EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, agreed to in principle and effective January 1,
2010, approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board, and executed
December 31, 2009, by and between DIALYSIS CORPORATION OF AMERICA, a Florida
corporation (the "Company," which term includes subsidiaries and affiliated
companies and entities), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Executive has been affiliated with the Company since 1980
(Chairman of the Board and President, the latter position relinquished in
1986 when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer until 2003), and has been
actively involved in its development, management, operations, and performance
of services, and the Company desires to continue the affiliation and employ
of the Executive upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth in writing
the terms and conditions of their agreements and understandings with respect
to the Executive's employment by the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual and
dependant promises contained herein, and the parties intending to be legally
bound, the Company and the Executive hereby agree to the following terms and
conditions:
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 "Agreement" shall mean this Employment Agreement.
1.2 "Base Rate" shall mean the initial annual base salary for the
Executive of $350,000 commencing on the first date of the Term.
1.3. "Base Salary" shall mean the Base Rate for the initial year of the
Term, and for each subsequent year of the Term shall be the Base Rate
increased by a minimum of $10,000 per year, or such greater amount as the
Compensation Committee and Board determine.
1.4 "Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Company, and as to
any matter relating to the Executive, exclusive of the participation (vote)
of the Executive.
1.5 "Chairman" shall mean the Chairman of the Board.
1.6 "Cause" shall mean:
(a) the Executive is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or confesses or
otherwise admits to any felony, misdemeanor (other than a minor misdemeanor
or traffic violation), or any act of fraud (exclusive of prior civil and
administrative securities cases), misappropriation or embezzlement;
(b) any act or omission by the Executive involving dishonesty,
malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the Executive's duties
and responsibilities under this Agreement;
(c) any material breach or default by the Executive of any of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement or any provision of any code of
conduct adopted by the Company which
applies to the Executive if the consequences of such violation ordinarily
would be a termination of his employment by the Company, provided any such
breach, default or failure to perform by the Executive, assuming the same is
not so egregious as could be cured, continues for a period of seven (7) days
following the date of receipt of written notice from the Company specifying
the breach, default, or failure to perform by the Executive;
(d) sanctions against the Executive in his capacity as an employee
of the Company by any regulatory board, agency or commission or against the
Company because of wrongful acts or conduct of the Executive; or
(e) the Executive's commission of any improper act or conduct that
subjects the Company to disrespect or injures the reputation of the Company.
1.7 "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(a) any person or group of related, affiliated or associated
persons, other than (i) management, affiliated or associated parties of the
Company who become the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more
of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Company eligible to vote for the election of the members of the Company's
Board unless (1) such person is the Company, or any affiliate of the Company,
(2) such person is an employee benefit plan (or a trust which is a part of
such a plan) which provides benefits exclusively to, or on behalf of,
employees or former employees of the Company, (3) such person is an
underwriter temporarily holding such securities pursuant to an offering of
such securities, or (4) such person is the Executive, an entity controlled by
the Executive or a group which includes the Executive.
(b) the Current Board changes to a Board the majority of which
consists of persons other than persons (a) for whose election proxies shall
have been solicited by the Current Board, or (b) who are serving as directors
appointed by the Current Board to fill vacancies on the Board caused by death
or resignation or to fill newly created directorships;
(c) the shareholders of the Company approve any reorganization,
merger, consolidation or share exchange as a result of which the Stock of the
Company shall be changed, converted or exchanged into or for securities of
another corporation (other than a merger with a subsidiary of the Company); a
tender offer for 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of the Company other than by those persons set forth
in Section 1.7(a)(1), (2) and (4) above; or any dissolution or liquidation of
the Company or any sale or the disposition of 50% or more of the assets or
business of the Company, unless substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were beneficial owners of the Company's outstanding Stock
immediately prior to such occurrence as set forth in this Section 1.7(c),
own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
voting power of the acquiring company in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership of the outstanding Stock of the Company immediately prior to
a Section 1.7(c) Change in Control;
1.8 "Chief of Strategic Alliances and Investor Relations" shall mean
executive responsibility relating to Company transactions, investor
relations and business development, all as more particularly set forth in
Section 4.1, and those powers to execute contracts and other instruments in
the name of the Company as delineated in Section 9.2 of the Company By-laws
as applicable to the Chairman.
1.9 "Company" shall mean Dialysis Corporation of America and all of its
current and future subsidiaries and affiliated companies and entities.
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1.10 "Compensation Committee" shall mean that committee of the Board
established by the Compensation Committee Charter and consisting of those
independent directors responsible for considering the compensation of the
Company's executives together with the other compensation related matters and
policies provided for in the Compensation Committee Charter.
1.11 "Confidential Information" shall have the meaning as defined in
Section 7.1 of this Agreement.
1.12 "Current Board" shall mean all the members of the Board as
constituted on the date of this Agreement.
1.13 "Date of Termination" shall mean the date of the first to occur of
the Executive's death, the Disability Effective Date, the date on which the
Executive's employment terminates by expiration or earlier termination of the
Term, termination of the Executive for Cause or without Cause, in each case
termination to be effective on the thirtieth (30th) day from notice by the
Company, provided if termination is by the Company for Cause and the Cause is
not so egregious as determined solely in the good faith of the Board, then
seven (7) days from the date of notice to terminate for Cause for the
Executive to cure such Cause and the Board reasonably and in good faith then
determines the Cause continues to exist, or by the Executive for Good Reason
becomes effective in accordance with Section 1.20, or the Effective Date for
a Change in Control.
1.14 "Dialysis Corporation of America" shall mean the Company.
1.15 "Disability" shall mean the Executive's incapacity or inability to
perform the Executive's duties and responsibilities as contemplated by this
Agreement for a period of no less than thirteen (13) consecutive weeks as a
result of physical or mental illness or injury.
1.16 "Disability Effective Date" shall be the effective date of
termination of the Executive for Disability, which shall be the third
business day after the Company has provided written notice to the Executive
of termination of the Executive's employment for Disability.
1.17 "Effective Date" shall mean either the date which includes the
"closing" (as such term is commonly understood) of the transaction which
makes a Change in Control effective if the Change in Control is made
effective through a transaction which has such a "closing," or the earliest
date a Change in Control is reported in accordance with any applicable law,
regulation, rule or common practice, whichever (the closing or reporting) is
first to occur.
1.18 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
1.19 "Executive" shall mean ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
1.20 "Good Reason" shall mean:
(a) any failure by the Company to comply with any provision of
Section 5 of this Agreement other than an isolated, insubstantial, and
inadvertent failure that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from the Executive;
(b) any termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for
a reason or in a manner not permitted by this Agreement;
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(c) any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company that
either is not taken in good faith or is not remedied by the Company promptly
after receipt of notice thereof from the Executive;
No such act or omission as provided in subparagraphs (a) - (c) of
this Section 1.20 shall be deemed "Good Reason" under this Agreement unless
the Executive delivers to the Compensation Committee (1) a detailed, written
statement of the basis for the Executive's belief that such act or omission
constitutes Good Reason, (2) within a (90) day period which starts on the
date there is an act or omission which forms the basis for the Executive's
belief that Good Reason exists, (3) the Executive gives such Board a thirty
(30) day period after the delivery of such statement to cure the basis for
such belief, and (4) the Executive actually submits the Executive's written
resignation to the Board during the sixty (60) day period which begins
immediately after the end of such thirty (30) day period if the Executive
reasonably and in good faith determines that Good Reason continues to exist
after the end of such thirty (30) day cure period.
1.21 "Inventions" shall mean all patents, patent applications and other
proprietary rights in and to any discovery, concept, idea of any kind or
nature, whether patentable or not, including but not limited to processes,
methods, formulas and techniques, as well as improvements thereon, or know-
how related thereto, concerning anything in the present or prospective
activities of the Company, made, developed or conceived by the Executive
during the Term, whether or not during the hours of employment or with the
use of the Company's name or facilities.
1.22 "Restricted Activity" shall have the meaning as defined in Section
8.1 of this Agreement.
1.23 "Restricted Period" shall mean the Term and for a period of one (1)
year from the Date of Termination for whatever reason or occurrence.
1.24 "Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of
the Company's authorized capital.
1.25 "Term" shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.1 of this
Agreement.
1.26 "Third Party" (plural "Third Parties") shall mean any person,
natural or otherwise, firm, corporation, partnership, trust, limited
liability company or similar business entity, other than the Company.
2. EMPLOYMENT
2.1 Employment and Title. The Company hereby continues to employ the
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Executive as its Chairman so long as he continues to be elected by
shareholders as a director. In the event the Executive ceases as a director
and is subsequently reelected or otherwise appointed to the Board, the
Company shall reappoint him Chairman. The Company is also employing the
Executive as Chief of Strategic Alliances and Investor Relations. The
Executive hereby accepts such employment by the Company, upon all the terms
and conditions of this Agreement. . Notwithstanding whether the Executive
continues as a director, the Executive will hold the position of Chief of
Strategic Alliances and Investor Relations throughout the Term.
3. TERM
3.1 Term. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 6 or
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the Date of Termination, this Agreement shall be for five (5) years
commencing on January 1, 2010 and ending December 31,
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2014, and the Board shall propose the Executive for reelection to the Board
throughout the Term (the "Term").
4. DUTIES AND EXTENT OF SERVICES
4.1 Duties. The Executive shall report directly to the Board. The
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Executive as the Chairman of the Board shall lead the Board, preside at
meetings of the shareholders and the Board, lead in succession planning for
directors, the President and the Chief Executive Officer, establish the
process the Board uses in managing the responsibilities of the Board and
committees, organize and establish Board agendas with the assistance of the
Chief Executive Officer, committee chairs, and the Company's Secretary,
negotiate the compensation of the President and the Chief Executive Officer,
subject to the recommendations of the Compensation Committee and the
concurrence of the Board, assure that adequate information is provided to
directors and not allow resolutions on any matter without the Board having
been sufficiently informed, focus the Board's attention on relevant matters,
limit discord and work towards consensus, and perform those functions and
have those powers as set forth in Section 9.1 of the Company's By-laws. As
Chief of Strategic Alliances and Investor Relations, the Executive shall be
responsible for developing, evaluating and negotiating potential mergers,
acquisitions, consolidations and similar transactions, including the
financing of any such transaction. The Executive shall also be responsible
for developing and coordinating investor relations with pension plans, funds,
banks, insurors, financial advisory firms, and other significant investors in
the Company. The Executive shall further be involved in the Company's
development program in conjunction with the President and Chief Executive
Officer. The Executive shall perform such other duties and responsibilities
as may be offered to the Executive from time to time by the Board
commensurate with his title and position. During the Term, the Executive
shall also serve in such other offices, directorships and positions to which
he may be appointed by the Board for no further consideration except as may
be approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board. The Executive
agrees to devote in good faith his full time skill, attention, diligence and
energy to the Company, and shall use his best efforts to uphold high
corporate governance and ethical standards, and to exercise his talents and
capabilities toward the interests, development and business of the Company.
The Executive agrees to perform such duties and responsibilities in
conformity with the standards and policies established by the Board.
4.2 Outside Activities. It shall not be considered a violation of the
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foregoing for the Executive to provide assistance and services to charitable,
industry, social, recreational or community organizations, boards and
committees, and manage Executive's personal investments, so long as such
activities do not conflict or interfere with the Company's policies and
procedures or the Executive's performance of his duties under this Agreement
and such are adequately disclosed as required by law. The Executive agrees
not to enter into any other employment agreement with any other person or
entity during the Term. The Executive shall not serve on any other board of
directors or become a trustee of any trust or member of any partnership or
other entity, exclusive of those organizations delineated in the first
sentence of this Section 4.2, and shall not provide services (whether as an
employee or independent contractor) to any for-profit organization or entity
during the Term absent the written consent of the Board, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
4.3 Primary Work Site. Executive's primary work site for the Term shall
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be at the Company's offices in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, or other
locations as may be mutually agreed upon by the Executive and the Board.
However, the Executive agrees and undertakes to travel to the extent
necessary, and shall work from such temporary work sites as necessary or
appropriate to fulfill the Executive's duties and responsibilities under the
terms of this Agreement.
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5. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
5.1 Base Salary. During the first year of the Term, the Company will
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compensate the Executive for the services to be rendered pursuant to this
Agreement with a salary at the Base Rate, and for each subsequent year of the
Term, with the Base Salary payable in accordance with the Company's normal
payroll procedures. Base Salary for a portion of any period will be pro
rated.
5.2 Annual Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible during the Term to
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receive an annual bonus. The Compensation Committee, or at the discretion of
the Board, shall determine whether to grant any such bonus in any particular
year. If any such bonus is determined to be granted to the Executive in any
particular year, such bonus shall be set by the Compensation Committee, or at
the discretion of the Board. Each such bonus, if any, shall be reasonable in
light of the contributions made by the Executive for such year, satisfaction
of performance standards, if any, the financial and operational strength and
growth of the Company, with consideration also given to the contributions
made and bonuses paid to the other senior Company executives for such year,
and other criteria as may be considered by the Compensation Committee and the
Board. Should the Compensation Committee or the Board determine a bonus is
in order and the extent of such bonus, it shall be paid within ten (10)
business days after the Board or the Compensation Committee makes an informed
final determination. Any such bonus that may have been determined by the
Compensation Committee or the Board to be granted shall only be earned and
payable if the Executive remains actively employed through the end of the
fiscal year for which a bonus is to be paid, provided the Effective Date of
any Change-in-Control shall accelerate and be deemed such end of the fiscal
year.
5.3 Executive Plans. The Executive shall be eligible (subject to the
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terms and conditions of particular plans and programs) to participate in such
medical, hospitalization, group health, accident, disability and life
insurance programs and plans, such 401(k) plans, profit sharing, stock
option, incentive compensation and stock purchase plans and such other
employee benefit programs to the same extent such plans and programs are made
generally available by the Company to all of its other similarly-situated
executive employees. The Company may alter, modify, add to or delete its
benefit plans at any time as the Company or its Board may determine, in its
sole judgment, to be appropriate. Nothing herein shall be construed as
requiring the Company to establish or continue any particular benefit plan in
discharge of its obligations under this Agreement.
5.4 Other Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for his
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reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder to the earlier of
the expiration of the Term or termination of employment under Section 6,
subject to the submission by the Executive of appropriate invoices, receipts
and other supporting documentation.
5.5 Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to normal vacation
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taken by other members of senior management during each year of the Term,
during which vacation periods the Executive's compensation shall be paid in
full. Such vacation time shall not be cumulative from year to year, and the
Executive shall not be entitled to be compensated for any unused vacation
during any year of the Term or upon termination of this Agreement. The
periods during which the Executive will be absent from work shall be
determined by the Executive taking into account the needs of the Company's
business.
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6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
6.1 Basis of and Obligations Upon Termination. Notwithstanding any
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provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Executive's employment and
this Agreement terminates upon the occurrence of any of the following events
and with the obligations of the Company to the Executive for compensation,
bonuses, expenses and shares of Stock, if any, are as provided in this
Section 6.1:
6.1.1 The Executive's Death, Disability, by the Company without
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason; upon any such termination the
Company shall pay to the Executive, or in the case of the Executive's death,
to the designated beneficiary, or of there is no such beneficiary, to the
Executive's estate or legal representative, in a lump sum payment within
forty-five (45) days after the Date of Termination, the sum of the following
amounts: (i) any portion of the Executive's Base Salary and annual bonus, if
any, which were due and payable but not then paid through the Date of
Termination; (ii) one year's Base Salary at the Base Salary at the Date of
Termination; (iii) any expenses which the Executive had already incurred to
the Date of Termination and which would have otherwise been reimbursed but
for such termination of employment; and (iv) any benefits payable under the
Company's employee benefit plans, programs and policies which the Executive
otherwise has a nonforfeitable right to receive under the terms of such
plans, programs and policies. The Company's obligation to pay or provide the
benefits provided in this subsection 6.1.1 for termination pursuant to
Disability shall be reduced by any Disability payments and benefits received
or to be received by the Executive pursuant to such Disability. Further, the
Company's obligation to pay or provide the benefits provided in this
subsection 6.1.1 for termination by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive for Good Reason shall be conditioned upon the Executive first
executing a valid general release and waiver, releasing the Company, its
directors, officers, employees, agents and other representatives from any and
all claims under this Agreement or pursuant to his employment, in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Company.
6.1.2 For Cause; upon termination for Cause, the Company's only
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement shall be to pay in a lump
sum payment within forty-five (45) days after the Date of Termination, the
Executive's Base Salary and annual bonus, if any, which were due and payable
but not yet paid at the Date of Termination, and to reimburse the Executive
for expenses the Executive had already incurred and which would have
otherwise been reimbursed but for such termination of employment. Further,
the Executive shall have the right to receive any benefits payable under the
Company's employee benefit plans, programs and policies which the Executive
otherwise has a nonforfeitable right to receive under the terms of such
plans, programs and policies independent of the Executive's rights under this
Agreement.
6.1.3 Change in Control; upon termination for Change in Control, the
Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum payment within forty-five
(45) days of the Effective Date the sum of the amounts as provided in
subsection 6.1.1, provided, in lieu of one year's Base Salary as provided in
subparagraph (ii) of subsection 6.1.1, it shall be two year's Base Salary at
the Effective Date.
7. NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
7.1 Confidential Information. The Executive understands and
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acknowledges that it is the policy of the Company to maintain as secret and
confidential all non-public information relating to (i) the financial
condition, businesses and interests of the Company and its affiliates; (ii)
the systems, know-how (means all factual knowledge and information which
gives to the one acquiring it an ability to produce and market something
which one otherwise would not have known how to produce and market with the
same accuracy or precision necessary for commercial success), products,
services, costs, inventions, patents, patent applications, formulae, research
and development procedures, notes and results, computer software programs
(including but not limited to object codes and source codes), planning and
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development of business and services, and/or programs, methods,
methodologies, manuals, lists, manner and method of operations, and other
trade secrets heretofore or hereafter acquired, sold, developed and/or used
by the Company and its affiliates; (iii) data, plans and projections
regarding the locations, development and expansion of existing and proposed
facilities, market surveys, studies and analyses; (iv) information concerning
the identities, locations and qualifications of professionals and other Third
Parties presently or prospectively to be retained or employed by the Company;
(v) information concerning the identities, locations, prices, costs, and
other terms of dealings with referral and reimbursement sources, suppliers,
providers, and supplier and provider organizations and entities,
administrative and accounting procedures and policies, and information about
contractual and other arrangements and affiliations with any of the
foregoing; (vi) medical, patient and personnel records, existing and
prospective patient lists, names and addresses; (vii) statistical, financial
cost and accounting data; (viii) administrative operations and Company
policies and procedures; and (ix) all such similar sensitive Company
information, including those items referred to in Section 7.2 (all such
information being hereinafter collectively referred to as "Confidential
Information"); and the Executive further acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is of great value to the Company and, in and by reason and as a
result of the Executive's employment by the Company, the Executive will be
making use of, acquiring and/or adding to such Confidential Information.
Therefore, the Executive understands that it is reasonably necessary to
protect the Company's trade secrets, good will and business interests that
the Executive agrees that the Executive will not, directly or indirectly
(except where authorized by the Board for the benefit of the Company and/or
as required in the course of his employment), during the Term and thereafter
divulge or disclose for any purpose whatsoever to any Third Party, or use or
cause or authorize any Third Party to use, any such Confidential Information,
except as otherwise required by law.
7.2 The Company's Materials. In accordance with the foregoing, the
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Executive agrees that (i) the Executive will at no time retain or remove from
the premises of the Company any Confidential Information as well as but not
limited to any research and development materials, drawings, notebooks,
notes, reports, formulae, samples, prototypes, software programs or discs or
other containers of software, manuals, data, books, records, materials or
documents of any kind or description, whether in writing, audio, video or any
other format for any purpose unconnected with the strict performance of the
Executive's duties with the Company and (ii) upon the Date of Termination for
any reason, or earlier upon the Company's request, the Executive shall
forthwith deliver or cause to be delivered up to the Company any and all
research and development materials, drawings, notebooks, notes, reports,
formulae, software programs or discs or other containers of software,
manuals, data, books, records, materials and other documents and materials of
any kind or description, whether in writing, audio, video or any other
format, in the Executive's possession or under the Executive's control
relating to any Confidential Information or any property or information which
is otherwise the property of the Company.
7.3 Additional Rights. This Section 7 is intended to provide rights to
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the Company which are in addition to, not in lieu of, those rights the
Company has under the common law or applicable statutes for the protection of
Confidential Information.
8. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE
8.1 Non-Competition. In view of the Confidential Information to be
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obtained by or disclosed to the Executive, because of the know-how acquired
and to be acquired by the Executive and based on the Executive's position
with the Company, the Executive is, and is expected to continue to be during
the Term, intimately involved with the business, operations, financial
position and management of the Company, wherever the Company operates or may
operate, and this Section 8 is intended to provide fair and reasonable
protection to the Company, and as a material inducement to the Company to
enter into this Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that during the
Restricted Period, provided in the event of any violation of this Section 8
the Restricted Period shall be extended by a period of time equal to that
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period beginning when the violation commenced and ending when the violation
terminated, the Executive will not engage in Restricted Activity as defined
below.
"Restricted Activity" shall mean any participation or involvement,
direct or indirect, whether by the Executive himself or with or through any
Third Party or in association or affiliation, direct or indirect, with any
physician or doctor of osteopathy or similar medical professional, now or
hereafter affiliated with the Company or having been affiliated with the
Company in the eighteen (18) months preceding the Date of Termination, either
as an officer, director principal, agent, joint venturor, proprietor,
shareholder (other than ownership of less than five (5%) percent of the
issued and outstanding stock of a public company so long as the Executive is
a passive investor and is not otherwise involved in such company in any way),
employee, creditor, independent contractor, subcontractor, administrator,
consultant, advisor, lender or investor, or otherwise, in or for any Third
Party business which is engaged or to be engaged in operations or business or
providing services, in whole or in part, which is or is to be competitive
with the operations and/or business of, or with the services provided by, the
Company within a twenty-five (25) mile radius of the Company's then
facilities and other related or affiliated or associated operations or
businesses during the Restricted Period. In addition, Restricted Activity
shall include the prohibition of the Executive, directly or indirectly,
whether by himself or with, through or on behalf of any other Third Party,
from (i) diverting business from, or (ii) soliciting or enticing or
endeavoring to entice away from or causing to terminate a relationship with
the Company any director, officer, employee, contractor, reimbursement
source, provider, supplier, insuror, agent, consultant, advisor, physician,
doctor of osteopathy or similar medical professional, or other Third-Party
payor of the Company.
9. PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
9.1 Ownership of Proprietary Rights. The parties agree that the Company
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shall have and be the owner of all Inventions and all records, documents,
notes and information, oral, in writing, or any other form, including but not
limited to disc, audio, tape or video, relating to such Inventions shall be
owned and be the property of the Company. The Company and the Executive
shall promptly and diligently prosecute patents, patent applications,
proprietary and other similar rights protecting any products or processes
developed pursuant to or during the Term and do all acts necessary for
obtaining, sustaining, reissuing, defending or extending any such patent,
proprietary or similar right.
9.2 Assignment of Proprietary Rights. To the extent necessary, the
Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company all of his
rights to such Inventions and to applications for United States and/or
foreign Letters Patent granted upon such Inventions and the Executive shall
acknowledge and deliver to the Company, without charge to the Company, any
such written instruments and do such other acts as may be necessary to vest
the entire rights and title thereto to the Company.
To the extent a patent or similar right is obtainable only in the
Executive's name, the Executive agrees to assign exclusive world wide
licenses and rights to license the patent to the Company for no additional
compensation. The Executive shall inform the Company promptly and fully of
such Inventions by a written report, setting forth in detail the procedures
employed and the results achieved.
10. THE COMPANY'S REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF SECTIONS 7, 8 AND 9
10.1 Recovery of Profits and Equitable Relief. The Executive covenants
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and agrees that if he shall violate or breach any of his covenants or
agreements provided for in Sections 7 through 9 of this Agreement, the
Company shall be entitled to an accounting and repayment of all profits,
compensation, commissions, remuneration or benefits which the Executive,
directly or indirectly, has realized or realizes as a result of, growing out
of or in connection with any such violation or breach. In addition, in the
event of a breach or violation or threatened or imminent breach or violation
of any provision of Sections 7
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through 9 of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary and
permanent injunction or any other appropriate decree of specific performance
or equitable relief, without posting of bond, from a court of competent
jurisdiction in order to prevent, prohibit or restrain any such breach or
violation or threatened or imminent breach or violation by the Executive, by
his partners, agents, representatives, servants, employers or employees,
affiliates and/or by any Third Party with whom he has a relationship, direct
or indirect. The Company shall be entitled to such injunctive or other
equitable relief in addition to any damages which are suffered. Resort by
the Company to such injunctive or other equitable relief shall not be deemed
to waive or to limit in any respect any other rights or remedies which the
Company may have with respect to such breach or violation.
11. REASONABLENESS OF RESTRICTIONS
11.1 Reasonableness. The Executive acknowledges that any breach or
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violation of Sections 7 through 9 of this Agreement will cause irreparable
injury and damage and incalculable harm to the Company and that it would be
very difficult or impossible to measure the damages resulting from any such
breach or violation. The Executive further acknowledges that he has
carefully read and considered the provisions of Sections 7 through 9 of this
Agreement and, having done so, agrees that the restrictions and remedies set
forth in such Sections (including, but not limited to, the time period,
geographical and types of restrictions imposed) are fair and reasonable and
are reasonably required for the protection of the business, trade secrets,
Inventions, Confidential Information, and other interests and good will of
the Company.
11.2 Severability. The Executive understands and intends that each
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provision and restriction agreed to by him in Sections 7 through 9 of this
Agreement shall be construed as separate and divisible from every other
provision and restriction and that, in the event that any one of the
provisions of, or restrictions in Sections 7 through 9 of this Agreement
shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
thereof and restrictions therein shall nevertheless continue to be valid and
enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable provisions or restrictions
had not been included therein, and any one or more of such valid provisions
and restrictions may be enforced in whole or in part as the circumstances
warrant. In the event that any such provision relating to time period and/or
geographical and/or type of restriction shall be declared by a court (which
term includes an arbitration panel) of competent jurisdiction to exceed the
maximum or permissible time period, geographical area or type of restriction
and such court modifies such time period and/or geographical and/or type of
restriction as such court deems reasonable and enforceable, said time period
and/or geographical and/or other type of restriction to become and shall
thereafter be the maximum time period and/or geographical restriction and/or
type of restriction which such court deems reasonable and enforceable.
11.3 Survivability. The restrictions, acknowledgements, covenants and
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agreements of the Executive set forth in Sections 7 through 10 of this
Agreement shall survive any Date of Termination for any reason, including
expiration of the Term, for the specific periods, if any, provided in those
Sections.
12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
12.1 Each Party Has Its Own Counsel. The Company and the Executive
------------------------------
agree that each of them have been, or were advised and fully understand that
they have had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this
Agreement with independent legal counsel with respect to all matters
contemplated herein, from the commencement of negotiations at all times
through the execution of this Agreement. Each party further represents that
it and he has carefully read this Agreement, fully understands the contents
herein, freely and voluntarily asserts to all of the terms and conditions
hereof. Each party is responsible for its own expenses in negotiating and
entering into this Agreement.
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13. LAW APPLICABLE
13.1 New Jersey Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
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pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
14. NOTICES
14.1 Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
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provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or
sent by facsimile as follows:
(i) if to the Executive, to him at c/o Dialysis Corporation of
America, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chairman (Facsimile No. 201-288-8208); and
(ii) if to the Company, to it at c/o Dialysis Corporation of
America, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Attention:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, President and CEO (Facsimile No. 410-694-0596).
14.2 Notices Deemed Given. Notices and communications sent by hand or
--------------------
overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall
be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall
be deemed to have been given when sent and receipt has been confirmed by
telephone.
14.3 Change of Address. Any party hereto may change his or its address
-----------------
or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice
to each of the other parties hereto in accordance with Section 14.1.
15. SUCCESSION
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, assignees
and/or successors in interest of any kind whatsoever; provided, however, by
reason of the special and unique nature of the services hereunder, the
Executive acknowledges and agrees that he cannot assign or delegate any of
his rights, duties, responsibilities or obligations hereunder to any other
person or entity.
16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire final agreement between the
parties with respect to, and supersedes any and all prior agreements between
the parties hereto, oral or written, concerning the subject matter hereof and
may not be amended, modified or terminated except in writing signed by the
parties hereto.
17. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or
unenforceable, and is not reformed by an arbitrator or a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such
provision and shall not in any way affect or render invalid or unenforceable
any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried
out as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
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18. NO WAIVER
The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this
Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or of
any other provision of or right under this Agreement.
A waiver of any breach or violation of any term, provision or covenant
contained herein shall not be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any
future or past breach or violation. No oral waiver shall be binding.
19. ARBITRATION
The Executive and the Company will submit to mandatory binding
arbitration any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to, this
Agreement or any breach hereof, including without limitation any employment
discrimination dispute and the arbitrability of this Agreement; provided,
however, that each party will retain its right to, and shall not be
prohibited, limited or in any other way restricted from, seeking or obtaining
equitable relief (such as injunctive relief) from a court having jurisdiction
over the parties. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in Hackensack, New
Jersey before a single arbitrator in accordance with the employment dispute
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, and
judgment upon the determination or award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator will have
the authority to award costs and expenses to the prevailing party.
20. WITHHOLDING
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may
withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, local
and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable laws or
regulations.
21. NO ALIENATION OF EXECUTIVE'S BENEFITS
The rights and benefits of the Executive under this Agreement may not be
assigned, alienated, or subject to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution,
or other legal or equitable process except as required by law. Any attempt
by Executive to alienate, assign, sell, transfer, pledge, encumber or charge
the same shall be void. Payments thereunder shall not be considered assets
of the Executive in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy.
22. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
23. INDEMNITY OF THE EXECUTIVE
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive in
accordance with the Indemnity Agreement between the Company and the Executive
dated February 25, 2009.
[signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his hand and,
pursuant to the authorization of its Board, the Company has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
DIALYSIS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
By: ________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, President and CEO
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
By:_________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chairman of the Board