NETGEAR, INC. CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.3
CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made between NETGEAR, Inc. (the “Company”) and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Executive”), effective as of 2nd June, 2025 (the “Effective Date”).
The Agreement provides certain protections to the Executive in connection with the involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment under the circumstances described in the Agreement.
The Company and the Executive agree as follows:
months of the Executive’s Salary (as defined below), less applicable withholdings.
the premiums for coverage under COBRA (as defined below) for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents, if any, at the rates then in effect, subject to any subsequent changes in rates that are generally applicable to the Company’s active employees (the “COBRA Coverage”), until the earliest of (A) a period of twelve (12) months from the first day of the next month following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, (B) the date upon which the Executive (and the Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) becomes covered under similar plans, or (C) the date upon which the Executive ceases to be eligible for coverage under
COBRA.
that are to vest based solely on continued service to any member of the Company Group (including, for the avoidance of doubt, awards for which performance criteria have been satisfied and servicebased vesting is the only remaining requirement to earn the award) each will immediately vest as to the number of shares subject to the equity awards that were otherwise scheduled to vest
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had the Executive remained employed with the Company twelve (12) months following the date of the Executive’s Non-CIC Qualified Termination. Any restricted stock units and similar full value awards that vest under this paragraph will be settled within ten (10) business days of the Severance Start Date (as defined below), subject to Section 5(d) of the Agreement.
withholdings) equal to 100% of the Executive’s target annual bonus as in effect for the fiscal year in which the Qualifying CIC Termination occurs or as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, whichever is greater.
provide COBRA Coverage until the earliest of (A) a period of twelve (12) months from the first day of the next month following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, (B) the date upon which the Executive (and the Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) becomes covered under similar plans, or (C) the date upon which the Executive ceases to be eligible for coverage under COBRA.
applicable) as to 100% of the then-unvested shares subject to each of the Executive’s thenoutstanding Company equity awards. In the case of an equity award with performance-based vesting, unless otherwise specified in the applicable equity award agreement governing such award, all performance goals and other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of the Executive’s Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination
(as defined below), any unvested portion of the Executive’s then-outstanding equity awards will remain outstanding until the earlier of (x) one (1) month following the Qualifying Termination or (y) the occurrence of a Change in Control, solely so that any benefits due on a Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination can be provided if a Change in Control occurs within one (1) month following the
Qualifying Termination (provided that in no event will the Executive’s stock options or similar equity awards remain outstanding beyond the equity award’s maximum term to expiration). If no Change in Control occurs within one (1) month following a Qualifying Termination, any unvested portion of the Executive’s equity awards automatically and permanently will be forfeited on the one (1) month anniversary following the date of the Qualifying Termination without having vested.
the Executive’s employment with the Company Group is not a Qualifying Termination, then the Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits.
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event of a Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive under Section 3(b) will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to the Executive under Section 3(a).
payments or benefits the Executive is entitled to receive under the Agreement have been provided, the unpaid amounts will be provided to the Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living, or otherwise to the Executive’s personal representative in a single lump sum as soon as possible following the Executive’s death.
employment with the Company Group, the provisions of the Agreement are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which the Executive may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, or in equity. The Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in the Agreement.
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any severance payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s then-standard separation agreement and release of claims (which may include an agreement not to disparage any member of the Company Group, non-solicit provisions, an agreement to assist in any litigation matters, and other standard terms and conditions) (the “Release” and that requirement, the “Release Requirement”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the 60th day following the Executive’s Qualifying Termination (the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, the Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments or benefits under Section 3.
Sections 3(a)(i), 3(b)(i), and 3(b)(ii) will be provided on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (the “Severance Start Date”), subject to any delay required by Section 5(d) below. Any taxable installments of any COBRA-related severance benefits that otherwise would have been made to the Executive on or before the Severance Start Date will be paid on the Severance Start Date, and any remaining installments thereafter will be provided as specified in the Agreement. Subject to any delay required by Section 5(d) below, any restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and/or similar full value awards that accelerate vesting under Sections 3(a)(iii) and 3(b)(iv) will be settled (x) on a date no later than ten (10) days following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, or (y) if later, in the event of a Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination, on a date no later than the Change in Control.
payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive returning all documents and other property provided to the Executive by any member of the Company Group (with the exception of a copy of the Company employee handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to the Executive), developed or obtained by the Executive in connection with his employment with the Company Group, or otherwise belonging to the Company Group.
provided under the Agreement or otherwise are exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code and any guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code (collectively, “Section 409A”) so that none of the payments or benefits will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities in the Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with this intent. No payment or benefits to be paid to the Executive
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(including settlement of Company equity awards that constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A), if any, under the Agreement or otherwise, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under
Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until the Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. If, at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, then the payment of the Deferred Payments will be delayed to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, which generally means that the Executive will receive payment on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date that is 6 months and 1 day following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement as it considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Executive or any other individual, to comply with any provision required to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of any benefits or imposition of any additional tax. Each payment, installment, and benefit payable under the Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). In no event will any member of the Company Group reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless the Executive for any taxes, penalties and interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.
any severance payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive resigning from all officer and director positions with all members of the Company Group and the Executive executing any documents the Company may require in connection with the same.
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Payment reductions. The Executive will be solely responsible for the payment of all personal tax liability that is incurred as a result of the payments and benefits received under the Agreement, and the Executive will not be reimbursed, indemnified, or held harmless by any member of the Company Group for any of those payments of personal tax liability.
Executive otherwise agree in writing, the Company will select a professional services firm (the “Firm”) to make all determinations required under this Section 6, which determinations will be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm reasonably may request in order to make determinations under this Section 6. The Company will bear the costs and make all payments for the Firm’s services in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6. The Company will have no liability to the Executive for the determinations of the Firm.
(A) embezzlement, (B) fraud, or (C) dishonesty in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities, which in any such instance results in material loss, material damage, or material injury to the Company, (ii) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony (other than a driving offense), (iii) the Executive’s gross misconduct, or
(iv) the Executive’s continued violation of his employment duties after the Executive has received a written demand for performance from the Company which specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Company’s belief that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties. Any termination for “Cause” will require Board approval, and the Executive will be given the opportunity to appear in person before the entire Board in order to explain the Executive’s position on the allegations or claims that constitute “Cause.” The Board (excluding the Executive if the Executive is at such time a member of the Board) will make all determinations relating to termination, including without limitation any determination regarding Cause.
(c) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
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meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of either (A) the thenoutstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company
Voting Securities”); excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted itself was acquired directly from the Company, (2) any repurchase by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) of this Section 7(c); or
who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (such Board will be hereinafter referred to as the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) will be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board will not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”); excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (other than the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of,
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respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors except to the extent that such ownership derives from ownership of a thirty percent (30%) or more interest in the Outstanding Company Common Stock and/or Outstanding Company Voting Security that existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination; or
dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change
in Control for purposes of determining the payment or settlement date of deferred compensation under Section 409A unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.
prior to a Change in Control and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.
of 1985, as amended.
of the following events occur without the Executive’s consent:
duties as an employee of the Company by more than fifty (50) miles; or
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responsibilities or duties, as measured against the Executive’s authority, responsibilities or duties immediately prior to such change.
For “Good Reason” to be established, the Executive must provide written notice to
the Chief Executive Officer and the Company within thirty (30) days immediately following such alleged events, the Company must fail to materially remedy such event within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and the Executive’s resignation must be effective not later than ninety (90) days from the occurrence of the alleged triggering event, and must not be effective until after the expiration of the notice and cure periods described above.
employment either (i) by a Company Group member without Cause (excluding by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability) or (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason, in either case, during the Change in Control Period (a “Qualifying CIC Termination”) or outside of the Change in Control Period (a “Qualifying Non-CIC Termination”).
that occurs prior to the date of the Change in Control.
prior to the Executive’s Qualifying Termination (or if the termination is due to a resignation for Good Reason based on a material reduction in base salary, then the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction) or, if the Executive’s Qualifying Termination is a Qualifying CIC Termination and the amount is greater, at the level in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.
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the Agreement will be in writing and will be effectively given (i) upon actual delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) upon transmission by email, (iii) 24 hours after confirmed facsimile transmission, (iv) 1 business day after deposit with a recognized overnight courier, or (v) 3 business days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service by first class certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed (A) if to the Executive, at the address the Executive will have most recently furnished to the Company in writing, (B) if to the Company, at the following address:
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇.
San Jose, CA 95134
Attention: General Counsel
amount of any payment contemplated by the Agreement, nor will any payment be reduced by any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other source.
waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive) and by the Executive. No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of the Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
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convenient reference only and do not form a part of the Agreement.
parties and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other employment letter or agreement, severance policy or program, or equity award agreement.
of California without regard to California’s conflicts of law rules that may result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than California. To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted under the Agreement, Employee hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in California for any lawsuit filed against the Executive by the Company.
under the Agreement (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, stockholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company Group, will be subject to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Mutual Arbitration Agreement.
provisions of the Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
less applicable withholding taxes. The Company is authorized to withhold from any payments or benefits all federal, state, local, and/or foreign taxes required to be withheld from the payments or benefits and make any other required payroll deductions. No member of the Company Group will pay the Executive’s taxes arising from or relating to any payments or benefits under the Agreement.
which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature page follows.]
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