EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into on the 19th
day of April 1999, by and between Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, an individual ("Executive"),
and California Amplifier, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, the Company, Xxxxxxxx Communications Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Xxxxxxxx"), Executive and other stockholders of Xxxxxxxx have entered into a
certain Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 19, 1999 (the "Asset Purchase
Agreement") providing for the purchase by the Company of certain assets of
Xxxxxxxx;
WHEREAS, the Company and Xxxxxxxx have entered into a certain Transition
Services Agreement dated as of April 19, 1999 (the "Transition Services
Agreement") pursuant to which Xxxxxxxx shall provide the Company with certain
services for a limited period of time (such period of time, the "Transition
Period"); and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement
pursuant to which Executive will provide the Company with certain services
during the Transition Period and for a period of time thereafter;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreement contained
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A G R E E M E N T
1. EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY AND TERM.
(a) FULL TIME AND BEST EFFORTS. Subject to the terms set forth herein, the
Company agrees to employ Executive as Director of Operations, Xxxxxxxx during
the Transition Period and as Director, Satellite Technology after the Transition
Period, and in such other capacities as may be requested from time to time by
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") or a duly authorized
committee thereof, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. Executive shall
render such other services for the Company and corporations controlled by, under
common control with or controlling, directly or indirectly, the Company, and to
successor entities and assignees of the Company as the Company may from time to
time reasonably request and as shall be consistent with the duties Executive is
to perform for the Company and with Executive's stature and experience. During
the term of his employment with the Company, Executive will devote his full time
and attention exclusively to, and use his best efforts to advance, the business
and welfare of the Company.
1
(b) DUTIES. Executive shall serve in an executive capacity and shall
perform such duties as are customarily associated with his title of Director of
Operations, Xxxxxxxx during the Transition Period and of Director, Satellite
Technology after the Transition Period, as required by the Board.
(c) COMPANY POLICIES. The employment relationship between the parties shall
be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company,
including but not limited to those relating to protection of confidential
information, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in
conflict with the Company's general employment policies or practices, this
Agreement shall control.
(d) TERM. The term of employment of Executive under this Agreement (the
"Term") shall be one (1) year commencing on April 19, 1999, unless earlier
terminated; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Term may be renewed on terms and
conditions mutually agreeable to both parties. The Company shall not have any
express or implied obligation under any circumstances to extend Executive's
employment beyond the end of the Term.
2. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
(a) NON-COMPETE. As consideration for Executive's covenant not to compete
contained herein and in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Executive shall receive
One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000) on the date hereof.
(b) SALARY. During the Transition Period, Executive shall receive for
services to be rendered hereunder a salary at the rate of Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per year payable at least as frequently as monthly
and subject to payroll deductions as may be necessary or customary in respect of
the Company's salaried employees (the "Base Salary"). After the Transition
Period, the Base Salary shall be reduced to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($150,000) per year.
(c) BONUSES. Executive's eligibility to receive bonuses during the Term,
and the amount of any such bonuses, shall be determined in the sole and absolute
discretion of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.
(d) ROYALTIES. After the Transition Period, Executive shall receive royalty
payments based on the Company's revenues from sales occuring after the
Transition Period for new products designed principally by Executive. Such
royalty payments shall equal (i) one percent (1.0%) of revenues on such products
if the Company's standard gross margin on such products at such time is thirty
percent (30%) or less, (ii) one and one-half percent (1.5%) of revenues on such
products if the Company's standard gross margin on such products at such time is
forty percent (40%) or less but over thirty percent (30%) or (iii) one and
three-fourths percent (1.75%) of revenues on such products if the Company's
standard gross margin on such products at such time is greater than forty
percent (40%). For each new product designed principally by Executive, such
royalty payments shall continue for a period of three (3) years from the date of
product qualification by the Company.
2
(e) PARTICIPATION IN BENEFIT PLANS. During the Term, Executive shall be
entitled to participate, on the same terms and conditions generally applicable
to members of senior management of the Company, in any group insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, health and accident, disability, pension or
similar plan or program of the Company now existing or established hereafter to
the extent that he is eligible under the general provisions thereof. The Company
may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, establish additional or
eliminate or modify existing benefit programs as it deems appropriate.
3. REASONABLE BUSINESS EXPENSES AND SUPPORT. Executive shall be reimbursed
for documented and reasonable business expenses in connection with the
performance of his duties hereunder within the limits of the annual budget for
such expenses approved by the Board. Executive shall be furnished reasonable
office space, assistance and facilities.
4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The date on which Executive's employment by
the Company ceases, under any of the following circumstances, shall be defined
herein as the "Termination Date."
(a) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
(i) TERMINATION; PAYMENT OF ACCRUED SALARY. The Board may terminate
Executive's employment with the Company at any time for cause, immediately upon
notice to Executive of the circumstances leading to such termination for cause
or, in the event that paragraph (ii) below provides for a cure period, upon
notice and the expiration of such cure period. In the event that Executive's
employment is terminated for cause, Executive shall receive payment for all
accrued salary through the Termination Date, which in this event shall be the
date upon which notice of termination is given. The Company shall have no
further obligation to pay severance of any kind nor to make any payment in lieu
of notice.
(ii) DEFINITION OF CAUSE. "CAUSE" means the occurrence or existence of
any of the following with respect to Executive, as determined by a majority of
the disinterested directors of the Board:
(A) Executive's conviction by, or entry of a plea of guilty or
nolo contendere in, a court of competent and final jurisdiction for
any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony punishable by
imprisonment in the jurisdiction involved;
(B) Executive's commission of an act of fraud upon the Company,
whether prior to or subsequent to the date hereof;
(C) Executive's failure or refusal to perform his duties as
reasonably required by this Agreement, provided that termination of
Executive's employment pursuant to this subparagraph (C) shall not
constitute valid termination for cause unless Executive shall have
first received written notice from the Company stating with
specificity the nature of such failure or refusal and
3
affording Executive at least five (5) days to correct the act or omission
complained of;
(D) gross negligence, insubordination, material violation by
Executive of any duty of loyalty to the Company, or any other material
misconduct on the part of Executive, provided that termination of
Executive's employment pursuant to this subparagraph (D) shall not
constitute valid termination for cause unless Executive shall have
first received written notice from the Company stating with
specificity the nature of such failure or refusal and affording
Executive at least five (5) days to correct the act or omission
complained of;
(E) the repeated non-prescription use of any controlled
substance, or the repeated use of alcohol or any other non-controlled
substance which in the Board's reasonable determination renders
Executive unfit to serve in his capacity as an officer or employee of
the Company;
(F) Executive's failure to report to work for any consecutive
five-day period, other than for excused absences or reasonable medical
or personal reasons;
(G) sexual harassment by Executive that has been reasonably
substantiated and investigated;
(H) Executive's physical destruction of substantial property or
assets of the Company; or
(I) Executive's death.
(b) TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. The Company may terminate Executive's
employment in the event Executive suffers a disability that renders Executive
unable to perform the essential functions of his position, even with reasonable
accommodation, for three (3) months within any six (6) month period. After the
Termination Date, which in this event shall be the date upon which notice of
termination is given, no further compensation will be payable under this
Agreement.
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE; SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. In the event that during
the Term, Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than
pursuant to paragraph 4(a) or 4(b), then the Company shall pay Executive as
severance an amount (the "Severance Payment") equal to the greater of (i)
one-half of Executive's Base Salary for the remainder of the Term or (ii) two
months of Executive's Base Salary, in either case payable in cash in a lump sum
not later than thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (subject to
applicable withholding); provided, however, that the Company shall continue to
make royalty payments to Executive pursuant to paragraph 2(c) hereof.
4
(d) BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION. In the event that during the Term
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than pursuant to
paragraph 4(a) or 4(b), all benefits provided under paragraph 2(d) hereof shall
be extended, at Executive's election and at the same cost to Executive as when
employed, to the extent permitted by the Company's insurance policies and
benefit plans, for a period following Executive's Termination Date equal to the
remainder of the Term, except as required by law (e.g., COBRA health insurance
continuation election). In the event that during the Term Executive's employment
is terminated (1) by the Company pursuant to paragraph 4(a) or 4(b) or (2)
otherwise, such benefits shall not be extended under any circumstances, except
(x) as required by law (e.g., COBRA health insurance continuation election) and
(y) if Executive is terminated pursuant to paragraph 4(a)(ii)(I), in which case
the Company shall continue coverage of Executive's dependents, if any, under all
benefit plans or programs of the type listed in paragraph 2(c) for a period of
three (3) months.
5. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OBLIGATIONS. During the Term, Executive will
have access to and become acquainted with the Company's confidential and
proprietary information, including but not limited to information or plans
regarding the Company's personnel, or sales, marketing, and financial operations
and methods; relationships with its customers, subcontractors, suppliers and
redevelopment agencies and other governmental agencies (the "Relationships");
trade secrets; formulas; devices; secret inventions; processes; and other
compilations of information, records, and specifications (collectively, the
"Proprietary Information"). Executive shall not (a) disclose any of the
Proprietary Information directly or indirectly, or use it in any way, either
during the Term or at any time thereafter, except as required in the course of
his employment for the Company or as authorized in writing by the Company, or
(b) intentionally jeopardize or abuse the Relationships to the detriment of the
Company. All files, records, documents, computer-recorded information, drawings,
specifications, equipment and similar items relating to the business of the
Company, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into his possession,
shall remain the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be removed from
the premises of the Company under any circumstances whatsoever without the prior
written consent of the Company, except when (and only for the period) necessary
to carry out Executive's duties hereunder, and if removed shall be immediately
returned to the Company upon any termination of his employment and no copies
thereof shall be kept by Executive.
6. NONINTERFERENCE. In accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Executive agrees not to interfere with the
business of the Company by directly or indirectly soliciting, attempting to
solicit, inducing or otherwise causing any employee of the Company to terminate
his or her employment in order to become an employee, consultant or independent
contractor to or for any other employer.
7. NON-COMPETITION. In accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Executive agrees that during the Term, he will
not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly,
possess an interest in, be employed by, or be connected with, as an employee,
consultant, officer, director, partner, member, stockholder or joint venturer,
any person or entity owning, managing, controlling, operating or otherwise
5
participating or assisting in any business which is similar to or in competition
with the business of the Company in any location; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
foregoing shall not prevent Executive from being a stockholder of less than one
percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding securities of any class of a
corporation listed on a national securities exchange or designated as national
market system securities on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) NOTICES. Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be
deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal
delivery by telecopy or telex) or the third day after mailing by first class
mail to the recipient at the address indicated below:
To the Company:
California Amplifier, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
To Executive:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the
recipient party will have specified by prior written notice to the sending
party.
(b) SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is deemed invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction and
subject to this paragraph be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining
provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provisions
of this Agreement invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
If any covenant should be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable because its
scope is considered excessive, such covenant shall be modified so that the scope
of the covenant is reduced only to the minimum extent necessary to render the
modified covenant valid, legal and enforceable.
(c) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement by and between Executive and the
Company constitute the final, complete, and exclusive embodiment of the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties related to the subject matter
hereof and supersede and preempt
6
any prior or contemporaneous understandings, agreements or representations by or
between the parties, written or oral.
(d) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in separate
counterparts and the signatures delivered by telecopy, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument and delivered in
person. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have
received a counterpart hereof signed by the other parties hereto.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their
respective successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign any of
his duties hereunder and he may not assign any of his rights hereunder without
the prior written consent of the Company.
(f) ATTORNEYS' FEES. If any legal proceeding is necessary to enforce or
interpret the terms of this Agreement, or to recover damages for breach
therefore, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees,
as well as costs and disbursements, in addition to any other relief to which he
or it may be entitled.
(g) AMENDMENTS. No amendments or other modifications to this Agreement may
be made except by a writing signed by both parties. No amendment or waiver of
this Agreement requires the consent of any individual, partnership, corporation
or other entity not a party to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any third person any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
(h) CHOICE OF LAW. All questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the internal law, and not
the law of conflicts, of the State of California.
(i) ARBITRATION.
(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (4) hereof, any controversy,
dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the
interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement, including any
claim based on contract, tort or statute, shall be settled, at the request
of either party, by arbitration conducted in Los Angeles, California, or
such other location upon which the parties may mutually agree, before and
in accordance with the then existing Rules of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA"), and judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator
may be entered by any State or Federal court having jurisdiction thereof.
Any controversy concerning whether a dispute is an arbitrable dispute shall
be determined by the arbitrator. The parties intend that this agreement to
arbitrate be valid, specifically enforceable and irrevocable. The
designation of a situs or specifically a governing law for this agreement
or the arbitration shall not be deemed an election to preclude application
of the Federal Arbitration Act, if it would be applicable.
7
(2) The sole arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the
procedures of the AAA.
(3) The arbitrator shall award to the prevailing party in any
arbitration proceeding commenced hereunder, and the court shall include in
its judgment for the prevailing party in any claim arising under this
Agreement or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, the
prevailing party's costs and expenses (including expert witness expenses
and reasonable attorneys' fees) of investigating, preparing and presenting
such arbitration claim or cause of action.
(4) Any party hereto may request a court of competent jurisdiction to
grant provisional injunctive relief to such party solely for the purpose of
maintaining the status quo until an arbitrator can render an award on the
matter in question and such award can be confirmed by a court having
jurisdiction thereof.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as
of the date and year first written above.
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
CALIFORNIA AMPLIFIER, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
9
