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EXHIBIT 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 25th day of March, 1998, by and between Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx (the "Employee") and Atlantic Data Services, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation with a principal place of business at Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx,
XX 00000 (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Company believes it to be to its advantage that the
Employee renders services to the Company as hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, the Employee's senior managerial position requires that he or
she be trusted with confidential information and trade secrets of the Company
and that he or she develop a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of various
aspects of the Company's business;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and obligations herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Position and Responsibilities. The Employee agrees to serve
initially as Executive Vice President and Director of Operations of the Company.
The parties agree that such employment shall be full-time and on an "at-will"
basis, and that either the Employee or the Company may terminate the employment
relationship at any time, with or without cause, upon written notice to the
other party. The Employee shall initially report to, and his or her activities
shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of, the President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and the Employee shall exercise such
powers and comply with and perform, faithfully and to the best of his or her
ability, such directions and duties in relation to the business and affairs of
the Company as may from time to time be vested in or requested of him or her by
the President and Chief Operating Officer and shall use his or her best efforts
to improve and extend the business of the Company.
2. Compensation. The Company shall pay the Employee the following
compensation, including the following:
(A) Salary. In consideration of the services to be rendered by
the Employee to the Company, the Company will pay to the Employee a
monthly salary of $21,667 (the Employee's "base rate"). Such salary
shall be payable in conformity with the Company's customary practices
for executive compensation as such practices shall be established or
modified from time to time. Salary payments shall be subject to all
applicable federal and state withholding, payroll and other taxes.
(B) Fringe Benefits. The Employee will also be entitled to participate
on the same basis in the Company's standard benefits package generally
available for all other officers of the Company similarly situated. In
addition, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in the
Company's annual incentive bonus plan for officers, as approved by and
subject to the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.
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(C) Change of Control. If, upon a Change of Control (as
hereinafter defined), the Employee is (i) not offered employment by the
acquiring corporation in a comparable position, at a comparable salary
or (ii) the Company or the acquiring corporation terminates the
employment of the Employee, without Cause, within twelve months of the
consummation of a Change in Control, then the Company or the acquiring
corporation, as the case may be, shall be obligated to pay the Employee
a severance payment of twelve months' salary at the Employee's then
current base rate, payable in the same manner as such salary was
payable during the period of the Employee's employment. In the event
that the Employee elects to continue health insurance coverage in
accordance with the provisions of the Consolidated Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"), the Company shall continue to pay
for Employee's health insurance premium on the same terms and
conditions, and subject to the same rules and regulations applicable
thereto, as active Company employees for a period of twelve months from
the date of termination of Employee's employment with the Company.
Thereafter, the Employee shall be solely liable for the cost of such
premium. "For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall
have occurred if at any time during Employee's employment with the
Company any of the following events shall occur:
(i) The Company is merged or consolidated into or
with another corporation or other legal person, and as a result of such
merger or consolidation less than a majority of the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding securities of such surviving or resulting
corporation or person immediately after such transaction is held in the
aggregate by the holders of the then-outstanding securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors of the Company ("Voting
Stock") immediately prior to such transaction;
(ii) The Company sells all or substantially all of
its assets to any other corporation or other legal person, and after
such sale less than a majority of the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person immediately
after such sale is held in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock
of the Company immediately prior to such sale; or
(iii) There is a tender offer in which any "person"
(as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act) acquires the beneficial ownership of securities
representing a majority or more of the Voting Stock of the Company;
provided, however, that a "Change in Control" shall not be deemed to
have occurred for purposes of this Agreement solely because (i) the
Company, (ii) an entity in which the Company directly or indirectly
beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting securities, or (iii) any
Company-sponsored employee stock ownership plan or any other employee
benefit plan of the Company, either files or becomes obligated to file
a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D,
Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule,
form or report) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership
by it of shares of Voting Stock or because the Company
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reports that a change in control of the Company has occurred by reason
of such beneficial ownership.
(D) Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the
employment of the Employee at any time for "Cause". For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" means: (a) the Employee's conviction of any
crime (whether or not involving the Company) other than unintentional
motor vehicle felonies; (b) any intentional act of theft, fraud or
embezzlement by the Employee in connection with his work with the
Company; (c) Employee's continuing, repeated or willful failure or
refusal to perform his duties and services under this Agreement (other
than due to his incapacity due to illness or injury), or (d) the
Employee's violation of Section 3 of this Agreement.
If the Company terminates the Employee's employment for Cause
at any time (regardless of whether or not the Company experiences a
Change of Control), the Employee shall not be entitled to any
compensation or benefits following the date of such termination, other
than compensation and benefits required to be paid or provided by law
and payment of the Employee's normal post-termination benefits in
accordance with the Company's retirement, insurance and other benefit
plans and arrangements.
(E) Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate the
employment of the Employee at any time without Cause. If the Company
terminates the Employee's employment without Cause at any time, then
the Company shall be obligated to pay the Employee a severance payment
of twelve month's salary at the Employee's then current base rate,
payable in the same manner as such salary was payable, during the
period of the Employee's employment. In the event that the Employee
elects to continue health insurance coverage in accordance with the
provisions COBRA, the Company shall continue to pay for Employee's
health insurance premium on the same terms and conditions, and subject
to the same rules and regulations applicable thereto, as active Company
employees for a period of twelve months from the date of termination of
Employee's employment with the Company. Thereafter, the Employee shall
be solely liable for the cost of such premium.
3. Nondisclosure and Developments; Non-Solicitation.
(A) Nondisclosure. Employee will not at any time, whether
during or after his or her period of employment by the Company
("Employment Period") reveal to any person or entity any of the trade
secrets or confidential information concerning the organization,
business or finances of the Company or of any third party which the
Company is under an obligation to keep confidential (including but not
limited to trade secrets or confidential information respecting
inventions, products, designs, methods, know-how, techniques, systems,
processes, software programs, works of authorship, customer lists,
software, supplier lists, pricing, projects, plans and proposals),
except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing duties
as an employee of the Company, and Employee shall keep secret all
matters entrusted to him or her and shall not use or attempt to use any
such information in any manner which may injure or cause
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loss or may be calculated to injure or cause loss, whether directly or
indirectly, to the Company. Further, Employee agrees that during and
after the Employment Period he or she shall not make, use or permit to
be used any notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings,
sketches, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or
other materials of any nature relating to any matter within the scope
of the business of the Company or concerning any of its dealings or
affairs otherwise than for the benefit of the Company, it being agreed
that all of the foregoing shall be and remain the sole and exclusive
property of the Company, and that immediately upon the termination of
Employee's employment he or she shall deliver all of the foregoing, and
all copies thereof, to the Company, at its main office.
(B) Developments. If at any time or times during the
Employment Period, Employee shall (either alone or with others) make,
conceive, create, discover, invent or reduce to practice any invention,
modification, discovery, design, development, improvement, process,
software program, work of authorship, documentation, formula, data,
technique, know-how, trade secret or intellectual property right
whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not patentable or
registrable under copyright, trademark or similar statutes, including
but not limited to the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act, or subject to
analogous protection) (herein called "Developments") that (i) relates
to the business of the Company or any customer of or supplier to the
Company or any of the products or services being developed,
manufactured or sold by the Company or which may be used in relation
therewith, (ii) results from tasks assigned the Employee by the Company
or (iii) results from the use of premises or personal property (whether
tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company,
then:
(i) such Developments and the benefits thereof are
deemed works-made-for hire (if applicable) and shall immediately become
the sole and absolute property of the Company and its assigns, as works
made for hire or otherwise;
(ii) Employee shall promptly disclose to the Company
(or any persons designated by it) each such Development;
(iii) as may be necessary to ensure the Company's
ownership of such Developments, Employee hereby assigns any rights
(including, but not limited to, any patents, copyrights and trademarks)
he or she may have or acquire in the Developments and benefits and/or
rights resulting therefrom to the Company and its assigns without
further compensation; and
(iv) Employee shall communicate, without cost or
delay, and without disclosing to others the same, all available
information relating thereto (with all necessary plans and models) to
the Company.
(C) Further Assurances. Employee will, during and after the
Employment Period, at the request and cost of the Company, promptly
sign, execute, make and do all
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such deeds, documents, acts and things as the Company and its duly
authorized agents may reasonably require:
(i) to apply for, obtain, register and vest in the
name of the Company alone (unless the Company otherwise directs)
letters patent, copyrights, trademarks or other analogous protection in
any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to
renew and restore the same; and
(ii) to defend any judicial, opposition or other
proceedings in respect of such applications and any judicial,
opposition or other proceedings or petitions or applications for
revocation of such letters patent, copyright, trademark or other
analogous protection.
In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort,
to secure Employee's signature on any application for letters patent,
copyright or trademark registration or other documents regarding any
legal protection relating to a Development, whether because of
Employee's physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason
whatsoever, Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the
Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his or her agent
and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Employee's behalf and stead to
execute and file any such application or applications or other
documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the
prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or trademark
registrations or any other legal protection thereon with the same legal
force and effect as if executed by Employee.
(D) Non-Solicitation. For a period of two (2) years after any
termination of employment with the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary, Employee will not, directly or indirectly,
(i) solicit for employment or employ, or permit any
other company or business organization which is directly or indirectly
controlled by Employee to solicit for employment or employ, any person
who is employed by the Company, or in any manner assist any person or
entity in soliciting for employment or hiring any employee of the
Company, or otherwise seek to induce any such employee to leave his or
her employment with the Company; or
(ii) solicit any of the Company's then current
customers, or permit any other company or business organization which
is directly or indirectly controlled by Employee to solicit any such
customers, or in any manner assist any person or entity in soliciting
such customers of the Company, or otherwise seek to induce any such
customer to terminate its business relationship with the Company.
(E) Specific Performance. Employee agrees that any breach of
this Section 3 by Employee will cause irreparable damage to the Company
and that in the event of such breach the Company shall have, in
addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an
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injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent
the violation of Employee's obligations hereunder.
4. Consent and Waiver by Third Parties. The Employee hereby represents
and warrants that he or she has obtained all waivers and/or consents from third
parties which are necessary to enable him or her to enjoy employment with the
Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein and to execute and perform
this Agreement without being in conflict with any other agreement, obligation or
understanding with any such third party. The Employee represents that he or she
is not bound by any agreement or any other existing or previous business
relationship which conflicts with, or may conflict with, the performance of his
or her obligations hereunder or prevent the full performance of his or her
duties and obligations hereunder.
5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement, the
employment relationship contemplated herein and any claim arising from such
relationship, whether or not arising under this Agreement, shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without reference to its conflicts of law principles, and this
Agreement shall be deemed to be performable in Massachusetts. Any legal action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be instituted in
either the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the United States
District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and Employee hereby
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such action or
proceeding, and Employee expressly consents to personal jurisdiction and venue
in any such action.
6. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Agreement for any reason shall be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall
be construed and reformed to the maximum extent permitted by law.
7. Waivers and Modifications. This Agreement may be modified, and the
rights, remedies and obligations contained in any provision hereof may be
waived, only in accordance with this Section 7. No waiver by either party of any
breach by the other or any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of
any later or other breach thereof or as a waiver of any other provision of this
Agreement. This Agreement sets forth all of the terms of the understandings
between the parties with reference to the subject matter set forth herein and
may not be waived, changed, discharged or terminated orally or by any course of
dealing between the parties, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the
party against whom any waiver, change, discharge or termination is sought.
8. Assignment. The Employee acknowledges that the services to be
rendered by him or her hereunder are unique and personal in nature. Accordingly,
the Employee may not assign any of his or her rights or delegate any of his or
her duties or obligations under this Agreement. The rights and obligations of
the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be
binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company.
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9. Acknowledgments. The Employee hereby acknowledges and recognizes
that the enforcement of any of the provisions in this Agreement may potentially
interfere with the Employee's ability to pursue a proper livelihood. The
Employee represents that he or she is knowledgeable about the business of the
Company and further represents that he or she is capable of pursuing a career in
other industries to earn a proper livelihood. The Employee recognizes and agrees
that the enforcement of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement are
necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business,
trade secrets and goodwill of the Company.
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter set forth herein and
supersedes and cancels all agreements, written or oral, made prior to the date
hereof between the Employee and the Company relating to employment, salary,
bonus, or other compensation of any description, equity participation, pension,
post-retirement benefits, severance or other remuneration.
11. Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
delivered in person or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, addressed as follows:
If to the Company, to: Atlantic Data Services, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
If to the Employee, at the Employee's address set forth on the
signature page hereto.
12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13. Section Headings. The descriptive section headings herein have been
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to define, limit, or
otherwise affect the construction of any provision hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first above written as an instrument under seal.
ATLANTIC DATA SERVICES, INC. EMPLOYEE:
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx /s/ Xxxxx X Xxxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
0 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
