1
EXHIBIT 10.4
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the 11th day of September, 1996, to be effective as of September 11, 1996, (the
"effective" date) by and between Continucare Corporation, a Florida corporation
("Company"), and Business Development Resources, Inc., a Florida corporation
(the "Consultant").
RECITALS
A. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") believes
that the Consultant can contribute its expertise and services to the growth and
success of the Company.
B. The Board has determined that this Consulting Agreement will
reinforce and encourage the Consultant's devotion of its expertise and services
to the Company.
C. The Consultant is willing to make its services and expertise
available to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
D. In consideration for this Agreement, and as a material
inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and as part of the
merger of the Company, Consultant is willing to enter into certain restrictions
regarding the ownership of stock in the Company as hereinafter set forth.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
1. Appointment of Consultant; Supervision. The Company appoints
the Consultant and the Consultant accepts appointment upon the terms and
subject to the conditions provided in this Agreement as a consultant to the
Company's business, including any other corporations or other entities
hereafter formed or acquired by the Company to engage in such business. The
activities of the Consultant to be performed under this Agreement shall be
subject to the supervision of the Chairman of the Board and the Board and the
policies of the Board in effect from time to time.
2. Duties of Consultant. The Consultant shall render consulting
services to the Company as reasonably requested by the Company and as agreed to
by the Consultant from time to time with respect to business development and
acquisitions. The Consultant shall render its services in adherence to the
Compliance Program of the Company and all applicable state and federal laws.
The Consultant shall make periodic reports to the Board and senior management
of the Company with respect to the consulting services provided hereunder. The
Consultant shall (i) give the Company the benefit of its special knowledge,
skill, contacts and business expertise, (ii) keep reasonably informed as to the
operations of the Company's business, and (iii) promote the Company's financial
welfare.
2.1 Performance of Duties of Consultant. All services performed by
Consultant shall be performed by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, or a designee approved in
writing by the Company, prior to the appointment of such designee.
3. Other Terms and Benefits. The Company acknowledges and agrees
that (i) the Consultant shall devote as much time as requested by the Company
to the affairs of the Company in accordance with Section 2 and (ii) subject to
material compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Consultant shall
2
have the right to be employed by or render consulting services to other
persons, or engage in the business of consulting for its own account, so long
as it does not compete with the business of the Company.
4. Reimbursement of Expenses; Independent Contractor. The
Company agrees to provide appropriate office space to the Consultant at a
location in South Florida chosen by the Company. All expenses incurred by the
Consultant in the performance of its duties under and during the term of this
Agreement shall be for the account of, on behalf of, and at the expense of, the
Company only if approved in writing by the Company prior to the time that the
expenses are incurred. The Consultant shall not be obligated to make any
advances to or for the account of the Company or to pay any sums nor shall the
Consultant be obligated to incur any liability or obligation for the account of
the Company. The Consultant shall be an independent contractor, and nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to (i) create a
partnership or joint venture between the Company or any of its Affiliates and
the Consultant or any of his Affiliates, or (ii) constitute the Consultant as
an employee, officer or agent of the Company or any other entity. The
Consultant agrees to file all tax returns and pay all taxes arising out of his
payments pursuant to this Agreement and to indemnify the Company for any
failure on his part to do so.
5. Consulting Fee. As compensation for the services to be
performed hereunder, the Company shall pay the Consultant, semi-monthly, at a
rate of Three Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand and No/Cents Dollars [$332,000.00]
per annum.
5.1 Cost of Living Increase. Commencing September 11, 1997, and
each Anniversary Date thereafter during the Term, the Consulting Fee shall be
increased, but shall not be decreased, by that percentage by which the Consumer
price Index (All Items less Shelter), Urban Wage earners and Clerical Workers,
for the Miami, Florida area published by the United States government (the
"Index") for the immediately preceding calendar year exceeds such Index for the
next preceding calendar year. If publication of the Index is discontinued, the
parties hereto shall accept comparable statistics on the cost of living for the
Miami, Florida area as computed and published by an agency of the United States
government or, if no such agency computes and publishes such statistics, by any
regularly published national financial periodical that does compute and publish
such statistics.
6. Term. This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date
and shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the Initial
Term. Upon termination of this Agreement, all materials in the Consultant's
possession which contain Confidential Information (as defined in Section 7
below), and all other materials or equipment of the Consultant, shall be
returned to the Company, whether or not such Confidential Information or other
materials or equipment were developed by the Company or by the Consultant in
connection with the performance of his services hereunder.
6.1 Renewal. The Company agrees to give Consultant ninety (90)
days notice prior to renewal of this agreement.
7. Protection of Confidential Information; Non-Competition. The
Consultant agrees that his services hereunder are of a special, unique,
extraordinary and intellectual character, and his position with the Company
places the Consultant in a position of confidence and trust with partners,
customers, suppliers and consultants of the Company. The Consultant further
acknowledges that the performance of the Consultant's duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement may require the disclosure to the
Consultant of confidential information and trade secrets of the Company (such
as, without limitation, strategies, projections, marketing plans, budgets and
policies). The Consultant and the Company agree that, in the course of
engagement hereunder, the Consultant will continue to develop a personal
relationship with the Company's partners, suppliers and customers and a
knowledge of such partners', suppliers' and customers' affairs and requirements
which may constitute the Company's primary and only contact with such partners,
suppliers or
-2-
3
customers. The Consultant consequently agrees that it is reasonable and
necessary for the protection of the goodwill and business of the Company that
the Consultant make the covenants contained herein and that the covenants are
given as an integral part of and incident to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. Accordingly, the Consultant agrees as follows:
(a) Trade Secrets. The Consultant agrees not to reveal
to any person, association or company, or use or otherwise exploit for the
Consultant's own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Company,
whether during or after the termination of the Consultant's duties as a
Consultant, any of the Confidential Information (as defined below) concerning
the organization, business or finances of the Company or any of its affiliates
so far as they have come or may come to the Consultant's knowledge at any time,
except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing the Consultant's
duties as a consultant of the Company, and the Consultant shall keep secret all
matters entrusted or known to the Consultant and shall not use or attempt to
use any such Confidential Information in any manner which may injure or cause
loss or may be calculated to injure or cause loss whether directly or
indirectly to the Company or its affiliates. "Confidential Information" shall
include, without limitation, any patent applications, "know-how," trade
secrets, customer lists, details of the Company's financial or other
information, consulting contracts, pricing policies, operational methods
specific to the Company, marketing plans or strategies specific to the Company,
product development techniques or plans, procurement and sales activities,
promotion and pricing techniques, credit, financial and other data concerning
customers, business acquisition plans or any portion or phase of any scientific
or technical information, ideas, discoveries, designs, computer programs
(including source or object codes), processes, procedures, formulas or
improvements of the Company, whether or not in written or tangible form, and
whether or not registered, and including all memoranda, notes, plans, reports,
records, documents and other evidence thereof.
(b) Non-Competition. While providing services as
described in this Agreement to the Company, and for a period of two years
following the termination of Consultant's Agreement hereunder, (other than a
termination without cause, as contemplated in Section 8.1 hereof), the
Consultant shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in or have any interest in
any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any other
person or entity (whether as an employee, officer director, partner, agent
security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) that directly or indirectly
engages primarily in the healthcare business (the "Business") in competition
with the Company or its "affiliates" (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 as
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or
otherwise similar to the business of the Company and its affiliates in Florida
or in any other state in which the Company and/or its affiliates are conducting
business at the time of termination.
(c) Equitable Relief. The Consultant agrees that the
restrictions contained in this Agreement, including this Section 7, are
reasonable and necessary protections of the legitimate interests of the
Company, that any breach of this Agreement by the Consultant could cause
irreparable damage to that in the event of such breach the Company shall have,
in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an injunction,
specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent the violation of the
Consultant's obligations hereunder without the necessity of posting a bond.
(d) Independent Covenant. The provisions of this Section
7 are deemed an independent agreement, valid consideration for which is
acknowledged and received by the Consultant, and will be enforceable regardless
of any breach by the Company of the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) Survival. The obligations of the Consultant under
this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Termination.
8.1 Termination Without Cause By The Company. The Company shall
at all times have the right to terminate the Consultant's engagement without
cause upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Consultant; however, the
Company agrees to pay to the Consultant the remainder of its Consulting Fee,
consisting of the Initial Term, as described in Section 5, on a semi-monthly
basis through the end of the Initial Term.
8.2 Termination For Cause By The Consultant. The Company shall,
at all times, have the right upon written notice to the Consultant, to
terminate the Consultant's employment hereunder for "Cause" (as hereinafter
defined). For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean
subject to Section 2 of this Agreement (i) the willful failure or refusal of
the Consultant to perform the duties or render the services assigned to him
from time to time by the Company; (ii) the conviction of the Consultant, or
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx,
-3-
4
in connection with a felony; (iii) the association, directly or indirectly of
the Consultant, or Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, for his profit or financial benefit, with
any person, firm, partnership association, entity or corporation that competes
in any material way with the Company; (iv) the disclosing or using of any
material trade secret or confidential information of the Company at any time by
the Consultant except as required in connection with his duties to the Company;
(v) failure of the Consultant to adhere to the Compliance program of the
Company and all applicable state and federal laws (vi) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx fails to
own 100% of the outstanding shares of the Consultant with anyone other than
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, (vii) the death or catastrophic disability of Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, or (viii) the breach by the Consultant of the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and the failure of the Consultant to cure such breach within
five (5) days written notice to the Consultant. Upon any termination pursuant
to this Section 8, the Consultant shall be entitled to the compensation
referred to in Section 5 above to the date of termination, and the Company
shall have no further liability hereunder, subject, however, to the provisions
of Section 4.
8.3 Termination By The Consultant. The Consultant shall, at all
times, have the right to terminate the Consultant's engagement hereunder upon
180 days' prior written notice to the Company. Upon any termination pursuant
to this Section 8.3, the Consultant shall be entitled to the compensation
referred to in Section 5 above to the date of termination, and the Company
shall have no further liability hereunder, subject however, to the provisions
of Section 4.
9. Severability. The parties hereby agree that each provision
herein shall be treated as a separate and independent clause, and the
unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforceability of
any of the other clauses herein. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively
broad as to scope, activity or subject so as to be unenforceable at law, such
provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by
limiting and reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the extent
compatible with the applicable law as it shall then be in effect.
10. Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall constitute an original but all of which shall constitute
but one and the same instrument. One or more counterparts of this Agreement
may be delivered via telecopier, with the intention that they shall have the
same effect as an original counterpart hereof.
12. Assignment. Consultant may not assign, transfer, pledge,
encumber or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or any of its respective rights
or obligations hereunder, without the written consent of the Company which may
be denied in the absolute discretion of the Company. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns and persons
acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or stock or
otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
13. Amendment; Entire Agreement. This Agreement may not be
changed orally but only by an agreement in writing making specific reference to
this Agreement and agreed to by the party against whom enforcement of any
waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought. This Agreement
embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and replaces
all prior agreements and replaces all prior agreements, understandings and
commitments with respect to such subject matter.
14. Litigation. All disputes arising in connection with this
Agreement shall be finally settled under the Rules of the American Arbitration
Association (the "Rules") by three (3) arbitrators appointed in accordance with
said Rules. Any such arbitration shall be held pursuant to the laws of the
State of Florida unless the parties hereto mutually agree in writing upon some
other location for arbitration. The arbitrators shall not be empowered to
award punitive, exemplary and/or consequential damages to any party. There
shall be no consolidation of this arbitration with any other dispute or
proceeding involving third parties. The provisions of this Agreement shall
prevail in case of inconsistency between the Rules and this Agreement.
15. Stock. As further consideration for the company's appointment
of the Consultant, the Consultant agrees that Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx will not sell an
amount of stock of the Company in excess of eighty thousand (80,000) shares
within any thirty (30) day period of time. If Company is sold, merged or upon
a change of control, or subsequent public offering, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx will be
subject to the same rights and restrictions as a founding shareholder or insider
under SEC rules.
-4-
5
16. Notices. All notices, demands, consents, approvals and
requests given by either party to the other hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses:
If to the Company: If to the Consultant:
Continucare Corporation Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 0000 X. X. 000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000 North Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Any party may at any time change its or his respective address by sending
written notice to the other party of the change in the manner hereinabove
prescribed.
17. Access to Records. In the event any governmental agency or
its duly authorized representative is entitled to access to any books,
documents, papers and records of the Consultant involving transactions
pertaining to this Agreement, the Consultant agrees to make the same available
for inspection in accordance with the terms and requirements of applicable laws
and regulations.
18. Indemnification. The Consultant agrees to indemnify and
hold the Company harmless from any claims, liabilities, judgments, losses,
costs, penalties, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
suffered or incurred by the Company as a result of the services provided by the
Consultant hereunder (the "Damages"). The Company shall have the right to
offset the Damages against the payments due to the Consultant hereunder.
19. Attorneys' Fees. In the event that a suit for the
collection of any damages resulting from or for the injunction of any action
constituting a breach of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, then
the prevailing party shall pay all reasonable costs, fees (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) and expenses of the non-prevailing party.
20. Non Waiver. The failure by any party to exercise any
right, remedy or elections herein contained or permitted by law shall not
constitute or be construed as a waiver or relinquishment for the future
exercise of such right, remedy or election, but the same shall continue and
remain in full force and effect.
-5-
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
CONTINUCARE CORPORATION
By /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
Continucare Corporation
By /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx By /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Personally as to Section 15, Stock President
----- Business Development Resources
-6-
