EXHIBIT 10.50
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AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made effective this 22nd
day of February, 2001 (the "Effective Date") by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(hereinafter referred to as "Employee") and NOVA Corporation, a Georgia
corporation ("NOVA").
W I T N E S S E T H :
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WHEREAS, NOVA, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, is in the
business of providing credit card and debit card transaction processing services
and settlement services (including the related products and services of
automated teller machines and check guarantee services) to merchants, financial
institutions, independent sales organizations ("ISOs"), and other similar
customers (collectively, the "Business") throughout the United States;
WHEREAS, Employee currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer of NOVA pursuant to an Employment
Agreement between Employee and NOVA dated June 16, 1999 (the "1999 Agreement");
WHEREAS, NOVA, or its assigns, will continue to engage in the Business
throughout the United States (the "Territory");
WHEREAS, NOVA and Employee desire to terminate the 1999 Agreement, which
termination shall be contemporaneous with the effectiveness of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, NOVA and Employee mutually desire that Employee continue to work
for NOVA, and Employee desires to continue said employment, all as contemplated
herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of his continued employment by
NOVA pursuant to this Agreement, the NOVA Confidential Information and Trade
Secrets (as hereafter defined) furnished to Employee by NOVA in order that he
may continue to perform his duties under this Agreement, the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, and other valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Employment of Employee. NOVA hereby employs Employee for a period
beginning as of the Effective Date and ending three (3) years thereafter (the
"Initial Term"), unless Employee's employment by NOVA is sooner terminated or
automatically renewed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (Employee's
employment by NOVA pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall hereinafter be
referred to as "Employment").
(a) Employee agrees to such Employment on the terms and conditions
herein set forth and agrees to devote his reasonable best efforts to his
duties under this Agreement and to perform such duties diligently and
efficiently and in accordance with the directions of NOVA's Board of
Directors.
(b) During the term of Employee's Employment, Employee shall serve as
Chairman of the Board of Directors, and be employed as President and Chief
Executive Officer of NOVA. Employee shall be responsible primarily for
such duties as are assigned to him from time to time by NOVA's Board of
Directors, which in any event shall be such duties as are customary for an
officer in those positions.
(c) Employee shall devote substantially all of his business time,
attention, and energies to NOVA's Business, shall act at all times in the
best interests of NOVA, and shall not during the term of his Employment be
engaged in any other business activity, whether or not such business is
pursued for gain, profit, or other pecuniary advantage, or permit such
personal interests as he may have to interfere with the performance of his
duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may participate
in industry, civic and charitable activities so long as such activities do
not materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.
Further, Employee may engage in passive investments so long as the same are
passive, are not inconsistent with Employee's duties hereunder and do not
involve the development, ownership, management or provision of credit and
debit card processing and settlement services, including the related
products and services of automatic teller machines and check guarantee
services. Employee's rights to make certain investments hereunder are in
addition to and not in degradation of investments of less than 5% in a
corporation as described in Section 12(a).
2. Compensation. During the term of Employee's Employment and in
accordance with the terms hereof, NOVA shall pay or otherwise provide to
Employee the following compensation:
(a) Employee's annual salary during the term of his Employment shall
be Five Hundred Forty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($540,000) ("Base
Salary"), with such increases (each, a "Merit Increase") as may from time
to time be deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee of NOVA's Board
of Directors (the "Compensation Committee"); provided, however, that so
long as this Agreement remains in effect, Employee's Base Salary shall be
reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each
fiscal year. The Base Salary shall be paid by NOVA monthly in arrears or in
accordance with NOVA's regular payroll practice. As used herein, the term
"Base Salary" shall be deemed to include any Merit Increases granted to
Employee.
(b) In addition to the Base Salary, Employee shall be eligible to
receive annual bonus compensation pursuant to the schedule set forth as
Exhibit A ("Bonus Compensation"). Upon written request and subject to the
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terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2(b), Employee shall be
entitled to elect to receive all or part of any Bonus Compensation payable
to Employee in shares of NOVA common stock, par value $.01 per share ("NOVA
Stock"), valued on the basis of the closing price of NOVA Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange on the date of Employee's request (or if such date is
not a trading day, on the immediately preceding trading day), and any such
grant shall be granted as restricted stock under the 1996 Plan (or any
successor plan) without restriction; provided, however, that NOVA shall not
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be obligated to comply with Employee's request if (i) NOVA does not have
shares of NOVA Stock available for issuance or (ii) the issuance of NOVA
Stock to Employee would be impracticable or impede, in any respect, NOVA's
ongoing business operations.
(c) Employee shall be eligible annually to receive restricted stock
awards of shares of NOVA Common Stock or stock options under the NOVA
Corporation 1996 Employees Stock Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan ") or any
successor plan. The amount of shares of restricted stock or options to be
granted each year shall be determined by the Compensation Committee.
(d) NOVA may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement
all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required pursuant to
any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
3. Benefits. During the term of Employee's employment, and for such time
thereafter as may be required by Section 8 hereof, NOVA shall provide to
Employee the following benefits:
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(a) Medical Insurance. Employee and his dependents shall be entitled
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to participate in such medical, dental, vision, prescription drug,
wellness, or other health care or medical coverage plans as may be
established, offered or adopted from time to time by NOVA for the benefit
of its employees and/or executive officers, pursuant to the terms set forth
in such plans.
(b) Life Insurance. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any
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life insurance plans established, offered, or adopted from time to time by
NOVA for the benefit of its employees and/or executive officers.
(c) Disability Insurance. Employee shall be entitled to participate
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in any disability insurance plans established, offered, or adopted from
time to time by NOVA for the benefit of its employees and/or executive
officers.
(d) Vacations, Holidays. Employee shall be entitled to at least four
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(4) weeks of paid vacation each year and all holidays observed by NOVA.
(e) Stock Option Plans. Employee shall be eligible for participation
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in any stock option plan or restricted stock plan adopted by NOVA's Board
of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
(f) Other Benefits. In addition to and not in any way in limitation
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of the benefits set forth in this Section 3, Employee shall be eligible to
participate in all additional employee benefits provided by NOVA
(including, without limitation, all tax-qualified retirement plans, non-
qualified retirement and/or deferred compensation plans, incentive plans,
other stock option or purchase plans, and fringe benefits) on terms at
least as favorable as the terms of any benefits that are afforded to other
executive officers of NOVA during the term of this Agreement.
(g) Terms and Provisions of Plans. NOVA agrees that it shall not take
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action (during the term of this Agreement or the "Election Period," as
defined in Section 8(a)) to modify the terms and provisions of any such
plan or arrangement so as to exclude only Employee and/or his dependents,
either by excluding Employee and/or his dependents explicitly by name or by
modifying provisions generally applicable to all employees and dependents
so that only Employee and/or his dependents would ever possibly be
affected.
(h) Vesting of Rights Upon Change In Control. Upon the occurrence of
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a "Change in Control" (as defined in Section 8(h)) during the term of this
Agreement, and regardless of whether Employee terminates this Agreement
following such Change in Control, and notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in any other agreement or document (including NOVA's applicable
plan documents), all stock options, restricted stock, and other similar
rights that have been granted to Employee and are not vested on the date of
such Change in Control, as well as any balance under the NOVA Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan") that is not
vested on the date of occurrence of such an event, shall become vested and
exercisable immediately (collectively, the "Vested Rights") and as provided
under the applicable plan or agreement, Employee shall have the continuing
right to exercise any or all of the Vested Rights until such rights expire
in accordance with their original terms (without regard to any provision
thereof requiring earlier expiration upon termination of employment).
4. Personnel Policies. Employee shall conduct himself at all times in a
businesslike and professional manner as appropriate for a person in his position
and shall represent NOVA in all respects as complies with good business and
ethical practices. In addition, Employee shall be subject to and abide by the
good faith policies and procedures of NOVA applicable generally to personnel of
NOVA, as adopted from time to time.
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5. Reimbursement for Business Expenses. Employee shall be reimbursed, on
a no less frequently than monthly basis, for all out-of-pocket business expenses
incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder, provided that
Employee shall first document and substantiate said business expenses in the
manner generally required by NOVA under its policies and procedures.
6. Service on the Board of Directors. During the term of Employee's
Employment, Employee shall serve as Chairman of NOVA's Board of Directors.
7. Term and Termination of Employment.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date.
(b) Employee's Employment shall terminate immediately upon the
discharge of Employee by NOVA for "Cause." For the purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Cause," when used with respect to termination by NOVA
of Employee's Employment hereunder, shall mean termination as a result of:
(i) Employee's material violation of the covenants set forth in Section 11
or 12, (ii) Employee's willful, intentional, or grossly negligent failure
to perform his duties under this Agreement diligently and in accordance
with the directions of NOVA; (iii) Employee's willful, intentional, or
grossly negligent failure to comply with the good faith decisions or
policies of NOVA; or (iv) final conviction of Employee of a felony
materially adversely affecting NOVA; provided, however, that in the event
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NOVA desires to terminate Employee's Employment pursuant to subsections
(i), (ii), or (iii) of this Section 7(b), NOVA shall first give Employee
written notice of such intent, detailed and specific description of the
reasons and basis therefor, and thirty (30) days to remedy or cure such
perceived breach or deficiency (the "Cure Period"); provided, however, that
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with respect only to a breach that it is not possible to cure within such
thirty (30) day period, so long as Employee is diligently using his best
efforts to cure such breach or deficiency within such period and
thereafter, the Cure Period shall be automatically extended for an
additional period of time (not to exceed sixty (60) additional days) to
enable Employee to cure such breach or deficiency, provided, further, that
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Employee continues to diligently use his best efforts to cure such breach
or deficiency. If Employee does not cure the perceived breach or
deficiency within the Cure Period, NOVA may discharge Employee immediately
upon written notice to Employee. If NOVA desires to terminate Employee's
Employment pursuant to subsection (iv) of this Section 7(b), NOVA shall
first give Employee three (3) days prior written notice of such intent.
(c) Employee's Employment shall terminate immediately upon the death
of Employee.
(d) Employee's Employment shall terminate immediately upon ninety (90)
days prior written notice to Employee if Employee shall at any time be
incapacitated by reason of physical or mental illness or otherwise become
incapable of performing the duties under this Agreement for a continuous
period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days; provided, however, to
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the extent NOVA could, with reasonable accommodation and without undue
hardship, continue to employ Employee in some other capacity after such one
hundred eighty (180) day period, NOVA shall, to the extent required by the
Americans With Disabilities Act, offer to do so, and, if such offer is
accepted by Employee, Employee shall be compensated accordingly.
(e) Employee may terminate this Agreement, upon thirty (30) days prior
written notice to NOVA (the "Notice Period"), in the event (i) there is a
material diminution in Employee's duties and responsibilities, or such
duties and responsibilities are otherwise diminished such that they no
longer reflect duties and responsibilities customary for a Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of a publicly-traded company; (ii)
Employee is required to relocate to an office that is more than
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thirty-five (35) miles from Employee's current office located at ▇▇▇
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reduction in Employee's Base Salary payable under Section 2, a materially
adverse change in the terms of Exhibit A attached hereto or a material
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reduction in benefits provided to Employee under Section 3 (whether
occurring at once or over a period of time); or (iv) NOVA materially
breaches this Agreement, (each of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being referred
to as a "Responsibilities Breach"), and NOVA fails to cure said
Responsibilities Breach within the Notice Period; provided, however, that
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with respect only to breaches that it is not possible to cure within the
Notice Period, so long as NOVA is diligently using its best efforts to cure
such breaches within such Notice Period, the Notice Period shall be
automatically extended for an additional period of time (not to exceed
sixty (60) additional days) to enable NOVA to cure such breaches, provided,
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further, that NOVA continues to diligently use its best efforts to cure
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such breaches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
7(e), the Notice Period for failure to pay compensation shall be five (5)
days.
(f) This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive three (3)
year terms (each a "Renewal Term") unless either party hereto gives the
other party hereto written notice of its or his intent not to renew this
Agreement no later than ninety (90) days prior to the date the Initial
Term, or the then-current Renewal Term, is scheduled to expire. Employee's
Employment shall terminate upon termination or expiration of this
Agreement.
(g) NOVA may terminate this Agreement at any time, without cause, upon
ninety (90) days prior written notice to Employee.
(h) Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time, without cause,
upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to NOVA.
(i) Other than as specifically provided in and in strict compliance
with this Section 7, this Agreement and/or Employee's Employment may not be
terminated.
8. Termination Payments.
(a) Upon (1) the termination of Employee's Employment by Employer
pursuant to Section 7(g) or (2) the termination or expiration of this
Agreement, for whatever reason, provided that in the case of this
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subsection (2), the earlier of (x) such termination or expiration or (y)
notice of such termination or non-renewal occurs within three years after a
Change in Control (the effective date of such termination or expiration
being referred to as the "Termination Date"), Employee shall receive the
payments and benefits set forth below.
(i) NOVA shall pay Employee accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the Termination Date, Bonus Compensation due and owing to
Employee (as further set forth in Section 8(d)) and any other benefits
required to be provided to Employee and his dependents under contract
and applicable law.
(ii) NOVA shall pay Employee in cash an amount equal to his
"Annual Compensation" (as defined in Section 8(h)(ii)) multiplied by
three (3), which amount will be paid in one lump sum within fifteen
(15) days of the Termination Date.
(iii) All stock options, restricted stock, and other similar
rights, including any Deferred Compensation Plan balance that is not
vested on the Termination Date, that have been granted to Employee
shall become vested and exercisable immediately, and as provided under
the applicable plan or agreement, Employee shall have the continuing
right to exercise such rights
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until such rights expire in accordance with their original terms
(without regard to any provision thereof requiring earlier expiration
upon termination of employment).
(iv) Until the earlier to occur of: (x) the date which is three
(3) years after the Termination Date, or (y) Employee's accepting
employment with another employer or otherwise obtaining coverage (the
"Election Period"), NOVA shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
provide to Employee and his dependents the coverage for the benefits
described in Sections 3(a), (b) and (c).
(v) To the extent required, NOVA shall pay to Employee the
"Gross-Up Payment" as set forth in Section 8(g).
(b) Upon termination of Employee's Employment or the termination or
expiration of this Agreement, which termination or expiration occurs: (1)
as a result of Employee terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section
7(e), (2) this Agreement being terminated pursuant to Section 7(c) or 7(d),
or (3) this Agreement not being renewed by NOVA, and which termination or
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expiration is not covered by Section 8(a) hereof (the effective date of
such termination or expiration being referred to herein as the "Termination
Date"), Employee shall receive the payments and benefits set forth below.
(i) NOVA shall pay Employee accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the Termination Date, Bonus Compensation due and owing to
Employee (as further set forth in Section 8(e)) and any other benefits
required to be provided to Employee and his dependents under contract
and applicable law.
(ii) NOVA shall pay Employee in cash an amount equal to his
Annual Compensation multiplied by three (3), which amount will be paid
in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments beginning on the first
day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the
Termination Date occurs.
(iii) All stock options, restricted stock, and other similar
rights, including any Deferred Compensation Plan balance that is not
vested on the Termination Date, that have been granted to Employee
shall become vested and exercisable immediately, and as provided under
the applicable plan or agreement, Employee shall have the continuing
right to exercise such rights until such rights expire in accordance
with their original terms (without regard to any provision thereof
requiring earlier expiration upon termination of employment).
(iv) For the duration of the Election Period, NOVA shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Employee and his
dependents the coverage for the benefits described in Sections 3(a),
(b) and (c).
(c) Upon termination of Employee's Employment or the termination or
expiration of this Agreement, which termination or expiration occurs: (1)
as a result of NOVA terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 7(b),
(2) as a result of this Agreement not being renewed by Employee, or (3) as
a result of Employee terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 7(h),
and which termination or expiration is not covered by Sections 8(a) or
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8(b)(the effective date of such termination or expiration being referred to
herein as the "Termination Date"), Employee shall receive the payments and
benefits set forth below.
(i) NOVA shall pay Employee accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the Termination Date, Bonus Compensation due and owing to
Employee (as further set forth in Section 8(d))
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and any other benefits required to be provided to Employee and his
dependents under contract and applicable law.
(ii) NOVA shall pay Employee in cash an amount equal to his
"Termination Base Salary" (as defined herein) in twelve (12) equal
monthly installments beginning on the first day of the calendar month
following the calendar month in which the Termination Date occurs.
"Termination Base Salary" shall be the greater of the Employee's Base
Salary in effect on the Termination Date or the greatest Base Salary
in effect during the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar
year in which the Termination Date occurs.
(iii) To the extent that Employee and/or any of his dependents is
eligible to, and timely elects to, receive continuation coverage under
any group health plan providing medical, dental, vision, prescription
drug, wellness or other health care or medical coverage which is
subject to the provisions of part 6 of Title I of ERISA ("COBRA"),
NOVA shall timely pay any premiums required for such coverage. This
payment of premiums by NOVA is not intended to alter in any way the
provisions of any group health plan of NOVA, and all time limits,
effects of subsequent coverage and all other relevant provisions of
any such plan remain unchanged and shall control Employee's (and his
dependents') entitlement to coverage or benefits under such plan.
(d) For the purposes of payments to be made under this Section 8:
(i) Any accrued but unpaid Base Salary shall be paid to Employee
within five (5) business days of the Termination Date.
(ii) For purposes of calculating Bonus Compensation due and owing
to Employee:
(A) Regardless of the reason for termination or expiration
of this Agreement, in the event that Bonus Compensation for the
calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the
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Termination Date occurs has not been paid by the Termination
Date, such Bonus Compensation shall be paid to Employee
concurrently with NOVA's payment of Bonus Compensation generally
for such calendar year.
(B) In the case of a termination or expiration of this
Agreement governed by Sections 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, Employee
shall receive an amount of Bonus Compensation for the calendar
year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to (x) the amount
of Bonus Compensation which Employee would have been entitled to
receive had termination or expiration not occurred in such
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calendar year multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days beginning on January 1/st/ of the
calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and ending on
the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is 365. This
payment shall be paid to Employee concurrently with NOVA's
payment of Bonus Compensation generally for such calendar year.
(C) In the case of a termination or expiration of this
Agreement governed by Section 8(c) hereof, Employee shall not
receive any Bonus Compensation for the calendar year in which the
Termination Date occurs.
(iii) For purposes of calculating the amount of payments made
using the Annual Compensation formula, NOVA shall initially compute
the Annual Compensation under Section 8(h)(ii)(B) using the Prior
Bonus Amount. However, in the event the Current Bonus Amount, when
awarded, exceeds the Prior Bonus Amount, then NOVA will pay the
difference
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to Employee, either in equal amounts over the remainder of the term
over which such payments are to be made, or in one lump sum, as the
case may be.
(e) Following the termination or expiration of this Agreement,
Employee shall be bound by the covenants not to solicit or compete set
forth in Section 12 hereof as set forth below.
(i) In the event of a termination or expiration of this
Agreement which is governed by Sections 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, Employee
shall comply with the covenants not to solicit or compete set forth in
Section 12 hereof for a period of two (2) years immediately following
the Termination Date.
(ii) In the event of a termination or expiration of this
Agreement which is governed by Section 8(c) hereof, Employee shall
comply with the covenants not to solicit or compete set forth in
Section 12 hereof for a period of one (1) year immediately following
the Termination Date; provided, however, that if within ninety (90)
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days after the Termination Date, NOVA provides Employee with written
notice of such election (the "Extension Notice"), Employee shall
comply with the covenants not to solicit or compete set forth in
Section 12 below for a period of two (2) years immediately following
the Termination Date. In the event that NOVA provides Employee with
the Extension Notice in the time provided, and in addition to the
payment to be made pursuant to Section 8(c)(ii) hereof, NOVA shall pay
Employee in cash an amount equal to his Annual Compensation, which
shall be paid in twelve (12) equal monthly installments beginning on
the first day of the calendar month following the calendar month of
the final payment to be made pursuant to Section 8(c)(ii), above.
(f) In the event of the death of Employee, all benefits and
compensation hereunder shall, unless otherwise specified by Employee, be
payable to, or exercisable by, Employee's estate.
(g) Gross-Up Payment.
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(i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by or
on behalf of NOVA to or for the benefit of Employee as a result of a
"Change in Control" or as otherwise payable under Sections 3(h) or 8(a)
(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 8(g) (a "Payment")) would
be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any interest or penalties
are incurred by Employee 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 Employee shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such
that, after payment by Employee of all taxes upon the Gross-Up Payment
(such taxes including, without limitation, any income taxes and Excise Tax
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, and any interest or penalties imposed
with respect to such taxes), Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(g)(iii), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 8, 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 a nationally recognized
accounting firm or law firm selected by Employee and reasonably
acceptable to NOVA (the "Tax Firm"); provided, however, that the Tax
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Firm shall not determine that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee
unless it delivers to Employee a written opinion (the "Accounting
Opinion") that failure to pay the Excise Tax
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and to report the Excise Tax and the payments potentially subject
thereto on or with Employee's applicable federal income tax return
will not result in the imposition of an accuracy-related or other
penalty on Employee. All fees and expenses of the Tax Firm shall be
borne solely by NOVA. Within 15 business days of the receipt of notice
from Employee that there has been a Payment, the Tax Firm shall make
all determinations required under this Section 8, shall provide to
NOVA and Employee a written report setting forth such determinations,
together with detailed supporting calculations, and, if the Tax Firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable, shall deliver the Accounting
Opinion to Employee. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
this Section 8, shall be paid by NOVA to Employee within fifteen days
of the receipt of the Tax Firm's determination. Subject to the
remainder of this Section, any determination by the Tax Firm shall be
binding upon NOVA and Employee; provided, however, that Employee shall
only be bound to the extent that the determinations of the Tax Firm
hereunder, including the determinations made in the Accounting
Opinion, are reasonable and reasonably supported by applicable law. As
a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the
Code at the time of the initial determination by the Tax Firm
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have
been made by NOVA should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that
it is ultimately determined in accordance with the procedures set
forth in Section 8(g)(iii) that Employee is required to make a payment
of any Excise Tax, the Tax Firm shall reasonably determine the amount
of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall
be promptly paid by NOVA to or for the benefit of Employee. In
determining the reasonableness of Tax Firm's determinations hereunder,
and the effect thereof, NOVA and Employee shall be provided a
reasonable opportunity to review such determinations with Tax Firm and
their respective tax counsel, if separate from the Tax Firm. Tax
Firm's determinations hereunder, and the Accounting Opinion, shall not
be deemed reasonable until Employee's reasonable objections and
comments thereto have been satisfactorily accommodated by Tax Firm.
(iii) Employee shall notify NOVA in writing of any claims by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by NOVA of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 calendar days after
Employee actually receives notice in writing of such claim, and shall
apprise NOVA of the nature of such claim and the date on which such
claim is requested to be paid; provided, however, that the failure of
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Employee to notify NOVA of such claim (or to provide any required
information with respect thereto) shall not affect any rights granted
to Employee under this Section except to the extent that NOVA is
materially prejudiced in the defense of such claim as a direct result
of such failure. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which
he gives such notice to NOVA (or such shorter period ending on the
date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If
NOVA notifies Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall do all of
the following:
(A) give NOVA any information reasonably requested by NOVA
relating to such claim;
(B) take such action in connection with contesting such
claim as NOVA shall reasonably request in writing from
time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an
attorney selected by NOVA and reasonably acceptable to
Employee;
(C) cooperate with NOVA in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim;
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(D) if NOVA elects not to assume and control the defense of
such claim, permit NOVA to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however,
that NOVA 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 Employee 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 limiting the foregoing
provisions of this Section 8, NOVA shall have the
right, at its sole option, to assume the defense of and
control all proceedings in connection with such
contest, in which case it may pursue or forego any and
all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
such claim and may either direct Employee to pay the
tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the claim
in any permissible manner, and Employee 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
NOVA shall determine; provided, however, that if NOVA
-------- -------
directs Employee to pay such claim and ▇▇▇ for a
refund, NOVA shall advance the amount of such payment
to Employee, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold Employee 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 Employee with respect to which such
contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely
to such contested amount. Furthermore, NOVA's right to
assume the defense of and control the contest shall be
limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up
Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee 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.
(iv) If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced
by NOVA pursuant to this Section 8(g), Employee becomes entitled
to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall
(subject to NOVA's complying with the requirements of Section
8(g)(iii)) promptly pay to NOVA the amount of such refund
(together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes
applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an
amount advanced by NOVA pursuant to Section 8(g)(iii), a
determination is made that Employee is not entitled to a refund
with respect to such claim and NOVA does not notify Employee 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, to the extent of such denial, be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of forgiven
advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-
Up Payment required to be paid.
(h) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:
(i) "Change in Control" shall mean:
(A) The acquisition (other than from NOVA) by any
person, entity or "group", within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
(excluding, for
10
this purpose, any employee benefit plan of NOVA or
its subsidiaries which acquires beneficial
ownership of voting securities of NOVA) of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25%
or more of either the then outstanding shares of
NOVA Stock or the combined voting power of NOVA's
then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors; or
(B) The consummation by NOVA of a reorganization,
merger, consolidation, in each case, with respect
to which the shares of NOVA voting stock
outstanding immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation do not
constitute or become exchanged for or converted
into more than 50% of the combined voting power
entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the reorganized, merged or
consolidated company's then outstanding voting
securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of
NOVA or the sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of NOVA; or
(C) The failure for any reason of individuals who
constitute the Incumbent Board to continue to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of
Directors of NOVA.
(ii) "Annual Compensation" means the sum of the following
amounts:
(A) the greater of Employee's Base Salary in effect on
the Termination Date, or the greatest Base Salary
in effect during the calendar year immediately
prior to the calendar year in which the
Termination Date occurs; and
(B) the greater of the Bonus Compensation which
Employee would have received for the calendar year
in which the Termination Date occurs had
Employee's Employment not been terminated (the
"Current Bonus Amount"), or such Bonus
Compensation for the calendar year immediately
prior to the calendar year in which the
Termination Date occurs (the "Prior Bonus
Amount"); provided, however, in no event shall the
Bonus Compensation be less than $420,000 for
purposes of calculating Employee's Annual
Compensation. For purposes of calculating
Employee's Annual Compensation only, Employee
shall be deemed to have met all conditions,
including employment conditions, necessary for the
receipt of the Current Bonus Amount.
(iii) "Incumbent Board" shall mean the members of the Board
of Directors of NOVA as of the date hereof and any
person becoming a member of the Board of Directors of
NOVA hereafter whose election, or nomination for
election by NOVA's shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board (other than an election or
nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of
office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest relating to the election of the
directors of NOVA, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-
11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange
Act).
11
9. Products, Notes, Records and Software. Employee acknowledges and
agrees that all memoranda, notes, records and other documents and computer
software created, developed, compiled, or used by Employee or made available to
him during the term of his Employment concerning or relative to the Business,
including, without limitation, all customer data, billing information, service
data, and other technical material of NOVA is and shall be NOVA's property.
Employee agrees to deliver all such materials to NOVA thirty (30) days after
Employee receives a written request therefor from NOVA. Employee further agrees
not to use such materials for any reason after said termination.
10. Arbitration.
(a) NOVA and Employee acknowledge and agree (except as specifically
set forth in Section 10(d)) that any claim or controversy arising out of or
relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration in
Atlanta, Georgia, in accordance with the National Rules of the American
Arbitration Association for the Resolution of Employment Disputes in effect
on the date of the event giving rise to the claim or controversy. NOVA
and Employee further acknowledge and agree that either party must request
arbitration of any claim or controversy within one (1) year of the date of
the event giving rise to the claim or controversy by giving written notice
of the party's request for arbitration. Failure to give notice of any
claim or controversy within one (1) year of the event giving rise to the
claim or controversy shall constitute waiver of the claim or controversy.
(b) All claims or controversies subject to arbitration pursuant to
Section 10(a) above shall be submitted to arbitration within six (6) months
from the date that a written notice of request for arbitration is
effective. All claims or controversies shall be resolved by a panel of
three arbitrators who are licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia
and who are experienced in the arbitration of labor and employment
disputes. These arbitrators shall be selected in accordance with the
National Rules of the American Arbitration Association for the Resolution
of Employment Disputes in effect at the time the claim or controversy
arises. Either party may request that the arbitration proceeding be
stenographically recorded by a Certified Shorthand Reporter. The
arbitrators shall issue a written decision with respect to all claims or
controversies within thirty (30) days from the date the claims or
controversies are submitted to arbitration. The parties shall be entitled
to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceedings.
(c) NOVA and Employee acknowledge and agree that the arbitration
provisions in this Agreement may be specifically enforced by either party,
and that submission to arbitration proceedings may be compelled by any
court of competent jurisdiction. NOVA and Employee further acknowledge and
agree that the decision of the arbitrators may be specifically enforced by
either party in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) Notwithstanding the arbitration provisions set forth herein,
Employee and NOVA acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to require the arbitration of any claim or controversy
arising under Sections 11 and 12 of this Agreement, nor shall such
provisions prevent NOVA from seeking equitable relief from a court of
competent jurisdiction for violations of Sections 11 and 12 of this
Agreement. These provisions shall be enforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction and shall not be subject to arbitration except by mutual
written consent of the parties signed after the dispute arises, any such
consent, and the terms and conditions thereof, then becoming binding on the
parties. Employee and NOVA further acknowledge and agree that nothing in
this Agreement shall be construed to require arbitration of any claim for
workers' compensation or unemployment compensation.
11. Nondisclosure.
12
(a) NOVA Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges and agrees
-----------------------------
that because of his Employment, he will have access to proprietary
information of NOVA concerning or relative to the Business (collectively,
"NOVA Confidential Information") which includes, without limitation,
technical material of NOVA, sales and marketing information, customer
account records, billing information, training and operations information,
materials and memoranda, personnel records, pricing and financial
information relating to the business, accounts, customers, prospective
customers, employees and affairs of NOVA, and any information marked
"Confidential" by NOVA. Employee acknowledges and agrees that NOVA
Confidential Information is and shall be NOVA's property. Employee agrees
that during the term of his Employment, Employee shall keep NOVA
Confidential Information confidential, and Employee shall not use NOVA
Confidential Information for any reason other than on behalf of NOVA
pursuant to, and in strict compliance with, the terms of this Agreement.
Provided that NOVA complies with its obligations set forth in Section 8,
Employee further agrees that, for a period beginning on the Termination
Date and ending two (2) years thereafter, Employee shall continue to keep
NOVA Confidential Information confidential, and Employee shall not use NOVA
Confidential Information for any reason or in any manner.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall not be subject to
the restrictions set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 11 with
respect to information which:
(i) becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of disclosure by Employee or the breach of Employee's
obligations under this Agreement;
(ii) becomes available to Employee from a source which is
unrelated to his Employment or the exercise of his duties under this
Agreement, provided that such source lawfully obtained such
information and is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with NOVA;
or
(iii) is required by law to be disclosed.
(c) Trade Secrets. Employee acknowledges and agrees that because of
-------------
his Employment, he will have access to "trade secrets" (as defined in the
Uniform Trade Secrets Act, O.C.G.A. (S) 10-1-760, et seq. (the "Uniform
-- ---
Trade Secrets Act")) of NOVA ("Trade Secrets"). Nothing in this Agreement
is intended to alter the applicable law and remedies with respect to
information meeting the definition of "trade secrets" under the Uniform
Trade Secrets Act, which law and remedies shall be in addition to the
obligations and rights of the parties hereunder.
12. Covenants Not to Solicit or Compete. Employee acknowledges and agrees
that, because of his Employment, he does and will continue to have access to
confidential or proprietary information concerning merchants, associate banks
and ISOs of NOVA and shall have established relationships with such merchants,
associate banks and ISOs as well as with the vendors, consultants, and suppliers
used to service such merchants, associate banks and ISOs. Employee agrees that
during the term of his Employment and continuing thereafter for the period
specified in Section 8(e) (provided NOVA complies with its obligations set forth
in Section 8 hereof), except as permitted or contemplated by this Agreement,
Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either individually, in partnership,
jointly, or in conjunction with, or on behalf of, any person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or unincorporated association or entity of any kind:
(a) obtain any interest (except as a shareholder holding less than
five percent (5%) interest in a corporation) in any person, firm,
partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association of any kind which
provides credit card or debit card transaction processing services within
the Territory;
(b) provide managerial, executive, advisory, consulting, sales or
marketing services relating to credit card or debit card transaction
processing to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or
13
unincorporated association of any kind which provides credit card or debit
card transaction processing services within the Territory;
(c) solicit or contact, for the purpose of providing products or
services competing with those provided by NOVA in connection with the
Business, any person or entity that during the term of Employee's
Employment was a merchant, associate bank, ISO or customer (including any
actively-sought prospective merchant, associate bank, ISO or customer) of
NOVA and with whom Employee had material contact or about whom Employee
learned material confidential information during the last twelve (12)
months of his Employment;
(d) persuade or attempt to persuade any merchant, associate bank,
ISO, customer, or supplier of NOVA to terminate or modify such merchant's,
associate bank's, ISO's, customer's, or supplier's relationship with NOVA
if Employee had material contact with or learned material confidential
information about such merchant, associate bank, ISO, customer or supplier
during the last twelve (12) months of his Employment; or
(e) persuade or attempt to persuade any person who (aa) was employed
by NOVA as of the date of the termination of Employee's Employment and (bb)
is in a sales or management position with NOVA at the time of such contact,
to terminate or modify his employment relationship, whether or not pursuant
to a written agreement, with NOVA, as the case may be.
13. New Developments. Any discovery, invention, process or improvement
made or discovered by Employee during the term of his Employment in connection
with or in any way affecting or relating to the Business (as then carried on or
under active consideration) shall forthwith be disclosed to NOVA and shall
belong to and be the absolute property of NOVA; provided, however, that this
provision does not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies,
facility, trade secret information of NOVA was used and which was developed
entirely on Employee's own time, unless (a) the invention relates (i) directly
to the Business or (ii) to NOVA's actual or demonstrably anticipated research or
development; or (b) the invention results from any work performed by Employee
for NOVA.
14. Remedy for Breach. Employee acknowledges and agrees that his breach of
any of the covenants contained in Sections 9, 11, 12 and 13 of this Agreement
would cause irreparable injury to NOVA and that remedies at law of NOVA for any
actual or threatened breach by Employee of such covenants would be inadequate
and that NOVA shall be entitled to specific performance of the covenants in such
sections or injunctive relief against activities in violation of such sections,
or both, by temporary or permanent injunction or other appropriate judicial
remedy, writ or order, without the necessity of proving actual damages. This
provision with respect to injunctive relief shall not diminish the right of NOVA
to claim and recover damages against Employee for any breach of this Agreement
in addition to injunctive relief. Employee acknowledges and agrees that,
subject to NOVA's compliance with the provisions of Section 8 hereof, the
covenants contained in Sections 9, 11, 12 and 13 of this Agreement shall be
construed as agreements independent of any other provision of this or any other
contract between the parties hereto, and that the existence of any claim or
cause of action by Employee against NOVA, whether predicated upon this or any
other contract, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by NOVA of
said covenants.
15. Reasonableness. Employee has carefully considered the nature and
extent of the restrictions upon him and the rights and remedies conferred on
NOVA under this Agreement, and Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) the restrictions and covenants contained herein, and the rights
and remedies conferred upon NOVA, are necessary to protect the goodwill and
other value of the Business;
14
(b) the restrictions placed upon Employee hereunder are narrowly
drawn, are fair and reasonable in time and territory, will not prevent him
from earning a livelihood, and place no greater restraint upon Employee
than is reasonably necessary to secure the Business and goodwill of NOVA;
(c) NOVA is relying upon the restrictions and covenants contained
herein in continuing to make available to Employee information concerning
the Business; and
(d) Employee's Employment places him in a position of confidence and
trust with NOVA and its employees, merchants, associate banks, ISOs,
customers, vendors and suppliers.
16. Invalidity of Any Provision. It is the intention of the parties hereto
that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent
permissible under the laws and public policies of each state and jurisdiction in
which such enforcement is sought, but that the unenforceability (or the
modification to conform with such laws or public policies) of any provision
hereof shall not render unenforceable or impair the remainder of this Agreement
which shall be deemed amended to delete or modify, as necessary, the invalid or
unenforceable provisions. The parties further agree to alter the balance of
this Agreement in order to render the same valid and enforceable. The terms of
the non-competition provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed modified to the
extent necessary to be enforceable and, specifically, without limiting the
foregoing, if the term of the non-competition is too long to be enforceable, it
shall be modified to encompass the longest term which is enforceable and, if the
scope of the geographic area of non-competition is too great to be enforceable,
it shall be modified to encompass the greatest area that is enforceable. The
parties further agree to submit any issues regarding such modification to a
court of competent jurisdiction if they are unable to agree and further agree
that if said court declines to so amend or modify this Agreement, the parties
will submit the issue of amendment or modification of the non-competition
covenants in this Agreement to binding arbitration in accordance with Section 10
hereof.
17. Full Settlement and Legal Expenses. NOVA'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, counter-claim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which NOVA may have, or claim to have,
against the Employee or others. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to
seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement.
NOVA agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and
expenses which the Employee may reasonably incur as a result of any legitimate,
non-frivolous contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by NOVA or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
legitimate, non-frivolous contest by the Employee concerning the amount of any
payment pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement), plus in each case interest at
the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
NOVA will not be bound to pay any legal fees or expenses arising out of
baseless, meritless or frivolous contests brought hereunder by Employee or
others. A contest will be deemed baseless, meritless and/or frivolous if a court
or other arbiter assesses penalties or sanctions for bringing said contest, or a
court or other arbiter dismisses said contest for failure to state a colorable
claim.
18. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.
19. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by NOVA of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement by Employee shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach by Employee.
20. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
NOVA, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective successors and
assigns. This Agreement is not assignable by Employee or by NOVA, except that
NOVA may assign its rights (but not its obligations) under this Agreement to any
15
affiliated or subsidiary corporation, and NOVA may assign this Agreement to any
successor to NOVA in any reorganization, merger or consolidation, or transfer of
all or substantially all of NOVA's business or properties.
21. Notices. All notices, demands and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person or deposited in the United
States mail, certified or registered, with return receipt requested, as follows:
(i) If to Employee, to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Chief Executive Officer
NOVA Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
And a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III, Esq.
(ii) If to NOVA, to:
NOVA Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
General Counsel
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Long ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
SunTrust Plaza
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Esq.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
parties, and supersedes all other prior negotiations, commitments, agreements
and understandings (written or oral) between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof, including but not limited to the 1995 Agreement,
16
which is hereby terminated. It may not be changed orally but only by an
agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver,
change, modification, extension, or discharge is sought.
23. Indemnification. At all times during and after Employee's Employment
and the effectiveness of this Agreement, NOVA shall indemnify Employee (as a
director, officer, employee and otherwise) to the fullest extent permitted by
law and shall at all times maintain appropriate provisions in its Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws which mandate that NOVA provide such indemnification.
24. Survival. The provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 21 and 23 shall survive termination of Employee's Employment and
termination of this Agreement.
25. Withholding; No Offset. All payments required to be made by NOVA under
this Agreement will be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any,
relating to federal, state and local taxes as may be required by law. No payment
under this Agreement will be subject to offset or reduction attributable to any
amount Employee may owe to NOVA or any other person, as permitted by law.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to reduce Employee's right to the
payments described in Section 8(g).
(Signatures Begin on Next Page)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement under
seal as of the date first above shown.
"EMPLOYEE":
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
"NOVA":
NOVA Corporation
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------
Title: EVP & General Counsel
------------------------------
[CORPORATE SEAL]
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EXHIBIT A
---------
Annual Incentive Compensation Schedule
. The "Target Amount" for each calendar year's Bonus Compensation shall be
equal to Employee's Base Salary for such calendar year.
. The amount of Bonus Compensation paid to Employee for any calendar year shall
range from 50% - 150% of the "Target Amount," based upon NOVA's achievement
of specific net income objectives and other financial and non-financial
objectives mutually agreed upon by Employee and the Compensation Committee
with respect to such calendar year; provided, however, that if NOVA's
-------- -------
performance in such calendar year is extraordinarily above expectations, the
Compensation Committee may award more than 150% of the Target Amount for such
calendar year; similarly, if NOVA's performance in such year is
extraordinarily below expectations, the Compensation Committee may award less
than 50% of the Target Amount for such calendar year.
19