AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.10
Execution Copy
AGREEMENT made and entered into by and between Xxxxxx-Xxxx Sports, Inc. (the “Company”
) and Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxxx (the “Executive”), as of the 9th day of July, 2007 (the
“Effective Date”).
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Company hereby offers, and the Executive hereby accepts, employment.
2. Term. Subject to earlier termination as hereafter provided, the Executive’s
employment hereunder shall be for a term of eighteen (18) months, commencing as of the Effective
Date, and shall automatically renew thereafter for successive terms of one year each. The term of
this Agreement, as from time to time renewed, is hereafter referred to as “the term of this
Agreement” or “the term hereof.”
3. Capacity and Performance.
(a) Commencing on the Effective Date, the Executive shall serve the Company as its Chief
Operating Officer (“COO”). In addition, and without further compensation, the Executive
shall serve as a director and/or officer of one or more of the Company’s Immediate Affiliates (as
defined in Section 12 hereof), if so elected or appointed from time to time. The Executive shall
report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”).
(b) During the term hereof, the Executive shall be employed by the Company on a full-time
basis. As COO, the Executive shall have the duties and responsibilities of that position and other
duties and responsibilities, reasonably consistent with that position, with respect to the business
operations of the Company and designated Immediate Affiliates, as assigned by the CEO or the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “ Board”) from time to time.
(c) Subject to business travel as necessary or desirable for the performance of the
Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, the Executive’s primary worksite during the term
hereof shall be at the location of the Company’s offices in Van Nuys, California as of the
Effective Date (the “Van Nuys Location”) or such other site as the Company may select from
time to time, provided such site is no more than thirty-five (35) miles from the Van Nuys Location
unless the Executive has expressly consented in writing thereto.
(d) During the term hereof, the Executive shall devote his full business time and best
efforts, business judgment, skill and knowledge exclusively to the advancement of the business and
interests of the Company and its Immediate Affiliates and to the discharge of his
duties and responsibilities hereunder. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive may engage
in passive management of his personal investments and in such community and charitable activities
as do not individually or in the aggregate give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise
interfere with his performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder. The Executive shall
not engage in any other business activity except with the express prior written approval of the
Board, it also being agreed that if the Board subsequently determines that any previously approved
activity does detract from the Executive’s performance or give rise to a conflict of interest, the
Executive shall cease such activity promptly following notice from the Company.
4. Compensation and Benefits. As compensation for all services performed by the
Executive under and during the term hereof and subject to performance of the Executive’s duties and
of the obligations of the Executive to the Company and its Affiliates, pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise:
(a) Base Salary. Initially during the term hereof, the Company shall pay the
Executive a base salary at the rate of Four Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000) per
annum, payable in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company for its executives and
subject to annual review by the compensation committee of the Board and to increase, but not
decrease, in the discretion of such committee or the Board. The Executive’s base salary, as from
time to time increased, is hereafter referred to as the “Base Salary.”
(b) Bonus Compensation. For each fiscal year completed during the term hereof, the
Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual bonus (“Annual Bonus”) under the
executive incentive plan then applicable to the Company’s executives, as in effect from time to
time. The Executive’s target bonus shall be sixty percent (60%) of the Base Salary. For fiscal
2007, the Executive’s Annual Bonus will be earned based on achievement of EBITDA and working
capital targets by the Company and any designated Affiliates and shall be pro-rated for the period
of his employment during the 2007 fiscal year, from the Effective Date. For fiscal 2007 only, the
Executive shall be guaranteed an Annual Bonus of not less than Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars
($75,000). Any Annual Bonus due to the Executive hereunder will be payable not later than two and
one-half months following the close of the fiscal year for which the bonus was earned or as soon as
administratively practicable thereafter, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, each as amended, (“Section 409A”). Except as
otherwise provided in Section 5 hereof, the Executive must be employed on the last day of the
fiscal year in order to be eligible to earn an annual bonus for that fiscal year.
(c) Equity Participation. The Executive will granted an award of 1,350,000 equity
units as promptly as reasonably practical following the Effective Date, which award shall be
subject to the terms of the agreement captioned “Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC Class B Common Unit
Certificate” (the “Unit Certificate “), which the Executive must execute in order to
receive the award, to the terms and conditions of the Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC 2006 Equity Incentive
Plan as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and to the terms of the Easton Xxxx Sports,
LLC Second and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as amended from time to time (the
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“LLC Agreement”). Any further equity awards granted the Executive thereunder shall be
at the discretion of the Board of Managers of Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC.
(d) Employee Benefit Plans. During the term hereof, the Executive shall be entitled
to participate in all “Employee Benefit Plans,” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA, including both health and welfare plans and retirement plans, from time to time in effect
for executives of the Company generally, except to the extent any of the Employee Benefit Plans is
duplicative of a benefit otherwise provided to the Executive under this Agreement (e.g., a
severance pay plan). The Executive’s participation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable
Employee Benefit Plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Participation in
certain Employee Benefit Plans is subject to completion of thirty (30) days of employment.
(e) Relocation and Temporary Housing and Travel Expenses.
(i) The Company will reimburse the reasonable relocation expenses incurred by the
Executive in relocating to the greater Los Angeles area, subject to the terms and conditions
of the Company’s relocation and expense reimbursement policies, as in effect from time to
time. Covered relocation expenses include packing and moving of household goods, certain
expenses associated with home purchase as specified in the applicable Company policy and
certain other related expenses associated with relocation of one household and up to three
vehicles from the Executive’s current primary residence to a new residence in the greater
Los Angeles area. In addition, the Company will pay the Executive in connection with and
subject to his relocation, a one-time lump sum of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000) to
cover moving incidentals and costs associated with selling the Executive’s current home,
with payment to be made in calendar 2007; provided, however, that in the event the Executive
resigns his employment pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, other than for Good Reason, prior to
July 8, 2008, he shall refund to the Company one-twelfth of that lump sum for each thirty
(30) day period that remains between the effective date of his resignation and July 8, 2008.
Reimbursable expenses do not include points paid to buy down the mortgage rate on the
Executive’s new home. Other exclusions or limitations may also apply. The Company will
make a gross-up payment to the Executive for income taxes he incurs as a result of
relocation reimbursement as well as for the one-time $65,000 payment described above (which
one-time payment shall be subject to withholding by the Company at the time of payment in
accordance with applicable law). The Executive’s relocation must be completed while
employment continues and no later than December 31, 2008, unless a later date is mutually
agreed prior to that date.
(ii) The Company will reimburse expenses incurred by the Executive for temporary
housing and travel to and from his current home, to a maximum reimbursement not to exceed
Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($2500) per month from the Effective Date from August 1,
2007 through the earlier of (i) the date the Executive has relocated his home and family to
the greater Los Angeles area and (ii) December 31, 2007. The Company also will reimburse
the expenses incurred by the Executive for a reasonable number of house-hunting trips for
himself and his family, with
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any trips in excess of three requiring prior approval to be provided at the Company’s
discretion. Should the Executive’s wife require assistance in her job search, the Company
will provide services, at its expense, through a local outplacement firm for resume
preparation and such contacts and networking opportunities as can reasonably be provided.
(f) Vacations. During the term hereof, from the Effective Date, the Executive shall
earn vacation at the rate of four (4) weeks per year, to be taken at such times and intervals as
shall be determined by the Executive, subject to the reasonable business needs of the Company and
with the approval of the CEO. Vacation shall be governed by the policies of the Company, as in
effect from time to time.
(g) Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all
reasonable, customary and necessary business expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in the
performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, subject to any maximum annual limit and
other restrictions on such expenses set by the Board and to such reasonable substantiation and
documentation as may be specified by the Company from time to time.
(h) Indemnification and Directors & Officers Insurance Coverage. During his
employment hereunder, the Company shall provide the Executive the same rights of indemnification
and contribution, and the same coverage under any directors and officers (“D&O”) liability
insurance which the Company elects to maintain, as it provides to its other executives and after
the termination of his employment hereunder, the same rights of indemnification and contribution
and the same coverage under any D&O liability insurance maintained as its other former executives.
The Company shall be under no obligation hereunder, however, to maintain any D&O liability
insurance.
(i) Sign-On Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible to receive a one-time sign-on
bonus in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), after the completion of thirty (30) days
of employment with the Company.
5. Termination of Employment and Post-Employment Payments. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 2 hereof, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate during the
term hereof under the following circumstances:
(a) Death. In the event of the Executive’s death during the term hereof, the
Executive’s employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate (the date on which
the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates being hereafter referred to as the “Date
of Termination”). In such event, the Company shall pay promptly to the beneficiary designated
by the Executive in writing on the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B or, if none
has been so designated, to his estate the Final Compensation (as defined in Section 12 hereof). In
addition to Final Compensation: (A) the Company shall pay to the beneficiary designated by the
Executive in writing or, if none, his estate, an Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date
of Termination occurs, determined by multiplying the Annual Bonus the Executive would have received
had he continued employment through the last day of the fiscal
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year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days he was employed during the
fiscal year, through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 (a “Final
Pro-Rated Bonus”), which Final Pro-Rated Bonus will be payable at the time annual bonuses are
paid to Company executives generally under its executive incentive plan, and (B) the Company will
pay the full premium cost of health and dental plan coverage for each of Executive’s qualified
beneficiaries until the earlier to occur of the conclusion of twelve (12) months from the Date of
Termination or the date the qualified beneficiary ceases to be eligible for coverage continuation
under COBRA; provided, however, that in order to be eligible for the Company’s
payments hereunder the qualified beneficiary must elect in a timely manner to continue coverage
under the Company’s health and dental plans under COBRA. Any equity in the LLC held by the
Executive on the Date of Termination shall be governed by the terms of the Unit Certificate, the
Plan and the LLC Agreement, as applicable. The Executive’s rights with respect to indemnification
shall be in accordance with Section 3(h) hereof.
(b) Disability.
(i) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon notice to the
Executive, in the event that the Executive becomes disabled during his employment through
any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature and,
as a result, is unable to perform, in any material respect, his duties and responsibilities
hereunder, notwithstanding the provision of any reasonable accommodation (exclusive of leave
of absence beyond that provided here), for one hundred and eighty (180) days during any
period of three hundred and sixty-five (365) consecutive calendar days. In the event of
such termination, and provided that the Executive satisfies in full all of the conditions
set forth in Section 5(h) hereof, then, in addition to Final Compensation, the Company shall
provide the Executive the following: (A) The Company will pay the Executive a Final
Pro-Rated Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, payable at the
time annual bonuses are paid to Company executives generally under its executive incentive
plan or, if later, on the tenth (10th) business day following the later of the
effective date of the Release of Claims, as defined in Section 5(h) below, or the date the
Release of Claims is received by the Chair of the Board on behalf of the Company; (B) the
Company will pay the full premium cost of health and dental plan coverage for Executive and
his qualified beneficiaries until the earlier to occur of the conclusion of twelve (12)
months or the date the Executive and his qualified beneficiaries cease to be eligible for
coverage continuation under COBRA; provided, however, that in order to be
eligible for the Company’s payments hereunder the Executive and each qualified beneficiary
must elect in a timely manner to continue coverage under the Company’s health and dental
plans under COBRA and (C) in the event that the Company had not provided the Executive the
opportunity to participate in a long-term disability insurance plan paid or provided by the
Company, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the Base Salary from the Date of
Termination until the expiration of six (6) months thereafter or, if earlier, until the date
the Executive recovers sufficiently from his illness or injury to resume work on a
substantially full-time basis (the “Recovery Date”), with payments commencing at the next
regular Company payday
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for executives which is at least five (5) business days following the later of the
effective date of the Release of Claims or the date the Release of Claims signed by the
Executive is received by the Chair of the Board, but with the first payment retroactive to
the day immediately following the Date of Termination or, in the event that any long-term
disability insurance plan paid or provided by the Company fails to provide the Executive
income replacement benefits equal to the Base Salary (or income replacement benefits not
subject to federal income tax which are equal to the Base Salary net of federal income tax),
the Company will pay the Executive the difference between the Base Salary and income
replacement benefits received (after giving effect to any tax savings of the Executive if
such benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax) until the earlier of the
expiration of six (6) months following the Date of Termination or the Recovery Date. Any
equity in the LLC held by the Executive on the Date of Termination hereunder shall be
governed by the terms of the Unit Certificate, the Plan and the LLC Agreement, as
applicable. The Executive’s rights with respect to indemnification shall be in accordance
with Section 3(h) hereof.
(ii) The Board may designate another employee to act in the Executive’s place during
any period of the Executive’s disability. Notwithstanding any such designation, the
Executive shall continue to receive compensation and benefits in accordance with Sections
4(a) through 4(d) of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any plans, policies,
agreements and other documents to which reference is made therein (collectively, the
“Plan Documents”) until the Executive becomes eligible for disability income
benefits under any disability plan in which he is a participant as a result of his
employment with the Company or until he recovers sufficiently to resume his duties and
responsibilities hereunder (provided he does so within the aforesaid one hundred and eighty
(180) days or such longer period as the Board in its discretion may provide) or until the
termination of his employment, whichever shall first occur. If, while his employment
hereunder continues, the Executive is receiving disability income benefits under any such
disability plan, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Base Salary reduced by the
amount of such disability income benefits (after giving effect to any tax savings of the
Executive if such benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax) and shall
continue to be eligible for payments and benefits in accordance with Sections 4(b) through
4(d) of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Plan Documents, until the earlier
to occur of his recovery or the termination of his employment under this Agreement.
(iii) If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is
disabled through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or
psychological nature so as to be unable to perform in any material respect his duties and
responsibilities hereunder, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall,
submit to a medical examination by a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive
or his duly appointed guardian, if any, has no reasonable objection to determine whether the
Executive is so disabled and such determination shall for the purposes of this Agreement be
conclusive of the issue. If such question shall arise
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and the Executive shall fail to submit to such medical examination, the Company’s
determination of the issue shall be binding on the Executive.
(c) By the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment
hereunder for Cause at any time upon notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the
nature of such Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall be limited to: (i) Executive’s
indictment, charge or conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, (A) a felony or any crime
involving fraud or material dishonesty or (B) any felony or crime involving moral turpitude that
might be reasonably expected to, or does, adversely effect the Company or any of its Affiliates;
(ii) Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct with regard to the Company or any of its
Affiliates, including but not limited to its Immediate Affiliates, which has a material adverse
impact on the Company or its Affiliates, whether economic or to reputation or otherwise; (iii)
Executive’s refusal or willful failure to substantially perform his duties or to follow a lawful
written directive of the Board or its designee within the scope of the Executive’s duties hereunder
which in either case remains uncured or continues after twenty (20) days’ written notice from the
Board which references the potential for a “for Cause” termination and specifies in reasonable
detail the nature of the refusal or willful failure which must be cured; (iv) Executive’s theft,
fraud or any material act of dishonesty related to the Company or any of its Affiliates; (v) any
representations or warranties of the Executive under this Agreement that there is no legal
impediment to employment, no disclosure of third party confidential information and no breach of
any existing employment agreement prove false in a material respect; provided that Executive has
been provided with written notification of any of the foregoing and has been given five (5) days to
present any mitigating, corrective or clarifying information to the Board; (vi) the Executive’s
breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including but not limited
to any breach or violation of those provisions of this Agreement setting forth the Executive’s
obligations with respect to confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation; or (vii) the
Executive’s breach of any other material provision of this Agreement unless corrected by the
Executive within twenty (20) days of the Company’s written notification to the Executive of such
breach. In the event of such termination, the Company shall have no obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement other than provision of Final Compensation. Any equity in the LLC held by the
Executive on the Date of Termination hereunder shall be governed by the terms of the Unit
Certificate, the Plan and the LLC Agreement, as applicable. The definition of “Cause” set forth in
this Section 5(c) shall supersede the definition of “Cause” in the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan if
the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan expressly provides for such supersession.
(d) By the Company other than for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment hereunder other than for Cause at any time upon notice to the Executive. In the event
of such termination, and provided that the Executive satisfies in full all of the conditions set
forth in Section 5(h) hereof, then, in addition to Final Compensation, the Executive, as
compensation for his satisfying of those conditions, shall be entitled to the following: (i) the
Company shall provide the Executive compensation for the period of eighteen (18) months following
the Date of Termination, with each monthly payment being equal to the sum of one-twelfth of the
Base Salary plus 1/12 of the Final Pro-Rated Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of
Termination occurs, but with such monthly payments during the final six
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(6) of the eighteen (18) months being reduced by the Executive’s income from other employment
or consulting services attributable to those months, such monthly payment to commence on the next
regular Company payday for its executives that is at least five (5) business days following the
later of the effective date of the Release of Claims or the date the Release of Claims, signed by
the Executive, is received by the Chair of the Board, but with the first payment being retroactive
to the day immediately following the Date of Termination; (ii) the Company will pay the full
premium cost of health and dental plan coverage for Executive and his qualified beneficiaries until
the earliest to occur of the conclusion of the period defined in clause (i) immediately above or
the date the Executive becomes eligible for participation in health and dental plans of another
employer or the date the Executive ceases to be eligible for participation under the Company’s
health and dental plans under COBRA; provided, however, that in order to be
eligible for the Company’s payments hereunder the Executive and each of his qualified beneficiary
must elect in a timely manner to continue coverage under the Company’s health and dental plans
under COBRA; and (iii) the Company, for the period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of
Termination, will pay the premium cost of continued coverage of the Executive under its group life
insurance plan or, if the Executive is not eligible for such participation after the Date of
Termination, will pay or reimburse the premium cost of an individual term life insurance policy for
the Executive with a face amount equal to the amount of coverage provided the Executive under the
Company’s group life insurance plan immediate prior to the Date of Termination, provided that the
Executive remains insurable at normal rates. Any equity in the LLC held by the Executive on the
Date of Termination shall be governed by the terms of the Unit Certificate, the Plan and the LLC
Agreement, as applicable. The Executive’s rights with respect to indemnification shall be in
accordance with Section 3(h) hereof.
(e) By the Executive for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder for Good Reason upon notice to the Company setting forth in reasonable detail the nature
of such Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, without the
Executive’s consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following events: (i) the Company’s
failure to retain the Executive as the Chief Operating Officer or a similar role with similar
duties and responsibilities and similar organizational stature; (ii) material breach of this
Agreement by the Company which is not cured within twenty (20) days after written notice from you
to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; (iii) any relocation of
the Executive’s primary worksite to a site that is more than thirty-five (35) miles from the Van
Nuys Location. For the avoidance of doubt, neither an assignment of the Executive to serve as a
director or officer of one or more of the Company’s Affiliates nor any termination of such service
shall constitute Good Reason for termination. In the event of termination in accordance with this
Section 5(e), and provided that the Executive satisfies in full all of the conditions set forth in
Section 5(h) hereof, then, in addition to Final Compensation, the Company shall provide the
Executive the same payments he would have received under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section
5(d) had his employment been terminated by the Company other than for Cause. Any equity in the LLC
held by the Executive on the Date of Termination shall be governed by the terms of the Unit
Certificate, the Plan and the LLC Agreement, as applicable. The Executive’s rights with respect to
indemnification shall be in accordance with Section 3(h) hereof.
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(f) By the Executive Other than for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his
employment hereunder at any time upon sixty (60) days’ notice to the Company. In the event of
termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 5(f), the Board may elect to
waive the period of notice, or any portion thereof, and, if the Board so elects, the Company will
pay the Executive his Base Salary for the initial sixty (60) days of the notice period (or for any
remaining portion thereof). The Company’s only other obligation to the Executive hereunder shall
be for Final Compensation, if any. Any equity in the LLC held by the Executive on the Date of
Termination hereunder shall be governed by the terms of the Unit Certificate, the Plan and the LLC
Agreement, as applicable.
(g) Termination Following a Change of Control
(i) In the event that there occurs a Change of Control, as defined in clause (g)(ii)
immediately below, and during the period commencing on the day immediately following the occurrence
of a Change of Control and ending twenty-four (24) months thereafter the Company terminates the
Executive’s employment hereunder other than for Cause in accordance with Section 5(d) or the
Executive terminates his employment hereunder for Good Reason in accordance with Section 5(e)
hereof and provided that the Executive satisfies in full all of the conditions set forth in Section
5(h) hereof, then, in addition to Final Compensation, the Executive, in lieu of any payment for
which he would have been eligible under Section 5(d) or Section 5(e) hereof, will be eligible for
(A) a single lump sum payment equal to eighteen (18) months of Base Salary, without offset for
other earnings; (B) a Final Pro-Rated Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination
occurs, payable at the time bonuses are paid generally; and (C) health and dental plan premium
payments (or, as applicable, reimbursements) on the same terms and conditions applicable in the
event of a termination other than for Cause or for Good Reason prior to a Change of Control.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, however, no payments shall be due hereunder until
five (5) business days following the later of the effective date of the Release of Claims or the
date the Release of Claims, signed by the Executive, is received by the Chair of the Board. The
Executive’s rights with respect to indemnification shall be in accordance with Section 3(h) hereof.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence, after the
Effective Date, of (a) any change in the ownership of the capital equity of Easton Xxxx Sports,
LLC, if, immediately after giving effect thereto, (A) the Investors (as defined below) and their
Affiliates will hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the number of Common Units held by
the Investors and their Affiliates as of the Effective Date or (ii) any Person (as defined in this
paragraph, below) other than the Investors and their Affiliates will hold, directly or indirectly,
greater than 50% of the number of outstanding Common Units of Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC; or (b) any
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC
(including, without limitation, by way of a merger or consolidation or through the sale of all or
substantially all of the stock or membership interests of its subsidiaries or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries, taken as a whole) to another Person (the “Change of Control Transferee”) if,
immediately after giving effect thereto, any Person (or group of Persons acting in
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concert) other than the Investors and their Affiliates will have the power to elect a majority of
the members of the board of managers or board of directors (or other similar governing body) of the
Change of Control Transferee. For purposes of this Section 5(g): A “Person” shall have the
meaning ascribed to that term in section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and “Investors” shall mean all Unit-holders of Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC as of the date
of this Agreement, including without limitation Fenway Partners, Inc., Teachers Private Capital,
York Street Capital Partners, American Capital Strategies Ltd., Antares Capital Corporation, Xxxx
Sports Holdings, LLC, Xxxx Sports 2001, LLC, Xxxx Sports 2001 Coinvestors, LLC and Xxxx Sports
2001 Investments, LLC.
(h) Conditions. The Executive’s eligibility to receive and retain any
“Post-Employment Payments” (meaning any and all payments provided under this Agreement in
connection with or following termination of employment, exclusive of Final Compensation) is subject
to full satisfaction of all of the following as well as the covenant of confidentiality set forth
in Section 7 below and the assignment of rights to Intellectual Property (as hereafter defined),
but with the express understanding and agreement of the parties that the Executive is free to elect
not to comply with clause (i) below and is free not to forbear from competition or solicitation as
set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) immediately below, but that his right to any
Post-Employment Payments under this Agreement is expressly conditioned on compliance with said
clause (i) and the forbearance required under all of said clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), as well as
his full satisfaction of the covenant of confidentiality and assignment of rights to Intellectual
Property. The conditions to receipt of the Post Employment Payments are as follows:
(i) The Executive’s execution and return, to the Chair of the Board, of a timely and
effective release of claims in the form attached hereto and marked Exhibit A
(“Release of Claims”). The Release of Claims creates legally binding obligations
and the Company therefore advises the Executive to consult an attorney before signing it.
(ii) Forbearance by the Executive for eighteen (18) months following termination of
the Executive’s employment with the Company from competition with the Company or any of its
Immediate Affiliates anywhere in the world where the Company or any of those Immediate
Affiliates is doing business, whether as owner, partner, investor, consultant, agent,
employee, co-venturer or otherwise. Specifically, but without limiting the foregoing, the
Executive shall not engage in any activity that is competitive, or is in preparation to
engage in competition, with the business of the Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates
as conducted or under consideration at any time during the Executive’s employment and
further the Executive shall not, in any capacity, whether as an employee, independent
contractor or otherwise, whether with or without compensation, work for, or provide services
to, any person or entity engaged in, or in preparation to engage in, any business that is
competitive with the business of the Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates, as
conducted or in planning during his employment. The foregoing, however, shall not be
breached solely by the Executive’s passive ownership of less than 3% of the equity
securities of any publicly traded company.
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(iii) Forbearance by the Executive for eighteen (18) months following termination of
his employment from any direct or indirect solicitation or encouragement of any of the
Customers of the Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates to terminate or diminish their
relationship with the Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates and from any direct or
indirect solicitation or encouragement of any of the Customers or Prospective Customers of
the Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates to conduct with himself or any other Person
(as defined in Section 12 hereof) any business or activity which such Customer or
Prospective Customer conducts or could conduct with the Company or any of its Immediate
Affiliates. For purposes of this Section 5(h), a Customer is a person or entity which was
such at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the Date of Termination and a
Potential Customer is a person or entity contacted by the Company or any of its Immediate
Affiliates to become such at any time within twelve (12) months prior to the Date of
Termination other than by general advertisement, provided, in each case, that the Executive
had contact with such Customer or Potential Customer through his employment or other
associations with the Company or had access to Confidential Information that would assist in
his solicitation of such Customer or Potential Customer in competition with the Company or
any of its Immediate Affiliates.
(iv) Forbearance by the Executive for eighteen (18) months following termination of
his employment with the Company from directly or indirectly hiring or otherwise engaging the
services of any employee, independent contractor or other agent providing services to the
Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates and from soliciting any such employee,
independent contractor or agent to terminate or diminish his/her/its relationship with the
Company or any of its Immediate Affiliates. For purposes of this Section 5(h), an employee,
independent contractor or agent means any Person who was performing services for the Company
or any of its Sports Affiliates in such capacity at any time during the twelve (12) months
immediately preceding the Date of Termination.
(i) Timing of Payments. If at the time of the Executive’s separation from service,
the Executive is a “specified employee,” as hereinafter defined, any and all amounts payable under
this Section 5 in connection with such separation from service that constitute deferred
compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (“Section
409A”), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and that would (but for this sentence)
be payable within six months following such separation from service, shall instead be paid on the
date that follows the date of such separation from service by six (6) months. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, “separation from service” shall be determined in a manner consistent with
subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) of Section 409A and the term “specified employee” shall mean an individual
determined by the Company to be a specified employee as defined in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of
Section 409A.
6. Effect of Termination. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply to any
termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, whether pursuant to Section 5 or
otherwise.
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(a) Provision by the Company of Final Compensation and Post Employment Payments, if any, to
which the Executive is entitled under the applicable termination provision of Section 5 shall
constitute the entire obligation of the Company to the Executive hereunder following termination of
his employment by the Company. The Executive shall promptly give the Company notice of all facts
necessary for the Company to determine the amount and duration of its obligations in connection
with any termination pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
(b) The Executive and his qualified beneficiaries may have a right to continue participation
in the Company’s health and dental plans in accordance with COBRA following termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive’s participation in all other Employee
Benefit Plans shall terminate pursuant to the terms of the applicable Plan Documents based on the
Date of Termination and, for the avoidance of doubt, no continuation of Base Salary or other
payment to the Executive following the Date of Termination shall serve to extend the Executive’s
employment with the Company or his eligibility, or that of his qualified beneficiaries, to
participate in any Employee Benefit Plans.
(c) Provisions of this Agreement shall survive any termination if so provided herein or if
necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of other surviving provisions, including without
limitation the conditions to receipt of Post Employment Payments set forth in Section 5(h) and the
obligations of the Executive under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive recognizes that, except
as expressly provided in Section 5(d), Section 5(e) or Section 5(f) (with respect to Base Salary
for any notice period waived) or Section 5(g), no compensation is earned after termination of
employment.
7. Confidential Information.
(a) The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop
Confidential Information (as defined in Section 12 hereof); that the Executive may develop
Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates; and that the Executive may learn of
Confidential Information during the course of employment. The Executive will comply with the
policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information
and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the
proper performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any
Confidential Information obtained by the Executive incident to his employment or other association
with the Company or any of its Affiliates. The Executive understands that this restriction shall
continue to apply after his employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.
(b) All documents, records, tapes and other media of every kind and description relating to
the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or any of its Affiliates and any copies, in
whole or in part, thereof (the “Documents”), whether or not prepared by the Executive, shall be the
sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive shall safeguard all
Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time his employment terminates, or at such
earlier time or times as the Board or its designee may specify,
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all Documents and all other property of the Company and its Affiliates then in the Executive’s
possession or control.
8. Assignment of Rights to Intellectual Property. The Executive shall promptly and
fully disclose all Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 12 hereof) to the Company. The
Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company (or as otherwise directed by the
Company) the Executive’s full right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property. The
Executive agrees to execute any and all applications for domestic and foreign patents, copyrights
or other proprietary rights and to do such other acts (including without limitation the execution
and delivery of instruments of further assurance or confirmation) requested by the Company to
assign the Intellectual Property to the Company and to permit the Company to enforce any patents,
copyrights or other proprietary rights to the Intellectual Property. The Executive will not charge
the Company for time spent in complying with these obligations. All copyrightable works that the
Executive creates during the course of his employment by the Company and which pertains to the
business of the Company or any of its Affiliates or is suggested by any work performed by the
Executive for the Company or any of its Affiliates or makes use of Confidential Information shall
be considered “work made for hire” and, upon creation, shall be owned exclusively by the Company or
its applicable Affiliate.
9. Restricted Activities. The Executive agrees that certain restrictions on his
activities during his employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information
and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates:
(a) While the Executive is employed by the Company, the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or
otherwise, compete with the Company or any of its Affiliates anywhere in the world or undertake any
planning for competition with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Specifically, but without
limiting the foregoing, the Executive agrees not to engage in any manner in any activity that is
directly or indirectly competitive or potentially competitive with the business of the Company or
any of its Affiliates as conducted or under consideration at any time during the Executive’s
employment or to provide services in any capacity to a Person which is a competitor of the Company
or any of its Affiliates.
(b) The Executive further agrees that, while he is employed by the Company, and excluding any
activities undertaken on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates in the course of his
duties, he will not hire or attempt to hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates;
assist in such hiring by any Person; encourage any such employee to terminate his or her
relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates; or solicit or encourage any customer of the
Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them; or solicit or
encourage any customer or potential customer or the Company or any of its Affiliates to conduct
with any Person any business or activity which such customer or potential customer conducts or
could conduct with the Company or any of its Affiliates.
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(c) The Executive agrees that during his employment by the Company he shall not publish any
work that disparages the Company or any of its Affiliates, their management or their business or
the Products.
10. Enforcement of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read
and considered all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed
upon him pursuant to Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof. The Executive agrees that those restraints are
necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its Affiliates and that each
and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and
geographic area. The Executive further acknowledges that, were he to breach any of the covenants
contained in Sections 7, 8 or 9 hereof, the damage to the Company and its Affiliates would be
irreparable. The Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to any other remedies
available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against any
breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any of said covenants, without having to post bond.
The parties further agree that, in the event that any provision of Section 7, 8 or 9 hereof shall
be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its being
extended over too great a time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of activities,
such provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent
permitted by law.
11. Conflicting Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that the
execution of this Agreement and the performance of his obligations hereunder will not breach or be
in conflict with any other agreement to which the Executive is a party or is bound and that the
Executive is not now subject to any covenants against competition or similar covenants or any court
order or other legal obligation that would affect the performance of his obligations hereunder.
The Executive will not disclose to or use on behalf of the Company any proprietary information of a
third party without such party’s consent.
12. Definitions. Words or phrases which are initially capitalized or are within
quotation marks shall have the meanings provided in this Section and as provided elsewhere herein.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Affiliates” means all persons and entities directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by or under common control with the entity specified, where control may be by management authority,
contract or equity interest.
(b) “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all information of the Company and its
Affiliates that is not generally known by those with whom the Company or any of its Affiliates
competes or does business, or with whom the Company or any of its Affiliates plans to compete or do
business, including without limitation (i) information related to the Products, technical data,
methods, processes, know-how and inventions of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the
development, research, testing, marketing and financial activities and strategic plans of the
Company and its Affiliates, (iii) the manner in which they operate, (iv) their costs and sources of
supply, (v) the identity and special needs of the customers and prospective customers of the
Company and its Affiliates and (vi) the persons and entities with whom the
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Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and the nature and substance of those
relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of
its Affiliates may receive or has received from customers, subcontractors, suppliers or others,
with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.
Confidential Information does not include information that enters the public domain, other than
through a breach by the Executive or another Person of an obligation of confidentiality to the
Company or one of its Affiliates.
(c) “Final Compensation” means (i) any Base Salary earned but not paid through the Date of
Termination, (ii) pay at the rate of the Base Salary for any vacation earned but not used through
the Date of Termination and (iii) any business expenses incurred by the Executive but un-reimbursed
on the Date of Termination, provided that such expenses and required substantiation and
documentation are submitted prior to or within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination and
that such expenses are reimbursable under Company policy.
(d) “Immediate Affiliates” of the Company are its direct and indirect parents and subsidiaries
and the other direct and indirect subsidiaries of its parents.
(e) “Intellectual Property” means any invention, formula, process, discovery, development,
design, innovation or improvement (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright
statutes) made, conceived, or first actually reduced to practice by the Executive solely or jointly
with others, during his employment by the Company; provided, however, that, as used in this
Agreement, the term “Intellectual Property” shall not apply to any invention that the Executive
develops on his own time, without using the equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret
information of the Company or any of the Sports Affiliates to which the Executive has access as a
result of his employment, unless such invention relates at the time of conception or reduction to
practice of the invention (i) to the business of the Company or such Sports Affiliate, (ii) to the
actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company or of any Sports
Affiliates to which the Executive has access as a result of his employment or (iii) results from
any work performed by the Executive for the Company.
(f) “Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association,
a partnership, an estate, a trust and any other entity or organization, other than the Company or
any of its Affiliates.
(g) “Products” means all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold,
licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company or any of its Affiliates,
together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during the
Executive’s employment.
13. Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be
reduced by any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.
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14. Assignment. Neither the Company nor the Executive may make any assignment of this
Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written
consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign its rights and obligations
under this Agreement without the consent of the Executive in the event the Company shall hereafter
effect a corporate reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any Person or transfer all or
substantially all of its properties or assets to any Person. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Executive, their respective successors,
executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.
15. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent
be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of
this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those
as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each
portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
16. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in
writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of either party to require the performance of
any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by either party of any breach of this
Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a
waiver of any subsequent breach.
17. Notices. Any and all notices, requests, demands and other communications provided
for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered in person,
consigned to a reputable national courier or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
registered or certified, and addressed to the Executive at his last known address on the books of
the Company or, in the case of the Company, to it c/o Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Fenway Partners, LLC, 000
X. 00xx Xx., 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 or to such other address as either party may specify by
notice to the other actually received.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties,
and supersedes all prior agreements whether written or oral, with respect to the Executive’s
employment and all related matters, including without limitation the offer letter dated July 9,
2007, signed by the CEO of the Company and by you.
19. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
signed by the Executive and by an expressly authorized representative of the Board.
20. Headings and Counterparts. The headings and captions in this Agreement are for
convenience only and in no way define or describe the scope or content of any provision of this
Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an
original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21. Governing Law. This is a California contract and shall be construed and enforced
under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of California, without regard to the
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conflict of laws principles thereof, and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include both the
statutory and common law of California, except to the extent preempted by federal law.
22. Conditions Precedent. The Executive’s employment by the Company is conditioned
on his timely completion of the Form I-9 and submission of documentation proving identity and
authorization to work in the United States.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Company, by its duly authorized
representative, and by the Executive, as of the date first above written.
| THE EXECUTIVE: | THE COMPANY: XXXXXX-XXXX SPORTS, INC. |
|||||||
/s/ XXXXXXX X’XXXXXXX
|
By: Name: |
/s/ XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
|
||||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President — Human Resources | |||||||
Easton Xxxx Sports, LLC shall be a party to this Agreement, but solely for the purposes of
Section 4(c) hereof.
| EASTON XXXX SPORTS, LLC | ||||||
| By: | /s/ XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
|
|||||
| Name: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Title: Senior Vice President — Human Resources |
||||||
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EXHIBIT A
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the benefits to be provided me in connection with the termination
of my employment, as set forth in the agreement between me and Xxxxxx-Xxxx Sports, Inc. (the
“Company”) dated as of July 9, 2007 (the “Agreement”), which are conditioned,
inter alia, on my signing this Release of Claims and to which I am not otherwise entitled, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,
I, on my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, beneficiaries,
representatives and assigns, and all others connected with me, hereby release and forever discharge
the Company and its Affiliates (as that term is defined in the Agreement) and all of their
respective past, present and future officers, directors, trustees, shareholders, employees, agents,
general and limited partners, members, managers, joint venturers, representatives, successors and
assigns, and all others connected with any of them (all of the foregoing, collectively, the
“Released”), both individually and in their official capacities, from any and all causes of
action, rights and claims of any type or description, known or unknown, which I have had in the
past, now have, or might now have, through the date of my signing of this Release of Claims,
including without limitation any causes of action, rights or claims in any way resulting from,
arising out of or connected with my employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates or the
termination of that employment or pursuant to any federal, state or local law, regulation or other
requirement, including without limitation Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the fair employment
practices laws of the state or states in which I have been employed by the Company or any of its
Affiliates, each as amended from time to time, (all of the foregoing, in the aggregate,
“Claims”)
In signing this Release of Claims, I expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits
afforded by Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, and do so understanding and
acknowledging the significance of such specific waiver of Section 1542, which Section states as
follows:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or
suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if
known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.
Thus, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1542, and for the purpose of implementing a full
and complete release and discharge of the Released, I expressly acknowledge that this Release of
Claims is intended to include in its effect, without limitation, all Claims which I do not know or
suspect to exist in my favor at the time of execution hereof, and that this Release of Claims
contemplates the extinguishment of all such Claims.
-19-
Excluded from the scope of this Release of Claims is (i) any claim arising under the terms of the
Agreement after the effective date of this Release of Claim and (ii) any right of indemnification
or contribution that I have pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or
any of its Sports Affiliates (as defined in the Agreement).
In signing this Release of Claims, I acknowledge my understanding that I may not sign it prior to
the termination of my employment, but that I may consider the terms of this Release of Claims for
up to twenty-one (21) days (or such longer period as the Company may specify) from the date my
employment with the Company terminates. I also acknowledge that I am advised by the Company and
its Affiliates to seek the advice of an attorney prior to signing this Release of Claims; that I
have had sufficient time to consider this Release of Claims and to consult with an attorney, if I
wished to do so, or to consult with any other person of my choosing before signing; and that I am
signing this Release of Claims voluntarily and with a full understanding of its terms.
I further acknowledge that, in signing this Release of Claims, I have not relied on any promises or
representations, express or implied, that are not set forth expressly in the Agreement. I
understand that I may revoke this Release of Claims at any time within seven (7) days of the date
of my signing by written notice to the Company c/o Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Fenway Partners, LLC., 000
X. 00xx Xx., 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, or to such other address as the Company party may
specify and that this Release of Claims will take effect only upon the expiration of such seven-day
revocation period and only if I have not timely revoked it.
Intending to be legally bound, I have signed this Release of Claims as of the date written below.
Signature: |
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Date Signed: |
||||
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EXHIBIT B
Designation of Beneficiary
Reference is made to the employment agreement between the undersigned and Xxxxxx-Xxxx Sports,
Inc. dated as of March 16, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement”). All capitalized terms not
defined on this form shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement.
I hereby designate the following person as my beneficiary to receive any Final Compensation
and any Final Pro-Rated Bonus under Section 5(a) of the Employment Agreement in the event of my
death during the term of the Employment Agreement:
Name of Beneficiary:
Social Security Number:
Date of Birth:
Relationship:
Current Address:
I understand that it is my obligation to inform the Company in writing of any change of address for
my designated beneficiary. I also understand that I may change my designated beneficiary at any
time by submission of a new form fully completed, signed by me and dated. The form with the latest
date shall govern in the event of my death.
Signature: |
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Date: |
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