Exhibit 10.10
[METABOLIX LOGO] 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
WHERE NATURE PERFORMS(TM) Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 XXX
Tel: 000.000.0000 . Fax: 000-000-0000
Web: xxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx
September 18, 2006
Johan van Walsem
c/o Metabolix, Inc.
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Dear Johan:
This letter is to confirm our understanding with respect to your employment
by Metabolix, Inc. (the "Company"). The terms and conditions agreed to in this
letter are hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement". This Agreement amends and
restates your Employment Agreement dated May 1, 2006. In consideration of the
mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
mutually acknowledged, we have agreed as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT.
(a) GENERAL. The Company will employ you, and you will be employed by
the Company, as the Vice President, Manufacturing, Development and
Operations of the Company, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, and
you shall have the responsibilities, duty and authority commensurate with
that position. You will also perform such other and/or different services
for the Company as may be assigned to you from time to time. You agree that
if your employment hereunder ends for any reason, you will tender your
resignation to the Company.
(b) DEVOTION TO DUTIES. While you are employed hereunder, you will
use your best efforts, skills and abilities to perform faithfully all
duties assigned to you pursuant to this Agreement and will devote your full
business time and energies to the business and affairs of the Company.
While you are employed hereunder, you will not undertake any other
employment from any person or entity without the prior written consent of
the Company.
2. EMPLOYMENT AT WILL. Your employment hereunder will be on an "at-will"
basis and may be terminated by the Company or by you at any time for any reason
or for no reason.
3. COMPENSATION.
(a) BASE SALARY. While you are employed hereunder, the Company will
pay you a base salary at the annual rate of $16,666.66 per month
(annualized at $200,000.00) (the
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 2
"Base Salary"). This Base Salary is effective July 1, 2006, and may be
subject to upward (but not downward) adjustment from time to time in the
discretion of the Company. The Company will deduct from each monthly salary
payment all amounts required to be deducted or withheld under applicable
law or under any employee benefit plan in which you participate.
(b) BONUSES. In addition to the foregoing, the Company on or before
December 31, 2006, will establish a formalized bonus scheme and pay you an
annual bonus (a "Bonus") in an amount to be determined by the Company's
Compensation Committee. The amount will be based on several criteria,
including the financial condition of the Company and its overall
performance for the year, but will be strongly influenced by your
contributions toward the achievement of established corporate goals and
objectives, as well as other contributions that add recognizable value to
the Company. The present target for executive bonuses is 50% of Base Salary
(the "Target Bonus"). This Target Bonus will be subject to revision from
time to time by the Compensation Committee. In order to receive an annual
bonus, you must be employed at the time of a timely payment, which will be
paid on or before March 15 of the year following the year in which it is
earned.
(c) EQUITY COMPENSATION. The Company, in the Board's sole discretion,
may from time to time grant to you stock options, restricted stock or other
forms of equity compensation pursuant to the Metabolix, Inc. 2005 Stock
Plan or any other authorized stock plan in effect at the time.
(d) VACATION. You will be entitled to paid vacation and paid
holidays, accrued and used in accordance with the Company's policies as
currently in effect. All vacation days will be taken at times mutually
agreed by you and the Company and will be subject to the business needs of
the Company.
(e) FRINGE BENEFITS. You will be entitled to participate in employee
benefit plans which the Company provides or may establish for the benefit
of its senior executives generally (for example, group life, disability,
medical, dental and other insurance, retirement, pension, profit-sharing
and similar plans) (collectively, the "Fringe Benefits"). Your eligibility
to participate in the Fringe Benefits and receive benefits thereunder will
be subject to the plan documents governing such Fringe Benefits. Nothing
contained herein will require the Company to establish or maintain any
Fringe Benefits.
4. TERMINATION.
(a) GENERAL. As an at-will employee, your employment may be
terminated at any time for any reason or for no reason. Upon termination,
unless otherwise specifically provided herein, you shall be eligible only
to receive (i) the portion of your Base Salary as has accrued prior to such
termination and has not yet been paid, (ii) an amount equal to the value of
your accrued unused vacation days, and (iii) reimbursement for expenses
properly incurred by you on behalf of the Company prior to such termination
if such expenses are properly documented in accordance with Company policy
and practice and submitted for
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 3
reimbursement within thirty (30) days of the termination date
(collectively, the "Accrued Obligations"). Such amounts will be paid
promptly after termination in accordance with applicable law.
(b) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR WITH GOOD REASON. Except as provided
in Section 4(c) hereof, in the event that your employment is terminated by
the Company without Cause or by you with Good Reason (each, as defined
below), in addition to the Accrued Obligations, and contingent on your
provision of a timely and complete release of claims against the Company,
you shall be entitled to receive continuation of your Base Salary in effect
at the time of termination for the period of twelve (12) months following
the termination. To the extent required by Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the first installment of
such Base Salary in the amount of six (6) months' Base Salary shall be
payable on the first business day following the six (6) month anniversary
of the effective date of termination, and the remainder shall be payable in
accordance with the Company's regular payroll procedures thereafter. If
Section 409A of the Code is not then applicable, such Base Salary
continuation shall commence immediately from the date of termination. In
addition, should the award of a Bonus have become customary, you shall be
entitled to a payment equal to the average of the Bonuses paid to you (if
any) in the two years preceding the termination, to be paid (A) on the
first business day following the six (6) month anniversary of the effective
date of termination, to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, or
(B) if Section 409A of the Code is not then applicable, within thirty (30)
days following the termination. In addition to the foregoing, you shall be
entitled to receive payment of COBRA premiums to maintain medical and
dental benefits, if any, in effect at the time of termination for the
period of twelve (12) months following the termination.
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR WITH GOOD REASON BEFORE OR AFTER A
CHANGE OF CONTROL.
(i) In the event that your employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause or by you for Good Reason (each, as defined below)
within the twenty-four (24) month period immediately following or the two
month period immediately prior to a Change of Control (as defined below),
in addition to the Accrued Obligations, and contingent on your provision of
a timely release of claims against the Company, you shall be entitled to
receive:
(A) continuation of your Base Salary in effect at the
time of termination for the period of twelve (12) months following the
termination. To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, the first
installment of such Base Salary in the amount of six (6) months' Base
Salary shall be payable on the first business day following the six (6)
month anniversary of the effective date of termination, and the remainder
shall be payable in accordance with the Company's regular payroll
procedures thereafter. If Section 409A of the Code is not then applicable,
such Base Salary continuation shall commence immediately from the date of
termination.
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 4
(B) In addition, should the award of a Bonus have
become customary, you shall be entitled to a payment equal to the average
of the Bonuses paid to you (if any) in the two years preceding the
termination, to be paid (A) on the first business day following the six (6)
month anniversary of the effective date of termination, to the extent
required by Section 409A of the Code, or (B) if Section 409A of the Code is
not then applicable, within thirty (30) days following the termination.
(C) continued payment of COBRA premiums to maintain
medical and dental benefits, if any, in effect at the time of termination
for the period of twelve (12) months following the termination; and
(D) full vesting of all options and restricted stock
granted to you under the Metabolix Inc. 1995 Stock Plan, the Metabolix Inc.
2005 Stock Plan or any authorized successor stock plan provided that the
conditions to vesting other than the passage of time have been satisfied.
(ii) You agree that the payments and benefits hereunder, and
under all other contracts, arrangements or programs that apply to you (the
"Company Payments"), shall be reduced to an amount that is one dollar less
than the amount that would trigger an excise tax under Section 4999 of the
Code, as determined in good faith by the Company's independent public
accountants, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the reduction shall occur only if the
reduced Company Payments received by you (after taking into account further
reductions for applicable federal, state and local income, social security
and other taxes) would be greater than the unreduced Company Payments to be
received by you minus (i) the excise tax payable with respect to such
Company Payments under Section 4999 of the Code; and (ii) all applicable
federal, state and local income, social security and other taxes on such
Company Payments. You and the Company agree to cooperate in good faith with
each other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings
concerning the existence or amount of golden parachute penalties with
respect to payments or benefits that you receive.
(d) "CAUSE". As used herein, "Cause" shall be defined as (i) your
conviction for, or plea of nolo contendere, to a felony or a crime
involving moral turpitude, (ii) your commission of a material act of
personal dishonesty or a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit
in connection with your employment by the Company, (iii) your commission of
an act which the Board of Directors shall reasonably have found to have
involved willful misconduct or gross negligence on your part in the conduct
of your duties under this Agreement, (iv) your habitual absenteeism, (v)
your material breach of any material provision of this Agreement continuing
for thirty days after your receipt of written notice thereof from the
Company, or (vi) the willful and continued failure by you to perform
substantially your duties with the Company (other than any such failure
resulting from your incapacity due to physical or mental illness).
(e) "CHANGE OF CONTROL". As used herein, a "Change of Control" shall
occur or be deemed to have occurred only upon any one or more of the
following events:
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 5
(i) a merger or consolidation of the Company other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of
the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity or the parent of such
corporation) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity or parent of such corporation outstanding immediately after
such merger or consolidation;
(ii) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(iii) any one person, entity or group, who is not a shareholder
at time of execution of this Agreement, acquires ownership of capital
stock of the Company that, together with the capital stock of the
Company already held by such person, entity or group, constitutes more
than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the
capital stock of the Company; provided, however, if any one person,
entity or group is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair
market value or total voting power of the capital stock of the
Company, the acquisition of additional capital stock by the same
person, entity or group shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control,
and further provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed a Change
of Control if the average stock price paid for each share of stock
held by the person, entity or group is less than $8.00/share (provided
that such price shall be adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock
dividend, stock split, or recapitalization of the Company after the
date of this agreement).
(f) "Good Reason" shall be defined as, in the absence of a cure by
the Company within 30 days after written notice by you to the Board, a (i)
a change in title of Vice President, Manufacturing, Development and
Operations, (ii) a material diminution of responsibilities, duties or
powers, (iii) a reduction in Base Salary, Target Bonus, vacation or other
benefits, except that benefits need only be substantially equivalent, or
(iv) a requirement that you relocate your principal place of employment to
(or that you travel more than 50 days in any calendar year to the Company's
principal place of business in) a location more than 50 miles from its
current location in Cambridge, Massachusetts, PROVIDED THAT you must
provide the Company with at least thirty (30) days advance written notice
of your intent to terminate your employment hereunder and an opportunity to
cure.
5. NONCOMPETITION, NONDISCLOSURE AND INVENTIONS OBLIGATIONS. Your
Employee Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement dated September
25, 2001, as amended May 1, 2006, shall continue in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms.
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 6
6. DISCLOSURE TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS. You will provide, and the Company, in
its discretion, may similarly provide, a copy of the covenants contained in The
Employee Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement to any business
or enterprise which you may, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
finance, join, control or in which you may participate in the ownership,
management, operation, financing, or control, or with which you may be connected
as an officer, director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative,
consultant or otherwise.
7. REPRESENTATIONS. You hereby represent and warrant to the Company that
you understand this Agreement, that you enter into this Agreement voluntarily
and that your employment under this Agreement will not conflict with any legal
duty owed by you to any other party.
8. GENERAL.
(a) NOTICES. All notices, requests, consents and other communications
hereunder which are required to be provided, or which the sender elects to
provide, in writing, will be addressed to the receiving party's address set
forth above or to such other address as a party may designate by notice
hereunder, and will be either (i) delivered by hand, (ii) sent by overnight
courier, or (iii) sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid. All notices, requests, consents and other
communications hereunder will be deemed to have been given either (i) if by
hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the
address of such party set forth above, (ii) if sent by overnight courier,
on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the
courier service, or (iii) if sent by registered or certified mail, on the
fifth business day following the day such mailing is made.
(b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with any Stock Option
Agreements executed by you and the Company (either prior to or in
conjunction with this Agreement), the Employee Noncompetition,
Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement and the other agreements
specifically referred to herein, embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, including without
limitation the Employment Agreement between you and the Company dated May
1, 2006. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of
any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement will affect, or be used
to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
(c) MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. The terms and provisions of this
Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement executed by
the parties hereto.
(d) WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. The terms and provisions of this Agreement
may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by
written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such
terms or provisions. No such waiver or consent
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 7
will be deemed to be or will constitute a waiver or consent with respect to
any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, whether or not similar.
Each such waiver or consent will be effective only in the specific instance
and for the purpose for which it was given, and will not constitute a
continuing waiver or consent.
(e) ASSIGNMENT. The Company may assign its rights and obligations
hereunder to any person or entity that succeeds to all or substantially all
of the Company's business or that aspect of the Company's business in which
you are principally involved or to any Company Affiliate. You may not
assign your rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the Company and any such attempted assignment by you
without the prior written consent of the Company will be void.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
the parties hereunder will be construed in accordance with and governed by
the law of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of law
principles thereof.
(g) JURISDICTION, VENUE AND SERVICE OF PROCESS. Any legal action or
proceeding with respect to this Agreement will be brought in the courts of
Massachusetts or of the United States of America for the District of
Massachusetts. By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the
parties hereto accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally
and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.
(h) SEVERABILITY. The parties intend this Agreement to be enforced as
written. However, if any portion or provision of this Agreement is to any
extent declared illegal or unenforceable by a duly authorized court having
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, will not be affected thereby, and
each portion and provision of this Agreement will be valid and enforceable
to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(i) HEADINGS AND CAPTIONS. The headings and captions of the various
subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and
will in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the
terms or provisions hereof.
(j) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. You represent that you are knowledgeable about
the business of the Company and further represent that you are capable of
pursuing a career in other industries other than the Field (as defined in
the Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement) to earn a
proper livelihood. You recognize and agree that the enforcement of the
Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement is necessary to
ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business, trade
secrets and goodwill of the Company. You agree that, due to the proprietary
nature of the Company's business, the restrictions set forth in the
Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Inventions Agreement are reasonable as to
time and scope.
Johan van Walsem
September 18, 2006
Page 8
(k) TAXES. All payments required to be made by the Company to you
under this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts
for taxes and other payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably
determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with
the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, and this Agreement shall be
construed and applied in a manner consistent with this intent. In the event
that any severance payments or benefits hereunder are determined by the
Company to be in the nature of nonqualified deferred compensation payments,
you and the Company hereby agree to take such actions as may be mutually
agreed to ensure that such payments or benefits comply with the applicable
provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the official guidance issued
thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee
the tax treatment or tax consequences associated with any payment or
benefit arising under this Agreement.
(l) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts,
each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing accurately sets forth our agreement, please so indicate by
signing and returning to us the enclosed copy of this Agreement.
Very truly yours,
Metabolix, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President & CEO
ACCEPTED AND APPROVED:
/s/ Johan Van Walsem 9/21/06
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Johan van Walsem Date
