EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into on this 27th
day of November, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), by and between CrossPoint Energy
Company, a Nevada corporation, with its principal executive offices in Frisco,
Texas (the “Company”), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, an individual currently residing
in Lewisville, Texas (“Employee”).
Background
A. The
Company desires to employ Employee in such a manner as will reinforce and
encourage the highest attention and dedication to the Company of Employee as
a
member of Company’s management, in the best interest of the Company and its
members; and
B. Employee
is willing to serve the Company on the terms and conditions herein
provided.
Terms
and Conditions
In
consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained and other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment.
The
Company hereby employs Employee in the capacity of Executive Vice President,
and
Employee hereby agrees to accept such employment by the Company, upon the terms
and conditions stated in this Agreement.
2. Term.
.
This
Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall end on
the
fifth anniversary of such date; provided, however, that beginning with the
fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, and continuing with each anniversary
date of the Effective Date that occurs thereafter while this Agreement is in
effect, the Employee’s period of employment shall be automatically extended for
additional, successive one-year periods, unless either party shall give written
notice to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to any such
anniversary date that no such automatic extension shall occur. In the event
that
such notice is timely given, the Employee’s employment shall not be extended for
such successive period and shall terminate on the first anniversary date of
the
Effective Date following the date such notice is given (the “Term”).
3. Duties.
Employee shall perform such services and duties as may be assigned to him from
time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Employee
shall devote his full working time, efforts and energies to the performance
of
his duties hereunder.
4. Compensation.
The
Company shall pay Employee, as full compensation for services rendered by
Employee under this Agreement, as follows:
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(a) Annual
Base Salary. The Company shall pay Employee an annual base salary (the “Annual
Base Salary”) of One Hundred Eighty Nine Thousand One Hundred Thirty Two and
No/l00 U. S. Dollars (U.S. $189,132.00) per year, or such higher Annual Base
Salary as may be determined from time to time during the term hereof in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4 by the Board,
in its sole discretion. Such Annual Base Salary shall be subject to all
appropriate federal and state withholding and payroll taxes and shall be paid
by
the Company to the Executive in twenty-four (24) equal semi-monthly installments
in accordance with the regular payroll policies and practices of the Company
or
in such other periodic installments and on such days during the month as the
Company and Employee shall mutually determine.
(b) Annual
Bonus Compensation. In addition to the Annual Base Salary set forth in Section
4(a) hereof and any other amounts of compensation payable to Employee pursuant
to any other provisions of this Agreement, the Company may also, but is not
required to, pay Employee discretionary annual bonus compensation (the “Annual
Bonus Compensation”) in an amount, if any, determined by the Board to be proper
and appropriate for each fiscal year of the Company during the term of this
Agreement. Such Annual Bonus Compensation shall be based upon such factors
as
the Board shall deem appropriate.
5. Expenses
and Services.
During
the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee
by
reason of his employment, including travel and living expenses while away from
home at the request of and in the service of the Company, provided that such
expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with the policies and
procedures established by the Company and in effect when the expenses are
incurred.
6.
Employment
Facilities.
During
the Employment Period, the Company shall provide, at its expense, appropriate
and adequate office space, furniture, communications, stenographic and
word-processing equipment, supplies, personnel (including professional,
clerical, support and other personnel) and such other facilities and services
as
shall be suitable to Employee’s position and adequate for the Employee’s use in
performing Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement.
7. Rights
under Certain Plans.
During
the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, Employee will be entitled to
participate in (a) the health and dental insurance plans and programs maintained
by the Company applicable to officer employees on the same basis as other
officer employees of the Company, and (b) unless otherwise determined by the
Board, any other employee benefit plans and programs maintained by the Company
applicable to officer employees on the same basis as other officer employees
of
the Company.
8. Early
Termination.
Employee’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this
Agreement only under the following circumstances:
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(a) Employee’s
employment hereunder will terminate upon his death.
(b) If,
as a
result of Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, Employee
shall have been absent from his duties or unable to perform his full duties
hereunder for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days during any eighteen
(18)
month period, and within thirty (30) days after written notice of termination
is
given (which may occur before or after the end of such one hundred eighty (180)
day period), shall not have returned to the performance of his full duties
hereunder on a full-time basis, the Company may terminate the Employee’s
employment hereunder.
(c) The
Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder for Cause.
(i)
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the
commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the
commission of any other act or omission involving dishonesty or
fraud;
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(ii)
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the
willful misconduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the
Company into public disgrace or disrepute which is materially injurious
to
the Company;
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(iii)
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gross
misconduct, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of corporate assets,
or
a violation of any law with which the Company is required to
comply;
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(iv)
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the
willful and continued failure to perform your duties as reasonably
directed by the Company
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(v)
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any
material breach of this Agreement or any material duty owed to the
Company, including but not limited to your fiduciary duties and your
duties under Section 10 or 11 of this
Agreement.
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(d) Employee
may terminate his employment hereunder voluntarily or for Good Reason, for
purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:
(i) The
assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent in any material respect
(unless in the nature of a promotion) with the Employee’s position in the
Company immediately prior to such assignment (including, but not limited to,
Employee’s status, offices and titles), or a significant adverse alteration or
diminution in the nature or status of Employee’s authority, duties or
responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to such alteration
of
diminution.
(ii) Any
purported termination by the Company of the Employee’s employment otherwise than
as expressly permitted by this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any
purported termination which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination
satisfying the requirements of Section 8(e).
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(iii) The
relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices to a location more than
fifty (50) miles from Collin County, Texas, or the Company requiring Employee
to
be based anywhere other than a location which is more than fifty (50) miles
from
Collin County, Texas, except for travel reasonably required of Employee in
the
performance of Employees duties on behalf of the Company to an extent
substantially consistent with the Employee’s business travel obligations to the
Company.
(iv)
The
removal of Employee as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(v)
The
transfer by the Company, through one transaction or a series of related
transactions, either directly or indirectly, or through one or more
intermediaries, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 1 3d-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 51% or more of the
outstanding Units (as such term is defined in the Regulations), owned by the
Company.
(e) Any
termination of Employee’s employment by the Company or by Employee (other than
termination pursuant to subsection (a) above) shall be communicated by written
Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement,
a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so
indicated.
(f)
“Date
of Termination” shall mean (1) if Employee’s employment is terminated by his
death, the date of his death; (2) if Employee’s employment is terminated
pursuant to subsection (b) above, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination
is given (provided that Employee shall not have returned to the performance
of
his duties on a full-time basis during such thirty (30) day period); (3) if
Employee’s employment is terminated at the expiration of the Term or any
extension thereof, the last day of the Term or, if applicable, the last day
of
any extension; and (4) if Employee’s employment is terminated for any other
reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.
9. Compensation
upon Termination or During Illness.
Upon
termination of Employee’s employment hereunder or during any period of
Employee’s physical or mental illness Employee shall be paid as
follows:
(a) During
any period that Employee fails to perform his duties hereunder as a result
of
incapacity due to physical or mental illness (the “Illness Period”), the
Employee shall continue to receive his Annual Base Salary at the rate then
in
effect, until the earlier of (i) the end of the Term, or (ii) the 180th day
following the commencement of the Illness Period, provided that payments so
made
to the Employee shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts, if any, payable
to
Employee under disability benefit plans of the Company and which were not
previously applied to reduce any such payment. In addition the Company shall
(x)
reimburse Employee for any theretofore unreimbursed expenses incurred prior
to
the commencement of the Illness Period; and (y) pay him any bonus compensation
that was awarded to him but remained unpaid at the commencement of the Illness
Period. Upon the making of such payments, the Company shall have no further
obligations to Employee under this Agreement.
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(b) If
Employee’s employment is terminated by his death, the Company shall pay to
Employee’s designated beneficiaries, or if he leaves no designated
beneficiaries, to his estate, (i) his Annual Base Salary through the date of
Employee’s death at the rate then in effect; (ii) the amount of theretofore
unreimbursed expenses incurred by Employee prior to his death; and (iii) any
bonus compensation that was awarded to Employee but remained unpaid at the
time
of his death. Upon the making so such payments, the Company shall have no
further obligations to Employee under this Agreement.
(c) If
Employee’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or
voluntarily by Employee for other than Good Reason, the Company shall pay
Employee his Annual Base Salary, excluding any the bonus compensation awarded
but remaining unpaid, through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect
at
the time Notice of Termination is given, plus any unreimbursed expenses due
to
Employee for expenses incurred prior to the time the Notice of Termination
is
given, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Employee under
this
Agreement.
(d)
If
Employee’s employment shall be terminated by the Company without Cause, the
Company shall pay Employee the following amounts: (i) the Employee’s Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice
of Termination (ii) any bonus compensation that was awarded to Employee but
remained unpaid at the time of termination of employment, (iii) any unreimbursed
expenses due to Employee for expenses incurred prior to the time the Notice
of
Termination is given, and (iv) a severance payment based upon the number of
years of employment by the Company; and the Company shall have no further
obligations to Employee under this Agreement. If Employee ceases to be employed
in 2006, the severance payment shall be an amount equal to one-half of the
Employee’s Annual Base Salary. If Employee ceases to be employed in 2007, or
subsequent years, the severance payment shall be an amount equal to the
Employee’s Annual Base Salary. For purposes of determining Employee’s Annual
Base Salary for purposes hereof, such salary shall be determined based upon
the
rate of base pay in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given to
Employee.
If
Employee is a Specified Employee on the Date of Termination, and, as a result
thereof, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the rules promulgated
thereunder (the “Code”) would so require, payments pursuant to this Section 9(d)
may not commence earlier than six (6) months after the Date of Termination.
A
"Specified Employee" is a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the
Code, without regard to paragraph 5 thereof) of the Company if any stock of
Company (or any entity with which Company would be considered a single employer
under section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code) is publicly traded on an established
securities market or otherwise (or such other definition as may be set forth
in
Section 409A of the Code).
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(e) During
the term of this Agreement Employee shall give the Company immediate notice
of
any change of address.
10. Restrictive
Terms.
The
Employee acknowledges that the special relationship of trust and confidence
between the Company, and the clients, customers, partners, lessors, affiliates,
representatives, agents, service providers, vendors and suppliers of Dallas
Operating Corp. (“DOC”) and of the Company (all of the foregoing parties are
collectively referred to herein as the “Third Party Relationships”) creates a
high risk and opportunity for the Employee to misappropriate the relationship
and goodwill existing between the Company and the Third Party Relationships.
The
Employee further acknowledges that, prior to and during his employment with
the
Company, the Employee will be provided with access to confidential records,
secrets and proprietary information related to the Company and DOC (herein
referred to as the “Confidential Information”) that will enable the Employee to
benefit from the Confidential Information. The Employee further acknowledges
and
agrees that it is fair and reasonable for the Company to take steps to protect
itself from the risk of such misappropriation.
The
Employee acknowledges that, in exchange for the execution of the restrictions
set forth below, the Employee has received or will receive substantial and
valuable consideration. The Employee agrees that this consideration constitutes
fair and adequate consideration for the execution of theses
restrictions.
The
Employee covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for
a
period of one (1) year immediately following the date on which the Employee
ceases to be employed by the Company, for whatever reason, the following shall
be applicable a) the Employee will not, under any circumstances, furnish or
provide, to any third party, any of the Confidential Information, any trade
secrets of the Company or DOC, any lease information, any client or customer
lists (or similar type information) of the Company, or any other information
which is related to the Company and which is not in the public domain, (b)
the
Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following: (i) solicit
to hire, cause to be hired, or hire any person who is employed by the Company
(or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) on the date of termination of this
Agreement (the foregoing applies to actions by the Employee directly or on
behalf of any third party), or who was employed by the Company at any time
during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of termination of this
Agreement, or (ii) for the purpose of competitive solicitation, contact any
business entity or person who was an affiliate of the Company during the period
of time involved, or (iii) for the purpose of competitive solicitation, solicit,
directly or on behalf of any third party or parties, the business of any client
or customer of the Company or DOC, or former clients or customer of the Company
or DOC, or any business entity or person that is affiliated with, or was
affiliated with the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, at any time or times
during the term of this Agreement. The Employee agrees that these restrictions
set forth above are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and
supported by independent valuable consideration.
If
the
Employee is found to have violated any of the provisions of this provision
of
the Agreement, the Employee agrees that the restrictive period of each covenant
so violated shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such
violation by him. It is the intent of this provision of the Agreement that
the
running of the restrictive period of any covenant shall be tolled during any
period of violation of such covenant so that the Company may obtain the full
and
reasonable protection for which it contracted and so that Employee may not
profit by any breach.
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The
Employee’s obligations under Section 10 of the Agreement shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
11.
Nondisclosure.
The
Employee acknowledges that he occupies or will occupy a position of trust and
confidence with the Company, and that the Company would be irreparably damaged
if Employee were to breach the covenants set forth in this provision of the
Agreement. Accordingly, the Employee agrees that he will not, without the prior
written consent of the Company, at any time during the Term of this Agreement
or
any time except as may be required by legal authority or as required by the
Company to be disclosed in the course of performing the Employee’s duties under
this Agreement for the Company, use or disclose to any person, firm or other
legal entity, any Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall
include, without limitation, proprietary information about the Company, client
lists, customer lists, pricing information, data, know-how, processes, ideas,
product development, market studies, computer software and programs, database
technologies, strategic planning, and risk management as relates to the Company
and DOC. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information
that he has acquired or may acquire, were received or will be received in
confidence and as a fiduciary of the Company. The Employee will exercise utmost
diligence to protect and guard such Confidential Information. The Employee
agrees that he will not, without the express written consent of the Board of
Directors of the Company, take with him upon the termination of this Agreement
any document or paper, or any photocopy or reproduction or duplication thereof,
relating to any Confidential Information.
The
Employee’s obligations under Section 11 of the Agreement shall survive the
termination
of this Agreement.
12.
Waiver.
No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed, or shall constitute,
a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver
constitute a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision,
a
waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right under this Agreement.
No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the
waiver.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in Sections 10 and 11 of this Agreement, it is
understood and agreed that the Employee is not in violation of the restrictive
terms and provisions of Sections 10 and 11 of this Agreement by reason of
Employee’s ownership of any and all oil and gas property interests at the time
of the execution of this Agreement.
13. Limitation
of Rights.
Nothing
in this Agreement, except as specifically stated herein, is intended to confer
any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons
other
than the parties to it and their respective permitted successors and assigns
and
other legal representatives, nor is anything in this Agreement intended to
relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of any third persons to any
party to this Agreement, nor shall any provision give any third persons any
right of subrogation or action over against any party to this
Agreement.
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14. Notices.
All
notices given in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be
delivered either by personal delivery, by telecopy or similar facsimile means,
by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested),
or by express courier or delivery service, addressed to the applicable party
hereto at the following address:
If
to the
Company:
CrossPoint
Energy Company
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
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Chairman
of the Board of Directors
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Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
If
to
Employee:
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
c/o
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
or
such
other address and number as either party shall have subsequently designated
by
written notice given to the other party in the manner hereinabove set forth.
Notices shall be deemed given when received, if sent by telecopy or similar
facsimile means (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile
transmission being deemed receipt of communications sent by telecopy or other
facsimile means); and when delivered and receipted for (or upon the date of
attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if hand-delivered, sent by
express courier or delivery service, or sent by certified or registered
mail.
15.
Inconsistent
Obligations.
Employee represents and warrants that he has not previously assumed any
obligations inconsistent with those of this Agreement.
16. Entirety
and Amendments.
This
instrument and the instruments referred to herein embody the entire agreement
between the parties, supersede all prior agreements and understandings, if
any,
relating to the subject matter hereof, and may be amended only by an instrument
in writing executed by all parties, and supplemented only by documents delivered
or to be delivered in accordance with the express terms hereof.
17. Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and any successors in interest to the Company, but neither this Agreement nor
any rights hereunder may be assigned by Employee except in the case of the
death
of Employee.
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18. Governing
Law and Venue.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Texas applicable to agreements made and to be performed
entirely in Texas. The obligations and undertakings of each of the parties
to
this Agreement shall be performable in Dallas County, Texas, and each party
agrees that if any action at law or in equity is necessary by the Company or
Employee to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, venue shall be
in
Dallas County, Texas, and the prevailing party in any such action shall be
entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and necessary disbursements in
addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.
19. Cumulative
Remedies.
No
remedy herein conferred upon any party is intended to be exclusive of any other
benefits or remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and
shall
be in addition to every other benefits or remedy given hereunder or now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise. No single
or
partial exercise by any party of any right, power or remedy hereunder shall
preclude any other or further exercise thereof.
20. Multiple
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which
constitute collectively, one agreement; but in making proof of this Agreement,
it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one
counterpart.
21. Descriptive
Headings.
The
headings, captions and arrangements used in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of this
Agreement, nor affect the meanings hereof.
22. Dispute
Resolution.
All
disputes arising under this Agreement or pertaining in any way to your
employment or the termination thereof shall be submitted to binding arbitration
conducted by JAMS/Endispute in Dallas, Texas in accordance with the Federal
Arbitration Act (“FAA”) and pursuant to the JAMS/Endipute rules governing
employment disputes, except for (1) workers compensation and unemployment
claims; or (2) claims of injunctive relief arising from or relating to the
confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition sections of this
Agreement. Injunctive relief may be sought only from any court of competent
jurisdiction located in Texas and you consent to personal jurisdiction and
venue
in such court. The decision of the arbitrator shall be recordable as a judgment
in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall award attorney’s
fees and costs in favor of the substantially prevailing party. The Company
initially shall pay the administrative fee required by JAMS/Endispute, subject
to the arbitrator’s assessment of fees and/or costs at the conclusion of the
arbitration.
This
Agreement is dated and effective as of the Effective Date.
CROSSPOINT
ENERGY COMPANY
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Corporate
Secretary
Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
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