EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT between US Unwired, Inc. (the "Company") and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the
"Executive"), dated as of the 4/th/ day of December, 2000.
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof
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and end on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that on
each annual anniversary of the date hereof (the "Renewal Date"), unless
previously terminated, such period shall be automatically extended so as to
terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 120 days prior to
the Renewal Date the Company notifies the Executive that such period shall not
be so extended. The term of this Agreement is hereafter referred to as the
"Employment Period."
2. Change of Control.
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(a.) "Change of Control" means
1. The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (a
"Person") within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "34 Act") of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 34 Act) of 40% or more of either
(i) the Company's then outstanding common stock ("Outstanding Stock") or (ii)
the combined voting power of its then outstanding voting securities entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors ("Outstanding Voting
Securities") other than any acquisition (i) by any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled
by it, or (ii) by any entity pursuant to a transaction which complies with
Section 2(c)(i), (ii) or (iii), or (iii) any acquisition by Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx, Xx., members of his immediate family, or trusts for the benefit of
him or his family members; or
2. Individuals who as of the date hereof constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election or nomination was approved by a
vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
Board shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board unless his or her
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual
or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of a Person other than
the Board; or
3. Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation,
share exchange or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets (a "Combination") unless immediately thereafter (i) all or
substantially all of
the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the
case may be, of the entity resulting from such Combination (including, without
limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company
or all or substantially all of its assets either directly or through one or
more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
immediately prior to such Combination of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any entity
resulting from such Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such resulting entity) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the resulting entity or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such entity except to the extent that such
ownership existed prior to the Combination and (iii) at least a majority of
the members of the board of directors of the resulting entity were members of
the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or
of the action of the Board providing for such Combination; or
4. Approval by the shareholders of the Company's complete
liquidation or dissolution.
(b.) However, for purposes of this Agreement, a Change of
Control shall be deemed not to have occurred as a result of a transaction within
nine (9) months from the date hereof with any entity with whom the Company has
entered into an exclusivity agreement on or before the date of the Agreement and
was in affect on the date hereof, provided that if the Company is not the
surviving entity or survivor in such transaction, the survivor or successor
expressly assumes this Agreement in writing.
3. Terms of Employment.
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(a) Position and Duties. During the Employment Period,
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(i) (A) the Executive's position, authority, duties and
responsibilities ("Role") shall be commensurate with an executive capacity and
substantially comparable to the position, authority, duties and responsibilities
of a Chief Executive Officer/President for similarly situated telecommunication
institutions, and (B) his services shall be performed at the location where he
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location
within the State of Louisiana and less than 35 miles from the location where he
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date thereafter, provided that
in the case of any relocation, the Company shall pay all of Executive's expenses
reasonably related to such relocation, including cost of maintaining two
residences, and any further relocation required or necessary to comply with this
Section 4; and
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(ii) excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to
which he is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and
time during normal business hours to the Company's business and affairs, and to
use his reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently the
responsibilities assigned to him hereunder. It shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on the board of directors (or
comparable governing body) or committees of any business corporation or entity
(other than one in direct competition with the Company), civic or charitable
organization, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at
educational institutions, and (C) manage his legal affairs and personal
investments, so long as such personal activities do not significantly interfere
with the performance of his responsibilities. To the extent that any such
activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the date hereof, the
continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in
nature and scope thereto) subsequent thereto shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of his responsibilities.
(b) Compensation During the Employment Period.
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(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period the
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Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), paid at a
monthly rate, at least equal to $200,000. During the Employment Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last
salary increase awarded to the Executive and thereafter at least annually. Any
increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive hereunder. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced
after any such increase and the term "Annual Base Salary" as used herein shall
refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliates" shall include any entity controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
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Executive shall be eligible, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to 50% of
his Annual Base Salary ("Targeted Bonus") as fixed by the Compensation Committee
of the Company, to be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. The
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Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and
retirement plans, practices, policies and programs ("Programs") applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates, but in no
event shall such Programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities
(measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to
the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities
and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its
affiliates for him under such Programs as in effect on the date hereof, or if
more
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favorable to him, those provided generally at any time after the date hereof to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. The Executive and/or his
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family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall
receive all benefits under welfare benefit Programs provided by the Company and
its affiliates (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance Programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliates, but in no event shall such Programs provide
him with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such Programs in effect for him on the date hereof or, if more
favorable to him, those provided generally at any time after the date hereof to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates.
(v) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive
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prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in accordance
with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures ("Policies") of the
Company and its affiliates in effect for the Executive on the date hereof or, if
more favorable to him, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to
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fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable Policies of the Company
and its affiliates in effect for the Executive on the date hereof or, if more
favorable to him, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. The Executive shall be
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entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other
appointments, and to personal secretarial and other assistance, at least
substantially comparable to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliates on the date hereof or, if more
favorable to him, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates.
(viii) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to paid
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vacation in accordance with the most favorable Policies of the Company and its
affiliates as in effect for him on the date hereof or, if more favorable to him,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliates.
4. Termination of Employment.
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(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall
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terminate automatically upon his death during the Employment Period. If the
Company
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determines in good faith that his Disability has occurred during the Employment
Period it may give him written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of its
intention to terminate his employment. In such event, his employment shall
terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, he shall not have returned to full-time performance of his duties.
"Disability" means the absence of the Executive from his duties with the Company
on a full-time basis for 180 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 his legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
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during the Employment Period for Cause. "Cause" means
(i) Executive's willful and continued failure to perform
substantially his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity
due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to him by the Board which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board believes that he has not substantially performed his
duties, or
(ii) Executive's willful engaging in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct. No act or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be
considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by him in bad
faith or without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the
Company's best interests. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given
pursuant to a resolution of the Board or the advice of counsel for the Company
shall be conclusively presumed to be in good faith and in the Company's best
interests. The cessation of Executive's employment shall not be deemed to be for
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the vote of not less than a majority of the entire
membership of the Board at a meeting called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and he is given an opportunity,
together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the
Board's good faith opinion, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in
subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
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the Executive for Good Reason. "Good Reason" means:
(i) assignments to him that in any material respect are
inconsistent with or result in a diminution of his Role as contemplated by
Section 4(a), excluding an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of notice thereof given by the Executive;
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(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring him to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) or to travel on
Company business to a substantially greater extent than reasonably required for
the performance of his duties;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of his
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 11(c); or
(vi) a Change of Control of the Company.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall create a rebuttable presumption that "Good Reason"
exists.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination for Cause or for Good
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Reason shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto
given in accordance with Section 12(b). "Notice of Termination" means a written
notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision hereof relied
upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so
indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination is other than the date of receipt
of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more
than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the notifying
party to set forth in the Notice of Termination any circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
such party from asserting such circumstance in enforcing its or his rights
hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means in the case
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of (i) a termination for Cause or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the
Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be,
(ii) a termination by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the date
on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) a
termination by reason of death or Disability, the date of Executive's death or
the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
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5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
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(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If,
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during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum
in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) his Annual Base Salary (plus
$40,000 until such time as the Annual Base Salary equals $240,000) through the
Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x)
the higher of (I) the Target Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or
payable, including any portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
during which he was employed for less than twelve full months), for any
completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount
being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") 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 (3) any
compensation previously deferred by him (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), and (3)
being hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the product of (1) 2.99 and (2) the sum of (x) the
greater of $240,000 or his Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus.
(ii) the Executive shall immediately become fully 100%
vested under the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan and
benefits restoration plan (together, the "Retirement Plan"), and any excess or
supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive participates, as if his
employment continued for three years after the Date of Termination, assuming for
this purpose that his compensation in each of the three years is that required
by Section 4(b)(i) and (ii);
(iii) for three years after the Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate Program,
the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or his family at least
equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the
Programs described in Section 4(b)(iv) if his employment had not been terminated
or, if more favorable to him, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates and their
families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with
another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
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welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other
welfare benefits provided for herein shall be secondary to those provided under
such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility; and provided
further that if the application of this sentence would result in material
adverse tax consequences to the Company, the Company may, in lieu thereof, make
cash payments to the Executive sufficient to allow him to obtain equivalent
coverage for himself and his family (including to the extent necessary the
election of COBRA coverage and the maintenance of duplicate coverage during any
pre-existing condition exclusion), and any additional cash payments necessary so
that Executive will receive the full pre-tax benefit of the cash payments in
lieu of coverage. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such
Programs the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until three
years after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such
period;
(iv) for a period ending on the earlier of one year from
the Date of Termination or Executive's obtaining other full-time permanent
employment, the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services that are reasonable in scope and cost in
relation to his position; provided that this subparagraph shall not apply if
Executive's termination was solely for "Good Reason" under the last sentence of
Section 5(c);
(v) 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 he is eligible to receive
under any Program or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliates
(such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits"); and
(vi) stock options theretofore granted to Executive shall
become fully exercisable and may be exercised during a period equal to the
lesser of (A) three years from the Date of Termination, or (B) ten years from
the date of grant of the options.
(b) Termination for Death or Disability. If during the
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Employment Period, the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of his
death or Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations,
other than for payment of Accrued Obligations, the timely payment or provision
of Other Benefits and the provisions hereinbelow for the exercise of stock
options. Accrued Obligations shall be paid in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the
term "Other Benefits" as used in this Section 6(b) shall include, without
limitation, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by
the Company and affiliates to peer executives of the Company and such affiliates
or their estates, beneficiaries or families, as the case may be, under such
Programs relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective
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Date or, if more favorable, as in effect on the date of his death with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliates and their
beneficiaries. With respect to options that were otherwise exercisable on the
date of death or Disability, Executive or his representative shall be entitled
to exercise such options for the greater of (A) one year from the Executive's
death or Disability or (B) the period permitted in the applicable stock option
agreement.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
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employment is terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive (x) the greater of (i) $240,000 less amount
previously paid as salary for the year in which termination occurs multiplied by
a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days of the year that have
elapsed to the Date of Termination and the denominator which is 365, or (ii) his
Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any
compensation previously deferred by him, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to
the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment during the Employment Period other than 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 within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to
stock options exercisable on the date employment terminates, Executive shall be
entitled to exercise such options at any time during the greater of (A) 20 days
from the date employment terminated, or (B) the period permitted under the
applicable stock option agreement.
6. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing herein shall prevent or
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limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any Program provided
by the Company or any of its affiliates and for which he may qualify, nor,
subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as he may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliates. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any Program of or any contract or agreement
with the Company or any of its affiliates at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination shall be payable in accordance with such Program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
7. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the
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payments provided for herein and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder
shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or
others. 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 him under
any of the provisions hereof and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or
not he obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the
full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and
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expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision hereof or
any guarantee of performance thereof (including 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 Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"); provided that if in connection with any dispute in which
it is finally determined by a court that the position of Executive is entirely
frivolous, Executive shall be required to reimburse the Company for Executive's
legal fees and expenses so paid by the Company.
8. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
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(a) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding and except
as set forth below, if it is determined that any payment or distribution by the
Company to or for Executive's benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise, but determined without
regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment")
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise
tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an
amount such that after payment by him of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment, equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount thereof and the assumptions to
be used in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Ernst and Young or
such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the
Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm is serving
as accountant or auditor for the Person effecting the Change of Control, the
Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make
the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the
Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
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shall be binding upon the parties. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments that
have not been made should have been made ("Underpayment"). If the Company
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that, if successful, would require
a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but
no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of
such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on
which he gives such notice (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, the Executive shall, with respect to such claim:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested
relating to it,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting it as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to it by an
attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest it, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to it;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the IRS in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the
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Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more
appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the
Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the
Company shall advance the amount of such payment to him, on an interest-free
basis and shall indemnify and hold him harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute
of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the IRS or any other
taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), he becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, he shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that
he is not entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does
not notify him in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior
to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall
be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.
9. Other Obligations of Executive.
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(a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
Company's benefit all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the Company or any of its affiliates, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by him during his employment and
which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the
Executive or his representatives in violation of this Agreement). After
termination of his employment with the Company, he shall not, without the
Company's prior written consent or as may otherwise be required by law or legal
process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an
asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive
hereunder.
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(b) If the employment of Executive is terminated during the
Employment Period, during the two-year period following the Date of Termination,
Executive agrees that he will not (i) act as a management official of any
Competitive Business other than a "Permitted Entity", or (ii) solicit to provide
wireless mobile communications service to any person other than on behalf of a
Permitted Entity in the areas set forth on Attachment A provided that this
Section 10(b) shall not be applicable if the Company has not at all times during
such period complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement. The term
"management official" means an officer, director, consultant, general partner,
manager or controlling shareholder, the term "Competitive Business" means the
provision of wireless mobile communications service, and the term "Permitted
Entity" means an entity that is licensed, directly or indirectly, to provide
mobile wireless communication service in an area(s) in which the population in
all of the Permitted Entity's service area is equal to or less than 15% of the
total population in all of the area(s) in which the Company is operating.
10. Successors.
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(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without
the Company's prior written consent shall not be assignable by him 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.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of its business and/or assets 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.
As used herein, "Company" means 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.
11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. 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.
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(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxx Xx.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xx. 00000
If to the Company: US Unwired Inc.
Attn: General Counsel/Legal Dept.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xx. 70629
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.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
hereunder such taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision hereof or to assert any right he or it may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(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.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except
as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at
will" and the Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by
either the Executive or the Company at any time, in which case the Executive
shall have only the rights specified in the Agreement. From and after the
Effective Date, this Agreement
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shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
U.S. UNWIRED, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------
Its: Chairman, Compensation Committee
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------
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