EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and effective this May 30, 2007, by and between DGSE Companies, Inc (“Company”) and John Benson (“Executive”).
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment.
Company hereby agrees to initially employ Executive as its Chief Financial Officer and Executive hereby accepts such employment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the terms of employment applicable to regular employees of Company. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between the terms of this Agreement and terms of employment applicable to regular employees, the terms of this Agreement shall control. Election or appointment of Executive to another office or position, regardless of whether such office or position is inferior to Executive’s initial office or position, shall not be a breach of this Agreement.
2. Duties of Executive.
The duties of Executive shall include the performance of all of the duties typical of the office held by Executive as described in the bylaws of the Company and such other duties and projects as may be assigned by a superior officer of the Company, if any, or the board of directors of the Company. Executive shall devote his entire productive time, ability and attention to the business of the Company and shall perform all duties in a professional, ethical and businesslike manner. Executive will not, during the term of this Agreement, directly or indirectly engage in any other business, either as an employee, employer, consultant, principal, officer, director, advisor, or in any other capacity, either with or without compensation, without the prior written consent of Company.
3. Compensation.
Executive will be paid compensation during this Agreement as follows:
A base salary of $175,000 per year, payable in instalments according to the Company’s regular payroll schedule. The base salary shall be adjusted at the end of each year of employment at the discretion of the board of directors.
4. Benefits.
A. Holidays. Executive will be entitled to at least an appropriate number of days as permitted in the company’s employment manual paid holidays each calendar year and an appropriate number of days a permitted in the company’s employment manual personal days. Company will notify Executive on or about the beginning of each calendar year with respect to the holiday schedule for the coming year. Personal holidays, if any, will be scheduled in advance subject to requirements of Company. Such holidays must be taken during the calendar year and cannot be carried forward into the next year. Executive is not entitled to any personal holidays during the first six months of employment.
B. Vacation. Following the first six months of employment, Executive shall be entitled to 10 paid vacation days each year.
C. Sick Leave. Executive shall be entitled to sick leave and emergency leave according to the regular policies and procedures of Company. Additional sick leave or emergency leave over and above paid leave provided by the Company, if any, shall be unpaid and shall be granted at the discretion of the board of directors.
D. Medical and Group Life Insurance. Company agrees to include Executive in the group medical and hospital plan of Company and provide group life insurance for Executive pursuant to the companies policies during this Agreement. Executive shall be responsible for payment of any federal or state income tax imposed upon these benefits.
E. Pension and Profit Sharing Plans. Executive shall be entitled to participate in any pension or profit sharing plan or other type of plan adopted by Company for the benefit of its officers and/or regular employees.
F. Expense Reimbursement. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses, including travel and entertainment, incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties. Executive will maintain records and written receipts as required by the Company policy and reasonably requested by the board of directors to substantiate such expenses.
G. Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to receive such bonuses as may be determined by the company’s Board of Director .
5. Term and Termination.
A. The Initial Term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and it shall continue in effect for a period of two (2) years . Thereafter, the Agreement shall be renewed upon the mutual agreement of Executive and Company. This Agreement and Executive’s employment may be terminated at Company’s discretion during the Initial Term, provided that Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to payment at Executive’s base salary rate for the remaining period of Initial Term, plus an amount equal to Fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s base salary. In the event of such termination, Executive shall not be entitled to any incentive salary payment or any other compensation then in effect, prorated or otherwise.
B. This Agreement and Executive’s employment may be terminated by Company at its discretion at any time after the Initial Term, provided that in such case, Executive shall be paid Twenty-five percent (25%) of Executive’s then applicable base salary. In the event of such a discretionary termination, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any incentive salary payment or any other compensation then in effect, prorated or otherwise.
C. This Agreement may be terminated by Executive at Executive’s discretion by providing at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Company. In the event of termination by Executive pursuant to this subsection, Company may immediately relieve Executive of all duties and immediately terminate this Agreement, provided that Company shall pay Executive at the then applicable base salary rate to the termination date included in Executive’s original termination notice.
D. In the event that Executive is in breach of any material obligation owed Company in this Agreement, habitually neglects the duties to be performed under this Agreement, engages in any conduct which is dishonest, damages the reputation or standing of the Company, or is convicted of any criminal act or engages in any act of moral turpitude, then Company may terminate this Agreement upon five (5) days notice to Executive. In event of termination of the agreement pursuant to this subsection, Executive shall be paid only at the then applicable base salary rate up to and including the date of termination. Executive shall not be paid any incentive salary payments or other compensation, prorated or otherwise.
E. In the event Company is acquired, or is the non-surviving party in a merger, or sells all or substantially all of its assets, this Agreement shall not be terminated and Company agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that the transferee or surviving company is bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
6. Notices.
Any notice required by this Agreement or given in connection with it, shall be in writing and shall be given to the appropriate party by personal delivery or by certified mail, postage prepaid, or recognized overnight delivery services;
If to Company:
DGSE Companies, Inc
2817 Forest Lane
Dallas, Texas 75234
Attention: President
If to Executive:
John Benson
[Omitted]
7. Final Agreement.
This Agreement terminates and supersedes all prior understandings or agreements on the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be modified only by a further writing that is duly executed by both parties.
8. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas.
9. Headings.
Headings used in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall not be used to construe meaning or intent.
10. No Assignment.
Neither this Agreement nor any or interest in this Agreement may be assigned by Executive without the prior express written approval of Company, which may be withheld by Company at Company’s absolute discretion.
11. Severability.
If any term of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, then this Agreement, including all of the remaining terms, will remain in full force and effect as if such invalid or unenforceable term had never been included.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| DGSE Companies, Inc | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| By: ________________________________ | | | ________________________________ |
| Dr. L.S. Smith | | | John Benson |
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | | | |
