EXHIBIT 10.17
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
January 1, 2003, by and between Atrium Corporation (f/k/a D and W Holdings,
Inc.), a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns
permitted hereunder, the "Company"), Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("ACI"), and C. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx (the "Executive").
RECITALS
A. The Company and the Executive entered into an Employment Agreement dated as
of October 25, 2000 (the " October 25, 2000 Agreement").
B. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") determined that it is in
the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to terminate the
October 25, 2000 Agreement and to enter into this Agreement for purposes of
the Company employing the Executive on the terms and conditions set forth
herein.
C. ACI and its subsidiaries will benefit from the services to be provided by
the Executive hereunder.
AGREEMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements and covenants set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Subject to Section 3, the Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and
the Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company in accordance with
the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for a period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the "Initial
Term", and including any and all renewals thereof, the "Employment Period");
provided the Initial Term is renewable for a series of three-year terms
thereafter as mutually agreed upon by the Company and Executive at least 30
days prior to the end of the then current term. In the event Executive
continues to perform services after the Employment Period, and pending
agreement for extension of the Employment Agreement, such services shall
constitute employment for an unspecified term, terminable at will, with or
without cause or reason, with or without advance notice, and with or without
pay in lieu of advance notice. If the Company provides the Executive with
notice of intent not to renew in accordance with the above, the Company may
in its discretion terminate Executive's services as of the date of such
notice by paying to Executive all amounts that will become due during the
remainder of the Employment Period.
2. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
(a) Position and Duties
(i) During the term of the Executive's employment, the Executive
shall serve as Co-Chief Operating Officer of the Company and, in
so doing, shall perform normal duties and responsibilities
associated with such position, subject to the general direction,
approval and control of the President and Chief Executive Officer
(or its equivalent) and the Board of Directors.
(ii) During the term of the Executive's employment, and excluding any
periods of vacation and other leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote substantially all his
business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to
use the Executive's best efforts to perform faithfully,
effectively and efficiently his duties and responsibilities.
(iii) During the term of the Executive's employment, it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (1) serve on
industry trade, civic or charitable boards or committees, (2)
deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements or (3) manage
personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere
with the performance of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities as an Executive of the Company.
(iv) Executive agrees to observe and comply with the Company's rules
and policies as adopted by the Company from time to time.
(b) Compensation
(i) Base Salary. During the Initial Term, the Executive shall receive
an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid
in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the
Company, as follows: (A) during the period beginning on the date
hereof and ending on December 31, 2003, in an amount equal to
$232,500 per annum, (B) during the period beginning on January 1,
2004 and ending on December 31, 2004, in an amount equal to
$240,000 per annum, (C) during the period beginning on January 1,
2005 and ending on December 31, 2005, in an amount equal to
$250,000 per annum. The Board, in its discretion, may at any time
increase the amount of the Annual Base Salary to such greater
amount as it may deem appropriate, and the term "Annual Base
Salary," as used in this Agreement, shall refer to the Annual
Base Salary as it may be so increased. It is understood that the
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Company may, at any time, in the discretion of the Board,
increase, but not decrease, the amount of the Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Incentive Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to an incentive
bonus as set forth on Schedule A hereto.
(iii) Incentive Savings, Stock Option and Retirement Plans. During the
term of the Executive's employment, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all incentive, savings, stock option
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other employees of the Company ("Investment Plans"),
as amended from time to time.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the term of the Executive's
employment, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the
case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall
receive all benefits under the welfare benefit plans, practices,
policies and programs ("Welfare Plans") provided by the Company
(including medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary
continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs), as amended from
time to time, to the extent applicable generally to other
employees of the Company.
(v) Perquisites. During the term of the Executive's employment, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the
benefits described above) such perquisites and fringe benefits
appertaining to his position in accordance with any policies,
practices and procedures established by the Board, as amended
from time to time.
(vi) Expenses. During the term of the Executive's employment, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for
all reasonable employment expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the Company's policies, practices and procedures,
as amended from time to time.
(vii) Automobile. The Company recognizes the Executive's need for an
automobile for business purposes. The Company shall provide the
Executive with an automobile allowance of $650 per month.
(viii) Vacation. During the term of the Executive's employment, the
Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation each
calendar year. Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and
mutual convenience of the Company and the Executive. Accrued
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vacation not taken in any calendar year will not be carried
forward or used in any subsequent calendar year and the Executive
shall not be entitled to receive pay in lieu of accrued but
unused vacation in any calendar year. Vacation will be deemed to
accrue daily for purposes of the payments described in Section 4
hereof.
(ix) Stock Options. Upon the effective date of this Agreement, the
Executive will be entitled to the stock options described on
Schedule B hereto.
(x) Key-Man Insurance. At any time during the Employment Period, the
Company shall have the right to insure the life of the Executive
for the Company's sole benefit, and to determine the amount of
insurance and the type of policy. The Executive shall cooperate
with the Company in taking out such insurance by submitting to
physical examinations, by supplying all information required by
the insurance company, and by executing all necessary documents.
The Executive shall incur no financial obligation by executing
any required document, and shall have no interest in any such
policy.
3. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period.
If the Disability (as defined below) of the Executive has occurred
during the Employment Period, the Company may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 13(b) of its intention to
terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day
after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), if, within the 30 days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to perform, with or without
reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of his position. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the Executive's
inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the
essential functions of his position hereunder for a period of 120 days,
consecutive or non-consecutive, in any 12-month period due to mental or
physical incapacity, as determined by a physician selected by the
Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative, such agreement as to acceptability
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any refusal by Executive to
submit to a medical examination for the purpose of determining
Disability under this Section 3(a) shall be deemed to constitute
conclusive evidence of Executive's Disability. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed as
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a waiver of Executive's rights under the Americans with Disabilities
Act or any other applicable law or statute relating to disabilities or
handicaps.
(b) Cause or Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) a breach by the
Executive of the Executive's obligations under Section 2(a) (other than
as a result of physical or mental incapacity) which constitutes a
continued material nonperformance by the Executive of his obligations
and duties thereunder, and which is not remedied within 30 days after
receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach, (ii)
commission by the Executive of an act of fraud, embezzlement,
misappropriation, willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty
against the Company; (iii) a material breach by the Executive of
Sections 7, 8, 10 or 11; (iv) the Executive's conviction, plea of no
contest or nolo contendere, or unadjudicated probation for any felony
or crime involving moral turpitude; (v) the failure of the Executive to
carry out, or comply with, in any material respect any lawful and
reasonable directive of the Board consistent with the terms of this
Agreement, which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of
written notice from the Company specifying such failure; or (vi) the
Executive's unlawful use (including being under the influence) or
possession of illegal drugs on the Company's premises or while
performing the Executive's duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, "without Cause" shall mean a
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment during the
Employment Period for any reason other than a termination based upon
Cause, death, Disability or upon a Change of Control, as defined below.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated during the
Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good
Reason; provided, however, that the Executive agrees not to terminate
his employment for Good Reason unless (i) the Executive has given the
Company at least 30 days' prior written notice of his intent to
terminate his employment for Good Reason, which notice shall specify
the facts and circumstances constituting Good Reason, and (ii) the
Company has not remedied such facts and circumstances constituting Good
Reason within such 30-day period. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good
Reason" shall mean:
(i) any significant reduction, approved by the Board without the
Executive's consent in the Executive's position, authority,
duties or responsibilities as contemplated in Section 2(a) or any
other action by the Company which results in a material
diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for
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this purpose an inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and
which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
written notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any termination or material reduction of a material benefit under
any Investment Plan or Welfare Plan in which the Executive
participates unless (A) there is substituted a comparable benefit
that is economically substantially equivalent to the terminated
or reduced benefit prior to such termination or reduction or (B)
benefits under such Investment Plan or Welfare Plan are
terminated or reduced with respect to all Executives previously
granted benefits thereunder;
(iii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 2(b), other than an inadvertent failure not occurring
in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of written notice thereof given by the Executive; or
(iv) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any material
breach by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other
affiliates (as defined below) of (A) this Agreement or (B) any
other agreement between the Executive and the Company or any such
subsidiary or other affiliate.
As used in this Agreement, "affiliate" means, with respect to a person,
any other person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with the first person; the term "control," and correlative terms, means
the power, whether by contract, equity ownership or otherwise, to
direct the policies or management of a person; and "person" means an
individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust
or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
(d) Change of Control. If a Change of Control (as defined below) occurs
during the Employment Period and the Board determines in good faith
that it is in the Company's best interest to terminate the Executive's
employment with the Company, within one year of such Change of Control
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment by giving the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 13(b) of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment. Any such termination
by the Company as contemplated in this Section 3(d) is referred to
herein as a termination "upon a Change of Control."
As used in this Agreement, "Change of Control" means the first to occur
of: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company (including capital stock
or assets of operating
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subsidiaries) to any person or group of persons, (ii) a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company shall consist of persons who are not
nominated collectively by Ardshiel, Inc. and its affiliates and GE
Investment Private Placement Partners II, a Limited Partnership or
(iii) the acquisition by any person or group (other than Ardshiel,
Inc., GE Investment Private Placement Partners II, a Limited
Partnership and their affiliates) of the power to vote or direct the
voting of securities having more than 50% of the ordinary voting power
for the election of directors of the Company.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or
without Cause or upon a Change of Control, or by the Executive for Good
Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section
13(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision
in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined
below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date (which date shall not be more than 15 days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to
set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause or a termination upon
a Change of Control shall not waive any right of the Executive or the
Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.
(f) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or upon a Change of
Control, or by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason,
the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date
specified therein pursuant to Section 3(e), as the case may be, (ii) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Cause or upon a Change of Control, the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of
death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION
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(a) For Cause; Without Good Reason; Other Than for Death, Disability or
Upon a Change of Control. If, during the Employment Period, the Company
shall terminate the Executive's employment for Cause or the Executive
shall terminate his employment without Good Reason, and the termination
of the Executive's employment in any case is not due to his death or
Disability or upon a Change of Control, the Executive shall forfeit all
rights to the Incentive Bonus otherwise due to him or to which he may
be entitled. If the termination is for Cause, all stock options held by
the Executive shall lapse and expire. If the Executive terminates his
employment without Good Reason, all unvested stock options held by the
Executive shall lapse and expire and any remaining unexercised stock
options shall remain exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from
the Date of Termination. The Company shall have no further payment
obligations to the Executive or his legal representatives, other than
for the payment of: (i) in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days
after the Date of Termination the sum of the Executive's Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore
paid, any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together
with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation
pay (collectively, the "Accrued Obligations"); and (ii) any amount
arising from the Executive's participation in, or benefits under, any
Investment Plans (the "Accrued Investments"), which amounts shall be
payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Investment
Plans.
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, all unexercised stock
options held by Executive shall immediately vest (in his legal
representatives) and become exercisable and the Company shall have no
further payment obligations to the Executive or his legal
representatives, other than for payment of: (i) in a lump sum in cash
within ten (10) days after the Date of Termination the Accrued
Obligations; (ii) the Accrued Investments, which shall be payable in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Plans; and
(iii) the Incentive Bonus prorated from the first day of the Company's
then current fiscal year to the Date of Termination (the "Prorated
Incentive Bonus"), payable following calculation of the Incentive Bonus
in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii) hereof.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, all
unexercised stock options held by Executive shall immediately vest and
become exercisable and the Company shall have no further payment
obligations to the Executive or his legal representatives, other than
for payment of: (i) in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after
the Date of Termination the
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Accrued Obligations; (ii) the Accrued Investments, which shall be
payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment
Plans; and (iii) the Prorated Incentive Bonus, payable following
calculation of the Incentive Bonus in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)
hereof.
(d) Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good
Reason, all, unvested stock options held by Executive (the "Unvested
Options") shall immediately vest and become exercisable for a period of
ninety (90) days from the Date of Termination (the "Exercise Period")
and the Company shall have no further payment obligations to the
Executive or his legal representatives, other than for: (i) payment of,
in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the Date of
Termination, the Accrued Obligations; (ii) payment of the Accrued
Investments, which, except with respect to the Unvested Options, shall
be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Investment Plans; (iii) payment of the Prorated Incentive Bonus,
payable following calculation of the Incentive Bonus in accordance with
Section 2(b)(ii) hereof; and (iv) payment for each month during a
period of 12 months following the Date of Termination (the "Severance
Period") of one-twelfth of the sum of the Executive's Annual Base
Salary on the Date of Termination, in accordance with the customary
payroll practices of the Company. All Unvested Options, which remain
unexercised at the end of the Exercise Period shall lapse and expire.
(e) Change of Control. If the Executive's employment is terminated upon a
Change of Control as contemplated in Section 3(d), all unvested stock
options held by Executive shall immediately vest and become exercisable
and the Company shall have no further payment obligations to the
Executive or his legal representatives, other than for (i) payment of,
in a lump sum in cash within ten (10) days after the Date of
Termination, the Accrued Obligations; (ii) payment of the Accrued
Investments, which shall be payable in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Investment Plans; (iii) payment of the Prorated
Incentive Bonus; and (iv) payment for each month during the Severance
Period of one-twelfth of the sum of the Executive's Annual Base Salary
on the Date of Termination, in accordance with the customary payroll
practices of the Company.
5. NOT USED
6. FULL SETTLEMENT; MITIGATION
In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or
take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the
Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
Neither the Executive
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nor the Company shall be liable to the other party for any damages in
addition to the amounts payable under Section 4 arising out of the
termination of the Executive's employment prior to the end of the Employment
Period; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled to seek
damages from the Executive for any breach of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 by
the Executive and either party shall be entitled to seek damages for
criminal misconduct.
7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
(a) The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates have
trade, business and financial secrets and other confidential and
proprietary information (collectively, the "Confidential Information").
"Confidential Information" includes sales materials, technical
information, processes and compilations of information, records,
specifications and information concerning customers or vendors, manuals
relating to suppliers' products, customer lists, information regarding
methods of doing business, and the identity of suppliers. "Confidential
Information" shall not include (i) information that is generally known
to other persons or entities who can obtain economic value from its
disclosure or use and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the
Executive pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or pursuant to a
requirement of a governmental agency or law of the United States of
America or a state thereof or any governmental or political
subdivision; provided, however, that the Executive shall take all
reasonable steps to prohibit disclosure pursuant to subsection (ii)
above.
(b) The Company has divulged, and herein promises to continue to divulge,
appropriate Confidential Information to the Executive as of the
effective date of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter as
such appropriate Confidential Information arises.
(c) During and following the Executive's employment by the Company, the
Executive shall hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly
disclose or use or copy or make lists of any Confidential Information
or proprietary data of the Company or its affiliates except to the
extent authorized in writing by the Board or required by any court or
administrative agency, other than to an Executive of the Company or its
affiliates or a person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance by the Executive of his
duties as an employee of the Company.
(d) The Executive further agrees not to use any Confidential Information
for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or its
affiliates.
(e) As used in this Section 7, "Company" shall include Atrium Corporation
and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
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8. RESPONSIBILITIES UPON TERMINATION
Upon the termination of his employment by the Company for whatever reason
and irrespective of whether or not such termination is voluntary on his
part:
(a) The Executive shall advise the Company of the identity of his new
employer within ten (10) days after accepting new employment and
further agrees to keep the Company so advised of any change in
employment during the term of Non-Competition set forth in Section 10
hereof;
(b) The Company in its sole discretion may notify any new employer of the
Executive that he has an obligation not to compete with the Company
during such term;
(c) The Executive shall deliver to the Company any and all records, forms,
contracts, memoranda, work papers, customer data and any other
documents which have come into his possession by reason of his
employment with the Company (including Atrium Corporation and its
direct and indirect subsidiaries), irrespective of whether or not any
of said documents were prepared for him, and he shall not retain
memoranda in respect of or copies of any of said documents; and
(d) The Executive shall participate in an exit interview with the Company.
9. SUCCESSORS
The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to
any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by
merger or otherwise, subject, however, to the Executive's right to terminate
this Agreement for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(c), and may assign
or encumber this Agreement and its rights hereunder as security for
indebtedness of the Company and its affiliates. All representations,
warranties, covenants, terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of
the Company and Executive. Neither this Agreement nor any rights, interests
or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Executive without the prior
written consent of the Company.
10. NON-COMPETITION
The provisions of this Section 10 are in consideration for the Company's
promise in Section 7 to continue to make appropriate Confidential
Information available to the Executive.
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(a) The term of Non-Competition (herein so called) shall be for a term
beginning on the effective date hereof and continuing until (i) the
first anniversary of the Date of Termination if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or due to Disability
or by the Executive without Good Reason, or (ii) the last day of the
Severance Period if the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (and not due to Disability) or upon a Change of
Control or by the Executive for Good Reason.
(b) During the term of Non-Competition, the Executive shall not (other than
for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates pursuant to this
Agreement) directly or indirectly, render services to, assist,
participate in the affairs of, or otherwise be connected with, any
person or enterprise (other than the Company), which person or
enterprise is engaged in, or is planning to engage in, and shall not
personally engage in, any business that is in any respect competitive
with the business of the Company, with respect to any products of the
Company that were within the Executive's management responsibility at
any time within the twelve-month period immediately prior to the
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, in any
capacity which would (i) utilize the Executive's services with respect
to such business within any state of the United States, or any
substantially comparable political subdivision of any other country,
wherein the Company sold or actively attempted to sell, such products
within the twelve-month period immediately prior to the termination of
the Executive's employment with the Company; or (ii) utilize the
Executive's services in selling any products similar to such products
of the Company to any person or entity to which the Company sold or
actively attempted to sell such products within the twelve-month period
immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's employment with
the Company (a "Competing Business"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company agrees that the Executive may own less than five percent of
the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded company that
is a Competing Business so long as the Executive does not otherwise
participate in such Competing Business in any way prohibited by the
preceding clause.
(c) During the term of Non-Competition, Executive will not, and will not
permit any of his affiliates to, directly or indirectly, recruit or
otherwise solicit or induce any employee, customer, subscriber or
supplier of the Company to terminate its employment or arrangement with
the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or
establish any relationship with the Executive or any of his affiliates
for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the
Company.
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(d) The Executive acknowledges that the geographic boundaries, scope of
prohibited activities, and time duration of the preceding paragraphs
are reasonable in nature and are no broader than are necessary to
maintain the goodwill of the Company and its affiliates and the
confidentiality of their Confidential Information, and to protect the
other legitimate business interests of the Company and its affiliates.
(e) If any court determines that any portion of this Section 10 is invalid
or unenforceable, the remainder of this Section 10 shall not thereby be
affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid
provisions. If any court construes any of the provisions of this
Section 10, or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the
duration or scope of such provision, such court shall have the power to
reduce the duration or scope of such provision and to enforce such
provision as so reduced.
(f) As used in this Section 10, "Company" shall include Atrium Corporation
and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
11. INVENTIONS; ASSIGNMENT
All rights to discoveries, inventions, improvements and innovations
(including all data and records pertaining thereto) related to the Company's
business, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, registrable as a
trademark, or reduced to writing, that the Executive may discover, invent or
originate during the Employment Period, and for a period of twelve (12)
months thereafter, either alone or with others and whether or not during
working hours or by the use of the facilities of the Company ("Inventions"),
shall be the exclusive property of the Company. The Executive shall promptly
disclose all Inventions to the Company, shall execute at the request of the
Company any assignments or other documents the Company may deem necessary to
protect or perfect its rights therein, and shall assist the Company, at the
Company's expense, in obtaining, defending and enforcing the Company's
rights therein. The Executive hereby appoints the Company, as his
attorney-in-fact to execute on his behalf any assignments or other documents
deemed necessary by the Company to protect or perfect its rights to any
Inventions.
12. ACI
At any time during the Employment Period, any of the obligations of the
Company to make payments hereunder, including the obligation to pay any
compensation to Executive under Section 2(b), may, at the sole discretion of
the Company (subject to the approval of the Board), be discharged and
satisfied by ACI.
13. MISCELLANEOUS
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(a) Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both
the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according
to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is
to be construed against any party shall not apply. The headings in this
Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect
construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs,
subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those parts of this
Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also,
unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (a) the plural
includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (b) "and"
and "or" are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (c) "any,"
"all," "each," or "every" means "any and all," and "each and every";
(d) "includes" and "including" are each "without limitation"; (e)
"herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other similar compounds of the word
"here" refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular
paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (f) all pronouns
and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine,
feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or
persons referred to may require.
(b) Notices. 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: C. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx-Xxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company: Atrium Corporation
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx 0000X, Xxxxxx Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx, President and
CEO
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with copies to:
Ardshiel, Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
and to:
14
Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
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) Enforcement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during
the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable;
this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of
this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from
this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of
this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and
enforceable.
(d) Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign
withholding or other taxes or charges, which it is from time to time,
required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of
such withholding shall arise.
(e) No Waiver. No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the
other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver
of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at any time.
(f) Equitable Relief. The Executive acknowledges that money damages would
be both incalculable and an insufficient remedy for a breach of Section
7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 by the Executive and that any such breach would cause
the Company irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Company, in addition to
any other remedies at law or in equity it may have, shall be entitled,
without the requirement of posting of bond or other security, to
equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance,
in connection with a breach of Section 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 by the
Executive.
15
(g) Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire and complete
understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous
oral and written agreements, representations and understandings between
the Executive and the Company, or its affiliates and subsidiaries
(except for the Change of Control Agreement dated as of the date
hereof), which are hereby terminated. Other than as expressly set forth
herein or in the aforementioned Change of Control Agreement, the
Executive and the Company acknowledge and represent that there are no
other promises, terms, conditions or representations (oral or written)
regarding any matter relevant hereto. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts.
(h) Mediation; Arbitration
(i) The Company and the Executive shall mediate any claim or
controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any
breach thereof if either of them requests mediation and gives
written notice to the other (the "Mediation Notice"). Any notice
given pursuant to the preceding sentence shall include a brief
statement of the claim or controversy. If the Company and the
Executive do not resolve the claim or controversy within five (5)
days after the date of the Mediation Notice, the Company and the
Executive shall then use reasonable efforts to agree upon an
independent mediator. If the Company and the Executive do not
agree upon an independent mediator within ten (10) days after the
date of the Mediation Notice, either party may request that
JAMS/Endispute ("JAMS"), or a similar mediation service of a
similar national scope if JAMS no longer then exists, appoint an
independent mediator. The Company and the Executive shall share
the costs of mediation equally and shall pay such costs in
advance upon the request of the mediator or any party. Within ten
(10) days after selection of the mediator, the mediator shall set
the mediation. If the Company and the Executive do not resolve
the dispute within thirty (30) days after the date of the
Mediation Notice, the dispute shall be decided by arbitration as
set forth below.
(ii) Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration
if such claim or controversy is not settled pursuant to mediation
as set forth above. The venue for any such arbitration shall be
Dallas, Texas, or such other location as the parties may mutually
agree. Except as expressly set forth herein, all arbitration
proceedings
16
under this Section 13(h)(ii) shall be undertaken in accordance
with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA") then in force. Only individuals who are
(i) lawyers engaged full-time in the practice of law and (ii) on
the AAA register of arbitrators shall be selected as an
arbitrator. There shall be one arbitrator who shall be chosen in
accordance with the rules of the AAA. Within twenty (20) days of
the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator shall
prepare written findings of fact and conclusions of law. Judgment
on the written award may be entered and enforced in any court of
competent jurisdiction. It is mutually agreed that the written
decision of the arbitrator shall be valid, binding, final and
non-appealable; provided however, that the parties hereto agree
that the arbitrator shall not be empowered to award punitive
damages against any party to such arbitration. The arbitrator
shall require the non-prevailing party to pay the arbitrator's
full fees and expenses or, if in the arbitrator's opinion there
is no prevailing party, the arbitrator's fees and expenses will
be borne equally by the parties thereto. In the event action is
brought to enforce the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 13(h)(ii), the non-prevailing parties shall be
required to pay the reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses of
the prevailing parties, except that if in the opinion of the
court or arbitrator deciding such action there is no prevailing
party, each party shall pay its own attorneys' fees and expenses.
(i) Survival. Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Agreement
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(j) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas without reference to principles of conflicts of law of
Texas or any other jurisdiction, and, where applicable, the laws of the
United States.
(k) Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any time
except by a written instrument approved by the Board and executed by
the Company and the Executive.
(l) Executive Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has read and
understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not
acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the
Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered
into this Agreement freely based on his own judgment.
17
(m) Termination of October 25, 2000 Agreement. Effective upon the execution
of this Agreement, the October 25, 2000 Agreement shall automatically
be terminated and of no further force or effect and Executive's
employment by the Company and its subsidiaries shall solely be governed
by this Agreement.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, as of the 1st day of
January, 2003.
EXECUTIVE
-----------------------------------
C. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
ATRIUM CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
19
SCHEDULE A
TO C. XXXXXXX XXXXX' EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Executive shall be entitled to a target bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") of (a)
during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on December 31, 2003,
in an amount equal to $132,500 per annum, (b) during the period beginning on
January 1, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2004, in an amount equal to $140,000
per annum, (c) during the period beginning on January 1, 2005 and ending on
December 31, 2005, in an amount equal to $150,000 per annum, computed as
follows:
(a) 50% of the Executive's Incentive Bonus ("EBITDA Bonus") shall be
payable based upon achievement of the following targets:
(i) If the Company achieves 80% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Executive
shall receive 50% of the EBITDA Bonus.
(ii) If the Company achieves 90% of its budgeted EBITDA, the Executive
shall receive 75% of the EBITDA Bonus.
(iii) If the Company achieves 100% of its budgeted EBITDA, the
Executive shall receive 100% of the EBITDA Bonus.
(iv) If the Company achieves 110% of its budgeted EBITDA, the
Executive shall receive 125% of the EBITDA Bonus.
(v) The EBITDA Bonus will be paid on a sliding scale on a pro rated
basis. For example, if 95% of budgeted EBITDA is achieved, the
Executive is entitled to 87.5% of the EBITDA Bonus. No EBITDA
Bonus will be paid if the Company achieves less than 80% of the
budgeted EBITDA and in no event will the Company pay in excess of
125% of the EBITDA Bonus.
(vi) For purposes of the EBITDA Bonus, EBITDA shall be defined as
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of
the Company and all of its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EBITDA shall exclude any extraordinary gains or losses, special
charges, any compensation expense attributable to the Company's
equity securities, management fees paid to the Company's equity
sponsor, any accounts receivable securitization expense, any
transaction or merger-related costs that are expensed rather than
capitalized including any effect of fair market value adjustments
made pursuant to purchase accounting and any other non-cash
1
items. The EBITDA will be adjusted for all acquisitions and/or
divestitures as if the transactions had occurred at the beginning
of the fiscal year.
(vii) Budgeted EBITDA shall be such amount as is set by the Board of
Directors annually as adjusted from time to time to reflect
acquisitions and/or divestitures by the Company or its
subsidiaries.
(b) The remaining 50% of the Executive's Incentive Bonus shall be based
upon the achievement of management objectives to be set from year to
year by the President and CEO and the Board of Directors.
2
SCHEDULE B
STOCK OPTIONS:
Effective as of October 25, 2000, the Executive has been granted options to
purchase 500 (split -adjusted) shares of common stock (the "Common Stock") at an
exercise price of $1,300 per share of the Company pursuant to the D and W
Holdings, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").
Effective as of March 1, 2002, the Executive has been granted options to
purchase 50 (split-adjusted) shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$1,300 per share.
VESTING: Annually in equal installments over five years from the date of grant,
subject to continued employment as set forth in the Plan Agreement.
