1
EXHIBIT 10.44
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
This SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE (the "Agreement") is
made and entered into as of February 1, 1997, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, an
individual ("▇▇▇▇") and PINNACLE MICRO, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Pinnacle"
or "the Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ has been a Director of the Company and has been
employed in various management positions with the Company, including, since July
1, 1996, as Vice President, Marketing; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company had been parties to an Employment
Agreement entered into as of February 26, 1996 ("the Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 1996, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company mutually agreed
to rescind and cancel the Employment Agreement; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company have previously entered into a
Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1996 ("the Letter Agreement") in which ▇▇▇▇
agreed to resign from his position as an officer and employee of the Company,
effective as of the close of business on September 30, 1996, and agreed to more
fully document said agreement in the form of a formal severance agreement; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company entered into a stock option
agreement dated January 3, 1995, whereby ▇▇▇▇ was granted options to purchase
450,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $6.41 per
share (the "Initial ▇▇▇▇ Option"); and
WHEREAS, because the Initial ▇▇▇▇ Option was based on continuing
employment with the Company, the options granted under the Initial ▇▇▇▇ Option
terminated as of September 30, 1996 due to ▇▇▇▇'▇ resignation as an officer and
employee, and therefore two-thirds of the options granted under the Initial ▇▇▇▇
Option have not vested and one-third of such options vested as of the date of
▇▇▇▇'▇ resignation from the Company, which such options have expired by the date
of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ desires to waive his rights under the Initial ▇▇▇▇
Option in exchange for a grant of new options; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ resigned as a director of the Company on December
8, 1996, and on the same date entered into a Stand-still and Voting Agreement
with the Company; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company desire to fully document the terms
of the September 27, 1996 Letter Agreement in the form of a formal severance
agreement and to make certain other modifications in the terms of the Letter
Agreement, and ▇▇▇▇ and the Company desire to replace and supersede the Letter
Agreement in its entirety with this Severance Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Resignation. By signing this Agreement, and in
consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, ▇▇▇▇ confirms
the resignation of his employment with the Company as Vice President, Marketing,
effective as of the close of business on September 30, 1996. His personnel
records will be marked accordingly. Should any employer or prospective employer
inquire of the Company regarding ▇▇▇▇'▇ reason for leaving the employment of
Pinnacle, the President or General Counsel of the Company will give "mutual
agreement of the parties" as the reason.
96
2
10.44
2. Severance Benefits. Upon execution of this Agreement,
Pinnacle shall provide ▇▇▇▇ with the following benefits:
(a) Pinnacle will make severance payments to ▇▇▇▇ in the gross
amount of $16,667 per month, representing his salary immediately prior to his
resignation from employment, less the minimum legally required deductions and
withholdings, for a period of thirty-six (36) months beginning October 1, 1996
and continuing until September 30, 1999; such amounts shall be paid in
bi-monthly installments on the same days as the Company's regular payroll
payments. The amounts previously paid to ▇▇▇▇ as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ benefits shall be
retroactively adjusted as follows: within ten (10) days of the execution of this
Agreement, Pinnacle shall pay to ▇▇▇▇ a lump-sum amount representing the
difference between the severance payments agreed to above and the amount
actually paid to ▇▇▇▇ from October 1, 1996 through the date of execution of this
Agreement, less applicable withholding taxes.
(b) Pinnacle shall provide those rights and benefits Pinnacle
customarily provides pursuant to the Comprehensive Omnibus Retirement Act of
1974 ("COBRA") to an employee who voluntarily resigns from employment with
Pinnacle.
3. Stock Options. Pinnacle shall grant to ▇▇▇▇, subject to the
terms of a Pinnacle Micro Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory Option) attached
hereto as Exhibit "A", non-statutory stock options to purchase 450,000 shares of
Pinnacle common stock at the exercise price of $6.41 per share (the same
exercise price as the Initial ▇▇▇▇ Option), vesting immediately upon the
execution of this Agreement. These new options, which will be granted directly
by the Company and not pursuant to any stock option plan, will expire,
regardless of vesting, if not exercised by September 30, 1998.
4. Releases.
(a) By ▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇ hereby releases, acquits and forever
discharges Pinnacle and its current and former officers, directors, employees,
agents and professional advisors from any and all claims, causes of action,
charges, suits, actions, complaints, liabilities and obligations of any nature
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, relating to ▇▇▇▇'▇ employment with
Pinnacle and the cessation of such employment, including, but not limited to,
(i) actions alleging wrongful termination of employment; (ii) actions under
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act
of 1866, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, any amendment to any of the foregoing, or any other
State, Federal or local law concerning age, race, religion, national origin,
gender, handicap, or any other form of discrimination; and (iii) any common law
contract, tort or other claim relating to ▇▇▇▇'▇ employment with the Company and
the cessation thereof, from the beginning of ▇▇▇▇'▇ employment by Pinnacle up to
and including the date of execution of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein is intended to, nor shall it, affect any right or
claim of ▇▇▇▇ for indemnification from the Company pursuant to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and that certain Indemnification Agreement
with the Company dated March 18, 1993, for claims by third parties arising from
his service as an officer or director of the Company, and ▇▇▇▇ does not release
Pinnacle or its affiliates from any such claims for indemnification.
(b) By the Company. Pinnacle hereby releases, acquits and
forever discharges ▇▇▇▇ from any and all claims, causes of action, charges,
suits, actions, complaints, liabilities and obligations of any nature
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, relating to ▇▇▇▇'▇ employment with the
Company and the cessation thereof from the beginning of ▇▇▇▇'▇ employment by
Pinnacle up to and including the date of execution of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein is intended to, nor shall it,
affect any right or claim Pinnacle may have under the General Corporation Law of
Delaware, the law of any other state or the federal securities laws for
indemnity or contribution from ▇▇▇▇ with respect to claims by third parties
arising from ▇▇▇▇'▇ service as an officer or director of the Company or any
claim arising from any transactions in the Company's stock or taken as a
controlling shareholder of the Company, and the Company does not release ▇▇▇▇
from any such claim.
97
3
10.44
5. Knowing and Voluntary Waiver. With respect to unknown
claims subject to the foregoing release, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company understand that
California law includes Civil Code Section 1542, which says that releases
usually do not apply to certain unknown claims. Specifically, Section 1542
states as follows:
"A general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at
the time of executing the release, which if known by him
must have materially affected his settlement with the
debtor."
▇▇▇▇ and the Company hereby agree that Section 1542 does not apply to this
Agreement, and that this Agreement releases any and all claims of the type
released above that ▇▇▇▇ and the Company do not know about or suspect may exist
in his or its favor at the time of the execution of this Agreement.
6. No Present Claims. ▇▇▇▇ represents that he has not filed,
and has no present knowledge of, any complaints, charges or claims which he or
anyone claiming on his behalf may have against Pinnacle or any of its officers,
directors, executives, employees, agents, parent, related and subsidiary
entities and affiliates, successors and assigns, in any court or administrative
forum, or before any governmental agency or entity. Pinnacle represents that it
has not filed, and has no present knowledge of, any complaints, charges or
claims which it or anyone claiming on its behalf may have against ▇▇▇▇ in any
court or administrative forum, or before any governmental agency or entity.
7. Trade Secrets. ▇▇▇▇ understands and agrees that in the
course of his employment with Pinnacle, he has acquired privileged and/or
confidential, proprietary information and trade secrets concerning Pinnacle's
operations, its future plans and its methods of doing business ("Trade
Secrets"), which information ▇▇▇▇ understands and agrees would be extremely
damaging to Pinnacle if disclosed to a competitor or made available to any other
person or corporation. ▇▇▇▇ understands and agrees that such Trade Secrets have
been divulged to him in confidence and that he will keep such Trade Secrets
secret and confidential, and will not, directly or indirectly, use or disclose,
for his own benefit or the benefit of another, any of the Trade Secrets of
Pinnacle.
8. No Derogatory Comments.
(a) By ▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇ represents and agrees that, during the
36-month period of time when he is entitled to the payment of severance benefits
pursuant to Paragraph 2(a) above, and for six months thereafter, he shall
refrain from making any derogatory statements to third parties or current
employees concerning the Company or its products, or its officers, directors,
employees or representatives.
(b) By the Company. Pinnacle shall refrain, and shall use its
best efforts to cause its officers, directors, employees and representatives to
refrain, from making any derogatory statements to third parties or current
employees concerning ▇▇▇▇ during the 36-month period of time when ▇▇▇▇ is
entitled to the payment of severance benefits pursuant to Paragraph 2(a) above,
and for six months thereafter.
9. Defense of Legal Actions. Notwithstanding his termination
of employment with the Company, ▇▇▇▇ and the Company hereby agree mutually to
cooperate with one another and use their best efforts to assist each other in
the defense of any existing, threatened or future lawsuit, arbitration,
administrative hearing or other regulatory proceeding, or other similar legal
action against either the Company and/or ▇▇▇▇ wherein the Company or ▇▇▇▇
determines that the other's cooperation and/or assistance is needed for
preparation of an effective defense of such action(s). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event it is determined that a conflict of interest has
developed in connection with that certain class action lawsuit entitled ▇▇▇▇▇ v.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, et al., Action No. SA CV 96-261 GLT, pending in the United
States District Court for the Central District of California, such that ▇▇▇▇ is
required to retain separate counsel to represent his interests, nothing herein
shall prevent ▇▇▇▇ or the Company, in consultation with his or its counsel, from
taking whatever action or position he or it determines, in his or its sole
discretion, is in his or its best interest.
98
4
10.44
10. Non-Interference with Management. ▇▇▇▇ agrees that (i) all
of his communication with the Company, whether verbally or in writing, shall be
directed solely to the President or the General Counsel of the Company; and (ii)
▇▇▇▇ will not, without the President's express prior approval, initiate any
communication with any other person at or associated with the Company, including
but not limited to any employees, consultants or suppliers of the Company,
during normal business hours on any matter relating to the business affairs of
the Company, provided that if any person at or associated with the Company,
including but not limited to any employees, consultants or suppliers of the
Company, initiates any communication with ▇▇▇▇ during normal business hours on
any matter relating to the business affairs of the Company, ▇▇▇▇ shall explain
that such communications are not appropriate and politely decline to participate
in such communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and
agreed that nothing about this provision shall prevent ▇▇▇▇ from communicating
with his father, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, a director of the Company, at any time and on
any subject, so long as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ remains a director of the Company.
11. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold, or
cause to be withheld, the minimum amount of federal and state withholding taxes,
including the employer's FICA contribution, required by federal and state law
with respect to payments made to ▇▇▇▇ hereunder. ▇▇▇▇ agrees that any federal,
state, municipal or other taxes or contributions that may be owed or payable on
the sums paid to him under this Agreement and the exhibits referred to therein
are his sole and exclusive responsibility.
12. Consultation with Counsel. ▇▇▇▇ represents that he has had
the opportunity to obtain legal counsel of his choice, that he has discussed all
aspects of this Agreement with his legal counsel prior to entering into this
Agreement, that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the
provisions of this Agreement, and that he is voluntarily entering into this
Agreement.
13. Reimbursement of Fees and Costs. Pinnacle shall promptly
reimburse ▇▇▇▇ for legal and accounting fees and costs incurred by ▇▇▇▇ in
connection with or related to the negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement, up to a maximum amount of $5,000.
14. No Admission of Liability. This Agreement shall not in any
way be construed as an admission by the parties that either of them has acted
wrongfully with respect to the other or any other person.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed,
interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
16. Arbitration. Except as specifically stated below, any
dispute that arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, including
disputes concerning the interpretation, breach, enforcement or scope of this
Agreement or the parties' rights and obligations hereunder, shall be arbitrated
under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") pursuant to
the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect. Any and all such disputes
will be submitted to arbitration before a single neutral mutually acceptable
qualified arbitrator in Orange County under such rules, except that the Company
retains the right to seek injunctive or equitable relief for violations of
Paragraph 7 (Trade Secrets) above or any alleged breach of the Stand-still and
Voting Agreement dated December 8, 1996, without arbitration. If a demand for
arbitration is made by the Company, all sums due and owing ▇▇▇▇ under the terms
of this Agreement will be deposited in escrow pending resolution of the claim.
The Arbitrator shall have no authority or discretion to vary, alter, amend, add
to, delete, or otherwise change any of the terms of this Agreement. Any
arbitration hearing held pursuant to this clause shall be expedited, so that the
arbitration hearing is concluded no more than one hundred twenty (120) days from
the date of filing of a demand for arbitration with the AAA or the service of
such demand on the responding party(ies), whichever is later. The arbitration
hearing shall take place in Orange County, California. The arbitrator, who shall
be selected from the AAA's applicable Large Complex Case Panel, shall decide all
disputes referred to above and shall have authority to award any relief
awardable by a court. In connection with any such arbitration proceeding, the
arbitrator shall have discretion to permit such discovery of documents or
tangible materials in the possession of the parties as the arbitrator concludes
are reasonably necessary to a fair and thorough hearing. Except as otherwise
provided in this paragraph or in the AAA rules referred to above, the
arbitration provided by this paragraph is governed by the
99
5
10.44
Federal Arbitration Act. In the event of any dispute subject to arbitration
under this paragraph, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of the
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred in connection with such dispute.
17. Entire Agreement. Except for the (a) Pinnacle Micro Stock
Option Agreement (Nonstatutory Option) of even date herewith, (b) that certain
Stand-still and Voting Agreement dated December 8, 1996, and (c) that certain
Indemnification Agreement with the Company dated March 18, 1993, this Agreement
represents the entire agreement of the parties and shall supersede any and all
previous contracts, arrangements or understandings between the Company and ▇▇▇▇.
This Agreement may be amended at any time only by mutual written agreement
signed by the parties hereto.
18. Cross-Default. Any breach by ▇▇▇▇ or by Pinnacle of any
provision contained in the Pinnacle Micro Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory
Option) of even date herewith, the Stand-still and Voting Agreement dated
December 8, 1996, or the Indemnification Agreement dated March 18, 1993, shall
also be deemed a breach of this Agreement.
19. Notice and Opportunity to Cure. If either party to this
Agreement contends that the other party has breached or is about to breach any
provision of this Agreement or any of the other agreements referred to in
Paragraph 14 above, said party shall give the other party immediate written
notice of such claimed breach and shall give the other party if the breach or
alleged breach is reasonably capable of correction the opportunity within ten
(10) days to cure such claimed breach before filing a notice of arbitration or
invoking any other remedy under this Agreement or otherwise. Any and all notices
required hereunder shall be in writing, addressed and telecopied, delivered by
overnight delivery service or mailed by expedited mail to the intended recipient
at the telecopy number or address specified below:
For Pinnacle Micro: For ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇:
------------------- ---------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., Esq.
Vice President Howard, Rice, Nemerovski,
and General Counsel ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Pinnacle Micro, Inc. A Professional Corporation
19 Technology ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Either party may change the address to which notices shall be sent by a notice
in accordance with this section.
20. Tender of Proceeds as Condition to Challenging
Enforceability of Agreement. ▇▇▇▇ understands that this Agreement is final and
binding when executed by him and by Pinnacle, and agrees not to thereafter
challenge its enforceability. Should ▇▇▇▇ nevertheless attempt to challenge the
enforceability of this Agreement, as a further limitation on any right to make
such a challenge, he shall initially tender to Pinnacle, by certified check
delivered to Pinnacle, all monies received by ▇▇▇▇ pursuant to this Agreement,
plus interest at the rate of Ten Percent (10%) per annum from the date of his
receipt of such monies, and invite Pinnacle to retain such monies and agree with
▇▇▇▇ to cancel this Agreement. In the event Pinnacle accepts this offer,
Pinnacle shall retain such monies and this Agreement shall be canceled. In the
event Pinnacle does not accept such offer, Pinnacle shall so notify ▇▇▇▇, and
shall place such monies in an interest-bearing escrow account pending resolution
of the dispute as to whether or not this Agreement shall be set aside and/or
otherwise rendered unenforceable.
21. Headings. The headings of Sections herein are included
solely for convenience or reference and shall not control the meaning or
interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all
of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
100
6
10.44
23. Miscellaneous. Any provision of this Agreement which is
rendered unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or pursuant to an
arbitration conducted in accordance with the provisions herein shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity and shall not
invalidate or otherwise render ineffective any or all of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement. The language contained herein shall in all events
be construed simply and in accordance with its fair meaning, and not strictly
for or against any party to this Agreement, and, in any event, without reference
to which party drafted this Agreement or any language contained herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of February 13, 1997.
PINNACLE MICRO, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------
Its [Position]
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
-----------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
-----------------------------
Attorney for Pinnacle Micro, Inc.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
---------------------------
Attorney for ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
101