Exhibit 10-E
SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 5th day of June, 1997, by and
between GPU, Inc. (the "Corporation"), GPU Service, Inc. (the "Company") and Xxx
X. Xxxxxx (the "Executive") amends and restates the former Severance Protection
Agreement dated February 6, 1997.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Boards") recognize that the possibility of a
Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and that the threat or the
occurrence of a Change in Control can result in significant distraction of the
Company's key management personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such
a situation;
WHEREAS, the Boards have determined that it is essential and in
the best interest of the Company, and the Corporation and its stockholders, for
the Company to retain the services of the Executive in the event of a threat or
occurrence of a Change in Control and to ensure the Executive's continued
dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern for the Executive's
personal financial and employment security; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the
employ of the Company, particularly in the event of a threat or the occurrence
of a Change in Control, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement with
the Executive to provide the Executive with certain benefits in the event the
Executive's employment is terminated as a result of, or in connection with, a
Change in Control.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of
the parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence as of
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November 1, 1996, and shall continue in effect until October 31, 1998 (the
"Term"); provided, however, that on November 1, 1997, and on each November 1
thereafter, the Term shall automatically be extended for one (1) year unless
either the Executive or the Company shall have given written notice to the other
at least ninety (90) days prior thereto that the Term shall not be so extended;
provided, further, however, that following the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the Term shall not expire prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24)
months after such occurrence.
2. Termination of Employment. If, during the Term, the
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Executive's employment with the Company and with all other Affiliates of the
Corporation shall be terminated within twenty- four (24) months following a
Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation
and benefits:
(a) If the Executive's employment with the Company and
with all other Affiliates of the Corporation shall be terminated (1) by the
Company for Cause or Disability, (2) by reason of the Executive's death, or (3)
by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the
Executive his Accrued Compensation. In addition to the foregoing, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Disability or by reason
of the Executive's death, the Company shall pay to the Executive or his
beneficiaries a Pro Rata Bonus. The Executive's entitlement to any other
compensation or benefits shall be determined in accordance with the Company's
employee benefits plans and other applicable programs and practices then in
effect.
(b) If the Executive's employment with the Company and
with all other Affiliates of the Corporation shall be terminated for any reason
other than as specified in Section 2(a), the Executive shall be entitled to the
following:
(1) the Company shall pay the Executive all
Accrued Compensation and a Pro Rata Bonus;
(2) the Company shall pay the Executive as
severance pay and in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to
the Termination Date, an amount determined by multiplying (A) two times the sum
of (i) the Executive's Base Amount and (ii) the Executive's Bonus Amount, by (B)
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months, not to exceed
twenty-four (24), in the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on
the Executive's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in the Company's Employee
Pension Plan), and the denominator of which is twenty-four (24).
(3) for a number of months equal to twenty-four
(24), or if earlier, until the Executive's Normal Retirement Date (as defined in
the Company's Employee Pension Plan) (the "Continuation Period"), the Company
shall at its expense continue on behalf of the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and
hospitalization coverages and benefits provided to the Executive immediately
prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the coverages and benefits
provided at any time thereafter. The coverages and benefits (including
deductibles and costs) provided in this Section 2(b)(3) during the Continuation
Period shall be no less favorable to the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries, than the most favorable of such coverages and benefits referred
to above. The Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing
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coverages and benefits shall be reduced to the extent that the Executive obtains
any such coverages and benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer's benefit
plans, in which case the Company may reduce any of the coverages or benefits it
is required to provide the Executive hereunder so long as the aggregate
coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans is no less favorable to the
Executive than the coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder.
This Section 2(b)(3) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to
which the Executive, his dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled under any
of the Company's employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the
Executive's termination of employment, including without limitation, retiree
medical and life insurance benefits;
(4) the Company shall pay or reimburse the
Executive for the costs, fees and expenses of outplacement assistance services
(not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base
Amount and (B) the Executive's Bonus Amount) provided by any outplacement agency
selected by the Executive; and
(5) the Company shall provide to the Executive
the use of a Company-leased vehicle, at no cost to the Executive, until the
earlier of (A) the date occurring six (6) months after the Termination Date or
(B) the Executive's sixty-fifth (65th) birthday, after which date the Executive
shall have the option to purchase the vehicle at its "blue book" value.
(c) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (1) within twelve (12) months prior to a Change in Control
or (2) prior to the date of a Change in Control but the Executive reasonably
demonstrates that such termination (A) was at the request of a third party who
has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a
Change in Control (a "Third Party") and who effectuates a Change in Control or
(B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in
Control which has been threatened or proposed and which actually occurs, such
termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a Change in Control, provided
a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.
(d) (1) Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of
the Executive, by the Company, the Corporation, any Affiliate, any Person (as
defined in Section 15.6(a) hereof) who acquires ownership or effective control
of the Corporation or ownership of a substantial portion of the Corporation's
assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), and the
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regulations thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person, whether paid or payable
or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments.
(2) Determination By Accountant. All
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mathematical determinations, and all determinations as to whether any of the
Total Payments are "parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of
the Code), that are required to be made under this Section 2(d), including
determinations as to whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and amounts relevant to the last sentence of this Section
2(d)(2), shall be made by an independent accounting firm selected by the
Executive from among the six (6) largest accounting firms in the United States
(the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide its determination (the
"Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations regarding the
amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any other relevant matter, both to the
Company and the Executive by no later than ten (10) days following the
Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company or the Executive (if the Executive reasonably believes that any of the
Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). If the Accounting Firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the
Executive and the Company with a written statement that such Accounting Firm has
concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (including the reasons therefor) and
that the Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his
federal income tax return. If a Gross-Up Payment is determined to be payable, it
shall be paid to the Executive within twenty (20) days after the Determination
(and all accompanying calculations and other material supporting the
Determination) is delivered to the Company by the Accounting Firm. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive, absent manifest error. As a result of uncertainty in the application
of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made by the
Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), or that
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Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Company which should not have been
made ("Overpayments"). In either such event, the Accounting Firm shall determine
the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the case of
an Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. In the case of an Overpayment,
the Executive shall, at the direction and expense of the Company, take such
steps as are reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and claims
for refund), follow reasonable instructions from, and procedures established by,
the Company, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to correct such
Overpayment, provided, however, that (i) the Executive shall not in any event be
obligated to return to the Company an amount greater than the net after-tax
portion of the Overpayment that he has retained or has recovered as a refund
from the applicable taxing authorities and (ii) this provision shall be
interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent of Section 2(d)(1), which is
to make the Executive whole, on an after-tax basis, from the application of the
Excise Tax, it being understood that the correction of an Overpayment may result
in the Executive repaying to the Company an amount which is less than the
Overpayment.
(e) The amounts provided for in Sections 2(a) and
2(b)(1), (2) and (4) shall be paid in a single lump sum cash payment within
thirty (30) days after the Executive's Termination Date (or earlier, if required
by applicable law).
(f) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other
employment or otherwise and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the
amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the Executive in any
subsequent employment except as provided in Section 2(b)(3).
(g) The severance pay and benefits provided for in
this Section 2 shall be in lieu of any other severance pay to which the
Executive may be entitled under the GPU System Severance Procedure or any other
plan, agreement or arrangement of the Company or any other Affiliate of the
Corporation.
3. Notice of Termination. Following a Change in Control, any
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intended termination of the Executive's employment by the Company shall be
communicated by a Notice of Termination from the Company to the Executive, and
any intended termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive for Good
Reason shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination from the Executive to
the Company.
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4. Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal fees and
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related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred
by the Executive as they become due as a result of (a) the termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive for Good Reason
(including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending
or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), (b) the
Executive's hearing before the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
contemplated in Section 15.5 of this Agreement or (c) the Executive seeking to
obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any
other plan or arrangement maintained by the Company under which the Executive is
or may be entitled to receive benefits; provided, however, that the payment of
fees and expenses pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be made only after, and
only to the extent that, the Executive is unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain
or enforce such right or benefit through the procedures established under the
Legal Defense Fund maintained by the Company under the GPU System Companies
Master Executives' Benefits Protection Trust (or any similar fund under a
successor trust).
5. Transfer of Employment. Notwithstanding any other provision
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herein to the contrary, the Company shall cease to have any further obligation
or liability to the Executive under this Agreement if (a) the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates as a result of the transfer of his
employment to any other Affiliate of the Corporation, (b) this Agreement is
assigned to such other Affiliate, and (c) such other Affiliate expressly assumes
and agrees to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no assignment had taken
place. Any Affiliate to which this Agreement is so assigned shall be treated as
the "Company" for all purposes of this Agreement on or after the date as of
which such assignment to the Affiliate, and the Affiliate's assumption and
agreement to so perform this Agreement, becomes effective.
6. Corporation's Obligation. The Corporation agrees that it will
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take such steps as may be necessary to cause the Company (or any Affiliate that
has become the "Company" pursuant to Section 5 hereof) to meet each of its
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.
7. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all
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other communications provided for in the Agreement (including any Notice of
Termination) shall be in writing, shall be signed by the Executive if to the
Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to the Executive, and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered
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or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed
to the respective addresses last given by each party to the other, provided that
all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Board with
a copy to the Secretary of the Company. All notices and communications shall be
deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third
business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address
shall be effective only upon receipt.
8. Nature of Rights. The Executive shall have the status of a
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mere unsecured creditor of the Company and the Corporation with respect to his
right to receive any payment under this Agreement. This Agreement shall
constitute a mere promise by the Company and the Corporation to make payments in
the future of the benefits provided for herein. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that the arrangements reflected in this Agreement shall be
treated as unfunded for tax purposes and, if it should be determined that Title
I of ERISA is applicable to this Agreement, for purposes of Title I of ERISA.
Except as provided in Section 2(g), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus,
incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company, the Corporation or
any other Affiliate of the Corporation and for which the Executive may qualify,
nor shall anything herein limit or reduce such rights as the Executive may have
under any other agreements with the Company, the Corporation or any other
Affiliate of the Corporation. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the
Company, the Corporation or any other Affiliate of the Corporation shall be
payable in accordance with such plan or program, except as explicitly modified
by this Agreement.
9. Settlement of Claims. The Company's obligation to make the
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payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, defense, recoupment, or other right which
the Company may have against the Executive or others.
10. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be
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modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive, the Corporation and the
Company. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other
party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a
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waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise,
express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
any party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
11. Successors; Binding Agreement.
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(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the Company, the Corporation and their respective
Successors and Assigns. The Company and the Corporation shall require their
respective Successors and Assigns to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company and/or the
Corporation would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment
had taken place.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest
hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, his
beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal personal representative.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
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construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey
without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Any action
brought by any party to this Agreement shall be brought and maintained in a
court of competent jurisdiction in Xxxxxx County in the State of New Jersey.
13. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
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deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
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agreement between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements, if
any, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties
hereto, with respect to the subject matter hereof, it being understood that this
Agreement shall not supersede or in any way be construed to amend or modify the
provisions of the letter agreement dated as of June 5, 1997 between the Company
and the Executive.
15. Definitions.
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15.1. Accrued Compensation. For purposes of this
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Agreement, "Accrued Compensation" shall mean all amounts of compensation for
services rendered to the Company or any other
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Affiliate that have been earned or accrued through the Termination Date but that
have not been paid as of the Termination Date including (a) base salary, (b)
reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company during the period ending on the Termination
Date, (c) vacation pay and (d) bonuses and incentive compensation; provided,
however, that Accrued Compensation shall not include any amounts described in
clause (a) or clause (d) that have been deferred pursuant to any salary
reduction or deferred compensation elections made by the Executive.
15.2. Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Affiliate" means any entity, directly or indirectly, controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Corporation or any corporation or other entity
acquiring, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all the assets and
business of the Corporation, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
15.3. Base Amount. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Base Amount" shall mean the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in
effect as of the date of a Change in Control or, if greater, at any time
thereafter, determined without regard to any salary reduction or deferred
compensation elections made by the Executive.
15.4. Bonus Amount. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Bonus Amount" shall mean the greater of (a) the target annual bonus payable to
the Executive under the Incentive Plan in respect of the fiscal year during
which the Termination Date occurs or (b) the highest annual bonus paid or
payable under the Incentive Plan in respect of any of the three full fiscal
years ended prior to the Termination Date or, if greater, the three (3) full
fiscal years ended prior to the Change in Control.
15.5. Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, a
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termination of employment is for "Cause" if the Executive has been convicted of
a felony or the termination is evidenced by a resolution adopted in good faith
by two-thirds of the Board of Directors of the Corporation that the Executive:
(a) intentionally and continually failed
substantially to perform his reasonably assigned duties with the Company (other
than a failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or
mental illness or from the assignment to the Executive of duties that would
constitute Good Reason) which failure continued for a period of at least thirty
(30) days after a written notice of demand for substantial performance, signed
by a duly authorized officer of the Company, has been delivered to the Executive
specifying the manner in which the Executive has failed substantially to
perform, or
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(b) intentionally engaged in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Corporation or the Company;
provided, however, that no termination of the Executive's employment shall be
for Cause as set forth in this Section 15.5(b) until (1) there shall have been
delivered to the Executive a copy of a written notice, signed by a duly
authorized officer of the Company, setting forth that the Executive was guilty
of the conduct set forth in this Section 15.5(b) and specifying the particulars
thereof in detail, and (2) the Executive shall have been provided an opportunity
to be heard in person by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (with the
assistance of the Executive's counsel if the Executive so desires).
No act, nor failure to act, on the Executive's
part, shall be considered "intentional" unless the Executive has acted, or
failed to act, with a lack of good faith and with a lack of reasonable belief
that the Executive's action or failure to act was in the best interest of the
Corporation and the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by the Executive after a Notice
of Termination is given to the Company by the Executive shall constitute Cause
for purposes of this Agreement.
15.6. Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall
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mean the occurrence during the term of the Agreement of:
(a) An acquisition (other than directly from
the Corporation) of any common stock of the Corporation ("Common Stock") or
other voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the
election of directors (the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as the term
person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), immediately after which such
Person has "Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Corporation's then
outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, in determining whether a
Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a
Non-Control Acquisition (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an
acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition"
shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a
part thereof) maintained by (A) the Corporation or (B) any corporation or other
Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities
or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (a
"Subsidiary") (ii) the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in
connection with a Non-Control Transaction (as hereinafter defined);
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(b) The individuals who, as of
August 1, 1996, are members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
"Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent
(70%) of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; provided,
however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Corporation's
shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement,
be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however,
that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such
individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or
threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents
by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors of the Corporation
(a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or
settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; or
(c) The consummation of:
(1) A merger, consolidation or
reorganization with or into the Corporation or in which
securities of the Corporation are issued, unless such
merger, consolidation or reorganization is a
"Non-Control Transaction." A "Non-Control Transaction"
shall mean a merger, consolidation or reorganization
with or into the Corporation or in which securities of
the Corporation are issued where:
(A) the shareholders of the
Corporation, immediately before such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, own
directly or indirectly immediately following
such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, at least sixty percent (60%)
of the combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of the
corporation resulting from such merger or
consolidation or reorganization (the
"Surviving Corporation") in substantially
the same proportion as their ownership of
the Voting Securities immediately before
such merger, consolidation or
reorganization,
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(B) the individuals who
were members of the Incumbent Board
immediately prior to the execution of the
agreement providing for such merger,
consolidation or reorganization constitute
at least seventy percent (70%) of the
members of the board of directors of the
Surviving Corporation, or a corporation
beneficially directly or indirectly owning a
majority of the Voting Securities of the
Surviving Corporation, and
(C) no Person other than
(i) the Corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary,
(iii) any employee benefit plan (or any
trust forming a part thereof) that,
immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, was
maintained by the Corporation, the Surviving
Corporation, or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any
Person who, immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or reorganization had
Beneficial Ownership of twenty percent (20%)
or more of the then outstanding Voting
Securities or common stock of the
Corporation, has Beneficial Ownership of
twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined
voting power of the Surviving Corporation's
then outstanding voting securities or its
common stock.
(2) A complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation; or
(3) The sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation to any Person (other than a transfer to a
Subsidiary).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control
shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person")
acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then
outstanding common stock or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of
Common Stock or Voting Securities by the Corporation which, by reducing the
number of shares of Common Stock or Voting Securities then outstanding,
increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject
Person, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation
of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or
Voting Securities by the
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Corporation, and after such share acquisition by the Corporation, the Subject
Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common Stock or
Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding shares
of Common Stock or Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person,
then a Change in Control shall occur.
15.7. Company and Corporation. For purposes of this
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Agreement, all references to the Company and the Corporation shall include their
respective Successors and Assigns.
15.8. Disability. For purposes of this Agreement,
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"Disability" shall mean a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the
Executive's ability to substantially perform his duties with the Company for six
(6) consecutive months, and within the time period set forth in a Notice of
Termination given to the Executive (which time period shall not be less than
thirty (30) days), the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of his duties; provided, however, that if the Company's Voluntary
Employees Beneficiary Association Long Term Disability Income Plan, or any
successor plan (the "Disability Plan"), is then in effect, the Executive shall
not be deemed disabled for purposes of this Agreement unless the Executive is
also eligible for "Total Disability" (as defined in the Disability Plan)
benefits (or similar benefits in the event of a successor plan) under the
Disability Plan.
15.9. Good Reason. (a) For purposes of this
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Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence after a Change in Control of
any of the following events or conditions:
(1) a change in the Executive's status, title,
position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in
the Executive's reasonable judgment, represents an adverse change from his
status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior
thereto; the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities
which, in the Executive's reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with his status,
title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the Executive from or
failure to reappoint or reelect him to any of such offices or positions, except
in connection with the termination of his employment for Disability, Cause, as a
result of his death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;
(2) a reduction in the rate of the
Executive's annual base salary;
(3) location of the offices of the Company at
which the Executive is principally employed to a location more than twenty-five
(25) miles from the location of
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such offices immediately prior to such relocation, or the Company's requiring
the Executive to be based anywhere other than at such offices, except to the
extent the Executive was not previously assigned to a principal place of duty
and except for required travel on the Company's business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive's previous business travel
obligations;
(4) the failure by the Company to pay to the
Executive any portion of the Executive's current compensation or to pay to the
Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any
deferred compensation program of the Company in which the Executive
participated, within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;
(5) the failure by the Company (A) to
continue in effect (without reduction in benefit level, and/or reward
opportunities) any material compensation or employee benefit plan in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to such failure by the Company,
including, but not limited to, any of the plans listed in Appendix A hereto,
unless a substitute or replacement plan has been implemented which provides
substantially identical compensation or benefits to the Executive or (B) to
continue to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits, in the
aggregate, at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward
opportunities) to those provided for under each other compensation or employee
benefit plan, program and practice in which the Executive was participating
immediately prior to such failure by the Company;
(6) the failure of the Company to obtain from
its Successors or Assigns the express assumption and agreement required under
Section 11 hereof; or
(7) any purported termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company which is not effected pursuant to a Notice
of Termination satisfying the terms set forth in the definition of Notice of
Termination (and, if applicable, the terms set forth in the definition of
Cause).
(b) Any event or condition described in
Section 15.9(a)(1) through (7) which occurs (1) within twelve (12) months prior
to a Change in Control or (2) prior to a Change in Control but which the
Executive reasonably demonstrates (A) was at the request of a Third Party who
effectuates a Change in Control or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in
anticipation of a Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed and
which actually occurs, shall constitute Good Reason for purposes of this
Agreement notwithstanding that it occurred prior to a Change in Control.
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15.10. Incentive Plan. For purposes of this Agreement,
--------------
"Incentive Plan" shall mean the Incentive Compensation Plan for Elected
Officers, or any successor annual incentive plan, maintained by the Company or
any other Affiliate.
15.11. Notice of Termination. For purposes of this
---------------------
Agreement, following a Change in Control, "Notice of Termination" shall mean a
written notice of termination of the Executive's employment, signed by the
Executive if to the Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to
the Executive, which indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement, if any, relied upon and which sets forth in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
15.12. Pro Rata Bonus. For purposes of this Agreement,
--------------
"Pro Rata Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the Bonus Amount multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year
through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365; provided,
however, that the Pro Rata Bonus shall be reduced, but not below zero, to the
extent of any bonus the Executive is entitled to receive pursuant to the
Incentive Plan in respect of the fiscal year (denoted a "Performance Period"
under the Incentive Plan) in which the Termination Date occurs.
15.13. Successors and Assigns. For purposes of this
----------------------
Agreement, "Successors and Assigns" shall mean, with respect to the Company or
the Corporation, a corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially
all the assets and business of the Company or the Corporation, as the case may
be (including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.
15.14. Termination Date. For purposes of this
----------------
Agreement, "Termination Date" shall mean (a) in the case of the Executive's
death, his date of death, (b) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that
the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a
full-time basis during such thirty (30) day period) and (c) if the Executive's
employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice
of Termination (which, in the case of a termination for Cause shall not be less
than thirty (30) days, and in the case of a termination for Good Reason shall
not be more than sixty (60) days, from the date such Notice of Termination is
given); provided, however, that if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of
Termination is given the party receiving such Notice of Termination in good
faith notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the basis for
the
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termination, the Termination Date shall be the date on which the dispute is
finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, or by the
final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time
for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been taken).
Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Company shall continue to
pay the Executive his Base Amount and continue the Executive as a participant in
all compensation, incentive, bonus, pension, profit sharing, medical,
hospitalization, dental, life insurance and disability benefit plans in which he
was participating when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given, until
the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Section whether or not
the dispute is resolved in favor of the Company, and the Executive shall not be
obligated to repay to the Company any amounts paid or benefits provided pursuant
to this sentence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Company have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers and the
Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
GPU, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
ATTEST: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Secretary
GPU Service, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
ATTEST: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Secretary
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxxx
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