AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.93
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of this 17th day of April 2002 (this “Agreement”), by and between I. C. Xxxxxx & Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the “Executive”). I.C. Xxxxxx & Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation and parent of the Company (“Xxxxxx”), also joins in this Agreement for the limited purposes set forth in Section 4.B.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, the Company entered into a certain Executive Employment Agreement with the Executive dated May 15, 1997, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated August 27, 1998, Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated February 11, 1999, Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated January 3, 2000, Amendment No. 4 to Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated March 31, 2001, and Amendment No. 5 to Employment Agreement dated January 2, 2002 (collectively, the “Employment Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and the Executive has agreed to accept continued employment with the Company on the terms and conditions herein set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend and restate the Employment Agreement as follows.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises made herein, the parties hereby agree to amend and restate the Employment Agreement as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby employs the Executive as its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President and agrees to continue the Executive in that position during the term of this Agreement.
2. Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of April 17, 2002 (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue until May 15, 2006 (the “Employment Period”). Thereafter, this Agreement shall renew automatically for a one (1) year period on each subsequent Renewal Date (as hereinafter defined), subject to the right of either party to terminate this Agreement as of any
Renewal Date upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party. The “Renewal Date” shall be May 15th of any fiscal year under this Agreement.
3. Base Salary. The Executive’s base salary for fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003 shall be Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) and Four Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000), respectively. The Executive’s base salary for the remainder of the Employment Period shall be at the rate of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000) per annum. For purposes of this Agreement, “fiscal year” shall mean calendar year. The Executive’s base salary shall be paid throughout the year in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company.
4. Incentive Compensation; Stock Options.
A. In addition to his base salary and to the extent that Xxxxxx has Net Income (as hereinafter defined) in excess of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in any fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2002), during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, within ninety (90) days after the end of such fiscal year if the Executive is still employed with the Company, incentive compensation in an amount equal to six and one-half percent (6.5%) of such excess (the “Incentive Compensation”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Net Income” shall refer to Xxxxxx’ annual net income (after interest, depreciation and amortization, but before income taxes and any Incentive Compensation) as reported on the annual consolidated Statement of Operations for Xxxxxx, the Company and any other subsidiaries of Xxxxxx.
B. Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2002) in which Xxxxxx shall have Net Income of at least Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), Xxxxxx shall grant the Executive a non-qualified stock option to purchase Fifty Thousand (50,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Xxxxxx (the “Common Stock”) under the 1997 Omnibus Stock Option Plan of Xxxxxx, as amended, or such other stock option plan of Xxxxxx as is then in effect (the “Option”) at a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock (as determined in accordance with terms of the applicable stock option plan) on the date the Option is granted to the Executive (the “Grant Date”). Such Option shall be fully-vested and immediately exercisable by the Executive as of the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Option with respect to any fiscal year only if he shall have been continuously employed by the Company under this Agreement from the Effective Date through the last day of such fiscal year.
5. Other Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall also be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under all of the Company’s benefit plans, programs, arrangements and practices, including pension, disability, and group life, sickness, accident or health insurance programs, if any, as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company for the benefit of executive employees serving in similar capacities with the Company (and/or its affiliates), in accordance with the terms of such plans, as amended
2
by the Company from time to time; it being understood that there is no assurance with respect to the establishment of such plans or, if established, the continuation of such plans during the term of this Agreement.
6. Duties.
A. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall serve as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, have such powers and shall perform such duties as are incident and customary to his office, including those described in the Company’s By-Laws (as amended from time to time), and shall perform such other additional executive and administrative duties and functions commensurate with such position as from time to time shall be assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Executive shall perform such additional duties and functions without separate compensation, unless otherwise authorized by the Board.
B. The Executive shall devote his full time, attention, skill, and energy to the performance of his duties under this Agreement, and shall comply with all reasonable professional requests of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive will be permitted to engage in and manage personal investments and to participate in community and charitable affairs, so long as such activities do not interfere with his duties under this Agreement.
7. Vacation and Sick Leave.
A. The Executive shall be entitled to a total of four (4) weeks of vacation each fiscal year of the Company, such vacation to be in accordance with the terms of the Company’s announced policy for executive employees, as in effect from time to time. The Executive may take his vacation at such time or times as shall not interfere with the performance of his duties under this Agreement.
B. The Executive shall be entitled to paid sick leave and holidays in accordance with the Company’s announced policy for executive employees, as in effect from time to time.
8. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses, including without limitation expenses for first class service for international air travel, incurred in connection with his duties on behalf of the Company, provided that the Executive shall keep, and present to the Company, records and receipts relating to reimbursable expenses incurred by him. Such records and receipts shall be maintained and presented in a format, and with such regularity, as the Company reasonably may require in order to substantiate the Company’s right to claim income tax deductions for such expenses. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for any business-related travel, business-related entertainment, whether at his residence or otherwise, and other
3
costs and expenses reasonably incident to the performance of his duties on behalf of the Company.
9. Termination of Employment for Cause. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment (and all of his rights and benefits under this Agreement) shall terminate immediately and without further notice upon the happening of any one or more of the following events:
A. The Executive has been or is guilty of (i) a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, (ii) criminal or dishonest conduct pertaining to the business or affairs of the Company (including, without limitation, fraud and misappropriation), (iii) any act or omission the intended or likely consequence of which is material injury to the Company’s business, property or reputation, which act or omission continues uncured for a period of ten (10) days after the Executive has received written notice from the Company, and/or (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct which continues uncured for a period of ten (10) days after the Executive has received written notice from the Company;
B. The Executive persists, for a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice from the Company, in willful misconduct injurious to the Company’s interest, willful breach in the performance of his duties under this Agreement, or habitual neglect by the Executive in the performance of his duties under this Agreement (other than as a result of incapacity for physical or mental illness);
C. The Executive’s death; or
D. The continuous and uninterrupted inability to perform the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, on behalf of the Company for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days from the first day of such inability to perform his duties.
Subsections A, B, C, & D of this Section 9 hereinafter are referred to collectively and individually as “Cause”.
Upon a termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company shall pay the Executive his base salary through the effective date of the employment termination, and the Executive shall immediately thereafter forfeit all rights and benefits he would otherwise have been entitled to receive under this Agreement, including but not limited to any right to compensation pursuant to Sections 3, 4, and 5 of this Agreement (including any right to the grant of the Option under Section 4.B), except to the extent that such benefits shall have vested and continue after the termination of the Executive’s employment under the terms of the applicable benefit plans and programs. The Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Section and Sections 13 and 14 of this Agreement.
4
10. Termination of Employment by the Company Without Cause. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement, the Board of Directors may terminate the Executive’s employment as provided under this Agreement, at any time, for reasons other than for Cause by notifying the Executive in writing of such termination. If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 10, the Company shall pay the Executive in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company, an amount equal to one (1) year of the Executive’s base salary, or, if the Executive’s employment is terminated before May 15, 2005, the remaining base salary otherwise payable to the Executive during the Employment Period, in either case, the Executive’s base salary shall be payable at the rate and in the manner required by Section 3 of this Agreement and in effect immediately prior to the date the Executive’s employment was terminated. The payments described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be reduced by any income paid to the Executive during the severance period from other employment or consulting services he performs for other persons or entities. Within ninety (90) days after the end of the fiscal year in which the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 10, the Company shall also pay the Executive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the Executive’s Incentive Compensation for the last full fiscal year of the Company ending prior to the date the Executive’s employment was terminated (the “Severance Bonus”); provided, however, that if the Executive’s employment is terminated before May 15, 2005, the Company shall pay the Executive, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year remaining under the Employment Period, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the Severance Bonus. Upon termination of his employment, the Executive shall immediately forfeit all rights and benefits he would otherwise have been entitled to receive, including but not limited to any right to compensation pursuant to Sections 3, 4, or 5 of this Agreement (including any right to the grant of the Option under Section 4.B), except to the extent that such benefits shall have vested and continue after the termination of the Executive’s employment under the terms of the applicable benefit plans and programs or this Section 10. The Company and the Executive shall have no further obligations under this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Section and Sections 13 and 14 of this Agreement.
11. Termination of Employment by the Executive; Constructive Discharge.
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement, the Executive may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the Board of Directors written notice of his intent to terminate, delivered at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination.
Upon expiration of the sixty (60) day notice period (or such earlier date as may be approved by the Board of Directors), the termination by the Executive shall become effective. Upon the effective date of such termination, the Company’s obligations under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of this Agreement shall immediately expire, except to the extent that such benefits shall have vested and continue after the termination of the Executive’s employment under the terms of the applicable benefit plans and programs. The Company and the Executive shall have no further
5
obligations under this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Section and Sections 13 and 14.
B. In the event the Company persists, for a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice from the Executive, in assigning the Executive duties that are materially inconsistent with the duties that are incident and customary to those of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive may terminate his employment at any time by giving the Board of Directors written notice of his intent to terminate, delivered at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such termination. If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 11.B, the Company shall pay the Executive, in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company, an amount equal to one (1) year of the Executive’s base salary, or, if the Executive’s employment is terminated before May 15, 2005, the remaining base salary otherwise payable during the Employment Period, in either case at the rate and in the manner required by Section 3 of this Agreement and in effect immediately prior to the date the Executive’s employment was terminated. The payments described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be reduced by any income paid to the Executive during the severance period from other employment or consulting services he performs for other persons or entities. Within ninety (90) days after the end of the fiscal year in which the Executive terminates his employment pursuant to this Section 11.B, the Company shall also pay the Executive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the Severance Bonus; provided, however, that if the Executive’s employment is terminated before May 15, 2005, the Company shall pay the Executive, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year remaining under the Employment Period, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the Severance Bonus. Upon termination of his employment, the Executive shall immediately forfeit all rights and benefits he would otherwise have been entitled to receive, including but not limited to any right to compensation and benefits pursuant to Sections 3, 4, or 5 of this Agreement (including any right to the grant of the Option under Section 4.B), except to the extent that any such benefits shall have vested and continue after the termination of the Executive’s employment under the terms of the applicable benefit plans and programs or this Section 11.B. The Company and the Executive shall have no further obligations under this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Section and Sections 13 and 14 of this Agreement.
12. Non-Renewal. If, upon termination of the Employment Period, or upon any subsequent Renewal Date, other than pursuant to Section 9, 10, or 11 hereof, the Company shall decide not to renew this Agreement for at least one (1) year, the Company shall pay the Executive in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company, an amount equal to one (1) year of his base salary at the rate and in the manner required by Section 3 of this Agreement and in effect immediately prior to the date the Executive’s employment with the Company was terminated provided that the Executive shall not have violated the provisions of Sections 13 and 14 hereof. The payments described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be reduced by any income paid to the Executive during the severance period from other employment or consulting services he performs for other persons or entities. The Company shall also pay the Executive a lump sum payment, within ninety (90) days after the end of the fiscal
6
year in which this Agreement expires, in an amount equal to the Executive’s Incentive Compensation for the last full fiscal year of the Company ending prior to the date the Executive’s employment was terminated. Upon expiration of this Agreement, the Executive shall immediately forfeit all rights and benefits he would otherwise have been entitled to receive, including but not limited to any right to compensation and benefits pursuant to Sections 3, 4, or 5 of this Agreement (including any right to the grant of the Option under Section 4.B), except to the extent that any such benefits shall have vested and continue after the termination of the Executive’s employment under the terms of the applicable benefit plans and programs. The Company and the Executive shall have no further obligations under this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Section and Sections 13 and 14 of this Agreement.
13. Non-Competition. The Executive and the Company recognize that due to the nature of his employment, and his relationship with the Company, the Executive has had and will have access to, has acquired and will acquire, and has assisted and will assist in developing, confidential and proprietary information relating to the business and operations of the Company (for purposes of this Section 13 and Section 14 below, the Company shall mean the Company, Xxxxxx and any of its/their affiliates, predecessors, or successors) including, without limitation, information with respect to their present and prospective services, systems, products, clients, customers, agents, and sales and marketing methods. The Executive acknowledges that such information has been and will be of central importance to the Company’s business and that disclosure of it to others or its use by others could cause substantial loss to the Company. The Executive and the Company also recognize that an important part of the Executive’s duties will be to develop good will for the Company through his personal contact with the Company’s clients, and that there is a danger that this good will, a proprietary asset of the Company, may follow the Executive if and when his relationship with the Company is terminated.
A. The Executive agrees that during the term of his employment with the Company, and for a period of ninety (90) days after the termination of his employment for any reason whatsoever, including the non-renewal of this Agreement by either party, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, within the United States, whether as a partner, proprietor, employee, consultant, agent or otherwise, participate or engage in any business that competes with, restricts or interferes with the business of the Company, including, without limitation, any business in the young men’s and women’s contemporary sportswear and jeanswear industry.
B. The Executive further agrees that, during the term of his employment with the Company, and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of his employment for any reason whatsoever, including the non-renewal of this Agreement by either party:
(i) The Executive agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly (for his own account, or for the account of others), urge any current or potential client, customer, supplier or contractor of the Company to discontinue business, in
7
whole or in part, or not to do business, with the Company or otherwise interfere with the Company’s relationship or potential relationship with any parties;
(ii) The Executive agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly (for his own account, or for the account of others), solicit, hire or arrange to hire any person who at the time of such hire or within one (1) year prior to the time of such hire was an employee of the Company and was not involuntarily terminated by the Company, for himself or for any business entity with which he may be, or may be planning to be, affiliated or associated, or otherwise interfere with the retention of employees that the Company desires to retain as such.
The Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees (i) that the restrictions set forth herein are reasonable, in terms of scope, duration, geographic area, and otherwise, (ii) that the protections afforded to the Company hereunder are necessary to protect its legitimate business interests, and (iii) that the agreement to observe such restrictions form a material part of the consideration for this Agreement and the Executive’s employment by the Company.
14. Confidential Information. The Executive agrees that, during the term of his employment with the Company, and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of his employment for any reason whatsoever (including the non-renewal of this Agreement by either party), he shall not disclose to any person or use the same in any way, other than in the discharge of his duties under this Agreement in connection with the business of the Company, any trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information of the Company, including, without limitation, any information or knowledge relating to (i) the business, operations or internal structure of the Company, (ii) the clients (or customers) or potential clients (or potential customers) of the Company, (iii) any method and/or procedure (such as records, programs, systems, correspondence, or other documents), relating or pertaining to projects developed by the Company or contemplated to be developed by the Company, or (iv) the Company’s business, which information or knowledge the Executive shall have obtained during the term of this Agreement, and which is otherwise of a secret or confidential nature. Further, upon leaving the employ of the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive shall not take with him, without prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company, any documents, forms, or other reproductions of any data or any information relating to or pertaining to the Company, any clients (or customers) or potential clients (or potential customers) of the Company, or any other confidential information or trade secrets and will promptly return any such materials already in his possession to the Company.
15. Entire Agreement; Amendments, Other Agreements. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Executive and the Company with respect to employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all prior understandings, written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing. Any earlier employment agreements between the Executive and the Company are hereby
8
terminated and shall be of no further effect as of the Effective Date, including the Employment Agreement.
16. Miscellaneous.
A. Any notices required by this Agreement shall (i) be made in writing and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, with adequate postage prepaid; (ii) be deemed given when so mailed; (iii) be deemed received by the addressee within ten (10) days after given or when the certified mail receipt for such mail is executed, whichever is earlier; and (iv) in the case of the Company, be mailed to its principal office, or in the case of the Executive, be mailed to the last address that the Executive has given to the Company.
B. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, the parties, their successors, assigns, personal representatives, distributees, heirs, and legatees.
C. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
D. Any dispute regarding any aspect of this Agreement or any act which allegedly has or would violate any provision of this Agreement will be submitted to binding arbitration. Such arbitration shall be conducted before an arbitrator sitting in a location agreed to by the Company and the Executive within fifty (50) miles of the location of the Executive’s principal place of employment, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Each party will be entitled to limited discovery, to consist of a maximum of three (3) depositions (maximum two (2) hours each), and twenty-five (25) written interrogatories per party, which will be completed within one hundred twenty (120) days following the selection of the arbitrator. Judgment may be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court having competent jurisdiction.
E. Any failure by the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any term or provision of this Agreement, to exercise any option, to enforce any right, or to seek any remedy upon any breach by the Executive shall not affect, or constitute a waiver of, the Company’s right to insist upon such strict compliance, exercise such option, enforce such right, or seek such remedy with respect to such breach or any prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent breach. No custom or practice of the Company at variance with any provision of this Agreement shall affect or constitute a waiver of, the Company’s right to demand strict compliance with all provisions of this Agreement.
F. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions contained in this Agreement shall be construed to preserve to the maximum permissible extent the intent and purposes of this Agreement. Any
9
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
G. It is recognized that damages in the event of breach of any provision of Sections 13 and 14 above by the Executive would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that the Company, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of such requirements.
H. The headings used in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and will not be deemed to limit, characterize, or in any way affect any provision of this Agreement, and all provisions of this Agreement will be enforced and construed as if no heading had been used.
I. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first hereinabove written.
I. C. XXXXXX & COMPANY L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
I.C. XXXXXX & COMPANY, INC. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
Vice-President |
|
|
|
|
EXECUTIVE |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
|
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
|
|
|
|
|
For the limited purposes set forth in Section |
|
4.B: |
|
|
|
I.C. XXXXXX & COMPANY, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
Vice-President |
11