TERMINATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
Exhibit 10.30
TERMINATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
“CONFIDENTIAL”
This confidential Termination Agreement and Release of All Claims (“Agreement”), effective upon the
execution of this Agreement, is made and entered into by Xxxxx X. Xxxxx (the “Executive”) and FBL
Financial Group, Inc. (“FBL” or the “Company”). By signing this Agreement, the Executive and
Company agree as follows:
1. Purpose. The Executive is entering into this Agreement as a way of concluding his employment
relationship with the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Affiliated
Entities”) and of voluntarily resolving any dispute or claim or any potential dispute or claim that
the Executive has or might have related to his employment with the Company, the Affiliated
Entities, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, managers, agents,
attorneys, representatives, and assigns, whether known or unknown by the Executive at this time.
This Agreement is not and should not be construed as an allegation or admission on the part of the
Company or the Affiliated Entities that any of them have acted unlawfully or violated any state or
federal law or regulation. The Executive understands that the Company, the Affiliated Entities, and
their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, managers, agents, attorneys,
representatives, and assigns, specifically disclaim any liability to the Executive or any other
person for any alleged violation of rights or for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute,
duty, policy or contract.
2. Resignation. The Executive has resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and as an officer and/or director of any of
the Affiliated Entities, effective as of May 1, 2009. The Executive hereby resigns from his
employment with the Company, effective as of the date of the resignation letter (the Termination
Date), a copy of which letter is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date, the Company shall pay the Executive any unpaid
portion of his base salary through the Termination Date and pay in lieu of any accrued but unused
vacation to which he may be entitled. The amount of this payment is not part of the consideration
for this Agreement.
3. Termination Benefits. As consideration for the Executive’s entering into this Agreement and
providing the covenants and release set forth below, and subject to the Executive not revoking this
Agreement pursuant to Section 12 below, the Company shall provide the Executive the following
(collectively, the “Termination Benefits”):
a. A lump sum payment of Eight Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($855,000.00), which shall be
paid within three (3) business days of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 14 below); and
b. For the period from the Termination Date through the first to occur of (i) May 31, 2009
and (ii) the date on which the Executive obtains comparable coverage as a result of the Executive’s
employment with another employer, medical coverage on terms and conditions comparable to the terms
and conditions provided to active Executives of the Company generally, as in effect from time to
time (including without limitation co-payment and premium costs imposed on active Executives). The
coverage contemplated by this provision shall include the following:
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medical/health, dental
insurance, executive disability income insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and executive
universal life insurance.
c. The Company agrees that the Executive may qualify for a cash incentive (bonus) attributable to
the portion of the 2009 fiscal year (four months) during which the Executive was employed by FBL on
the same basis as such bonuses may be paid to other FBL Management Team members for 2009. The
amount of any such bonus payable to FBL Management Team members or Executive is based on specific
articulated goals and objectives and is payable at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of
FBL. Payment of any such bonus to any FBL Management Team member does not require any payment to
any other member of the FBL Management Team or Executive. In the event such bonus is paid to any
other FBL Management Team member, the Company agrees to give the Executive written notice and an
opportunity to be heard by the FBL Board of Directors with regard to payment to the Executive.
d. The Company agrees that if, in the future, the Company makes any additional bonus payment to
any\ FBL Management Team Member attributable to the 2008 fiscal year, the Executive does not
release any right he may have and is therefore eligible to receive a payment in the same
proportion as paid to such other FBL Management Team member. The decision to make any such
additional payment to FBL Management Team members or Executive will be made at the sole discretion
of the Board of Directors of FBL. Payment of any such bonus to any FBL Management Team member does
not require any payment to any other member of the FBL Management Team or Executive. In the event
such bonus is paid to any other FBL Management Team member, the Company agrees to give the
Executive written notice and an opportunity to be heard by the FBL Board of Directors with regard
to payment to the Executive.
4. Waiver of Additional Compensation or Benefits. The Executive agrees that except as otherwise
expressly provided herein the Termination Benefits described herein constitute the entire amount of
consideration provided to him under this Agreement, and that in consideration of the Termination
Benefits described herein, he will not seek any further compensation for any other claimed damage,
costs, severance, income, or attorney’s fees. The Executive expressly waives any right to
participate in or receive any benefits or payments under any severance plan or program offered by
or on behalf of the Company.
5. Neutral Employment Reference. The Company agrees to provide a neutral employment reference to
any potential employers that consider the employment of the Executive and that seek information
concerning the reasons for the departure of the Executive. The Company will provide to any such
potential employers the identity of the positions held by the Executive and the dates of the
Executive’s employment with the Company.
6. Tax Consequences. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has made no
representations to him regarding the tax consequences of any Termination Benefit received by him
pursuant to this Agreement. It is understood by the Executive that the above Termination Benefits
are made solely for the purpose of resolving and compromising any and all claims regarding the
Executive’s employment with the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement, or any other benefits received
pursuant hereto, such Federal, state and/or local taxes as shall be
required to be withheld under any applicable law or regulation.
7. Non-Disclosure Agreement. The Executive agrees never to disclose terms or amount of this
Agreement, nor the substance of the negotiations leading to this Agreement nor confidential
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business information and decisions the Executive was privy to due to his duties at FBL, to any
person or entity (other than to his immediate family, personal counsel or attorney, personal
accountants, personal tax preparer, personal and attending doctors and mental health care
professionals, and/or the appropriate taxing authorities (who will then be deemed governed by the
non-disclosure agreement herein)), without the express written consent of the Company or unless
required to do so by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary in this
Agreement, the Company and the Executive shall be permitted to disclose the tax treatment and tax
structure, each as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4, of the matters provided for
herein (but no other details about the matters covered by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the identities of the parties). The Company may make such disclosure of these matters,
and file such documents, as its counsel determines are required under the rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
8. Non-Disparagement Agreement.
a. The Executive shall not make, participate in the making of, or encourage or facilitate any
other person to make, any statements, written or oral, which criticize, disparage, or defame the
goodwill or reputation of the Company or any of its present, former or future directors, officers,
executives, employees and/or shareholders in their respective capacities as such. The Executive
further agrees not to make any negative statements, written or oral, relating to his employment,
the termination of his employment, or any aspect of the business of the Affiliated Entities.
b. Officers and directors of the Company shall not make, participate in the making of, or
encourage or facilitate any other person to make, and the Company shall instruct its officers and
directors not to make, any statements, written or oral, which criticize, disparage, or defame the
goodwill or reputation of the Executive. The Company further agrees not to make, and to instruct
its officers and directors not to make, any negative statements, written or oral, relating to the
Executive’s employment or the termination of his employment.
c. Nothing in this Section 8 shall prohibit any person from making truthful statements when
required by order of a court or other body having jurisdiction, or as otherwise may be required by
law or under an agreement entered into in connection with pending or threatened litigation pursuant
to which the party receiving such information agrees to keep such information confidential.
9. Confidentiality/Return of Property. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company and the Affiliated Entities and shall not disclose to others, copy, use,
transmit, reproduce, summarize, quote or make commercial, directly or indirectly, any secret or
confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of the
Affiliated Entities and their respective businesses that the Executive has obtained during his
employment with the Company and/or any of the Affiliated Entities (“Confidential Information”).
However, the Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall not extend to: (1) Confidential
Information which is or becomes part of the public domain or is available to the public by
publication or otherwise without disclosure by the Executive; (2) Confidential Information which
was within the Executive’s knowledge or in his possession prior to his employment by the Company;
or (3) Confidential Information which, either prior to or subsequent to the Company’s disclosure to
the Executive with an obligation of confidentiality, was disclosed to the Executive,
without obligation of confidentiality, by a third party who did not acquire such information,
directly or indirectly, from the Executive. The Executive acknowledges that the Confidential
Information is specialized, unique in nature and of great value to the Company and the Affiliated
Entities, and that such information gives the Company and the Affiliated Entities a competitive
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advantage. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall surrender
immediately to the Company, except as specifically provided otherwise herein, all Confidential
Information and all other property of the Company or any of the other Affiliated Entities in his
possession and all property made available to the Executive in connection with his employment by
the Company or any of the other Affiliated Entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if
the Executive is required to disclose any Confidential Information pursuant to applicable law or a
subpoena or court order, he shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any such requirement so
that the Company or the appropriate Affiliated Entity may seek an appropriate protective order or
other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions hereof. The Executive shall
reasonably cooperate with the Company and The Affiliated Entities to obtain such a protective order
or other remedy. If such order or other remedy is not obtained prior to the time the Executive is
required to make the disclosure, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions hereof, the
Executive shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that he is advised by
his counsel that he is legally required to disclose.
10. Remedies. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that because of the nature of the business in
which the Company and the other Affiliated Entities are engaged and because of the nature of the
Confidential Information to which the Executive has had access during his employment, it would be
impractical and excessively difficult to determine the actual damages of the Company and the other
Affiliated Entities in the event the Executive breached any of the covenants of Sections 7, 8 and
9, and remedies at law (such as monetary damages) for any breach of the Executive’s covenants under
Sections 7, 8 and 9 would be inadequate. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it would be
impractical and excessively difficult to determine the actual damages of the Executive in the event
the Company breached any of the covenants of Sections 7, 8 and 9, and remedies at law (such as
monetary damages) for any breach of the Company’s covenants under Sections 7, 8 and 9 would be
inadequate. The parties therefore agree and consent that if either of them commits any such breach
or threatens to commit any such breach, the other party shall have the right (in addition to, and
not in lieu of, any other right or remedy that may be available to it) to temporary and permanent
injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, without posting any bond or other
security and without the necessity of proof of actual damage. With respect to any provision of
Sections 7, 8 or 9 that is finally determined to be unenforceable, the Executive and the Company
hereby agree that this Agreement or any provision hereof may be reformed so that it is enforceable
to the maximum extent permitted by law. If any of the covenants of Sections 7, 8 and 9 is
determined to be wholly or partially unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such determination shall
not be a bar to or in any way diminish the Company’s right or that of the Executive to enforce any
such covenant in any other jurisdiction.
11. Executive Representations.
a. The Executive represents that he has not filed any complaints, claims or actions against
the Company or any Affiliated Entity with any court, agency, or commission regarding the matters
encompassed by this Agreement and that he will not do so at any time in the future, and that if any
court or agency assumes jurisdiction of any complaint, claim or action against the Company or any
Affiliated Entity on behalf of the Executive, he will direct that court or agency to withdraw from
or dismiss with prejudice the matter.
b. The Executive expressly represents and aspects that he has been advised that, by entering
into this Agreement, the Executive is waiving all claims that the Executive may have arising under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, which have arisen on or before the
date of execution of this Agreement.
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c. The Executive represents that he has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement, that he has
carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions and effects of this Agreement, that he
understands that in agreeing to this document he is releasing the Company, the Affiliated Entities,
and all of their respective divisions, officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees,
representatives, shareholders and their respective successors and assigns and all persons acting
by, through, under, or in concert with any of them, from any and all claims he may have against
them, including claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act as well as any claims
for age discrimination that may exist under Iowa law or any other applicable law.
d. The Executive represents and agrees that he is knowingly and voluntarily entering into
this Agreement, that he has relied solely and completely upon his own judgment and, if applicable,
the advice of his attorney in entering into this Agreement.
e. The Executive represents and acknowledges that in executing this Agreement he does not rely
upon and has not relied upon any representations or statement made by or on behalf of the Company,
any of the Affiliated Entities, or their respective agents, attorneys, or representatives with
regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of this Agreement or otherwise, other than those
specifically stated in this Agreement.
f. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that:
i. In return for this Agreement, the Company is providing to the Executive the Termination
Benefits and certain covenants set forth herein.
ii. The Executive is hereby advised in writing by this Agreement to consult with an
attorney before signing this Agreement.
iii. The Executive does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this
Agreement is signed.
iv. In return for signing this Agreement, the Executive will receive payment of
consideration beyond that which the Executive was entitled to receive before entering into
this Agreement.
12. Release; Company Representation. Except as expressly provided herein, the Executive, for
himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, does fully and forever
release, acquit and discharge the Company, the Affiliated Entities, and their respective divisions,
officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees, representatives, shareholders and their
respective successors and assigns from all actions, law suits, grievances, and claims of any nature
whatsoever related to his employment with the Company, including, but not limited to, his
separation from said employment. The Executive understands that this release specifically includes,
but is not limited to, all claims arising under any federal, and local fair employment practice
law, workers’ compensation law, and any other employee relations statute, executive order, law and
ordinance, including, but not limited to, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701
et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et
seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 187 et seq.;
the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d); Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.;
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42
U.S.C. § 12,101 et seq.; the Family Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C § 2601 et seq.; the
Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965, Iowa Code Chapte4 216; and the Iowa Wage Payment Collections Act,
Iowa Code Chapter 91A.1 et seq.; any local human rights law; and any tort or contract cause
of action or theory. The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, does fully and forever
release,
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acquit and discharge the Executive from all actions, lawsuits, grievances, and claims of
any nature whatsoever related to the Executive’s employment with the Company.
13. Twenty-One Days to Consider Offer of Termination Benefits. The Executive acknowledges that he
was provided this Agreement more than twenty-one (21) days before the date when he was required to
make an election concerning the Termination Benefits described herein. If the Executive signs this
Agreement prior to the end of the 21-day period, the Executive certifies and agrees that the
decision to accept such shortening of time is knowing and voluntary and is not induced by the
Company through either (a) fraud, misrepresentation, or a threat to withdraw or alter the offer
prior to the end of the 21-day period, or (b) an offer to provide different terms or benefits in
exchange for signing the release prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.
14. Seven-Day Revocation Period. The Executive understands that he may revoke this Agreement at
any time within seven (7) days after he signs it. To revoke the Agreement, the Executive must
deliver written notification of such revocation to the attention of Xxxxx X. Xxxx or his successor,
within seven (7) days after the date the Executive signs this Agreement. The Executive further
understands that if he does not so revoke the Agreement, it will become effective, binding, and
enforceable as of the eighth day following its execution (excluding the date of execution), and
such eighth day will be the “Effective Date.”
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the Executive and fully
supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, between
the Company and the Executive pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement.
16. Miscellaneous.
a. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or be determined by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall otherwise remain in full force and effect and be construed as if such illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision has not been included herein.
b. It is further understood and agreed that if a violation of any term of this Agreement is
asserted, the party who asserts such violation will have the right to seek specific performance of
that term and/or any other necessary and proper relief as permitted by law, including but not
limited to, damages from any court of competent jurisdiction, and the prevailing party shall be
entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
c. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to prevent the Executive from challenging the
validity of this Agreement under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or Older Workers’ Benefit
Protection Act. The Executive further understands and agrees that if he or someone acting on his
behalf files or causes to be filed, any such claim, charge, complaint, or action against the
Company and/or other entities, he expressly waives any right to recover any damages or other
relief, whatsoever from the Company and/or other entities including costs and attorneys’ fees.
d. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Agreement does not release, replace or reduce
any rights the Executive has to vested and accrued benefits under the Company’s Defined Benefit
Plan, Defined Contribution Plan or similar vested benefits, all of which are listed on the Attached
Exhibit B. Balances will be calculated as of the date of payment and will be provided at the date
of signing. Furthermore, this Agreement does not release, replace or reduce any rights the
Executive may have that are not related to his employment with the Company, including his
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rights as
a shareholder and an insured.
e. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s
legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company
and its successors.
f. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, and said counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be
amended, modified or changed only by a written instrument executed by the Executive and the
Company.
17. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Iowa without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
18. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given
by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
000 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xx 00000
000 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xx 00000
If to the Company:
FBL Financial Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his hand and, pursuant to the authorization from
the Board, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf.
Dated this 10 day of June, 2009
FBL Financial Group, Inc. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
Chairman of the Board FBL Financial Group, Inc. |
||||
Dated this 3rd day of June, 2009
EXECUTIVE |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||||
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Exhibit A
April 28, 2009
Xx. Xxxxx Xxxx
Chairman of the Board
FBL Financial Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Chairman of the Board
FBL Financial Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: Resignation
Dear Xx. Xxxx:
Effective as of May 1, 2009, I hereby resign as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of
FBL Financial Group, Inc. (“FBL” or the “Company”). Simultaneously, I resign from all officer
positions and director positions in any of the companies or funds which are affiliated with
FBL, whether by ownership or by management agreement.
I also withdraw from being a named proxy for shareholders and withdraw my name as a director
nominee at the May 20, 2009 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.
At the direction of the Company I am serving as a director of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company and two
of its subsidiaries. I will resign those director positions at your convenience.
Separately, the terms of my resignation as an employee of the Company will be set forth in a
document titled “Termination Agreement and Release of all Claims”, a copy of which has been
provided for my review.
Very truly yours,
/s/ XXXXX X. XXXXX
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Exhibit B
1. | FBL FINANCIAL GROUP RETIREMENT PLAN | |
2. | FBL FINANCIAL GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN | |
3. | FARM BUREAU 401k SAVINGS PLAN | |
4. | FARM BUREAU EMPLOYER MATCH DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN | |
5. | FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 2006 CLASS A COMMON STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN — vested stock options (all vested are currently under water, and there are no vested shares of stock under the restricted stock portion of the plan, so amounts due under those plans will be zero, unless the stock price increases dramatically in the short term.) | |
6. | ANY VESTED OR CONVERTIBLE LIFE INSURANCE POILICY OR BENEFIT. | |
7. | ANY BENEFIT PLAN COVERED BY COBRA |
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