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EXHIBIT 4.1
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as
effective the 21st day of March, 2000, by and between NESS ENERGY INTERNATIONAL,
INC., a Washington corporation ("Company") and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx ("Consultant").
A. The Company has engaged the services of Consultant as an
independent contractor to provide reporting services to the
Company;
B. The Consultant represents that it has no prior or existing
legally binding obligations that are in conflict with its
entering into this Agreement; and
C. The Consultant is willing to be so retained on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Engagement. The Company hereby retains Consultant as an independent
contractor to provide services to the Company, and Consultant hereby accepts
such engagement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
2. Term. This Agreement shall be in effect for an initial term of six
months, commencing upon execution by both parties, and shall be renewable
automatically, without any action of the parties, on an semi-annual basis
thereafter, unless either party gives the other written notice of an intention
not to renew this Agreement at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the
initial term or any renewal term thereof.
3. Duties of Consultant. The Company retains Consultant to provide
advise and counsel to management on matters pertaining to the business of the
Company in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and SEC reporting.
None of the services provided under this Agreement shall pertain to any advice
regarding federal or state securities laws or trading in the Company's stock.
Consultant shall render the services required in this Agreement as
an independent contractor. Deadlines in respect of the service and functions of
Consultant shall be mutually agreed upon. Consultant shall have no authority or
power of decision over any of the Company's activities or employees.
Consultant shall use his best efforts to advance the business and
welfare of the Company, and shall not intentionally take any action adverse to
the best interests of the Company.
4. Compensation. As full compensation for the services described herein
that Consultant has rendered to the Company, the Company shall make a one-time
grant of 100,000 restricted shares
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of the Company's Common Stock, at an issue price of $1.30 per share, to be
registered for resale under Form S-8 or other available form as soon as
reasonably practical. In the event the agreement is extended for an additional 6
month period at the sole option of the Company then the Company shall make an
additional one-tome grant of 100,000 restricted shares of the Company's Common
Stock, at an issue price of $1.30 per share, to be registered for resale under
Form S-8 or other available form as soon as reasonably practical.
5. Disclosure of Information. Consultant recognizes and acknowledges as
a result of his engagement by the Company, he will have access to discover
information which is of a proprietary manner to the Company, including methods,
inventions, improvements, trade secrets, or discoveries, whether patentable or
not, and similar information relating to the Company's products and services. In
addition, information will or has been disclosed to Consultant, or has been
discovered by Consultant, concerning marketing plans, processes, products,
apparatus, techniques, know-how, trade secret, strategies, customer lists, and
technical requirements of customers of the Company. Consultant agrees that he
will not, without the prior written approval of the Company, disclose any such
proprietary information of the Company to anyone not in the employ of the
Company, or use any such information other than for the purposes of this
Agreement. Consultant agrees that he will not allow any other person engaged by
him to have access to any of the proprietary information unless he first obtains
such person's agreement not to disclose or use such information, and such
agreement is binding upon the Company, Consultant, and such third person. These
obligations shall not apply, however, to information which is or becomes
generally available to the public through no fault of Consultant.
6. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on the earliest of:
(i) On September 21, 2000;
(ii) At Company's option, upon a thirty (30) day written notice; or
(iii) Upon mutual written agreement of the parties hereto.
7. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and personally delivered, or if sent
by certified mail, postage prepaid to its residence in the case of Consultant,
its principal office in the case of the Company and shall be effective upon
deposit into the United States Postal Service, or in the case of personal
delivery when actually delivered. Such notice shall be directed to the
individuals and addresses below:
Ness Energy International, Inc.
0000 Xxxx X-00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
000 X.X. Xxxx 000, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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8. Waiver. The waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement by Consultant shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by Consultant.
9. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective heirs, representatives,
successors, and assigns, but shall not be assignable by Consultant without the
prior written consent of the Company.
10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
contrary to law, that provision shall be deemed severable from the balance of
this Agreement, and the balance of this Agreement shall remain in force between
the parties to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall be deemed to express,
embody, and supersede all previous understandings, agreements and commitments,
whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and to fully and finally set forth the entire agreement between
the parties hereto. No modifications shall be binding unless stated in writing
and signed by both parties hereto with the approval of the President of the
Company.
12. Governing Law; Venue; Mediation, if needed, Arbitration. This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any dispute
involving or affecting this Agreement or the services to be performed shall be
determined and resolved by binding arbitration in the County of Xxxxx, State of
Texas, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association.
13. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes and renders null and
void all prior written or oral agreements by and between the Company or its
affiliates and Consultant, except as provided herein or in any amendments or
addendums hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
effective the date set forth above.
COMPANY: /s/ HAYSEED XXXXXXXX
NESS ENERBY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Hayseed Xxxxxxxx
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Hayseed Xxxxxxxx, Chairman
CONSULTANT:
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
