SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, RELEASE,
AND WAIVER
This Settlement Agreement, Release, and Waiver (the "Agreement")
is presented to Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx ("Associate") on the 21st day of
September, 1999 and is by and between Conning Corporation, GenAmerica
Corporation, its subsidiary and affiliated companies, and its successors
and assigns (collectively referred to as "GenAmerica").
WHEREAS, Associate has been employed as the Chief Executive
Officer of Conning Corporation, a subsidiary of GenAmerica Corporation;
and
WHEREAS, Associate and GenAmerica agree that the employment
relationship shall now be terminated.
NOW THEREFORE, Associate and GenAmerica desire, and by this
Agreement intend:
* To resolve and settle all existing and potential differences
and disputes between them arising out of Associate's
employment and termination therefrom;
* To release all claims that could be asserted arising from
Associate's employment or termination therefrom;
* To protect the confidentiality of GenAmerica's business
information;
* To provide for responses for information concerning
Associate's employment or termination thereof;
* To secure Associate's full cooperation in the transition to
new management of GenAmerica and Conning Corporation; and
* To be legally bound, in consideration of the mutual promises
set forth herein, by the following terms:
I. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Associate's employment with GenAmerica shall terminate effective
October 1, 1999 ("Termination Date").
II. BENEFITS
As consideration for Associate signing this Agreement, GenAmerica will
provide the following benefits to Associate:
A. GenAmerica will pay Associate the amount of $405,000 in the
form of bi-weekly payments of $10,658 from October 15, 1999 through
March 16, 2001.
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B. GenAmerica will pay Associate the amount of $143,260 (which
is the approximate value of one-half of Associate's unused Paid Absence
Time) in one lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable after March 16,
2001. Associate acknowledges that under the terms of the Paid Absence
Time program the Associate payment of unused Paid Absence Time benefits
is normally available only if an associate retires after reaching age
55.
C. GenAmerica will pay Associate $1393 per month for the life
of Associate beginning as soon as reasonably practicable after March 16,
2001.
D. Commencing on the Termination Date, GenAmerica shall make
available to Associate continuation group medical and dental insurance
coverage in accordance with the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA"). The full cost of such COBRA
coverage shall be the responsibility of Associate in accordance with
GenAmerica's regular practices in connection with such coverage. Upon
Associate reaching age 55 on March 16, 2001, Associate will become
eligible for post-retirement group medical and dental insurance coverage
in accordance with GenAmerica's regular program for retirees. Associate
will be responsible for the payment for the contribution required of
retired employees for such coverages. The availability of the benefits
described in this Section II.D. is subject to the terms of the retiree
medical and dental plan from time to time, and is subject to any changes
in the plan, including termination of the plan, in the future.
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E. GenAmerica will pay Associate an early retirement benefit
under GenAmerica's Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (ESRP) in the
amount of $2,710 per month starting as soon as reasonably practicable
after March 16, 2001 as an annuity to be paid for 15 years certain and
life. Associate acknowledges that under the terms and conditions of the
ESRP, vesting normally occurs at age 64 and the ESRP benefit becomes
payable at age 65.
F. GenAmerica will provide Associate executive level career
transition services from a professional outside career transition firm
mutually agreed upon by GenAmerica and Associate.
G. The payments and benefits enumerated in this Section II
(other than the COBRA coverage under II.D.) are in consideration for
Associate signing this Agreement and fulfilling the promises contained
herein. The parties agree that the payments and benefits enumerated in
this Section II are in excess of any payments or benefits to which
Associate would otherwise be entitled upon termination of employment at
this time. No such payments or benefits will be made from any plan
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any payments
made shall be made under a nonqualified plan maintained by GenAmerica or
from cash.
H. No payments or benefits described in this Section II shall
be considered as salary or compensation for any purpose, including for
any purpose under any employer plan, qualified or nonqualified, or any
other plan, program, or arrangement sponsored or maintained by
GenAmerica.
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III. COOPERATION IN TRANSITION AND LITIGATION
In addition to the consideration set forth below Associate agrees
that he will cooperate with GenAmerica, its successors and assigns, to
the fullest extent reasonably possible in the transition to new
management of Conning Corporation, the completion of the sale of
GenAmerica to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, in the transition
during the period following the completion of the sale, and any
litigation involving GenAmerica. This Section III will not be construed
to require Associate to perform active work at GenAmerica on any regular
basis.
IV. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Associate warrants that he has returned or will immediately return
to GenAmerica all GenAmerica's business information that Associate has
in his possession or, had in his possession on October 1, 1999, which
Associate produced, received or otherwise took possession of during his
employment with GenAmerica including, but not limited to, any client or
customer lists, General Agent lists, agent lists, broker lists, or
Registered Representative lists. Associate warrants that he has not
made or retained any copies or excerpts of any business information, and
will not make or retain any copies or excerpts thereof. Associate
warrants that he will not disclose any information relating to
GenAmerica's business to anyone for any reason in the future unless
compelled to do so by law, at which time Associate may disclose the
information to his legal advisors. If Associate learns of any document
or other information purporting to compel Associate to reveal
information about GenAmerica's business, Associate shall immediately
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disclose such document and/or information to GenAmerica in accordance
with the notice provisions in Section XII of this Agreement.
V. NON-DISPARAGEMENT
Except as may be compelled by a court of law, Associate shall take
no action (including without limitation the making of any oral or
written statement) which damages, disparages, or otherwise diminishes
the reputation and business practices of GenAmerica, Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company, and their officers, directors and employees.
VI. NONSOLICITATION
Associate agrees that he will not, separately or in association
with others, directly or indirectly, solicit any Associate, employee,
General Agent, agent, broker, or Registered Representative of GenAmerica
to become employed, contracted or associated by or with Associate or any
entity in which Associate is an employee or owner or any current
customer or client of Conning Corporation without first obtaining the
written consent of GenAmerica. This covenant shall continue for a
period of two (2) years from the date of this Agreement.
VII. CONFIDENTIALITY
Associate agrees that the terms of this Agreement and any related
documents are confidential and that performance by GenAmerica is
conditioned upon strict adherence to this confidentiality provision.
Associate agrees that he may not disclose to
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any party any of the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Associate may disclose such information as needed to his
immediate family, accountants or tax preparers, financial planners, or
attorneys. Associate agrees to notify such persons of the confidential
nature of this information and to advise such persons not to disclose
any confidential information to any other person.
VIII. COMPLETE RELEASE
Associate, for himself and his successors, assigns, and heirs,
hereby discharges and releases GenAmerica and its parents, subsidiaries,
and affiliates, and all of their respective officers, directors,
employees, advisors and legal counsel, and each of their predecessors,
representatives, successors and assigns, from any and all claims or
demands that Associate now has or may have in the future based on
Associate's employment with GenAmerica, Associate's conduct during that
employment, or the termination of that employment. This includes a
release of any rights or claims Associate may have based on any facts or
events, whether known or unknown by Associate, that occurred on or before
the effective date of this Agreement, including, without limitation,
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a release of any rights or claims Associate may have based on:
A. the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 (as amended); the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Equal Pay
Act of 1963; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended;
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B. the laws of the State of Missouri concerning wages,
employment and discharge; any City of St. Louis employment laws; or any
other law, rule, regulation or ordinance pertaining to employment, terms
and conditions of employment, or termination of employment;
C. claims arising out of any legal restrictions of the right to
terminate GenAmerica's employees such as wrongful or unlawful discharge
or related causes of action;
D. intentional infliction of emotional distress or any other
tortious conduct; and/or
E. violations of any contract or promise, express or implied.
No reference to the aforementioned causes of action or claims is
intended to limit the scope of this Settlement Agreement, Release and
Waiver.
IX. COMPLETE RELEASE NO FUTURE LAWSUITS, COMPLAINTS OR CLAIMS
Associate promises never to file any petitions, charges,
complaints, lawsuits, or related documents with any judicial or
administrative agency concerning GenAmerica, Associate's employment with
GenAmerica, or Associate's termination therefrom. Associate agrees to
withdraw all such actions that are pending. This Article shall not
apply to any action taken to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
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X. PERIOD FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF AGREEMENT
Associate confirms that he has been given twenty-one (21) days to
review and consider this Agreement before signing it. Associate
understands that he may use as much or as little of this period as he
wishes prior to signing.
XI. ADVICE TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY
GenAmerica had advised Associate to consult with an attorney, at
Associate's own expense, before signing this Agreement.
XII. ASSOCIATE'S RIGHT TO REVOKE AGREEMENT
If this Agreement is signed by Associate and returned to
GenAmerica within the time specified in Section X, Associate may revoke
this Agreement within seven (7) calendar days of the date of Associate's
signature. Revocation must be made by delivering a written notice of
revocation to GenAmerica, that must be received no later than close of
business on the seventh (7th) calendar day (or next business day
thereafter, if the 7th calendar day is not a business day) after
Associate signs this Agreement. If Associate revokes this Agreement, it
shall not be effective or enforceable and Associate will not receive the
payments described herein. Notice to GenAmerica for the purposes of
this paragraph shall be effective if and only if it is delivered within
the revocation period set forth above by one or more of the following
means: (a) personally;
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(b) by overnight courier; or (c) by facsimile to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, General Counsel
GenAmerica Corporation
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No. 000-000-0000
XIII. SEVERABILITY AND JUDICIAL RESTATEMENT
Associate and GenAmerica agree that the provisions of this
Agreement are severable and divisible. In the event any portion of this
Agreement is determined to be illegal or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
XIV. TAXES
Associate is responsible for any tax liability associated with
payments provided under this Agreement. GenAmerica has the right to
withhold taxes from such payments to the extent required by law.
XV. BREACH
Associate agrees that any breach of Section III, IV, V, VI, or VII
will cause irreparable injury to GenAmerica and that GenAmerica may seek
an injunction or specific performance for any such breach. Associate
agrees to submit personally and GenAmerica agrees to submit to the
jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of the State of Missouri in
the event of any claimed breach of this Agreement and to comply with any
order or judgment of those courts. In any lawsuit commenced for breach
of this Agreement, the prevailing party will be awarded attorneys' fees
and costs associated with such lawsuit.
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Associate agrees that in addition to any other damages and
remedies allowed by law, in the event of a breach of this Agreement by
Associate, the benefits set out in Section II shall be terminated and
any benefits not yet received by Associate will be forfeited.
XVI. GENAMERICA REPRESENTATIONS
In addition to any other consideration described herein,
GenAmerica agrees to cooperate with Associate in the transition to any
new position he might seek. GenAmerica will provide prospective
employers with no information other than Associate's dates of employment
with GenAmerica.
Except as may be compelled by a court of law, GenAmerica shall use
its best efforts to constrain its officers and employees from taking any
actions (including without limitation the making of any oral or written
statement) which damages, disparages, or otherwise diminishes the
reputation and business practices of Associate.
GenAmerica agrees that the terms of this Agreement are
confidential and GenAmerica will take such actions as are commercially
reasonable in order to enforce this confidentiality provision.
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XVII. MISCELLANEOUS
This is the entire Agreement between Associate and GenAmerica.
GenAmerica has made no promises to Associate other than those in this
Agreement.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Missouri, without reference to principles
of conflict of laws thereunder.
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.
Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to be, or shall be
construed to be, an admission of any liability by any party or an
admission of the existence of any facts upon which liability could be
based.
Associate acknowledges and represents that Associate has
voluntarily executed this Agreement.
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XVIII. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT
Provided Associate does not revoke this Agreement in accordance
with the terms of Section XII, above, this Agreement shall become
effective immediately upon the expiration of the revocation period set
forth in Section XII. If the Associate does not date this Agreement
when he signs it, the revocation period set forth in Section XII shall
commence when GenAmerica receives the signed Agreement.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A
RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS TO THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT
INCLUDING THOSE PURSUANT TO THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, AS
AMENDED, AND OTHER LAWS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT.
ASSOCIATE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ASSOCIATE HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT,
UNDERSTANDS IT AND IS VOLUNTARILY ENTERING INTO IT.
CONNING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Date: October 8, 1999
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GENAMERICA CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Date: October 8, 1999
------------------------
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXX
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Date: October 8, 1999
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