EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 22nd
day of March, 2007 by and between CHROMCRAFT REVINGTON, INC. (the “Company”), a
Delaware corporation, and XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX (the “Executive”), currently a
resident of the State of North Carolina,
W
I T N
E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the
Company desires to employ the Executive as a Senior Vice President, and the
Executive desires to be employed by the Company as such, in accordance with
the
provisions of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in
addition to the employment provisions contained herein, the Company and the
Executive have agreed to certain restrictions, covenants, agreements and
severance payments, as set forth in this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the respective covenants,
agreements and obligations contained herein, the employment of the Executive
by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
Section
1. Employment; Term.
(a) Employment.
Unless the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated earlier as
provided in this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive,
and the Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, during the Term
(as hereinafter defined), on a full-time basis in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement.
(b) Term.
(i) Unless the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated earlier in
accordance with Section 4 hereof, the initial term of the Executive’s employment
with the Company under this Agreement shall begin on April 1, 2007 and shall
end
on the one-year anniversary of such date (the “Initial Term”); provided,
however, that upon the expiration of the Initial Term, the Executive’s
employment under this Agreement shall thereafter be automatically extended
upon
the same terms and conditions as set forth herein for successive one year terms
(each, a “Renewal Term”), unless the Company or the Executive shall have
delivered to the other a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior
to
the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term stating that the term
of
this Agreement shall not be so extended, in which case the Executive’s
employment hereunder shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal
Term, as the case may be. During any Renewal Term, the Executive’s employment
hereunder is subject to early termination in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
The Initial Term and a Renewal Term may be referred to in this Agreement
individually or collectively as the “Term.”
(ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event
that the Executive does not commence his employment with the Company by April
15, 2007, then either the Company or the Executive may terminate this Agreement
without any obligation to the other under this Agreement or otherwise. Without
limiting the foregoing in any manner, in the event of any such termination,
(A)
the Company shall not be obligated to pay or provide to the Executive any
salary, incentive compensation, employee benefits, hiring bonus, housing or
automobile allowances, severance payments or any other amounts or benefits
(or
to issue any shares of restricted common stock to the Executive) under this
Agreement or otherwise, and (B) the Executive shall not be bound by the
covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6, Section 7 or Section 8 of
this
Agreement.
Section
2. Position; Duties; Responsibilities. During the Term, the
Executive:
(a) shall
serve
as a Senior Vice President of the Company;
(b) shall
have
general responsibility over the supply chain and operations function of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, subject to the direction and
oversight of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the
Company;
(c) shall
have
such other executive level authority, duties and responsibilities at the Company
as may from time to time be reasonably prescribed by the Board of Directors
or
the Chairman of the Company or by the By-Laws of the Company;
(d) shall
perform diligently and faithfully, and use his reasonable best efforts in the
performance of, his duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement;
(e) shall
devote
all of his working time, attention, energies and skills to his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement and to the furtherance of the business
and
interests of the Company; and
(f) shall
maintain his office at which he performs his duties and responsibilities under
this Agreement at the Company’s facilities located in Lincolnton, North Carolina
and shall maintain his presence during normal business hours at such office,
other than for travel on Company business; provided, however, that the Company
shall have the right to transfer the Executive to and require him to work at
one
of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates or another location where the
Company maintains an office, warehouse or distribution or other
facility.
Section
3. Compensation and Employee Benefits.
(a) Base
Salary. During the Term, for all services rendered in all capacities by the
Executive to or on behalf of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or
affiliates, the Company shall pay to the Executive an annual base salary equal
to $225,000 per calendar year, as may be increased from time to time by the
Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company
(the
“Base Salary”).
If an increase in the Executive’s Base Salary is approved by the Board of
Directors (or a committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company, the new
salary shall become the applicable Base Salary under this Agreement. The Base
Salary shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with the Company’s usual and
customary payroll practices applicable to its employees generally (including,
but not limited to, withholdings for taxes and other amounts) and shall be
pro-rated for any partial year of employment.
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(b) Incentive
Compensation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all incentive compensation plans and programs generally available
to executive officers of the Company other than its Chief Executive Officer
(as
currently are in effect or as may hereafter be established, amended or in
effect), subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. The
performance factors, measures, goals or targets, the award levels and the other
terms and conditions of any award shall be determined in the discretion of
the
Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company;
provided, however, that during the Term, the “target” award level of any short
term incentive compensation award granted to the Executive shall not be less
than 40% of his Base Salary.
In
addition,
the Company shall, within sixty (60) days following the commencement of the
Initial Term, grant to the Executive an award of Seven Thousand Five Hundred
(7,500) shares of restricted common stock of the Company. Such shares shall
vest
and be payable incrementally to the Executive, with 2,500 shares to become
vested on December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, on the condition
that the Executive is employed by the Company on each respective vesting date.
As a condition to the issuance of any shares of restricted common stock, the
Executive shall execute a restricted stock award agreement relating to such
shares.
(c) Employee
Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all employee benefit plans and programs generally available to executive
officers of the Company other than its Chief Executive Officer (as currently
in
effect or as may hereafter be established, amended or in effect), subject to
the
terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of such plans and programs.
The
employee’s cost of participation in such plans and programs shall be as
determined by the Chairman of the Company or the Board of Directors (or a
committee thereof) of the Company, if not set forth in the plans and programs.
In addition, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s
executive health insurance program (currently provided through the ExecuCare
program), and the Company shall pay $5,000 per calendar year (pro-rated for
any
partial years) towards the cost of the benefit for the Executive under such
program.
(d) Other
Policies. All other matters relating to the employment of the Executive by
the Company not specifically addressed in this Agreement or in the plans and
programs referenced in this Section (including, but not limited to, vacation,
sick and other paid time off) shall be subject to the employee handbooks, rules,
policies, procedures, corporate governance guidelines and codes of conduct
and
ethics of the Company, as are currently in effect or as
may hereafter be in effect from time to time and as may be applicable to
executive officers of the Company other than its Chief Executive Officer. The
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with Company policy,
but in no event shall he be entitled to fewer than twenty (20) days of paid
vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial years).
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(e) Acknowledgment
by the Executive. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Executive understands, acknowledges and agrees that the Company
may, in its sole discretion, amend, modify, replace, freeze, suspend or
terminate any or all of the incentive compensation, employee benefit, retirement
and other plans and programs available, as well as any other rules, policies
or
procedures applicable, to the Executive from time to time, but only so long
as
any such actions are not designed to affect solely the Executive.
(f) Automobile
Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide to the Executive an
automobile allowance of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per month. The insurance,
maintenance, fuel, license plates and other costs relating to this automobile
shall be the responsibility of and paid by the Executive. The Executive shall
not be entitled to any reimbursement for mileage relating to the use of such
automobile, other than as set forth in Section 3(g) and other than for Company
business trips that are within 200 miles of the Executive’s principal office
location. The Executive shall not be reimbursed for mileage between any of
the
Company’s offices or facilities and the Executive’s residence.
(g) Relocation.
The Executive currently maintains his principal residence in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina. In the event that the Executive relocates his principal
residence from Winston-Salem, North Carolina to a location in or within 50
miles
of Lincolnton, North Carolina by December 31, 2007, the Company shall pay the
following expenses of the Executive:
(i) Reasonable
temporary housing expenses of the Executive for a temporary residence in or
within 50 miles of Lincolnton, North Carolina until the earlier of the
Executive’s purchase of a permanent residence in such location or
December 31, 2007;
(ii) Mileage
expenses (at the then applicable IRS rate) of the Executive for up to two (2)
roundtrips per month between his current home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
and Lincolnton, North Carolina until the earlier of the Executive’s purchase of
a permanent residence in or within 50 miles of Lincolnton, North Carolina or
December 31, 2007;
(iii) Reasonable
moving expenses of the Executive in connection with the relocation of the
Executive and his spouse from Winston-Salem, North Carolina to or within 50
miles of Lincolnton, North Carolina;
(iv) Reasonable
real estate brokerage commission and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the
Executive relating to the sale of his existing home in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina; and
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(v) Reasonable
closing costs (but not any points) and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by
the Executive relating to the purchase of his permanent residence in or within
50 miles of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
In
the event
that the Executive does not relocate his principal residence from Winston-Salem,
North Carolina to a location in or within 50 miles of Lincolnton, North Carolina
by December 31, 2007, the Company shall pay the Executive a one-time hiring
bonus of $20,000 (but the Company shall not pay for any commuting, housing
or
other related expenses of the Executive). Such hiring bonus shall be paid on
December 31, 2007.
The
Executive
shall not be entitled to receive both the payment of the expenses and the hiring
bonus referenced above. In addition, as a condition to receiving any amounts
referenced above, the Executive must be employed by the Company at the time
of
payment.
(h) Taxes.
All taxes (other than the Company’s portion of any employment taxes) on the Base
Salary and other amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement or any
plan or program shall be the responsibility of and paid by the Executive. The
Company shall be entitled to withhold from the Executive’s Base Salary and all
other amounts payable to him under this Agreement or any plan or program (i)
applicable income, employment and other taxes, (ii) such amounts authorized
by
the Executive, and (iii) other appropriate and customary amounts.
(i) Expense
Reimbursements. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable
and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Executive related to the
performance of his duties and responsibilities for the Company. The Executive
shall comply with the Company’s standard expense reimbursement policies and
procedures in effect from time to time.
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Section
4. Termination of Employment.
In
addition
to a termination of the Executive’s employment upon a determination by the
Company or the Executive not to extend the Term (as provided in Section 1(b)
hereof), the Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated during
the Term in any of the following ways:
(a) Termination
by the Company for Cause. The Company, upon written notice to the Executive,
may terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company immediately for Cause.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as any of the following:
(i) any
refusal
by the Executive to follow the lawful directions of the Board of Directors
or
the Chairman of the Company that are consistent with the Executive’s duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement; or
(ii) any
gross
negligence by the Executive in managing the business or affairs of the Company
or in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement (or
any
negligence by any employee of the Company who reports to the Executive in
managing the business or affairs of the Company or in performing such employee’s
duties at the Company with the knowledge of the Executive and where the
Executive allows or fails to prevent such negligent acts or omissions);
or
(iii) any
dishonesty, fraud, theft or embezzlement by the Executive (or by any employee
of
the Company who reports to the Executive with the knowledge of the Executive
and
where the Executive allows or fails to prevent such dishonesty, fraud, theft
or
embezzlement by such employee) upon or against the Company or any of the
Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates or any customer of the Company or any of
the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates; or
(iv) any
conviction of, or the entering of any plea of guilty or
nolo contendere by, the Executive for any felony;
or
(v) any
intentional or negligent violation by the Executive (or by any employee of
the
Company who reports to the Executive with the knowledge of the Executive and
where the Executive allows or fails to prevent such violation by such employee)
of any law, statute, rule, regulation or governmental requirement that has
or
may have a material adverse effect on the Company or any of the Company’s
subsidiaries or affiliates; or
(vi) any
material noncompliance by the Executive (or by any employee of the Company
who
reports to the Executive with the knowledge of the Executive and where the
Executive allows or fails to prevent such noncompliance by such employee) with
any provision of any employee handbook, code of business conduct and ethics
or
corporate governance guidelines, or any rule, policy or procedure, of the
Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates as are applicable to
the Executive and currently in effect or as may hereafter be in effect from
time
to time; or
6
(vii) any
breach
by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement; or
(viii) any
inaccuracy in or breach of the Executive’s representation and warranty contained
in Section 13(r) hereof; or
(ix) any
refusal
by the Executive to transfer his employment to a subsidiary or affiliate of
the
Company, or any refusal by the Executive to relocate his principal place of
employment from the office or facility to which he may then be assigned to
a
different office or facility of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate
of
the Company, following a request for such a transfer or relocation by the
Company.
(b) Termination
by the Company without Cause. The Company, upon not less than ninety (90)
days’ prior written notice to the Executive, may terminate the Executive’s
employment with the Company without Cause.
(c) Termination
by the Executive for Good Reason. The Executive, upon not less than ninety
(90) days’ prior written notice to the Company, may terminate his employment
with the Company for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason”
is defined as any material breach by the Company of any provision of this
Agreement.
(d) Termination
by the Executive without Good Reason. The Executive, upon not less than
ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Company, may
terminate his employment with the Company without Good Reason.
(e) Termination
in the Event of Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment with the
Company shall terminate immediately upon the death of the Executive. The
Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated immediately by the
Company in the event of the occurrence of a Disability of the Executive. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Disability” shall be defined as an illness or a
physical or mental disability or incapacity of the Executive such that the
Executive has not been able to perform the essential functions of his duties
and
responsibilities under this Agreement (as reasonably determined by the Company),
with or without reasonable accommodation, for at least sixty (60) days (whether
consecutive or non-consecutive days) during any one (1) year period, including,
but not limited to, any reasonable determination by the Company of alcoholism
or
drug, chemical or substance abuse or addiction by the Executive. A Disability
may, but is not required to, be evidenced by a signed, written opinion of an
independent, qualified medical doctor selected by the Board of Directors or
the
Chairman of the Company and paid for by the Company. The Executive hereby agrees
to make himself promptly available for examination by such medical doctor upon
reasonable request by the Board of Directors or the Chairman and consents to
provide promptly the results of such examination and any diagnosis to the
Company. Nothing in this Section is intended to be in violation of the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
7
(f) Termination
by the Executive in the Event of a Change in Control. Following a Change in
Control (as hereinafter defined), the Executive, upon not less than thirty
(30)
days’ prior written notice to the Company, may terminate his employment with the
Company upon the occurrence of any of the following events during the six (6)
month period immediately following a Change in Control:
(i) a
material
reduction in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities from those in effect on
the day before the Change in Control, or
(ii) a
material
breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Company.
For
purposes
of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean a transaction or series of
related transactions pursuant to which (i) at least fifty-one percent (51%)
of
the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis,
shall subsequent to the date of this Agreement be acquired by any Person (as
hereinafter defined) unrelated to or unaffiliated with the Company, (ii) the
Company merges into, consolidates with or effects any plan of share exchange
or
other combination with any Person unrelated to or unaffiliated with the Company
in a transaction where the holders of voting shares of the Company immediately
prior to the transaction do not hold a majority of the voting shares of the
surviving entity immediately following such transaction, or (iii) the Company
disposes of all or substantially all of its assets other than in the ordinary
course of business, to any Person unrelated to or unaffiliated with the
Company.
Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, for purposes of the definition of “Change in Control,” (x) a Person
shall not include any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or the Chromcraft
Revington, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust which forms a part of the
Chromcraft Revington, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (collectively, the
“ESOP”), or any other employee benefit plan currently or hereafter sponsored by
the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, (y) the outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis, shall include
all shares owned by the ESOP, whether allocated or unallocated to the accounts
of participants, and (z) a transaction or a series of transactions pursuant
to
which the Company is taken private or no longer has shares of stock that are
listed for trading on any securities exchange or market shall not constitute
a
Change in Control.
(g) Limited
Right to Cure. In the event that the Company desires to terminate the
Executive’s employment for Cause pursuant to Sections 4(a)(i), 4(a)(vi) or
4(a)(vii) hereof, the Company shall first deliver to the Executive a written
notice which shall (i) indicate the specific provisions of this Agreement relied
upon for such termination, (ii) set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide the grounds for such termination, and (iii)
describe the steps, actions, events or other items that must be taken, completed
or followed by the Executive to correct or cure the grounds for such
termination. The Executive shall then have thirty (30) days following the
effective date of such notice to fully correct and cure the grounds for the
termination of his employment to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board of
Directors of the Company. If the Executive does not fully correct and cure
such
grounds within such thirty (30) day period, then the Company shall have the
right to terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company immediately for
Cause upon delivering to the Executive written notice of such fact, and the
Executive shall have no further cure period with respect thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and regardless of the grounds for the termination,
the Executive shall be entitled to so correct and cure only one (1) time during
the Term, unless the Board of Directors of the Company has reasonably determined
that the grounds for termination were incorrect or inapplicable, in which case
the Executive shall still have the ability to correct and cure one (1) time
during the Term.
8
In
the event
that the Executive desires to terminate his employment with the Company for
Good
Reason pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof, the Executive shall first deliver
to the
Company a written notice which shall (A) indicate the specific provisions
of
this Agreement relied upon for such termination, (B) set forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the grounds for such
termination, and (C) describe the steps, actions, events or other items that
must be taken, completed or followed by the Company to correct or cure the
grounds for such termination. The Company shall then have thirty (30) days
following the effective date of such notice to fully correct and cure the
grounds for the Executive’s termination of his employment to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Executive. If the Company does not fully correct and
cure
such grounds within such thirty (30) day period, then the Executive shall
have
the right to terminate his employment with the Company immediately for Good
Reason upon delivering to the Company written notice of such fact, and the
Company shall have no further cure period with respect thereto. Notwithstanding
the foregoing and regardless of the grounds for the termination, the Company
shall be entitled to so correct and cure only one (1) time during the Term,
unless the Board of Directors of the Company has reasonably determined that
the
grounds for termination were incorrect or inapplicable, in which case the
Company shall still have the ability to correct and cure one (1) time during
the
Term.
Section
5. Payment Upon Termination of Employment. Upon the termination
of the Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section 1(b) or
Section 4 hereof, the Executive shall receive, subject to Sections 5(g) and
5(h), the following in accordance with the appropriate subsection
below:
(a) Termination
by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason. Upon the
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause pursuant to
Section 4(a) hereof or by the Executive without Good Reason pursuant to Section
4(d) hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) that portion of his
Base
Salary earned through his last day of employment with the Company on its next
regularly scheduled payroll date, (ii) a severance payment in a single lump
sum
equal to the Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a monthly amount) for three
(3) months (provided, however, that if the Company terminates the Executive’s
employment for Cause pursuant to Section 4(a)(viii), then the Company shall
not
be required to make any severance payment to the Executive), (iii) all amounts
that are fully vested and properly payable on or before his last day of
employment with the Company under all retirement plans sponsored by the Company
in accordance with the provisions of such plans, and (iv) all other amounts
that
are properly payable to the Executive by the Company that have not been paid
to
him on or before his last day of employment. The foregoing amounts shall be
paid
to the Executive within sixty (60) days following his last day of employment
with the Company, unless provided otherwise by the ESOP or by a retirement,
incentive compensation or other plan of the Company.
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In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the Executive
in accordance with (I) the incentive compensation plan applicable to such
award
(an “Incentive Plan”), (II) the applicable written agreement between the Company
and the Executive relating to an incentive compensation award (an “Award
Agreement”), or (III) in the absence of an Incentive Plan or an Award Agreement
relating to a particular award, as determined by the Board of Directors (or
a
committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company.
(b) Termination
by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. Upon the
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause pursuant
to Section 4(b) hereof or by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section
4(c) hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) that portion of his
Base
Salary earned through his last day of employment with the Company on its next
regularly scheduled payroll date, (ii) a severance payment equal to the
Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a monthly amount) for a period of the
earlier of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s last day of employment
with the Company or the Executive’s first day of a new position with another
Person, (iii) all amounts that are fully vested and properly payable on or
before his last day of employment under all retirement plans sponsored by the
Company in accordance with the provisions of such plans, and (iv) all other
amounts that are properly payable to the Executive by the Company that have
not
been paid to him on or before his last day of employment. The foregoing monthly
severance payment shall begin within thirty (30) days following the Executive’s
last day of employment with the Company and all other amounts shall be paid
to
the Executive within sixty (60) days of his last day of employment with the
Company, unless provided otherwise by the ESOP or by a retirement, incentive
compensation or other plan of the Company.
In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the Executive
in accordance with (I) the applicable Incentive Plan, (II) the applicable Award
Agreement, or (III) in the absence of an Incentive Plan or an Award Agreement
relating to a particular award, as determined by the Board of Directors (or
a
committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company.
(c) Termination
Upon Death of the Executive. Upon the death of the Executive, the Company
shall pay to the Executive’s estate (i) that portion of the Executive’s Base
Salary earned through the date of his death on its next regularly scheduled
payroll date, (ii) all amounts that are fully vested and properly payable on
or
before his date of death under all retirement plans of the Company in accordance
with the provisions of such plans, and (iii) all other amounts that are properly
payable to the Executive by the Company that have not been paid to him on or
before his date of death. The foregoing amounts shall be paid to the Executive’s
estate or authorized representative within sixty (60) days following his death,
unless provided otherwise by the ESOP or by a retirement, incentive compensation
or other plan of the Company.
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In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the
Executive’s estate or authorized representative in accordance with (I) the
applicable Incentive Plan, (II) the applicable Award Agreement, or (III)
in the
absence of an Incentive Plan or an Award Agreement relating to a particular
award, as determined by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) or
the
Chairman of the Company.
(d) Termination
Upon a Disability. Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment by the
Company upon the occurrence of a Disability pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof,
the
Company shall pay to the Executive (i) that portion of the Executive’s Base
Salary earned through the date of his last day of employment with the Company
on
its next regularly scheduled payroll date, (ii) a severance payment, payable
in
a lump sum, equal to the Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a monthly
amount) for three (3) months, (iii) all amounts that are fully vested and
properly payable on or before his last day of employment under all retirement
plans of the Company in accordance with the provisions of such plans, and (iv)
all other amounts that are properly payable to the Executive by the Company
that
have not been paid to him on or before his last day of employment. The foregoing
amounts shall be paid to the Executive within sixty (60) days following his
last
day of employment with the Company, unless provided otherwise by the ESOP or
by
a retirement, incentive compensation or other plan of the Company.
In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the Executive
in accordance with (I) the applicable Incentive Plan, (II) the applicable Award
Agreement, or (III) in the absence of an Incentive Plan or an Award Agreement
relating to a particular award, as determined by the Board of Directors (or
a
committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company.
(e) Termination
Upon No Extension of Term. Upon the termination of the Executive’s
employment upon either the Company or the Executive providing the notice
contemplated by Section 1(b) hereof that the Term of the Executive’s employment
shall not be extended, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) that portion
of his Base Salary earned through his last day of employment with the Company
on
its next regularly scheduled payroll date, (ii) in the event the Company elects
not to extend the Term of the Executive’s employment, a severance payment equal
to the Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a monthly amount) for a period of
the earlier of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s last day of
employment with the Company or the Executive’s first day of a new position with
another Person, or in the event the Executive elects not to extend the Term
of
the Executive’s employment, a severance payment in a single lump sum equal to
the Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a monthly amount) for three (3)
months, (iii) all amounts that are fully vested and properly payable on or
before his last day of employment under all retirement plans sponsored by the
Company in accordance with the provisions of such plans, and (iv) all other
amounts that are properly payable to the Executive by the Company that have
not
been paid to him on or before his last day of employment. The foregoing monthly
severance payment shall begin within thirty (30) days following the Executive’s
last day of employment with the Company and other amounts shall be paid to
the
Executive within sixty (60) days of his last day of employment, unless provided
otherwise by the ESOP or by a retirement, incentive compensation or other plan
of the Company.
11
In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the Executive
in accordance with (I) the applicable Incentive Plan, (II) the applicable
Award
Agreement, or (III) in the absence of an Incentive Plan or an Award Agreement
relating to a particular award, as determined by the Board of Directors (or
a
committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Company.
(f) Termination
by the Executive following a Change in Control. Upon the termination of the
Executive’s employment by the Executive following a Change in Control pursuant
to Section 4(f) hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) that portion
of his Base Salary earned through his last day of employment with the Company,
(ii) a severance payment equal to the Executive’s Base Salary (calculated as a
monthly amount) for a period of the earlier of twelve (12) months following
the
Executive’s last day of employment with the Company or the Executive’s first day
of a new position with another Person, (iii) all amounts that are fully vested
and properly payable on or before his last day of employment under all
retirement plans sponsored by the Company in accordance with the provisions
of
such plans, and (iv) all other amounts that are properly payable to the
Executive by the Company that have not been paid to him on or before his last
day of employment. The foregoing monthly severance payment shall begin within
thirty (30) days following the Executive’s last day of employment with the
Company and other amounts shall be paid to the Executive within sixty (60)
days
of his last day of employment with the Company, unless provided otherwise by
the
ESOP or by a retirement, incentive compensation or other plan of the
Company.
In
addition,
all outstanding awards of cash bonuses, stock options, restricted stock and
other incentive compensation (whether cash or equity based) shall vest and
be
paid or distributed to, or be exercisable by, as the case may be, the Executive
simultaneously with a Change in Control unless expressly provided otherwise
in
(I) the applicable Incentive Plan, or (II) the applicable Award
Agreement.
12
(g) COBRA
Coverage. If the Executive is participating in the Company’s group health
plan at the time of his termination of employment and he elects to continue
such
coverage for himself and/or his spouse and legal dependents under the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended (“COBRA”),
the Executive shall pay the premiums associated with such continued coverage
and
the Company shall reimburse the Executive only for the premiums actually paid
by
him associated with such continued coverage until the earlier of (i) the
expiration of the period of time that the Executive has elected to receive
continued coverage under the Company’s group health plan pursuant to COBRA (but,
in any event, not to exceed twelve (12) months following his last day of
employment with the Company), or (ii) the date on which the Executive becomes
eligible to receive health insurance benefits from a new employer or another
Person. The foregoing reimbursement of premiums shall be paid to the Executive
only if his employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without
Cause, by the Executive for Good Reason, by the Company in the event of a
Disability of the Executive, by the Company in the event the Company elects
not
to extend the Term of the Executive’s employment or by the Executive following a
Change in Control, and upon the condition that the Executive makes an
appropriate election under COBRA.
(h) Certain
Other Matters. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5,
the following shall apply:
(i) The
Executive understands and agrees that the severance payments and the
reimbursement for the premiums associated with the COBRA continuation coverage
under this Section 5 shall constitute adequate consideration for his
covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6 (Non-Disclosure, etc.), Section
7 (Non-Competition), Section 8 (Non-Solicitation) and Section 9 (Intellectual
Property) of this Agreement.
(ii) Upon
any
termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall execute (and not
subsequently rescind or revoke) a release substantially similar to the release
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.
(iii) Any
termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company in accordance with
Section 1(b) or Section 4 hereof shall not affect either the Company’s
obligation to make the payments and reimbursements required under this Section
5
(except as expressly provided in this Agreement) or the Executive’s covenants
and agreements under Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement. The Company’s
obligation to make any severance payment or to make any reimbursement for the
premiums associated with the COBRA continuation coverage to the Executive under
this Section 5 shall terminate immediately without reinstatement of any
obligation of the Company to resume paying or reimbursing the Executive
hereunder if the Executive breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement
(including, but not limited to, any of the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 or
9)
or refuses to execute (or rescinds or revokes) the release attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit A. Notwithstanding any such termination of the
Company’s obligation to pay or reimburse, (a) the covenants of the Executive set
forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 hereof shall continue in full force and effect
and be binding upon the Executive, and (b) the Company shall be entitled to
the
remedies specified in Section 12 hereof, among others.
13
(iv) In
the
event of any termination of the Executive’s employment that requires prior
written notice from either party, the Company shall during such thirty (30)
or
ninety (90) day notice period, as applicable, continue to pay the Executive
his
Base Salary but may, in its discretion, elect to direct the Executive not
to
report to work.
(v) In
the event
the Company gives notice to the Executive of its intent to terminate the
Executive’s employment because the Company (or the division to which he has been
assigned) will cease operations, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive
the severance payments provided by this Section 5 only if the Executive remains
as an employee of the Company (or the division to which he has been assigned)
until such time as the Company (or the division) has actually ceased
operations.
(vi) If
the
Company becomes obligated to make monthly severance payments to the Executive
pursuant to this Section 5 (the “Monthly Severance Payments”) and the Executive
obtains an employee, consulting or other position with another Person without
breaching any of his covenants set forth in this Agreement (including, but
not
limited to, his covenants set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9 hereof), then
the
Monthly Severance Payments shall terminate or be reduced as set forth in this
paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, the “New Monthly Compensation” shall
mean the monthly base salary, consulting fee or other compensation associated
with the Executive’s new position with another Person. In the event that the
Executive’s New Monthly Compensation is equal to or greater than the Executive’s
monthly Base Salary on his last day of employment with the Company, then the
Company’s obligation to pay additional Monthly Severance Payments shall
immediately terminate. In the event that the Executive’s New Monthly
Compensation is less than the Executive’s monthly Base Salary on his last day of
employment, then the Monthly Severance Payments shall be reduced for the period
that the Company is obligated to make any severance payments such that the
Monthly Severance Payments shall equal solely the amount by which the
Executive’s monthly Base Salary on his last day of employment exceeds the New
Monthly Compensation.
If
the
Company’s obligation to pay Monthly Severance Payments has been terminated or
reduced as provided in the foregoing paragraph, such obligation shall not
thereafter be reinstated or increased, in whole or in part, and shall not affect
the Executive’s covenants under Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9 of this Agreement. The
Executive shall promptly provide written notice to the Company of his new
position with another Person, which shall include an adequate confirmation
of
his New Monthly Compensation. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated for any reason (whether by the Company or the Executive), he shall
use his best efforts to obtain a new position (but without breaching his
non-competition covenants set forth in Section 7 hereof) with another Person.
In
addition, the Executive shall not do any act or thing relating to any new
position or his New Monthly Compensation to circumvent the operation of the
foregoing paragraph.
14
Section
6. Non-Disclosure; Return of Confidential Information and Other
Property; Compliance with Laws.
(a) Confidential
Information; Non-Disclosure. At all times while the Executive is employed by
the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates and at all times
thereafter, the Executive shall not (i) directly or indirectly disclose, provide
or discuss any Confidential Information with or to any Person other than those
directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents of the Company or
any
of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates who need to know such Confidential
Information for a proper corporate purpose, and/or (ii) directly or indirectly
use any Confidential Information (A) to compete against the Company or any
of
the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, (B) to the detriment of the Company or
any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, or (C) for the Executive’s own
benefit or for the benefit of any Person other than the Company or any of the
Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates. The Executive agrees that all Confidential
Information is and at all times shall remain the property of the Company or
any
of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, as applicable.
For
purposes
of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” means any and all of the
following, whether provided or disclosed to the Executive, prepared by the
Executive or to which the Executive has been provided access by the Company
or
any of its representatives or agents, regardless of whether on, before or after
the date of this Agreement:
(i) any
and all
materials, records, data, documents, lists and information (whether in writing,
printed, verbal, electronic, computerized, on disk, CD, DVD or otherwise) (A)
relating or referring in any manner to the business, operations, affairs,
financial condition, results of operation, assets, liabilities, sales, revenues,
income, estimates, projections, budgets, policies, strategies, techniques,
methods, products, developments, suppliers, vendors, relationships and/or
customers of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates that
are confidential, proprietary or not otherwise publicly available (other than
through a breach of this Agreement by the Employee or any other impermissible
disclosure), or (B) that the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or
affiliates has deemed confidential, proprietary or nonpublic; and
(ii) without
limiting the foregoing, any and all material nonpublic information of the
Company within the meaning and intent of the federal securities laws;
and
(iii) without
limiting the foregoing, any and all trade secrets of the Company or any of
the
Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates; and
(iv) any
and all
copies, summaries, analyses, extracts, documents or information (whether
prepared by the Company, the Employee or otherwise) which relate or refer to
or
reflect any of the items set forth in (i), (ii) or (iii) above.
15
(b) Return
of
Confidential Information and Other Property. The Executive covenants and
agrees (i) to return promptly to the Company, at the Company’s headquarters, all
Confidential Information that is still in the Executive’s possession or control
on his last day of employment with the Company or the location of which the
Employee knows (including, but not limited to, any Confidential Information
contained on the Executive’s personal or home computer), and (ii) to return
promptly to the Company, at the Company’s headquarters, all vehicles, equipment,
computers, credit cards, keys, access cards, passwords and other property
of the
Company that are still in the Executive’s possession or control on his last day
of employment or the location of which the Employee knows, and to cease using
any of the foregoing on and after his last day of employment.
(c) Compliance
with Laws. The Executive agrees, and shall ensure, that his performance of
his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement shall be in compliance
with
all laws, rules, regulations and other legal requirements. The Executive also
agrees to comply with the Company’s code of business conduct and ethics as
currently in effect or as may hereafter be in effect from time to time. In
addition, the Executive acknowledges and understands that, in the course of
his
performance of duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, he may be
provided or have access to Confidential Information. Accordingly, the Executive
shall not use such information as a basis to purchase, sell, hold or otherwise
deal in any securities of the Company or to otherwise violate any federal or
state securities laws.
Section
7. Non-Competition.
(a) The
Executive hereby understands, acknowledges and agrees that, by virtue of his
position at the Company, he has or will have advantageous familiarity and
personal contacts with the suppliers, vendors, employees and customers (wherever
located) of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates and has and will
have
advantageous familiarity with the Confidential Information and the business,
operations, affairs and strategies of the Company and its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
(b) For
a period of one (1) year following his last day of employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, in any location within the United States of America,
directly or indirectly, or individually or together with any other Person,
as
owner, shareholder, investor, member, partner, proprietor, principal, director,
officer, employee, manager, agent, representative, independent contractor,
consultant or otherwise:
(i) engage
in,
or assist another Person in engaging in, any business, operation or activity
which competes with any business, operation or activity that is conducted or
actively being developed or pursued by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or
affiliates (or which is in the same or a similar line of business as the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) on his last day of employment with
the
Company or during such one year non-competition period or that was conducted
or
actively being developed or pursued by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or
affiliates at any time during the one (1) year period preceding his last day
of
employment with the Company; or
16
(ii) finance,
operate or control any business, operation or activity which competes with
any
business, operation or activity that is conducted or actively being developed
or
pursued by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or which
is in
the same or a similar line of business as the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates) on his last day of employment with the Company or during such
one
year non-competition period or that was conducted or actively being developed
or
pursued by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time
during the one (1) year period preceding his last day of employment with
the
Company; or
(iii) offer
or
provide employment, hire or engage (whether on a full-time, part-time or
consulting basis or otherwise) any individual who is an employee of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates on the last day of the Executive’s
employment with the Company or who was such an employee at any time during
the
one (1) year period preceding the Executive’s last day of employment with the
Company.
(c) The
Executive acknowledges the nationwide scope of the business of the Company
and
its subsidiaries or affiliates. Nevertheless, in the event that any provision
of
Section 7(b) is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the
geographic or other restrictions permitted by applicable law, then the court
shall have the power to reduce, limit or reform (but not to increase or make
greater) such provision to make it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted
by law, and such provision shall then be enforceable against the Executive
in
its reduced, limited or reformed manner.
In
addition,
the Company and the Executive agree that the provisions of this Section 7 shall
be severable in accordance with Section 13(e) hereof.
(d) At
all times while the Executive is employed by the Company, he shall not engage
in, or assist another Person in engaging in (or finance, operate or control)
any
business, operation or activity which is conducted or proposed to be conducted
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (or which is in the
same
or a similar line of business as or competes with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates).
Section
8. Non-Solicitation.
(a) The
Executive hereby understands, acknowledges and agrees that, by virtue of his
position at the Company, he has and will have advantageous familiarity and
personal contacts with the suppliers, vendors, employees and customers (wherever
located) of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates and has and will
have
advantageous familiarity with the Confidential Information and the business,
operations, affairs and strategies of the Company and its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
17
(b) For
a period of one (1) year following his last day of employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, or individually or together
with any other Person, as owner, shareholder, investor, member, partner,
proprietor, principal, director, officer, employee, manager, agent,
representative, independent contractor, consultant or
otherwise:
(i) solicit
in
any manner, seek to obtain, service or accept any business of any Person who
is
a customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates on the
Executive’s last day of employment with the Company or during such one year
non-solicitation period or who was an existing or prospective customer of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time during the one
(1)
year period preceding the Executive’s last day of employment; or
(ii) request,
encourage or advise any Person who is a customer, supplier, vendor or otherwise
doing business with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates on
the
Executive’s last day of employment with the Company or during such one year
non-solicitation period, or who was an existing or prospective customer of
the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time during the one
(1)
year period preceding the Executive’s last day of employment, to terminate,
reduce, limit or change their business or relationship with the Company or
any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or
(iii) induce,
request or attempt to influence any Person who is employed by the Company or
any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates on the Executive’s last day of employment with
the Company to terminate the employee’s employment with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(c) The
Executive acknowledges the nationwide scope of the business of the Company
and
its subsidiaries or affiliates. Nevertheless, in the event that any provision
of
Section 8(b) is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the time,
geographic or other restrictions permitted by applicable law, then the court
shall have the power to reduce, limit or reform (but not to increase or make
greater) such provision to make it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted
by law, and such provision shall then be enforceable against the Executive
in
its reduced, limited or reformed manner.
In
addition,
the Company and the Executive agree that the provisions of this Section 8 shall
be severable in accordance with Section 13(e) hereof.
(d) At
all times while the Executive is employed by the Company, he shall not solicit
in any manner, seek to obtain, service or accept any business for or on behalf
of a Person other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
18
Section
9. Intellectual Property. The Executive understands,
acknowledges and agrees that each and every invention, idea, concept, discovery,
improvement, device, design, apparatus, practice, process, method, technique
or
product (whether or not patentable or copyrightable) made, created, developed,
perfected, devised, conceived, worked on or first reduced to practice by
the
Executive, either solely or in collaboration with others, during the period of
the Executive’s employment with the Company (whether or not during regular
working hours) relating, directly or indirectly, to the business, operations,
affairs, products, practices, techniques or methods of the Company or any
of its
subsidiaries or affiliates (the “Intellectual Property”) is and shall be the
exclusive property of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, as
applicable. The Executive hereby forever, unconditionally and irrevocably
releases and relinquishes any and all right, title and interest that he may
have
in and to the Intellectual Property worldwide and hereby forever,
unconditionally and irrevocably assigns to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates any and all of the Executive’s right, title and
interest in and to the Intellectual Property worldwide. At the Company’s request
and expense, the Executive shall (a) execute any and all assignments, documents
and other writings that the Company determines are necessary to evidence
ownership of the Intellectual Property in the Company, (b) execute any and
all
applications and registrations of the Company for patents, trademarks and/or
copyrights relating to the Intellectual Property, and (c) assist the Company
in
obtaining any and all patents, trademarks and copyrights that it desires
relating to the Intellectual Property.
Section
10. Periods of Noncompliance and Reasonableness of Periods. The
restrictions and covenants contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement
shall
be deemed not to run during all periods of noncompliance, the intention of
the
parties hereto being to have such restrictions and covenants apply during the
full periods specified in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement. The Company and
the Executive understand, acknowledge and agree that the restrictions and
covenants contained in Section 7 and Section 8 of this Agreement are
reasonable in view of the Executive’s position at the Company, the competitive
and confidential nature of the information of which the Executive has or will
have knowledge and the competitive and the nature of the business in which
the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates are or may be engaged.
Section
11. Survival of Certain Provisions. Upon any termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company, both the Company and the Executive
hereby agree that Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Agreement shall terminate
and
be of no force or effect (except for the definitions of capitalized terms
specified in such sections) and that Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and
13
hereof shall continue to be in full force and effect and binding upon the
Company or the Executive, as the case may be, in accordance with the respective
provisions of such Sections.
Section
12. Certain Remedies. The Executive agrees that the Company will
suffer irreparable damage and injury and will not have an adequate remedy at
law
in the event of any actual, threatened or attempted breach by the Executive
of
any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9. Accordingly, in the event of a breach
or
a threatened or attempted breach by the Executive of any provision of Sections
6, 7, 8 or 9, in addition to all other remedies to which the Company is entitled
at law, in equity or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary
restraining order, a permanent injunction and/or a decree of specific
performance of any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9. In addition, in the
event
of any breach by the Executive of any provision of Sections 6, 7, 8, or 9,
the
Executive shall immediately repay to the Company all severance payments paid
to
him under Section 5 hereof, as well as all incentive compensation vested or
paid
to him and all profits from his exercise of options to purchase Company
securities following the Executive’s last day of employment. The parties agree
that a bond posted by the Company in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000)
shall be adequate and appropriate in connection with such restraining order
or
injunction and that actual damages need not be proved by the Company prior
to it
being entitled to obtain such restraining order, injunction or specific
performance. The foregoing remedies shall not be deemed to be the exclusive
rights or remedies of the Company for any breach of or noncompliance with this
Agreement by the Executive but shall be in addition to all other rights and
remedies available to the Company at law, in equity or otherwise.
19
Section
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Binding
Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and the Executive and their respective heirs, executors,
representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however that neither party
may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto except that the Company may, without the consent of the Executive, assign
this Agreement in connection with any transfer of the Executive to a subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company or in connection with any merger, consolidation,
share exchange, combination, sale of stock or assets, dissolution or similar
transaction involving the Company. In the event of any such permitted assignment
of this Agreement, all references to the “Company” shall thereafter mean and
refer to the assignee of the Company.
(b) Waiver.
Either party hereto may, by a writing signed by the waiving party, waive the
performance by the other party of any of the covenants or agreements to be
performed by such other party under this Agreement. The waiver by either party
hereto of a breach of or noncompliance with any provision of this Agreement
shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver or a waiver of any
other or subsequent breach or noncompliance hereunder. The failure or delay
of
either party at any time to insist upon the strict performance of any provision
of this Agreement or to enforce its rights or remedies under this Agreement
shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of the right to insist
upon
strict performance of such provision, or to pursue any of its rights or remedies
for any breach hereof, at a future time.
(c) Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written
agreement executed by all of the parties hereto.
(d) Headings.
The headings in this Agreement have been inserted solely for ease of reference
and shall not be considered in the interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.
(e) Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions (or any portion thereof) contained
herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in
any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed
as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions (or portion
thereof) had never been contained herein; provided, however, if any provision
of
Section 7 or 8 of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be unenforceable because of the provision’s scope, duration,
geographic restriction or other factor, then such provision shall be considered
divisible and the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce
or limit (but not increase or make greater) such scope, duration, geographic
restriction or other factor or to reform (but not increase or make greater)
such
provision to make it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law, and
such provision shall then be enforceable against the appropriate party hereto
in
its reformed, reduced or limited form.
20
(f) Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute one
and
the same agreement.
(g) Construction.
This Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted by both parties hereto.
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the fair meaning of its
provisions and its language shall not be strictly construed against, nor
shall
ambiguities be resolved against, any party.
(h) Voluntary
Execution. The Executive hereby understands and agrees that he has executed
this Agreement voluntarily.
(i) Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, and the plans, programs, policies, procedures,
rules, agreements and other documents referenced herein, as well as the Release
attached hereto, constitute the entire understanding and agreement between
the
parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede
all other prior understandings, commitments, representations, negotiations,
contracts and agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto
relating to the matters contemplated hereby and thereby.
(j) Certain
References. Whenever in this Agreement a singular word is used, it also
shall include the plural wherever required by the context and vice-versa. All
references to the masculine, feminine or neuter genders herein shall include
any
other gender, as the context requires. Unless expressly provided otherwise,
all
references in this Agreement to days shall mean calendar, not business,
days.
(k) Governing
Law. Because the Company maintains its principal place of business in the
State of Indiana, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without reference to any
choice of law provisions, principles or rules thereof (whether of the State
of
Indiana or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of any
laws
of any jurisdiction other than the State of Indiana. Any claim, demand or action
relating to this Agreement shall be brought only in a court of competent
jurisdiction in the State of Indiana. In connection with the foregoing, the
parties hereto irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such court
and expressly waive any claims or defenses of lack of jurisdiction of or proper
venue by such court.
21
(l) Notices.
All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
(which shall include facsimile communication) and shall be deemed to have
been
duly given if (i) delivered by hand; (ii) sent by certified United States
Mail,
return receipt requested, first class postage pre-paid; (iii) sent by overnight
delivery service; or (iv) sent by facsimile transmission if such fax is
confirmed immediately thereafter by also mailing a copy of such notice, request
or other communication by regular (not certified or registered) United States
Mail, first class postage pre-paid, as follows:
If
to the
Company: Chromcraft
Revington, Inc.
Attention:
Chairman
0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
If
to the
Executive: Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
____________________________
____________________________
Telephone:
(___) __________
Facsimile:
(___) __________
or
to such
other address or facsimile number as either party hereto may have furnished
to
the other in writing in accordance herewith. The Executive shall promptly
provide any changes to his address, telephone number and facsimile number to
the
Company.
All
such
notices, requests and other communications shall be effective (i) if delivered
by hand, when delivered; (ii) if sent by mail in the manner provided herein,
two
(2) business days after deposit with the United States Postal Service; (iii)
if
sent by overnight delivery service, on the next business day after deposit
with
such service; or (iv) if sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail,
on
the date indicated on the fax confirmation page or the electronic mail of the
sender, respectively, if such fax or electronic mail also is confirmed by mail
in the manner provided herein.
(m) Attorneys’
Fees. The prevailing party in any claim or action (or any settlement
thereof) under this Agreement shall, in addition to such other relief that
a
court may award, be entitled to recover its or his, as the case may be,
reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses from the non-prevailing
party.
(n) Recitals.
The recitals, premises and “Whereas” clauses contained on page 1 of this
Agreement are expressly incorporated into and made a part of this
Agreement.
22
(o) Definition
of Person. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Person” shall mean any
natural person, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, organization, firm, business, joint venture, association, trust
or
other entity, but shall not include the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or
affiliates.
(p) Non-disparagement.
Following any termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the
Executive shall not publicly disparage or make or publish any negative
statements or comments about the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or
affiliates or any of their respective products, directors or employees.
Following any termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, and
subject to applicable law, no executive officer of the Company or member of
the
Company’s Board of Directors shall publicly disparage or make or publish any
negative statements or comments about the Executive.
(q) Cooperation.
For a period of five (5) years following any termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Company and upon the request of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates, the Executive shall reasonably cooperate, assist
and
make himself available (for testimony or otherwise) at appropriate times and
places as reasonably determined by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates in connection with any claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding,
examination, investigation or litigation by, against or affecting the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. In connection with the foregoing, if
the
Executive has obtained employment or a position with another Person and has
to
take time away from such employment or position, then the Company shall pay
the
Executive a fee of $1,000 for each day that the Company or any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company requests the Executive to cooperate, assist or make
himself available, and shall also reimburse the Executive for his reasonable
out-of-pocket travel expenses that are approved in advance by the Chairman
of
the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not pay such fee or
reimburse for such expenses in connection with any claim, demand, action, suit
or proceeding relating to this Agreement.
(r) No
Other
Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that
he is not a party to or bound by any other employment agreement, noncompetition
agreement or covenant, nonsolicitation agreement or covenant or any other
agreement or covenant that would restrict, limit or prevent him from performing
his duties and responsibilities for the Company under this Agreement. In the
event the foregoing representation and warranty is inaccurate or breached in
any
respect, the Company may, in its discretion, terminate the Executive’s
employment with the Company in accordance with Section 4(a)(viii) hereof. In
addition, the Executive shall indemnify and reimburse the Company for any and
all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, but
not limited to, its reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Company arising
out of or relating to such inaccuracy or breach in the event that any liability
is imposed on the Company by virtue of the Executive being a party to or bound
by any other employment, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or other agreement
or
covenant.
23
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have made, entered into, executed
and
delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
CHROMCRAFT
REVINGTON, INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx-Xxx
Xxxxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx-Xxx
Chairman