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EXHIBIT 10(j)
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated September
26 , 1995, by and between TESORO PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company") and M.D. XXXXX ENTERPRISES, INC. ("Enterprises"), a Texas
corporation solely owned by Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Xxxxx").
WHEREAS, the Company and Xxxxx have entered into a Termination
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Termination Agreement"), pursuant
to which the parties have made mutual promises and agreements in connection
with Xxxxx'x termination of employment with the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage Enterprises to assist
in the Company's business operations, and Enterprises desires to provide
consulting services to aid the Company in connection with its business
operations;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Termination
Agreement, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:
1. Engagement.
The Company hereby engages Enterprises to provide consulting
services to the Company, and Enterprises hereby accepts such engagement.
During the time that Enterprises is performing services for the Company under
this Agreement, and for all purposes hereunder, the status of Xxxxx and
Enterprises shall be that of an independent contractor of the Company and Xxxxx
shall not have the benefits, rights and privileges ordinarily accorded to an
employee of the Company.
Enterprises shall make Xxxxx available to advise and counsel
the Company and consult with its employees, representatives, agents or
contractors at such times as the Company and Enterprises may reasonably agree,
not to exceed five (5) hours per week (or such greater number of hours as
shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Enterprises from time to
time), by telephone, letter or in person, wherever Xxxxx may be. Although
Xxxxx shall not be required to perform the services required hereunder at the
offices of the Company, he may make periodic visits as he and the Company deem
advisable to the offices of the Company in the discharge of his duties
hereunder.
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2. Term. The period of engagement of Enterprises hereunder
shall commence on October 1, 1995 and shall terminate on December 31, 1996,
unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. During the term of this
Agreement as provided herein, Enterprises and Xxxxx may engage in any business
and perform any service for their own account, provided that such business or
service shall not violate any provision of the Termination Agreement.
3. Consulting Fees. For the services rendered hereunder,
Enterprises shall be entitled to receive from the Company an aggregate sum of
$325,000, payable as follows: (i) a lump-sum payment in the amount of $75,000
to be made on October 2, 1995; and (ii) a lump-sum payment in the amount of
$250,000 to be made on January 2, 1996.
4. Termination of Consulting Engagement. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the engagement of
Enterprises hereunder may be terminated, at the option of the Company, only in
the event of: (i) Enterprises' willful failure or refusal to perform the
consulting services required by Section 1 hereof upon 30 days advance notice
from the Company and provided that Enterprises shall have a reasonable
opportunity to cure such failure or refusal within such 30 days; or (ii)
willful fraud or material dishonesty in connection with Enterprises'
performance hereunder.
Upon the termination of this engagement for any of the foregoing reasons,
Enterprises shall be entitled to receive, on the scheduled payment dates, any
accrued but unpaid consulting fees through the date of such termination.
5. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, Enterprises
may be required to incur business expenses in connection with the performance
of its duties hereunder. All such business expenses must be previously
authorized by the Company in writing, and the Company shall reimburse
Enterprises for all such expenses that are reasonable and are appropriately
documented in accordance with the Company's policies.
6. Miscellaneous.
A. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties and cancels and supersedes all other
agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties and
between the Company and Enterprises which may have related to the subject
matter contained in this Agreement, it being expressly understood that this
Agreement does not cancel or supersede any provision of the Termination
Agreement.
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B. Modification; Amendment; Waiver. No modification,
amendment or waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be effective
unless approved in writing by both parties. The failure at any time to enforce
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a
waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of either party
thereafter to enforce each and every provision hereof in accordance with its
terms.
C. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and
performance under it, and all proceedings that may ensue from its breach, shall
be construed in accordance with and under the laws of the State of Texas, and
the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Texas for
purposes of any actions or proceedings that may be required to enforce this
Agreement.
D. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision
of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be
held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall
be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of
this Agreement.
E. Assignment. The rights and obligations of the
parties under this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
their respective successors, assigns, executors, administrators and heirs;
provided, however, that neither the Company nor Enterprises may assign any
duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other.
F. Notices. All notices and other communications
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given in person or by
telegraph, telefax or first class mail, certified or registered with return
receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
personally or three days after mailing or one day after transmission of a
telegram or telefax, as the case may be, to the respective persons named below:
If to the Company: Corporate Secretary
Tesoro Petroleum Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
If to the Enterprises: M.D. Xxxxx Enterprises, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY: Tesoro Petroleum Corporation
By /S/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Chief Operating Officer and
Its Executive Vice President
ENTERPRISES: M.D. Xxxxx Enterprises, Inc.
By /S/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Its President
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