SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
99.2
AGREEMENT
executed on September 9, 2008 between Nalco Company, (the “Company”)
and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (“Executive”).
WHEREAS,
Executive has been offered employment with the Company, and an opportunity to
receive certain equity grants relating to Executive’s commencement of employment
with the Company; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to promote the good performance of Executive by offering
this Severance Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the parties desire to enter into this Severance Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as
follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of
this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated.
“Agreement” means this
Severance Agreement.
“Base Salary” means
Executive’s annual base salary immediately prior to the Termination
Date.
“Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time
to time.
“Board” means the Board of
Directors of the Company.
“Cause” means any of the
following:
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(a)
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engaging
in gross or willful misconduct (which includes insubordination) in the
performance of Executive’s duties or intentional failure to comply with a
specific, written directive of the CEO or the Board of Directors, as
reasonably determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company;
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(b)
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the
commission by Executive of a felony, perpetration of a fraud against the
Company, or dishonesty which, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
Directors of the Company reflects adversely on the
Company;
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(c)
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the
material breach of Executive’s employment agreement as reasonably
determined by the Company;
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(d)
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Executive’s
material violation of the Company’s policies and procedures, including the
Company’s Code of Ethical Business Conduct or Officers Ethics Code;
or
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(e)
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the
Executive’s failure to cooperate in any audit or investigation of the
Company’s financial statements or reports and filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the business practices of the Company or its
direct or indirect subsidiaries.
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(f)
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A
termination under (c) or (d) can occur only after you fail to cure any
violation or breach within fifteen (15) business days, with such cure
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, excluding any days
you are on paid vacation, of your receipt of written notice by the Board
of Directors of the Company of the breach or
violation
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“Code” means the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” means Nalco Company
and any successor (whether direct or indirect) to all or substantially all of
the stock, assets or business of Nalco Company.
“Employment Letter Agreement”
means the employment letter agreement between Executive and the Company, dated
as of July 17, 2008, as may be amended from time to time.
“Executive” means Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx.
“Permanent Disability”
means inability, by reason of any physical or mental impairment, to
substantially perform the significant aspects of his regular duties which
inability has lasted for six months and is reasonably expected to be
permanent.
“Person” means an individual,
a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a
joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization
and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision
thereof.
“Target Bonus” means, with
respect to any fiscal year of the Company, the target annual bonus, assuming
achievement of 100% of target, under the applicable Company annual incentive
plan, (currently known as the Management Incentive Plan) for Executive for such
year.
“Term” has the meaning set
forth in Section 2 of this Agreement.
“Termination Date” has the
meaning set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.
2. Term of Agreement. This
Agreement shall be in effect from July 17, 2008 (the date of the Employment
Letter Agreement) until December 31, 2010 (the “Initial Term”). After
the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall be automatically
extended for a three-year period, and thereafter further automatic extensions
for three years (the “Additional Terms”). If the Company notifies
Executive during the six month period immediately before the expiration of the
Initial Term or any Additional Term that the Company has determined in its
reasonable discretion that the benefits offered in this Agreement no longer
represent the majority practice for similarly situated public, chemical
companies (the “Notice”), this Agreement shall expire without further renewal
one year after the date of the Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive’s employment at all times shall be deemed to be an employment at-will
and Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive or the Company for any
reason or no reason.
3. Severance Upon Termination Without
Cause by the Company. If Executive’s employment with the Company and its
subsidiaries is terminated during the Term by the Company without Cause (the
effective date of either such termination hereafter referred to as the “Termination Date”),
Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits subject to
the Executive’s timely execution of a General Release as provided in Section 6
herein:
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(a)
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The
Company shall pay Executive, within fifteen business days after the
Termination Date in a lump sum payment (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the Termination Date, and (ii) any prior year bonus earned but not
paid.
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(b)
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The
Company shall pay Executive, six months and one day after the Termination
Date, severance equal to one and one-half (1.5x) times his Base Salary and
Target Bonus. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent permitted by
Section 409A of the Code, a portion of the payment equal to two times the
compensation limit specified in Code Section 401(a)(17) shall be paid
within fifteen days of the Termination
Date.
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(c)
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In
addition, the Executive shall be entitled to a pro-rata portion of the
annual management incentive plan amount for the year of termination based
on the portion of the year elapsed through the termination and the
pro-rata portion shall be calculated based on actual performance over the
entire performance period and any such payment shall be made on March 15
of the year following termination or, to the extent required by Section
409A of the Code, six months and one day following termination, if
later.
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(d)
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Except
as otherwise indicated herein, Executive shall receive any other benefits
he is otherwise eligible for under other plans or programs of the Company
in accordance with their terms. Executive shall have the right to
continue medical and/or dental benefits for a period of eighteen months
following the Termination Date at the active employee
rate.
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(e)
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The
Company will provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services
during the twenty-four (24) month period following the Termination Date
(for these purposes, reasonable outplacement services would not exceed a
cost to the Company of $10,000).
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(f)
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Other
than the benefits set forth in this Section 3 and those set forth in the
Employment Letter Agreement, the terms of which are expressly incorporated
herein by reference, the Company and its affiliates will have no further
obligations hereunder with respect to Executive following the Termination
Date.
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(g)
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Executive
shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment
provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in
this Section 3 and in the Employment Letter Agreement be reduced by any
compensation earned as a result of Executive’s employment with another
employer.
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4. Other Terminations.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Company or any
of its subsidiaries from terminating Executive’s employment for any reason or no
reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated (a) by the Company for Cause,
(b) due to Executive’s death or Permanent Disability, or (c) due to Executive’s
resignation, the Company shall have no obligation to make any payments or
provide any benefits under this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in the
Employment Letter Agreement, the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment,
and termination of employment, shall be governed by the terms and conditions of
this Agreement.
5. Covenants and Release.
As a condition precedent to payment under this Agreement or payment of
severance or grant of any other benefit hereunder, Executive must comply with,
and continue to comply with, the Covenants and Terms attached
hereto as Exhibit
A, and sign and deliver a general release to the Company within one week
after the termination of Executive’s employment in the form of General Release, attached
hereto as Exhibit
B, it being understood and agreed that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any benefits provided hereunder unless and until he has signed and
delivered such General Release to the Company and any revocation period
applicable to such General Release expires without revocation by the
Executive.
6. Miscellaneous.
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(a)
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Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of Illinois without reference to the principles of conflict of
laws.
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(b)
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Entire
Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter herein.
There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties,
covenants or undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject
matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. This
Agreement may not be altered, modified, or amended except by written
instrument signed by the parties
hereto.
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(c)
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No Waiver. The failure
of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement
on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or
deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence
to that term or any other term of this
Agreement.
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(d)
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Severability. If any
one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or become
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not
be affected thereby.
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(e)
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Assignment. This
Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement
may be assigned by the Company to any successor to all or substantially
all of the business and/or assets of the Company provided the Company
shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement.
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(f)
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Successors; Binding
Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, including successors to all or substantially
all of the stock, business and/or assets of the Company, heirs,
distributees, assignees, devisees and legatees of the
parties.
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(g)
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Notice. For the purpose
of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in
the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when delivered or mailed by United States certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
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If to the
Executive:
At the
address (or to facsimile number) shown
on the
records of the Company
If to the
Company:
Nalco
Company
0000 Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention:
Vice President and General Counsel
Fax No.:
000-000-0000
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(h)
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Withholding Taxes. The
Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
U.S. federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
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(i)
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Counterparts. This
Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto
were upon the same instrument.
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(j)
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Resignations. Executive
agrees to immediately resign any positions held by him with the Company
and its affiliates upon the termination of Executive’s
employment.
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(k)
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Award of Fees Against
Executive. If either party files suit to enforce any
provision of the Agreement and a court of competent jurisdiction, then the
substantially prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its court
costs, litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys fees incurred in
prosecuting and maintaining such suit, in addition to any other remedies
or relief.
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* * * * *
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
NALCO
COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Title:
Vice President – Human Resources
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Executive
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
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EXHIBIT
A
Covenants
of the Executive
1. As
a condition for the payments under this Agreement, during the Executive’s
employment with the Company hereunder and for a period of two (2) years
thereafter, (i) the Executive shall not, within any jurisdiction or marketing
area in which the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates) is doing
business, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, consult with,
profit from, be employed by, or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of any business of the type and character
engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company (or its
subsidiaries and affiliates); (ii) the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, employ, solicit for employment or otherwise contract for the
services of (or assist any other company, business or person in employing,
soliciting for employment or otherwise contracting for the services of) any
individual who is an employee of the Company (or its subsidiaries and
affiliates) at the time of this Agreement or who shall subsequently become an
employee of the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates).
2. During
the Executive’s employment with the Company hereunder and thereafter, (i) the
Executive will not divulge, transmit or otherwise disclose (except as legally
compelled by court order, and then only to the extent required, after prompt
notice to the Company of any such order), directly or indirectly, other than in
the regular and proper course of business of the Company, any confidential
knowledge or information with respect to the operations, finances, organization
or employees of the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates) or with respect
to confidential or secret processes, services, techniques, customers or plans
with respect to the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates); and (ii) the
Executive will not use, directly or indirectly, any confidential information for
the benefit of anyone other than the Company (or its subsidiaries and
affiliates); provided,
however, that the Executive has no obligation, express or implied, to
refrain from using or disclosing to others any such knowledge or information
which is or hereafter shall become available to the public other than through
disclosure by the Executive. All new processes, techniques, know-how,
inventions, plans, products, patents and devices developed, made or invented by
the Executive, alone or with others, while an employee of the Company which are
related to the business of the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates)
shall be and become the sole property of the Company, unless released in writing
by the Company, and the Executive hereby assigns any and all rights therein or
thereto to the Company.
3. All
files, records, correspondence, memoranda, notes or other documents (including,
without limitation, those in computer-readable form) or property relating or
belonging to the Company (or its affiliates and subsidiaries), whether prepared
by the Executive or otherwise coming into his possession in the course of the
performance of his services under this Agreement, shall be the exclusive
property of Company and shall be delivered to Company and not retained by the
Executive (including, without limitations, any copies thereof) upon termination
of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
4.
(a) The
Executive will communicate and disclose in writing to the Company both during
the term of his Agreement and thereafter, all inventions, discoveries,
improvements, machines, devices, designs, processes, products, software,
treatments, formulae, mixtures and/or compounds whether patentable or not as
well as patents and patent applications (all collectively referred to as
“Inventions”) made, conceived, developed or acquired by the Executive or under
which the Executive acquired the right to grant licenses or become licensed,
whether alone or jointly with others, during the term of this
Agreement. All of the Executive’s right, title and interest in, to
and under such Inventions, including licenses and right to grant licenses shall
be the sole property of the Company and the same are hereby assigned to the
Company. Any Invention disclosed by the Executive to have been made
and conceived and developed after the termination of this
Agreement.
(b) For
all of the Executive’s Inventions, the Executive will, upon request of the
Company, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter:
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(i)
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execute
and deliver all documents which the Company shall deem necessary or
appropriate to assign, transfer and convey to the Company, all of the
Executive’s right, title, interest in and to such Inventions, and enable
the Company to file and prosecute applications for Letters Patent of the
United States and any foreign countries on Inventions as to which the
Company wishes to file patent applications;
and
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(ii)
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do
all other things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other
proceedings) which the Company shall deem necessary or appropriate to
obtain, maintain, and assert patents for any and all such Inventions and
to assert its rights in any Inventions not
patented.
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(c) The
Executive’s obligation under paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply to
Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facility or confidential
information of the Company was used, and which were developed entirely on the
Executive’s own time unless:
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(i)
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the
Inventions relate
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(A)
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to
the business of the Company; or,
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(B)
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to
the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development;
or,
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(C)
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the
Inventions result from any work performed by the Executive for the
Company.
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(d) The
Executive herby assigns to the Company the copyright in all works prepared by
the Executive which are either:
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(i)
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within
the scope of the Executive’s employment;
or,
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(ii)
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based
upon information acquired from the Company not normally made available to
the public; or,
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(iii)
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commissioned
by the Company but not within the Executive’s scope of
employment.
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The
Executive agrees to submit all such works to the Board for approval prior to
publication or oral dissemination. The Executive also agrees to do
all things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other proceedings)
which the Company shall deem necessary or appropriate to obtain, maintain, and
enable the Company to protect its rights and to such works.
(e) The
Executive hereby releases and allows the Company to use, for any lawful purpose,
any voice reproduction, photograph, or other video likeness of the Executive
made in the scope of the Executive’s employment.
(f) All
expenses incident to any action required by the Company to assign Inventions or
copyrights to the Company or so taken in its behalf pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement shall be borne by the Company, including a reasonable payment for
the Executives time and expenses involved if not then in the Company’s employ,
which payment for such time at the rate being paid to the Executive by the
Company at the time termination of employment.
5. The
Executive acknowledges that a breach of his covenants contained herein may cause
irreparable damage to the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates), the
exact amount of which will be difficult to ascertain, that the remedies at law
for any such breach will be inadequate and that the payments and other benefits,
in the Agreement, are additional consideration for the covenants contained in
herein. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he breaches any of
the covenants contained herein, in addition to any other remedy which may be
available at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to specific
performance and injunctive relief. In addition, the breach of any of
the covenants contained herein shall entitle the Company to permanently
withhold, and, if applicable, to recover from the Executive any payments,
benefits, or other than entitlements, of any type owed or paid by the Company to
Executive under the Employment Letter Agreement or this Agreement, any other
agreement or plan. The Company and the Executive further acknowledge
that the time, scope, geographic area and other provisions herein have been
specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that all
such provisions are reasonable under the circumstances of the activities
contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that the covenants
herein shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be
unenforceable by reason of their extending for too great a period of time or
over too great a geographical area or by reason of their being too extensive in
any other respect, they shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum
period of time for which they may be enforceable and/or over the maximum
geographical area as to which they may be enforceable and/or to the maximum
extent in all other respects as to which they may be enforceable, all as
determined by such court in such action.
6. The
Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company during his employment hereunder
and thereafter (including following the Executive’s termination of employment
for any reason), by making himself reasonably available to testify on behalf of
the Company in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, in any such action,
suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with
the Company’s Board of Directors or its representatives or counsel, or
representatives or counsel to the Company, as reasonably
requested; provided
however that the same does not
materially interfere with his then current professional activities or important
personal activities.
The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all
expenses, including pre-approved legal expense, actually incurred in connection
with his provision of testimony or assistance.
7. The
Executive agrees that, during his employment and thereafter (including following
the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason) he will not make
statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly,
in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or
indirectly, disparage the Company, its subsidiaries or its respective officers,
directors, employees, advisors, business or
reputations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement
shall preclude the Executive from making truthful statements or disclosures that
are required by applicable law, regulation or legal process.
8. The
covenants, agreements and restrictions undertaken by or imposed on Executive in
this Agreement, which are stated to exist or continue after termination of his
employment with the Company shall exist and continue irrespective of the method
or circumstances of such termination.
9. Executive
agrees that, (except for benefits in which Executive has become vested under the
terms of a benefit plan or as required by law) the Company, in its sole
discretion may modify or eliminate any or all employment benefits plans which
now or hereafter may exist.
EXHIBIT
B
General
Release
I, Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof (i)
Nalco Holdings Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and all of
its affiliates and (ii) all present and former directors, officers, agents,
representatives, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and its
affiliates (collectively, the "Released Parties") to
the extent provided below.
1.
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I
understand that my Severance Agreement with the Company executed on
September 9, 2008 (the “Agreement”) includes consideration for signing
this General Release and such consideration is not salary, wages or
benefits to which I was already entitled. I also acknowledge
and represent that I have received all payments and benefits that I am
entitled to receive (as of the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by
the Company.
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2.
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Except
as provided in paragraphs 4 and 11 below, I knowingly and voluntarily (for
myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and
forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and
all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims,
counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages,
punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and
attorneys' fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in
equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release
becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown,
suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties
which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or
assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment
with, compensation by, or my separation or termination from, the Company;
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights
Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended
(including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of
1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family
and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and
Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(“ERISA”); any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor
Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other
federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other
local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public
policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any
policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for
wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress,
defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including
attorneys' fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing
collectively referred to herein as the "Claims").
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3.
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I
represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim,
demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2
above.
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4.
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I
agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or
claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I
acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company
in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis
for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967).
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5.
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I
agree that I am waiving all rights to xxx or obtain equitable, remedial or
punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever,
including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay,
attorneys’ fees and any form of injunctive
relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I
am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be
waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or
participate in an administrative investigation or
proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any
right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the
prosecution of such charge or investigation or
proceeding.
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6.
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In
signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be
effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove
mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall
be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express
terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected
Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the
effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and
unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other
Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this
waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that
without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the
Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a
Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek
to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental
agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete
defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further
agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in
paragraph 2 as of the execution of this General
Release.
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7.
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I
agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the
consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at
any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself
of any improper or unlawful
conduct.
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8.
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I
agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to
the Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also
agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the
other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending
against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the
Agreement.
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9.
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I
agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal
investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or
any dispute with a third party. I understand and agree that my cooperation
may include, but not be limited to, making myself available to the Company
upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations;
appearing at the Company's request to give testimony without requiring
service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company
pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant
documents which are or may come into my possession all at times and on
schedules that are reasonably consistent with my other permitted
activities and commitments. I understand that in the event the Company
asks for my cooperation in accordance with this provision, the Company
will reimburse me solely for reasonable travel expenses, (including
lodging and meals), upon my submission of
receipts.
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10.
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I
agree not to disparage the Company, its past and present investors,
officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all
confidential and proprietary information about the past or present
business affairs of the Company and its affiliates confidential unless a
prior written release from the Company is obtained. I further
agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and
all property, tangible or intangible, relating to its business, which I
possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to,
company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys,
computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer
data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies,
compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such
manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other
data.
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11.
|
Notwithstanding
anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release
shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims
arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the
Agreement after the date hereof and nothing herein shall release the
Company from its obligations under the Agreement or impair the Executive’s
right to enforce the Agreement. Additionally, nothing contained
herein shall in any way diminish or affect any right or claim for the
payment of any vested pension benefits to which Executive may be entitled,
if any, under the express provisions of the Company pension plan(s),
subject to ERISA's vesting
requirements.
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12.
|
Whenever
possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in,
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General
Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been
contained herein.
|
BY
SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:
A.
|
I
HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;
|
B.
|
I
UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN
EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974, AS AMENDED;
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C.
|
I
VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN
IT;
|
D.
|
I
HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I
HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION I HAVE CHOSEN NOT
TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;
|
E.
|
I
HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _________ __, _____ TO CONSIDER
IT;
|
F.
|
I
UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO
REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE
UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS
EXPIRED;
|
G.
|
I
HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE
ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT;
AND
|
H.
|
I
AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED,
WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY
ME.
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DATE:
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
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