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EXHIBIT 10(b)
CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between STONE & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INCORPORATED*, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and (the "Executive"), dated as of
April 21, 1998 (this "Agreement").
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change
of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b) on which a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment
with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control
occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such
termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all
purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately
prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof;
provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof,
and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control.
For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a "Person") of 20% or more of either (i) the
then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company
Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that
for purposes of this subsection (a), the following accumulations and
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition or accumulation by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition or accumulation by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
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corporation controlled by the Company, (iv) any acquisition or accumulation by
any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2, or (v) the beneficial ownership
of 20% or more of either the Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding
Company Voting Securities by a Person if such beneficial ownership occurs solely
because (x) of a change in the aggregate number of shares of Outstanding Company
Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities since the last date on
which such Person acquired beneficial ownership of any Outstanding Company
Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities or (y) such Person
acquired such beneficial ownership in the good faith belief that such
acquisition would not cause such beneficial ownership to equal or exceed 20% of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities
then outstanding and such Person relied in good faith in computing the
percentage of its beneficial ownership on publicly filed reports or documents of
the Company which are inaccurate or out-of-date; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by
or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no
Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or
any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common
stock, or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination, except to the extent
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least
a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding clause (v) of subsection (a) of this Section 2, if any Person
whose beneficial ownership is not a Change of Control due to such clause (v)
does not reduce such Person's percentage of beneficial ownership of Outstanding
Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities to less than 20%
by the close of business on the fifth business day after notice from the Company
(the date of notice being the first day) that such Person's beneficial ownership
of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities
equals or exceeds 20%, such Person's beneficial ownership shall be a Change of
Control at the end of such five business day period (and such clause (v) shall
no longer apply); provided, however, that if such Person asserts in writing to
the Company by the end of such five business day period that a reduction in such
Person's percentage of beneficial ownership would subject such reduction to the
operation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act ("Section 16(b)") the period
during which the beneficial ownership of such Person must be reduced to less
than 20% so as
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not to constitute a Change in Control shall be extended to the date that is the
third business day immediately following the date which is the earlier of (i)
six (6) months following the receipt by such Person of the notice from the
Company of beneficial ownership of 20% or more or (ii) the date upon which such
reduction would no longer be subject to Section 16(b). For purposes of this
definition, the determination whether any Person acted in "good faith" shall be
conclusively determined by the Board, acting by a vote of those directors of the
Company who, at such time, shall constitute the Incumbent Board.
3. Employment Period.
The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ,
and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending on the third* anniversary of such date (the
"Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material
respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive was performing services immediately preceding the
Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such
location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive
agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent
necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform
faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment
Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to
(A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B)
deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational
institutions, (C) manage personal investments and (D) engage in activities
permitted under Section 2(d) of the Employment Agreement, so long as such
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance
with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the
extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior
to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the
conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to
the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid
at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base
salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned
but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in
which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual
Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary
increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase
and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer
to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
*See attached schedule.
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(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the
Executive's highest bonus under the Employment Agreement or the Company's
annual contingent (or incentive) compensation plans or any comparable
bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last three full
fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the
Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal
year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following
the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, but not limited to, the Company's Restricted Stock
Plan, Employee Investment Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
Payroll-based Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Employee Retirement Plan,
Supplemental Retirement Plan and Stock Option Plan), but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities,
in each case, less favorable in the aggregate, than the most favorable of
those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at
any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, 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 welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life (and, if applicable,
supplemental term life insurance), group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but
in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than
the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in
effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to the other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies,
practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in
effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax
and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable,
use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with
the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
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secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of
the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated
companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. 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
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with
Section 12(b) of this Agreement 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"), provided that, within the 30 days
after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be
total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its
affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner
in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive
has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the
part of the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or
omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief
that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the
Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a
resolution duly adopted by the Board (or, if applicable, upon the instructions
of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company) or based upon
the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done,
or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests
of the Company. Anything in this Section 5(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, the employment of the Executive shall in no event
be considered to have been terminated by the Company for Cause if termination of
the Executive's employment took place (a) as the result of bad judgment or
negligence on the part of the Executive, or (b) as the result of an act or
omission without the intent of gaining therefrom directly or indirectly a profit
to which the Executive was not legally entitled, or (c) because of an act or
omission believed by the Executive in good faith to have been in or not opposed
to the interests of the Company, or (d) for any act or omission in respect of
which a determination could properly be made that the Executive met the
applicable standard of conduct prescribed for indemnification or reimbursement
or payment of expenses under the By-laws of the Company or the laws of the State
of Delaware or the directors' and officers' liability insurance
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of the Company, in each case as in effect at the time of such act or omission,
or (e) as the result of an act or omission which occurred more than twelve
calendar months prior to the Executive's having been given notice of the
termination of the Executive's employment for such act or omission unless the
commission of such act or such omission could not at the time of such commission
or omission have been known to a member of the Board (other than the Executive,
if the Executive is then a member of the Board), in which case more than twelve
calendar months from the date that the commission of such act or such omission
was or could reasonably have been so known, or (f) as the result of a continuing
course of action which commenced and was or could reasonably have been known to
a member of the Board (other than the Executive) more than twelve calendar
months prior to notice having been given to the Executive of the termination of
the Executive's employment.
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to
be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three
quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called
and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive
and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason.
(i) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the
following involuntary circumstances:
A. the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad-faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt
of notice thereof given by the Executive;
B. any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
C. the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or to relocate
his personal residence or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on
Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately
prior to the Effective Date;
D. any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
E. any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c)(i), any good faith determination
of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall also mean
the following voluntary circumstance: anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during the 30-day
period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date shall
be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of this
Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance
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with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. 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 be not more than thirty 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 shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively,
from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be 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 Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (a) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the
Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (b) the product of (x)
the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or
payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but
deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full
months or during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve full
months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment
Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual
Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of
which is 365 and (c) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued
vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (a), (b), and (c) shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (a) three* and (b) the sum of
(x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (a) the actuarial equivalent of
the benefit under the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the
"Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the
Executive than those in effect under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately
prior to the Effective Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in
which the Executive participates pursuant to the Employment Agreement or
otherwise (together, the "SERP") which the Executive would receive if the
Executive's employment continued for three* years after the Date of Termination
assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and,
assuming that the Executive's compensation in each of the three* years is that
required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (b) the actuarial
equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under
the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for three* years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits
*See attached schedule.
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to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which
would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement as if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described
herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but
not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be
considered to have remained employed until three* years after the Date of
Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) for three* years after the Executive's Date of Termination,
the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with
outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the
Executive in the Executive's sole discretion provided, however that the maximum
amount of expense to be incurred by the Company pursuant to this Section
6(a)(i)C in any one calendar year shall not exceed 10% of the Executive's Annual
Base Salary; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of any amounts or benefits required to be paid or
provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program,
policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, including, without limitation, those amounts or benefits to be paid
or provided pursuant to the plans, programs, practices, policies, agreements or
contracts referred to in Section 4(b)(iii) or (iv) of this Agreement
(collectively, the "Other Benefits"). Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries
shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable
benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their
beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the
Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum
in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision
of Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c)
shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability
Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the
most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such
plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in
effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at
any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
*See attached schedule.
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(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) other benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations
and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination.
7. Nonexclusivity of Rights.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's
continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein
limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled
to receive under any such plan, policy, practice or program of or any such
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement.
(a) No Set-Off. Except as provided for in Section 6(a)(ii), the
Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and
otherwise to perform its 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 the Executive or others.
(b) No Mitigation Obligation. The Executive's benefits hereunder
shall be considered severance pay in consideration of the Executive's past
service, and pay in consideration of the Executive's continued service from the
date hereof and 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, except as
provided for in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or
not the Executive obtains other employment.
(c) Expenses. In order that the purpose of this Agreement not be
frustrated, it is the intent of the Company that the Executive not be required
to incur the expenses associated with the enforcement of the Executive's rights
under this Agreement by litigation or other legal action because the cost and
expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be
extended to the Executive hereunder, nor be bound to negotiate any settlement of
the Executive's rights hereunder under threat of incurring such expenses.
Accordingly, if following the Effective Date it should appear to the Executive
that the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this
Agreement or, if at any time, in the event that the Company or any other person
takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes
any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish or to recover
from, the Executive the benefits intended to be provided to the Executive
hereunder, and that the Executive has complied with all of the Executive's
obligations under this Agreement, the Company irrevocably authorizes the
Executive from time to time to retain counsel of the Executive's choice at the
expense of the Company as provided in this Section 8(c), to represent the
Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or
other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any director, officer,
stockholder or other person affiliated with the Company, in any jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the
Company and such counsel (other than a counsel acting on behalf of the Company
in connection with this Agreement), the Company irrevocably consents to the
Executive's entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and
in that connection the Company and the Executive agree that a confidential
relationship shall exist between the Executive and such counsel. The Company
agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all costs and
expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as
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a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(including, without limitation, as a result of any contest by the Executive
about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case
interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Included within such costs and expenses shall be the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by the Executive as
hereinabove provided, which fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed to the
Executive by the Company on a regular, periodic basis upon presentation by the
Executive of a statement or statements prepared by such counsel in accordance
with its customary practices.
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in
the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed
or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect
to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then
the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up
Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes
(including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Coopers &
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated
by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting
Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally
recognized 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.
Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by
the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon
as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:
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(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating
to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the claim
in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to
a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to
such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Confidential Information.
The Executive shall 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 affiliated companies, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the
Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and
which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the
Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement).
After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the 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 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors.
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(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions
hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or
modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or
their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) 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
If to the Company: Stone & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Incorporated
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
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) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)A-E of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that the employment of
the Executive by the Company is currently subject to the terms and conditions of
the Employment Agreement and, subject to Section 1(a) of this Agreement and the
Employment Agreement, the Executive's employment may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company prior to the Effective Date, in which case the
Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after the
Effective Date, except as otherwise specifically provided in any prior
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agreement, this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
STONE & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INCORPORATED*
By:
-------------------------- --------------------------
Name:
Title:
* See attached schedule
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Schedule to Form of
Change of Control Employment Agreement
filed as Exhibit 10(b)
A. The following Named Executive Officers have entered into a Change of
Control Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") on this form:
(a) ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(e) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
B. All terms of the individual Agreements are substantially identical except
that:
(a) ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇'▇ Agreement provides for a "Change of Control Period'' and
"Employment Period" of two rather than three years and provides that
the benefits payable pursuant to Sections 6(a)(i)(C), 6(a)(ii) and
6(a)(iii) are calculated over a two year rather than a three year
period following the Date of Termination (as defined in the Agreement).
(b) ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Agreement is with Stone & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Engineering Corporation,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Registrant, and is guaranteed by
Registrant.
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