3COM CORPORATION EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.1
3COM CORPORATION
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is by and between 3Com Corporation (the “Company)
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Y.L. Mao (“Executive”) and is as of April 29, 2008.
1. Duties and Scope of Employment.
(a) Positions and Duties. As of April 30, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), Executive will
serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Board of Directors (the
“Board”) of the Company. As of the Effective Date, Executive will render such business and
professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with Executive’s position within
the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him by the Board. Executive’s principal place of
employment shall be Beijing, China with regular travel to Hangzhou, China and Marlborough,
Massachusetts. The period Executive is employed by the Company under this Agreement is referred to
herein as the “Employment Term.”
(b) Board Membership. At each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders during the
Employment Term, the Company will nominate Executive to serve as a member of the Board.
Executive’s continued service as a member of the Board will be subject to any required stockholder
approval. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, unless otherwise
requested by the Board, Executive will be deemed to have resigned from the Board (and all other
positions held at the Company and its affiliates) voluntarily, without any further action by
Executive, as of the end of Executive’s employment and Executive, at the Board’s request, will
execute any documents necessary to reflect his resignation.
(c) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will devote Executive’s full
business efforts and time to the Company and will use good faith efforts to discharge Executive’s
obligations under this Agreement to the best of Executive’s ability and in accordance with the
Company’s conflict of interests policies and code of conduct. For the duration of the Employment
Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, or consulting
activity, including membership of boards of directors or advisors, for any direct or indirect
remuneration without the prior approval of the Board (which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld); provided, however, that Executive may (i) serve on the board of directors of, or
continue to hold an interest in, the companies previously disclosed and submitted to the Company in
writing on or prior to the Effective Date and (ii) without the approval of the Board, serve in any
capacity with any civic, educational, or charitable organization, provided such services do not
interfere with Executive’s obligations to Company.
(i) Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not party to any
contract, understanding, agreement or policy, written or otherwise, that would be breached by
Executive’s entering into, or performing services under, this Agreement. Executive further
represents that as of the date of this Agreement there are no threatened, pending, or actual claims
against Executive of which he is aware as a result of his
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employment with his current employer (or any other previous employer) or his membership on any
boards of directors.
(d) Other Entities. Executive agrees to serve and may be appointed, without
additional compensation, as an officer and director for each of the Company’s subsidiaries,
partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and other affiliates, including entities
in which the Company has a significant investment as determined by the Company. As used in this
Agreement, the term “affiliates” will include any entity controlled by, controlling, or under
common control of the Company.
2. At-Will Employment. Executive and the Company agree that Executive’s employment with
Company constitutes “at-will” employment. Executive and the Company acknowledge that this
employment relationship may be terminated at any time, upon written notice to the other party, with
or without Cause or Good Reason (as each such term is defined in Section 10 below), at the option
either of the Company or Executive. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be
entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of
employment.
3. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. As of the Effective Date, the Company will pay Executive an annual
salary of $650,000.00 as compensation for his services (such annual salary, as is then effective,
to be referred to herein as “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in
accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required
withholdings.
(b) Annual Incentive. Executive will be eligible to receive annual cash incentives
payable for the achievement of performance goals established by the Board or by the Compensation
Committee of the Board (the “Committee”). During the Employment Term, Executive’s target annual
incentive will be not less than 100% of Base Salary (“Target Annual Incentive”), with a maximum
potential opportunity of 200% of Base Salary, subject to the terms of the bonus plan approved by
the Committee except that the terms of the Agreement shall control to the extent that this
Agreement provides for more favorable terms with respect to the annual incentive as it applies to
Executive. The actual earned annual cash incentive, if any, payable to Executive for any
performance period will depend upon the extent to which the applicable performance goal(s)
specified by the Committee are achieved or exceeded and will be adjusted for under- or
over-performance. Any incentive earned during the fiscal year 2008 will be pro-rated based on the
Effective Date (calculated by multiplying any incentive earned by Executive by a fraction with a
numerator equal to the number of days between the Effective Date and the close of the second half
fiscal year and a denominator equal to 182). For fiscal year 2009, Executive’s actual earned
annual cash incentive shall be guaranteed to equal no less than 100% of Base Salary, provided
Executive remains employed by the Company (but this sentence is not intended to limit the benefits
to which Executive may be entitled under Section 8).
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(c) Equity.
(i) Executive will be granted nonstatutory stock options to purchase two million (2,000,000)
shares of Company common stock (the “Stock Option Grant”), two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) of
which are deemed to be in connection with Executive’s “initial service” as that term is used in the
Company’s 2003 Stock Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”). The exercise price will be at a per share
exercise price equal to the closing price per share of Company common stock on Nasdaq Global Select
Market (“Nasdaq”) on the grant date, which shall be the first Tuesday in the month immediately
succeeding the month in which Executive commences employment with the Company. The Stock Option
Grant will be granted under and subject to the terms and conditions of the 2003 Plan, Company’s
2003 Stock Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”), and the Company’s form of stock option agreement,
except that the terms of this Agreement control to the extent that this Agreement provides for more
favorable terms. The Stock Option Grant will be scheduled to vest at a rate of 25% on each
anniversary of the grant over four (4) years assuming Executive’s continued employment with the
Company on each scheduled vesting date, and will have the maximum term permitted in the 2003 Plan.
(ii) Executive will be granted one million and five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares of
restricted stock (the “Restricted Stock Grant”) on the first Tuesday in the month immediately
succeeding the month in which Executive commences employment with the Company. The Restricted
Stock Grant will be granted under and subject to the terms and conditions of the 2003 Plan and the
Company’s form of restricted stock agreement, except that the terms of this Agreement control to
the extent that this Agreement provides for more favorable terms. The Restricted Stock Grant will
be scheduled to vest in three equal installments on each anniversary date of the grant over three
(3) years assuming Executive’s continued employment with the Company on each scheduled vesting
date.
(iii) Executive will also be eligible to receive additional grants of equity and other
incentive awards during his employment with the Company.
4. Employee Benefits.
(a) Generally. Executive will be eligible to participate in accordance with the terms
of all Company employee benefit plans, policies and arrangements that are applicable to other
executive officers of the Company, as such plans, policies and arrangements may exist from time to
time.
(b) Vacation. Executive will be entitled to receive paid annual vacation in
accordance with Company policy for other senior executive officers. In no event will Executive
receive less than four (4) weeks of paid vacation time annually, it being understood that Executive
will be entitled to receive four (4) consecutive weeks of paid vacation during the first six (6)
month period following the Effective Date.
(c) Life Insurance. Upon the Effective Date and throughout the duration of
Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company will purchase and maintain a $10,000,000.00
term life insurance policy for the benefit of Executive or his estate. Executive will assist the
Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to typical examinations and
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by completing such applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance
carriers to which application is made for any such insurance. Notwithstanding the preceding, in no
event will the Company be required to pay more than $30,000.00 for any annual premium for the
policy. The Company’s obligation to maintain this policy will terminate immediately upon
Executive’s voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason or his termination for Cause.
In the event of a termination without Cause, a resignation for Good Reason, or a termination
following a Change of Control, the Company will keep the policy in effect for a period equal to the
earlier of one (1) year after such termination, or the date on which Executive becomes eligible for
coverage under another employer’s life insurance plan.
5. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment
and other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of the performance of Executive’s
duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from
time to time. Executive will be provided access to a car and driver for his daily transit in
connection with his employment with the Company.
6. Term and Termination of Employment. In the event Executive’s employment with the
Company terminates for any reason, Executive will be entitled to any (a) unpaid Base Salary accrued
up to the effective date of termination; (b) unpaid, but earned and accrued annual incentive for
any completed fiscal year as of his termination of employment; (c) pay for accrued but unused
vacation; (d) benefits or compensation as provided under the terms of any employee benefit and
compensation agreements or plans applicable to Executive; (e) unreimbursed business expenses
required to be reimbursed to Executive; and (f) rights to indemnification Executive may have under
the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, the Agreement, or separate indemnification
agreement, as applicable. In addition, if the termination is by the Company without Cause or
Executive resigns for Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to amounts and benefits specified in
Section 8.
7. Survival of Covenants.
(a) Non-solicitation and Non-competition. Executive agrees that during the Employment
Term and for twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive will not (i) solicit any employee of the
Company (other than Executive’s personal assistant) for employment other than at the Company or one
of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or (ii) directly or indirectly engage in, have any ownership
interest in or participate in any entity that as of the date of termination, competes with the
Company in any substantial business of the Company. Executive’s passive ownership of not more than
1% of any publicly traded company and/or 5% ownership of any privately held company will not
constitute a breach of this Section 7(a).
(b) Nondisparagement. During the Employment Term and for twelve (12) months
thereafter, Executive will not knowingly and materially disparage, criticize, or otherwise make any
derogatory statements regarding the Company, and the members of the Board or the Chief Executive
staff will not knowing and materially disparage, criticize, or otherwise make any derogatory
statements regarding Executive, other than in connection with internal discussions regarding the
performance or management of the Company or the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Agreement will be deemed to restrict Executive, the Company or any of the
Company’s current or former officers and/or directors from providing
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information to any governmental or regulatory agency (or in any way limit the content of any
such information) to the extent they are required to provide such information pursuant to
applicable law or regulation.
(c) Confidentiality. During the Employment Term and thereafter, Executive will
continue to comply with the terms of the Company’s restrictive covenant agreement appended hereto
as Exhibit A (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”).
8. Severance.
(a) Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason other than in Connection with
a Change of Control. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or
if Executive resigns for Good Reason, and such termination is not in Connection with a Change of
Control, then, subject to Section 8(d), Executive will receive: (i) continued payment of the
aggregate of executive’s Base Salary plus the Target Annual Incentive for the year in which the
termination occurs (less applicable tax withholdings) for twelve (12) months, such amounts to be
paid out bi-weekly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies; (ii) twelve (12)
months accelerated vesting with respect to Executive’s then outstanding, unvested equity awards,
other than performance-based awards, (iii) extension of the exercise period for all Executive’s
outstanding stock options to the earlier of 165 calendar days from the date of termination or the
expiration date of the stock options; (v) reimbursement for premiums paid for continued health
benefits for Executive (and any eligible dependents) under the Company’s health plans until the
earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months, payable when such premiums are due (provided Executive validly
elects to continue coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) or
(y) the date upon which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents become covered under similar
plans; and (vi) life insurance as set forth in Section 4(c). In addition, (x) if such termination
or resignation is after April 29, 2009, then Executive’s then outstanding equity from the Stock
Option Grant and the Restricted Stock Grant hereunder shall be accelerated in full, and (y) if such
termination is after December 31, 2009, then Executive’s then outstanding equity from the Stock
Option Grant and the Restricted Stock Grant hereunder as well as Executive’s outstanding equity
from any grants made in calendar year 2009 shall be accelerated in full.
(b) Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change
of Control. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by
Executive for Good Reason, and the termination is in Connection with a Change of Control, then,
subject to Section 8(d), Executive will receive: (i) continued payment of two (2) year’s Base
Salary, less applicable tax withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies;
(ii) two (2) payments each equal to 100% of Executive’s Target Annual Incentive for the year in
which the termination occurs, less applicable tax withholdings, paid in two equal annual
installments in accordance with the Company’s normal schedule for the payment of annual cash
incentives; (iii) full vesting with respect to Executive’s then outstanding unvested equity awards
other than performance-based awards; (iv) extension of the exercise period for all Executive’s
outstanding stock options to the earlier of 165 calendar days from the date of termination or the
expiration date of the stock options; and (v) reimbursement for premiums paid for continued health
benefits for Executive (and any eligible dependents) under the Company’s health plans until the
earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months,
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payable when such premiums are due (provided Executive validly elects to continue coverage
under COBRA), or (y) the date upon which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents become
covered under similar plans; and (vi) life insurance as set forth in Section 4(c).
(c) Voluntary Termination Without Good Reason or Termination for Cause. If
Executive’s employment is terminated voluntarily, including due to death or Disability, without
Good Reason or is terminated for Cause by the Company, then, except as provided in Section 6, (i)
all further vesting of Executive’s outstanding equity awards will terminate immediately; and (ii)
all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately
(d) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any severance or other
benefits pursuant to this Section 8 will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a
separation agreement and release of claims appended hereto as Exhibit B. For this purpose, the
separation agreement and release of claims must be signed by Executive and returned to the Company
within the period specified in the agreement and in no event later than two and one-half (21/2)
months following the end of the calendar year in which Executive’s termination of employment
occurs. No severance or other benefits will be paid or provided until the separation agreement and
release agreement becomes effective and non-revocable.
(e) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any
other source reduce any such payment.
9. Excise Tax Gross-Up. In the event that the benefits provided for in this Agreement
constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, then Executive will receive (i) a payment from the Company sufficient to pay such excise tax,
and (ii) an additional payment from the Company sufficient to pay the federal and state income and
employment taxes and additional excise taxes arising from the payments made to Executive by the
Company pursuant to this sentence. However, the Company may elect not to make payments under the
preceding sentence to the extent it reasonably determines that (a) the “parachute payments” arise
from the acceleration of options with exercise prices exceeding the price at which the underlying
shares could be sold on the date of the Change in Control and (b) any payments under the preceding
sentence would not significantly benefit Executive. Unless Executive and the Company agree
otherwise in writing, the determination of Executive’s excise tax liability, if any, and the
amount, if any, required to be paid under this Section 9 will be made in writing by a certified
public accounting firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive (the
“Accountants”). For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the
Accountants 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. Executive and the Company agree to furnish such information and documents as the
Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 9. The
Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any
calculations contemplated by this Section 9. Any payment to Executive under this Section 9 shall
be made
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within thirty (30) days following receipt by the Company of the report of the Accountants
setting forth such determination.
10. Definitions.
(a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” will mean:
(i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform the duties and responsibilities of
his position after there has been delivered to Executive a written demand for performance from the
Board which describes in reasonable detail the basis for the Board’s belief that Executive has not
substantially performed his duties and provides Executive the opportunity to present to the Board
his good faith reasons for not so performing and, if the Board does not agree with such reasons,
with thirty (30) days to take corrective action;
(ii) Any act of personal dishonesty taken by Executive in connection with his responsibilities
as an employee of the Company with the intention or reasonable expectation that such action may
result in the substantial personal enrichment of Executive;
(iii) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony that the Board
reasonably believes has had or will have a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation
or business;
(iv) A breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company by Executive that has a material
detrimental effect on the Company’s business or reputation;
(v) Executive being found liable in any Securities and Exchange Commission or other civil or
criminal securities law action or entering any cease and desist order with respect to such action
(regardless of whether or not Executive admits or denies liability); or
(vi) Executive (A) obstructing or impeding; (B) endeavoring to influence, obstruct or impede,
or (C) failing to materially cooperate with, any investigation authorized by the Board or any
governmental or self-regulatory entity (an “Investigation”). However, Executive’s failure to waive
attorney-client privilege relating to communications with Executive’s own attorney in connection
with an Investigation will not constitute “Cause”.
(b) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” will mean
the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) The consummation by the Company of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of
the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of
the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;
(ii) The approval by the stockholders of the Company, or if stockholder approval is not
required, approval by the Board, of a plan of complete liquidation of
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the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(iii) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the
total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(iv) A change in the composition of the Board within any twelve (12) month period during the
Term and pursuant to a plan in which the proponent proposes alternative directors to the Board, and
as a result of which fewer than a majority are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” will
mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are
elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority
of those directors whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transactions
described in subsections (i), (ii), or (iii) or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy
contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.
(c) Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” will mean Executive’s
inability to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement as a result of incapacity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result
in death or to last for a period of twelve (12) months.
(d) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence
of any of the following, without Executive’s express written consent, provided however, that
Executive must provide the Company notice of Good Reason within sixty (60) days of Executive’s
actual knowledge of the initial existence of one of the following conditions, upon which notice
Company shall then have thirty (30) days in which to remedy the condition, under which
circumstances such Good Reason shall no longer exist.
(i) A significant reduction of Executive’s authority, duties, position or responsibilities,
relative to Executive authority, duties, position or responsibility in effect immediately prior to
such reduction;
(ii) A substantial reduction by the Company of the facilities and perquisites (including
office space and location) available to Executive immediately prior to such reduction.
(iii) A reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or annual cash incentive as in effect immediately
prior to such reduction other than pursuant to a reduction that also is applied to substantially
all other executive officers of the Company and which reduction reduces the Base Salary and/or
annual cash incentive by a percentage reduction that is no greater 15%;
(iv) A material reduction in the kind or level of employee benefits to which Executive is
entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that Executive’s overall benefits
package is significantly reduced other than pursuant to a reduction that is also applied to
substantially all other executive officers of the Company that reduces the level of employee
benefits by a percentage reduction that is no greater that 15%.
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(v) The relocation of Executive to a facility or location more then fifty (50) miles from
Beijing, China; or
(vi) The failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Agreement by a successor and
an agreement that Executive will retain the same role and responsibilities in the merged or
surviving parent company as he had prior to the merger under Section 1 of this Agreement or, if
more favorable, the same role and responsibilities that Executive had immediately prior to the
merger.
(e) In Connection with a Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a
termination of Executive’s employment with the Company is “in Connection with a Change of Control”
if Executive’s employment is terminated within three (3) months prior or twelve (12) months
following a Change of Control.
11. Indemnification. Subject to applicable law, Executive will be provided
indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws, including, if applicable, any directors and officers insurance policies, with such
indemnification to be on terms determined by the Board or any of its committees, but on terms no
less favorable than provided to any other Company executive officer or director and subject to the
terms of any separate written indemnification agreement.
12. Confidential Information. Executive will execute the Restrictive Covenant Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
13. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the
heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death, and (b) any
successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the
Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means
any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase,
merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or
business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation
payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other
disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.
14. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder
will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally;
(b) one (1) day after being sent overnight by a well-established commercial overnight service, or
(c) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such
other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:
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If to the Company:
Attn: Chief Legal and Administrative Officer
3Com Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
3Com Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
If to Executive:
at the last residential address known by the Company
With a copy to:
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Sterling LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Sterling LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
15. Severability. If any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and
effect without said provision.
16. Arbitration.
(a) Except as provided below, any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
breach, termination or validity hereof shall be finally settled by binding arbitration conducted
expeditiously in accordance with the J.A.M.S./Endispute Streamlined Arbitration Rules and
Procedures (the “J.A.M.S. Rules”). The arbitration shall be governed by the United States
Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§1-16, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be
entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The place of arbitration shall be Boston,
Massachusetts.
(b) The parties covenant and agree that the arbitration shall commence within 60 days of the
date on which a written demand for arbitration is filed by either party hereto. The parties (or
their legal representatives) will promptly confer to select a single arbitrator mutually acceptable
to both parties. The arbitrator must be a licensed attorney, primarily engaged as a practicing
lawyer in the field of employment law and related litigation for at least ten (10) years, or
primarily engaged in the practice of arbitrating or mediating executive employment law disputes for
at least ten (10) years, and must not have any existing or prior relationship with the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, on the one hand, or Executive, on the other hand. If the
parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, one will be selected, meeting the above criteria,
in accordance with the J.A.M.S. Rules. In connection with the arbitration proceeding, the
arbitrator shall have the power to order the production of documents by each party and any
third-party witnesses. In addition, each party may take up to three (3) depositions as of right,
and the arbitrator may in his or her discretion allow additional depositions upon good cause shown
by the moving party. However, the arbitrator shall not have the power to order the answering of
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interrogatories or the response to requests for admission. In connection with any
arbitration, each party shall provide to the other, no later than seven (7) business days before
the date of the arbitration, the identity of all persons that may testify at the arbitration and a
copy of all documents that may be introduced at the arbitration or considered or used by a party’s
witness or expert. The arbitrator’s decision and award shall be made and delivered within six (6)
months of the selection of the arbitrator. The arbitrator’s decision shall set forth a reasoned
basis for any award of damages or finding of liability. The arbitrator shall not have power to
award damages in excess of actual compensatory damages and shall not multiply actual damages or
award punitive damages or any other damages that are specifically excluded under this Agreement,
and each party hereby irrevocably waives any claim to such damages.
(c) The parties covenant and agree that they will participate in the arbitration in good
faith. This Section 16 applies equally to requests for temporary, preliminary or permanent
injunctive relief, except that in the case of temporary or preliminary injunctive relief any party
may proceed in court without prior arbitration for the limited purpose of avoiding immediate and
irreparable harm.
(d) Each of the parties hereto (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any
United States District Court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing the award or
decision in any such proceeding, (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as
a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject
personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune
from attachment or execution (except as protected by applicable law), that the suit, action or
proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is
improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such
court, and hereby waives and agrees not to seek any review by any court of any other jurisdiction
which may be called upon to grant an enforcement of the judgment of any such court. Each of the
parties hereto hereby consents to service of process by registered mail at the address to which
notices are to be given. Each of the parties hereto agrees that its or his submission to
jurisdiction and its or his consent to service of process by mail is made for the express benefit
of the other party hereto. Final judgment against either party hereto in any such action, suit or
proceeding may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit, action or proceeding on the judgment, or
in any other manner provided by or pursuant to the laws of such other jurisdiction.
17. Tax Equalization, Legal and Tax Expenses and Home Leave. The Company shall indemnify
and reimburse Executive for tax equalization purposes as set forth on Exhibit C. The Company will
also reimburse Executive up to $15,000 for reasonable legal and tax advice expenses in connection
with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement. The Company will also reimburse
Executive for reasonable tax preparation expenses up to an annual cap of $10,000. Executive shall
be entitled to receive reimbursement, annually, for the cost of one round-trip business class
airline ticket on Executive’s reasonable choice of airline, for Executive, his spouse and one
additional family member, for home leave purposes. Payments with respect to any reimbursement
pursuant to this Section 17 will made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the
year in which the relevant expense is incurred.
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18. Integration. This Agreement, together with the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and the
forms of equity award grant that describe Executive’s outstanding equity awards, represents the
entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and
supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements or plans whether written or oral, including but
not limited to the Company’s Section 16 Officer Severance Plan. No waiver, alteration, or
modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in a writing and
signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto. In entering into this Agreement,
no party has relied on or made any representation, warranty, inducement, promise, or understanding
that is not in this Agreement. To the extent that any provisions of this Agreement conflict with
those of any other agreement, including the standard Restrictive Covenant Agreement to be signed
upon Executive’s hire, the bonus plan referred to in Section 3 and the 2003 Plan and corresponding
agreement to be signed by Executive in conjunction with the terms in this Agreement will prevail.
19. Waiver of Breach. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement,
which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous
or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
20. Survival. The Restrictive Covenant Agreement and Sections 6 through 13, 15, 16, 17
through 25 will survive the termination of this Agreement.
21. Headings. All captions and Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient
reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
22. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to
withholding of applicable taxes.
23. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.
24. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss
this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has
carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and
voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
25. (a) Six-Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if
Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the final
regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) at the time of Executive’s
termination of employment (other than due to death), then the severance benefits payable to
Executive under this Agreement, if any, and any other severance payments or separation benefits
payments that may be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits”) otherwise due to Executive on or within the six (6) month period
following Executive’s termination of employment will accrue during such six (6) month period and
will become payable in a lump sum payment (less applicable withholding taxes) on the date six (6)
months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment. All subsequent
payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each
payment or benefit. Notwithstanding
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anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his or her termination of
employment but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of his or her date of termination, then any
payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum (less applicable
withholding taxes) to Executive’s estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executive’s death
and all other Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the
payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
(b) Amendments to this Agreement to Comply with Section 409A. The provisions of this
Agreement are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the
severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax
imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The
Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement
and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid
imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under
Section 409A and the Company, after such consultation with Executive, will reform this Agreement or
any provision hereof to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the
provisions violating the provisions of Section 409A.
26. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart
will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding
agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by a duly authorized officer, as of the day and year written below.
COMPANY:
3COM CORPORATION
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
|
Date: April 29, 2008 | |
By: |
||
EXECUTIVE: |
||
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Y. L. Mao
|
Date: April 29, 2008 | |
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Y.L. Mao |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO CEO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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