EXHIBIT 10.3
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as this
"AGREEMENT"), entered into this 1st day of October, 1998, by and between
First Federal Bancorp, Inc., a savings and loan holding company incorporated
under Ohio law (hereinafter referred to as "Bancorp"), First Federal Savings
Bank of Eastern Ohio, a savings bank chartered under the laws of the United
States and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp (hereinafter referred to as
"First Federal"), and J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, an individual (herein after
referred to as the "EMPLOYEE");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the EMPLOYEE is an employee of Bancorp and First Federal
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the "EMPLOYERS");
WHEREAS, as a result of the skill, knowledge and experience of the
EMPLOYEE, the Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS desire to retain the
services of the EMPLOYEE as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
each of the EMPLOYERS;
WHEREAS, the EMPLOYEE desires to continue to serve as the President
and Chief Executive Officer of each of the EMPLOYERS; and
WHEREAS, the EMPLOYEE and the EMPLOYERS desire to enter into this
Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of the employment
relationship between the EMPLOYERS and the EMPLOYEE;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, the EMPLOYERS and the EMPLOYEE hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Term. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this AGREEMENT, the EMPLOYERS hereby employ the EMPLOYEE, and the EMPLOYEE
hereby accepts employment, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
each of the EMPLOYERS. The term of this AGREEMENT shall commence on the
date hereof and shall end on September 30, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as
the "TERM"). In September of each year, the Boards of Directors of the
EMPLOYERS shall review the EMPLOYEE's performance and record the results of
such review in the minutes of the Board of Directors.
2. Duties of EMPLOYEE.
(a) General Duties and Responsibilities. As the President and Chief
Executive Officer of each of the EMPLOYERS, the EMPLOYEE shall perform
the duties and responsibilities customary for such offices to the best
of his ability and in accordance with the policies established by the
Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS and all applicable laws and
regulations. The EMPLOYEE shall perform such other duties not
inconsistent with his position as may be assigned to him from time to
time by the Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS; provided, however,
that the EMPLOYERS shall employ the EMPLOYEE during the TERM in a
senior executive capacity without diminishment of the importance or
prestige of his position.
(b) Devotion of Entire Time to the Business of the EMPLOYERS. The
EMPLOYEE shall devote his entire productive time, ability and
attention during normal business hours throughout the TERM to the
faithful performance of his duties under this AGREEMENT. The EMPLOYEE
shall not directly or indirectly render any services of a business,
commercial or professional nature to any person or organization
without the prior written consent of the Boards of Directors of the
EMPLOYERS; provided, however, that the EMPLOYEE shall not be precluded
from (i) vacations and other leave time in accordance with Section
3(e) hereof; (ii) reasonable participation in community, civic,
charitable or similar organizations; or (iii) the pursuit of personal
investments which do not interfere or conflict with the performance of
the EMPLOYEE's duties to the EMPLOYERS.
3. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursements.
(a) Salary. The EMPLOYEE shall receive during the TERM an annual
salary payable in equal installments not less often than monthly. The
amount of such annual salary shall be $137,500.00 until changed by the
Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS in accordance with Section 3(b)
of this AGREEMENT.
(b) Annual Salary Review. In September of each year throughout the
TERM, the annual salary of the EMPLOYEE shall be reviewed by the
Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS and shall be set, effective
October 1, at an amount not less than $137,500.00, based upon the
EMPLOYEE's individual performance and the overall profitability and
financial condition of the EMPLOYERS (hereinafter referred to as the
"ANNUAL REVIEW"). The results of the ANNUAL REVIEW shall be reflected
in the minutes of the Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS.
(c) Expenses. In addition to any compensation received under
Section 3(a) or (b) of this AGREEMENT, the EMPLOYERS shall pay or
reimburse the EMPLOYEE for all reasonable travel, entertainment and
miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the performance of
his duties under this AGREEMENT. Such reimbursement shall be made in
accordance with the existing policies and procedures of the EMPLOYERS
pertaining to reimbursement of expenses to senior management
officials.
(d) Employee Benefit Program.
(i) During the TERM, the EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to
participate in all formally established employee benefit, bonus,
pension and profit-sharing plans and similar programs that are
maintained by the EMPLOYERS from time to time, including
programs in respect of group health, disability or life
insurance, reimbursement of membership fees in civic, social and
professional organizations and all employee benefit plans or
programs hereafter adopted in writing by the Boards of Directors
of the EMPLOYERS, for which senior management personnel are
eligible, including any employee stock ownership plan, stock
option plan or other stock benefit plan (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "BENEFIT PLANS").
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the EMPLOYERS may
discontinue or terminate at any time any such BENEFIT PLANS, now
existing or hereafter adopted, to the extent permitted by the
terms of such plans and shall not be required to compensate the
EMPLOYEE for such discontinuance or termination.
(ii) After the expiration of the TERM or the termination of the
employment of the employee for any reason other than JUST CAUSE
(as defined hereinafter), the EMPLOYERS shall provide a group
health insurance program in which the EMPLOYEE and his spouse
will be eligible to participate and which shall provide
substantially the same benefits as are available to retired
employees of the EMPLOYERS on the date of this AGREEMENT until
both the EMPLOYEE and his spouse become 65 years of age;
provided, however that all premiums for such program shall be
paid equally by the EMPLOYERS and the EMPLOYEE and/or his spouse
after the EMPLOYEE's retirement; provided further, however, that
the EMPLOYEE may only participate in such program for as long as
the EMPLOYERS elect in their sole discretion to make available
an employee group health insurance program which permits the
EMPLOYERS to make coverage available for retirees.
(e) Vacation and Sick Leave. The EMPLOYEE shall be entitled,
without loss of pay, to be absent voluntarily from the performance of
his duties under this AGREEMENT, subject to the following conditions:
(i) The EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to an annual vacation in
accordance with the policies periodically established by the
Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS for senior management
officials of the EMPLOYERS;
(ii) Vacation time shall be scheduled by the EMPLOYEE in a
reasonable manner. The EMPLOYEE shall not be entitled to
receive any additional compensation from the EMPLOYERS in the
event of his failure to take the full allotment of vacation time
during any one year. Vacation time accrued in any one year may
not be carried over into any succeeding year; and
(iii) The EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to annual sick leave as
established by the Boards of Directors of the EMPLOYERS for
senior management officials of the EMPLOYERS. In the event that
any sick leave time shall not have been used during any year,
such leave shall accrue to subsequent years; provided, however,
that the number of accrued days of sick leave shall not exceed
35 days.
4. Termination of Employment.
(a) General. In addition to the termination of the employment of
the EMPLOYEE upon the expiration of the TERM, the employment of the
EMPLOYEE shall terminate at any other time during the TERM upon the
delivery by the EMPLOYERS of written notice of employment termination
to the EMPLOYEE. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
sentence, the following subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this
Section 4(a) shall govern the obligations of the EMPLOYERS to the
EMPLOYEE upon the occurrence of the events described in such
subparagraphs:
(i) Termination for JUST CAUSE. In the event that the
EMPLOYERS terminate the employment of the EMPLOYEE during the
TERM because of the EMPLOYEE's failure to comply with the Human
Resources Policies of the EMPLOYERS or because of the EMPLOYEE's
personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure or
refusal to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned in
this AGREEMENT, willful violation of any law, rule, regulation
or final cease-and-desist order (other than traffic violations
or similar offenses), conviction of a felony or for fraud or
embezzlement, or material breach of any provision of this
AGREEMENT (hereinafter collectively referred to as "JUST
CAUSE"), the EMPLOYEE shall not receive, and shall have no right
to receive, any compensation or other benefits for any period
after such termination.
(ii) Termination after CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event that,
before the expiration of the TERM and in connection with or
within one year of a CHANGE OF CONTROL (as defined hereinafter)
of either one of the EMPLOYERS, (A) the employment of the
EMPLOYEE is terminated for any reason other than JUST CAUSE
before the expiration of the TERM, (B) the present capacity or
circumstances in which the EMPLOYEE is employed is changed
before the expiration of the TERM, or (C) the EMPLOYEE's
responsibilities, authority, compensation or other benefits
provided under this AGREEMENT are materially reduced, then the
following shall occur:
(I) The EMPLOYERS shall promptly pay to the EMPLOYEE or
to his beneficiaries, dependents or estate an amount equal
to the sum of (1) the amount of compensation to which the
EMPLOYEE would be entitled for the remainder of the TERM
under this AGREEMENT, plus (2) the difference between (x)
the product of three, multiplied by the total compensation
paid to the EMPLOYEE for the immediately preceding
calendar year as set forth on the Form W-2 of the
EMPLOYEE, less (xx) the amount paid to the EMPLOYEE
pursuant to clause (1) of this subparagraph (I);
(II) The EMPLOYEE, his dependents, beneficiaries and
estate shall continue to be covered under all BENEFIT
PLANS of the EMPLOYERS at the EMPLOYERS' expense as if the
EMPLOYEE were still employed under this AGREEMENT until
the earliest of the expiration of the TERM or the date on
which the EMPLOYEE is included in another employer's
benefit plans as a full-time employee; and
(III) The EMPLOYEE shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment provided for in this AGREEMENT by
seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall any
amounts received from other employment or otherwise by the
EMPLOYEE offset in any manner the obligations of the
EMPLOYERS thereunder, except as specifically stated in
subparagraph (II).
In the event that payments pursuant to this subsection (ii)
would result in the imposition of a penalty tax pursuant to
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "SECTION 280G"), such payments shall
be reduced to the maximum amount which may be paid under SECTION
280G without exceeding such limits.
(iii) Termination Without CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event that
the employment of the EMPLOYEE is terminated before the
expiration of the TERM for any reason other than JUST CAUSE or
in connection with or within one year of a CHANGE OF CONTROL,
the EMPLOYERS shall be obligated to continue (A) to pay on a
monthly basis to the EMPLOYEE, his designated beneficiaries or
his estate, his annual salary provided pursuant to Section 3(a)
or (b) of this AGREEMENT until the expiration of the TERM and
(B) to provide to the EMPLOYEE at the EMPLOYERS' expense,
health, life, disability, and other benefits substantially equal
to those being provided to the EMPLOYEE at the date of
termination of his employment until the earliest to occur of the
expiration of the TERM or the date the EMPLOYEE becomes employed
full-time by another employer. In the event that payments
pursuant to this subsection (iii) would result in the imposition
of a penalty tax pursuant to SECTION 280G, such payments shall
be reduced to the maximum amount which may be paid under SECTION
280G without exceeding those limits.
(b) Death of the EMPLOYEE. The TERM automatically terminates upon
the death of the EMPLOYEE. In the event of such death, the EMPLOYEE's
estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation due the EMPLOYEE
through the last day of the calendar month in which the death
occurred, except as otherwise specified herein.
(c) "Golden Parachute" Provision. Any payments made to the EMPLOYEE
pursuant to this AGREEMENT or otherwise are subject to and conditioned
upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. [SECTION]1828(k) and any
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) Definition of "CHANGE OF CONTROL". A "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall
be deemed to have occurred in the event that, at any time during the
TERM, either any person or entity obtains "conclusive control" of the
EMPLOYERS within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. [SECTION]574.4(a), or any
person or entity obtains "rebuttable control" within the meaning of 12
C.F.R. [SECTION]574.4(b) and has not rebutted control in accordance
with 12 C.F.R. [SECTION]574.4(c).
5. Special Regulatory Events. Notwithstanding Section 4 of this
AGREEMENT, the obligations of the EMPLOYERS to the EMPLOYEE shall be as
follows in the event of the following circumstances:
(a) If the EMPLOYEE is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the EMPLOYERS' affairs by a notice
served under section 8(e)(3) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (hereinafter referred to as the "FDIA"), the EMPLOYERS'
obligations under this AGREEMENT shall be suspended as of the date of
service of such notice, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If
the charges in the notice are dismissed, the EMPLOYERS may, in their
discretion, pay the EMPLOYEE all or part of the compensation withheld
while the obligations in this AGREEMENT were suspended and reinstate,
in whole or in part, any of the obligations that were suspended.
(b) If the EMPLOYEE is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the EMPLOYERS' affairs by an order
issued under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(1) of the FDIA, all obligations of
the EMPLOYERS under this AGREEMENT shall terminate as of the effective
date of such order; provided, however, that vested rights of the
EMPLOYEE shall not be affected by such termination.
(c) If the EMPLOYERS are in default, as defined in section 3(x)(1)
of the FDIA, all obligations under this AGREEMENT shall terminate as
of the date of default; provided, however, that vested rights of the
EMPLOYEE shall not be affected.
(d) All obligations under this AGREEMENT shall be terminated, except
to the extent of a determination that the continuation of this
AGREEMENT is necessary for the continued operation of the EMPLOYERS,
(i) by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (hereinafter
referred to as the "OTS"), or his or her designee at the time that the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust
Corporation enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on
behalf of the EMPLOYERS under the authority contained in Section 13(c)
of the FDIA or (ii) by the Director of the OTS, or his or her
designee, at any time the Director of the OTS, or his or her designee,
approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to the
operation of the EMPLOYERS or when the EMPLOYERS are determined by the
Director of the OTS to be in an unsafe or unsound condition. No
vested rights of the EMPLOYEE shall be affected by any such action.
6. Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. Nothing in this AGREEMENT
shall preclude the EMPLOYERS from consolidating with, merging into, or
transferring all, or substantially all, of their assets to another
corporation that assumes all of the EMPLOYERS' obligations and undertakings
hereunder. Upon such a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets, the
term "EMPLOYERS," as used herein, shall mean such other corporation or
entity, and this AGREEMENT shall continue in full force and effect.
7. Confidential Information. The EMPLOYEE acknowledges that during his
employment he will learn and have access to confidential information
regarding the EMPLOYERS and their customers and businesses. The EMPLOYEE
agrees and covenants not to disclose or use for his own benefit, or the
benefit of any other person or entity, any confidential information, unless
or until the EMPLOYERS consent to such disclosure or use or such information
becomes common knowledge in the industry or is otherwise legally in the
public domain. The EMPLOYEE shall not knowingly disclose or reveal to any
unauthorized person any confidential information relating to the EMPLOYERS,
their subsidiaries or affiliates, or to any of the businesses operated by
them, and the EMPLOYEE confirms that such information constitutes the
exclusive property of the EMPLOYERS. The EMPLOYEE shall not otherwise
knowingly act or conduct himself (a) to the material detriment of the
EMPLOYERS, their subsidiaries, or affiliates, or (b) in a manner which is
inimical or contrary to the interests of the EMPLOYERS.
8. Nonassignability. Neither this AGREEMENT nor any right or interest
hereunder shall be assignable by the EMPLOYEE, his beneficiaries, or legal
representatives without the EMPLOYERS' prior written consent; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 8 shall preclude (a) the EMPLOYEE from
designating a beneficiary to receive any benefits payable hereunder upon his
death, or (b) the executors, administrators, or other legal representatives
of the EMPLOYEE or his estate from assigning any rights hereunder to the
person or persons entitled thereto.
9. No Attachment. Except as required by law, no right to receive payment
under this AGREEMENT shall be subject to anticipation, commutation,
alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge or hypothecation
or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process of assignment by
operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any
such action shall be null, void and of no effect.
10. Binding Agreement. This AGREEMENT shall be binding upon, and inure to
the benefit of, the EMPLOYEE and the EMPLOYERS and their respective
permitted successors and assigns.
11. Amendment of AGREEMENT. This AGREEMENT may not be modified or
amended, except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
12. Waiver. No term or condition of this AGREEMENT shall be deemed to
have been waived, nor shall there be an estoppel against the enforcement of
any provision of this AGREEMENT, except by written instrument of the party
charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be
deemed a continuing waiver, unless specifically stated therein, and each
waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and
shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as
to any act other than the act specifically waived.
13. Severability. If, for any reason, any provision of this AGREEMENT is
held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this
AGREEMENT not held so invalid, and each such other provision shall, to the
full extent consistent with applicable law, continue in full force and
effect. If this AGREEMENT is held invalid or cannot be enforced, then any
prior AGREEMENT between the EMPLOYERS (or any predecessor thereof) and the
EMPLOYEE shall be deemed reinstated to the full extent permitted by law, as
if this AGREEMENT had not been executed.
14. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs herein are included solely
for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or
interpretation of any of the provisions of this AGREEMENT.
15. Governing Law. This AGREEMENT has been executed and delivered in the
State of Ohio and its validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement
shall be governed by the laws of this State of Ohio, except to the extent
that federal law is governing.
16. Effect of Prior Agreements. This AGREEMENT contains the entire
understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment
agreement between the EMPLOYERS or any predecessor of the EMPLOYERS and the
EMPLOYEE.
17. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted
pursuant to this AGREEMENT shall be deemed delivered if such notice or
communication is in writing and is delivered personally or by facsimile
transmission or is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to Bancorp and/or First Federal:
First Federal Savings Bank of Eastern Ohio
▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
With copies to:
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
Vorys, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇
Atrium Two, Suite 2100
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
If to the EMPLOYEE:
Mr. J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the EMPLOYERS has caused this AGREEMENT to
be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the EMPLOYEE has signed this
AGREEMENT, each as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: FIRST FEDERAL BANCORP, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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its Chairman
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Attest: FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
OF EASTERN OHIO
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
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its Chairman
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Attest:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ /s/ J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇