FORM OF EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (Effective as of, and for use after, April 22, 2010)
Exhibit 10(o)
FORM OF EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
(Effective as of, and for use after, April 22, 2010)
(Effective as of, and for use after, April 22, 2010)
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the _____ day of ____________, 20___ by and between
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [____________________]
(“Executive”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound and vital
management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders; and
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the
possibility of a change in control may arise and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and
questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of
management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as an officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board (as defined in Section 1) has determined that it is in the best interests
of the Company and its shareholders to secure Executive’s continued services and to ensure
Executive’s continued and undivided dedication to Executive’s duties in the event of any threat or
occurrence of or negotiation or other action that could lead to, or create the possibility of, a
Change in Control (as defined in Section 1) of the Company without being influenced by Executive’s
uncertainty of Executive’s own situation; and
WHEREAS, the Board has authorized the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
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1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
respective meanings set forth below:
(a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) “Cause” means (1) a material breach by Executive of the duties and responsibilities of
Executive (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is (x)
demonstrably willful, continued and deliberate on Executive’s part, (y) committed in bad faith or
without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company and (z) not
remedied within fifteen (15) days after receipt of written notice from the Company which
specifically identifies the manner in which such breach has occurred or (2) Executive’s conviction
of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony involving willful misconduct which is
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon
authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of
counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Cause shall not exist unless and
until the Company has delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by three-quarters
(3/4) of the entire Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
thirty (30) days notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with counsel, to be
heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board an event set forth in
clauses (1) or (2) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. The Company must
notify Executive of any event constituting Cause within ninety (90) days following the Company’s
knowledge of its existence or such event shall not constitute Cause under this Agreement.
(c) “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and as used in Sections l3(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power
of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the
“Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the event described in this
paragraph (i) shall not be deemed to be a
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Change in Control by virtue of any of the following acquisitions: (A) by the Company or any
Subsidiary, (B) by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
Subsidiary, (C) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such
securities, (D) pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction (as defined in paragraph (iii)), or (E)
pursuant to any acquisition by Executive or any group of persons including Executive;
(ii) individuals who, on July 1, [year — most recent], constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any
person becoming a director subsequent to July 1, [year — most recent], whose appointment,
election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent
Directors who remain on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement
of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such
nomination) shall also be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; provided, however,
that no individual initially elected, appointed or nominated as a director of the Company as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or any other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board
shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;
(iii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar form of
corporate reorganization of the Company or any such type of transaction involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries that requires the approval of the Company’s shareholders (whether for such
transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction or otherwise) (a “Business
Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (A) more than 60% of the
total voting power of the company resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, any company which directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the
Company Voting Securities) eligible to elect directors of such company is represented by shares
that were Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination (either by
remaining outstanding or being converted), and such voting power is in substantially the same
proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities immediately prior to the Business
Combination, (B) no person (other than any publicly traded holding company resulting from such
Business Combination, or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company (or the
corporation resulting from such
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Business Combination)) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of
the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the
company resulting from such Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the company resulting from such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors
at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
Business Combination (any Business Combination which satisfies the foregoing conditions specified
in (A), (B) and (C) shall be deemed to be a “Non-Control Transaction”);
(iv) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company; or
(v) the Company consummates a direct or indirect sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control of the Company shall not be deemed to occur
solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 20% of the Company Voting
Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces
the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that, if after such
acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting
Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially
owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive’s employment is
terminated prior to a Change in Control, and Executive reasonably demonstrates that such
termination was at the request or suggestion of a third party who has indicated an intention or
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control (a “Third Party”) and a Change in
Control involving such Third Party occurs, then for all purposes of this Agreement, the date of a
Change in Control shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
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(d) “Date of Termination” means (1) the effective date on which Executive’s employment by the
Company terminates as specified in a prior written notice by the Company or Executive, as the case
may be, to the other, delivered pursuant to Section 13 or (2) if Executive’s employment by the
Company terminates by reason of death, the date of death of Executive. For all purposes of this
Agreement, to the extent that Executive is subject to Section 409A of the Code, Executive’s
termination of employment shall mean Executive’s “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury
Regulation §1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any permissible alternative definition thereunder).
(e) “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any of
the following events after a Change in Control:
(1)(i) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities inconsistent in any
material adverse respect with Executive’s position(s), duties, responsibilities or status with the
Company immediately prior to such Change in Control (including any diminution of such duties or
responsibilities) or (ii) a material adverse change in Executive’s reporting responsibilities,
titles or offices with the Company as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control;
(2) a reduction by the Company in Executive’s rate of annual base salary or annual target
bonus opportunity (including any adverse change in the formula for such annual bonus target) as in
effect immediately prior to such Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to
time thereafter;
(3) any requirement of the Company that Executive (i) be based anywhere more than fifty (50)
miles from the facility where Executive is located at the time of the Change in Control or (ii)
travel on Company business to an extent substantially greater than the travel obligations of
Executive immediately prior to such Change in Control;
(4) the failure of the Company to (i) continue in effect any employee benefit plan or
compensation plan in which Executive is participating immediately prior to such Change in Control,
unless Executive is permitted to participate in other plans providing Executive with substantially
comparable benefits, or the taking of any action by the Company
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which would adversely affect Executive’s participation in or reduce Executive’s benefits under
any such plan, (ii) provide Executive and Executive’s dependents with welfare benefits in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for Executive and Executive’s dependents immediately prior to such
Change in Control or provide substantially comparable benefits at a substantially comparable cost
to Executive, (iii) provide fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for Executive
immediately prior to such Change in Control, or provide substantially comparable fringe benefits,
or (iv) provide Executive with paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for Executive
immediately prior to such Change in Control; or
(5) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption agreement from any successor as
contemplated in Section 12(b); or
(6) any purported termination by the Company of Executive’s employment otherwise than as
expressly permitted hereby.
Any event or condition described in this Section 1(e)(1) through (6) which occurs prior to a
Change in Control, but was at the request or suggestion of a Third Party who effectuates a Change
in Control, shall constitute Good Reason following a Change in Control for purposes of this
Agreement notwithstanding that it occurred prior to the Change in Control. An isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith and which is remedied by the Company
within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice thereof given by Executive shall not constitute
Good Reason. Executive must provide notice of termination of employment within ninety (90) days of
Executive’s knowledge of an event constituting Good Reason or such event shall not constitute Good
Reason under this Agreement.
(f) “Nonqualifying Termination” means a termination of Executive’s employment (1) by the
Company for Cause, (2) by Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, (3) as a result of
Executive’s death, (4) by the Company due to Executive’s absence from Executive’s duties with the
Company on a full-time basis for at least one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days as a result of
Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or
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(5) as a result of Executive’s mandatory retirement (not including any mandatory early
retirement) in accordance with the Company’s retirement policy generally applicable to its salaried
employees, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or in accordance with any
retirement arrangement established with respect to Executive with Executive’s written consent.
(g) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or
indirect ownership interest of more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors or in which the Company has the right to receive more than 50% of the
distribution of profits or of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.
(h) “Termination Period” means the period of time beginning with a Change in Control and
ending two (2) years following such Change in Control.
2. Obligations of Executive. Executive agrees to hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which
shall have been obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than
by acts by Executive or representatives of Executive in violation of this Agreement). After
termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior
written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 2
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to Executive under
this Agreement.
| 3. | Payments Upon Termination of Employment. |
(a) If during the Termination Period the employment of Executive shall terminate, other than
by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, then the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executive’s
beneficiary or estate) within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, as compensation
for services rendered to the Company:
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(1) a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (i) Executive’s base salary through the Date of
Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) a pro rata portion of
Executive’s annual bonus in an amount at least equal to: (A) the greatest of (x) not less than
Executive’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs; (y) not less
than Executive’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which Executive’s Date of Termination occurs;
and (z) Executive’s actual bonus payout for the fiscal year in which Executive’s Date of
Termination occurs (in the case of each of (x), (y) and (z), not including as bonus any amount
payable under the Company’s Performance Reward Plan or a similar broad-based plan), multiplied by
(B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date
of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred
sixty-five (365), (iii) any unpaid accrued vacation pay and (iv) to the extent permissible under
Section 409A of the Code, if Executive is subject to Section 409A of the Code, any other benefits
or awards which have been earned or become payable pursuant to the terms of any compensation plan
but which have not yet been paid to Executive; plus
(2) a lump-sum cash amount equal to (i) _____ times Executive’s highest annual rate of base
salary during the 12-month period prior to the Date of Termination, plus (ii) _____ times the
greatest of: (A) the highest bonus earned by Executive in respect of the three (3) fiscal years of
the Company immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs; (B) not
less than Executive’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs; or
(C) not less than Executive’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which Executive’s Date of
Termination occurs (in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), not including as bonus any amount
payable under the Company’s Performance Reward Plan or a similar broad-based plan). Any amount
paid pursuant to this Section 3(a) (2) shall be in lieu of any other amount of severance relating
to salary or bonus continuation to be received by Executive upon termination of employment of
Executive under any severance plan or policy of the Company or under any employment agreement or
offer letter between the Company and Executive.
(b) If during the Termination Period the employment of Executive shall terminate, other than
by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, the Company shall continue to provide, for a period of
two (2) years following the Date of Termination but in no event after
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Executive’s attainment of age 65, Executive (and Executive’s dependents if applicable) with
the same level of medical, dental, accident, disability, life insurance and any other similar
benefits in place as of the Date of Termination upon substantially the same terms and conditions
(including contributions required by Executive for such benefits) as existed immediately prior to
Executive’s Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to Executive, as such benefits and terms and
conditions existed immediately prior to the Change in Control); provided, that, if
Executive cannot continue to participate in the Company plans providing such benefits, the Company
shall otherwise provide such benefits on the same after-tax basis as if continued participation had
been permitted or shall provide Executive with cash payments on an after-tax basis sufficient to
permit Executive to purchase coverage providing benefits comparable to the benefits under the
Company plans; provided, further, that in any case the provisions of this Section 3(b) shall be
effected in a manner that is compliant with the non-discrimination rules applicable to
non-grandfathered health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and
related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event Executive becomes employed with another employer and becomes eligible to receive welfare
benefits from such employer, the welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to such
benefits during the period of Executive’s eligibility, but only to the extent that the Company
reimburses Executive for any increased cost and provides any additional benefits necessary to give
Executive the benefits provided hereunder.
Should the terminated Executive move his residence in order to pursue other business
opportunities within two (2) years of the Date of Termination, the Company agrees to reimburse such
Executive for any reasonable expenses incurred in that relocation (including taxes payable on the
reimbursement) which are not reimbursed by another employer. Reimbursement shall include
assistance in selling Executive’s home which was customarily provided by the Company to transferred
executives prior to the Change in Control. Executive shall be promptly reimbursed by the Company
for up to $4,000 of fees and expenses charged to him by any executive recruiting, counseling or
placement firms incurred in seeking new employment following the termination of employment as
provided in this Agreement; provided, that such fees and expenses are incurred no later than the
end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Date of Termination
occurs. The Company shall also pay to Executive, at the same time that such reimbursements are
paid, in cash an “additional
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amount” such that the federal, state and local taxes on the aggregate of such reimbursements
and the “additional amount” equal said “additional amount.” The Company will also promptly
reimburse Executive for up to $5,000 per calendar year for the calendar year in which the Date of
Termination occurs and the next following calendar year of fees and expenses charged to Executive
for professional financial and tax planning assistance. If immediately prior to the Date of
Termination the Company provided Executive with any club memberships, Executive will be entitled to
continue such memberships at Executive’s sole expense.
(c) If during the Termination Period the employment of Executive shall terminate by reason of
a Nonqualifying Termination, then the Company shall pay to Executive within sixty (60) days
following the Date of Termination, a cash amount equal to the sum of (1) Executive’s base salary
through the Date of Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) to the extent permissible
under Section 409A of the Code, if Executive is subject to Section 409A of the Code, any benefits
or awards which have been earned or become payable pursuant to the terms of any compensation plan
but which have not yet been paid to Executive, and (3) any unpaid accrued vacation pay. The
Company may make such additional payments, and provide such additional benefits, to Executive as
the Company and Executive may agree in writing.
4. Excise Tax.
(a) To the extent that any payment or distribution to or for the benefit of Executive pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any of
its affiliated companies, any person whose actions result in a change of ownership or effective
control covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code or any person affiliated with the Company or such
person, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”)
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Company shall reduce the payments to the amount that
is (after taking into account federal, state, local and social security taxes at the maximum
marginal rates, including any excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Code) one dollar less
than the amount of the Payments that would subject Executive to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor
Cap”) if, and only if, such reduction would result in Executive receiving a higher net after-tax
amount. Unless Executive
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shall have given prior written notice specifying a different order to the
Company to effectuate the
Safe Harbor Cap, the Payments to be reduced hereunder will be determined in a manner which has
the least economic cost to Executive and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, will be
reduced in the inverse order of when the Payment would have been made to Executive until the
reduction specified herein is achieved. Executive’s right to specify the order of reduction of the
Payments shall apply only to the extent that it does not directly or indirectly alter the time or
method of payment of any amount that is deferred compensation subject to (and not exempt from)
Section 409A.
(b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 4, including whether and when
the Safe Harbor Cap is required and the amount of the reduction of the Payments pursuant to the
Safe Harbor Cap and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by a public accounting firm that is retained by the Company as of the date immediately prior to the
Change in Control (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both
to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the
Company or Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company (collectively, the “Determination”). In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control,
Executive may appoint another nationally recognized public accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by
the Company and the Company shall enter into any agreement requested by the Accounting Firm in
connection with the performance of the services hereunder. The Determination by the Accounting
Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. Executive shall cooperate, to the extent his
reasonable out-of pocket expenses are reimbursed by the Company, with any reasonable requests by
the Company in connection with any contests or disputes with the Internal Revenue Service in
connection with the Excise Tax.
5. Section 409A of the Code.
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(a) If Executive is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Agreement is intended to meet
the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed consistent
with that intent.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the right to any
payment (including the provision of benefits) hereunder provides for the “deferral of compensation”
within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and Executive is subject to Section 409A of
the Code, the payment shall be paid (or provided) in accordance with the following:
(i) If Executive is a “Specified Employee” under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation Specified Employee
Policy for 409A Arrangements on the date of Executive’s termination of employment (the “Separation
Date”), and if a payment is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), then no
such payment shall be made or commence during the period beginning on the Separation Date and
ending on the date that is six months following the Separation Date or, if earlier, on the date of
Executive’s death, if the earlier making of such payment would result in tax penalties being
imposed on Executive under Section 409A of the Code. The amount of any payment that otherwise
would be paid to Executive hereunder during this period shall instead be paid to Executive on the
first business day coincident with or next following the date that is six months and one day
following the Separation Date or, if earlier, within ninety (90) days following the death of
Executive.
(ii) Payments with respect to reimbursements of expenses shall be made promptly, but in any
event on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
relevant expense is incurred. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar
year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, and any
right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for cash or another benefit.
6. Funding Of Rabbi Trust. No later than the date on which a Change in Control
occurs, (i) the Company shall maintain a rabbi trust (the “Trust”) as hereinafter described; and
(ii) the Company shall contribute to the Trust in cash or other liquid assets acceptable to the
trustee of the Trust (A) the amount of the total payments reasonably expected to be paid to
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Executive hereunder assuming that the employment of the Executive shall terminate, other than by
reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, during the Termination Period (including the cash value of
the total benefits expected to be provided to the Executive hereunder); plus (B) the
amount of the trust administration and trustee fees and expenses (including the fees and
expenses of any agent of the trustee) which the trustee reasonably expects to be incurred over the
life of the Trust. The terms of the Trust shall generally follow the model rabbi trust set forth in
IRS Revenue Procedure 92-64, except that (1) the Trust shall be irrevocable from the date of its
creation; (2) the Trust shall be non-amendable by the Company except with the consent of Executive
or his legal representative; (3) the power to direct the investment of the Trust assets shall be
held by the Company; (4) the Company shall remain liable for the payment of all amounts payable to
Executive hereunder to the extent there is any shortfall of assets under the Trust; (5) the initial
trustee and any successor thereto shall be a bank or trust company with shareholder equity of at
least $1.0 billion; and (6) neither the Trust nor its assets shall be located or transferred
outside the United States.
7. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from all payments due to Executive (or
Executive’s beneficiary or estate) hereunder all taxes which by applicable federal, state, local or
other law, the Company is required to withhold therefrom.
8. Indemnification and Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company agrees to indemnify
Executive for litigation or arbitration proceedings brought to contest, or dispute of any provision
of this Agreement. If any such contest or dispute shall arise under this Agreement involving
termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or involving the failure or refusal of the
Company to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company shall reimburse Executive
for all legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred by Executive in connection with such contest or
dispute (regardless of the result thereof) within thirty (30) days of receipt of evidence thereof,
and in no event later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which
Executive pays the reimbursed fees and expenses, together with interest in an amount equal to the
prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time in effect, but in no event higher
than the maximum legal rate permissible under applicable law, such interest to accrue from the date
the Company receives Executive’s statement for such fees and expenses through the date of payment
thereof, regardless of whether or not Executive’s claim is
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upheld by a court of competent
jurisdiction; provided, however, Executive shall be required to repay any such amounts to the
Company to the extent that a court issues a final and non-
appealable order setting forth the determination that the position taken by Executive was
frivolous or advanced by Executive in bad faith.
9. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof and shall
continue in effect until the Company shall have given two year written notice of cancellation;
provided, that, notwithstanding the delivery of any such notice, this Agreement shall continue in
effect for a period of twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, if such Change in Control
shall have occurred during the term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9
to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate if Executive or the Company terminates Executive’s
employment prior to a Change in Control except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 1(c) or
Section 12(b).
10. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof
and shall continue until the first to occur of (i) termination of Executive’s employment with the
Company prior to a Change in Control (except as otherwise provided hereunder), (ii) a Nonqualifying
Termination, (iii) the end of the Termination Period or (iv) cancellation in accordance with
Section 9.
11. Scope of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to entitle
Executive to continued employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries, and if Executive’s
employment with the Company shall terminate prior to a Change in Control, Executive shall have no
further rights under this Agreement (except as otherwise provided hereunder); provided,
however, that any termination of Executive’s employment during the Termination Period shall
be subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement.
12. Successors; Binding Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall not be terminated by any Business Combination. In the event of any
Business Combination, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving or
resulting corporation or the person or entity to which such assets are transferred.
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(b) The Company agrees that concurrently with any Business Combination that does not
constitute a Non-Control Transaction, it will cause any successor or transferee unconditionally to
assume, by written instrument delivered to Executive (or Executive’s
beneficiary or estate), all of the obligations of the Company hereunder. Failure of the
Company to obtain such assumption prior to the effectiveness of any such Business Combination shall
be a breach of this Agreement and shall constitute Good Reason hereunder. For purposes of
implementing the foregoing, (i) the date on which any such Business Combination becomes effective
shall be deemed the date Good Reason occurs, and (ii) Executive shall be entitled to terminate
employment for Good Reason immediately prior to the time the Business Combination becomes effective
and receive compensation and other benefits from the Company in the same amount and on the same
terms as Executive would have been entitled hereunder if Executive’s employment were terminated for
Good Reason during the Termination Period.
(c) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or
legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. If Executive shall die while any amounts would be payable to Executive hereunder had
Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such person or persons appointed in writing by
Executive to receive such amounts or, if no person is so appointed, to Executive’s estate.
13. Notice.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five
(5) days after deposit in the United States mail certified and return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Executive: |
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If to the Company:
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Attn: Secretary |
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or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(b) A written notice of Executive’s Date of Termination by the Company or Executive, as the
case may be, to the other, shall (i) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) specify the termination date (which date shall be not less than
fifteen (15) nor more than sixty (60) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by
Executive or the Company to set forth in such notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to
a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder
or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
14. Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes. The Company’s obligation to make
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be
in lieu and in full settlement of all other payments to Executive under any previous severance or
employment agreement between Executive and the Company. The Company’s obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action
which the Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated
to seek other employment or take other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to
Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3(b),
such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment. Any dispute
or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by
arbitration in Orlando, Florida by three arbitrators in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators’ award in any
court having jurisdiction. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses arising in connection
with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 14.
15. Employment with Subsidiaries. Employment with the Company for purposes of this
Agreement shall include employment with any Subsidiary.
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16. Governing Law; Validity. THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT,
WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
18. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified or waived unless
such modification or waiver is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly
authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by
the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Failure by Executive or the Company to
insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or to assert any right Executive
or the Company may have hereunder, including without limitation, the right of Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right
or any other provision or right of this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, the rights of, and benefits payable to, Executive, Executive’s estate or Executive’s
beneficiaries pursuant to this Agreement are in addition to any rights of, or benefits payable to,
Executive, Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries under any other employee benefit plan or
compensation program of the Company.
[signature page to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized
officer of the Company and Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION | EXECUTIVE | |||||
By: |
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| ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ | [Name] | |||||
| Chairman, President and CEO | ||||||
Attest:
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Secretary |
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