Exhibit 10.16
Employment Agreement
This Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 24th of
September, 1998 ("Effective Date"), by and among Synthetic Industries, Inc.
("the Corporation") and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Corporation currently employs Executive as Vice
President-Construction/Civil Engineering Division; and
WHEREAS, both the Corporation and Executive (the "Parties") desire to
state certain terms and conditions of Executive's employment and wish to
substitute this agreement for their previous employment agreements;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
The Corporation agrees to continue to employ Executive and Executive
agrees to continue to serve the Corporation upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.
2. Term.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 7 below, the term of
employment under this Agreement shall continue from the Effective Date for a
period that ends on the date that is the third anniversary of the Effective
Date; provided, however, that on the first day of the calendar month next
following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and on the first day of
each successive month, such term of employment shall automatically be extended
for successive
one month periods, providing a minimum remaining term of two years. Either party
may halt future extension by written notice, in which case such term of
employment shall be the term in effect when such written notice was given.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on
the twenty-fifth (25th) anniversary of the Effective Date if it is not
terminated earlier pursuant to Section 7.
3. Duties and Extent of Services; Location of Principal Office.
During the term set forth in Section 2 above, the Corporation shall
employ Executive and Executive shall serve the Corporation as Vice
President-Construction/Civil Engineering Division. During the period of his
employment, Executive shall devote his full business time and attention to the
business and affairs of the Corporation. During such term, Executive's principal
office shall be located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the term set forth in Section 2 above, the
Corporation shall pay Executive a base salary, payable in accordance with the
Corporation's standard payroll practices, as follows: $141,000 per annum for the
period from the Effective Date through September 30, 1998, and $151,000 per
annum, thereafter. Executive's salary may be reviewed from time to time by the
Board, to increase the amount of such salary. Executive's salary shall not be
reduced during the term of this Agreement. Any increased salary shall become
Executive's base salary for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Annual Incentive. During the term set forth in Section 2, above,
Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Executive Incentive Plan, or
in such successor plan as may be adopted for the provision of annual incentive
compensation for senior executives (the "Annual
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Incentive Plan"). Executive shall be entitled to an incentive payment applicable
under the Annual Incentive Plan if the Corporation meets its business plan for
the year ("Making Plan").
(c) Stock Options. Executive shall have such rights to stock options
under either the Synthetic Industries, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan, the
Synthetic Industries, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, or any successor stock option
plan, or any combination of such plans (collectively, the "Option Plan") as
shall be set forth in any applicable stock option agreement.
5. Benefits.
During the term set forth in Section 2 above, Executive shall be
eligible to participate in all group life insurance, health insurance,
disability insurance, survivor income insurance and similar programs maintained
by the Corporation and covering executive employees. Participation in any
retirement plans maintained by the Corporation shall be as determined under the
provisions of such plans.
6. Reimbursement for Expenses.
The Corporation shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable
business expenses incurred by him on behalf of the Corporation in the
performance of his duties hereunder, provided Executive shall account therefore
in accordance with the Corporation's business expense policies and procedures.
7. Termination
Executive's employment may be terminated prior to the end of the
term described in Section 2 only as provided in this Section 7.
(a) Termination for Disability. If the Executive becomes unable to
substantially perform his duties due to permanent physical or mental disability,
as determined by
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a physician agreed upon by the Corporation and the Executive,
his employment pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate. If Executive's
employment is terminated on account of disability under this Section 7(a),
Executive's rights to compensation and benefits shall be as follows:
(i) Executive (or in the event of his death, his estate) shall
be paid his base salary accrued through the date of termination of employment.
(ii) Executive shall be entitled to any unpaid amount
previously fully accrued under the Annual Incentive Plan.
(iii) Executive's rights with respect to stock options, if
any, shall be determined under the Option Plan and any applicable stock option
agreement.
(iv) Following his termination, Executive's right to
participate in the benefit programs described in Section 5 above, including the
rights of Executive's dependents to participate in such programs, if any, shall
be as determined under the provisions of such benefit programs.
(b) Termination on Executive's Death. In the event of termination of
employment by reason of the death of Executive, payment of compensation and
benefits shall be as set forth below. Payment shall be made to the executor or
administrator of Executive's estate, or, in the case of a payment made under a
benefit program, to the person or persons who have been designated pursuant to
the terms of such program to receive such payments.
(i) Executive's base salary accrued through the date of
termination of employment.
(ii) Executive shall be entitled to any unpaid amount
previously fully accrued under the Annual Incentive Plan. In addition, Executive
shall be entitled to an incentive
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payment, in lieu of an incentive payment under the Annual Incentive Plan for the
plan year in which his employment terminates, in an amount equal to the payment
otherwise determined under the Annual Incentive Plan, as if the Executive were
employed by the Corporation to the end of the year of his termination,
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of weeks Executive
was employed during such year, and the denominator of which is 52.
(iii) Executive's rights with respect to stock options, if
any, shall be determined under the Option Plan and any applicable stock option
agreement.
(iv) Following his death, Executive's rights under the benefit
programs described in Section 5 above, including the rights of Executive's
dependents to participate in such programs, if any, shall be as determined under
such programs.
(c) Termination for Cause. The Corporation shall have the right to
terminate Executive's employment for "Cause." If Executive's employment is
terminated for Cause, Executive's rights to compensation and benefits shall be
as follows:
(i) Executive shall be paid his base salary accrued through
the date of termination of employment.
(ii) Executive's rights with respect to stock options, if any,
shall be determined under the Option Plan and any applicable stock option
agreements.
(iii) Following his termination, Executive's right to
participate in the benefit programs described in Section 5, above, including the
rights of Executive's dependents to participate in such programs, if any, shall
be as determined under the provisions of such benefit programs.
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For purposes of this Subsection, "Cause" shall mean (1)
Executive's conviction of, or plea of, guilty or nolo contendere to a felony
(unless committed in the good faith belief that Executive's actions were in the
best interests of the Corporation and would not violate criminal law); or (2)
gross neglect or gross misconduct in the performance of Executive's duties.
Executive shall be given written notice that the Corporation intends to
terminate his employment for Cause under this Subsection. Such notice shall
specify the particular acts, or failures to act, that give rise to the decision
to so terminate employment.
In the case of termination for Cause under definition (1), Executive's
employment shall be terminated effective as of the date such notice is given,
provided, however, that Executive shall be given the opportunity to meet with
the Board of Directors of the Corporation within 30 days of the date such notice
is given, to be heard with regard to whether he, in good faith, believed that
his actions or inactions were both in the best interests of the Corporation and
would not violate criminal law.
In the case of termination for Cause under definition (2), Executive shall
be given the opportunity within 20 days of the receipt of such notice to meet
with the Board to defend such acts or failures to act. Executive shall be given
seven days after such meeting to correct any particular acts or failures to act,
and upon failure of Executive, within such seven day period, to correct such
acts or failures to act, Executive's employment by the Corporation shall be
terminated.
Termination on account of disability, as provided in Section 7(a) above,
shall not be considered a termination for Cause under this Section 7(c).
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(d) Termination Without Cause.
(1) The Corporation shall have the right to terminate
Executive's employment without Cause as defined in Section 7(c) above. In the
event of a termination by the Corporation without Cause, other than (A)
following a Change in Control, as defined in Section 7(e) below, or (B) as
described in Subsection (2) below, Executive's rights to compensation and
benefits shall be as follows:
(i) Executive shall be paid his base salary at the rate in
effect on the date of termination of employment for a period of one and one-half
years from the date of termination.
(ii) Executive shall be entitled to any unpaid amount
previously fully accrued under the Annual Incentive Plan. In addition, Executive
shall be entitled to an incentive payment, in lieu of an incentive payment under
the Annual Incentive Plan for the plan year in which his employment terminates,
in an amount equal to the payment otherwise determined under the Annual
Incentive Plan, as if the Executive were employed by the Corporation to the end
of the year of his termination, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which
is the number of weeks Executive was employed during such year, and the
denominator of which is 52. In addition, in lieu of future payments under the
Annual Incentive Plan, Executive shall be entitled to a payment that equals the
average of the incentive payments received by Executive (or fully accrued by
him) under the Annual Incentive Plan for the three full plan years immediately
preceding his termination of employment.
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(iii) Executive's rights with respect to stock options, if
any, shall be determined under the Option Plan and any applicable stock option
agreement.
(iv) Executive shall be entitled to a lump sum payment equal
to the estimated sum of the premiums that Executive would have to pay to
continue to cover Executive and his eligible dependents under the Corporation's
group health plans, including medical and dental plans, in effect at the time of
termination for a period of 18 months following termination of employment.
Termination on account of disability, as provided in Section 7 (a) above,
shall not be considered a termination without Cause under this Section 7(d).
(2) If Executive's employment is terminated by the Corporation
without Cause, as defined in Subsection (e) above, prior to the occurrence of a
Change in Control of the Corporation (as defined below), and if it can be shown
that Executive's termination (i) was at the direction or request of a third
party that had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change in Control
of the Corporation thereafter, or (ii) otherwise occurred in connection with, or
in anticipation of, the Change in Control of the Corporation, then Executive
shall have the rights described in Section 7(e) below, as if a Change in Control
of the Corporation had occurred on the date immediately preceding such
termination.
(e) Termination Following a Change in Control.
(1) Definitions.
(A) "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(B) "Affiliate of any specified persons" means any other
person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is
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controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common control with such specified
person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" means the possession,
direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
(C) "Termination Payment" means the sum of:
(i) One and one-half times Executive's base salary at
the rate in effect on the date of a termination of employment (or, in the event
of a termination for Good Reason below, the base salary as in effect immediately
before the actions giving rise to Good Reason); plus
(ii) Two times the greatest of the incentive
payments under the Annual Incentive Plan either paid or accrued in either the
Year of the Change in Control or the immediately preceding Year.
(D) "Base Amount" means an amount equal to Executive's
Annualized Includable Compensation for the Base Period as defined in Section
280(G)(d)(1) and (2) of the Code (as hereinafter defined).
(E) "Change in Control" of the Corporation means a Change in
Control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item
6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Act or any
successor thereto, provided that without limiting the foregoing, a Change in
Control of the Corporation also shall be deemed to have occurred if:
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(i) any "person" (as defined under Section 3(a) (9)
of the Act) or "group" of persons (as provided under Rule 13d-3 of the Act)
(other than Synthetic Industries, LP (the "Partnership") is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 or otherwise under the Act),
directly or indirectly (including as provided in Rule 13d-3(d) (1) of the Act),
of capital stock of the Corporation the holders of which are entitled to vote
("voting stock") representing that percentage of the Corporation's then
outstanding voting stock (giving effect to the deemed ownership of securities by
such person or group, as provided in Rule 13d-3(d)(1) of the Act, but not giving
effect to any such deemed ownership of securities by another person or group)
equal to or greater than thirty-five percent (35%) of all such voting stock;
(ii) individuals who constitute the Board on the
date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least
a majority thereof. Any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose
election, or nomination for election, is, at any time, approved by a vote of at
least two-thirds of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board;
(iii) the Corporation combines with another person or
entity, whether through a merger, asset sale, reorganization or otherwise, and
(a) any person or group of persons (other than the Partnership) holds at any
time after such combination, voting stock equal to or greater than thirty-five
percent (35%) of all such voting stock determined by reference to the voting
securities of the surviving entity, or (b) the Corporation's Directors, as of
the date immediately before such combination, constitute less than a majority of
the Board of Directors of the combined entity;
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(iv) the shareholders of the Corporation approve any
merger, consolidation or share exchange as a result of which the voting stock of
the Corporation shall be changed, converted or exchanged (other than a merger
solely with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation), or any dissolution or
liquidation of the Corporation or any sale or the disposition of 50% or more of
the assets or business of the Corporation in a single transaction or in a series
of transactions;
(v) the shareholders of the Corporation approve any
merger or consolidation to which the Corporation is a party or a share exchange
in which the Corporation shall exchange its shares for shares of another
corporation as a result of which the persons who were shareholders of the
Corporation immediately prior to the effective date of the merger, consolidation
or share exchange shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the
combined voting power for election of directors of the surviving corporation
following the effective date of such merger, consolidation or share exchange;
(vi) any event that would constitute a Change in
Control of the Partnership within the meaning of Item 6(e) of the Schedule 14A
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Act or any successor thereto or under
any of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) above if the term "Partnership" were
substituted for the term "Corporation," "partner" were substituted for
"shareholder" and "interest" were substituted for "stock," "capital stock" or
"securities," or
(vii) the removal of the entity that constitutes the
general partner of the Partnership on the date hereof (the "Incumbent General
Partner") or the appointment in a dissolution of the Partnership of a
liquidating trustee that is not the Incumbent General Partner
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unless such appointment was approved by either the Incumbent General Partner or
the individuals who constitute the Incumbent Board.
(F) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including
any amendments thereto.
(G) "Good Reason" means:
(i) any breach of this Agreement by the
Corporation, including without limitation (a) any reduction during the
employment period in the amount of Executive's base salary or aggregate benefits
as in effect from time to time, (b) failure to provide Executive with the same
fringe benefits that were provided to Executive immediately prior to a Change in
Control of the Corporation, or with a package of fringe benefits (including paid
vacations) that, though one or more of such benefits may vary from those in
effect immediately prior to such a Change in Control, is substantially
comparable in all material respects to such fringe benefits taken as a whole, or
(c) any other breach by the Corporation of its obligations to pay compensation
under this Agreement;
(ii) without Executive's express written consent,
the assignment to Executive of any duties which are materially inconsistent with
Executive's positions, duties, responsibilities and status immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Corporation, a material change in Executive's
reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as an employee and as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control, or a significant reduction in
Executive's title, duties or responsibilities, or in the level of his support
services;
(iii) the relocation of Executive's principal place
of employment, without Executive's written consent, to a location more than 50
miles from
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Executive's principal place of employment at the time of such Change
in Control, or the imposition of any requirement that Executive spend more than
60 business days per year at a location other than such principal place of
employment;
(iv) any purported termination of Executive's
employment for Cause, Disability or Retirement which is not effected pursuant
to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements defined below;
Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in
(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) above, Executive shall give the Corporation written
notice that such event constitutes Good Reason, and the Corporation shall
thereafter have 30 days in which to cure. If the Corporation has not cured in
that time, the event shall constitute Good Reason.
(H) "Notice of Termination" means a notice which shall
indicate the specific termination provision relied upon in this Agreement and
shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated.
(I) "Person" or "Group" means a "person" or "group," as
defined in the definition of "Change in Control" above.
(J) "Year" means a calendar year unless otherwise specifically
provided.
(2) Payments for Termination Following Change in Control. If,
following a Change in Control, Executive's employment with the Corporation is
terminated by the Corporation other than for Cause, or by Executive for Good
Reason, then:
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(A) Executive shall be entitled to all compensation and
benefits accrued through the date of termination of employment;
(B) Executive shall be entitled to the Termination Payment
made in a lump sum payment;
(C) Executive shall be entitled to any unpaid amount
previously fully accrued under the Annual Incentive Plan. In addition, in lieu
of future payments under the Annual Incentive Plan, Executive shall be entitled
to a payment that equals the average of the incentive payments received by
Executive (or fully accrued by him) under the Annual Incentive Plan for the
three plan years immediately preceding his termination of employment; and
(D) Executive shall be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to
the estimated sum of the premiums that Executive would have to pay to continue
to cover Executive and his eligible dependents under the Corporation's group
health plans, including medical and dental plans and to purchase life insurance,
accidental death and dismemberment insurance and disability insurance coverage
substantially equivalent to the coverage in effect at the time of termination
for a period of 18 months following termination of employment.
(E) The payments described above shall be made within 2
business days after termination in the event termination is by the Corporation
or Executive gives at least 5 business days notice of termination by the
Executive. In the case of termination by the Executive without 5 business days
notice, the payments shall be made within 10 business days after the
termination. Any payments not timely made will accrue interest at 8.5% per annum
until made.
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(3) Vesting of Options upon Change in Control. In the event of
a Change in Control, whether or not Executive's employment continues with the
Corporation, all options under the Option Plan shall immediately vest on the
date of the Change in Control.
(4) Certain Supplemental Provisions. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, in the event that any payment received or to be received
by Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Corporation or the
termination of Executive's employment (whether payable pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payment
being referred to in the aggregate as "Total Payment") would not be deductible
(in whole or in part) as a result of Section 280G of the Code, the payments
otherwise due to Executive pursuant to Section 7(e)(2) above ("Severance
Payments") shall be reduced until no portion of the Total Payments is not
deductible as a result of Section 280G of the Code, or the Severance Payments
are reduced to zero. For purposes of this limitation (i) no portion of the Total
Payments, the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall have effectively
waived in writing prior to the date of payment of the Severance Payments, shall
be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into
account which, in the opinion of the tax counsel selected by the Corporation's
independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to Executive ("Tax Counsel"),
does not constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code, (iii) the Severance Payments shall be reduced only to
the extent necessary so that the Total Payments (other than those referred to in
clause (i) or (ii)) in their entirety constitute reasonable compensation for
services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code,
in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
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and (iv) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit
included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Corporation's
independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3)
and (4) of the Code.
(5) Expenses and Interest. If, after a Change in Control of
the Corporation, a good faith dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of
the Executive's rights under this Subsection 7(e), or if any legal or
arbitration proceeding shall be brought in good faith to enforce or interpret
any rights provided under this Subsection 7(e), Executive shall recover from the
Corporation any reasonable attorney's fees and necessary costs and disbursements
incurred as a result of such dispute, and prejudgment interest on any money
judgment or arbitration obtained by Executive calculated at 8.5% per annum from
the date that payments to him should have been made under this Subsection.
(f) Voluntary Termination. Executive may terminate his employment
voluntarily at any time by giving the Corporation two weeks written notice. In
the event Executive terminates his employment voluntarily, other than as
provided in Subsection 7(e) above, Executive's rights to compensation and
benefits shall be as follows:
(i) Executive shall be paid salary accrued through the date of
termination of employment.
(ii) Executive's rights to annual incentive, if any, shall be
as determined under the Annual Incentive Plan.
(iii) Executive's rights with respect to stock options, if
any, shall be determined under the Option Plan and any applicable stock option
agreement.
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(iv) Following his termination, Executive's right to
participate in the benefit programs described in Section 5 above, including the
rights of Executive's dependents to participate in such programs, if any, shall
be as determined under the provisions of such benefit programs.
8. Payment Obligations Absolute.
The Corporation's obligation to pay the Executive the compensation
and to make the arrangements provided herein shall be absolute and unconditional
and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation,
any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the
Corporation may have against him or anyone else. All amounts payable by the
Corporation hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand. Each and every
payment made hereunder by the Corporation shall be final and the Corporation
will not seek to recover all or any part of such payment from the Executive or
from whomsoever may be entitled thereto, for any reason whatever provided that
if the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, a
felony or misdemeanor involving acts or omissions of the Executive in connection
with his employment by the Corporation, the Corporation shall be allowed to
recover any actual damages it has incurred from such action or omission out of
amounts paid or owing him hereunder.
9. Further Obligations of Executive.
(a) Definitions.
For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:
(i) "Restricted Activities" means the rendering of any
advertising, marketing, sales, administrative, supervisory, or consulting
services.
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(ii) "Territory" means the continental United States and
Canada.
(iii) "Restricted Businesses" means the manufacture,
distribution, and/or sale of geosynthetic or fiber reinforced concrete fabrics
and fibers.
(iv) "Confidential Information" means any data or information,
other than Trade Secrets, that is valuable to the Corporation and not generally
known to the public or to competitors of the Corporation.
(v) "Nondisclosure Period" means the period beginning on the
date of this Agreement and ending two years after the date Executive's
employment with the Corporation ends or is terminated for any reason.
(vi) "Nonsolicitation Period" means the period beginning on
the date of this Agreement and ending two years after the date Executive's
employment with the Corporation ends or is terminated for any reason.
(vii) "Trade Secret" means information including, but not
limited to, any technical or nontechnical data, formula, pattern, compilation,
program, device, method, technique, drawing, process, financial data, financial
plan, product plan, list of actual or potential customers or suppliers or other
information similar to any of the foregoing, which (i) derives economic value,
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily
ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can derive economic value
from its disclosure or use and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
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(b) Trade Secrets and Confidential Information.
(i) Trade Secrets. Executive hereby covenants and agrees
that he shall hold in confidence all Trade Secrets of the Corporation, its
direct and indirect subsidiaries, and/or its customers (the "Associated
Companies") that came into his knowledge during his employment by the
Corporation and shall not disclose, publish or make use of at any time after the
date hereof such Trade Secrets without the prior written consent of the
Corporation for as long as the information remains a Trade Secret.
(ii) Confidential Information. Executive hereby covenants and
agrees that, during the Non-Disclosure Period, he will hold in confidence all
Confidential Information of the Corporation or of the Associated Companies that
came into his knowledge during his employment by the Corporation and will not
disclose, publish or make use of such Confidential Information without the prior
written consent of the Corporation.
(iii) Return of Materials. Upon the request of the Corporation
and, in any event, upon the termination of Executive's employment with the
Corporation, Executive shall deliver to the Corporation all memoranda, notes,
records, manuals or other documents (including, but not limited to, written
instruments, voice or data recordings, or computer tapes, disks or files of any
nature), including all copies of such materials and all documentation prepared
or produced in connection therewith, pertaining to the performance of
Executive's services for the Corporation, the business of the Corporation, or
containing Trade Secrets or Confidential Information regarding the Corporation's
business, whether made or compiled by Executive or furnished to Executive by
virtue of his employment with the Corporation.
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Executive shall also deliver to the Corporation all computers, credit cards,
telephones, office equipment, software, and other property the Corporation
furnished to Executive by virtue of his employment with the Corporation.
(c) Nonsolicitation.
(i) Nonsolicitation of Customers. Executive hereby covenants
and agrees that he will not, during the Nonsolicitation Period, without the
prior written consent of the Corporation, solicit, directly or indirectly, any
business related to the Restricted Businesses from any of the Corporation's
customers, including actively sought prospective customers, with whom Executive
had contact during his employment with the Corporation.
(ii) Nonsolicitation of Employees. Executive hereby covenants
that he will not, during the Nonsolicitation Period, without the prior written
consent of the Corporation, solicit or attempt to solicit for employment for or
on behalf of any corporation, partnership, venture or other business entity any
person who, on the last day of Executive's employment with the Corporation or
within 12 months prior to that date, was employed by the Corporation or its
direct or indirect subsidiaries and with whom Executive had contact during the
course of his employment with the Corporation (whether or not such person would
commit a breach of contract).
(d) Non-competition.
(i) Noncompete. Executive hereby covenants that he will not,
within the Territory and during the Nonsolicitation Period, without the prior
written consent of the Corporation, engage in any Restricted Activities for or
on behalf of any corporation, partnership, venture or other business entity
which engages in any of the Restricted Businesses.
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(e) Noncompete Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Parties agree that in consideration of and as an inducement to
Executive's undertaking the obligations contained in this Section 9, the
Corporation shall pay Executive (or in the event of his death, his estate),
within 5 business days after the date of termination of employment, a lump sum
payment equal to one-half Executive's annual base salary, as in effect on the
date of termination of employment (the "Noncompete Payment"). The parties
further acknowledge and agree that should Executive breach any of the covenants
contained in this Section 9, the Corporation will suffer material damages,
including but not limited to lost business revenues, sales, and customers.
Because of the difficulty in quantifying these damages, Executive hereby agrees
that, in addition to any other rights the Corporation may have at law or in
equity, he shall forfeit the Noncompete Payment upon any breach of the covenants
contained in this Section 9. In the event a breach of covenant occurs after the
termination of employment, Employee agrees to immediately return the Noncompete
Payment to the Corporation.
(f) Specific Performance. Executive acknowledges that the
obligations undertaken by him pursuant to this Section 9 are unique and that the
Corporation likely will have no adequate remedy at law if he fails to perform
any of his obligations. Executive therefore confirms that the Corporation's
right to specific performance of the terms of this Agreement is essential to
protect the rights and interests of the Corporation. Accordingly, in addition to
any other remedies that the Corporation may have pursuant to Subsection 9(e), at
law, or in equity, the Corporation shall have the right to have all obligations,
covenants, agreements and other provisions of this Agreement specifically
performed by Executive and the Corporation shall have
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the right to obtain preliminary and permanent injunctive relief from any court
with proper jurisdiction, without having to first submit arbitration, to secure
specific performance and to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of the
obligations contained in this Section.
10. Arbitration.
(a) Except as provided in Subsection 9(f) above, any dispute,
controversy, or claim between the parties arising out of, relating to, or
concerning this Agreement; the breach, termination, or invalidity of this
Agreement; and the scope of this arbitration clause, shall be settled by
arbitration at the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Atlanta, Georgia,
in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA then in
effect. Any award rendered shall be final and binding on the parties hereto, and
judgment may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Nothing in
this section, however, shall prevent the Corporation from seeking immediate
relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the obligations
undertaken in Section 9 above without first having to undergo arbitration.
(b) The arbitrator shall be mutually acceptable to the parties, or
failing agreement, selected pursuant to the Employment Dispute Arbitration Rules
of the AAA. The arbitration award shall be in writing and shall specify the
factual and legal bases for the award. In rendering the award, the arbitrator
shall determine the respective rights and obligations of the parties according
the laws of the State of Georgia or, if applicable, federal law.
(c) All costs and expenses of the arbitration shall be paid for by
the Corporation. Except as provided in Subsection 7(e)(5), each party shall pay
its own attorneys' fees.
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(d) It is the specific intent of the parties that this
arbitration clause be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
Section 1, et seq. ("FAA"); however, if this clause is unenforceable for any
reason under the FAA, then the parties intend that it be governed by the
provisions of the Georgia Arbitration Code, O.C.G.A. Section 9-9-1, et seq.
(e) Both Executive and the Corporation represent and warrant they
have read this Section, have had an opportunity to consult with and receive
advice from legal counsel regarding this Section, and hereby forever waive all
rights to assert that this Section was a result of duress, coercion, or mistake
of law of fact.
(Initialed by Executive)
-------------
(Initialed by the Corporation)
-------------
11. Withholding.
Payments required to be made by the Corporation to Executive, his
spouse, his estate or beneficiaries, will be subject to withholding of such
amounts relating to taxes as the Corporation may reasonably determine it should
withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. In lieu of withholding
such amounts, in whole or in part, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion,
accept other provision for payment of taxes as required by law, provided it is
satisfied that all requirements of law affecting its responsibilities to
withhold such taxes have been satisfied.
12. Assignability; Binding Nature.
This Agreement is binding upon, and will inure to the benefit of,
the parties and their respective successors, heirs, administrators, executors
and assigns. No rights or obligations
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of Executive hereunder may be assigned or transferred by Executive except that
(a) rights to compensation and benefits hereunder, which rights will remain
subject to the limitations hereunder, may be transferred by will or operation of
law, and (b) rights under employee benefit plans or programs described in
Section 5, above, may be assigned or transferred in accordance with such plans,
programs or regular practices thereunder. No rights or obligations of the
Corporation under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except that
rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred by operation of law or
otherwise pursuant to this Section 12. The Corporation shall require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business assets of the Corporation
by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, as a
condition to such transaction, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Corporation would be
required to perform if no such succession had occurred.
13. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, including but not
limited to the prior Employment Agreement between the parties and, together with
such plans and programs as are specifically referred to herein, contains the
entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof.
14. Amendments and Waivers.
This Agreement may not be modified or amended, except by a writing
signed by both parties. A party may waive compliance by the other party with any
term or provision of this Agreement, or any part thereof, provided that the term
or provision, or part thereof, is for the
24
benefit of the waiving party. Any
waiver will be limited to the facts or circumstances giving rise to the
non-compliance and will not be deemed either a general waiver or modification
with respect to the term or provision, or part thereof, being waived, or as to
any other term or provision of this Agreement, nor will it be deemed a waiver of
compliance with respect to any other facts or circumstances then or thereafter
occurring.
15. Notices.
Any notice given hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed
given when delivered personally or by courier, or five days after being
mailed, certified or registered mail, duly addressed to the party concerned
at the address indicated below or at such other address as such party may
subsequently provide, in accordance with the notice and delivery provisions
of this Section:
To the Corporation: Attn: Corporate Secretary
Synthetic Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
To Executive: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Synthetic Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
16. Severability.
If fulfillment of any provision of this Agreement, at the time such
fulfillment shall be due, shall transcend the limit of validity prescribed by
law, then the obligation to be fulfilled shall be deemed reduced to the limit of
such validity; and if any clause or provision contained in this Agreement
operates or would operate to invalidate this Agreement, in whole or in part,
then
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such clause or provision only shall be held ineffective to the extent of such
invalidity, as though not herein contained, and the remainder of this Agreement
shall remain operative and in full force and effect.
17. Survivorship.
The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder will
survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the
intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
18 References.
In the event of Executive's death or a judicial determination of his
incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive will be deemed, where
appropriate, to refer to his legal representative or, where appropriate, to his
beneficiary or beneficiaries.
19. Headings.
The headings of paragraphs contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and will not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
20. Governing Law.
Except to the extent governed by the FAA as provided in Section 10
above, this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties, and any claims
or disputes relating thereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Georgia, not including the choice-of-law rules
thereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
SYNTHETIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:
---------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
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