Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and among CIT Group Inc. a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") and Jeffrey M. Peek (the "Executive") dated as of the 22nd day of
July, 2003.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive in accordance with
the following terms and conditions, and the Executive desires to be so employed.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Effective Date. The "Effective Date" shall mean September 3, 2003.
2. Term. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for the period of thirty-six (36) months
commencing on the Effective Date (the "Term"). This Employment Agreement and the
Term may be extended for one (1) or more additional periods by written agreement
signed by the parties hereto at any time prior to the end of the term in effect.
The Company or the Executive, as applicable, shall give notice no later than
thirty (30) days before the end of the Term (or extended term) of its or his
intent not to extend the Agreement.
3. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Term the Executive shall initially serve as President
and Chief Operating Officer with such authority, duties and responsibilities as
are commensurate with such position and as may be consistent with such position,
reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chairman of the
Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Executive will be responsible for all
business units and credit risk at the Company. The Executive shall serve as a
member of the Board. During the Term, the Company expects to promote the
Executive to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with such
authority, duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with such position
and as may be consistent with such position. At such time as Executive is
promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, he shall
report directly to the Board. Executive's services shall be performed in
Livingston, New Jersey.
(ii) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick
leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote
substantially all of his attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Term, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement
for the Executive to serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, or
manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive shall receive an
annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"). For calendar year 2003, the Annual
Base Salary shall be $750,000.00. After the first anniversary of the Effective
Date, the Annual Base Salary shall be $800,000.00. Thereafter, the Annual Base
Salary shall be reviewed at the time that the salaries of all of the executive
officers of the Company are reviewed. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall
not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased. For calendar year 2005, the Executive's Base Salary
shall be set in accordance with the charter of the Compensation and Governance
Committee, as then in existence.
(ii) Annual Bonus. For each complete calendar year during the Term
(except for 2003), the Executive shall be entitled to a bonus pursuant to the
Company's incentive plans and programs ("Annual Bonus"). For partial calendar
year 2003, Executive shall receive a guaranteed cash bonus of $1,300,000.00 paid
to the Executive in February 2004, if the Executive's employment is not
terminated for "Cause" as defined in Section 4(b) or by the Executive without
Good Reason as defined in Section 4(c) prior to January 1, 2004. The Executive's
Annual Bonus for 2004 shall be $2,200,000.00 if the Company achieves its pre-tax
income goal for 2004. Notwithstanding Section 3(b)(v) hereof, the Target Bonus,
as used herein, shall be not less than the greater of $1,600,000 or 200 percent
of the Executive's Base Salary.
(iii) Incentive Awards. During the Term, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in annual and long-term incentive plans applicable to
the senior most executives of the Company. During the 2003 calendar year, the
Company shall grant stock options and restricted stock under the CIT Group Inc.
Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan (the "Plan") as set forth in the Award
Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit A. During the 2004 calendar year and prior
to September 2004, provided that Executive is employed by the Company on the
date of grant, the Company shall grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to
the Executive options to purchase Company common stock having the aggregate fair
market value of $2,500,000.00 on the date of grant determined in accordance with
the terms of and standard practice under the Plan (the "Option"). One-third of
the Option will vest, on a cumulative basis, on each of the first, second and
third anniversaries of the date of grant. During the 2004 calendar year and
prior to September 2004, provided that Executive is employed by the Company on
the date of grant, the Company shall grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan,
to the Executive restricted shares of the Company's common stock having the
aggregate fair market value of $2,500,000.00 on the date of grant determined in
accordance with the terms of and standard practice under the Plan (the
"Restricted Stock"). The restrictions on the shares of Restricted Stock shall
lapse based on attainment of performance targets set by the Company in its sole
discretion. Grants of options or restricted stock for calendar year 2005 shall
be determined in accordance with charter of the Compensation and Governance
Committee, as then in existence.
(iv) Other Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all employee pension, welfare, perquisites, fringe
benefit, and other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs generally
applicable to the senior most executives of the Company in substantially
comparable positions as the Executive. In addition, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in any supplemental and/or excess retirement plans
available to similarly situated executives of the Company, and in the Company's
Executive Retirement Plan,
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and retiree medical and life insurance plans existing on the Effective Date, at
economic levels at least equal to the levels of the senior most executives of
the Company.
(v) Modifications. The Company may at any time or from time to time
amend, modify, suspend or terminate any bonus or incentive compensation or
employee benefit plans or programs provided hereunder for any reason and without
the Executive's consent; provided that, without the Executive's consent, the
Company may not reduce the aggregate value of the employee benefit plans or
programs provided to the Executive hereunder unless such reduction is consistent
with reductions affecting similarly situated employees of comparable rank of the
Company.
(vi) Expense Reimbursement. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all expenses incurred by the
Executive in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies.
(vii) Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to
paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of
the Company as in effect with respect to the senior executives of the Company.
(viii) Additional Benefits. In addition to the benefits described
above, the Company shall provide the following additional benefits to the
Executive:
A. Financial Planning. The Company shall reimburse the
Executive for up to $20,000 annually for tax advice, financial counseling and
for accounting fees incurred by the Executive.
B. Car and Driver. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to the use of a car owned by the Company and the services of a driver
employed by the Company.
C. Air Travel. When traveling on Company business, the
Executive shall be authorized for security reasons to travel on the Company's
corporate aircraft when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is not then
using the Company's corporate aircraft. When traveling for personal reasons, the
Executive shall be authorized to travel on the Company's corporate aircraft if
(i) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is not then using the Company's
corporate aircraft, and (ii) the Company's security provider determines the
Executive's use of the Company's corporate aircraft is necessary for security
reasons. The cost of the Executive's personal travel on the Company's corporate
aircraft shall be imputed to the Executive as income.
4. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Term. If the Company
determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred
during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it
may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(a) of
this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th
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day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's
duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board (if
Executive is then the Chief Executive Officer), which specifically identifies
the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer or if the Executive is then the
Chief Executive Officer, the Board, believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company
or its affiliates, or
(iii) conviction of a felony or guilty or nolo contendere plea by
the Executive with respect thereto; or
(iv) a material breach of Section 8 of this Agreement.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act on the part of the
Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon express authority given pursuant to a
resolution duly adopted by the Board with respect to such act or omission or
upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or the
Board, if Executive is then the Chief Executive Officer of the Company) or based
upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be
done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best
interests of the Company.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean in the absence of a written consent of the Executive:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially
inconsistent with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 3(a) of this Agreement (provided that a promotion shall
not be Good Reason), or any other action by the Company which results in a
material diminution in such position, authority, duties or
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responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an action not taken in bad faith
and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive; or
(ii) the failure of the Board to elect or appoint Executive to the
position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company within twelve (12) months
after the Effective Date, provided that the Executive provides Notice of
Termination within thirty (30) days of the date he receives notice from the
Company that he shall not be appointed or elected to the position of Chief
Executive Officer within the time period set forth herein; or
(iii) any material failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 3(b) of this Agreement, other than failure not occurring
in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Executive; or
(iv) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location more than 50 miles from that provided in Section 3(a)(i) hereof; or
(v) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(vi) the failure of the Company to offer to renew this Agreement on
the terms and conditions (including payment of Annual Base Salary and
participation in incentive plan and benefit programs, but excluding the value of
the guaranteed bonuses and option and restricted stock grants, as set forth in
Sections 3(b)(ii) and 3(b)(iii), respectively) at least as favorable as in the
final year of the Executive's last Employment Agreement, unless, at the time of
a failure to renew this Employment Agreement, the Executive has reached the age
of 65 and can be lawfully required to retire; or
(vii) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
10(b) of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by
the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon; (ii) to the extent applicable, 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 Date of
Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice,
specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days
after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to
set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the
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date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein
within 30 days of such notice, as the case may be; (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination; and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason or Without Cause. If, during the Term, the Company shall
terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or the Executive shall
terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in cash the aggregate of
the following amounts:
A. in a lump sum within 10 days after the Date of Termination,
the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (2) the product of (x) the
Severance Bonus defined below and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs
through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, in each
case to the extent not theretofore paid. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "Severance Bonus" means the greater of (I) the Executive's average Annual
Bonus over the two calendar years preceding the Date of Termination and (II) the
Executive's Target Bonus, unless the Executive terminates his employment for the
reason set forth in Section 4(c)(ii), in which case the Severance Bonus shall be
$2,200,000. For the purpose of calculating the Executive's average Annual Bonus
hereunder, $1,300,000 shall be the Executive's Bonus for calendar year 2003; and
B. the amount equal to the product of (x) 2.5 and (y) the sum
of (I) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (II) the Severance Bonus, which
shall be paid in accordance with Executive's normal payroll periods immediately
prior to the Date of Termination in equal installments for a period of 2.5
years, subject to compliance with Section 8 of this Agreement; and
C. if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to this
Section 5(a) after calendar year 2004 and during the Term, a lump sum payment in
the amount of the difference, if any, between $2,200,000.00 and the actual
Annual Bonus paid to him for 2004 if such Annual Bonus was less than
$2,200,000.00.
(ii) all restrictions on restricted stock held by the Executive
shall lapse and all outstanding unvested stock options, stock appreciation
rights, tandem options, tandem stock appreciation rights, performance shares,
performance units, or any similar equity share or unit held by the Executive
shall vest immediately, and the Executive shall have a period of two (2) years
from the Date of Termination to exercise any outstanding stock options, except
that with respect to outstanding options and restricted stock granted to the
Executive during 2003 and 2004, the Executive shall have a period of five (5)
years from the Date of Termination to
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exercise them (provided that any such extension shall not extend the maximum
term during which any such option may be exercised beyond ten (10) years); and
(iii) subject to compliance with Section 8, continued benefit
coverage which permits the Executive to continue to receive, for two and a half
(2.5) years from the Date of Termination, at the Company's expense, life
insurance and medical, dental and disability benefits at least comparable to
those provided by the Company on the Date of Termination, provided that the
Executive shall not receive such life insurance, medical, dental or disability
benefits, respectively, if the Executive obtains other employment that provides
for such benefit(s); and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore 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
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliates in accordance with the terms and normal procedures of
each such plan, program, policy or practice; and
(v) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive shall
be credited with two additional years of age and service credit under all
relevant Company retirement plans (including qualified, supplemental and excess
plans, including without limitation the Company's Executive Retirement Plan,
and, for the purpose of clarity, to the extent the Executive is a participant in
the cash balance arrangement under the Company's Retirement Plan, the cash
balance account will be increased as if the Executive had received two
additional years of contributions based upon the Executive's compensation as of
the Date of Termination); and
(vi) the Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement
services, not to exceed a reasonable cost, until the Executive accepts new
employment.
(b) Cause and Without Good Reason. If the Executive's employment shall be
terminated for Cause or the Executive terminates his employment without Good
Reason during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay or provide to the
Executive an amount equal to the amount described in clause (1) of Section
5(a)(i)(A) above and timely payment or provision of the benefits set forth in
Section 5(a)(iv) above, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.
(c) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, other than for (i) payment of a lump sum cash amount equal to the
Executive's Annual Base Salary as in effect at the time of the Executive's
death, (ii) payment of the amount set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(A) above; and
(iii) timely payment or provision of the benefits set forth in Section 5(a)(iv)
above. In addition, all restrictions on restricted stock held by the Executive
shall lapse and all outstanding unvested stock options, stock appreciation
rights, tandem options, tandem stock appreciation rights, performance shares,
performance units, or any similar equity share or unit held by the Executive
shall vest immediately. The payments provided for in subsections (i) and (ii) of
this Section 5(c)
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shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
(d) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of a lump sum cash
amount equal to the Executive's Annual Base Salary as in effect at the time of
the Executive's disability, (ii) payment of the amount set forth in Section
5(a)(i)(A) above (payable to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination); and (iii) timely payment or provision of the
benefits set forth in Section 5(a)(iv) above. In addition, all restrictions on
restricted stock held by the Executive shall lapse and all outstanding unvested
stock options, stock appreciation rights, tandem options, tandem stock
appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units, or any similar
equity share or unit held by the Executive shall vest immediately. To the extent
permitted by applicable law and in accordance with the Company's Long-Term
Disability plan, the Executive shall continue to accrue age and service credit
through retirement for purposes of the Company's qualified and nonqualified
retirement plans.
(e) Retirement. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
his retirement under the terms of the applicable Company retirement plan during
the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than for (i) payment of the amount set forth in Section
5(a)(i)(A) above (payable to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination) and (ii) timely payment or provision of the benefits
set forth in Section 5(a)(iv) above.
(f) Non-exclusivity of Rights. Except as specifically provided, nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company
or any of its affiliates and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject
to Section 12(e), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or its
affiliates. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of, or
any contract or agreement with, the Company or its affiliates at or subsequent
to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan,
policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the terms "affiliated
companies" and "affiliates" shall include any company controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Company.
6. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments provided
for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or
others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or
take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the
Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, such amounts shall
not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and
expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of
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this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of
any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), if the Executive prevails on any material
claim made by the Executive and disputed by the Company under this Agreement.
7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. If at any time for any
reason any payment or distribution (a "Payment") by the Company or any other
person or entity to or for the benefit of the Executive is determined to be a
"parachute payment" (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code),
whether paid or copayable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with or arising out of his
employment with the Company or a change in ownership or excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), within a reasonable period of time
after such determination is reached the Company shall pay to the Executive an
additional payment (the Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that the net amount
retained by the Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on such Payment and
any federal, state or local income or employment tax or other taxes and Excise
Tax on the Gross-Up Payment, shall equal the amount of such Payment (including
any interest or penalties with respect to any of the foregoing). All
determinations concerning the application of the foregoing shall be made by a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants (together with legal
counsel of its choosing), selected by the Company after consultation with the
Executive (which may be the Company's independent auditors), whose determination
shall be conclusive and binding on all parties. The fees and expenses of such
accountants and counsel shall be borne by the Company. If the accounting firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the
Executive with an opinion that the Executive has substantial authority not to
report any Excise Tax on his Federal income tax return. In the event the
Internal Revenue Service assesses the Executive an amount of Excise Tax in
excess of that determined in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall
pay to the Executive an additional Gross-Up Payment, calculated as described
above in respect of such excess Excise Tax, including a Gross-Up Payment in
respect of any interest or penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service
with respect to such excess Excise Tax.
8. Confidentiality and Competitive Activity.
(a) The Executive acknowledges that he has acquired and will continue to
acquire during the Term confidential information regarding the business of the
Company and its respective affiliates. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that,
without the written consent of the Board, he will not, at any time, disclose to
any unauthorized person or otherwise use any such confidential information. For
this purpose, confidential information means nonpublic information concerning
the financial data, business strategies, product development (and proprietary
product data), customer lists, marketing plans, and other proprietary
information concerning the Company and its respective affiliates, except for
specific items which have become publicly available other than as a result of
the Executive's breach of this agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
herein shall prevent Executive from responding to lawful subpoenas or court
orders without the Company's prior written consent; provided, that the
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Executive shall have given the Company prior written notice of any such subpoena
or court order promptly following receipt thereof.
(b) During the time that the Executive is employed by the Company under
this Agreement and for one year after the Date of Termination (two years in the
case of a termination by the Executive without Good Reason or by the Company for
Cause), the Executive will not, without the written consent of the Board,
directly or indirectly (A) knowingly engage or be interested in (as owner,
partner, stockholder, employee, director, officer, agent, consultant or
otherwise), with or without compensation, any business in the United States
which is in competition with any line of business actively being conducted on
the Date of Termination by the Company, unless such line of business accounts
for less than ten percent (10%) of the gross revenues of the Company as of the
Date of Termination, and (B) disparage or publicly criticize the Company or any
of its affiliates. Nothing herein, however, will prohibit the Executive from
acquiring or holding not more than one percent of any class of publicly traded
securities of any such business; provided that such securities entitle the
Executive to not more than one percent of the total outstanding votes entitled
to be cast by securityholders of such business in matters on which such
securityholders are entitled to vote.
(c) During the time that the Executive is employed by the Company under
this Agreement and then for two years after the Date of Termination of the
employment of the Executive for any reason, the Executive will not, without the
written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, hire any person who was
employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (other than
persons employed in a clerical or other non-professional position) within the
six-month period preceding the date of such hiring, or solicit, entice, persuade
or induce any person or entity doing business with the Company and its
respective affiliates, to terminate such relationship or to refrain from
extending or renewing the same.
(d) The Executive hereby acknowledges that the provisions of this Section
8 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its
respective affiliates. In addition, he further acknowledges that the Company and
its respective affiliates will be irrevocably damaged if such covenants are not
specifically enforced. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, in addition to
any other relief to which the Company may be entitled, the Company will be
entitled to seek and obtain injunctive relief (without the requirement of any
bond) from a court of competent jurisdiction for the purposes of restraining him
from an actual or threatened breach of such covenants. In addition, and without
limiting the Company's other remedies, in the event of any breach by the
Executive of such covenants, the Company will have no obligation to pay any of
the amounts that continue to remain payable to the Executive after the date of
such breach under Section 5 hereof.
9. Change of Control.
(a) Contract Extension. In the event of a Change of Control during
the Term, the Term shall be extended to the second anniversary of the Change of
Control (such two year period, the "Change of Control Extension Period").
(b) Payment of Severance. If the Executive's employment is
terminated without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason during the Change
of Control
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Extension Period, the Executive will receive the compensation and benefits
already required under the provisions of this Agreement; provided that the
payments set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(B) shall be payable in a lump sum within
30 days after the Date of Termination.
(c) No Plan Modification. In the event of a Change of Control during
the Term, Section 3(b)(v) shall not be effective.
(d) Change of Control Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any Person or Group, as a result of a Transaction (as
defined below) or otherwise, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities representing a majority of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities generally entitled to vote for the
election of directors (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used
as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder); or
(ii) as a direct or indirect result of any cash tender offer,
acquisition of securities, merger or other business combination, acquisition or
sale of assets, actual or threatened election contest (including any settlement
thereof or any agreement intended to avoid or settle such a contest) or
contractual arrangement, or any combination of the foregoing (a "Transaction"),
the persons who were directors of the Company immediately before the Transaction
(the "Incumbent Board") shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the
Board of the Company or any successor to the Company (including any entity
resulting from such Transaction or which, as a result of such Transaction,
directly or indirectly owns or controls the Company or such successor or all or
substantially all of its assets); provided that any person becoming a director
thereafter whose election as a director was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be deemed to
be a member of the Incumbent Board.
10. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(b) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
11. Representations. Executive expressly represents and warrants to the
Company that as of the date of his signing this Agreement that he is not a party
to any contract or
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agreement which will or may restrict in any way his ability to perform his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and that he will not after the
date of signing this Agreement become a party to any contract or agreement which
will or may restrict in any way his ability to perform this duties under this
Agreement, and that the performance of his duties for the Company will not
breach any agreements with former employers.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York without reference to principles of conflict of
laws. The parties hereto irrevocably agree to submit to the jurisdiction and
venue of the courts of the States of New York or New Jersey, in any action or
proceeding brought with respect to or in connection with this Agreement. The
captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have
no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than
by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective
successors and legal representatives. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other
party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
At the most recent home address on file for the Executive at the Company;
If to the Company:
1 CIT Drive
Livingston, New Jersey 07039
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(b) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(c) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, or local taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(d) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
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(e) From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall
supersede any term sheet, employment, severance or change of control agreement
between the parties or severance or change of control plan, program or policy of
the Company covering the Executive with respect to the subject matter except as
expressly provided herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors and the Company
have caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
--------------------------------
Jeffrey M. Peek
CIT GROUP INC.
By
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