Blake T. DeBerry
September 1, 2021
Page 5
of employment. This release applies to all claims or causes of action including, but not limited to, claims arising under the common law of the State of Texas or any state or federal statute such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, the Texas Labor Code, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, all as amended, and any other laws and/or regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination, including, without limitation, claims based on age or under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, each as amended.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this release, however, does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after the date you sign this Agreement or any rights to indemnification or directors and officer’s liability insurance to which you may be entitled for actions during your period of employment. You also agree not to sue or join in any suit against the Company for any claim relating to or arising out of your employment or your separation from employment with the Company, provided, however, that nothing will preclude you from (i) bringing a lawsuit or proceeding against the Company to enforce the Company’s obligations under this Agreement or to challenge the enforceability of the release under the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act, (ii) filing a charge or complaint with, providing information to, or testifying or otherwise assisting in any investigation or proceeding brought by any state, federal or local regulatory or law enforcement agency or legislative body, or (iii) filing any claims that are not permitted to be waived or released under applicable law. However, you waive your right to receive any relief (legal or equitable) directly from the Company based on any charge, complaint, or lawsuit against the Company filed by you or anyone else on your behalf other than for a breach of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.
You further acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting to any governmental authority information concerning possible violations of law or regulation and that you shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of trade secret information in confidence to a government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, and you may use such information in certain court proceedings provided you submit it under seal and consistent with 18 U.S.C. 1833. Nothing contained in this Agreement prohibits you from voluntarily or anonymously contacting governmental authorities regarding possible violations of law or from recovering a whistleblower award. You will retain all rights and consideration provided in this Agreement regardless of whether you communicate with any governmental authorities, or if you receive a whistleblower award.
By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that you are receiving the Separation Benefits in consideration for waiving your rights to claims referred to in this Agreement and that, except for the amounts described herein, you are not entitled to any other payments, compensation or benefits in respect of your employment with, or separation or termination from, the Company.
Neutral Reference
The Company agrees that it will provide you with a neutral employment reference pursuant to Company policy, which includes dates of employment and positions held, and, with your permission, confirmation of salary information.