Exhibit 10.61
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of June 21,
2001, by and among STONEPATH GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Employer"), and XXXXXX X. XXXXXX (the "Executive").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Employer considers it essential and in the best interests
of its stockholders to xxxxxx the employment of key management personnel and
desires to engage the services of the Executive on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to render services to the Employer on the
terms and conditions provided in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:
The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have
the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1:
"Agreement" means this Employment Agreement, as amended from
time to time.
"Basic Compensation" shall include base salary, bonuses that
have been declared and are payable and benefits provided for in Section 3.1(c)
of this Agreement.
"Benefits" is defined in Section 3.1(b).
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of Employer.
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to occur if (A) there
occurs a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of 50% or more in value
of the assets of Employer to another Person or entity, except to an entity
controlled directly or indirectly by Employer; or (B) there occurs a merger,
consolidation or other reorganization of Employer in which Employer is not the
surviving entity, provided Persons who were shareholders of Employer prior to
the transaction continue to own less than 50% of the outstanding securities of
the acquiror immediately following the transaction; (C) there occurs a merger,
consolidation or other reorganization of Employer in which the Employer is the
surviving entity, provided Persons who were shareholders of Employer prior to
the transaction continue to own less than 50% of the outstanding securities of
the surviving entity following the transaction; or (D) a plan of liquidation or
dissolution of Employer other than pursuant to bankruptcy or insolvency laws is
adopted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "change of control" shall not be
deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement (i) in the event of a
sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets
of Employer to, or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of Employer
and any entity in which Executive (alone or with other officers) has, directly
or indirectly, at least a 25% equity or ownership interest; or (ii) in a
transaction otherwise commonly referred to as a "management leveraged buy-out",
as a result of which Executive (alone or with other officers) has, directly or
indirectly, at least a 25% equity or ownership interest.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Disability" shall mean once the Executive is unable for the
"Disability Period" (as hereafter defined) to perform the essential functions of
the Executive's duties with reasonable accommodation. The disability of the
Executive will be determined by a medical doctor selected by written agreement
of the Employer and the Executive upon the request of either party by notice to
the other. If the Employer and the Executive cannot agree on the selection of a
medical doctor, each of them will select a medical doctor and the two medical
doctors will attempt to make a determination of disability. If they cannot
agree, they will select a third medical doctor who will determine whether the
Executive has a disability. The determination of the third medical doctor
selected under this provision will be binding on both parties. The Executive
must submit to a reasonable number of examinations by the medical doctor making
the determination of disability under this provision, and the Executive hereby
authorizes the disclosure and release to the Employer of such determination and
all supporting medical records. If the Executive is not legally competent, the
Executive's legal guardian or duly authorized attorney-in-fact will act in the
Executive's stead for the purposes of submitting the Executive to the
examinations, and providing the authorization of disclosure, required under this
provision.
"Disability Period" shall mean 180 consecutive days or 180
days during any twelve (12) month period; or such lesser number of days as
elapse until disability insurance benefits commence under any disability
insurance coverage furnished by Employer to Executive, if any.
"Effective Date" means June 21, 2001.
"Employment Period" means the term of the Executive's
employment under this Agreement as defined in Section 2.2.
"For Cause" shall mean: (a) any violation of a law, rule or
regulation other than minor traffic violations, which causes or is likely to
cause material damages to the Employer, including without limitation, any
violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; (b) a breach of fiduciary duty
for personal profit; (c) fraud, dishonesty or other acts of willful misconduct
in the rendering of services on behalf of the Employer or relating to the
Executive's employment; (d) willful misconduct by the Executive which would
cause the Employer to violate any state or federal law relating to sexual
harassment or age, sex or other prohibited discrimination or any violation of
written policy of the Employer or any successor entity adopted in respect to
such law; (e) failure to follow Employer work rules or the lawful instructions
(written or otherwise) of the Board of Directors of the Employer or a
responsible executive to whom the employee directly or indirectly reports,
provided compliance with such directive was reasonably within the scope of the
Executive's duties and the Executive was given notice that his or her conduct
could give rise to termination and such conduct is not, or could not be cured,
within ten (10) days thereafter; (f) any violation by the Executive of the terms
of this Agreement; or (g) in the event the Employer fails to achieve the
financial performance targets in the manner and to the extent established on
Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided, however, that in
order to terminate Executive For Cause, Employer must first provide Executive
with thirty (30) days written notice of the particular For Cause events alleged
by Employer; however, in the event of a For Cause event specified at
sub-sections (e) and (f) above, the thirty (30) day notice period must be
accompanied with a right to cure within such thirty (30) day period.
Notwithstanding the above, subsection (g) relating to financial performance
targets, shall be of no further force and effect following a Change of Control.
"Good Reason" shall mean, unless Executive shall have
consented in writing thereto, any of the following: (i) a reduction in
Executive's title, duties, responsibilities or status which are inconsistent
with Executive's position with Employer; (ii) a reduction by Employer in
Executive's base salary or material reduction in fringe benefits; (iii) the
breach by Employer of any material agreement or obligation under this Agreement;
or (iv) the failure or inability of the Employer to cause the election of
Executive as Chairman of the Board of Directors within the "Board Nomination
Period" as specified at Section 11.1; any of such events to be preceded by
notice from Executive to Employer and a thirty (30) day right to cure.
"Person" means any individual, corporation (including any
non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, or
governmental body.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND DUTIES
2.1 EMPLOYMENT
The Employer agrees to, and hereby does, continue to employ
the Executive for the term of this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement.
2.2 TERM
Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the
Employment Period for the Executive's employment under this Agreement will be
five (5) years, beginning on the Effective Date, and expiring on the earlier of
June 21, 2006, or as earlier permitted under this Agreement.
2.3 DUTIES
The Executive will serve as the Chief Executive
Officer of Employer and will perform all duties required in
furtherance of his position, including without limitation, all such duties as
are customarily associated with such position or such duties as are assigned or
delegated to the Executive by the Board of Directors. The Executive agrees to
perform in good faith and to the best of his ability all services which may be
required of him hereunder and will devote his full-time efforts and business
time, skill, attention and energies as are reasonably necessary to perform his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and to promote the success of
the Employer's business. Executive may continue to engage in the following
activities: (a) attending board of directors' or like meetings of other
companies in which Executive or an affiliate has invested or in which Executive
has been elected to serve, and (b) managing his personal investments, provided
that such activities set forth in (a) and (b) (individually or collectively) do
not in the good faith view of Employer's Board of Director's materially
interfere or conflict with the performance of Executive's duties or
responsibilities under this Agreement.
The base of operations of the Executive shall be in
Miami, Florida; provided that Executive will from time to time participate in
meetings and undertake other activities at the Employer's headquarters in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but only to such reasonable extent as would not
necessitate the Executive obtaining residence other than his current residences.
3. COMPENSATION
3.1 BASIC COMPENSATION
(a) Base Salary. The Executive will be paid an annual base
salary of $250,000, subject to adjustment as provided below (the "Salary"),
which will be payable in equal periodic installments according to the Employer's
customary payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly. The
Executive's Salary will be reviewed by Employer's Board of Directors not less
frequently than annually, and may be adjusted upward or downward by Employer,
but in no event will the Base Salary be less than $250,000 per year.
(b) Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to receive annual bonus
compensation at the discretion of Employer's Board of Directors and in
accordance with Employer's executive bonus or incentive compensation plan that
may be in effect from time to time. In addition, Executive will be eligible to
participate in an annual incentive plan which will provide an incentive payment
based upon achievement of agreed upon performance goals. The Compensation
Committee of Employer will determine the goals to be measured against as well as
the target incentive (the "Target Incentive"), which will be expressed as a
percentage of base salary. The Target Incentive will initially be set at up to
50% of Base Salary, subject to adjustment from time to time. In the event that
the Executive is not employed for the full year on which any such bonus is
based, he shall be entitled on a prorata basis to such bonus as achievement of
performance goals to the time of termination entitles him.
(c) Benefits.
(i) The Executive will, during the
Employment Period, be permitted to participate in such pension, profit sharing,
bonus (subject to the provisions of Section 3.1 (b)), life insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, and other employee benefit plans of the Employer
that may be in effect from time to time, to the extent the Executive is eligible
under the terms of those plans (collectively, the "Benefits"). The Executive
shall also be entitled to such other fringe benefits as are now or may become
available to any of Employer's other executive officers.
(ii) During the term of this Agreement,
the Employer shall pay the annual premium on a term or other life insurance
policy or policies secured by Executive on the life of Executive in the face
amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), payable to such
beneficiaries as Executive may designate; provided, however, Employer shall only
be obligated to pay an annual premium not to exceed $5,000.
(iii) A yearly expense allowance of
$12,000 (paid monthly or quarterly at the discretion of Executive) will be paid
by Employer to Executive to pay for an auto allowance for the cost of
maintaining, insuring and operating one automobile for business purposes, dues,
assessments and expenses incurred by the Executive relating to membership or
participation in professional or social groups or organizations which the
Executive determines are useful or necessary for the purpose of promoting and
maintaining the business of the Company or for other travel and entertainment
expenses incurred by Executive which he believes are useful or necessary for the
purpose of promoting and maintaining the business of the Company.
3.2 OPTIONS
Employer hereby grants to Executive options to
purchase up to one million eight hundred thousand (1,800,000) shares of its
common stock at an exercise price of $.82 per share (the "Options"). The Options
shall be granted under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock
Option Agreement dated June 21, 2001. The Options shall be covered by a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as promptly following the Effective Date as is practicable.
4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
The Employer will pay reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in the performance of the Executive's duties pursuant to this
Agreement, including without limitation reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in attending conventions, other business meetings and for promotional
expenses, provided that any such activities must be related to Employer's
business and all individual expenses (or those aggregated for a single
convention, seminar or other business trip) greater than $5,000 must be approved
by either Employer's Chief Financial Officer or Employer's Compensation
Committee (or if Employer has no Compensation Committee, its Board of
Directors). The Executive must file expense reports with respect to such
expenses in accordance with the Employer's policies.
5. VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS
The Executive will be entitled to three (3) weeks' paid
vacation each calendar year in accordance with the vacation policies of the
Employer in effect for its executive officers from time to time. The Executive
will also be entitled to the paid holidays and other paid leave set forth in the
Employer's policies. Vacation days during any calendar year that are not used by
the Executive during such calendar year may be used in any subsequent calendar
year; provided, however, that no more than six (6) weeks' paid vacation may be
accrued or carried forward. Accrued but unused vacation days will be paid for by
Employer in certain instances upon the termination of this Agreement as provided
for in Section 6.2 hereafter.
6. TERMINATION
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION
The Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement
may be terminated by Employer on the following grounds:
(a) upon the death of the Executive;
(b) upon the disability of the Executive
immediately upon notice from either party to the other;
(c) For Cause (following the expiration of any
applicable notice period from Employer to Executive);
(d) at the discretion of Employer other than For
Cause.
The Executive may terminate his employment on the
following grounds:
(e) without Good Reason, provided that Executive
gives Employer at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of his termination
of employment; or
(f) for Good Reason (following the expiration of
any applicable notice period from Executive to Employer).
6.2 TERMINATION PAY
Effective upon the termination of this Agreement, the
Employer will be obligated to pay the Executive (or, in the event of his death,
his designated beneficiary as defined below) the compensation provided in this
Section 6.2:
(a) Termination by the Employer For Cause or
Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. If the Employer terminates this
Agreement For Cause or Executive resigns or terminates his employment for other
than Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to receive his Basic
Compensation through the date such termination is effective.
(b) Termination upon Disability. If this
Agreement is terminated by either party as a result of the Executive's
Disability, the Employer will pay the Executive his Basic Compensation through
the remainder of the calendar quarter during which such termination is effective
and for the lesser of (i) six consecutive months thereafter, or (ii) the period
until disability insurance benefits commence under any disability insurance
coverage furnished by the Employer to the Executive.
(c) Termination upon Death. If this Agreement is
terminated because of the Executive's death, the Executive's estate will be
entitled to receive his Basic Compensation through the end of the calendar month
in which his death occurs.
(d) Termination by Executive For Good Reason or
Termination by Employer Without Cause. If this Agreement is terminated by
Executive for Good Reason, or if this Agreement is terminated by Employer other
than For Cause, then as severance under this Agreement (i) Employer shall
continue to pay to Executive his Basic Compensation for the greater of six (6)
months or until June 30, 2003 (the "Severance Period") as if Executive had
continued to remain employed during the Severance Period; provided, however, as
a condition to receiving such severance payments, Executive shall provide
Employer with a general release in form and substance satisfactory to Employer.
7. CHARACTER OF TERMINATION PAYMENTS; MITIGATION
The amounts payable to Executive upon any termination
of this Agreement shall be considered severance pay in consideration of past
services rendered on behalf of the Employer and his continued service from the
date hereof to the date he becomes entitled to such payments. Executive shall
have no duty to mitigate his damages by seeking other employment and, should
Executive actually receive compensation from any such other employment, the
payments required hereunder shall not be reduced or offset by any such other
compensation.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND RELATED MATTERS.
8.1 NON-DISCLOSURE COVENANT
Employer and the Executive acknowledge that the services to be
performed by the Executive under this Agreement are unique and valuable and
that, as a result of the Executive's employment, the Executive will be in a
relationship of confidence and trust with Employer and will come into possession
of "Confidential Information" (i) owned or controlled by Employer and its
subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii) in the possession of Employer and its
subsidiaries and affiliates and belonging to third parties; or (iii) conceived,
originated, discovered or developed, in whole or in part, by the Executive
during the term of this Agreement and relating to his duties for the Employer
under this Agreement. As used herein "Confidential Information" means trade
secrets and other confidential or proprietary business, technical, personnel or
financial information of Employer, whether or not the Executive's work product,
in written, graphic, oral or other tangible or intangible forms, including but
not limited to specifications, samples, records, data, computer programs,
drawings, diagrams, models, consumer names, ID's or e-mail addresses, business
or marketing plans, studies, analyses, projections and reports, communications
by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos
and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including
attorney work product), and software systems and processes that are not readily
available to the public, even it is not specifically marked as a trade secret or
confidential, unless Employer advises the Executive otherwise in writing or
unless the information has been shared by Employer with entities not bound by
non-disclosure agreements. In consideration of the compensation and benefits to
be paid or provided to the Executive by the Employer under this Agreement, the
Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly use or disclose to anyone, either
during the Employment Period or after the termination of this Agreement, except
in the performance of his duties of his employment with Employer or with
Employer's prior written consent, any Confidential Information of Employer. This
non-disclosure covenant does not apply to information that is disclosed or
becomes public through another source that is not bound by a confidentiality
agreement with Employer; which Executive is required to disclose pursuant to
court order, subpoena or applicable law (provided that Executive will use
reasonable efforts to provide Employer with prompt notice of any such requests
or requirement so that Employer may seek an appropriate protective order); or
which is disclosed in any proceeding to enforce or interpret this Agreement. The
Executive agrees that in the event of the termination of the Executive's
employment for any reason, the Executive will deliver to Employer, upon request,
all property belonging to Employer, including all documents and materials of any
nature pertaining to the Executive's work with Employer and will not take with
him any documents or materials of any description, or any reproduction thereof
of any description, containing or pertaining to any Confidential Information.
8.2 WORK MADE FOR HIRE
Executive recognizes and understands that Executive's duties
at the Employer may include the preparation of materials, including without
limitation written or graphic materials, and that any such materials conceived
or written by Executive shall be done as "work made for hire" as defined and
used in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. xx.xx. 1 et seq. In the event of
publication of such materials, Executive understands that since the work is a
"work made for hire", the Employer will solely retain and own all rights in said
materials, including right of copyright.
8.3 DISCLOSURE OF WORKS AND INVENTIONS/ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS
In consideration of the promises set forth herein, Executive
agrees to disclose promptly to the Employer, or to such person whom the Employer
may expressly designate for this specific purpose (its "Designee"), any and all
works, inventions, discoveries and improvements authored, conceived or made by
Executive during the period of employment and related to the business or
activities of the Employer, and Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign
all of Executive's interest in the foregoing to the Employer or to its Designee.
Executive agrees that, whenever he is requested to do so by the Employer,
Executive shall execute any and all applications, assignments or other
instruments which the Company shall deem necessary to apply for and obtain
Letters Patent or Copyrights of the United States or any foreign country or to
otherwise protect the Company's interest therein. Such obligations shall
continue beyond the termination or nonrenewal of Executive's employment with
respect to any works, inventions, discoveries and/or improvements that are
authored, conceived of, or made by Executive during the period of Executive's
employment, and shall be binding upon Executive's successors, assigns,
executors, heirs, administrators or other legal representatives.
9. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION MATTERS
9.1 NON-COMPETITION
During the term of this Agreement the Executive agrees
that he shall not work for or be interested in any business which provides
services or products which are directly competitive with "primary" services or
products offered by the Employer or a subsidiary or affiliate of Employer at the
Executive's termination date (the "Non-Compete Period"). In the event the
Executive is terminated For Cause or Executive terminates for other than Good
Reason, the Non-Compete Period shall be extended until the earlier of (i) one
year; or (ii) the then scheduled expiration of the term of the Agreement. In the
event the Executive is terminated in a manner in which he is paid severance, his
Basic Compensation is continued, or he is paid a lump-sum as though his
employment had continued, the Non-Compete Period shall be extended through the
period of such severance or compensation continuation. For the purpose of this
Agreement, a product or service shall be deemed "primary" only if such service
or product constitutes a primary component of the core business of Employer on
Executive's termination date. For the further purposes of this Agreement, the
term "work for or be interested in any business" means that the Executive is a
stockholder, director, officer, employee, partner, individual proprietor, lender
or consultant with that business, but not if (i) his interest is limited solely
to the passive ownership of five percent (5%) or less of any class of the equity
or debt securities of a corporation whose shares are listed for trading on a
national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. In the
event that any part of this Section 10 is adjudged invalid or unenforceable by
any court of record, board of arbitration or judicial or quasi judicial entity
having jurisdiction thereof by reason of length of time, geographical coverage,
activities covered, or for any other reason, then the invalid or unenforceable
provisions of this covenant shall be deemed reformed and amended to the maximum
extent permissible under applicable law and shall be enforced and enforceable as
so amended in accordance with the intention of the parties as expressed herein.
9.2 NON-SOLICITATION
During the Non-Compete Period, the Executive also
agrees that he will not directly or indirectly: (i) solicit the trade of, or
trade with, any past, present or prospective customer of the Employer for any
business purpose that directly or indirectly competes with the business of
Employer or a subsidiary or affiliate of Employer; or (ii) solicit or induce, or
attempt to solicit or induce, any employee of Employer to leave Employer for any
reason whatsoever, or assist or participate in the hiring of any employee of
Employer to work for another entity.
10. REPRESENTATIONS OF EXECUTIVE
As a material inducement to Employer to execute this Agreement
and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, the Executive hereby
makes the following representations to Employer, each of which are true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.
10.1 QUESTIONNAIRE
On or before the date hereof Executive has completed
and returned to Employer a Directors and Officers Questionnaire (the
"Questionnaire") which is true and correct in all material respects.
10.2 NO PRIOR AGREEMENTS
Executive represents and warrants that Executive is
not a party to or otherwise subject to or bound by the terms of any contract,
agreement or understanding which in any manner would limit or otherwise affect
Executive's ability to perform his obligations hereunder, including without
limitation any contract, agreement or understanding containing terms and
provisions similar in any manner to those contained in Sections 8 and 9 of this
Agreement. Executive further represents and warrants that his employment with
the Employer will not under any circumstances require him to disclose or use any
confidential information belonging to prior employers or other persons or
entities, or to engage in any conduct which may potentially interfere with the
contractual, statutory or common-law rights of such other employers, persons or
entities. In the event that Executive knows or learns of any facts whatsoever
which suggest that such interference might arguably occur as the result of any
proposed actions by either Executive or the Employer, Executive expressly
promises that he will immediately bring such facts to the Employer's attention.
10.3 REVIEW BY COUNSEL
Executive expressly acknowledges and represents that
Executive has been given a full and fair opportunity to review this Agreement
with an attorney of Executive's choice, and that Executive has satisfied
himself, with or without consulting with counsel, that the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, specifically including, but not limited to, the restrictive
covenant and related provisions of Section 9 hereof, are reasonable and
enforceable.
10.4 NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Executive covenants that, as of the date hereof, he
is not involved in any venture or activity that could compete with Employer or
which could potentially interfere with his ability to perform under this
Agreement. During the Term, he will disclose to the Company, in writing, any and
all interests he may have, whether for profit or compensation or not, in any
venture or activity which could potentially interfere with his ability to
perform under this Agreement or create a conflict of interest for him with the
Company. For purposes of this Section 10.4 only, "conflict of interest" shall
mean ownership of greater than one percent (1%) of, or $25,000 worth of equity
in, another company which conducts business similar to that undertaken by the
Employer.
10.5 EXECUTIVE'S ABILITY
Executive represents that Executive's experience and
capabilities, and the limited provisions of Section 9, are such that he will not
be prevented from earning his livelihood in businesses similar to that of
Employer. Executive acknowledges that there are a significant number of
businesses for which his qualifications and experience would render him
qualified for employment that do not constitute a competing businesses such that
his ability to become employed after the termination or nonrenewal of this
Agreement would not be impaired.
11. COVENANTS
11.1 APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Within ten (10) days after the date of this
Agreement, Employer agrees to appoint Executive to its Board of
Directors as Chairman and to take such actions as are necessary and reasonable
to renominate him to that position at all meetings of its stockholders called
for the purpose of electing directors and meetings of its Board of Directors
called for the purpose of electing officers through the period ending on earlier
of the second anniversary of this Agreement or such earlier date that Executive
no longer remains an employee of Employer (such period referred to hereafter as
the "Board Nomination Period").
11.2 CONSTITUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the Board Nomination Period, unless the
Executive agrees otherwise, Employer agrees to maintain its Board of Directors
at seven (7) members. Also during the Board Nomination Period, Employer agrees
within thirty (30) days following the written request of Executive to: (x)
appoint two (2) nominees of Executive to its Board of Directors, provided such
nominees are reasonably acceptable to the Board of Directors, and at least one
(1) of the nominees is a director who qualifies as an "independent director"
under applicable rules and regulations of The American Stock Exchange and the
Nasdaq Stock Market; and (y) renominate such nominees to Board positions at all
meetings of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors.
11.3 COVENANTS OF THE EXECUTIVE
(a) During the Board Nomination Period, Executive
agrees to take all actions that are necessary and reasonable, and permitted by
applicable law, to vote, as a director and as a stockholder for the nomination
and elections of a Board of Directors of which four (4) members of the seven (7)
would either be incumbent Employer Board members as of the date of this
Agreement or nominees of such incumbents (in the aggregate, the "Incumbent STG
Board Members"); and in the absence of the consent of the majority of the
Incumbent STG Board Members, will not vote for or propose a change in the size
of Employer's Board of Directors.
(b) Executive agrees to tender his resignation as a
member of Executive's Board of Directors following his termination or
resignation, immediately upon request from Employer.
12. GENERAL PROVISIONS
12.1 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND ADDITIONAL REMEDY
The Executive acknowledges that the injury that
would be suffered by the Employer as a result of a breach of the provisions of
any provision of Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement would be irreparable and
that an award of monetary damages to the Employer for such a breach would be an
inadequate remedy. Consequently Employer will have the right, in addition to any
other rights it may have, to obtain injunctive relief to restrain any breach or
threatened breach or otherwise to specifically enforce any provisions of
Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement, and the Employer will not be obligated to
post bond or other security in seeking such relief.
12.2 WAIVER
The rights and remedies of the parties to this
Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay
by either party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this
Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no
single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude
any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise
of any other right, power, or privilege.
12.3 TOLLING PERIOD
The non-competition, non-disclosure and non-
solicitation obligations contained in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall
be extended by the length of time during which Executive shall have been in
breach of any of the provisions of such Sections 8 and 9, regardless of whether
the Employer knew or should have known of such breach.
12.4 EMPLOYER VIOLATION NOT A DEFENSE
In an action by the Employer to enforce any provision
of this Agreement, any claims asserted by Executive against the Employer shall
not constitute a defense to the Employer's action.
12.5 INDEMNIFICATION
Employer shall indemnify and defend Executive and his
heirs, executors and administrators against any costs or expense (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts paid in settlement, if such settlement is
approved by the Employer), fine, penalty, judgment and liability reasonable
incurred by or imposed upon Executive in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding, civil or criminal, to which Executive may be made a party or with
which Executive shall be threatened, by reason of Executive's being or having
been and officer or director, unless with respect to such matter Executive shall
have been adjudicated in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith or in
the reasonable belief that the action was in the best interests of the Employer,
or unless such indemnification is precluded by law, public policy, or in the
judgment of the Employer's Board of Directors, such indemnification is being
sought as a result of actions of Executive which were either: (i) grossly
negligent; (ii) reflective of Executive misconduct; (iii) in violation of rules,
regulations or laws applicable to the Employer; or (iv) in disregard of Employer
policies.
12.6 NOTICES
All notices, consents, waivers, and other
communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will
be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand, (b) sent by
facsimile (with written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed
by registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the
addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service
(receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and facsimile
numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and facsimile numbers as a
party may designate by notice to the other parties):
If to Employer: Stonepath Group, Inc.
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to Executive: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
With a copy to: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire
Crosby, Heafey, Xxxxx & May
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
12.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS
This Agreement and the documents referenced herein,
contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or
written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement may not be amended orally, but only by an agreement in writing
signed by the parties hereto.
12.8 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
12.9 ARBITRATION, OTHER DISPUTES.
In the event of any dispute or controversy arising
under or in connection with this Agreement, the parties shall first promptly try
in good faith to settle such dispute or controversy by mediation under the
applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association before resorting to
arbitration. In the event such dispute or controversy remains unresolved in
whole or in part for a period of thirty (30) days after it arises, the parties
will settle any remaining dispute or controversy exclusively by arbitration in
the city in which Employer has its principal executive offices in accordance
with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court
having jurisdiction. All administration fees and arbitration fees shall be paid
solely by Employer. Notwithstanding the above, Employer shall be entitled to
seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to
prevent any continuation of any violation of section 8 or 9 hereof. The
prevailing party may recover attorneys' fees in any dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement
12.10 ASSIGNABILITY, BINDING NATURE
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of
the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive other than his rights
to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation
of law.
12.11 SURVIVAL
The respective rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall survive any termination of the Executive's employment to the
extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
12.12 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION
The headings of Sections in this Agreement are
provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or
interpretation. All references to "Section" or "Sections" refer to the
corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or
number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
word "including" does not limit the preceding words or terms.
12.13 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this
Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in
full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
12.14 COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same agreement. This Agreement (and all other agreements, documents,
instruments and certificates executed and/or delivered in connection herewith)
may be executed by facsimile signatures, each of which shall be deemed an
original copy of this Agreement (or other such agreement, document, instrument
and certificate).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS AGREEMENT RESTRICTS EXECUTIVE'S RIGHTS TO OBTAIN
OTHER EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE EMPLOYER. BY SIGNING
IT, EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THIS FACT, AND FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE
HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE EMPLOYER TO READ THE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY,
AND/OR TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL OF HIS CHOICE CONCERNING THE LEGAL
EFFECTS OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT, PRIOR TO SIGNING IT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
WITNESS: EMPLOYER:
STONEPATH GROUP INC.
---------------------------------
Signature
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
--------------------------------- Authorized Executive Officer
Print Name
---------------------------------
Address
---------------------------------
Address
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
SCHEDULE "A"
------------
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE TARGETS
-----------------------------
Failure of the Employer to achieve the following financial performance
targets will constitute a "For Cause" event within the context of the Employment
Agreement dated June 21, 2001 between Stonepath Group, Inc. (the "Employer") and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx ("Executive").
In order to constitute a "For Cause" event, the Employer must either
fail to achieve any one or more of the Annual Performance Targets identified
below:
Annual Performance Targets
--------------------------
1. By no later than March 30, 2002, the Employer shall have
completed the acquisition of one or more businesses whose
financial statements reflect for the year-ended December 31,
2001 income before taxes of at least $5.0 million, through a
combination of audited historical (for the periods prior to
the acquisition) and actual audited (for periods following the
acquisition).
2. For the year-ended December 31, 2002, the Employer reports net
income available to common stockholders before income taxes
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, of at least $12.2 million on its audited financial
statements included as a part of the Employer's Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
3. For the year-ended December 31, 2003, the Employer reports net
income available to common stockholders before income taxes
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, of at least $21.4 million on its audited financial
statements included as a part of the Employer's Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
4. For the year-ended December 31, 2004, the Employer reports net
income available to common stockholders before income taxes
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, of at least $25 million on its audited financial
statements included as a part of the Employer's Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
