EXHIBIT 10.3
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made and entered into on the 8th day of February, 2016, by and between Simmons First National Corporation (the "Company"), an Arkansas corporation, and Barry Ledbetter ("Executive").
R E C I T A L S:
The Company acknowledges that the Executive is to significantly contribute to the growth and success of the Company. As a publicly held corporation, a Change in Control of the Company may occur with or without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board"). The Board also recognizes that the possibility of such a Change in Control may contribute to uncertainty on the part of senior management resulting in distraction from their operating responsibilities or in the departure of senior management.
The Board believes that outstanding management is critical to advancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. It is essential that the management of the Company's business be continued with a minimum of disruption during any proposed bid to acquire the Company or to engage in a business combination with the Company. The Company believes that the objective of securing and retaining outstanding management will be achieved if certain of the Company's senior management employees are given assurances of employment security so they will not be distracted by personal uncertainties and risks created by such circumstances.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein and the compensation the Company agrees herein to pay the Executive, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
TERM OF AGREEMENT
1.1 Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date on which it is executed by the Company ("Effective Date"). The Agreement shall be effective for thirty-six months (36) and will automatically be extended for twelve (12) months as of each anniversary date of the Effective Date ("Agreement Term") unless the Agreement Term is terminated by the Company upon written notification to the Executive, within thirty (30) days before an anniversary date of the Effective Date, that the Agreement will terminate as of last day of the Agreement Term as in effect immediately prior to such anniversary date.
Unless the Company has effectively terminated this Agreement as prescribed above in this Section 1.1, in the event of a Change in Control, the Agreement Term shall be amended to twenty-four (24) months commencing upon the Change in Control Date and shall then expire at the end of such twenty-four (24) month period.
1.2 Change in Control.Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Company as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or any subsequently applicable Treasury Regulation.
1.3 Control Change Date. Control Change Date means the date on which an event described in Section 1.2 occurs. If a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the Control Change Date is the date of the last of such transactions.
ARTICLE 2
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
2.1 General. Executive shall be entitled to receive Termination Compensation, as defined in Section 2.5, according to this Article if:
(a) the Executive's employment is involuntarily terminated as specified in Section 2.2, or
(b) the Executive voluntarily terminates employment as specified in Section 2.3.
2.2 Termination by the Company. (a) Executive shall be entitled to receive Termination Compensation (as described in Section 2.5) if during an Agreement Term, Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause on or after a Control Change Date.
(b) Executive shall be entitled to receive Termination Compensation (as described in Section 2.5) if during an Agreement Term, Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within the 180 days immediately preceding a Control Change Date.
(c) Cause, means, for purposes of this Agreement, (i) willful and continued failure by the Executive to perform his duties as established by the Board of Directors of the Company; (ii) a material breach by the Executive of his fiduciary duties of loyalty or care to the Company; (iii) conviction of a felony; or (iv) willful, flagrant, deliberate and repeated infractions of material published policies and procedures of the Company of which the Executive has actual knowledge ("Cause Exception"). If the Company desires to discharge the Executive under the Cause Exception, it shall give notice to the Executive as provided in Section 2.7 and the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice has been given to him in which to cure the reason for the Company's exercise of the Cause Exception. If the reason for the Company's exercise of the Cause Exception is timely cured by the Executive (as determined by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors), the Company's notice shall become null and void.
2.3 Voluntary Termination. Executive shall be entitled to receive Termination Compensation (as defined in Section 2.5) if a Change in Control occurs during an Agreement Term, and the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during an Agreement Term and within six (6) months following the occurrence of a Trigger Event.
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2.4 Trigger Event. A Trigger Event means, for purposes of this Agreement, the occurrence of any one of the following events:
| (a) | the failure by the Board to reelect or appoint the Executive to a position with duties, functions and responsibilities substantially equivalent to the position held by the Executive on the Control Change Date; |
| (b) | a material modification by the Board of the duties, functions responsibilities of the Executive without his consent; |
| (c) | the failure of the Company to permit the Executive to exercise such responsibilities as are consistent with the Executive's position and are of such a nature as are usually associated with such office of a corporation engaged in substantially the same business as the Company; |
| (d) | the Company requires the Executive to relocate his employment more than fifty (50) miles from his place of employment, without the consent of the Executive, excluding reasonably required business travel or temporary assignments for a reasonable period of time; |
| (e) | a reduction in Executive's compensation or benefits; or |
| (f) | the Company shall fail to make a payment when due to the Executive. |
2.5 Termination Compensation. Termination Compensation equal to two times Executive's Base Period Income shall be paid in a single sum payment in cash. If at the time of the Executive's termination of employment the Executive is not a Specified Employee, then payment of the Termination Compensation to Executive shall be made on the later of the thirtieth (30th) business day after Executive's employment termination or the first day of the month following Executive's employment termination. If at the time of the Executive's termination of employment the Executive is a Specified Employee, then payment of the Termination Compensation to Executive shall be made on the first day of the seventh (7th) month following the Executive's employment termination.
2.6 Base Period Income. Executive's Base Period Income equals the sum of (i) his annual base salary as of Executive's termination date, and (ii) the greater of the average of any cash incentive bonus payable to Executive for the Company's last two completed fiscal years or the Executive's target bonus opportunity for the then current year under the Company's annual incentive plan.
2.7 Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company under the Cause Exception or by the Executive after a Trigger Event shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. A "Notice of Termination" shall be a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the termination date is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the effective date of termination.
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2.8Specified Employee. Specified Employee is a key employee (as defined in section 416(i) of the Internal Revenue Code without regard to section 416(i)(5)) of the Employer (and all persons with whom the Employer would be considered a single employer under section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For this purpose, an employee is a key employee if he or she meets the requirements of section 416(i) at any time during the calendar year. If a person is a key employee as of December 31 of any year, the person is treated as a specified employee for the 12-month period beginning on the first day of April of the next calendar year. The determination as to whether the stock is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise must be determined as of the date of the Employee's termination of employment.
ARTICLE 3
ATTORNEY'S FEES
In the event that the Executive incurs any attorney's fees in protecting or enforcing his rights under this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for such reasonable attorneys' fees and for any other reasonable expenses related thereto. Such reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days following final resolution of the dispute or occurrence giving rise to such fees and expenses.
ARTICLE 4
CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE OF INSURANCE PLANS
At the termination of any period of coverage provided above, the Executive shall have the option to have assigned to him, at no cost and no apportionment of prepaid premiums, any assignable insurance owned by the Company and relating specifically to the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the provisions of Section 4.2 below, the Company shall not be obligated to continue the Executive's participation in the Simmons First Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Program or provide any alternative benefits to such program after termination of the Executive's employment, except as specifically provided pursuant to the terms of the program documents governing such program.
ARTICLE 5
MITIGATION OF PAYMENT
The Company and the Executive agree that, following the termination of employment by the Executive with Company, the Executive has no obligation to take any steps whatsoever to secure other employment and such failure by the Executive to search for or to find other employment upon termination from Company shall in no way impact the Executive's right to receive payment under any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 6
DECISIONS BY COMPANY; FACILITY OF PAYMENT
Any powers granted to the Board hereunder may be exercised by a committee, appointed by the Board, and such committee, if appointed, shall have general responsibility for the administration and interpretation of this Agreement. If the Board or the committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is or was payable hereunder is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or has died, then the Board or the committee, if it so elects, may direct that any payment due him or his estate (unless a prior claim therefore has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) or any part thereof be paid or applied for the benefit of such person or to or for the benefit of his spouse, children or other dependents, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, any other person deemed by the Board or committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment, or any of them, in such manner and proportion as the Board or committee may deem proper. Any such payment shall be in complete discharge of the liability of the Company therefor.
ARTICLE 7
INDEMNIFICATION
The Company shall indemnify the Executive during his employment and thereafter to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law for any and all liability of the Executive arising out of, or in connection with, his employment by the Company or membership on the Board; provided, that in no event shall such indemnity of the Executive at any time during the period of his employment by the Company be less than the maximum indemnity provided by the Company at any time during such period to any other officer or director under an indemnification insurance policy or the bylaws or charter of the Company or by agreement.
ARTICLE 8
SOURCE OF PAYMENTS; NO TRUST
The obligations of the Company to make payments hereunder shall constitute an unsecured liability of the Company to the Executive. Such payments shall be from the general funds of the Company, and the Company shall not be required to establish or maintain any special or separate fund, or otherwise to segregate assets to assure that such payments shall be made, and neither the Executive nor his designated beneficiary shall have any interest in any particular asset of the Company by reason of its obligations hereunder. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall create or be construed as creating a trust of any kind or any other fiduciary relationship between the Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
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ARTICLE 9
REDUCTION IN BENEFITS, EXCISE TAX
In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Article 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive's payments and benefits will be either:
(a) delivered in full, or
(b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.
If a reduction in severance and other payments and benefits constituting "parachute payments" is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) cancellation of awards granted "contingent on a change in ownership or control" (within the meaning of Code Section 280G), (iii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards, and (iv) reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive's equity awards.
Any determination required under this Article 9 will be made in writing by the Company's independent tax accountants engaged by the Company for general tax purposes immediately prior to the Change in Control (the "Accountants"), whose good faith determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. If the tax accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or if such firm otherwise cannot perform the calculations, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. For purposes of making the calculations, 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. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Article 9.
ARTICLE 10
SEVERABILITY
All agreements and covenants contained herein are severable, and in the event any of them shall be held to be invalid by any competent court, this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such invalid agreements or covenants were not contained herein.
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ARTICLE 11
ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED
This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto, and neither party may assign nor delegate any of his or its rights or obligations hereunder except as specified in Article 16. Any attempt to assign any rights or delegate any obligations under this Agreement shall be void.
ARTICLE 12
NO ATTACHMENT
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or required by applicable law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge or hypothecation or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect.
ARTICLE 13
HEADINGS
The headings of articles, paragraphs and sections herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 14
GOVERNING LAW
The parties intend that this Agreement and the performance hereunder and all suits and special proceedings hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Arkansas, and that in any action, special proceeding or other proceeding that may be brought arising out of, in connection with, or by reason of this Agreement, the laws of the State of Arkansas, shall be applicable and shall govern to the exclusion of the law of any other forum, without regard to the jurisdiction in which any action or special proceeding may be instituted.
ARTICLE 15
BINDING EFFECT
This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives and the Company and its permitted successors and assigns.
ARTICLE 16
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
The Company will not consolidate or merge into or with another corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation (the "Successor Corporation") unless the Successor Corporation shall assume this Agreement, and upon such assumption, the Executive and the Successor Corporation shall become obligated to perform the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 17
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement expresses the whole and entire agreement between the parties with reference to executive’s severance and, as of the effective date hereof, supersedes and replaces any prior employment agreement, understanding or arrangement (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Executive on this subject. Each of the parties hereto has relied on his or its own judgment in entering into this Agreement.
ARTICLE 18
NOTICES
All notices, requests and other communications to any party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given to such party at its address set forth below or such other address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other party:
| (a) If to the Executive: | Barry Ledbetter | |
| 52 Vigne Blvd. | ||
| Little Rock, AR 72223 | ||
| (b) If to the Company: | Simmons First National Corporation | |
| Attention: Chairman | ||
| 501 Main Street | ||
| P. O. Box 7009 | ||
| Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611 |
Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Article 18.
ARTICLE 19
MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT
No waiver or modification of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, or limitation herein contained shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by the party to be charged therewith. No evidence of any waiver of modification shall be offered or received in evidence at any proceeding, arbitration, or litigation between the parties hereto arising out of or affecting this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of the parties hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as aforesaid. The parties further agree that the provisions of this Article 19 may not be waived except as herein set forth.
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ARTICLE 20
TAXES
To the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall deduct and withhold all necessary Social Security taxes and all necessary federal and state withholding taxes and any other similar sums required by laws to be withheld from any payments made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. This term shall be construed in conjunction with Article 9 and shall not supersede or modify it in any way.
ARTICLE 21
RECITALS
The Recitals to this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
| EXECUTIVE: | /s/ Barry Ledbetter | ||
| Barry Ledbetter | |||
| COMPANY: | SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Marty Casteel | ||
| Title: | Senior Executive Vice President | ||
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