EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) was originally entered into on March 23, 2007,
and became effective on March 26, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), by and between KAYDON CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and XXXXX X’XXXXX, an individual (“Executive”), was amended
effective February 14, 2008, and is hereby further amended and restated, effective October 23,
2008, to reflect the final regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), and to make certain other clarifying changes.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has employed the Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer,
and the Executive desires to continue his employment on the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties.
(a) The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive for the Term (as hereinafter defined) as its
President and Chief Executive Officer. The Executive shall have such management and oversight
responsibilities and authority as are necessary to efficiently administer the affairs of the
Company and as are customary of a President and Chief Executive Officer. All powers herein granted
to the Executive are subject to supervisory approval of the Board, and the Executive may be given
such further reasonably related supervisory duties, powers and prerogatives as may be delegated to
him from time to time by said Board. The Executive shall report exclusively to the Board and
further shall render such advice to the Board as said Board may from time to time request. In
addition, during the Term the Company will cause the Executive to be nominated for re-election as a
Director of the Company.
(b) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and efforts to
the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts
to perform faithfully such responsibilities. Executive is required to work those business hours
customarily necessary to perform properly such duties and responsibilities normally associated with
the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. In performing such duties hereunder,
Executive shall comply with the policies and procedures as adopted from time to time by the Board,
shall give the Company the benefit of his special knowledge, skills, contacts and business
experience, shall perform his duties and carry out his responsibilities hereunder in a diligent
manner. For a transition period to extend no later than May 1, 2007, the Executive may provide
advisory services to Beazer Homes USA, Inc. so as to expedite and facilitate his full time
transition into the Company with the prior approval of the Board. Such advisory services
shall not unreasonably interfere with the services to be rendered by the Executive hereunder.
(c) During the Term, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (i)
with the prior approval of the Board in each case (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) with the
prior approval of the Board in each case, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach
at educational institutions, and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do
not significantly interfere or constitute a conflict of interest with the performance of the
Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement.
(d) The principal location for performance of Executive’s services hereunder shall be at the
offices of the Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, subject to reasonable travel requirements during the
course of such performance. Executive shall not be required, without his consent, to regularly
report to any office of the Company which is located more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s
current office location, provided Executive shall be expected to travel to the extent reasonably
necessary to fulfill his responsibilities.
2. Employment Term. The term of Executive’s employment hereunder (the “Term”) shall
commence effective as of the date hereof and shall continue thereafter until terminated in
accordance with Section 4 below.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary
(“Annual Base Salary”) in the amount of at least Seven Hundred Thousand ($700,000.00) Dollars,
payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices (but not less frequently than
monthly). During the Term, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee
(for purposes of increase only) at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base
Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in
this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.
(b) Bonuses; Stock Incentive Plans. Executive shall be eligible to and shall
participate in the Company’s bonus, stock option, restricted stock and other stock incentive plans
at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board. The amount and terms of, and the
targets, conditions and restrictions applicable to each bonus or other incentive award shall be
subject to the provisions of any such plan and of the applicable award by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i) under the Company’s Executive Management Bonus Program (the “EMBP”), Executive
shall be entitled to a performance bonus equal to 100% of annual base salary in any year of
the Term during which the Company’s EBITDA performance achieves 100% of the Target EBITDA
goal established by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the EMBP (the “Target Bonus”),
and a supplemental bonus equal to 100% of annual base salary, pro-rated for each percentage
that the Company’s EBITDA
performance exceeds the Target EBITDA goal established by the Compensation Committee
pursuant to the EMBP but is less than the maximum limit set by the Compensation Committee,
until the total of Target Bonus and the supplemental bonus equals 200% of the Executive’s
annual base salary. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event
that the EMBP is no longer in effect (or is reduced or modified downward in any material
respect), the Company will establish a comparable performance incentive plan that will
provide for annual cash bonuses to Executive resulting in total payments to Executive not
less than those which Executive is currently entitled to receive under this provision.
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(ii) within ten (10) business days from the Effective Date, upon action by the
Compensation Committee, the Company shall grant Executive non-qualified stock options to
acquire 250,000 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Kaydon Corporation 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”).
The option agreement relating to such options shall provide that (A) such options shall vest
and become exercisable with respect to 50,000 shares on each anniversary of the date of
grant, subject to acceleration as provided in Sections 4(f)(v) and 5(e) below, (B) the
strike price for all such options shall be the closing price of the Company’s common stock
on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant and (C) such options shall expire on the
day prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. In the event of any conflict
between the terms of the 1999 Plan and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern and
control and shall be deemed to be an amendment to the 1999 Plan.
(iii) within ten (10) business days from the Effective Date, upon action by the
Compensation Committee, the Company shall grant Executive a restricted stock award for
100,000 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with all of the terms and
conditions of the 1999 Plan. The agreement relating to such shares of restricted stock
shall provide that (A) the restrictions pertaining to such shares shall terminate with
respect to 20,000 shares on each anniversary of the date of grant, subject to acceleration
as provided in Sections 4(f)(v) and 5(e) below, and (B) so long as the Executive is employed
by the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to receive any dividends declared and
payable by the Company with respect to such restricted stock held by the Executive,
regardless of whether said stock has vested or become unrestricted at such time. In the
event of any conflict between the terms of the 1999 Plan and this Agreement, this Agreement
shall govern and control and shall be deemed to be an amendment to the 1999 Plan.
(iv) within ten (10) business days from the Effective Date, upon action by the
Compensation Committee, the Company shall grant Executive a restricted stock award for
10,000 shares of common stock of the Company in accordance with all of the terms and
conditions of the 1999 Plan. The agreement relating to such shares of restricted stock
shall provide that (A) the restrictions pertaining to such shares shall terminate on the
first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to acceleration as provided in Sections
4(f)(v) and 5(e) below and (B) so long as the Executive is employed by the Company, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive any dividends declared and payable by the Company
with respect to such restricted stock held by the Executive, regardless of
whether said stock has vested or become unrestricted at such time. In the event of any
conflict between the terms of the 1999 Plan and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern
and control and shall be deemed to be an amendment to the 1999 Plan. The Executive shall
purchase an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock within thirty (30) days of
the Effective Date and shall retain ownership of at least 10,000 shares of Company common
stock during the Term.
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(c) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs (the “Programs”) applicable generally to other most senior executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies. The Programs currently include, without limitation, the Kaydon
Corporation Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), the Kaydon Corporation Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) and the Kaydon Corporation Executive Management Bonus Plan (the “Bonus
Plan”). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything contained in the applicable Programs to the
contrary, the Company agrees that, with respect to the Executive’s participation in the SERP, the
Executive shall be entitled to the following (and the SERP shall be amended, as of the Effective
Date, to provide for the following):
(i) the Executive shall be eligible for benefits under the SERP on the Effective Date
(i.e., for all purposes of the SERP, the Executive shall be deemed to be sixty-five (65)
years of age on the Effective Date) and the Executive shall remain a participant in the SERP
during the Term;
(ii) the Executive shall be 100% vested under the SERP on the Effective Date,
regardless of whether the Executive is vested under the Retirement Plan;
(iii) the Executive shall be entitled to a lump sum payment from the SERP upon a
Separation from Service (as defined below) from the Company within two years following a
Change in Control (as defined in Section 5(h)(iv)), said payment to be made in cash and,
subject to Section 11 below, shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Date of
Termination. The payment described in this paragraph (iii) shall be in lieu of any other
benefit that Executive would otherwise receive under the SERP.
(iv) the Executive shall be entitled to ten (10) years of additional credited service
on the Effective Date and, thereafter, each day of the Executive’s actual credited service
shall entitle the Executive to one (1) day of additional credited service, subject to a
maximum of thirty (30) years of credited service. By way of example, after two years of
actual credited service with the Company, the Executive shall have fourteen (14) years of
credited service under the SERP (i.e., 10 + 2 + 2);
(v) the Executive shall be deemed to be a person identified in Appendix C to the SERP
as eligible for additional credited service; and
(vi) the definition of a “Change in Control” shall be as set forth in Section 5(h)(iv)
below.
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For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Separation from Service” shall mean the Executive’s
termination of Employment with the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, as
determined by the Committee in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h). Executive shall be
considered to have experienced a termination of employment when the facts and circumstances
indicate that Executive and the Company reasonably anticipate that either (i) no further services
will be performed for the Company after a certain date, or (ii) that the level of bona fide
services Executive will perform for the Company after such date (whether as an employee or as an
independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than 20% of the average level of bona
fide services performed by Executive (whether as an employee or independent contractor) over the
immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full period of services to the Company if the
Executive has been providing services to the Company for less than 36 months). If the Executive is
on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence, the employment relationship
between Executive and the Company shall be treated as continuing intact, provided that the period
of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as Executive retains a right to
reemployment with the Company under an applicable statute or by contract. If the period of a
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence exceeds six months and Executive
does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment
relationship shall be considered to be terminated for purposes of this Agreement as of the first
day immediately following the end of such six-month period. In applying the provisions of this
paragraph, a leave of absence shall be considered a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a
reasonable expectation that Executive will return to perform services for the Company.
As used in the definition of “Separation from Service,” the term Company shall mean the entity for
which the Executive performs services and with respect to which the legally binding right to
compensation deferred or contributed under this Agreement arises, and shall include all other
entities with which the Company would be aggregated and treated as a single employer under Code
Section 414(b) (controlled group of corporations) and Code Section 414(c) (a group of trades or
businesses, whether or not incorporated, under common control), as applicable, provided that an
ownership threshold of 50% shall be substituted for the 80% minimum ownership threshold that
appears in, and otherwise must be used when applying, the applicable provisions of (i) Code Section
1563 for determining a controlled group of corporations under Code Section 414(b), and (ii) Treas.
Reg. § 1.414(c)-2 for determining the trades or businesses that are under common control under Code
Section 414(c).
(d) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Term, the Executive and/or the Executive’s
family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits
under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to
the extent applicable generally to other most senior executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(e) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable and
necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his duties under this Agreement,
subject to approval in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement policies. Executive
shall keep detailed and accurate records of expenses incurred in connection with the performance of
his duties hereunder and reimbursement therefore shall be in accordance with policies and
procedures to be established from time to time by the Board. If the Company
determines that such an expense qualifies for reimbursement, the Company will reimburse
Executive for that expense within 30 days following such determination and in any event no later
than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense is incurred.
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(f) Office and Support Staff. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to an
office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and
other assistance, consistent with the Executive’s position and title.
(g) Vacation. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) working
days of compensated vacation in each fiscal year, to be taken at times which do not unreasonably
interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder. Any unused vacation time from any
fiscal year shall be subject to accumulation or forfeiture in accordance with Company policy as in
effect from time to time. Executive also shall be entitled to such periods of sick leave as is
customarily provided by the Company to its senior executive employees.
(h) Relocation. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable and actual
relocation expenses incurred in moving from his present primary residence in the Atlanta, Georgia
area to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. The following reasonable expenses shall be reimbursed,
provided Executive submits adequate documentation (for example, receipts, closing documents, etc.)
substantiating the expenses: costs for packing, moving and insuring household goods and
automobiles; costs for storage of household goods prior to moving into a new residence; costs
associated with house hunting trips to Xxx Arbor; costs associated with temporary housing (a small,
furnished apartment in the Xxx Arbor area) for Executive; costs associated with the purchase of a
new home in the Xxx Arbor area (including, without limitation, closing costs, legal fees, home
inspections, title insurance, mortgage broker fees and transfer taxes, “points” or “origination
fees” not to exceed 1%); costs associated with the sale of Executive’s current residence
(including, without limitation, closing costs, legal fees, transfer taxes, any real estate broker
commissions and mortgage prepayment penalties). All of the foregoing (Subsections (i) through
(viii) above) and Section 3(i) below shall be “grossed-up”, so-called, to the extent not otherwise
tax deductible to the Executive, to take into account income tax consequences to Executive.
(i) Attorneys’ Fees. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the actual and
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive for having this Agreement prepared and/or reviewed by an
attorney.
(j) Life Insurance. During the Term, the Company shall maintain a term life insurance
policy covering the life of Executive in the face amount of not less than $2,000,000.00 with
respect to which the Executive shall have the right to designate the beneficiary. Upon the
Executive’s Separation from Service for any reason, the Company shall, within thirty (30) days
after such Separation from Service (unless delayed in accordance with Section 11 of this
Agreement), transfer (without cost to the Executive), free and clear of liens and security
interests, the ownership of said life insurance to Executive or his designee.
The Company warrants and represents to the Executive that this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the grants and amendments to the 1999 Plan and the SERP contemplated
hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board and
the Board.
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4. Termination of Employment for Death or Disability; Other Termination Absent any Change in
Control.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executive’s death during the Term. If the Disability of the Executive occurs during the
Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), the Company may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 10(c) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company
shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
“Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the thirty (30) days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes
of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for one hundred and twenty (120) consecutive business days as
a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and
permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or
the Executive’s legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) any act or failure to act by Executive done with the intent to harm in any material
respect the financial interests or reputation of the Company or any affiliated companies;
(ii) Executive being convicted of (or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to)
a felony (other than a felony involving a motor vehicle not involving alcohol or drugs);
(iii) Executive’s dishonesty, misappropriation or fraud with regard to the Company or
any affiliated companies, including (but not limited to) any falsification of company
records or reports (other than good faith expense account disputes);
(iv) a grossly negligent act or failure to act by Executive which has a material
adverse affect on the Company or any affiliated companies;
(v) the material breach by Executive of his agreements or obligations under this
Agreement which has a material adverse effect on the Company, which breach, if curable, is
not cured by Executive within fifteen (15) days (i.e., calendar days) after written notice
from the Company which specifically identifies the material breach which the Company
believes that Executive has committed; or
(vi) the continued refusal to follow the directives of the Board or its designees which
are consistent with Executive’s duties and responsibilities identified in Section 1 hereof;
provided that the foregoing refusal shall not be “cause” if Executive in good faith
believes that such direction is illegal, unethical or immoral and promptly so notifies
the Board in writing.
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(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect
with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 1 of this
Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3 of
this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring
in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company within fifteen (15) days after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other
than as provided in Section 1(e) hereof, which is not remedied by the Company within fifteen
(15) days after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; or
(iv) the material breach by the Company of any of its other material obligations under
this Agreement, which breach, if curable, is not cured by the Company within fifteen (15)
days after written notice from the Executive which specifically identifies the material
breach which the Executive believes that the Company has committed permitted by this
Agreement.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for
any reason during the 30 day period immediately preceding the twelve (12) month anniversary of a
Change in Control shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of this
Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto
given in accordance with Section 10(c) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, 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 and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall
be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes
to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the
Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s
or the Company’s rights hereunder.
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(e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination or, subject to applicable cure periods, any later date
specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the
Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the
Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of
the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
(f) Obligations of the Company. If, during the Term, the Company shall terminate the
Executive’s employment other than for Cause or the Executive shall terminate his employment for
Good Reason, then:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash, subject to Section 11
below, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, the aggregate of the
following amounts: (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to
the extent not theretofore paid, (2) any accrued but unpaid annual bonus (“Annual Bonus”)
respecting any completed fiscal year ending prior to the Date of Termination, (3) the
product of (x) the Highest Annual Bonus (hereinafter defined) and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (4) any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any
accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall be hereinafter referred to as the
“Accrued Obligations”). The timing of payment by the Company of any deferred compensation
shall remain subject to any payment election previously made by the Executive. The term
“Highest Annual Bonus” shall mean the highest of the Executive’s aggregate bonuses (whether
paid or deferred) under all of the Company’s annual incentive and/or bonus plans (including,
without limitation, the Bonus Plan) during the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Date of Termination or for such lesser period as the Executive has been employed by the
Company (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the
whole of any such fiscal year).
(ii) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash, subject to Section
11 below, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, an amount equal to two
(2) times the sum of (1) Executive’s Annual Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Date
of Termination), and (2) the Highest Annual Bonus;
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(iii) for a period two (2) years after the Date of Termination, or such longer period
as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, but
subject to applicable insurance company and other legal requirements, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 3(d) of this Agreement if the
Executive’s employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time within two (2) years thereafter with respect to other
peer executives and their families; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and receives medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under the other employer-provided plan during the two
(2) year period referenced herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive’s
benefits referenced herein or the level of coverage cannot be continued due to Internal
Revenue Service or insurance company restrictions, the Company shall provide the Executive
with such substantially equivalent benefits or such additional benefits as shall be
necessary to make the benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family substantially
equivalent, even if the payment or coverage of such benefits shall be provided through other
sources; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or
provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or
which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).
(v) all stock options, restricted stock awards, long-term incentive plan benefits and
any other benefits that are subject to vesting based upon the continued employment of the
Executive which would become vested, unrestricted or exercisable within the two (2) year
period immediately following the Date of Termination shall automatically become vested,
unrestricted and/or exercisable, as the case may be.
(g) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s
death, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive’s
estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of
Termination.
(h) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive or the Executive’s legal
representative in a lump sum in cash, subject to Section 11 below, within thirty (30) days
following the Date of Termination.
(i) Cause. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for
Cause, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive (A) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (B)
the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (C) Other Benefits, in
each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.
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(j) Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment
during the Term, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive
in a lump sum in cash, subject to Section 11 below, within thirty (30) days following the Date of
Termination.
5. Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control.
(a) Termination. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the
Company other than for Cause, or is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, (i) during the
period beginning on the date a third person begins a tender or exchange offer, circulates a proxy
to stockholders, or takes other steps to effect a Change in Control and ending on the complete
abandonment of that effort or (ii) at any time within three (3) years following the date on which a
Change in Control occurs, then the Company shall provide to Executive the rights and benefits
described in this Section 5 in lieu of all other benefits of a severance nature under Section 4(f)
of this Agreement. The specific arrangements referred to in this Section 5 are not intended to
exclude Executive’s participation in other benefit plans in which Executive currently participates
or which are or may become available to executive personnel generally in the class or category of
Executive or to preclude other compensation or benefits as may be authorized by the Board of
Directors from time to time.
(b) Accrued Benefits. The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash,
subject to Section 11 below, within 30 days after the Date of Termination, the sum of (1) the
Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid,
(2) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus respecting any completed fiscal year ending prior to the
Date of Termination, (3) the product of (x) the greater of (i) the Highest Annual Bonus, and (ii)
the target bonus for the year during which the Date of Termination occurs, and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in
each case to the extent not theretofore paid. Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the timing of payment by the Company of any deferred compensation shall remain
subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable deferred compensation plan and any payment
election previously made by the Executive.
(c) Additional Payment. The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash,
subject to Section 11 below, within 30 days after the Date of Termination, an amount equal to three
(3) times the sum of (x) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary and the greater of (A) the Highest
Annual Bonus or (B) the target bonus for the year during which the Date of Termination occurs.
11
(d) Continuation of Benefits. For three (3) years after the Executive’s Date of
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the
Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance
with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 3(d) of this
Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement
of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until three (3) years after
the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period.
If due to insurance company or Internal Revenue Service restrictions, the Executive is
ineligible to continue to be covered under the terms of any such benefit plan or program, or in the
event Executive is eligible but the benefits applicable to Executive under any such plan or program
after termination of employment are not substantially equivalent to the benefits applicable to
Executive immediately prior to termination or, if more favorable to the Executive, during the
three-year period thereafter, the Company shall provide such substantially equivalent benefits, or
such additional benefits as may be necessary to make the Executive whole through other sources.
(e) Acceleration of Vesting. All stock options, restricted stock awards, long term
incentive plan benefits and any other benefits that are subject to vesting based upon the
continued employment of the Executive shall automatically become vested, unrestricted and/or
exercisable, as the case may be.
(f) Outplacement Services. Full outplacement services provided by the professional
outplacement consulting firm of Executive’s choosing, to a maximum of $50,000, provided that all
expenses reimbursable under this subsection (vi) must be incurred and reimbursed no later than
December 31 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s employment
is terminated.
(g) Other Benefits. To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or
provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice
or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies
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(h) Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Benefits.
(i) Accrued Benefit: In the event a Change in Control occurs (as defined in
this Section 5(h)) and the Executive incurs a Separation from Service within two years
following such Change in Control, the Executive shall, subject to Section 11, be entitled to
lump sum payment of the Actuarial Equivalent of the Executive’s vested Accrued Benefit under
the SERP, if any, adjusted as follows to the extent applicable to the Executive:
A. Additional Credit. Executive’s benefit and Accrued Benefit under the SERP
shall be computed by crediting the Executive with the Additional Credit provided in
Section 2.19(a) of the SERP; and
B. Actuarial Equivalent. The Actuarial Equivalent of the payments from
the SERP determined under that Plan and this subsection shall be determined by
taking into account the reduction for early commencement of benefits imposed by that
Plan and by using reasonable actuarial assumptions. For purposes of determining the
lump sum actuarial equivalent, the corresponding actuarial assumptions provided in
the Retirement Plan (or, to the extent not provided in that Plan, as provided under
GATT) shall be used.
(ii) Effect. The execution of this Agreement constitutes:
A. An amendment of the SERP with respect to Executive to effect the provisions
of this Agreement;
B. An agreement by Executive to the terms of, and consent in accordance with
Section 6.1(a) of the SERP to, the amended and restated SERP adopted by the Board of
Directors as of October 16, 2006, and to the amendments to the SERP provided in this
Agreement;
C. An agreement by the Company and Executive that Executive may not be removed
from the Additional Credit provisions of the SERP; and
D. An agreement by the Company and Executive that Executive’s employment with
any successor to the Company shall not cause forfeiture of Executive’s benefits
under the SERP under Section 3.6(a) of the SERP. Payment of the SERP benefit as
provided by this Agreement satisfies the Company’s obligations to Executive, if any,
under the SERP.
(iii) Limitation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this
subsection (h) does not provide any SERP benefit to Executive if Executive was not an Active
Participant in the SERP at any time within six (6) months prior to the Change in Control,
unless Executive was removed as an Active Participant in the SERP or the SERP was amended or
terminated within six (6) months prior to the Change in Control
(iv) For purposes of this Section 5(h), “Change in Control” means any one of the
following:
A. The failure of the Continuing Directors within any 12-month period to
constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
B. The acquisition by any Person or Persons acting as a Group of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 issued under the Act) of the Company’s
stock representing more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting
power of the Company’s outstanding stock;
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C. The date any Person or Persons Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired
during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such
Person or Persons) stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting
power of the Company’s outstanding stock; or
D. The date any Person or Persons Acting as Group (other than a Permitted
Successor) acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date
of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) substantially all of the
assets of the Company
For the purposes of this Section 5(h)(iv), “Permitted Successor” means any one of
the following:
i. A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer)
in exchange for or with respect to its stock in the Company;
ii. A Subsidiary;
iii. A Person or Persons Acting as a Group that owns, directly, or
indirectly 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all of the
Company’s outstanding stock; or
iv. Any entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of
which is owned, directly or indirectly by a Person or Persons Acting as a
Group described in paragraph C above.
(i) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 5 of this Agreement:
(i) “Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(ii) Except as set forth above in Section 5(h)(iv), “Change in Control” means any one
of the following:
A. The failure of the Continuing Directors at any time to constitute at least a
majority of the members of the Board;
B. The acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 issued under the Act) of 20% or more of the outstanding common stock of
the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
C. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger
or consolidation, unless with or into a Permitted Successor; or
D. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of
its assets other than to a Permitted Successor.
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(iii) “Continuing Directors” means those individuals constituting the Board as of the
Effective Date and any subsequent directors whose election or nomination for election by the
Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of two thirds of the individuals who are then
Continuing Directors, but specifically excluding any individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as the term is
used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A issued under the Act) or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.
(iv) “Employee Benefit Plan” means any plan or program established by the Company or a
Subsidiary for the compensation or benefit of its employees.
(v) Except as set forth above in Section 5(h)(iv), “Permitted Successor” means a
corporation which, immediately following the consummation of a Change in Control above,
satisfies all of the following criteria:
A. Sixty percent or more of the outstanding common stock of the corporation and
the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors (in each case determined immediately
following the consummation of the applicable transaction) is beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding common stock and outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (respectively)
immediately prior to the applicable transaction;
B. No Person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the
outstanding common stock of the corporation or the combined voting power of the
outstanding securities of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors; and
C. At least a majority of the board of directors is comprised of Continuing
Directors.
(vi) “Person” has the same meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(vii) “Persons Acting as a Group” means owners of a corporation that enters into a
merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction
with the corporation. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations
that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar
transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders
in a corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to
the ownership interest in the other corporation. Persons will not be considered to be
acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the
same time or as a result of the same public offering, or purchase assets of the same
corporation at the same time.
15
(viii) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which 50% or more of the
outstanding voting stock or voting ownership interest is directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by the Company or by one or more Subsidiaries of the Company.
6. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent
provided by Article VI of the Company’s Bylaws, as in effect on the Effective Date, regardless
of whether such Bylaw provisions are hereafter amended, eliminated or held to be invalid as a
matter of Delaware law. The Company’s indemnification obligations shall survive the
expiration or termination of the Term for any reason.
7. Employment Covenants.
(a) Non-Solicitation. In recognition of the highly competitive nature of the
industries in which the Company conducts its business, and to further protect the goodwill of the
Company and to promote and preserve its legitimate business interests, the Executive agrees that
during the two year period following his termination of employment under circumstances that entitle
the Executive to receive payments under Section 4 or Section 5 of his Agreement, the Executive
shall not:
(i) directly or indirectly (A) induce any current customer of the Company to patronize
any business directly or indirectly in competition with the Business conducted by the
Company; (B) request or advise any of the current customers to withdraw, curtail or cancel
any business with the Company; or
(ii) directly or indirectly employ any person who was employed by the Company at or
within the prior six months, or in any manner seek to induce any such person to leave his or
her employment; provided, that, the Executive may hire an employee of the Company or any of
its affiliates who was terminated by the Company or resigned from employment with the
Company so long as the Executive did not directly or indirectly influence such termination
or resignation.
The Executive acknowledges that in the event of his breach of the foregoing covenant, money
damages would be an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, and notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, without prejudice to the rights of the Company to seek such damages or other
remedies available to it, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, specific
performance or other equitable relief in any proceeding which the Company may bring to enforce the
foregoing covenant not to compete on its express and explicit terms without the necessity of
posting a bond.
16
(b) Confidential Information. Executive agrees that all Confidential Information
shall be the sole property of the Company, and Executive agrees that he shall not during the Term
nor thereafter, use for his benefit or the benefit of others or disclose at any time Confidential
Information or take with him upon termination of this Agreement any records, papers, reports,
lists, computer tapes or disks or any other materials of any nature that contain any Confidential
Information. “Confidential Information” shall mean all information other than General Knowledge
(defined below) relating to the Company’s: (i) business or existing projects including all those in
various stages of research and development including all unpublished plans for new
products or services; (ii) financial information, internal business procedures and other
information which relate to the way the Company conducts its business and which are not publicly
available; (iii) data written by the Company’s employees or others, including source codes, object
codes, marketing and development plans, budgets, forecasts, forecast assumptions and future plans
and potential strategies of the Company which have been or are being discussed; (iv) unpublished
pricing data; (v) identity, buying habits and practices of the Company, its suppliers and customers
to the extent not publicly available; (vi) information regarding the skills or compensation of
employees of the Company; (vii) the Intellectual Property of the Company and any information
pertaining thereto; (viii) materials and information supplied by customers or clients to the
Company that contain data regarding any research, products, procedures or the like; and (ix) any
other information deemed confidential by the Company by marking such information with the word
“Confidential” or similar word; by orally advising the Executive that the information is
confidential or by treating the information in such a manner that the Executive should reasonably
believe it to be deemed confidential by the Company. “General Knowledge” shall mean (i) general
skills or experience gained during Executive’s employment with, consultation for or work for the
Company; and (ii) information and data publicly available.
(c) Records. All files, records, memoranda and other documents regarding former,
existing or prospective customers of the Company or relating in any manner whatsoever to
Confidential Information (collectively, “Records”), whether prepared by Executive or otherwise
coming into his possession, shall be the exclusive property of the Company. All Records shall be
immediately placed in the physical possession of the Company upon the termination of Executive’s
employment with the Company, or at any other time specified by the Board. The retention and use by
Executive of duplicates in any form of Records is prohibited after the termination of Executive’s
employment with the Company.
(d) Breach. Executive hereby recognizes and acknowledges that irreparable injury or
damage shall result to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of
any of the terms or provisions of this Section 7, and Executive therefore agrees that the Company
shall be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from engaging in any activity constituting
such breach or threatened breach. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the
Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity for such
breach or threatened breach, including but not limited to, the recovery of damages from Executive
and, if Executive is an employee of the Company, the termination of his employment with the Company
in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(e) Survival. Notwithstanding the termination of the employment of Executive or the
termination of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 7 shall survive and be binding upon
Executive unless a written agreement which specifically refers to the termination of the
obligations and covenants of this Section 7 is executed by the Company.
17
8. Mitigation. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement pertaining to medical and
other welfare benefits, in no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or
take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive
obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by
law, all reasonable legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably
incur as a result of any contest by (i) the Company, provided that the Executive prevails in at
least one material issue, (ii) the Executive, provided that the Executive prevails in at least one
material issue, or (iii) others, of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest
on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Code Section 7872(f)(2)(A).
9. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had
taken place, and the failure of the Company to do so shall be deemed Good Reason. As used in this
Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its
business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation
of law, or otherwise.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. Any legal action, suit or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted in the state or federal
courts in the States of either Michigan or Delaware, and the parties agree not to assert, in any
action, suit or proceeding by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that either party
is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, or that such action, suit or
proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue is improper or that the subject
matter hereof cannot be enforced in such court. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the
jurisdiction of any such court in any such action, suit or proceeding and agree that service of all
process in any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court may be made by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, to its address set forth in this Agreement, such service
being hereby acknowledged by such party to be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action
against such party in any such court and to be otherwise effective and binding service in every
respect.
(b) The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no
force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written
agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
18
(c) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party, by commercial overnight courier or by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Xxxxx X’Xxxxx
c/x Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
c/x Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Company:
Kaydon Corporation
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Vice President and General Counsel
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Vice President and General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(d) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(e) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal,
state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
(f) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment
for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(g) This Agreement supersedes any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, either
oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement may be executed via facsimile transmission signature and in counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
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11. Special Rules Regarding Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company determines that any
amounts that become due under this Plan as a result of a Participant’s cessation of employment with
the Company constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A,
payment of such amounts shall not commence until the Executive incurs a “separation from service”
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) (“Separation from Service”). If, at the
time of Executive’s Separation from Service, the
Participant is a “specified employee” (under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), any amount
that the Company determines constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of
Code Section 409A that becomes payable to Executive on account of the Executive’s Separation from
Service will not be paid until after the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period
measured from the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Company, or (ii) the date of
the Executive’s death (the “409A Suspension Period”). Within 14 calendar days after the end of the
409A Suspension Period, the Executive shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any
payments delayed because of the preceding sentence, without interest. Thereafter, the Executive
shall receive any remaining benefits as if there had not been an earlier delay. For the purposes
of this Agreement, each payment that is part of a series of installment payments shall be as a
right to a series of separate payments within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
(b) The determination of whether a payment under this Agreement constitutes “nonqualified
deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be made by the Company in good
faith. If the Company determines that any such payments are subject to the 409A Suspension Period,
and the Executive does not believe that such determination is reasonable, then the Company and the
Executive shall mutually select, at the Company’s expense, an independent outside counsel to render
a legal opinion regarding the applicability of the 409A Suspension Period. If the outside counsel
described in the preceding sentence agrees with the Company’s determination that any payments due
to the Executive under this agreement should be subject to the 409A Suspension Period, then such
payments shall commence after the end of the 409A Suspension Period as set forth in this Section
11; provided however, if such outside counsel determines that such payments shall not be subject to
the 409A Suspension Period, then such payments shall commence within fourteen (14) days of the date
of such counsel’s determination. The parties agree that payments made upon termination for Good
Reason shall be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” and are subject to the 409A Suspension
Period, unless at the time of such termination, the Company with advice of counsel determines that
based on the facts and circumstances of such termination, such payments are not “nonqualified
deferred compensation” and no delay is necessary.
12. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Tax Reimbursement Payment. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that any amount or benefit paid, payable, or to be paid, or
distributed, distributable, or to be distributed to or with respect to Executive by the Company
(whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with
the Company, or with any person whose actions result in a change of ownership covered by Code
Section 280G or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) as a result of a change in
ownership of the Company or a change in ownership of a direct or indirect parent thereof
(collectively, the “Covered Payments”) is or becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by or under
Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), and/or any interest or
penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with such interest and
penalties, is hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall pay
to Executive an additional amount (the “Tax Reimbursement Payment”) such that after payment by
Executive of all taxes (including, without limitation, any interest or penalties and any Excise Tax
imposed on or attributable to
20
the Tax
Reimbursement Payment itself) Executive retains an amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment equal to the sum of (i)
the amount of the Excise Tax imposed upon the Covered Payments, and (ii) without duplication, an
amount equal to the product of (A) any deductions disallowed for federal, state or local income tax
purposes because of the inclusion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment in Executive’s adjusted gross
income, and (B) the highest applicable marginal rate of federal, state or local income taxation,
respectively, for the calendar year in which the Tax Reimbursement Payment is made or is to be
made. The intent of this Section 12 is that (a) Executive, after paying his federal, state and
local income tax and any payroll taxes on Executive, will be in the same position as if he was not
subject to the Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code and did not receive the extra payments
pursuant to this Section 12, and (b) that Executive should never be “out-of-pocket” with respect to
any tax or other amount subject to this Section 12, whether payable to any taxing authority or
repayable to the Company, and this Section 12 shall be interpreted accordingly. Further, an
additional payment will be made to the Executive in the amount necessary to cover the full cost of
any tax imposed on the Executive under Code Section 409A(a)(1)(A), if any (the “409A Tax Payment”),
less the tax to which the Executive would have been subject to in any event on the income, plus the
additional tax and interest imposed on the Executive under Code Section 409A(a)(1)(B), plus the
Executive’s state and Federal income and employment taxes on this payment, as a result of severance
payments made upon a Separation of Service from the Company as a result of his resignation for Good
Reason.
(b) Certain Covered Payments. Except as otherwise provided in Section 12(a), for
purposes of determining whether any of the Covered Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and
the amount of such Excise Tax,
(i) such Covered Payments will be treated as “parachute payments” (within the meaning
of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) and such payments in excess of the Code Section
280G(b)(3) “base amount” shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and except
to the extent that, the Company’s independent certified public accountants appointed prior
to the change in ownership covered by Code Section 280G(b)(2) or legal counsel (reasonably
acceptable to Executive) appointed by such public accountants (the “Accountant”), deliver a
written opinion to Executive, reasonably satisfactory to Executive’s legal counsel, that
Executive has a reasonable basis to claim that the Covered Payments (in whole or in part)
(A) do not constitute “parachute payments”, (B) represent reasonable compensation for
services actually rendered (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code) in excess
of the “base amount” allocable to such reasonable compensation, or (C) such “parachute
payments” are otherwise not subject to such Excise Tax (with appropriate legal authority,
detailed analysis and explanation provided therein by the Accountants); and
(ii) the value of any Covered Payments which are non-cash benefits or deferred payments
or benefits shall be determined by the Accountant in accordance with the principles of
Section 280G of the Code.
21
(c) Applicable Tax Rates, Etc. For purposes of determining the amount of the Tax
Reimbursement Payment or the 409A Tax Payment, Executive shall be deemed:
(i) to pay federal, state and/or local income taxes at the highest applicable marginal
rate of income taxation for the calendar year in which the Tax Reimbursement Payment or the
409A Tax Payment is made or is to be made; and
(ii) to have otherwise allowable deductions for federal, state and local income tax
purposes at least equal to those disallowed due to the inclusion of the Tax Reimbursement
Payment or 409A Tax Payment in Executive’s adjusted gross income.
(d) Correction of Tax Reimbursement Payment; Refunds.
(i) (A) In the event that prior to the time Executive has filed any of his tax returns
for the calendar year in which the change in ownership event covered by Code Section
280G(b)(2) or a termination for Good Reason occurred, the Accountant determines, for any
reason whatever, the correct amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment to
be less than the amount determined at the time the Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax
Payment was made, Executive shall repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such
reduction in Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment is determined by the Accountant,
the portion of the prior Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment attributable to such
reduction (including the portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment attributable to the Excise
Tax and federal, state and local income tax imposed on the portion of the Tax Reimbursement
Payment or 409A Tax Payment being repaid by Executive, using the assumptions and methodology
utilized to calculate the Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment (unless manifestly
erroneous)), plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate provided in Section
1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.
(B) In the event that the determination set forth in (A) above is made by the
Accountant after the filing by Executive of any of his tax returns for the calendar year in
which the change in ownership event covered by Code Section 280G(b)(2) or termination for
Good Reason occurred but prior to one (1) year after the occurrence of such change in
ownership, Executive shall file at the request of the Company an amended tax return in
accordance with the Accountant’s determination, but no portion of the Tax Reimbursement
Payment or 409A Tax Payment shall be required to be refunded to the Company until actual
refund or credit of such portion has been made to Executive, and interest payable to the
Company shall not exceed the interest received or credited to Executive by such tax
authority for the period it held such portion (less any tax Executive must pay on such
interest and which he is unable to deduct as a result of payment of the refund).
(C) In the event Executive receives a refund pursuant to (B) above and repays such
amount to the Company, Executive shall thereafter file for refunds or credits by reason of
the repayments to the Company.
(D) Executive and the Company shall mutually agree upon the course of action, if any,
to be pursued (which shall be at the expense of the Company) if Executive’s claim for refund
or credit is denied.
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(ii) In the event that the Excise Tax or the 409A Tax Payment is later determined by
the Accountants or the Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time the Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment, as applicable, is
made (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Tax Reimbursement Payment or the 409A Tax Payment ), the
Company shall make an additional Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment in respect of
such excess (plus any interest or penalties payable with respect to such excess) once the
amount of such excess is finally determined.
(iii) In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (or other
taxing authority) under this Section 12, subject to subpart (d)(i)(D) above, Executive shall
permit the Company to control issues related to this Section 12 (at its expense), provided
that such issues do not potentially materially adversely affect Executive, but Executive
shall control any other issues. In the event the issues are interrelated, Executive and the
Company shall in good faith cooperate so as not to jeopardize resolution of either issue,
but if the parties cannot agree Executive shall make the final determination with regard to
the issues. In the event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the Excise Tax,
409A tax or associated income taxes, Executive shall permit the representative of the
Company to accompany him and Executive and his representative shall cooperate with the
Company and its representative.
(iv) With regard to any initial filing for a refund or any other action required
pursuant to this Section 12 (other than by mutual agreement) or, if not required, agreed to
by the Company and Executive, Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company, provided
that the foregoing shall not apply to actions that are provided herein to be at the sole
discretion of Executive.
(e) Time of Payments. The Tax Reimbursement Payment or the 409A Tax Payment, or any
portion thereof, payable by the Company shall, subject to Section 11 hereof, be paid not later than
the fifth (5th) day following the determination by the Accountant, and any payment made after such
fifth (5th) day shall bear interest at the rate provided in Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B). The
Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Accountant to promptly deliver the initial
determination required hereunder and, if not delivered, within ninety (90) days after the change in
ownership event covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, or not required for the 409A Tax Payment
the Company shall pay Executive the Tax Reimbursement Payment or 409A Tax Payment set forth in an
opinion from counsel recognized as knowledgeable in the relevant areas selected by Executive, and
reasonably acceptable to the Company, within five (5) days after delivery of such opinion. The
amount of such payment shall be subject to later adjustment in accordance with the determination of
the Accountant as provided herein. In no event shall the Tax Reimbursement Payment or the 409A Tax
Payment be made later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s
taxable year in which the related taxes are remitted to the taxing authority.
(f) Fees, Etc. The Company shall be responsible for all charges of the Accountant and
if clause (e) above is applicable the reasonable charges for the opinion given by Executive’s
counsel.
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(g) Further Agreement. The Company and Executive shall mutually agree on and
promulgate further guidelines in accordance with this Section 12 to the extent, if any, necessary
to effect the reversal of excessive or shortfall Tax Reimbursement Payments. The foregoing shall
not in any way be inconsistent with Section 12(d)(i)(D) hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the date
first written above.
| KAYDON CORPORATION |
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
| Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
| Title: | Vice President and General Counsel | |||
| EXECUTIVE: |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxx X’Xxxxx | ||||
| Xxxxx X’xxxxx | ||||
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