EXHIBIT 10.18
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Executive"), dated as of the
21st day of January, 1998.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has
caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
(a) The "Change of Control Effective Date" shall mean the first
date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which
the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the
Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third
party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or
(ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control,
then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Change of Control Effective Date"
shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of
Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two years from
such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not
be so extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose hereof, a "Change of Control"
shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
the 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 20% or
more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv)
any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such
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Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a
result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ
of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Change of Control Effective Date and ending on the last
day of the eighteenth month following such date (the "Change of Control
Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) POSITION AND DUTIES.
(i) During the Change of Control Employment Period, (A) the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Change of Control Effective Date; and (B) the Executive's services
shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or any office or location less
than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Change of Control Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during
normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities
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assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the
Change of Control Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Change of
Control Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct
of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Change of
Control Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION.
(i) BASE SALARY. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Change of Control
Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary
which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the month in which the Change of Control Effective Date occurs. During the
Change of Control Employment Period, the Change of Control Base Salary shall be
reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the
Executive prior to the Change of Control Effective Date and thereafter at least
annually. Any increase in Change of Control Base Salary shall not serve to
limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.
Change of Control Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Change of Control Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer
to Change of Control Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement,
the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Change of Control Base Salary,
the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Change of
Control Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Change of Control Bonus") in
cash at least equal to the Executive's highest annual bonus under the Company's
incentive plans (including, without limitation, the Company's Value Created
Incentive Plan (the "VCIP")), for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Change of Control Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was
not employed by the Company for the whole of any such fiscal year) (the "Recent
Annual Bonus"); provided, however, that if (A) the Executive did not receive an
annual bonus during the last full fiscal year immediately preceding the Change
of Control Effective Date because the Executive was not employed by the Company
for the whole of such year or (B) the Executive was not employed by the Company
during any part of the last
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full fiscal year immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date,
the Change of Control Bonus shall at least equal the amount the Executive was to
receive under the VCIP based on the Company's budget (as such budget was
approved by the Board), the calculation of which was included as an attachment
to the Executive's employment letter at the time the Executive commenced
employment with the Company. Each such Change of Control Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the
fiscal year for which the Change of Control Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Change of Control Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the
Change of Control Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices,
policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive
opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive
opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable),
savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case,
less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided
by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such
plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time
after the Change of Control Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may
be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change
of Control Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided
generally at any time after the Change of Control Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Change of Control Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date
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or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of
Control Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices provided to the Executive
by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Change of Control Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Change of Control
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
of the Executive has occurred during the Change of Control Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of
its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For
purposes of the Agreement, "Disability" shall
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mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company
on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity
due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent
by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Change of Control Employment Period for Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to
perform substantially the Executive's duties with the
Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written demand for substantial performance
is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company which specifically
identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive
Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially
performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to the executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less that three-quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
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(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated
by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Executive's position (including
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action
not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at
any office or location other than as provided in
Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the Company's requiring
the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately
prior to the Change of Control Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during
the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Change of
Control Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of
the Agreement. For
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purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination
(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to
a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.
(a) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If,
during the Change of Control Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the
Executive's employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the
Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate
of the following amounts:
(A) the sum of (1) the Executive's Change of Control
Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the
extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of
(x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and
(II) the Change of Control Bonus paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has
been earned but deferred (and annualized for any
fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full
months or during which the Executive was employed
for less than twelve full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Change
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of Control Employment Period, if any (such higher
amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual
Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days in the current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each
case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum
of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and
(3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the
"Accrued Obligations"); and
(B) an amount equal to the product of (1) 1.5, and (2)
the sum of (x) the Executive's Change of Control
Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
(C) an amount equal to the excess of (1) the actuarial
equivalent of the benefit under the Company's
qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the
"Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial
assumptions no less favorable to the Executive
than those in effect under the Company's
Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Change of
Control Effective Date), and any excess or
supplemental retirement plan in which the
Executive participates (together, the "SERP")
which the Executive would receive if the
Executive's employment continued for eighteen
months after the Date of Termination assuming for
this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully
vested, and, assuming that the Executive's
compensation in each of the eighteen months is
that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section
4(b)(ii), over (2) the actuarial equivalent of the
Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if
any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of
the Date of Termination;
(ii) for eighteen months after the Executive's Date of
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the
terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy,
the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or
the Executive's family at least equal to those which would
have been provided to them in
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accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies
described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any
time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their families,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes re-employed
with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or
other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan,
the medical and other welfare benefits described herein
shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan
during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes
of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement
of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant
to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed
until eighteen months after the Date of Termination and to
have retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred,
provide the Executive with outplacement services the
scope and provider of which shall be selected by the
Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other
amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which
the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan,
program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Change of Control Employment Period,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's
legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the
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Change of Control Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate
and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the
Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability during the Change of Control Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With
respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized
in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after
the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance
with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if
any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their
families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change
of Control Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families.
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Change of Control Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Change of
Control Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in
each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily
terminates employment during the Change of Control Employment Period, excluding
a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date
of Termination.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program,
policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with any
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.
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8. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest by the Company, provided that the Executive prevails in at least one
material issue, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance
thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount
of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any
delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income
taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise
Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be
determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced Amount") that
could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not give
rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive
and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by Deloitte & Touche LLP or such other
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certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the
"Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to
the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally-recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment,
as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of
the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the
30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company
(or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with
respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing
prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim,
the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to
time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company,
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(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced
by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to
the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to
the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount
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of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up
Payment required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts
by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as
may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. SUCCESSORS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successor and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written
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agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and
legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
IF TO THE EXECUTIVE:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
IF TO THE COMPANY:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Company Secretary
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert
any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i) - (v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as
may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at
will" and, subject to
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Section 1 hereof, prior to the Change of Control Effective Date, the Executive's
employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or
the Company at any time prior to the Change of Control Effective Date, in which
case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and
after the Change of Control Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any
other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
_________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
By:_______________________
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