EXHIBIT 10.34
EMPLOYMENT AND NON-INTERFERENCE AGREEMENT
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This Employment and Non-Interference Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998
(this "Agreement"), by and between Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx (the "Executive") and
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Crystaloid Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and a
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wholly-owned subsidiary of Xxxxxxx Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Parent");
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W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, the Company wishes to obtain the future services of the Executive
for the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing, upon the terms and conditions herein set
forth, to provide services hereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure the Executive's non-interference,
upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Nature of Employment
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Subject to Section 3, the Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive
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agrees to accept such employment, during the Term of Employment (as defined in
Section 3(a)), as Vice President-Operations of the Company and to undertake such
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duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to Executive from time
to time by the Board of Directors of the Company or the appropriately authorized
and designated officers of the Company or the Parent.
2. Extent of Employment
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(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall perform his
obligations hereunder faithfully and to the best of his ability at the principal
executive offices of the Company, under the direction of the Board of Directors
of the Company, and shall abide by the rules, customs and usages from time to
time established by each of the Parent and the Company.
(b) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall devote all of his
business time, energy and skill as may be reasonably necessary for the
performance of his duties,
responsibilities and obligations hereunder (except for vacation periods and
reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity), consistent with past
practices and norms in similar positions.
(c) Nothing contained herein shall require Executive to follow any
directive or to perform any act which would violate any laws, ordinances,
regulations or rules of any governmental, regulatory or administrative body,
agent or authority, any court or judicial authority, or any public, private or
industry regulatory authority (collectively, the "Regulations"). Executive
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shall act in good faith in accordance with all Regulations.
3. Term of Employment; Termination
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(a) The "Term of Employment" shall commence on the date hereof and shall
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continue for a term of two years. Should the Executive's employment by the
Company be earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or by the Executive
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pursuant to Section 3(c), the Term of Employment shall end on the date of such
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earlier termination.
(b) Subject to the payments contemplated by Section 3(e), the Term of
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Employment may be terminated at any time by the Company:
(i) upon the death of Executive;
(ii) in the event that because of physical or mental disability
Executive is unable to perform, and does not perform, substantially all of
his duties hereunder for a continuous period of ninety (90) days, or an
experienced, recognized physician specializing in such disabilities
certifies as to the foregoing in writing;
(iii) for Cause (as defined in Section 3(d));
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(iv) upon the continuous poor or unacceptable performance of the
Executive's duties to the Company, in the sole judgment of the Board of
Directors of the Company, which has remained uncured for a period of thirty
(30) days after delivery of notice by the Company to the Executive of such
dissatisfaction with Executive's performance; or
(v) for any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no
reason is required.
Executive acknowledges that no representations or promises have been made
concerning the grounds for termination or the future operation of the Company's
business, and that nothing contained herein or otherwise stated by or on behalf
of the Company modifies or amends the right of the Company to terminate
Executive at any time, with or without Cause. Termination shall become
effective upon the delivery by the Company to the Executive of notice specifying
such termination and the reasons therefor (i.e., Section 3(b)(i)-
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(v)), subject to the requirements for advance notice and an opportunity to cure
provided in this Agreement, if and to the extent applicable.
(c) Subject to the payments contemplated by Section 3(e), the Term of
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Employment may be terminated at any time by the Executive:
(i) upon the death of Executive;
(ii) in the event that because of physical or mental disability
Executive is unable to perform, and does not perform substantially all of
his duties hereunder for a continuous period of ninety (90) days, or an
experienced, recognized physician specializing in such disabilities
certifies as to the foregoing in writing;
(iii) as a result of a material reduction in Executive's authority,
perquisites, salary, position or responsibilities (other than such a
reduction which affects all of the Company's senior executives on a
substantially equal or proportionate basis) or the Company's willful,
material violation of its obligations under this Agreement, in each case,
after thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company and its Board of
Directors and the Company's failure thereafter to cure such reduction or
violation; or
(iv) voluntarily or for any reason not referred to in clauses (i)
through (iii), or no reason, in each case, after ninety (90) days prior
written notice to the Company.
(d) For the purposes of this Section 3:
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"Cause" shall mean any of the following: (i) Executive's commission of any
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crime or criminal offense involving the unlawful theft or conversion of
substantial monies or other property or any other felony (other than a criminal
offense arising solely under a statutory provision imposing criminal liability
on the Executive on a per se basis due to the offices held by the Executive),
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including fraud or embezzlement, in each case upon a determination by the
Company that such a crime has been committed; (ii) Executive's breach of any of
his fiduciary duties to the Company or its stockholders or making of a willful
misrepresentation or omission which breach, misrepresentation or omission would
reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the business, properties,
assets, condition (financial or other) or prospects of the Parent or the
Company; (iii) Executive's willful, continual and material neglect or failure to
discharge his duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by Sections 1
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and 2 (other than arising solely due to physical or mental disability); (iv)
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Executive's habitual drunkenness or substance abuse which materially interferes
with Executive's ability to discharge his duties, responsibilities or
obligations prescribed by Sections 1 and 2; (v) Executive's willful and material
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breach of any non-competition or confidentiality agreement with the Company,
including without limitation, those set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this
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Agreement; and (vi) Executive's gross neglect of his duties and
responsibilities, as determined by the Company.
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(e) In the event Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section
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3(b)(i), 3(b)(ii), 3(b)(v), 3(c)(i), 3(c)(ii) or 3(c)(iii), the Company will pay
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to Executive (or his estate or representative) the full amounts to which he
would be entitled under Section 4(a) and customary benefits for the period from
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the date of termination to the first anniversary of such termination. In the
event Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 3(b)(iv), the
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Company will pay to Executive the full amounts to which he would be entitled
under Section 4(a) and customary benefits for the period from the date of
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termination until thirty (30) days after the date of such termination. In the
event Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 3(b)(iii) or
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3(c)(iv), there will be no amounts owing by the Company to the Executive under
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Section 4 or any other provision of this Agreement, from and after the date of
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termination. If the Company makes any payments required by this Section 3(e),
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such payments will constitute severance and liquidated damages, and the Company
will not be obligated to pay any further amounts to Executive under this
Agreement or otherwise be liable to Executive in connection with his
termination.
(f) All determinations pursuant to this Section 3 (other than pursuant to
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Section 3(b)(ii) or 3(c)(ii)) shall be made by the Company's Board of Directors,
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in its sole discretion, whose decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.
(g) Termination of the Term of Employment will not terminate the parties'
respective obligations under Sections 7, 8, 10 through 20, or any other
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provisions not associated specifically with the Term of Employment.
(h) In the event the Term of Employment is terminated and the Company is
obligated to make payments pursuant to Section 3(e), Executive will not be
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obligated to seek or obtain alternative employment; provided, however, if he
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nevertheless thereafter obtains alternative employment, then if and to the
extent Executive obtains such employment, the Company's payment obligations
under Section 3(e), including its obligation to provide insurance coverage, if
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any, will be mitigated and reduced by and to the extent of Executive's
compensation under such alternative employment during the period for which
payments are owed by the Company pursuant to Section 3(e). Moreover, in the
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event that, after the Restricted Period pursuant to Section 8(a), Executive is
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employed by or engaged in a Competitive Business as contemplated by Section
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8(a)(i), then the Company will thereupon cease and will be no longer obligated
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to make any payments otherwise required under Section 3(e).
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(i) In the event the Term of Employment is terminated and the Company is
obligated to make payments pursuant to Section 3(e), Executive hereby waives any
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and all claims against the Company, the Parent and their respective officers,
directors, employees, agents, or representatives, stockholders and affiliates
relating to his employment during the term hereof and this Agreement.
4. Compensation. During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay
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compensation to Executive as base compensation for his services hereunder, in
bi-weekly
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installments per annum, a base salary at a rate of $90,000 per annum. Such
amounts may be adjusted annually at the discretion of the Company based upon an
annual review of Executive's performance by the Company which will take place on
or about September 1 of each year.
5. Reimbursement of Expenses
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During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for
documented travel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by
Executive in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder and, in
each case, in accordance with the rules, customs and usages promulgated by the
Company from time to time in effect.
6. Benefits
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During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to
perquisites, paid vacations and benefits (including health, short and long term
disability, pension and life insurance benefits consistent with past practice,
or as increased from time to time) established from time to time, by the Board
of Directors for executives of the Company, subject to the policies and
procedures in effect regarding participation in such benefits.
7. Confidential Information
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(a) Executive acknowledges that his employment hereunder gives him access
to Confidential Information relating to the Company's Business and its customers
which must remain confidential. Executive acknowledges that this information is
valuable, special, and a unique asset of the Company's Business, and that it has
been and will be developed by the Company at considerable effort and expense,
and if it were to be known and used by others engaged in a Competitive Business,
it would be harmful and detrimental to the interests of the Company. In
consideration of the foregoing and this Agreement, Executive hereby agrees and
covenants that, during and after the Term of Employment, Executive will not,
directly or indirectly in one or a series of transactions, disclose to any
person, or use or otherwise exploit for the Executive's own benefit or for the
benefit of anyone other than the Company, any Confidential Information (as
defined in Section 9), whether prepared by Executive or not; provided, however,
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that any Confidential Information may be disclosed to officers, representatives,
employees and agents of the Company who need to know such Confidential
Information in order to perform the services or conduct the operations required
or expected of them in the Business (as defined in Section 9). Executive shall
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use his best efforts to prevent the removal of any Confidential Information from
the premises of the Company, except as required in his normal course of
employment by the Company. Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to cause all persons or entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be
disclosed by him hereunder to observe the terms and conditions set forth herein
as though each such person or entity was bound hereby. Executive shall have no
obligation hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential Information if and to
the extent disclosure of any thereof is specifically required by law;
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provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by applicable law,
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the Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement,
prior to making any disclosure, so that the Company may seek an appropriate
protective order. At the request of the Company, Executive agrees to deliver to
the Company, at any time during the Term of Employment, or thereafter, all
Confidential Information which he may possess or control. Executive agrees that
all Confidential Information of the Company (whether now or hereafter existing)
conceived, discovered or made by him during the Term of Employment exclusively
belongs to the Company (and not to Executive). Executive will promptly disclose
such Confidential Information to the Company and perform all actions reasonably
requested by the Company to establish and confirm such exclusive ownership.
(b) The terms of this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this
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Agreement regardless of who terminates this Agreement, or the reasons therefor.
8. Non-Interference
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(a) Executive acknowledges that the services to be provided give him the
opportunity to have special knowledge of the Companies and its Confidential
Information and the capabilities of individuals employed by or affiliated with
the Company and that interference in these relationships would cause irreparable
injury to the Company. In consideration of this Agreement, Executive covenants
and agrees that:
(i) From the date hereof through the date that is 24 months after the
termination of the Term of Employment (the "Restricted Period"), Executive
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will not, without the express written approval of the Board of Directors of
the Company, anywhere in the Market, directly or indirectly, in one or a
series of transactions, own, manage, operate, control, invest or acquire an
interest in, or otherwise engage or participate in, whether as a
proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee,
joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, customer, agent, representative
or other participant, in any business which competes, directly or
indirectly, with the Business in the Market ("Competitive Business")
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without regard to (A) whether the Competitive Business has its office,
manufacturing or other business facilities within or without the Market,
(B) whether any of the activities of the Executive referred to above occur
or are performed within or without the Market or (C) whether the Executive
resides, or reports to an office, within or without the Market; provided,
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however, that (x) the Executive may, anywhere in the Market, directly or
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indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, invest or acquire an
interest in up to one percent (1%) of the capital stock of a corporation
whose capital stock is traded publicly, or that (y) Executive may accept
employment with a successor company to the Company.
(ii) During the Restricted Period (which shall not be reduced by any
period of violation of this Agreement by Executive or period which is
required for litigation to enforce the rights hereunder), Executive will
not without the express prior written
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approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (A) directly or
indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, recruit, solicit or
otherwise induce or influence any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender,
director, officer, employee, sales agent, joint venturer, investor, lessor,
supplier, customer, agent, representative or any other person which has a
business relationship with the Company or had a business relationship with
the Company within the 24 month period preceding the date of the incident
in question, to discontinue, reduce or modify such employment, agency or
business relationship with the Company, or (B) employ or seek to employ or
cause any Competitive Business to employ or seek to employ any person or
agent who is then (or was at any time within 24 months prior to the date
the Executive or the Competitive Business employs or seeks to employ such
person) employed or retained by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from providing a letter of
recommendation to an employee with respect to a future employment
opportunity.
(iii) The scope and term of this Section 8 would not preclude
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Executive from earning a living with an entity that is not a Competitive
Business.
(b) In the event that Executive breaches his obligations in any material
respect under Section 7 or this Section 8, the Company, in addition to pursuing
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all available remedies under this Agreement, at law or otherwise, and without
limiting its right to pursue the same shall cease all payments to the Executive
under this Agreement or any other agreement.
(c) The terms of this Section 8 shall survive the termination of this
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Agreement regardless of who terminates this Agreement, or the reasons therefor.
9. Definitions
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"Business" means any business conducted, or engaged in, by the Companies
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prior to the date hereof or at any time during the Term of Employment.
"Cause" is defined in Section 3(c).
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"Companies" means Parent and its successors or any of its direct or
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indirect subsidiaries (including the Company), now or hereafter existing.
"Company" is defined in the introduction.
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"Competitive Business" is defined in Section 8(a)(i).
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"Confidential Information" means any confidential information including,
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without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software storage media or
other compilation of information, patent, patent application, copyright,
trademark, trade name, service xxxx,
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service name, "know-how", trade secrets, customer lists, details of client or
consultant contracts, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or
strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans
or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas,
discoveries, designs, computer programs (including source of object codes),
processes, procedures, formulas, improvements or other proprietary or
intellectual property of the Companies, whether or not in written or tangible
form, and whether or not registered, and including all files, records, manuals,
books, catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans, reports, records,
documents and other evidence thereof. The term "Confidential Information" does
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not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to,
information that becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure by the Executive not permissible hereunder.
"Executive" means Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx or his estate, if deceased.
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"Market" means any county in the United States of America and each similar
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jurisdiction in any other country in which the Business was conducted by or
engaged in by the Companies prior to the date hereof or is conducted or engaged
in, or is proposed to be conducted or engaged in, by the Companies at any time
during the Term of Employment.
"Parent" is defined in the introduction.
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"Regulations" is defined in Section 2(c).
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"Restricted Period" is defined in Section 8(a)(i).
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"Term of Employment" is defined in Section 3(a).
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10. Notice
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Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted to
be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and if delivered
personally, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
as follows (or to such other addressee or address as shall be set forth in a
notice given in the same manner):
If to Executive: _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
If to Company: Crystaloid Technologies, Inc.
c/x Xxxxxxx Products, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Xxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Any such notices shall be deemed to be given on the date personally delivered or
such return receipt is issued.
11. Previous Agreements; Executive's Representation
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(a) Executive hereby cancels, voids and renders without force or effect
any previous employment or severance agreement by and between Executive and the
Company.
(b) Executive hereby warrants and represents to the Company that Executive
has carefully reviewed this Agreement and has consulted with such advisors as
Executive considers appropriate in connection with this Agreement, and is not
subject to any covenants, agreements or restrictions, including without
limitation any covenants, agreements or restrictions arising out of Executive's
prior employment which would be breached or violated by Executive's execution of
this Agreement or by Executive's performance of his duties hereunder.
12. Other Matters
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Executive agrees and acknowledges that the obligations owed to Executive
under this Agreement are solely the obligations of the Company, and that none of
the Companies' stockholders, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives,
agents or lenders will have any obligations or liabilities in respect of this
Agreement and the subject matter hereof.
13. Validity
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If, for any reason, any provision hereof shall be determined to be invalid
or unenforceable, the validity and effect of the other provisions hereof shall
not be affected thereby.
14. Severability
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Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable
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law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this
Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein. If any court determines that any provision of Section 8 or any other
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provision hereof is unenforceable and therefore acts to reduce the scope or
duration of such provision, the provision in its reduced form shall then be
enforceable.
15. Waiver of Breach; Specific Performance
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The waiver by the Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any other breach of such other party. Each of the parties (and third party
beneficiaries) to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its respective
rights under this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its
favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be
an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 of this
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Agreement and that any party (and third party beneficiaries) may in its sole
discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance and/or injunctive relief, including temporary restraining
orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions in order to enforce or
prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement.
16. Assignment; Third Parties
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Neither the Executive nor the Company may assign, transfer, pledge,
hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or any of his or
its respective rights or obligations hereunder, without the prior written
consent of the other. The parties agree and acknowledge that each of the
Companies and the stockholders and investors therein are intended to be third
party beneficiaries of, and have rights and interests in respect of, Executive's
agreements set forth in Sections 7 and 8.
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17. Amendment; Entire Agreement
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This Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in
writing 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 in respect of the
subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and replaces all prior
Agreements, understandings and commitments with respect to such subject matter.
18. Litigation
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THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED, APPLIED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, EXCEPT THAT NO DOCTRINE OF
CHOICE OF LAW SHALL BE USED TO APPLY
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ANY LAW OTHER THAN THAT OF MISSOURI, AND NO DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM OR RIGHT OF
SET-OFF GIVEN OR ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION, OR
ARISING OUT OF THE ENACTMENT, MODIFICATION OR REPEAL OF ANY LAW, REGULATION,
ORDINANCE OR DECREE OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION, BE INTERPOSED IN ANY ACTION
HEREON. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE
OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE COMMENCED IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
MISSOURI OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. EXECUTIVE
AND THE COMPANY CONSENT TO SUCH JURISDICTION, AGREE THAT VENUE WILL BE PROPER IN
SUCH COURTS AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS BASED UPON FORUM NON CONVENIENS. THE CHOICE
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OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 18 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE
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ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SAME IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
19. Further Action
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Executive and the Company agree to perform any further acts and to execute
and deliver any documents which may be reasonable to carry out the provisions
hereof.
20. Counterparts
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This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands as of the day
and year first written above.
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
CRYSTALOID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
XXXXXXX PRODUCTS, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
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