EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
is dated effective as of the 1st day of August, 2001, by and between SHOE
CARNIVAL, INC., an Indiana corporation with its principle offices located at
8233 Baumgart Road, Evansville, Indiana (the "Company"), and CLIFTON E. SIFFORD,
an individual residing at 3255 Brookfield Drive, Newburgh, Indiana (the
"Employee").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is one of the leading retailers of family
shoes in the United States;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of the
Employee upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Employee desires to be so employed by the
Company, to be eligible for opportunities of advancement, potential compensation
increases and potential bonus payments for fiscal year 2001 and later, and to be
given access to confidential and proprietary information necessary to perform
his job, but which the Company would not make available to him but for his
signing and agreeing to abide by the terms of this Agreement as a condition of
his continuing employment with the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into
this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of the employment
relationship between the Company and the Employee; and
WHEREAS, in connection with its business, the Company has
expended a substantial amount of time, money, and effort to develop and maintain
its confidential, proprietary and trade secret information, and that this
information, if misused or disclosed, could be very harmful to Company's
business and its competitive position in the marketplace.
AGREEMENT
1. Term of Employment. The Company hereby agrees to
employ Employee and Employee hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, in
accordance with the terms and conditions herein, for a period commencing on the
effective date of this Agreement up to and through December 31, 2003, subject,
however, to earlier termination as expressly provided in this Agreement (such
term, including any extension thereof, shall herein be referred to as the
"Term"). This Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive terms of
one (1)year each unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal to
the other party at least sixty (60) days before the end of the then current
Term.
2. Scope of Duties. The Employee shall continue
employment in his current position, Executive Vice President, General
Merchandise Manager. During the Term, the Employee agrees to perform such other
services for the Company as may be directed by the Company. The Employee shall
be supportive of the Company's business and its best interests and shall not,
directly or indirectly, take any action which could reasonably be expected to
have an adverse effect upon the business or best interests of the Company. The
Employee covenants that he will at all times honestly and fairly conduct his
duties, and will at all times maintain the highest of professional standards in
representing the interests of the Company. The Employee will comply with Company
policies, decisions, and instructions, which may be changed by the Company over
time. Employee shall perform all duties incident to his newly promoted position,
as well as any other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the
President of the Company or his designee, and agrees to abide by all By-laws,
policies, practices, procedures or rules of the Company.
3. Compensation of Employee. For all services rendered
by the Employee under this Agreement, the Company shall compensate the Employee
as follows:
3.1 Base Salary. The Base Salary payable to the
Employee under this Agreement shall be that amount set forth in the
Company Payroll Action Form, effective August 1, 2001 ("Base Salary"),
payable in accordance with the Company's usual payroll procedures, and
subject to all taxes, withholdings and deductions as required by law
and as the Employee may authorize. The Company will review the Base
Salary on a periodic basis, approximately annually, during the Term to
determine, in the discretion of the Company, whether the Base Salary
should be adjusted, and if so, the amount of such adjustment and the
time at which such adjustment should take effect.
3.2 Incentive Bonus. The Employee is entitled to
participate in the Company's discretionary incentive bonus program in
accordance with the terms contained in the then current Incentive Bonus
Plan for his position, as may be amended or modified by the Company
from time to time. However, Employee agrees that the failure of the
Company to award any such bonus and/or other incentive compensation
shall not give rise to any claim against the Company.
4. Additional Compensation, Benefits, and Obligations.
During the Term, and so long as the Employee serves in the position of Executive
Vice President, Employee is entitled to participate in any and all employee
welfare and health benefit plans (including, but not limited to, life insurance,
health and medical, dental and disability plans, and Exec-U-Care) and other
employee benefit plans, including but not limited to, qualified pension plans,
stock purchase plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, established
by the Company from time to time for the benefit of executives at his level and
position; provided, however, the Employee's participation in such plans is
subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms of such plans. The
Company may change, amend or discontinue any of its employee welfare and health
benefit plans at any time during the Term, and nothing in this Agreement shall
obligate the Company to institute, maintain or refrain from changing, amending
or discontinuing any such plans or programs.
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5. Termination of Employment. Employee's employment may
be terminated as follows:
5.1 For Cause. The Company may terminate
Employee's employment at any time effective immediately for "Cause." As
used in this Agreement, the term "Cause" means the occurrence of any
one or more of the following events: (i) Employee's conviction for a
felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) Employee's
engaging in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is injurious to
the Company; (iii) Employee's engaging in any fraudulent or dishonest
conduct in his dealings with, or on behalf of, the Company; (iv)
Employee's failure or refusal to follow the lawful and reasonable
instructions of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, President, or
other executive officer to whom Employee reports, if such failure or
refusal continues for a period of five (5) days after the Company
delivers to Employee a written notice stating the instructions which
Employee has failed or refused to follow; (v) Employee's material
breach of any of his obligations under this Agreement; (vi) Employee's
material breach of the Company's policies; (vii) Employee's use of
alcohol or drugs which interferes with the performance of his duties
for the Company or which compromises the integrity or reputation of the
Company; or (viii) Employee's engaging in any conduct tending to bring
the Company into public disgrace or disrepute.
5.2 Unilateral - The Company. The Company may
terminate Employee's employment at any time without Cause.
5.3 Unilateral - Employee. Employee may
terminate his employment at any time with the Company by providing the
Company with thirty (30) days' advance written notice of such
termination. At the sole option of the Company, such termination will
be considered effective on the date such notice is given.
5.4 For Good Reason - Employee. If Employee
voluntarily terminates his employment during the Term, he shall notify
Employer in writing if he believes the termination is for Good Reason.
Employee shall set forth in reasonable detail why Employee believes
there is Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, for "Good Reason"
means the occurrence, without Employee's written consent, of any one or
more of the following events: (a) a reduction in Employee's position or
responsibilities; or (b) a reduction by the Company in Employee's Base
Salary.
5.5 Disability. If Employee suffers a
"Disability," the Company shall have the right to terminate Employee's
employment by delivering to Employee a written notice of the Company's
intent to terminate for Disability, specifying in such notice a
termination date not less than ten (10) calendar days after the giving
of the notice (the "Disability Notice Period"). The Employee's
employment shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of
the Disability Notice Period. For purpose of this Agreement, the term
"Disability" shall mean either (a) when Employee is deemed disabled in
accordance with the long-term disability insurance policy or plan of
the Company in effect at the time of the illness or injury causing the
Disability, or (b) the inability of Employee, because of injury,
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illness, disease or bodily or mental infirmity, to perform the
essential functions of his job (with or without reasonable
accommodation) for more than ninety (90) days during any period of
twelve (12) consecutive months. The existence of a Disability shall be
determined by the Company.
Death. If the Employee should die during
the Term, the Company shall have no further obligation to the Employee,
his spouse, or his estate except to pay to the Employee's estate the
amount of compensation earned or accrued by the Employee through the
month of his death, such compensation to be prorated to the date of
death.
5.6 Compensation Upon Termination. In the event
of termination of Employee's employment as set forth herein, and
subject to the Company's right to offset against any such benefits,
compensation, or severance amounts owed to Employee, whether the result
of promissory notes, loans, or other financial arrangements the Company
may have entered into on the Employee's behalf, and which are or would
become due and payable on or after the Termination Date, to include the
principle and interest pursuant to such arrangements, the Parties agree
that the following terms shall be the exclusive severance arrangements:
5.6.1 In the event of termination of Employee's
employment by the Company for "Cause," pursuant to Section 5.1
or unilateral termination by the Employee pursuant to Section
5.3, the Company's obligation to pay and provide Employee
compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall
immediately terminate, except: (a) Employee shall be entitled
to receive that portion of his Base Salary which shall have
been earned through the termination date; and (b) the Company
shall pay or provide Employee such other payments and
benefits, if any, which had accrued hereunder before the
termination date. Other than the foregoing, the Company shall
have no further obligations to Employee under this Agreement.
5.6.2 In the event the Company terminates
Employee's employment Without Cause pursuant to Section 5.2 or
Employee terminates for Good Reason within thirty (30) days of
the event constituting Good Reason pursuant to Section 5.4, at
any time other than the two (2) year period immediately
following a "Change in Control," the Company's obligation to
pay and provide Employee compensation and benefits under this
Agreement shall immediately terminate, except: (a) Employee
shall be entitled to receive that portion of his Base Salary
which shall have been earned through the termination date; (b)
the Company shall pay or provide Employee such other payments
and benefits, if any, which had accrued hereunder before the
termination date; (c) the Company shall continue to pay to
Employee his base monthly salary, which shall be that monthly
salary amount as of the date of termination, for a period of
twelve (12) months following the date of termination, payable
in bi-weekly installments in accordance with the Company's
regular pay policy; (d) the Company shall pay Employee a
monthly payment in an amount equivalent to the COBRA Premium
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Rates then in effect, for twelve (12) months immediately
following the date of termination, and said payment shall
cease immediately upon Employee's re-employment during such
period, so long as Employee is covered by the new employer's
plan; and (e) with respect to Company stock options granted
after the date of this Agreement, Employee would immediately
vest in any option that would have vested within twelve (12)
months of Employee's termination date had Employee not been
terminated, and such option may be exercised pursuant to the
provisions of the then current Company Stock Option and
Incentive Plan ("Stock Option Plan") as if the option were
vested at the date of termination. The Parties agree that, to
the extent this language is inconsistent with the Company
Stock Option and Incentive Plan, this Agreement shall modify,
govern, and control said Plan. Payment of the severance
compensation described in subpart (c) and (e) of this Section
5.6.2 is subject to the requirements of Sections 5.9 and 5.10.
Other than the foregoing, the Company shall have no further
obligations to Employee under this Agreement.
5.6.3 In the event Employee's employment is
terminated as a result of Employee's Death or Disability
pursuant to Section 5.5, the Company's obligation to pay and
provide the Employee compensation and benefits under this
Agreement shall immediately terminate except: (a) Employee
shall be entitled to receive that portion of his Base Salary
which shall have been earned through the termination date; and
(b) the Company shall pay or provide Employee such other
payments and benefits, if any, which had accrued hereunder
before the termination date. Other than the foregoing, the
Company shall have no further obligations to Employee under
this Agreement.
5.6.4 In the event of a "Qualifying Termination"
within two (2) years immediately following a "Change In
Control," then, in lieu of all other benefits under this
Agreement, the Company's obligation to pay and provide
Employee compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall
immediately terminate, except: (a) Employee shall be entitled
to receive that portion of his Base Salary which shall have
been earned through the termination date; (b) the Company
shall pay or provide Employee such other payments and
benefits, if any, which had accrued hereunder before the
termination date; (c) the Company shall pay to Employee in a
lump sum not later than thirty (30) days after the termination
date an amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the sum
of (i) his annual Base Salary, and (ii) the highest bonus
payment of the preceding two annual bonus awards, which bonus
shall not be in an amount less than twenty-five (25%) of
Employee's then current annual Base Salary; (d) the Company
shall pay Employee a monthly payment in an amount equivalent
to the COBRA Premium Rates then in effect, for eighteen (18)
months immediately following the date of termination, and said
payment shall cease immediately upon Employee's re-employment
during such period, so long as Employee is covered by the new
employer's health plan; (e) the Company shall provide Employee
with out-placement services at a cost not to exceed Two
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00); and (f) Employee
shall be allowed to exercise available stock options in
accordance with the Stock Option Plan as if he were terminated
without cause pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. Payment or
provision of the severance compensation or benefits described
in subparts (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 5.6.4 is subject
to the requirements of Sections 5.9 and 5.10. Other than the
foregoing, the Company shall have no further obligations to
Employee under this Agreement.
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For purposes of this Agreement, a "Qualifying Termination"
shall mean either (i) a unilateral termination of Employee by
the Company without Cause pursuant to paragraph 5.2 or (ii) a
termination by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to paragraph
5.4 within thirty (30) days of the event constituting Good
Reason.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Change In Control" of the
Company shall mean and shall be deemed to have occurred as of
the first day any one or more of the following conditions
shall have been satisfied:
(A) The acquisition by any individual entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect
from time to time) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors; provided, however,
that the following acquisitions shall not constitute an
acquisition of control: (a) any acquisition directly from the
Company (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of
a conversion privilege), (b) any acquisition by the Company,
(c) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
corporation controlled by the Company, (d) any acquisition by
any corporation pursuant to a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii) of subsection (C) of this Section 5.6.4 are
satisfied, or (e) any acquisition by any Person who on the
date of this Agreement is a director or officer of the Company
or is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding
voting securities of the Company ("Affiliated Person") or (f)
upon the death of any shareholder who, on the date of this
Agreement, is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company, any acquisition
triggered by the death of such shareholder by operation of
law, by any testamentary bequest or by the terms of any trust
or other contractual arrangement established by such
shareholder; or
(B) Individuals who, as of the date hereof,
constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board"); provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an
actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used
in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or
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(C) Approval by the Shareholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, unless,
following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (i)
more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation
and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of
the outstanding Company common stock and outstanding Company
voting securities immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, of the outstanding Company stock and
outstanding Company voting securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit
plan or related trust of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation
and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or
indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the
outstanding Company common stock or outstanding voting
securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors and (iii) at least
a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
reorganization, merger or consolidation; or
(D) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of
(i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
(ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation with
respect to which following such sale or other disposition (a)
more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
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or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of
the outstanding Company common stock and outstanding Company
voting securities immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition, of the outstanding Company common stock and
outstanding Company voting securities, as the case may be, (b)
no Person (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan
or related trust of the Company or such corporation, any
Affiliated Person and any Person beneficially owning,
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly
or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the
outstanding Company common stock or outstanding Company voting
securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of
such corporation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors and (c) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of such
corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of
the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board
providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the
Company.
5.7 Internal Revenue Code Limits. Should any
payments by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee under this
Agreement constitute an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), then the Company shall pay Employee an additional amount of
money that will equal the sum of (a) all excise or other taxes imposed
upon Employee by Section 4999 of the Code (excluding any penalties or
interest) and (b) all additional state and federal taxes, interest
and/or penalties attributable to the additional payments made to
Employee pursuant to this Section 5.7. If an excise tax is imposed
pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Employee agrees to
immediately notify the Company within ten (10) days of the event, in
writing, and Employee hereby gives the Company the right to challenge
said imposition.
5.8 Payroll Withholdings. The Company may
withhold from any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement
all federal, state, city, or other taxes or deductions as may be
required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
5.9 Compliance With Post-Employment
Restrictions. If Employee breaches, or threatens to breach any of the
covenants or provisions set forth in Sections 6 and 7 of this
Agreement, then in such event the Company shall have the right
immediately and permanently to discontinue payment and provision of any
of the severance compensation and benefits payable under this
Agreement. The Employee and Company acknowledge and agree that such
remedy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any and all other legal
and/or equitable remedies that may be available to the Company in
connection with the Employee's breach or threatened breach of any of
the covenants or provisions of this Agreement.
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5.10 Release Agreement. As a condition of
receiving the severance benefits described in Sections 5.6.2(c),
5.6.2(e), 5.6.4(c), 5.6.4(d), or 5.6.4(e), Employee will be required to
sign a standard release agreement acceptable to the Company in which he
releases and waives all claims which he may have against the Company or
any affiliate, employee, shareholder, officer, director, agent or
representative of the Company (except for his rights under this
Agreement or any other vested rights Employee may have under any
insurance, pension, employee stock ownership or stock option plans
sponsored or made available by the Company). The Company will provide
such release agreement to Employee at the termination of Employee's
employment with the Company. As part of the release agreement, Employee
will be required (a) to agree to cooperate with the Company with
respect to any business matters about which he has knowledge, including
any litigation or threatened litigation (b) agree not to cooperate with
any claimants against the Company unless required by law to do so, (c)
agree not to make any negative or derogatory comments about the Company
or its executives and (d) affirm his post-termination obligations under
this Agreement, including without limitation the obligations set forth
in Sections 6 and 7.
6. Non-competition.
6.1 General. Employee acknowledges that his
position with the Company is special, unique and intellectual in
character and his position in the Company places him in a position of
confidence and trust with employees and customers of the Company.
Employee further acknowledges, recognizes, and represents receipt of
sufficient consideration for these restraints in the form of the
increased Base Salary and other valuable consideration contained
herein. The restrictions and obligations contained in this Section 6
shall survive the term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, if
the Company terminates, or elects not to renew this Agreement, and
subsequently terminates Employee's employment without the payment of
severance payments equivalent to the payments described in
Section 5.6.2, the Employee will not be subject to the restrictions and
obligations of this Section 6.
6.2 Non-competition. Employee agrees that during
his employment with the Company and for a period of two (2) years
immediately after the termination of Employee's employment with the
Company, whether such employment is pursuant to this Agreement or is
without an Agreement, thereafter Employee shall not:
6.2.1 Either alone or in concert with others,
whether as director, officer, consultant, principal, employee,
agent or otherwise, engage in or contribute Employee's
knowledge and abilities to any business or entity in
competition with the Company ("Competing Business");
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6.2.2 Be employed by, work for, consult with, or
act in any other capacity for, any person or entity that is
engaged in any Competing Business if in such employment, work
or capacity Employee likely would, because of the nature of
his position with, or work for, the competitor and his
knowledge of the Company's Confidential Information,
inevitably use and/or disclose any of the Company's
Confidential Information in his work for or with such
competitor;
6.2.3 Solicit, recruit, hire, employ or attempt to
hire or employ any person who is then or within the proceeding
one (1) year period was, an employee of the Company, or
otherwise urge, induce or seek to induce any person to
terminate his/her employment with the Company;
6.2.4 Solicit, urge, induce or seek to induce any
of the Company's independent contractors, subcontractors,
vendors, suppliers, customers or consultants to terminate
their relationship with, or representation of, the Company or
to cancel, withdraw, reduce, limit or in any manner modify any
such person's or entity's business with or representation of,
the Company for whatever purpose or reason;
6.2.5 Take any action intended to harm the Company
or its reputation, which the Company reasonably concludes
could lead to unwanted or unfavorable publicity to the
Company;
6.2.6 The restrictive time periods set forth in
this Section 6.2 shall not expire during any period in which
Employee is in violation of any of the restrictive covenants
set forth in this Section 6.2, and all restrictions shall
automatically be extended by the period Employee was in
violation of any such restrictions;
6.2.7 The restrictive covenants contained in this
Section 6.2 prohibit Employee from engaging in certain
activities directly or indirectly, whether on his own behalf
or on behalf of any other person or entity.
6.2.8 The covenants and restrictions in this
Section 6.2 are separate and divisible, and to the extent any
covenant, provision or portion of Section 6.2 is determined to
be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such
unenforceability or invalidity shall not affect the
enforceability or validity of the remainder of the Agreement.
Should any particular covenant, restriction, provision or
portion of Section 6.2 be held unreasonable or unenforceable
for any reason, including, without limitation, the time
period, geographical area, and/or scope of activity covered by
any restrictive covenant, provision or clause, such covenant,
provision or clause shall automatically be deemed reformed
such that the contested covenant, provision or portion will
have the closest affect permitted by applicable law to the
original form and shall be given effect and enforced as so
reformed to the extent reasonable and enforceable under
applicable law.
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6.3 Definition of "Competing Business": The
term "Competing Business" shall include, but not be limited to:
6.3.1 Any retail business, or any company
affiliated with such a business, whether subsidiary,
affiliated or a joint venture, which sells footwear at retail
to consumers at price points competitive, or likely to be
competitive with the Company (including, without limitation,
Payless ShoeSource,Inc.; Brown Shoe Company, Inc.; Discount
Shoe Warehouse, a division of Value City Department Stores,
Inc.; Rack Room (dba); Kohls Corporation; Shoe Station (dba);
Shoe City (dba); Shoe Department (dba); Foot Star, Inc.;
Finish Line, Inc., and/or any subsidiary or affiliate of any
of the aforementioned competitors) within 25 miles of any
Company store.
6.3.2 Ownership of an investment of less than 5%
of any class of equity or debt security of a publicly-held
Competing Business shall not constitute ownership or
participation in violation of the above.
6.4 Acknowledgment Regarding Restrictions.
Employee acknowledges and agrees that he understands the restrictions
in Section 6; that they are reasonable and enforceable, in view of,
among other things, the Employee's position within the Company, the
highly competitive nature of the Company's business, and the
confidential nature of the information the Employee has been provided.
Employee further agrees that the Company would not have adequate
protection if Employee were permitted to work for its competitors in
violation of the terms of this Agreement since the Company would be
unable to verify whether its Confidential Information was being
disclosed and/ or misused, and whether Employee was involved in
diverting the Company's customers and/or its customer goodwill.
6.5 Disclosures Concerning New Employment.
Employee agrees that he (a) will immediately, within ten (10) days,
notify the Company in writing of his employment, engagement or other
affiliation with any other business or entity during the two (2) years
immediately following the termination of Employee's employment with the
Company and (b) will provide a copy of Section 6 and 7 of this
Agreement to any prospective employer before accepting employment or
other work engagement with any such employer.
7. Confidential or Proprietary Information
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7.1 Confidentiality. As used in this Agreement,
the term "Confidential Information" means any and all of the Company's
trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information and all other
information and data of the Company that is not generally known to
third persons who could derive economic value from its use or
disclosure, including, without limitation, the Company's profile of
prospective or current vendors or customers, business methods and
structure, details of the Company's contracts and business matters,
employee compensation, personnel information, marketing strategies and
plans, business plans, pricing information and strategies, costs
information, and financial data, whether or not reduced to writing or
other tangible medium of expression, including work product created by
Employee in rendering services to the Company. During his employment
with the Company and thereafter, Employee will not use or disclose to
others any of the Confidential Information except as authorized in
writing by the Company or in the performance of work assigned Employee
by the Company. Employee also will abide by the Company's policies
protecting the Confidential Information. Employee's confidentiality
obligations shall continue as long as the Confidential Information
remains confidential, and shall not apply to information which becomes
generally known to the public through no fault or action of Employee.
Employee agrees that the Company owns the Confidential Information and
Employee has no rights, title or interest in any of the Confidential
Information. At the Company's request or upon termination of Employee's
employment with the Company for any reason, Employee will immediately
deliver to the Company all materials (including all copies and
electronically stored data) containing any Confidential Information in
Employee's possession, custody or control.
7.2 Trade Secrets-Developments. All
improvements, developments, concepts, and ideas ("Developments")
relating to the Company's business, or capable of beneficial use by the
Company, including, but not limited to, marketing, confidential and
trade secret information, techniques, discoveries, slogans, designs,
artwork, and writings, which the Employee has made or will make during
his employment with the Company are the sole and exclusive property of
the Company without charge to the Company other than the Employee's
compensation.
7.3 Acknowledgement. Employee agrees that the
restrictions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 are reasonable and
necessary to protect the trade secrets, confidential information,
intellectual property rights and goodwill of the Company. The
restrictions and obligations contained in this Section 7 shall survive
the term of this Agreement.
8. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened
breach by the Employee of any of the above provisions, the Company shall be
entitled to an injunction restraining Employee from such breach, in addition to
all other remedies which the Company shall be entitled to pursue. The Company
also shall be entitled to recover from Employee all litigation costs and
attorneys' fees incurred by the Company in any action or proceeding relating to
this Agreement in which the Company prevails, including, but not limited to, any
action or proceeding in which the Company seeks enforcement of this Agreement or
seeks relief from Employee's violation of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall
be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies
available for such breach, threatened breach, or any breach of this Agreement.
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9. Survival of Post-Termination Obligations. Employee
acknowledges and agrees that his post-termination obligations under this
Agreement, including without limitation Employee's non-competition and
confidentiality obligations set forth in Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement,
shall survive the termination of Employee's employment with the Company,
regardless whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, or is with or
without cause.
10. Notices. All notices, requests, consents, and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been delivered on the date personally delivered or the dated mailed,
postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or telegraphed and
confirmed, or faxed and confirmed, if addressed to the respective parties as
follows;
To Employee: Clifton E. Sifford
3255 Brookfield Drive
Newburgh, Indiana 47630
To Company: Chief Executive Officer
Shoe Carnival, Inc.
8233 Baumgart Road
Evansville, Indiana 47725
Either Party hereto may designate a different address by providing written
notice of such new address to the other Party hereto.
11. Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company at any
time or times to require performance of, or to exercise any of its powers,
rights or remedies with respect to, any term or provision of this Agreement or
any other aspect of Employee's conduct or employment shall not affect the
Company's right to later enforce any such term or provision.
12. Assignment. The Company shall have the right to
assign this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and may be
enforced by, any and all successors and assigns of the Company, including,
without limitation, by asset assignment, stock sale, merger, consolidation or
other corporate reorganization, and shall be binding on Employee, his executors,
administrators, personal representatives and other successors in interest.
Employee shall not have the right to assign this Agreement nor any of his
rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder.
13. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto, including the Employee's heirs
and personal representatives, and the successor and assigns to the Company.
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14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement cancels and
supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, commitments and understandings
between the Parties relating hereto, whether oral or written. This Agreement
embodies the entire agreement and understanding between such Parties with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Neither party shall be bound by any term
or condition other than as is expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not
be amended, supplemented or modified except by a written document signed by both
Employee and a duly authorized officer of the Company.
15. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by an
instrument in writing executed by the Parties hereto.
16. Governing Law: Forum Selection. This Agreement shall
be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Indiana, without regard to the conflicts of law rules thereof. Any
legal action relating to this Agreement shall be commenced and maintained
exclusively before any appropriate state court of record in Vanderburgh County,
Indiana, or, if necessary because of a federal question mandating jurisdiction
in the federal courts is involved, the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, and the parties hereby submit
the jurisdiction of such courts and waive any right to challenge or otherwise
raise questions of personal jurisdiction or venue in any action commenced or
maintained in such courts.
17. Severability. The Parties intend that the provisions
of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the
applicable law. Should any provision of this Agreement be unenforceable or
invalid for any reason, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not affect the
enforceability or validity of the remainder of the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
SHOE CARNIVAL, INC. "Company" CLIFTON SIFFORD; "Employee"
By: /s/Mark L. Lemond /s/ Clifton E. Sifford
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Its: President and CEO Date: August 15, 2001
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Date: August 16, 2001
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