, or agents in their capacity
as
such or otherwise. The Claims covered by this Agreement shall include claims
for
(a) wages or other compensation due; (b) breach of any contract or covenant
(express or implied); tort claims; (c) discrimination (including but not limited
to race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, marital
status, or any other basis protected by any applicable federal, state or local
law); (d) payment of wages; (e) benefits (except where an employee benefit
or
pension plan specifies that its claims procedure shall use an arbitration
procedure different from this one); and (f) violation of any federal, state,
or
local law, statute, regulation, or ordinance, or recognized under common law.
The Claims not covered by this Agreement shall include claims (g) for workers'
compensation or unemployment compensation benefits; (h) brought pursuant to
Sections
6 or 10
of this Agreement and breach of duty of loyalty; and (i) unrelated to the
Employee's employment with the Company.
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12
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9.2. The
arbitration shall be governed by the procedures of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA"),
in
accordance with its then-current Model Employment Arbitration Procedures and
shall take place in the Washington-Metropolitan area.
9.3. If
the
parties to this Agreement become parties to an arbitration proceeding or
litigation arising from or relating to this Agreement, the non-prevailing party
shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the prevailing
party in such arbitration or litigation.
10.
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GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
10.1. Assignment. The
Company may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder
in
whole, but not in part, to any Company or other entity with or into which the
Company or may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Company may
transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said
company or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume
all obligations of the Company hereunder as fully as if it had been originally
made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights
and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the Company. Notwithstanding such assignment, the Company shall
remain a guarantor of the performance of all obligations owed by the Company
to
the Executive under this Agreement.
10.2. Notice.
For the
purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for
in
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or Federal Express, signature required, if to the
Company, addressed to its corporate headquarters at the time notice is given,
"Attention Board of Directors"; if to the Executive, addressed to his home
address as listed in the Company’s records at the time notice is
given.
10.3. Amendment
and Waiver.
No
provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment
or
waiver is in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto. Any such
amendment shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A, if applicable.
10.4. Non-Waiver
of Breach.
No
failure by either party to declare a default due to any breach of any obligation
under this Agreement by the other, nor failure by either party to act quickly
with regard thereto, shall be considered to be a waiver of any such obligation,
or of any future breach.
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13
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10.5. Severability.
In the
event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to
be
invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this
Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and
effect.
10.6. Governing
Law.
To the
extent not preempted by Federal law, the validity and effect of this Agreement
and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed and
determined in accordance with the law of the State of Maryland, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether
of
the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Maryland.
10.7. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter, whether oral
or
written, including without limitation any prior or existing employment agreement
with the Company which shall be null and void and of no further force or effect.
10.8. Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
transferees, successors and assigns of the Company, including without limitation
any company with which the Company may merge or consolidate.
10.9. Headings.
Numbers
and titles to Sections hereof are for information purposes only and, where
inconsistent with the text, are to be disregarded.
10.10. Survival.
Section
1
and
Sections
5
through
10
shall
survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms
notwithstanding the expiration or termination of the Employment
Period.
10.11. No
Strict Construction.
The
language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by
the
parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict
construction shall be applied against any party.
10.12. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts (including by means of
facsimile), each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.
10.13. Indemnification
of the Executive. The
Company shall, to the extent permitted by the Bylaws of the Company, in a manner
as applied to other officers of the Company, indemnify, protect and hold the
Executive harmless from and against any expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, claims, judgments, fines, settlements and other
amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding
arising out of, or related to, the Executive's employment by the Company or
any
of its Subsidiaries. The Company shall cause the Executive to be covered under
directors and officers liability insurance policies in reasonable amounts in
accordance with the Company's standard corporate policies.
10.14. Injunctive
Relief.
The
Executive represents and acknowledges that, in light of the payments to be
made
by the Company to the Executive hereunder and for other good and valid reasons,
as a result of the restrictions stated in the Assignment Agreement and the
restrictions in Section
7
hereof,
the Company and its affiliated companies would sustain irreparable harm and,
therefore, in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have under
this Agreement or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to apply to any
court
of competent jurisdiction for an injunction restraining the Executive from
committing or continuing any such violation of this Agreement, and the Executive
shall not object to such application.
[SIGNATURES
ON FOLLOWING PAGES]
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14
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have caused this Executive Employment Agreement to be duly
executed on the date and year first written above.
THE
COMPANY:
|
|
By:__________________________
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
CEO
|
|
THE
EXECUTIVE:
|
|
By:__________________________
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Dec
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15
-
EXHIBIT
A
EXISTING
LIFE INSURANCE
EXHIBIT
B
SEPARATION
FROM EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
1. This
agreement is between the Executive, Xxxxxxx Dec, the Executive’s spouse, family,
agents and attorneys) (jointly, the "Executive") and Fortress International
Group, Inc. (the "Company"), its subsidiaries, affiliated entities, direct
or
indirect owners and its and their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents, predecessors, successors, purchasers, assigns, representatives,
fiduciaries, and insurers (jointly, the "Released Parties").
2. If
the
Executive signs this agreement and does not revoke it, the Executive will
receive the applicable severance payments and benefits set forth in Section
5
of the
Executive’s Executive Employment Agreement, dated May 15th, 2007 (the
"Employment Agreement").
3. The
Executive, deeming this Agreement to be fair, reasonable, and equitable, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, agrees to and hereby does, forever and
irrevocably fully waive the Executive’s right to assert any and all forms of
legal claims against the Released Parties, of any kind whatsoever, whether
known
or unknown, arising from the beginning of time through the date the Executive
execute this Agreement (the “Execution Date”). Except as set forth below, the
Executive’s waiver and release herein is intended to bar any form of legal
claim, complaint or any other form of action (jointly referred to as “Claims”)
against the Released Parties seeking any form of relief including, without
limitation, equitable relief (whether declaratory, injunctive or otherwise),
the
recovery of any damages, or any other form of monetary recovery whatsoever
(including, without limitation, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages,
emotional distress damages, punitive damages, attorneys fees and any other
costs) against the Released Parties, for any alleged action, inaction or
circumstance existing or arising through the Execution Date.
-
1
-
Without
limiting the foregoing general waiver and release, the Executive specifically
waives and releases the Released Parties from any Claim arising from or related
to the Executive’s prior employment relationship with the Release Parties or the
termination thereof, including, without limitation:
*
|
Claims
under any state or federal discrimination, fair employment practices
or
other employment related statute, regulation or executive order (as
they
may have been amended through the Execution Date) prohibiting
discrimination or harassment based upon any protected status including,
without limitation, race, national origin, age, gender, marital status,
disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. Without limitation,
specifically included in this paragraph are any Claims arising under
the
Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1871, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of
1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act and any similar Maryland
or
other state statute.
|
*
|
Claims
under any other state or federal employment related statute, regulation
or
executive order (as they may have been amended through the Execution
Date)
relating to other terms and conditions of employment. Without limitation,
specifically included in this paragraph are any Claims arising under
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and any similar state statute.
|
*
|
Claims
under any state or federal common law theory including, without
limitation, wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract,
promissory estoppel, unjust enrichment, breach of a covenant of good
faith
and fair dealing, violation of public policy, defamation, interference
with contractual relations, intentional or negligent infliction of
emotional distress, invasion of privacy, misrepresentation, deceit,
fraud
or negligence.
|
*
|
Any
other Claim arising under state or federal
law.
|
4.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this section does not:
*
|
release
the Released Parties from any obligation expressly set forth in this
Agreement or from any obligation, including without limitation obligations
under the Workers Compensation laws, which as a matter of law cannot
be
released;
|
*
|
prohibit
the Executive from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (“EEOC”);
|
*
|
prohibit
the Executive from participating in an investigation or proceeding
by the
EEOC or any comparable state or local agency;
or
|
*
|
prohibit
the Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good
faith of
the validity of this release or waiver under the Age Discrimination
in
Employment Act and does not impose any condition precedent, penalty,
or
costs for doing so unless specifically authorized by federal
law.
|
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2
-
5. Also,
the
Executive understands that this General Release Agreement is not an admission
of
liability under any statute or otherwise by the Released Parties, and that
the
Released Parties do not admit but deny any violation of his legal rights, and
that he shall not be regarded as a prevailing party for any purpose, including
but not limited to, determining responsibility for or entitlement to attorneys’
fees, under any statute or otherwise. The Executive agrees that in the event
the
Executive brings a Claim in which the Executive seeks damages or other relief
from any Released Party, or in the event the Executive seeks to recover against
any Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on the
Executive’s behalf, this Agreement shall serve as a complete defense to such
Claims.
6. The
Executive also agrees that the Executive has been paid for all hours worked,
including any overtime bonus or other incentive compensation, has submitted
all
invoices and expense reports, and has not
suffered any on-the-job injury for which the Executive has not already filed
a
claim.
7. The
Executive agrees that every term of this Agreement, including, but not limited
to, the fact that an agreement has been reached and the amount paid, shall
be
treated by the Executive as strictly confidential, and expressly covenants
not
to display, publish, disseminate, or disclose the terms of this Agreement to
any
person or entity other than the Executive’s immediate family, the Executive’s
attorney(s) (for purposes of seeking advice concerning this agreement only)
and
the Employee’s accountant(s) (for purposes of seeking tax advice only), unless
compelled to make disclosure by lawful court order or subpoena.
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3
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8. The
Executive and the Company have entered into an Invention Assignment and
Confidentiality Agreement ("Assignment Agreement"). The Executive reaffirms
his
obligation to comply with all of the post termination obligations in the
Assignment Agreement.
9. The
Executive also agrees that:
· The
Executive is entering into this agreement knowingly and
voluntarily;
· The
Executive has been advised by the Company to consult an attorney;
· As
set
forth in Attachment A, the Executive has been given the right to take
[21/45]
days
(the "Consideration Period") to consider this agreement; provided, however
the
Employee and the Company hereby agree that if there is a dispute as to the
payment of wages such that the Executive is unable to make the representation
set forth in Section
6
as to
payment for hours worked (including any overtime bonus or other incentive
compensation), the Consideration Period shall terminate on the later of the
natural expiration of the Consideration Period or the date that is one day
after
the resolution of all claims regarding wages;
· But
for
the Executive's execution of this agreement, the Executive would not otherwise
be entitled to the payments described in paragraph 2;
· if
any
part of this agreement is found to be illegal or invalid, the rest of the
agreement will be enforceable; and
· this
agreement has been individually negotiated between the Executive and the Company
and is not part of a group exit incentive or other group employment termination
program. The Executive and the Company agree that the sole reason for the
termination of the Executive’s employment is a business reorganization and
reduction in force of the Company’s [INSERT DEPARTMENT OR JOB CLASSIFICATION]
which is occurring on [INSERT DATE]. All individuals who are being terminated
in
the [INSERT DATE] reduction in force will be eligible for benefits based upon
their execution of a release identical to this release. The Executive
acknowledges by signing this Agreement that the Executive understands that
the
Executive is eligible for the benefits which the Executive will receive
contingent upon the Executive executing this release, because the Executive
was
part of this reduction in force. As is more fully set forth in Attachment B,
this reduction in force will affect [NUMBER AFFECTED] other executives on
[DATE].
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4
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10. After
the
Executive signs this agreement, the Executive will have 7 days to revoke it.
If
the Executive wants to revoke it, the Executive should deliver a written
revocation to __________ . If the Executive does not revoke it, the Executive
will receive the payment described in Paragraph 2.
EXECUTIVE:
|
COMPANY:
|
||
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx CEO
|
|||
Date:
|
Date:
|
-
5
-
ATTACHMENT
A
CONSIDERATION
PERIOD
I,
Xxxxxxx Dec understand that I have the right to take at least [21/45]
days to
consider whether to sign this Separation From Employment and Release Agreement,
which I received on August 6th, 2007. If I elect to sign this Agreement before
[21/45]
days
have passed, I understand I am to sign and date below this paragraph to confirm
that I knowingly and voluntarily agree to waive the [21/45]-day
consideration period.
Executive
Signature
|
|
Date
|
ATTACHMENT
B
SCHEDULE
TO SEPARATION FROM EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
On
[Date], the employment of the following individuals (identified by job title
and
age), who will the [sole] holders of their job title, will be terminated in
a
reduction in force:
Job
Title
|
Age
|
The
employment of the following individuals (identified by age), who are the [sole]
holders of their job title, will not be terminated on [Date] in the reduction
in
force.
Title
|
Age
|
EXHIBIT
C
INVENTION
ASSIGNMENT
AND
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
The
following confirms an Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement
("Agreement") between me and Fortress International Group, a Maryland
corporation (the "Company," which term includes the Company’s Affiliates,
subsidiaries and any assigns). The promises and commitments that I make in
this
Agreement are a material part of the Company’s consideration in my employment
relationship with the Company.
1.
|
I
understand and agree that my employment by the Company creates a
duty of
loyalty and a relationship of confidence and trust between me and
the
Company with respect to any information made known to me by the Company
or
by any client, customer or vendor of the Company or other person
who
submits information to the Company, or which may be learned by me
during
the period of my employment.
|
2.
|
I
recognize that the Company is continuously engaged in activities
that the
Company regards as confidential, proprietary and/or legally protectable,
which activities are at least in part intended to further the interests
of
the Company and to provide the Company with a competitive advantage.
The
Company possesses and will, in the future, continue to possess information
that has been or will be created, discovered, developed or otherwise
becomes known to the Company (including information created by, discovered
or developed by, or made known to me) during the period of or arising
out
of my employment by the Company. I understand that various intellectual
and other property rights have been assigned or otherwise conveyed
to the
Company. All information concerning the above described activities
and
information is collectively called "Proprietary Information" under
this
Agreement.
|
3.
|
By
way of illustration, but not limitation, Proprietary Information
includes:
trade secrets, processes, formulas, data and know-how; software programs,
improvements, and inventions; research and development plans, tools
and
techniques; new product introduction plans, specifications, requirements
documents and strategies; manufacturing techniques, strategies and
costs,
expenses, supplier information and lists and distribution information;
terms and conditions in contracts of all kinds; marketing plans,
strategies and service; support strategies and procedures; development
schedules; revenue forecasts; computer programs; copyrightable material,
employee salaries, employee expertise, employee ability levels, training
programs and procedures, copies of memos or presentations incorporating
confidential information which I may have in my files (including
those
which I authored), patent applications and disclosures and customer
lists.
|
4.
|
In
consideration of my employment by the Company and the compensation
received by me from the Company from time to time, I hereby agree
as
follows:
|
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1
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(a)
|
All
Proprietary Information shall be the sole property of the Company,
and the
Company shall be the sole owner of all patents, copyrights, trademarks
and
other rights related to Proprietary Information. I hereby assign
to the
Company any rights I may have or acquire in Proprietary Information.
At
all times, both during and after my employment by the Company, I
will keep
in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and I will not
use or
disclose any Proprietary Information or anything related to it without
written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the
ordinary
course of performing my duties to the
Company.
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(b)
|
All
documents, records, apparatus, equipment and other physical property,
whether or not pertaining to Proprietary Information, furnished to
me by
the Company or produced by myself or others in connection with employment
by the Company shall be and remain the sole property of the Company,
shall
be used by me solely for the benefit of the Company and shall be
returned
to the Company immediately as and when requested by the Company.
Even if
the Company does not so request, I shall return and deliver all such
property to the Company upon termination of my employment by me or
by the
Company for any reason. I will not take with me any such property
or any
form of copy or reproduction of such property upon my
termination.
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(c)
|
I
will promptly disclose to the Company, or any persons designated
by it,
all improvements, inventions, formulas, ideas, processes, techniques,
know-how and data, whether or not patentable, made or conceived or
reduced
to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others,
during
the period of my employment (all said improvements, inventions, formulas,
ideas, processes, techniques, know-how and data shall be hereinafter
collectively call "Inventions").
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(d)
|
I
agree that all Inventions that I develop or have developed (in whole
or in
part, either alone or jointly with others) and (i) use or have used
equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the
Company, or (ii) use or have used the hours for which I am to be
or was
compensated by the Company, or (iii) which relate to the business
of the
Company or to its actual or demonstrably anticipated research and
development or (iv) which result, in whole or in part, from work
performed
by me for the Company shall be the sole property of the Company and
its
assigns, and the Company and its assigns shall be the sole owner
of all
patents, copyrights and other rights in connection therewith. I hereby
assign to the Company any rights I may have or acquire in such Inventions.
I further agree as to all such inventions and improvements to assist
the
Company in every proper way (but at the Company’s expense) to obtain and
from time to time enforce patents, copyrights or other rights on
said
inventions and improvements in any and all countries, and to that
end I
will execute all documents in use for applying for and obtaining
such
patents and copyrights thereon and enforcing same, as the Company
may
desire, together with any assignments thereof to the Company or persons
designated by it. My obligation to assist the Company in obtaining
and
enforcing patents, copyrights or other rights for such inventions
and
improvements in any and all countries shall continue beyond the
termination of my employment, but the Company shall compensate me
at a
reasonable rate after such termination for time actually spent by
me at
the Company’s request on such
assistance.
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2
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(e)
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In
the event that the Company is unable for any reason whatsoever to
secure
my signature to any lawful and necessary document required to apply
for or
execute any patent, copyright or other applications with respect
to such
inventions and improvements (including renewals, extensions,
continuations, divisions or continuations in part thereof), I hereby
irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its authorized
officers
and agents, as my agents and attorneys-in-fact, this power of attorney
being coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf and instead
of
me, to execute and file any such application and to do all other
lawfully
permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents,
copyrights or other rights thereon with the same legal force and
effect as
if executed by me.
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(f)
|
As
a matter of record, on Attachment
A,
I
have attached a complete list of all inventions or improvements relevant
to the subject matter of my employment by the Company which have
been made
or conceived or first reduced to practice by me alone or jointly
with
others prior to my employment with the Company that I desire to remove
from the operation of this Agreement, and I covenant that such list
is
complete. If no such list is signed by me and attached to this Agreement,
I represent and warrant that I have no such inventions or improvements
at
the time of signing this Agreement, and I agree that I will make
no claim
against the Company with respect to any such inventions or
ideas.
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(g)
|
I
represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement
will not
breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information
acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by
the
Company. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into,
any
agreement either written or oral in conflict with this
Agreement.
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(h)
|
I
acknowledge that the Company from time to time may be involved in
government projects of a classified nature. I further acknowledge
that the
Company from time to time may have agreements with other persons
or
governmental agencies which impose obligations or restrictions on
the
Company regarding inventions made during the course of work thereunder
or
regarding the confidential nature of such work or information disclosed
in
connection therewith. I agree to be bound by all such obligations
and
restrictions and to take all action necessary to discharge the obligations
of the Company thereunder.
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(i)
|
I
represent and warrant that execution of this Agreement, my employment
with
the Company and my performance of my proposed duties to the Company
in the
development of its business have not and will not violate any obligations
which I may have to any former
employer.
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3
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(j)
|
I
agree that at no time during my employment by the Company or thereafter
shall I make, or cause or assist any other person to make, any statement
or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks,
or is
otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the
Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective directors,
officers or employees.
|
5.
|
This
Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my employment
by the
Company.
|
6.
|
This
Agreement may not be changed, modified, released, discharged, abandoned
or
otherwise amended, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in
writing, signed by myself and a majority of the members of the
Board.
I agree that any subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary
or
compensation shall not affect the validity or scope of this
Agreement.
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7.
|
I
acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and agree that with respect
to the
subject matter hereof it is my final, complete and exclusive agreement
with the Company, superseding any previous oral or written
representations, understanding or agreements with the Company or
any
officer or representative with respect to the subject matter
herein.
|
8.
|
In
the event that any paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall
be held
to be illegal or unenforceable, such paragraph or provision shall
be
modified to the extent necessary to give effect to the intent of
the
parties or, if necessary, severed from this Agreement and the entire
Agreement shall not fail on account thereof, but shall otherwise
remain in
full force and effect.
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9.
|
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of
Maryland without regard to its choice of law
principles.
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10.
|
This
Agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, executors, assigns,
and
administrators and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its
successors and assigns.
|
I
acknowledge that the foregoing restrictions contained in Section
4
are
reasonable in all respects including the scope, duration and geographic
limitations. I agree that the restrictions are an appropriate means of
protecting the Company’s legitimate business interests, and no greater than
necessary to protect the Company’s interests. I acknowledge that these
restrictions will not unreasonably interfere with my ability to make a
living.
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4
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Dated:
August 6, 2007
By:
_______________________________
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|
Executive Signature
|
|
Xxxxxxx Dec
|
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5
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Accepted
and Agreed to:
By:
_____________________________
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: CEO
Date:
____________________________
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6
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