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EXHIBIT 6.8
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of May 1, 2000,
between Micro-ASI, Inc., a corporation (the "Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, an
individual residing in Dallas, Texas (the "Employee").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company desires to assure that
key executives devote their time and attention to the Company without regard to
concerns about an involuntary loss of employment without cause, and to assure
the continuity and cooperation of management in the event of a change in
ownership and the continued attention of Employee to his duties without any
distraction arising out of the circumstances surrounding a change or potential
change in ownership; and,
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement
to protect Employee against an involuntary termination of employment without
cause, to recognize the additional efforts of Employee that may be necessary to
assist in and prepare for any potential change in ownership, and to encourage
Employee to diligently perform his duties and responsibilities to ensure a
smooth transition for any change in ownership;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee and the
Employee agrees to be employed by the Company, for the period set forth in
Paragraph 2, in the position and with the duties and responsibilities set forth
in Paragraph 3, and upon the other terms and conditions herein provided.
2. Term. The employment of the Employee by the Company as provided in
Paragraph 1 shall be for a period of three (3) years and eight (8) months
commencing on the effective date of this Agreement through and ending on
December 31, 2003, unless sooner terminated as herein provided (the "Employment
Term"). Each twelve-month period running from January 1 to December 31 during
the Employment Term shall be referred to herein as an "Annual Period".
3. Position and Duties.
(a) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall serve as a Member of
the Executive Committee of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. In addition, the Employee shall have such other duties, functions,
responsibilities, and authority as are from time to time delegated to the
Employee by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, provided
that such duties, functions, responsibilities, and authority are reasonable and
customary for a person serving in the aforesaid position or office of an
enterprise comparable to the Company.
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote his full
time, skill, and attention and his best efforts to the business and affairs of
the Company to the extent necessary to discharge fully, faithfully and
efficiently the duties and responsibilities delegated and assigned to the
Employee herein or pursuant hereto, except for usual, ordinary, and customary
periods of vacation and absence due to illness or other disability. In this
Agreement, "full time" does not necessarily require that the Employee spend a
specific number of hours per working day or a specific number of days per week
at the Company's
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executive offices or otherwise in performing his duties and responsibilities
hereunder, but the Employee need only perform his duties and responsibilities as
such times as are necessary. In addition, nothing in this Agreement prohibits
the Employee's (i) serving as a director of other entities that are not
competitive with the Company, (ii) involvement in community or charitable
activities, or, (iii) personal or family investment-related activities.
(c) In connection with the Employee's employment by the Company under
this Agreement, the Employee shall be based at the principal executive offices
of the Company in Dallas, Texas, except for such reasonable travel as the
performance of the Employee's duties in the business of the Company may require.
(d) All services that the Employee may render to the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates in any capacity during the Employment Term shall
be deemed to be services required by this Agreement and consideration for the
compensation provided for herein.
4. Compensation and Related Matters.
(a) Base Salary. During each Annual Period of the Employment Term, the
Company shall pay to the Employee for his services hereunder a base salary
("Base Salary") of $160,000. The Employee's Base Salary shall be payable in
installments in accordance with the general payroll practices of the Company, or
as otherwise mutually agreed upon. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject
to such other increases as may be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Company in its sole discretion, but in no event shall the
Company pay the Employee a Base Salary at a rate less than that set forth in the
first sentence of this Section 4(a).
(b) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall
be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs and
arrangements that are generally made available by the Company to its senior
executives, including, without limitation, the Company's life, long-term
disability and health/PPO plans and the Company's stock option and other equity
incentive plans. The Employee agrees to cooperate and participate in any medical
or physical examinations as may be required by any insurance company in
connection with the applications for such life and/or disability insurance
policies.
(c) Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement upon a timely basis (according to the
then-current practices of the Company) for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Employee in performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder upon the
presentation by the Employee of an accounting of such expenditures, including
receipts where required by Company policy or federal income tax regulations.
(d) Vacations. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be
entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation each year. The Employee shall also
be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company to its senior executives.
The Employee agrees to utilize his vacation at such time or times as are (i)
consistent with the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities
hereunder and (ii) mutually convenient for the Company and the Employee.
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(e) Indemnification. The Employee, in any capacity on behalf of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, shall be entitled to
exculpation, indemnification, and advancement of expenses to the fullest extent
not prohibited by law. The Employee shall also be entitled to coverage under
each directors' and officers' liability insurance policy, if any, maintained by
or on behalf of the Company's directors and officers.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death. The Employee's employment hereunder shall terminate
automatically upon his death.
(b) Disability. If the Disability (as defined below) of the Employee
occurs during the Employment Term, the Company may notify the Employee of the
Company's intention to terminate the Employee's employment hereunder for
Disability. In such event, the Employee's employment hereunder shall terminate
effective on the 15th day following the date such notice of termination is
received by the Employee (the "Disability Effective Date"). For purposes of this
Agreement a disability occurs if the Employee is determined to be "totally
disabled" by a vote of at least 80% of the Board of Directors of the Company
(excluding Employee) based upon the advice of a board-certified physician
reasonably satisfactory to Employee, which may include a determination that the
Employee is unable, because of physical or mental illness or incapacity or
otherwise, to fulfill his duties under this Agreement for 180 consecutive days
or appears unable to perform such duties for an indefinite period of time in
excess of 180 days.
(c) Termination by Company.
(i) For Cause Termination. The Company may terminate the
Employee's employment hereunder for Cause (as defined below) in
accordance with the following procedure (a "For Cause Termination"):
(A) Cause Defined. "Cause" shall only mean: (1) the employee
is convicted of fraud, embezzlement, theft or other criminal
conduct against the Company and such conviction is final and
non-appealable, or (2) willful misconduct or gross negligence in
the performance of, or willful neglect of, the Employee's duties,
which has caused demonstrable and serious injury to the Company.
(B) Required Notice. A termination for Cause shall not take
effect unless the following has occurred:
(1) the Board of Directors has given Employee written
notice of its intention to terminate Employee for Cause,
specifying with particularity the grounds on which the
proposed termination for Cause is contemplated, which shall
be acts or failures to act on the part of Employee which
occurred no more than six months prior to the Board having
knowledge of such acts or failures to act;
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(2) the Employee shall have 30 days after such written
notice to cure such conduct;
(3) if Employee fails to cure such conduct, Employee
shall have the right to request, by notice to the Secretary
of the Company given within ten days after Employee receives
notice from the Board that he has not cured the conduct
within the period described in subsection (b) above, the
hearing before the full Board of Directors, with his
counsel; and
(4) if, within five days after Employee's hearing by
the Board, he receives a certified copy of a resolution duly
adopted by 80% of the full Board (exclusive of Employee)
confirming that in its judgment the grounds for termination
for (Cause) described in the initial notice given under
subsection (a) above are justified, the Employee's
employment shall be terminated.
(ii) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Employee's
employment hereunder without cause for any or no reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Without Cause Termination" shall
mean a termination by the Company of the Employee's employment
hereunder other than pursuant to (x) a For Cause Termination, or
(y) Disability.
(d) Termination by Employee For Good Reason. The Employee may
terminate his employment hereunder if, without Employee's prior written
consent specifically referring to this Agreement:
(i) Any reduction in the amount of Employee's annual salary,
guaranteed incentive compensation or aggregate incentive
compensation opportunities (which reduction may also occur
pursuant to any assignment of performance goals and corresponding
awards which are inconsistent with prior performance goals and
awards).
(ii) Any significant reduction in the aggregate value of
Employee's benefits as such benefits may be increased from time
to time (unless such reduction is pursuant to a general change in
benefits applicable to all similarly situated employees of the
Company and its Affiliates) or
(iii) Any material and willful breach of the Company of any
provision of this Agreement or any written employment agreement
with Employee;
(iv) (A) assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent
with his status as a Member of the Executive Committee of the
Office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (B) the
removal of Employee from his position as a Member of the
Executive Committee of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, (C) the failure to retain Employee as a Member of
the Executive Committee of the Office of the Chief Executive
Officer of any successor of the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation, or sale or disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company) or any entity which directly or
indirectly owns
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twenty five percent (25%) or more of any class of securities of
the Company or any successor to the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation, or sale or disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company) or (D) any significant change in
the nature or status of Employees duties or responsibilities;
(v) A significant adverse change in the nature or scope of
the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties
attached to the Employee's position with the Company.
(vi) Transfer of Employee's principal place of employment to
a location more than 25 miles away from the Company's current
headquarters.
(vii) Any Change of Control of the Company. In this
Agreement a "Change of Control" is any of the following:
A. A merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other
reorganization in which the Company is not a continuing or
surviving corporation or as a result of which shares of the
Company's capital stock are converted into or exchanged for
cash, securities of another entity, or other property,
unless (in any case) the holders of the Company's
outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately before that
transaction own more than 50% of the combined voting power
of the outstanding securities of the continuing or surviving
entity immediately after that transaction.
B. A sale or other transfer for value, in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets.
C. A majority of the Board of Directors of the Company
consists of persons other than (5) of the members of the
Board of Directors on the effective date of this Agreement
and the Employee.
D. The Company's stockholders approve a plan or
proposal to liquidate or dissolve the Company.
E. A person or group, hereafter acquires the beneficial
ownership of more than 25% of the outstanding voting
securities of the Company (all within the meaning of Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder), unless that
acquisition is approved by the Employee.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Employee's employment
hereunder by the Company or by the Employee (other than a termination pursuant
to Paragraph 5(a) and other than expiration of the Employment Term) shall be
communicated by a Notice of Termination (as defined below) to the other party
hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) in the case of a termination for Disability or a For
Cause Termination or a Good Reason Termination, sets forth in
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reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Employee's employment under the provision so indicated, and
(iii) specifies the Employment Termination Date (as defined in Paragraph 5(f)
below). The failure by the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any
fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Disability or Cause shall
not waive any right of the Company hereunder or preclude the Company from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company's rights hereunder.
(f) Employment Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Employment Termination Date" shall mean the effective date of termination of
the Employee's employment hereunder, which date shall be (i) if the Employee's
employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if the
Employee's employment is terminated because of his Disability, the Disability
Effective Date, (iii) if the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company
pursuant to a For Cause Termination or a Without Cause Termination, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall in no event be earlier
than the date such notice is given, (iv) if the Employee's employment is
terminated by the Employee pursuant to a Good Reason Termination, the date on
which the Notice of Termination is given, and (v) December 31, 2003, if the
Employee's employment is terminated due to expiration of the Employment Term.
(g) Resignation. In the event of termination of the Employee's
employment hereunder (for any reason other than the death of the Employee), the
Employee agrees that if at such time he is a member of the Board of Directors or
officer of the Company or a director or officer of any of its subsidiaries, he
will promptly deliver to the Company his written resignation from all such
positions, such resignation to be effective as of the Employment Termination
Date.
6. Company Obligations Upon Termination of Employment.
(a) Death. If the Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by
reason of the Employee's death, his estate or designated beneficiaries shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) Base salary in effect on and payable through, the Employee's
date of death in accordance with the Company's standard payroll
policies;
(ii) The Employee's annual bonus for the year in which the
Employee's death occurs based on the maximum target award opportunity
for such year, payable on the date it otherwise would have been
payable;
(iii) The balance of any incentive awards earned but not yet
paid, payable on their standard payment dates;
(iv) The right to exercise any stock option held by Employee on
the date of death for the remainder of its term, whether or not
exercisable by Employee on the date of death;
(v) any amounts payable on death pursuant to any plans or
policies of the Company;
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(vi) any other amounts due but not yet paid from the Company to
Employee; and
(vii) the option of Employee's legal representatives to sell to
the Company all capital stock of Employee held by Employee at his death
at a price equal to the greater of the price per share paid by the
Employee (as adjusted to reflect any capital adjustments made by the
Company since that purchase) or the Fair Market Value of each of the
shares. For this purpose, the "Fair Market Value" shall be that value
of the shares as of the Employment Termination Date which is determined
(i) by mutual agreement between the Company and Employee's legal
representatives or (ii) the per-share price paid in a bona fide sale of
shares of the same class of the Company's stock within the six (6)
months prior to the Employment Termination Date in an arms-length
transaction, as adjusted to reflect any capital adjustments by the
Company since that sale or (iii) if no such mutual written agreement is
entered into, or no such sale has occurred, by the following appraisal
process. Each of the Company and the Employee's legal representatives
shall select an independent investment banking, accounting, or
appraisal firm ("Appraiser"), and each of the two Appraisers shall
determine the Fair Market Value of the shares of stock as of the
Employment Termination Date, without giving effect to any difference in
the percentage ownership of the Company that the shares of stock
represented (i.e. whether the shares are a majority or a minority of
the outstanding stock). The arithmetical average of the two values so
determined shall be the Fair Market Value of the shares of stock. Each
Appraiser shall afford each of the parties an opportunity to present
evidence as to such parties opinion as to the value of the shares of
stock. The determination of the Fair Market Value by this procedure
shall be binding on the Company and the Employee.
(b) Disability. If the Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by
reason of the Employee's Disability, Employee or his legal representative shall
be entitled to the following:
(i) Base salary in effect on and payable through, the Employee's
date of death in accordance with the Company's standard payroll
policies;
(ii) The Employee's annual bonus for the year in which the
termination for disability occurs based on the maximum target award
opportunity for such years, payable on the date it otherwise would have
been payable;
(iii) The balance of any incentive awards earning but not yet
paid, payable on their standard payment dates;
(iv) The right to exercise any stock option held by Employee on
the Employment Termination Date for the remainder of its term, whether
or not exercisable by Employee on the Employment Termination Date;
(v) Any amounts payable on disability pursuant to any plans or
policies of the Company;
(vi) Any other amounts due but not yet paid from the Company to
Employee; and
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(vii) The option of the Employee or his legal representatives to
sell to the Company all the capital stock of the Company held by
Employee on the Employment Termination Date at a price equal to the
greater of the price per share paid by the Employee (as adjusted to
reflect any capital adjustments made by the Company since that
purchase) or the Fair Market Value of each of the shares. For this
purpose, the "Fair Market Value" shall be that value of the shares as
of the Employment Termination Date which is determined (i) by mutual
agreement between the Company and Employee or (ii) if no such mutual
written agreement is entered into, or no such sale has occurred, by the
following appraisal process. Each of the Company and the Employee shall
select an independent investment banking, accounting, or appraisal firm
("Appraiser"), and each of the two Appraisers shall determine the Fair
Market Value of the shares of stock as of the Employment Termination
Date, without giving effect to any difference in the percentage
ownership of the Company that the shares of stock represent (i.e.
whether the shares are a majority or a minority of the outstanding
stock). The arithmetical average of the two values so determined shall
be the Fair Market Value of the shares of stock. Each Appraiser shall
afford each of the parties an opportunity to present evidence as to
such parties opinion as to the value of the shares of stock. The
determination of the Fair Market Value by this procedure shall be
binding on the Company and the Employee.
(c) For Cause Termination. If the Employee's employment hereunder is
terminated pursuant to a For Cause Termination, Employee shall receive:
(i) Base Salary in effect on and payable through, Employment
Termination Date in accordance with the Company's standard payroll
policies;
(ii) The portion of the Employee's annual bonus for the year in
which the Employment Termination Date occurs based on the award he
would have earned for such year if employment had not terminated,
prorated for the number of days in the calendar year prior to the
Employment Termination Date, payable on the date it otherwise would
have been payable;
(iii) Any other amounts due but not yet paid from the Company to
Employee;
(iv) Any other amounts payable by the Company under applicable
plans or programs; and
(d) Without Cause Termination or Good Reason Termination. If the
Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by the Company by reason of a
Without Cause Termination, or by the Employee for Good Reason, Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) Continuation of installments of the Base Salary amount for
the balance of the Employment Term or for two years after the
Employment Termination Date, whichever is greater;
(ii) The immediate issuance to the Employee of 200,000 newly
issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company's common
stock, $.001 par value per share (the
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"Shares"), which shall be issued in the name of the Employee on the
Employment Termination Date.
(iii) Annual bonus for the balance of the Employment Term payable
on the date such payments would have been payable;
(iv) The balance of any incentive awards earned but not yet paid,
payable on their standard payment dates;
(v) The right to exercise any stock option for the remainder of
its term, whether or not exercisable by Employee on the Employment
Termination Date;
(vi) Any other amounts due but not yet paid from the Company to
Employee; and
(vii) The option of Employee to sell to the Company all the
capital stock of the Company held by the Employee on the Employment
Termination Date at a price equal to the greater of the price per share
paid by the Employee (as adjusted to reflect any capital adjustments
made by the Company since that purchase) or the Fair Market Value of
each of the shares. For this purpose, the "Fair Market Value" shall be
that value of the shares as of the Employment Termination Date which is
determined (i) by mutual agreement between the Company and Employee or
(ii) the per-share price paid in a bona fide sale of shares of the same
class of the Company's stock within the six (6) months prior to the
Employment Termination Date in an arms-length transaction, as adjusted
to reflect any capital adjustments by the Company since that sale or
(iii) if no such mutual written agreement is entered into, or no such
sale has occurred, by the following appraisal process. Each of the
Company and the Employee shall select an independent investment
banking, accounting, or appraisal firm ("Appraiser"), and each of the
two Appraisers shall determine the Fair Market Value of the shares of
stock as of the Employment Termination Date, without giving effect to
any difference in the percentage ownership of the Company that the
shares of stock represent (i.e. whether the shares are a majority or a
minority of the outstanding stock). The arithmetical average of the two
values so determined shall be the Fair Market Value of the shares of
stock. Each Appraiser shall afford each of the parties an opportunity
to present evidence as to such parties opinion as to the value of the
shares of stock. The determination of the Fair Market Value by this
procedure shall be binding on the Company and the Employee.
The Employee shall not be obligated to seek or secure new employment or
to become self-employed after termination of his employment with the Company,
but shall be obligated to report promptly to the Company any actual employment
obtained during the period for which Employee benefits continue. There shall be
no offset against any amounts due to Employee under this Agreement on account of
any remuneration or benefits attributable to any subsequent employment
(including, without limitation, any self-employment) that he may obtain.
8. Confidentiality. The Employee recognizes and acknowledges that the
Company's trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, as
they may exist from time to time, are valuable, special, and unique assets of
the Company's business, access to and knowledge of which are essential to
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the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder. The Employee confirms that
all such trade secrets and other information constitute the exclusive property
of the Company. During the Employment Term and thereafter without limitation of
time, the Employee shall hold in strict confidence and shall not, directly or
indirectly, disclose or reveal to any person, or use for his own personal
benefit or for the benefit of anyone else, any trade secrets, and other
confidential or proprietary information of any kind, nature, or description
(whether or not acquired, learned, obtained, or developed by the Employee alone
or in conjunction with others during the Employment Term) that has been obtained
by or disclosed to, him as a result of his employment by the Company, except (i)
with the prior written consent of the Company duly authorized by its Board of
Directors, (ii) in the course of the proper performance of the Employee's duties
hereunder, (iii) for information (x) that becomes generally available to the
public other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Employee or his
affiliates or (y) that becomes available to the Employee subsequent to the
termination of his employment hereunder and on a nonconfidential basis from a
source other than the Company or its subsidiaries who is not bound by a duty of
confidentiality, or other contractual, legal, or fiduciary obligation, to the
Company or such customers, clients, or others having a business relationship, or
(iv) as required by applicable law or legal process. The provisions of this
Paragraph 8 shall continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the
Employee's employment hereunder for any reason.
9. Business Records. Given the competitive environment in which the
Company does business and the fiduciary relationship that the Employee will have
with the Company hereunder, the Employee agrees to promptly deliver to the
Company, upon termination of his employment hereunder, or at any other time when
the Company so requests, all memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, and
other documents (and all copies thereof and therefrom) in any way relating to
the business or affairs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
their clients, whether made or compiled by the Employee or furnished to him by
the Company or any of its employees, customers, clients, consultants, or agents,
which the Employee may then possess or have under his control. The Employee
confirms that all such memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, and other
documents (and all copies thereof and therefrom) constitute the exclusive
property of the Company. The obligation of confidentiality set forth in
Paragraph 8 shall continue notwithstanding the Employee's delivery of any such
documents to the Company. The provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall continue in
effect notwithstanding termination of the Employee's employment hereunder for
any reason.
10. Assistance in Litigation. During the Employment Term and for a
period of three years thereafter, the Employee shall, upon reasonable notice,
furnish such information and proper assistance to the Company as may reasonably
be required by the Company in connection with any litigation in which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party. The
Company shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Employee, including attorneys' fees incurred by Employee, in
rendering such assistance. The provisions of this Paragraph 10 shall continue in
effect notwithstanding termination of the Employee's employment hereunder for
any reason.
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11. Noncompetition and Related Matters.
(a) The Employee acknowledges that during the term of his employment
with the Company, the Company will provide him, and he will receive from the
Company, special training and knowledge. The Employee acknowledges that included
in the special knowledge received is the confidential information identified in
paragraph 8. The Employee acknowledges that this confidential information is
valuable to the Company and, therefore, its protection and maintenance
constitutes a legitimate interest to be protected by the Company by enforcement
of this covenant not to compete. Therefore, the Employee agrees that, in
consideration of the foregoing, during the Employment Term and for the greater
of the period of time during which the Company shall pay to the Employee any
amount due under the terms of this Agreement or twelve (12) months following the
Employment Termination Date, unless otherwise extended pursuant to the terms of
this paragraph 11, the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, either as an
employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, shareholder,
corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or representative
capacity, engage or participate in any Competitive Business (as hereinafter
defined) within any state in which the Company or any subsidiary thereof is
conducting or has conducted its Competitive Business during the Employment Term;
provided that nothing in this paragraph 11 shall be construed to prevent the
Employee from owning beneficially, as an investment, up to an aggregate of 5% of
a class of equity securities that is publicly traded and registered under
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For purposes of this
paragraph 11, "Competitive Business" shall mean any business entity whose
primary or principal business consists of designing and manufacturing electronic
products using flip chip assembly processing. The Employee represents to the
Company that the enforcement of the restriction contained in this paragraph 11
would not be unduly burdensome to the Employee and that in order to induce the
Company to employ the Employee, the Employee further represents and acknowledges
that the Employee is willing and able to compete in other geographical areas not
prohibited by this paragraph 11 (a).
(b) The Employee agrees that a breach or violation of this covenant not
to compete by the Employee shall entitle the Company, as a matter of right, to
an injunction issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any
further or continued breach or violation of this covenant. Such right to an
injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
remedies to which the Company may show itself justly entitled. Further, during
any period in which the Employee is in breach of this covenant not to compete,
the time period of this covenant shall be extended for an amount of time that
the Employee is in breach hereof.
(c) In addition to the restrictions set forth in paragraph 11 (a), the
Employee shall not, during the Employment Term and for a greater period of time
during which the Company shall pay to the Employee any amounts due under the
terms of this Agreement or twelve (12) months after the Employment Termination
Date, either directly or indirectly, (i) make known to any person or entity the
names and addresses of any of the customers of the Company or contacts of the
Company or any other information pertaining to such customers or contacts, (ii)
call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away,
any of the customers of the Company who were customers during the Employee's
association with the Company, whether for the Employee or for any other person
or entity, or (iii) recruit or attempt to recruit, directly or by assisting
others, any other employee of the Company or any of its affiliates.
(d) The parties to this Agreement agree that the limitations contained
in this paragraph 11 with respect to time, geographical area, and scope of
activity are reasonable. However, if any court shall
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determine that the time, geographical area, or scope of activity of any
restriction contained in this paragraph 11 is unenforceable, it is the intention
of the parties that such restrictive covenant set forth herein shall not thereby
be terminated but shall be deemed amended to the extent required to render it
valid and enforceable.
12. Withholding Taxes. The Company shall withhold from any payments to
be made to the Employee hereunder such amounts (including social security
contributions and federal income taxes) as shall be required by federal, state,
and local withholding tax laws.
13. No Effect on Other Contractual Rights. The provisions of this
Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts
otherwise payable to the Employee, or in any way diminish the Employee's rights
as an employee of the Company, whether existing now or hereafter, under any
employee benefit plan, program, or arrangement or other contract or agreement of
the Company providing benefits to the Employee.
14. Arbitration. The Company and the Employee agree to submit to final
and binding arbitration any and all disputes, claims (whether in tort, in
contract, statutory, or otherwise) and/or disagreements concerning the
interpretation or application of this Agreement; provided, however,
notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any dispute, claim, or
disagreement arising under Paragraphs 8 and 9 be submitted to arbitration
pursuant to this Paragraph 14 or otherwise. Any dispute, claim, and/or
disagreement subject to arbitration pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 14
shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the
Resolution of Employment Dispute of the American Arbitration Association or any
successor organization (the "Association") then in effect. Arbitration under
this provision must be initiated within 30 days of the action, inaction, or
occurrence about which the party initiating the arbitration is complaining.
Within ten days of the initiation of an arbitration hereunder, each party will
designate an arbitrator from a panel list provided by the Association. The
appointed arbitrators will appoint a neutral arbitrator from the panel list. The
Employee and the Company agree that the decision of the arbitrators selected
hereunder will be final and binding on both parties. This arbitration provision
is expressly made pursuant to and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration
Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-14. The parties hereto agree that pursuant to Section 9
of such Act a judgment of the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Dallas, Texas shall be entered upon the award made pursuant to the
arbitration.
15. Injunctive Relief. In recognition of the fact that a breach by the
Employee of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 8 and 9 will cause irreparable
damage to the Company for which monetary damages alone will not constitute an
adequate remedy, the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right (without
being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other security) to obtain
a restraining order, an injunction, an order of specific performance, or other
equitable or extraordinary relief from any court of competent jurisdiction
restraining any further violation of such provisions by the Employee or
requiring him to perform his obligations hereunder. Such right to equitable or
extraordinary relief shall not be exclusive but shall be in addition to all
other rights and remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in
equity, including without limitation the right to recover monetary damages for
the breach by the Employee of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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16. Excise Tax.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution to or for the
benefit of the Employee (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 16) (a
"Termination Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Employee with respect to such excise
tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Employee shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Employee of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Employee retains an amount
of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
Employee shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal
rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up
Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal
rate of taxation in the state and locality of Employee's residence on the
Termination Date, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which
could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. If the Excise
Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of Employee's termination of employment, Employee shall
repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise
Tax is finally determined, the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to
such reduction (plus that portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the
Excise Tax and federal, state and local income tax imposed on the Gross-Up
Payment being repaid by Employee to the extent that such repayment results in a
reduction in Excise Tax and/or a federal, state or local income tax deduction)
plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate provided in section
1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. If the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount
taken into account hereunder at the time of the termination of Employee's
employment (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which
cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall
make an additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any
interest, penalties or additions payable by Employee with respect to such
excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
Employee and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in
connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the
existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to the Termination
Payments.
(c) All determinations required to be made under this Section 16,
including (without limitation) whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required
and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be used in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting
firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Employee (the
"Accounting Firm"), which shall be retained to provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and Employee within 15 business days of the
receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Termination Payment, or
such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the
Accounting Firm shall be paid solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up
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Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 16, shall be paid by the Company
to Employee within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company and Employee. 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. If Employee 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
Employee.
17. Survival. Neither the expiration or the termination of the term of
the Employee's employment hereunder shall impair the rights or obligations of
either party hereto which shall have accrued hereunder prior to such expiration
or termination. The provisions of Paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 15, 25, and 26 and the
rights and obligations of the parties thereunder, shall survive the expiration
or termination of the term of the Employee's employment hereunder.
18. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications
required or permitted to be given or made hereunder by either party hereto shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (i) when
delivered personally, or (ii) when deposited in the United States mail, first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
to the party for which intended at the following addresses (or at such other
addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt):
If to the Company, at:
Micro ASI, Incorporated
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19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
20. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns; provided,
however, that the Employee shall not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement
or any of his rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent
of the Company (except that any rights that the Employee may have hereunder at
the time of his death may be transferred by will or pursuant to the laws of
descent and distribution). Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to or shall confer upon any person other than the parties hereto, and
their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and permitted
assigns, any rights, benefits, or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement.
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21. Nonalienation of Benefits. The Employee shall not have any right to
pledge, hypothecae, anticipate, or in any way create a lien upon any payments or
other benefits provided under this Agreement; and no benefits payable hereunder
shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or
involuntary acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws
of descent and distribution.
22. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended in any
respect except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto.
23. Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at
any time by the party hereto which is entitled to have the benefit thereof, but
such waiver shall only be effective if evidenced by a writing signed by such
party, and a waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the
same or any other type of breach on a future occasion. No failure or delay by a
party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.
24. Authority. No person, other than pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, shall have
authority on behalf of the Company to agree to modify, amend, or waive any
provision of this Agreement or take any action in reference hereto.
25. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable, (a) this Agreement shall be considered divisible, (b) such
provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent it is deemed unenforceable,
and (c) in all other respects this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect; provided, however, that if any such provision may be made enforceable by
limitation thereof, then such provision shall be deemed to be so limited and
shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
26. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
27. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer, and the Employee has
executed this Agreement, effective as of the date first set forth above.
MICRO-ASI, INC.
By:
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Chief Executive Officer
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