AMENDED AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is
made and entered into on the dates signified on the signature pages hereto, and is to be effective
on December 19, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Xxxxx, Inc. (“Ennis” or the “Company”)
and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (“Executive”) (Executive together with Company are the “Parties”). This
Agreement amends and restates that certain Employment Agreement dated April 21, 2006 between Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx and Company (the “Original Agreement”).
WHEREAS, Company desires to continue to employ Executive as President and Chief Executive
Officer, and Executive desires to continue to be employed by Company in said capacity without
distraction by employment-related uncertainties, and Company considers such employment to be a
vital element to protecting and enhancing the best interests of Company, its subsidiaries and
shareholders;
WHEREAS, Company and Executive are Parties to the Original Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Company and Executive wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its
entirety to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of their understandings and agreements
whereby Executive will continue to be employed by Company for the period set forth below commencing
on the Effective Date (subject to the provisions of Section 4 below);
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and other good and
valuable consideration, the Parties agree as follows:
1. POSITION/DUTIES.
(a) Company agrees to employ Executive in the position of President and Chief
Executive Officer (collectively “CEO”). Executive shall serve and perform the duties which
may from time to time be assigned to him by Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”) or its
Chairman. Executive shall exercise the authority and assume the responsibilities of an
executive of a company the size and nature of Xxxxx, and other duties as the Board may
prescribe consistent with a Company the size and nature of Xxxxx.
(b) Executive agrees to serve as CEO and agrees that he will devote his best efforts
and all his business time and attention to all facets of the business of Company and will
faithfully and diligently carry out the duties of CEO. Executive agrees to comply with all
Company policies in effect from time to time, and to comply with all laws, rules and
regulations, including but not limited to, those applicable to Company.
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(c) Company may from time to time designate Executive as an officer of any current or future
subsidiary and, in such event, should use its best efforts to fairly allocate Executive’s
compensation among itself and such other subsidiary or subsidiaries either through multiple direct
payroll checks to Executive or by inter-company reimbursements, in any case consistent with any
applicable regulations or any regulatory policies.
(d) Executive agrees to office attendance and hours consistent with the duties and
obligations of an executive of a company of such size and nature as Xxxxx, and further
agrees to travel as necessary to perform his duties under this Agreement.
2. TERM.
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of this
Agreement, Executive shall be employed by Company for an initial period commencing on the Effective
Date and ending on December 31, 2011 (the “Term”); provided that the Term shall be
automatically extended for successive one-year periods thereafter unless, no later than sixty (60)
days prior to the expiration of the Term, or any such successive 1-year renewal period, either
Party shall provide to the other Party written notice of its or his desire not to extend the Term.
3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.
Company shall compensate Executive for the services rendered under this Agreement as follows:
(a) Base. During the Term, Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary
to be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof (“Base Salary”). The
Base Salary shall initially be set at $838,000 per year. The Base Salary shall be payable
in equal bi-weekly installments (less applicable withholding) and in accordance with
customary payroll practices of Company for the payment of executives.
(b) Bonus Opportunities. In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall also
be eligible to participate in and receive compensation as may be determined by the Board or
the Compensation Committee thereof (“Discretionary Bonus”), pursuant to Executive Annual
Incentive Plan, or any subsequent plan. The Discretionary Bonus is not an accrued right
under this Agreement.
(c) Stock Options or Other Form of Additional Consideration. Executive will
be eligible to participate in and may receive from time to time stock options or other
forms of long-term incentive compensation arrangements subject to the discretion of the
Board or the Compensation Committee thereof. The stipulations regarding the granting of
these awards and their exercise by
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Executive will be defined in the Long-Term Incentive Plan or in other plans or actions
of the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof.
(d) Expenses. Company will pay or reimburse Executive for all normal and
reasonable travel and entertainment expenses incurred by Executive in connection with
Executive’s responsibilities to Company upon submission of proper vouchers in accordance
with Company’s expense reimbursement policy, as set forth in the Xxxxx, Inc. Employee
Reimbursable Expense Policy, effective January 1, 2008, or any thereafter adopted
replacement expense reimbursement policies. Any reimbursement that would constitute
non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be subject to the
following additional rules:
(i) No reimbursement of any such expense shall affect Executives right to
reimbursement of any other such expense in any other taxable year;
(ii) Reimbursement of expense should be made, if at all, not later than the
end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was
incurred; and
(iii) The right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or
exchange for any other benefit.
(e) Benefits. Company shall make available to Executive, throughout the Term,
benefits as are generally provided by Company to its executive officers, including but not
limited to any group, health, dental, vision, disability or accident, insurance, pension
plan, profit sharing plan, retirement savings plan, 401(k) plan, or such other benefit plan
or policy which may presently be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted by Company for
its executive officers and key management personnel; provided, however, that nothing herein
contained shall be deemed to require Company to adopt or maintain any particular plan or
policy.
(f) Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation during each
calendar year during the Term, consistent with policies and amounts then applicable to
executive officers.
(g) Holidays. Executive shall further be entitled to paid holidays, personal
days, and sick days consistent with the policies then applicable to executive officers.
4. TERMINATION.
(a) Termination by Company Without Cause. Company may at any time terminate
the Term and Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause (and other than due to death or
Disability). If Company terminates the
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Term and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to this Section 4(a) prior to end
of the Term, as the same may have been extended or renewed pursuant to Section 2, Company
shall pay Executive all accrued but unpaid Base Salary, and any earned but unpaid
Discretionary Bonus for the prior year, if any, (“Accrued Compensation”) as soon as
reasonably practicable following such termination. In addition, and subject to Section 7,
Company shall also pay Executive a severance payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the
greater of the amount of Base Salary through the end of the Term or one (1) times the sum
of (i) Executive’s then annual Base Salary plus (ii) an amount equal to Executive’s
Discretionary Bonus for the immediately preceding fiscal year. In addition, in the event
of a termination pursuant to this Section 4(a) or Section 4(c) below, any unvested stock
options or other equity-awards granted to Executive under any plan, initiative, or award
plan previously or subsequently adopted by Company that are outstanding as of the date of
such termination shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable. However, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Section 4(a), any such stock options granted to Executive that
remain unexercised as of the date of their expiration will expire in accordance with the
terms of the applicable plan and the relevant stock option agreement. Subject to Sections
4(j) and 7, the Severance Payment will be paid out in bi-weekly payments over a period of
one (1) year in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices and deductions of Company.
(b) Termination by Company for Cause. Company may terminate the Term and
Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause. Upon termination of the Term and
Executive’s employment hereunder by Company for Cause, Company shall promptly pay Executive
his Accrued Compensation. A termination for Cause may be for one or more of the following
reasons, which shall be defined as “Cause:”
(i) Conduct by Executive constituting a material act of willful misconduct in
connection with the performance of his duties, including, without limitation,
violations of Company’s policies on sexual harassment, ethics, or any other
policies then in effect; misappropriation of funds or property of Company or any of
its affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company
property for personal purposes; or other willful misconduct that is below normal
industry standards, as determined in the sole reasonable discretion of Company;
(ii) Continued willful and deliberate non-performance by Executive of his
duties hereunder (other than by reason of Executive’s physical or mental illness,
incapacity, or disability) where such non-performance continue for more than ten
(10) days following written notice of such non-performance unless ten (10) days
notice would be futile in correcting issues related to non-performance;
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(iii) Executive’s refusal or failure to follow lawful directives where such
refusal or failure has continued for more than ten (10) days following a written
notice of such refusal or failure unless ten (10) days notice would be futile in
correcting issues related to non-performance;
(iv) A criminal or civil conviction of Executive, a plea of nolo contendere by
Executive, or other conduct by Executive that, as determined in the sole reasonable
discretion of the Board, has resulted in, would result in, if Executive were
retained in his position with Company, material injury to the reputation of
Company, including, without limitation, conviction or fraud, theft, embezzlement or
a crime involving moral turpitude;
(v) A material breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this Agreement;
(vi) Ongoing alcohol/drug addition and a failure by Executive to successfully
complete a recovery program; or
(vii) Intentional wrongful disclosure of confidential information of Company
or engaging in wrongful competitive activity with Company.
(c) Termination by Executive for Good Reasons. Executive may terminate the
Term and Executive’s employment hereunder for “Good Reason” (as defined below), after
providing thirty (30) days written notice to Company, which identifies the Good Reason for
Executive’s termination. Upon termination of the Term and Executive’s employment hereunder
by Executive for Good Reason, Company shall pay Executive:
(i) His Accrued Compensation, to be paid as soon as reasonably practicable
following such termination; and
(ii) Subject to Sections 4(j) and 7, the Severance Payment, in periodic
bi-weekly payments over a period of one (1) year in accordance with the ordinary
payroll practices and deductions of Company.
Good Reason means any of the following reasons:
(i) Executive’s removal from his position as CEO other than due to termination
of the Term and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to Section 4(a) and (b),
(d), or (e) of this Agreement; or
(ii) Company fails to make any payment to Executive required to be made under
the terms of this Agreement, as such failure is not cleared within twenty (20) days
after Executive provides written notice to Company that provides reasonable detail
and nature of the payment.
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(d) Termination By or of Executive after Change of Control. If at any time
during the period commencing 90 days prior to a Change of Control Event and ending 24
months after the Change of Control Event (the “Change of Control Period”), the Executive’s
employment is terminated, other than by death, either (i) by the Company other than for
Cause as provided in Section 4(b), or (ii) by the Executive for any reason, then in
addition to any other amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, other
than the Severance Payment, the Company shall pay to Executive, in one lump-sum payment
within 30 days after the date of such termination, Accrued Compensation plus an amount
equal to two and ninety-nine one hundredths (2.99) times the sum of (x) Executive’s then
annual Base Salary plus (y) and an amount equal to Executive’s Discretionary Bonus for the
immediately preceding fiscal year (the “Change of Control Severance Payment”). Subject to
Section 4(j), the Change of Control Severance Payment shall be paid in periodic bi-weekly
payments over a period of one (1) year in accordance with the ordinary payroll practice of
Company. In addition, any unvested stock options or other equity-awards granted to
Executive under any plan, initiative, or award plan previously or subsequently adopted by
the Company that are outstanding as of the date of such termination shall become fully
vested and nonforfeitable; provided that any such stock options granted to Executive that
remain unexercised as of the date of their expiration will expire in accordance with the
terms of the applicable plan and the relevant stock option agreement. For purposes of this
agreement, a “Change of Control Event” shall be deemed to have taken place if one or more
of the following occurs:
(i) Any person or entity other, as that term is used in Section 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (other than a qualified benefit
plan of Company or an affiliate of Company) becomes or is discovered to be a
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on
the date hereof) directly or indirectly or securities of Company representing 30%
or more of the combined voting power of Company’s then outstanding securities
(unless such person is known by Executive to be already such beneficial owner on
the date of this Agreement);
(ii) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date hereof, constitute the Board of
Directors of Company cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
respective Board of Directors, unless any such change is approved by a unanimous
vote of the respective Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such
cessation;
(iii) The Company or any of its affiliates shall (in a single transaction or a
series or related transactions) issue shares, sell or purchase assets, engage in a
merger or engage in any other transaction immediately after which securities of the
Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of the Company
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shall be ultimately owned by person(s) who shall not have owned such
securities prior to such transaction or who shall be a party to such transaction;
(iv) The Company and its affiliates shall sell or dispose of (in a single
transaction or series of related transactions) business operations which generated
a majority of the consolidated revenues (determined on the basis of Company’s four
most recently completed fiscal quarters for which reports have been filed under the
Exchange Act) of Company and its subsidiaries immediately prior thereto;
(v) The Company’s Board of Directors shall approve the distribution to the
Company’s shareholders of all or substantially all of Company’s net assets or shall
approve the dissolution of the Company; or
(vi) Any other transaction series of related transactions occur which have
substantially the effect of the transactions specified in any of the preceding
clauses in this sentence.
If Executive’s employment is not terminated during the Change of Control Period, then
the rights and obligation of the parties for the balance of the term of this Agreement
shall be governed by this Agreement exclusive of the provisions contained in this Section
4(d) except that this Section 4(d) shall continue and become applicable for the term of
this Agreement if a subsequent Change of Control Event occurs.
(e) Termination due to Disability. Company may terminate Executive’s
employment hereunder due to Executive’s “Disability.” Executive shall be deemed to have
sustained a “Disability” if he shall have been unable to perform his duties for more than
ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period. Upon termination of Executive’s
employment hereunder pursuant to this Section 4(e), Company shall promptly pay Executive
his Accrued Compensation and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable
employee benefits plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).
(f) Death. The Term and Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate
automatically upon Executive’s death. Upon termination of the Term and Executive’s
employment hereunder because of Executive’s death, Company shall promptly pay Executive’s
estate his Accrued Compensation, and any payments to which Executive’s spouse,
beneficiaries or estate may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan
(according to the terms of such plans and policies).
(g) Termination COBRA Payment. Upon termination of the Term and Executive’s
employment hereunder pursuant to Sections 4 (a), (c), (d) or (e), Company shall pay the
cost to Executive as such costs become due for
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continuation coverage under COBRA (hereinafter referred to as the “Termination COBRA
Payments”) and basic employee group benefits provided by Company to Executive for the
lesser of three (3) months after termination or until Executive secures new employment.
(h) Out Placement Services. Upon termination of the Term and Executive’s
employment hereunder pursuant to Sections 4(a), (c), (d), or (e) Company shall reimburse to
Executive the cost for ninety (90) days of any executive outplacement firm selected by
Executive and approved by Company; provided, however, that Company’s liability hereunder
shall be limited to such expenses as are customary and reasonable in the Dallas area for
Executive’s level of responsibility. Executive shall provide Company with reasonable
documentation of the occurrence of such outplacement costs and expenses.
(i) Employment. Upon termination of the Term and Executive’s employment
hereunder for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have voluntarily resigned from the
Board and any and all positions he holds as an officer or director of Company or any
affiliate.
(j) Section 409A Compliance. Payments under this Agreement (the “Payments”)
shall be designed and operate in such a manner that they are either exempt from the
application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A, and the regulations,
applicable case law and administrative guidance related to same. All Payments shall be,
under all circumstances, deemed to come from an unfunded plan. Further, notwithstanding
any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, all Payments subject to Section 409A will
not be accelerated in time or schedule. In addition, all Severance Payments, including
Change of Control Severance Payments, that are deferred compensation and subject to 409A
will only be payable upon a “separation from service” (as that term is defined at Section
1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations) from Company and from all other corporations and
trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single “service recipient” with
Company under Section 1.409A-1(h)(3). All references in this Agreement to a termination of
employment shall be construed to require a “separation from service.” Furthermore, and
notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, if all or any portion of
the Payments and/or benefits due under this Section 4 are determined to be “non-qualified
deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A and Company determines that Executive is a
“specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final
regulations promulgated thereunder, and other guidance issued thereunder, then such
Payments and/or benefits (or a portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first
day of the seventh month following Executive’s termination of employment, with the first
payment being a lump-sum equal to the aggregate Payments and/or benefits Executive would
have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed.
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(k) Other Severance Pay. Other than as stated in this Section 4, Executive
shall not be entitled to, and Company shall not pay, any severance pay or benefits under
any other plan, program, or policy of Company, including without limitation, no
Discretionary Bonus for the year of termination.
5. MITIGATION. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Executive shall not
be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of Severance
Payments set forth in Section 4(a) or the Change of Control Severance Payment set forth in Section
4(d), and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment;
provided, however, that Company shall maintain a right of set-off for damages and/or harm resulting
from a breach of this Agreement or any improper acts or conduct of Executive which harm Company.
6. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that employment is terminated for any
reason, Executive hereby consents to the notification by Company to Executive’s new employer of
Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. In addition, in the event that Executive
plans to render services to another company within two (2) years of the date of termination of his
employment, Executive agrees to provide Company with as much notice as possible of Executive’s
intention to join that company and/or business but in no event will Executive provide less than two
(2) weeks notice of that intention; provided, however, the provision of such notice and Company’s
receipt thereof shall not constitute a waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement.
7. RELEASE. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
Executive agrees to execute upon termination (and not to revoke) a separation agreement and general
release of claims acceptable to Company (the “Release”). If Executive fails to execute and deliver
the Release, or revokes the Release, within forty-five (45) days of the date on which Executive’s
employment terminates, Executive agrees that he is not entitled to receive the Severance Payment.
For purposes of this Agreement, the Release shall be considered to have been executed by Executive
if it is signed by his legal representative in the case of legal incompetence or on behalf of
Executive’s estate in the case of his death. In no event shall a Severance Payment be made
hereunder until the period in which to revoke the Release has terminated.
8. NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. During the course of Executive’s
employment with Company, he has been and will continue to be provided by Company with access to
certain confidential information, trade-secrets, and other matters that are of a confidential and
proprietary nature, including but not limited to Company’s customer list, vendors, suppliers,
pricing information, production and cost data, compensation and fee information, strategic business
plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information Company treats as confidential or
proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). Company provides on an ongoing basis
such Confidential Information as Company deems necessary or desirable to aid Executive in the
performance of his duties. Executive understands and acknowledges that such
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Confidential Information remains confidential and proprietary, and agrees not to disclose such
Confidential Information to anyone outside Company except to the extent that (i) Executive deems
such disclosure or use reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with performing his duties
on behalf of Company; (ii) Executive is required by order of a court of competent jurisdiction (by
subpoena or similar process) to disclose or discuss any Confidential Information, provided that in
such case, Executive shall promptly inform Company of such event, shall cooperate with Company in
attempting to obtain a protective order or to otherwise restrict such disclosure, and should only
disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with any such court
order; or (iii) such Confidential Information becomes generally known to and available for use in
the industry in which Company does business, other than as a result of any action or inaction by
Executive. Executive further agrees that he will not during employment and/or any time thereafter
use the Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with Company. At such time
as Executive shall cease to be employed by Company, he will immediately turnover to Company all
Confidential Information, including all computers, personal data devices, papers, documents,
writings, electronically stored information, other property, and all copies of them, provided to or
created by him during the course of his employment with Company. This nondisclosure covenant is
binding on Executive, as well as his heirs, successors and legal representatives, and will survive
termination of this Agreement for any reason.
9. NONSOLICITATION OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES. To further preserve the rights of Company
pursuant to Section 8 above and Section 10 below, and for the consideration promised by Company
under this Agreement, during the Term of Executive’s employment with Company and for a period of
twelve months thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, Executive will
not , directly or indirectly, (i) hire any current or prospective employee of Company, or any
subsidiary or affiliate of Company (including, without limitation, any current or prospective
employee of Company within the 6-month period proceeding Executive’s last day of employment with
Company who work, works, or has been offered employment by Company); (ii) solicit or encourage any
employee to terminate their employment with Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of Company; or
(iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with any such business, operation,
corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity with which Executive may
be associated.
10. NON-COMPETITION. To further preserve the rights of Company pursuant to Section 8
above, and for the consideration promised by Company under this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the Term of employment, during Executive’s employment with Company and for a period of
two (2) years thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, Executive will
not, directly or indirectly, as an owner, director, principal, agent, officer, employee, partner,
consultant, servant, or otherwise, carry on, operate, manage, control, or become involved in any
manner with any business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person
or entity which is in the same business as Company in any location in which Company, or any
subsidiary or affiliate of Company, operates or has plans or has projected to operate or does
business during Executive’s employment with Company. The foregoing shall not
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prohibit Executive from owning up to 5.0% of the outstanding stock of any publicly held
company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after Executive’s employment with Company has terminated,
upon receiving written permission by the Board or its designee, Executive shall be permitted to
engage in such competing activities that would otherwise be prohibited by this covenant if such
activities are determined in the sole discretion of the Board or its designee in good faith to be
immaterial to the operations of Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of Company.
To further preserve the rights of Company pursuant to Section 8 above, and for the
consideration promised by Company under this Agreement, not to include any Severance Payment,
during the term of Executive’s employment with Company and for a period of two (2) years
thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, Executive will not, directly or
indirectly, either for himself or for any other business, operation, corporation, partnership,
association, agency, or other person or entity, call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or take
away, or attempt to divert or take away current or prospective customers (including, without
limitation, any customer with whom Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of Company, (i) has an
existing agreement or business relationship; (ii) has had an agreement or business relationship
within the six-month period preceding Executive’s last day of employment with Company; or (iii) has
been included as a prospect by Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of Company.
Company and Executive agree that the restrictions contained in this noncompetition covenant
are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect Company’s business interests and
Confidential Information. If any provision of this noncompetition covenant as applied to any party
or to any circumstance is adjudged by a court or arbitrator to be invalid or unenforceable, the
same will in no way affect any other circumstance or the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement. If any such provision, or any part thereof, is held to be unenforceable because of the
scope, duration, or geographic area covered thereby, the Parties agree that the court or arbitrator
making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope and/or duration and/or
geographic area of such provision, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced
form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced. The Parties agree and
acknowledge that the breach of this noncompetition covenant will cause irreparable damage to
Company, and upon breach of any provision of this noncompetition covenant, Company shall be
entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief; provided, however,
that this shall in no way limit any other remedies which Company may have (including, without
limitation, the right to seek monetary damages).
Should Executive violate the provisions of this noncompetition covenant, then in addition to
all other rights and remedies available to Company at law or in equity, the duration of this
covenant shall automatically be extended for the period of time from which Executive began such
violation until he permanently ceases such violation.
11. SEVERABILITY AND REFORMATION. If any one or more of the terms, provisions,
covenants or restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined by a
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court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions shall remain in full force and effect, and the
invalid, void or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed severable. Moreover, if any one or more
of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad
as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be reformed by limiting and
reducing it to the minimum extent necessary, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with
the applicable law.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the
Parties hereto and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or
oral, between the Parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof.
13. NOTICES. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally,
mailed by certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent by overnight delivery service, or
electronic mail, or facsimile transmission (with electronic confirmation of successful
transmission) to the Parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as shall be
specified by the Parties by like notice, in order of preference of the recipient:
| If to Company: | Xxxxx, Inc. | |||||
| 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||
| Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||||||
| If to Executive: | ||||||
Notice so given shall, in the case of mail, be deemed to be given and received on the fifth
calendar day after posting, in the case of overnight delivery service, on the date of actual
delivery and, in the case of facsimile transmission or personal delivery, on the date of actual
transmission or, as the case may be, personal delivery.
14. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any conflict of laws rule or
principle which might refer the governance or construction of this Agreement to the laws of another
jurisdiction. Any action or arbitration in regard to this Agreement or arising out of its terms and
conditions, shall be instituted and litigated only in Dallas, Texas.
15. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement is personal to Executive and may not be assigned in any
way by Executive without the prior written consent of Company. Company may assign its rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
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AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/XXXXXXX — Page 12
16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will
take effect as an original, and all of which shall evidence one and the same Agreement.
17. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only in writing signed by Executive and
by a duly authorized representative of Company (other than Executive).
18. CONSTRUCTION. The headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for
convenience only and are intended to have no effect in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed in accordance to its
fair meaning and not strictly for or against Company or Executive.
19. NON-WAIVER. The failure by either party to insist upon the performance of any one
or more terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or
relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of any future performance of any such term,
covenant or condition, and the obligation of either party with respect hereto shall continue in
full force and effect, unless such waiver shall be in writing signed by Company (other than
Executive) and Executive.
20. USE OF NAME, LIKENESS AND BIOGRAPHY. Company shall have the right (but not the
obligation) to use, publish and broadcast, and to authorize others to do so, the name, approved
likeness and approved biographical material of Executive to advertise, publicize and promote the
business of Company and its affiliates, but not for the purposes of direct endorsement without
Executive’s consent. This right shall terminate upon the termination of this Agreement. An
“approved likeness” and “approved biographical material” shall be, respectively, any photograph or
other depiction of Executive, or any biographical information or life story concerning the
professional career of Executive.
21. CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES. Executive acknowledges that during the course of
Executive’s employment by Company, Executive may be offered or become aware of business or
investment opportunities in which Company may or might have an interest (a “Corporate Opportunity”)
and that Executive has a duty to advise Company of any such Corporate Opportunities before acting
upon them. Accordingly, Executive agrees: (a) that Executive will disclose to Company’s Board any
Corporate Opportunity offered to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware, and (b) that
Executive will not act upon any Corporate Opportunity for Executive’s own benefit or for the
benefit of any Person other than Company without first obtaining consent or approval of Company’s
Board (whose consent or approval may be granted or denied solely at the discretion of Company’s
Board; provided, that Executive, at Executive’s election, may act upon any such Corporate
Opportunity for Executive’s benefit or the benefit of any other Person if Company’s Board has not
caused Company to act upon any such Corporate Opportunity within thirty (30) days after disclosure
of such Corporate Opportunity to Company by Executive.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
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22. RIGHT TO INSURE. Company shall have the right to secure, in its own name or
otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other insurance covering Executive,
and Executive shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance. Executive shall
assist Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such
applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which
application is made for any such insurance.
23. ASSISTANCE IN LITIGATION AND REGULATORY EVENTS. Executive shall reasonably
cooperate with Company in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or
that may be brought in the future against or on behalf of Company that relate to events or
occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by Company. Executive’s cooperation in
connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to
meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of Company at
mutually convenient times. Executive also shall cooperate fully with Company in connection with any
investigation or review by any federal, state, or local regulatory authority as any such
investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was
employed by Company. Company will pay Executive a reasonable hourly rate to be derived from
Executive’s prior base salary for Executive’s cooperation
24. NO INCONSISTENT OBLIGATIONS. Executive represents and warrants that to his
knowledge he has no obligations, legal, in contract, or otherwise, inconsistent with the terms of
this Agreement or with his undertaking employment with Company to perform the duties described
herein. Executive will not disclose to Company, or use, or induce Company to use, any confidential,
proprietary, or trade secret information of others. Executive represents and warrants that to his
knowledge he has returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior
employers, if he is obligated to do so.
25. BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon Executive, his heirs and personal representatives, and Company, its successors and assigns.
26. REMEDIES. The Parties recognize and affirm that in the event of a breach of
Sections 8, 9, or 10 of this Agreement, money damages would be inadequate and Company would not
have an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the Parties agree that in the event of a breach or a
threatened breach of Sections 8, 9, or 10, Company may, in addition and supplementary to other
rights and remedies existing in its favor, apply to any court of law or equity of competent
jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce or
prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In
addition, Executive agrees that in the event a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator
finds that Executive violated Sections 8, 9, or 10, the time periods set forth in those Sections
shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been cured. Executive further agrees that
Company shall have the right to offset the amount of any damages resulting from a breach by
Executive of
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/XXXXXXX — Page 14
Sections 8, 9, 0r 10 against any payments, including Severance Payments, due Executive under
this Agreement. The Parties agree that if one of the Parties is found to have breached this
Agreement by a court of competent jurisdiction, the breaching party will be required to pay the
non-breaching party’s attorneys’ fees.
27. ARBITRATION. Other than as stated in Section 26, the Parties agree that any
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be
resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The
arbitration will take place in Dallas, Texas. All disputes shall be resolved by a panel of three
(3) arbitrators. The arbitrators will have the authority to award the same remedies, damages, and
costs that a court could award, and will have the additional authority to award those remedies set
forth in Section 26. The arbitrators shall issue a reasoned award explaining the decision, the
reasons for the decision, and any damages awarded, including those set forth in Section 26, where
the arbitrators find Executive violated Sections 8, 9, or 10. The arbitrators’ decision will be
final and binding. The judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration proceedings, any record of the same, and the
award shall be considered Confidential Information under this Agreement. This provision and any
decision and award hereunder can be enforced under the Federal Arbitration Act.
28. VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT. Each party to this Agreement has read and fully understands
the terms and provisions hereof, has had an opportunity to review this Agreement with legal
counsel, has executed this Agreement based upon such party’s own judgment and advice of counsel (if
any), and knowingly, voluntarily, and without duress, agrees to all of the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.
If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as
if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or
disfavoring any party because of authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Except as expressly
set forth in this Agreement, neither the Parties nor their affiliates, advisors and/or their
attorneys have made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity with
respect of the subject matter contained herein. Without limiting the generality of the previous
sentence, Company, its affiliates, advisors, and/or attorneys have made no representation or
warranty to Executive concerning the state or federal tax consequences to Executive regarding the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
29. LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Executive acknowledges (a) that he has been advised to
consult with legal counsel of Executive’s choice to represent and advise Executive in connection
with this Agreement and the matters memorialized herein, and Executive has had an opportunity to
consult with legal counsel of Executive’s choice before executing this Agreement
30. TAX GROSS UP.
AMENDED AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/XXXXXXX — Page 15
(a) If, as a result of payments provided for under or pursuant to this Agreement
together with all other payments in the nature of compensation provided to or for the
benefit of Executive under any other agreement in connection with a Change of Control,
Executive becomes subject to taxes of any state, local or federal taxing authority that
would not have been imposed on such payments but for the occurrence of a Change of Control,
including any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code an any successor or comparable
provision, then, in addition to any other benefits provided under or pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise, Company (including any successor to Company) shall pay to Executive
at the time any such payments are made under or pursuant to this or the other agreements,
an amount equal to the amount of any such taxes imposed or to be imposed on Executive (the
amount of any such payment, the “Parachute Tax Reimbursement”); provided, that such
Parachute Tax Reimbursement shall in no event be paid later than the end of the calendar
year following the calendar year in which such taxes are imposed upon Executive.
(b) In addition, Company (including any successor to Company) shall “gross up” such
Parachute Tax Reimbursement by paying to Executive at same time an additional amount equal
to the aggregate amount of any additional taxes (whether income taxes, excise taxes,
special taxes, employment taxes or otherwise) that are or will be payable by Executive as a
result of the Parachute Tax Reimbursement being paid or payable to Executive and/or as a
result of the additional amounts paid or payable to Executive pursuant to this sentence,
such that after payment of such additional taxes Executive shall have been paid on a net
after-tax basis an amount equal to the Parachute Tax Reimbursement.
(c) The amount of any Parachute Tax Reimbursement and of any such gross-up amounts
shall be determined by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by Company (with
all such cost borne by Company), whose determination, absent manifest error, shall be
treated as conclusive and binding absent a binding determination by a governmental taxing
authority that a greater amount of taxes is payable by Executive.
[Signature Page Follows]
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/XXXXXXX — Page 16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company and Executive have executed this Agreement, effective as of the
day and year first above written.
| Dated: December __, 2008 | COMPANY: XXXXX, INC. | |||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
| Dated: December __, 2008 | EXECUTIVE: XXXXX X. XXXXXXX | |||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Address: | ||||||||
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/XXXXXXX — Page 17
