Exhibit 10.38
AMENDED & RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, amends and restates the
Employment Agreement by and between Thermo Electron Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (together with its successors and assigns permitted under this
Agreement, the "Company"), and Mr. Richard F. Syron (the "Executive"), which was
effective as of June 1, 1999. The effective date of this Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is July 11, 2000 (the "Amendment Date").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Executive has served the Company as its President and Chief
Executive Officer pursuant to an employment agreement by and between Executive
and the Company, effective as of June 1, 1999 (the "Original Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the
terms by which Executive shall remain employed by the Company in accordance with
the terms set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a
"Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Affiliate" of a person or other entity shall mean a person or
other entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with the person or other entity specified.
(b) "Base Salary" shall mean the salary provided for in Section 4
below or any increased salary granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.
(c) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the Executive commits a felony or any crime involving
moral turpitude; or
(ii) in carrying out his duties, the Executive engages in
conduct that constitutes gross neglect or gross misconduct or any material
violation of this Agreement or any material violation of applicable Company rule
or policy, the violation of which amounts to gross neglect or gross misconduct.
(e) A "Change in Control" shall mean an event or occurrence set
forth in Section 1.1 of the Executive Retention Agreement by and between the
Executive and the Company dated as of June 1, 1999 (the "Executive Retention
Agreement"), attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
(f) "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall have the same
meaning and effect as a termination with "Good Reason" (defined in Section
1(j)).
(g) "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability, due to
physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement as determined by a medical doctor selected
by the Company and the Executive. If the Parties cannot agree on a medical
doctor, each Party shall select a medical doctor and the two doctors shall
select a third who shall be the approved medical doctor for this purpose.
(h) "Effective Date" shall mean the effective date of the Original
Agreement, June 1, 1999.
(i) "Exercise Period" shall mean the period in which options granted
under Section 6 remain exercisable.
(j) "Good Reason" or "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall
mean termination by the Executive of his employment, after written notice to the
Company within 30 days following the occurrence of any of the following events
without his consent:
(i) a reduction in the Executive's then current Base
Salary or reference bonus opportunity;
(ii) the removal of Executive from his position as Chairman of
the Board or removal from any position described in Section 3 of this Agreement,
unless such action is contemplated by Section 3;
(iii) a material diminution in the Executive's duties or
responsibilities not directly related to the transfer of responsibilities
contemplated in Section 3(b);
(iv) a change in the reporting structure so that the Executive
reports to any other person or entity other than the Board;
(v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption in
writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company within 15 days after a merger,
consolidation, sale or similar transaction; or
(vi) the material breach of this Agreement by the Company.
Following written notice from the Executive, as described above, the
Company shall have 15 days in which to cure. If the Company fails to cure, the
Executive's termination shall become effective on the 16th day following the
written notice.
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(k) "Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company.
(l) "Termination Date" shall mean in the case of either a voluntary
or involuntary termination, the last day upon which Executive works. In the
event of the Executive's death, the Termination Date is the date of death. In
the case of a Disability, the Termination Date is the date upon which the
Executive receives written notice from the Board that it has deemed him to have
a Disability, but in no event before the Executive is determined to be disabled
(as the term is defined in Section 1(g)).
2. Term of Employment, Effect on Prior Agreements.
(a) The Term of Employment ("Term" or "Term of Employment") under
this Agreement shall extend until the third anniversary of the Amendment Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term of Employment may be earlier terminated
by either Party in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.
(b) Effect on Prior Agreements. It is specifically acknowledged,
understood and agreed by the Parties that this Agreement amends and restates the
Original Agreement, as of the Amendment Date. The Executive Retention Agreement
shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.
3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) During the Term of Employment, Executive shall remain employed
as the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company and as Chairman of the
Board, except as provided in Section 3(b).
(b) It is understood and agreed that the Board may, in its
discretion, appoint the Company's chief operating officer (the "Designee") to
assume the duties of CEO on or before the 30th month following the Amendment
Date, the effective date of such appointment to be no later than six (6) months
following the date of the Board's action. Upon the effective date of such
appointment, the Executive shall relinquish the title and responsibilities of
CEO and transfer such title and responsibilities to the Designee in accordance
with the Board's appointment. Thereafter, Executive shall continue to act as the
Company's Chairman of the Board under the terms and provisions of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the Designee's appointment as CEO of the Company, it
is specifically understood and agreed that following such appointment the
Company's financial and legal functions shall continue for a period of twelve
(12) months to report directly to the Executive, unless Executive specifically
agrees to transfer such direct line reporting responsibility to the Designee at
some earlier date. If for any reason the appointment of the Designee as the CEO
does not occur in accordance with this Section 3(b), then the provisions of
Section 3(a) shall remain operative during the Term.
(c) The Executive, in carrying out his duties under this Agreement,
shall report directly to the Board.
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(d) In the event of a termination of employment of the Executive
during the Term for any reason, the Executive shall immediately resign as a
member of the Board of the Company and each of its subsidiaries. Upon the
expiration of the Term, the Executive shall not be required to resign as a
member of the Board of the Company unless the Company has offered Executive
terms of employment no less favorable to Executive than the financial terms
contained in this Agreement for the period remaining in Executive's term of
office as a Director and Executive has not accepted such offer, in which event
Executive shall immediately resign as a member of the Board of the Company.
(e) Nothing herein shall preclude the Executive from (i) serving on
the boards of directors of a reasonable number of other corporations subject to
the approval of the Board in each case (which approval has been given as to the
boards listed in Exhibit B attached), (ii) serving on the boards of a reasonable
number of trade associations and/or charitable organizations, (iii) engaging in
charitable activities and community affairs, and (iv) managing his personal
investments and affairs, provided that such activities set forth in this Section
3(e) do not materially interfere with the proper performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder.
(f) The parties agree that upon the appointment of the Designee as
CEO, Executive and the Company will negotiate and enter into a new employment
agreement, and the terms of this Agreement with respect to compensation, the
granting of new stock options and benefits will no longer be controlling. It is
specifically agreed that (i) the terms of such subsequent agreement shall be no
less favorable to Executive than the terms contained in this Agreement (ii) and
that the term of employment under such new employment agreement shall continue
through the fourth anniversary of the Amendment Date.
4. Base Salary. The Executive shall be paid an annualized Base Salary,
payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of
$800,000, which will be increased every twelve to eighteen months in the
discretion of the Board.
5. Annual Cash Incentive Award. During the Term of Employment, the
Executive shall participate in the annual cash incentive award program of the
Company. Under such program, the Executive shall have a reference bonus each
calendar year equal to $500,000, prorated for partial years. The actual bonus
paid will be a multiple of the reference bonus (from zero to two times the
reference bonus). The actual multiple will reflect a variety of subjective and
objective factors, as determined by the Board. The Executive shall be paid his
annual cash incentive award no later than other senior executives are paid their
annual cash incentive awards. For the years 1999, 2000 and 2001, the Executive
shall have a minimum guaranteed bonus of $145,833.32 for calendar year 1999,
$250,000 for calendar year 2000, and $104,166.68 for the first five months of
calendar year 2001 (the "Minimum Guaranteed Bonus" amounts).
6. Restricted Stock and Stock Option Awards. Executive shall receive
restricted stock and stock option awards under this Agreement as follows:
(a) Initial Restricted Stock Awards. On the Effective Date, and on
each anniversary of the Effective Date upon which Executive remains employed by
the Company, the Company granted or shall grant the Executive an award of a
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number of shares of Stock (the "Initial Restricted Stock") having a market value
equal to $200,000 based on the average of the closing prices per share of Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange for the five business days preceding and
including the corresponding grant date, substantially in accordance with the
terms set forth in Exhibit C to this Agreement, except that vesting will occur
on the third anniversary of each grant date.
(b) Initial Stock Option Award. On the Effective Date, the Company
granted the Executive a 7-year non-qualified stock option award, substantially
in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D, as modified by the terms of
this Agreement, to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Stock, (the "Initial Stock
Option") with transfer restrictions lapsing on the first three anniversaries of
the date of grant (333,333 on June 1, 2000 and 2001 and 333,334 on June 1, 2002)
. The exercise price of the Initial Stock Option shall be the average of the
closing prices of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the five business
days preceding and including June 1, 1999.
(c) Subsequent Restricted Stock Awards. On June 30, 2000 (the "Grant
Date"), the Company granted the Executive an award of twenty-five (25,000)
shares of Stock (the "Subsequent Restricted Stock") subject to a transfer
restriction which will lapse while Executive remains employed by the Company
annually ratably over the three (3) year period beginning with the first
anniversary of the Grant Date. The Subsequent Restricted Stock will be granted
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Company's Equity Incentive
Plan (the "Plan"). The Company and the Executive have executed a restricted
stock agreement substantially in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit
E.
(d) Subsequent and Performance Stock Option Awards.
(i) On the Grant Date, the Company granted to Executive a
stock option to purchase three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of Stock, the
exercise price of which was the average of the closing prices of the Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange for the five business days preceding and including
the Grant Date (the "Subsequent Stock Option"). The Subsequent Stock Option was
granted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Company and
the Executive have executed a stock option agreement substantially in accordance
with the terms set forth in Exhibit F. The shares of Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Subsequent Stock Option will be subject to a repurchase right in
the Company which will lapse while Executive remains employed by the Company
ratably on the first three anniversary dates of the Grant Date. The Subsequent
Stock Option shall be exercisable for a period of seven (7) years from the Grant
Date. The Company shall use its best efforts to adjust the Subsequent Stock
Option to reflect the distribution to shareholders of shares of Thermo Fibertek
Inc. and Thermo Biomedical, Inc., in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task
Force, Issue 90-9: Changes to Fixed Employee Stock Option Plans as a Result of a
Restructuring, Example 3, Situation 1, as the same may be in force and effect on
the date of such distributions.
(ii) Conditioned upon his continued employment and the
Executive achieving financial and strategic performance objectives established
by the Board and the Executive, the Company shall grant to Executive additional
stock options to purchase two hundred and sixty thousand (260,000) shares of
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Stock on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Amendment Date
(the "Performance Stock Options"). The exercise price of the Performance Stock
Options shall be the average of the closing prices of the Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange for the five business days preceding and including the date of
each grant. The Performance Stock Options will be granted in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Plan. Each grant will be evidenced by the Company's
then standard employee stock option agreement, which shall be executed by the
Executive and the Company. Each Performance Stock Option shall vest while the
Executive remains employed by the Company ratably on the first three anniversary
dates of each grant date, and shall be exercisable for a period of seven (7)
years from the date each is granted.
(e) Change in Control. If a Change in Control occurs during the
Term, then, effective upon the Change in Control, (i) each outstanding option to
purchase shares of Stock of the Company held by the Executive, whether or not
issued under this Agreement, shall become fully vested, immediately exercisable
in full and will no longer be subject to a right of repurchase by the Company
and (ii) each outstanding restricted stock award held by the Executive, whether
or not issued under this Agreement, shall be deemed to be fully vested.
7. Employee Benefit Programs. During the Term of Employment, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all employee pension and welfare benefit
plans and programs made available to the Company's senior level executives or to
its employees generally, as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to
time, including, without limitation, pension, profit sharing, savings and other
retirement plans or programs, medical, dental, hospitalization, short-term and
long-term disability and life insurance plans, accidental death and
dismemberment protection, travel accident insurance, and any other pension or
retirement plans or programs and any other employee welfare benefit plans or
programs that may be sponsored by the Company from time to time, including any
plans that supplement the above-listed types of plans or programs, whether
funded or unfunded. In no way limiting the foregoing, during the Term the
Company will maintain, at its cost, term life insurance on the life of the
Executive for the benefit of his beneficiaries with a face amount equal to three
million dollars ($3,000,000.). The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks
paid vacation per year of employment.
8. Perquisites. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all of the Company's executive perquisites in
accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as are in effect
from time to time for the Company's senior-level executives, including without
limitation, the Company's automobile reimbursement arrangement.
9. Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses. The Executive is
authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement including, without limitation, reasonable
legal fees incurred in the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, and
the Company shall promptly reimburse him for such expenses, subject to
documentation in accordance with the Company's policy.
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10. Termination of Employment During the Term.
(a) Termination Due to Death. In the event that the Executive's
employment is terminated due to his death, his estate or his beneficiaries, as
the case may be, shall be entitled to the following benefits:
(i) the sum of (1) the Executive's base salary through the
Termination Date, (2) a pro-rata annual cash incentive award for the year in
which the Executive's death occurs, based on the reference bonus for such year,
but in no event less than the Minimum Guaranteed Bonus for the year of
termination, payable when annual cash incentive awards are normally paid to
other executives (the "Severance Bonus"); and (3) the amount of any cash
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay through the
Termination Date, in each case to the extent not previously paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
(ii) all stock options (to the extent previously granted under
this Agreement or any other agreement), including previously exercised stock
options, shall become fully vested and no longer subject to a right of
repurchase by the Company; all options shall remain exercisable until two years
from the Termination Date (but in no event beyond the end of each such option's
Exercise Period); and
(iii) the transfer restrictions on all restricted stock
granted to Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement shall lapse.
(b) Termination Due to Disability. In the event that the Executive's
employment is terminated by either party due to his Disability, he shall be
entitled to the following benefits:
(i) disability benefits in accordance with the long-term
disability ("LTD") program then in effect for senior executives of the Company;
(ii) Base salary through the end of the LTD elimination
period;
(iii) the sum of (1) the Severance Bonus; and (2) the amount
of any cash compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay through the
Termination Date, in each case to the extent not previously paid;
(iv) All stock options (to the extent previously granted under
this Agreement or any other agreement), including previously exercised stock
options, shall become fully vested and no longer subject to a right of
repurchase by the Company; all options shall remain exercisable until two years
from the Termination Date (but in no event beyond the end of each such option's
Exercise Period);
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(v) the transfer restrictions on all restricted stock granted
to Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement shall lapse; and
(vi) the Executive shall be entitled to continued
participation at Company expense in all medical and dental insurance coverage in
which he was participating on the date of his termination until the earlier of
(x) 18 months following the date of termination and (y) the date, or dates, he
receives equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a
subsequent employer.
In no event shall a termination of the Executive's employment for
Disability occur until the Party terminating his employment gives written notice
to the other Party in accordance with Section 24 below, and until Executive is
determined to be disabled as defined in Section 1(f).
(c) Termination by the Company for Cause. In the event the Company
terminates the Executive's employment for Cause:
(i) he shall be entitled to a payment of base salary and
accrued vacation pay through the Termination Date;
(ii) no further lapsing of the Company's repurchase right, and
no further vesting, shall occur and Executive shall have 90 days to exercise all
vested and outstanding options (but in no event beyond the end of each such
option's Exercise Period); and
(iii) all restricted stock granted to Executive as to which
transfer restrictions have not lapsed shall be forfeited.
(d) Termination without Cause, or for Good Reason. In the event the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive with Good Reason (but not in any event as a result of Disability,
death, or as the result of a termination with Cause or without Good Reason), the
Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in equal monthly
installments, over the period specified below, beginning 30 days after the
Termination Date the aggregate of the following amounts:
(A) the sum of the Accrued Obligations; and
(B) the Termination Payment Amount. The
Termination Payment Amount shall be determined as follows:
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Termination Termination Payment Amount Payout Period
Pursuant to This
Section10(d) Occurs
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior to July 11, 2001 An amount equal to three (3) times 36 months
(Executive's then current base salary +
$200,000)
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On or after July 11, An amount equal to two (2) times 24 months
2001 but prior to July (Executive's then current base salary +
11, 2002 $200,000)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On or after July 11, An amount equal to Executive's then 12 months
2002 current base salary + $200,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) for three years after the Termination Date, or such
longer period as may be provided by the term of the appropriate plan, program,
practice or policy, the Company shall continue to provide medical and dental
benefits to the Executive and the Executive's family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them if the Executive's employment had not
been terminated, in accordance with the applicable medical and dental benefit
plans in effect on the Termination Date and in which Executive participated as
of such date or, if more favorable to the Executive and his family, in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies; provided, however, that if the Executive
becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical and
dental benefits from such employer on terms at least as favorable to the
Executive and his family as those being provided by the Company, then the
Company shall no longer be required to provide those particular benefits to the
Executive and his family;
(iii) to the extent not previously paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or
benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to
receive following the Executive's termination of employment under any plan,
program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company and its
affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Other Benefits"); and
(v) transfer restrictions shall lapse on all restricted stock
and the stock options (to the extent previously granted under this Agreement or
under the terms of any other agreement), including previously exercised stock
options, shall be fully vested and no longer subject to a right of repurchase by
the Company; and shall remain exercisable until two years from the Termination
Date (but in no event beyond the end of each such option's Exercise Period); and
(vi) the restrictions on the restricted stock granted pursuant
to this Agreement or any other agreement shall lapse.
(e) Voluntary Termination. A termination of employment by the
Executive on his own initiative, other than a termination due to death or
Disability or Good Reason, shall have the same consequences as provided in
Section 10(c) for a termination for Cause. A voluntary termination under this
Section 10(e) shall be effective upon 30 days prior written notice to the
Company.
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(f) Taxes.
(i) In the event that the Company undergoes a "Change in
Ownership or Control" (as defined below), and thereafter, the Executive becomes
eligible to receive "Contingent Compensation Payments" (as defined below) the
Company shall, as soon as administratively feasible after the Executive becomes
so eligible determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding
the basis for its determinations) (A) which of the payments or benefits due to
the Executive following such Change in Ownership or Control constitute
Contingent Compensation Payments, (B) the amount, if any, of the excise tax (the
"Excise Tax") payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), by the Executive with respect to such Contingent
Compensation Payment and (C) the amount of the "Gross-Up Payment" (as defined
below) due to the Executive with respect to such Contingent Compensation
Payment. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the
Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the "Executive Response")
stating either (1) that he agrees with the Company's determination pursuant to
the preceding sentence or (2) that he disagrees with such determination, in
which case he shall indicate which payment and/or benefits should be
characterized as a Contingent Compensation Payment, the amount of the Excise Tax
with respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment and the amount of the
Gross-Up Payment due to the Executive with respect to such Contingent
Compensation Payment. If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he
agrees with the Company's determination, the Company shall make the Gross-Up
Payment to the Executive within three business days following delivery to the
Company of the Executive Response. If the Executive states in the Executive
Response that he disagrees with the Company's determination, then, for a period
of 15 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the
Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is
not resolved within such 15-day period, such dispute shall be settled by
arbitration in accordance with Section 13 below. The Company shall, within three
business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make
to the Executive those Gross-Up Payments as to which there is no dispute between
the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made. The balance
of the Gross-Up Payments shall be made within three business days following the
resolution of such dispute. The amount of any payments to be made to the
Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by the
amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from
time to time by The Wall Street Journal compounded monthly from the date that
such payments originally were due. In the event that the Executive fails to
deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company's
initial determination shall be final.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 10(f), the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:
(A) "Change in Ownership or Control" shall mean a
change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership
of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance
with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.
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(B) "Contingent Compensation Payment" shall mean
any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or supplied
to a "disqualified individual" (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and
that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code)
on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.
(C) "Gross-Up Payment" shall mean an amount equal
to the sum of (i) the amount of the Excise Tax payable with respect to a
Contingent Compensation Payment and (ii) the amount necessary to pay all
additional taxes imposed on (or economically borne by) the Executive (including
the Excise Taxes, state and federal income taxes and all applicable withholding
taxes) attributable to the receipt of such Gross-Up Payment. For purposes of
the preceding sentence, all taxes attributable to the receipt of the Gross-Up
Payment shall be computed assuming the application of the maximum tax rates
provided by law.
(g) Outplacement Services. In the event the Executive's employment
terminates in accordance with Section 10(d), the Company shall provide
outplacement services through one or more outside firms of the Executive's
choosing up to an aggregate of $50,000, with such services to extend until the
earlier of (i) 12 months following the termination of Executive's employment or
(ii) the date the Executive secures full time employment.
(h) Nature of Payments. Any amounts due under this Section 10 are in
the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company and
are not in the nature of a penalty.
(i) No Mitigation; No Offset. The Executive shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided in this Section 10 by
seeking other employment otherwise. Further, except as provided in Sections
10(b) (vi) and 10 (d) (ii), the amount of any payment or benefits provided for
in this Section 10 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the
Executive as a result of employment by another employer or be offset by any
amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company.
11. Termination of Employment Upon Expiration of the Term.
(a) Upon the expiration of the Term,
(i) the Company shall pay to Executive in equal monthly
installments, for a twelve-month period, beginning 30 days after the expiration
of the Term, an amount equal to the sum of the (x) Accrued Obligations and (y)
Executive's current base salary as in effect on the expiration of the Term plus
$200,000;
(ii) for twelve months after the Termination Date, or such longer
period as may be provided by the term of the appropriate plan, program, practice
or policy, the Company shall continue to provide medical and dental benefits to
the Executive and the Executive's family at least equal to those which would
have been provided to them if the Executive's employment had not been
terminated, in accordance with the applicable medical and dental benefit plans
in effect on the Termination Date and in which Executive participated as of such
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date or, if more favorable to the Executive and his family, in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical and dental
benefits from such employer on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and
his family as those being provided by the Company, then the Company shall no
longer be required to provide those particular benefits to the Executive and his
family;
(iii) to the extent not previously paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any Other Benefits; and
(iv) no further lapsing of the Company's repurchase rights, and no
further vesting, shall occur and Executive shall have two years from the
expiration of the Term to exercise all vested and outstanding options (but in no
event beyond the end of each such option's Exercise Period); and
(v) all restricted stock granted to Executive as to which transfer
restrictions have not lapsed shall be forfeited.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 11(a)(iv) and (v) shall
not apply for so long as Executive shall remain a member of the Board of the
Company pursuant to Section 3(d) of this Agreement.
12. Confidentiality & Assignment of Inventions.
(a) Executive shall abide by his previously executed confidentiality
and assignment of inventions agreement, set forth in Exhibit G, attached and
incorporated herein.
(b) Upon the termination of the Executive's employment, the
Executive (or in the event of his death, the Executive's personal
representative) shall promptly surrender to the Company the original and all
copies of any materials containing confidential information of the Company which
are then in the Executive's possession or control, provided, however, the
Executive shall not be required to surrender his rolodexes, personal diaries and
other items of a personal nature.
13. Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation.
(a) The Executive acknowledges (i) that in the course of his
employment with the Company he will become familiar with trade secrets and
customer lists of, and other confidential information concerning, the Company
and its Affiliates, customers, and clients and (ii) that his services will be of
special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company.
(b) The Executive agrees that during the Term of Employment and for
a period of one year following his termination of employment (the
"Noncompetition Period") he shall not in any manner, directly or indirectly,
through any person, firm, corporation or enterprise, alone or as a member of a
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partnership or as an officer, director, stockholder, investor or employee of or
advisor or consultant to any person, firm, corporation or enterprise or
otherwise, engage or be engaged, or assist any other person, firm, corporation
or enterprise in engaging or being engaged (collectively, ("Restricted
Activity")), in any Competitive Activity. A Competitive Activity shall mean a
business that (i) is being conducted by the Company or any Affiliate at the time
in question and (ii) was being conducted, or was under active consideration to
be conducted, by the Company or any Affiliate, at the date of the termination of
the Executive's employment, provided that Competitive Activity shall not include
a business of the Company contributing less than 1% of the Company's revenues
for the year in question and provided further that an activity shall not be
deemed to be a Competitive Activity if the activity contributes less than 1% of
the revenues for the year in question of the business by which the Executive is
employed or with which he is otherwise associated; and provided further that it
is agreed and understood that the prohibitions provided for in this Section
13(b) shall not restrict Executive from engaging in Restricted Activity for any
subsidiary, division or affiliate or unit of a company (collectively a "Related
Entity") if that Related Entity is not engaged in Competitive Activity,
irrespective of whether some other Related Entity of that company engages in
what would otherwise be considered to be Competitive Activity (as long as
Executive does not engage in Restricted Activity for such other Related Entity).
(c) The Executive further agrees that during the Noncompetition
Period he shall not (i) in any manner, directly or indirectly, hire or cause to
be hired any employee of or advisor or consultant to the Company or any of its
Affiliates any purpose or in any capacity whatsoever, or (ii) in connection with
any business to which Section 13(b) applies, call on, service, solicit or
otherwise do business with any customer of the Company or any of its Affiliates;
provided, however, that the restriction contained in clause (i) of this Section
13(c) shall not apply to, or interfere with, the proper performance by the
Executive of his duties and responsibilities under Section 3 of this Agreement.
(d) Nothing in this Section 13 shall prohibit the Executive from
being a passive owner of not more than one percent of the outstanding common
stock, capital stock and equity of any firm, corporation or enterprise so long
as the Executive has no active participation in the management of business of
such firm, corporation or enterprise.
(e) If the restrictions stated herein are found by a court to be
unreasonable, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or
geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for
the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall revise the
restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area
permitted by law.
14. Resolution of Disputes. Any disputes arising under or in connection
with this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration, to be held in
Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Costs of
the mediation, arbitration or litigation including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees of both parties, shall be borne by the Company.
Pending the resolution of the dispute, the Company shall continue payment of all
amounts due and provisions of all benefits to which Executive is entitled, which
amounts shall be subject to repayment to the Company if the Company prevails.
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15. Remedies. Each of the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to
enforce its rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages and
costs (including reasonable attorney's fees) caused by any breach of any
provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its
favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages would not be
an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that
any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of
competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for specific
performance and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any
violations of the provisions of this Agreement. Nothing in this paragraph is
intended to prevent the parties from raising any and all defenses with respect
to the necessity for, and scope of, such injunctive or equitable relief.
16. Indemnification.
(a) The Executive shall continue to be indemnified under the amended
and restated Indemnification Agreement, dated as of October 13, 1999, a copy of
which is attached as Exhibit H, in accordance with the terms of such agreement.
(b) The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the
Company provides such coverage for its other senior executives.
(c) The Company acknowledges the possibility that the Executive may
lose significant benefits at his current employer because of his entering into
the Original Agreement and this Agreement. In the event his current employer
refuses to pay any such benefit, the Executive agrees to use his best efforts to
obtain the benefit, including possible arbitration proceedings, if necessary.
The Company will fully indemnify the Executive for all his expenses, including
legal fees, incurred in attempting to obtain such benefits. If the Executive is
not able to obtain the benefit before June 1, 2000, the Company will indemnify
the Executive by paying an amount equal to the value of the benefit forfeited,
but in no event more than $1.5 million.
17. Assignability; Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs
(in the case of the Executive). and assigns. Rights or obligations of the
Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company
pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing
entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee
assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in
this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The Company further
agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets or liquidation as described in the
preceding sentence, it shall take whatever action it reasonably can in order to
cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. No rights or obligations of the
Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive
other than his rights to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred
only by will or operation of law.
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18. Representations.
(a) The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized
and empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement will not violate any agreement between it and
any other person, firm or organization. The Executive represents that he knows
of no agreement between him and any other person, firm or organization that
would be violated by the performance of his obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Executive hereby represent and warrants that he is not bound by
the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain
from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous
employer or any other party. Executive further represents and warrants that
Executive's performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of
the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence
proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by Executive in confidence
or in trust prior to Executive's employment with the Company. Executive will not
disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or
proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or
others. Executive will not hereafter grant anyone any rights inconsistent with
the terms of this Agreement.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding and
agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and
undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect thereto.
This is an integrated document.
20. Amendment or Waiver. No provision in this Agreement may be amended
unless such amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an
authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either Party of any breach by
the other Party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be
performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorized
officer of the Company, as the case may be.
21. Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this
Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in
whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected
thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent
permitted by law so as to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
22. Survivorship. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall
survive any termination of the Executive's employment. This Agreement itself (as
distinguished from the Executive's employment) may not be terminated by either
Party without the written consent of the other Party.
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23. References. In the event of the Executive's death or a judicial
determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to the Executive
shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other
legal representative.
24. Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed in
accordance with the laws of Massachusetts without reference to principles of
conflict of laws.
25. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when (a) delivered
personally, (b) sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested or (c) delivered by overnight courier (provided that a written
acknowledgment of receipt is obtained by the overnight courier) to the Party
concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such
Party may subsequently give such notice of:
If to the Company: Thermo Electron Corporation
81 Wyman Street
Waltham, MA 02254
Attention: Vice President and General
Counsel
Copy: Chairman, Human Resources
Committee of the Board of Directors
If to the Executive: Richard F. Syron
c/o Thermo Electron Corporation
81 Wyman Street
Waltham, MA 02254
26. Headings. The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
27. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
By: /s/ Frank Jungers
----------------------------
Frank Jungers
Chairman of the Human
Resources Committee of the
Board of Directors
/s/ Richard F. Syron
----------------------------
Richard F. Syron
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