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Employment Agreement
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of April 21, 2004, is
made and entered into by and between Scottish Holdings, Inc., a Delaware company
(the "Company") and Seth W. Vance (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to ensure that it retains the Executive's
management and executive services by directly engaging Executive as its Chief
Executive Officer;
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to continue to serve in such
position, the Company desires to provide the Executive with compensation and
other benefits on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to accept such employment and perform
services for the Company, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. Certain Defined Terms.
In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the
following meanings when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:
(a) "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of Scottish Re Group Limited, a
Cayman Islands, British West Indies company ("Holdings").
(c) "Change in Control" means the occurrence during the Term of any of the
following events:
(i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group, within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Act (a "Person"),
including as a result of a Business Combination (as defined in
Section 1(c)(iii)), of beneficial ownership, within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act, of 25% or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of
Holdings; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section
1(c)(i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change
in Control: (A) any acquisition by Holdings of Voting
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Stock of Holdings, or (B) any acquisition of Voting Stock of
Holdings by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by Holdings or any Subsidiary; or
(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board," (as modified by this Section 1(c)(ii))) cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
provided, however, that any individual becoming a Director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the shareholders of Holdings, was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the Directors then comprising the
Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the
proxy statement of Holdings in which such person is named as a
nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall
be deemed to have been a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of
the Act) with respect to the election or removal of Directors or
other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by
or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, a
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of Holdings, or other transaction (each, a "Business
Combination"), unless, in each case, immediately following such
Business Combination, either (A)(I) the individuals and entities
who were the beneficial owners of Voting Stock of Holdings
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own
in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Voting
Stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of
such transaction owns Holdings or all or substantially all of the
assets of Holdings either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries), (II) no Person (other than Holdings, such entity
resulting from such Business Combination, or any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Holdings, any
Subsidiary or such entity resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or
more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares
of Voting Stock of the entity resulting from such Business
Combination, and (III) at least a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors of the entity
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resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such
Business Combination, or (B) the same as Section 1(c)(iii)(A),
except in clause (I), substituting "one-third" for "50%," and in
clause (III), substituting "two-thirds" for "a majority";
(iv) approval by the shareholders of Holdings of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of Holdings, except pursuant to a
Business Combination that complies with clause (A) or (B) of
Section 1(c)(iii); or
(v) a sale or other disposition of (A) shares of Voting Stock of the
Company representing at least 50% of the combined voting power of
the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the Company, or
(B) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
unless, in either case, the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners of Voting Stock of Holdings immediately prior
to such sale or disposition beneficially own in the aggregate,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting
power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the
entity acquiring such Voting Stock or assets of the Company.
(d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "Competitive Activity" means the Executive's participation, without
the written consent of the Board of the Company, in the management of
any business enterprise if such enterprise engages in substantial and
direct competition with the Company and such enterprise engages in
substantial and direct competition with the Company if such
enterprise's sales of any product or service competitive with any
product or service of the Company amounted to 10% of such enterprise's
net sales for its most recently completed fiscal year and if the
Company's net sales of said product or service amounted to 10% of the
Company's net sales for its most recently completed fiscal year.
"Competitive Activity" shall not include (i) the mere ownership of
securities in any such enterprise and the exercise of rights
appurtenant thereto or (ii) participation in the management of any
such enterprise other than in connection with the competitive
operations of such enterprise.
(f) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(g) "Ordinary Shares" means the ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per
share, of Holdings.
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(h) "Subsidiary" means an entity in which Holdings directly or indirectly
beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock.
(i) "Total Cash Compensation" means the sum of the (i) highest annual Base
Salary in effect during the Term; and (ii) highest annual Incentive
Bonus (as set forth in Section 6(b)) earned during the prior three (3)
fiscal years.
(j) "Voting Stock" means securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors.
2. Employment.
The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees
to be employed with the Company for the Term, upon the terms and conditions
herein set forth.
3. Term.
The term of employment under this Agreement (the "Initial Term") shall
commence on April 21, 2004 ("Commencement Date") and subject to earlier
termination pursuant to Section 7, expire on the third anniversary of the
Commencement Date; provided, however, that commencing on the third anniversary
of the Commencement Date, this Agreement will automatically be renewed for
successive one-year periods (the "Additional Term"), subject to earlier
termination pursuant to Section 7, unless either party provides written notice
of non-renewal to the other pursuant to Section 15 at least ninety (90) days
prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Additional Term. The Initial Term
and any Additional Term shall be referred to under this Agreement as the "Term";
provided, however, that if a Change in Control occurs during the Term (as
determined without regard to this clause), then the Term shall include the
period ending on the second anniversary of the first occurrence of a Change in
Control.
4. Positions and Duties.
(a) During the Term, Executive will serve in the position of Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, or such other position as may be
agreed upon by the Company and the Executive, and will have such
duties, functions, responsibilities and authority as are (i)
reasonably assigned to him by the President of Holdings, consistent
with Executive's position as the Company's Chief Executive Officer or
(ii) assigned to his office in the Company's Corporate Charter.
Executive will report directly to the President of Holdings.
(b) During the Term, Executive will be the Company's full-time employee
and, except as may otherwise be approved in advance in writing by the
Board of the Company, and except during vacation periods and
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reasonable periods of absence due to sickness, personal injury or
other disability, Executive will devote substantially all of his
business time and attention to the performance of his duties to the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may (i) subject to
the approval of the Board of the Company, serve as a director of a
company, provided such service does not constitute a Competitive
Activity, (ii) serve as an officer, director or otherwise participate
in purely educational, welfare, social, religious and civic
organizations, (iii) serve as an officer, director or trustee of, or
otherwise participate in, any organizations and activities with
respect to which Executive's participation was disclosed to the
Company in writing prior to the date hereof and (iv) manage personal
and family investments.
5. Place of Performance.
In connection with his employment during the Term, unless otherwise agreed
by Executive, Executive will be based at the Company's principal executive
offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; provided, however, that Executive agrees
and acknowledges that in view of the nature of the Company's business
operations, Executive may be required in the performance of his duties to
undertake substantial travel on behalf of the Company and, in the event the
Company relocates its Charlotte, North Carolina executive office, the Executive
may be requested to relocate to another executive office of the Company.
6. Compensation and Related Matters.
As compensation and consideration for the performance by Executive of his
obligations pursuant to this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the
following:
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Executive an
annual base salary ("Base Salary") of US $400,000, payable at the
times and in the manner consistent with the Company's policies
regarding compensation of executive employees. The Company agrees to
review such compensation not less frequently than annually during the
Term. The Base Salary may not be decreased. The Base Salary as
increased from time to time shall be referred to herein as "Base
Salary".
(b) Incentive Bonus. For each calendar year that begins after December 31,
2004, the Company shall pay a cash bonus to Executive based upon
pre-established performance goals established by the Company (the
"Incentive Bonus"). For the calendar year ending on December 31, 2004,
Executive shall receive a guaranteed minimum Incentive Bonus equal to
$250,000. Any Incentive Bonuses shall be payable at the times and in
the
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manner consistent with the Company's policies regarding compensation
of executive employees.
(c) Executive Benefits. During the Term, the Company will make available
to Executive and his eligible dependents, participation in all
Company-sponsored employee benefit plans including all employee
retirement income and welfare benefit policies, plans, programs or
arrangements in which senior executives of the Company participate,
including any stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation,
savings, pension, supplemental executive retirement or other
retirement income or welfare benefit, disability, salary continuation,
and any other deferred compensation, incentive compensation, group
and/or executive life, health, medical/hospital or other insurance,
expense reimbursement or other employee benefit policies, plans,
programs or arrangements, including without limitation financial
counseling services or any equivalent successor policies, plans,
programs or arrangements that may now exist or be adopted hereafter by
the Company.
(d) Expenses. The Company will promptly reimburse Executive for all
reasonable business expenses Executive incurs in order to perform his
duties to the Company under this Agreement in a manner commensurate
with Executive's position and level of responsibility with the
Company, and in accordance with the Company's policy regarding
substantiation of expenses.
(e) Club Dues and Expenses. The Company hereby agrees to reimburse
Executive for club dues and expenses up to $5,000 per calendar year in
accordance with the Company's policy regarding substantiation of
expenses. In addition to the above allowance, the Company also agrees
to provide Executive membership at Ballantyne Country Club. Such
membership is limited only by the terms and conditions of the
Company's corporate membership with Ballantyne Country Club.
(f) Vacation and Holidays. Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
of paid vacation per annum, in accordance with the Company's vacation
policy.
(g) Indemnification. The Executive shall be offered an opportunity to
enter into Holdings' Indemnification Agreement substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A effective as of the Commencement
Date.
(h) Signing Bonus. The Company shall pay Executive a $135,000 signing
bonus upon execution of this Agreement.
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(i) Relocation expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for (i)
his reasonable relocation costs, not to exceed $50,000, associated
with the Executive's relocation to Charlotte, North Carolina in
accordance with the Company's Relocation Policy; and (ii) his
reasonable relocation expenses associated with any relocation by the
Executive pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement.
(j) Initial Equity Compensation Grant. The Company shall grant Executive
an option (the "Option") to purchase 125,000 Ordinary Shares of
Holdings. Additionally, the Company shall grant Executive 70,000
restricted shares (the "Restricted Shares") of Holdings (collectively
the "Grants"). Any such issuance of Options and/or Restricted Shares
shall be subject to shareholder approval of the 2004 Equity Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "2004 Plan"). For purposes of the Grants, the
strike price shall be the lesser of the strike price as of April 21,
2004 or the strike price on the first date such Grant can be granted
under the 2004 Plan. To the extent the strike price is lower on April
21, 2004, the Company shall compensate Executive for the difference
between the price on these two dates either in cash or other mutually
agreeable equity compensation. Additionally, any grant to Executive
under the 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan shall be subject to
the terms and conditions of the plan as well as the performance
requirements expressly adopted by the Holdings' Board and/or
Compensation Committee. A copy of the 2004 Equity Incentive
Compensation Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit B. In the event the
2004 Plan is not approved by July 1, 2004, the Company shall
compensate Executive with the cash equivalent of the Grants according
to a mutually agreeable schedule. The cash equivalent of the
Restricted Shares shall be valued at the higher of the share price on
the date of the grant or July 1, 2004. The cash equivalent of the
Options shall be valued at 2/3 of the applicable value of the
Restricted Shares.
(k) Initial Legal Fees. The Company shall pay all reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs incurred by the Executive in connection with advice
pertaining to and negotiation of this Agreement.
7. Termination.
(a) Termination by the Company with Cause. The Company shall have the
right to terminate Executive's employment at any time with Cause by
providing a Notice of Termination to Executive in accordance with
Section 7(g) not more than sixty (60) days after the Company's actual
knowledge of the Cause event, and such termination shall not be deemed
to be a breach of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Cause" shall mean: (i) habitual drug or alcohol use which impairs
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Executive's ability to perform his or her duties hereunder; (ii)
Executive's conviction during the Term by a court of competent
jurisdiction, or a pleading of "no contest" or guilty to an arrestable
criminal offense resulting in the imposition of a custodial sentence;
(iii) Executive's engaging in fraud, embezzlement or any other illegal
conduct with respect to the Company or Holdings, which acts are
materially harmful to, either financially, or to the business
reputation of the Company or Holdings; (iv) Executive's willful breach
of Section 10 hereof; (v) Executive's willful and continued failure or
refusal to perform his material duties hereunder (other than such
failure caused by Executive's Disability), after a written demand for
performance is delivered to Executive by the Company that specifically
identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has
failed or refused to perform his duties, which is not cured, if
curable, within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof; or (vi)
Executive otherwise breaches any material provision of this Agreement
which is not cured, if curable, within thirty (30) days after written
notice thereof. No act or failure to act on the part of Executive
shall be deemed "intentional" if it was due primarily to an error in
judgment or negligence, but shall be deemed "intentional" only if done
or omitted to be done by Executive not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest
of the Company and Holdings.
(b) Death. In the event Executive dies during the Term, his employment
shall automatically terminate effective on the date of his death, such
termination shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Agreement, and
the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive's beneficiaries or
estate, as appropriate, as soon as practicable after the Executive's
death, the amounts and benefits provided for in Section 8(d).
(c) Disability. In the event Executive shall suffer from a mental or
physical disability which shall have prevented him from performing his
material duties hereunder for a period of at least one-hundred eighty
(180) non-consecutive days within any 365 day period, the Company
shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment for
"Disability," such termination to be effective upon the giving of
notice thereof to the Executive in accordance with Section 7(g)
hereof, such termination shall not be deemed to be a breach of this
Agreement, and the Company shall provide to the Executive the amounts
and benefits provided for in Section 8(d). Executive's employment
hereunder shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of
such notice by Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"); provided
that Executive shall not have returned to full-
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time performance of his duties hereunder within thirty (30) days
following receipt of such notice.
(d) Good Reason.
(i) Executive may terminate his employment with the Company for "Good
Reason" and such termination shall not be deemed to be a breach
of this Agreement. Executive shall have Good Reason if Executive
has knowledge that one of the events described in Section
7(d)(ii) has occurred without Executive's written consent and (A)
if the event is not curable, Executive gives a Notice of
Termination to the Company pursuant to Section 7(g) within sixty
(60) days after having knowledge of the event, or (B) if the
event is curable, (I) Executive gives written notice to the
Company thereof in accordance with Section 15 within sixty (60)
days after having knowledge of the event, (II) such event has not
been cured within thirty (30) days after the Executive gives
notice of the event to the Company, and (III) Executive gives a
Notice of Termination to the Company in accordance with Section
7(g) within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the
Company's 30-day cure period.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean (A)
prior to a Change in Control, (I) a failure by the Company to
comply with any material provision of this Agreement; (II) the
liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization
of the Company or all of its business and/or assets, unless the
successor(s) assume all duties and obligations of the Company
pursuant to Section 14(a); or (III) upon the provision of notice
by the Company under Section 3 of non-renewal of the Agreement,
and (B) on or after a Change in Control, (I) any of the events
set forth in Section 7(d)(ii)(A); (II) any material and adverse
change to Executive's duties or authority which are inconsistent
with his title and position set forth herein; (III) a diminution
of Executive's title or position; (IV) the relocation of
Executive's office; (V) a reduction in Executive's Base Salary;
or (VI) a material reduction of Executive's benefits provided
pursuant to Section 6 other than a reduction permitted under
terms and conditions of the applicable Company policy or benefit
plan.
(e) Without Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate his
employment with the Company without Good Reason by giving written
notice to the Company as provided in Section 7(g). Such notice must be
provided to the Company at least thirty (30) days prior to such
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termination. Such termination shall not be deemed to be a breach of
this Agreement.
(f) Without Cause. This Company shall have the right to terminate
Executive's employment hereunder without Cause by providing written
notice to Executive as provided in Section 7(g), and such termination
shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Agreement. "Without Cause"
shall mean for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, as
provided in Sections 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c).
(g) Notice of Termination.
(i) Any termination of Executive's employment by the Company pursuant
to Section 7(a), 7(c) or 7(f), or by Executive pursuant to
Section 7(d) or 7(e), shall be communicated by a Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with this
Section 7(g) and Section 15. For purposes of this Agreement, a
"Notice of Termination" means a written notice that (A) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
(B) 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 (C) if the Date of Termination (as defined in
Section 7(h)) is other than the date of receipt of such notice,
specifies the Date of Termination. The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact
or circumstance that 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 Company's rights hereunder.
(ii) Any Notice of Termination by the Company for Cause shall be
ratified by a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of
not less than two-thirds of the Board of the Company then in
office (excluding, for this purpose, the Executive, if the
Executive is then a member of the Board) at a meeting of the
Board of the Company called and held for such purpose, after
reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the
Executive, together with his counsel (if the Executive chooses to
have counsel present at such meeting), to be heard before the
Board of the Company, finding that, in the good faith opinion of
the Board of the Company, the Executive had committed an act
constituting "Cause" as defined in Section 7(a) and specifying
the particulars thereof in detail.
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(h) 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 date of receipt of the Notice of
Termination or any later date specified therein (but not more than
thirty (30) days thereafter), as the case may be (although such Date
of Termination shall retroactively cease to apply if the circumstances
providing the basis of termination for Cause or Good Reason are cured
in accordance with Section 7(a) or 7(d) of this Agreement, as the case
may be), (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date set forth in the Notice of Termination (iii) if Executive's
employment is terminated by Executive without Good Reason, the Date of
Termination shall be the date set forth in the Notice of Termination,
but no sooner than thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination
is received by the Company and (iv) if Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination
shall be the date of the Executive's death or the Disability Effective
Date, as the case may be.
8. Compensation upon Termination.
If the Company or Executive terminates the Executive's employment during
the Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive the amount(s) set forth below
in a lump sum in cash upon the later of (i) five (5) business days after the
Date of Termination or date of expiration of this Agreement, as the case may be,
(ii) the effective date of a release (if a release is required by this Section
8) or (iii) at the Executive's option, a date later than the dates specified in
clauses (i) and (ii).
(a) Compensation upon Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason. In the
event of termination of Executive's employment by the Company for
Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Company shall pay
the Executive his accrued, but unpaid Base Salary, accrued vacation
pay and unpaid business expenses through the Date of Termination (the
"Compensation Payments"), and the Executive shall be entitled to no
other compensation, except as otherwise due to the Executive under
applicable law. The Executive shall not be entitled to the payment of
any bonus or other incentive compensation for any portion of the
fiscal year in which such termination occurs.
(b) Compensation upon Termination by the Company Without Cause or upon
Termination by the Executive for Good Reason. Subject to Section 8(c),
in the event of the termination of the Executive's employment by the
Company without Cause or upon termination of the Executive's
employment by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the
Executive the Compensation Payments. In addition, conditioned upon
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receipt of the Executive's release of claims substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, subject to such changes as may be
required to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable law,
the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (i) as severance
pay, an amount equal to the sum of the Total Cash Compensation that
Executive would have received during the remaining Term of the
Agreement, such amount to be calculated from the date the Executive's
employment was terminated to the date that is the third anniversary of
the Commencement Date (the "Severance Calculation Period"), (ii)
earned, but unpaid Incentive Bonus for the year of termination, as
determined in the good faith opinion of the Company based upon the
relative achievement of performance targets through the Date of
Termination (the "Termination Bonus"), and (iii) the welfare benefits
set forth in Section 8(f). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this Section 8(b), (x) where the Severance Calculation Period is for
twelve (12) calendar months or less, the Company shall pay the
Executive under Section 8(b)(i) an amount equal to the sum of two (2)
full years' Total Cash Compensation, (y) upon termination by the
Executive for Good Reason due to Section 7(d)(ii)(A)(III) (Company's
notice of non-renewal of the Agreement), the Company shall pay the
Executive under Section 8(b)(i) an amount not less than two (2) full
year's Total Cash Compensation, and (z) any right of the Executive to
receive termination payments and benefits under Section 8(b) shall be
forfeited to the extent of any amounts payable or benefits to be
provided after a material breach of any covenant set forth in Section
10.
(c) Compensation upon Termination in Connection with a Change in Control
of the Company. If, within the period of time commencing on the date
of the first occurrence of a Change in Control and continuing until
the second anniversary of such occurrence of a Change in Control or,
if earlier, until the Executive's death, the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good
Reason, then the provisions of Section 8(b) shall be applicable,
except that an amount equal to 300% of the Executive's Total Cash
Compensation shall be substituted in lieu of the amount set forth in
Section 8(b)(i), and the Severance Calculation Period shall be
inapplicable. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if a Change in
Control occurs and not more than one-hundred twenty (120) days prior
to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, such
termination of employment shall be deemed a termination of employment
after a Change in Control if the Executive has reasonably demonstrated
that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third
party who has taken steps
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reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control, or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control.
(d) Compensation upon Death or Disability. In the event of the Executive's
death or the termination of employment due to Disability, the Company
shall pay to the Executive (or beneficiaries, or estate, as the case
may be) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Compensation Payments
and (ii) the Termination Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to any
other rights, compensation and/or benefits as may be due to Executive
in accordance with the terms and provision of any agreements, plans or
programs of the Company.
(e) Set-Off, Counterclaim or Late Payment. There shall be no right of
set-off or counterclaim in respect of any claim, debt or obligation
against any payment to or benefit for the Executive provided for in
this Agreement. Without limiting the rights of the Executive at law or
in equity, if the Company fails to make any payment required to be
made hereunder on a timely basis, the Company shall pay interest on
the amount or value thereof at an annualized rate of interest equal to
the "prime rate" as set forth from time to time during the relevant
period in The Wall Street Journal "Money Rates" column, plus four
(4)%. Such interest shall be payable as it accrues on demand. Any
change in such prime rate shall be effective on and as of the date of
such change.
(f) Welfare Benefits. If the Executive becomes entitled to the benefits
provided by Section 8(b) or 8(c), then in addition to such benefits,
for a period following the Date of Termination equal to the greater of
the remaining Term or twelve (12) months (the "Continuation Period"),
the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive with health
insurance, life insurance, and other medical benefits substantially
similar to those that the Executive was receiving or entitled to
receive immediately prior to the Date of Termination (or, if greater,
immediately prior to the reduction, termination, or denial described
in Section 7(d)(ii)(B)(VI), if applicable). If and to the extent that
any benefit described in this Section 8(f) is not or cannot be paid or
provided under any policy, plan, program or arrangement of the
Company, then the Company will itself pay or provide for the payment
to the Executive, his dependents and beneficiaries, of such benefits
along with, in the case of any benefit described in this Section 8(f)
that is subject to tax because it is not or cannot be paid or provided
under any such policy, plan, program or arrangement of the Company, an
additional amount such that after payment by the Executive, or his
dependents or beneficiaries, as the case may be, of all taxes so
imposed, the recipient retains an amount equal to such taxes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other provision of the
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Agreement, for purposes of determining the period of continuation
coverage to which the Executive or any of his dependents is entitled
pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code under the Company's medical,
dental and other group health plans, or successor plans, the
Executive's "qualifying event" will be the termination of the
Continuation Period and the Executive will be considered to have
remained actively employed on a full-time basis through that date.
(g) Scope and Nonduplication. The provision or payment of termination
benefits under this Section 8 shall not affect any rights the
Executive may have pursuant to any agreement, plan, policy, program or
arrangement of the Company providing employee benefits, which rights
shall be governed by the terms thereof or by the release described in
Section 8; provided, however, that to the extent, and only to the
extent, a payment or benefit that is paid or provided under this
Section 8 would also be paid or provided under the terms of any
applicable plan, program, or arrangement, including, without
limitation, any severance program, such applicable plan, program,
agreement or arrangement shall be deemed to have been satisfied by the
payment made or benefit provided under this Agreement.
(h) Mitigation. In the event of the termination of the Executive by the
Company without Cause, or by the Executive with Good Reason, the
Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages by seeking other
employment or otherwise as a condition to receiving termination
payments or benefits under this Agreement. No amounts earned by the
Executive after the Executive's termination by the Company without
Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, whether from
self-employment, as a common law employee, or otherwise, shall reduce
the amount of any payment or benefit under any provision of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive's coverage
under the Company's group medical insurance as provided in Section
8(f) shall be reduced to the extent comparable welfare benefits are
actually received by the Executive as soon as the Executive becomes
covered under any group medical plan made available by another
employer. The Executive shall report to the Company any such coverage
actually received by the Executive.
(i) Resignations. Except to the extent requested by the Company, upon any
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the
Executive shall immediately resign all positions and directorships
with the Company, Holdings and each of their subsidiaries and
affiliates.
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9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that it shall be determined (as hereafter provided) that any
payment (other than the Gross-Up payments provided for in this Section
9) or distribution by the Company, Holdings or any of their affiliates
to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy,
plan, program or arrangement, including without limitation any stock
option, performance share, performance unit, stock appreciation right
or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or
the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a "Payment"),
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code
by reason of being considered "contingent on a change in ownership or
control" of the Company or Holdings, within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law,
or any interest or penalties with respect to such tax (such tax or
taxes, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments
(collectively, a "Gross-Up Payment"); provided; however, that no
Gross-up Payment shall be made with respect to the Excise Tax, if any,
attributable to (i) any incentive stock option, as defined by Section
422 of the Code ("ISO") granted prior to the execution of this
Agreement, or (ii) any stock appreciation or similar right, whether or
not limited, granted in tandem with any ISO described in clause (i).
The Gross-Up Payment shall be in an amount such that, after payment by
the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment. For
purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive will be considered to pay (x) federal income taxes at the
highest rate in effect in the year in which the Gross-Up Payment will
be made and (y) state and local income taxes at the highest rate in
effect in the state or locality in which the Gross-Up Payment would be
subject to state or local tax, net of the maximum reduction in federal
income tax that could be obtained from deduction of such state and
local taxes.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(f), all determinations required
to be made under this Section 9, including whether an Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive and the amount of such Excise Tax and whether
a Gross-Up Payment is required to be paid by the Company to the
Executive and the
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amount of such Gross-Up Payment, if any, shall be made by a nationally
recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") selected by the
Executive in his sole discretion. The Executive shall direct the
Accounting Firm to submit its determination and detailed supporting
calculations to both the Company and the Executive within thirty (30)
calendar days after the Date of Termination, if applicable, and any
such other time or times as may be requested by the Company or the
Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that any Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive, the Company shall pay the required Gross-Up
Payment to the Executive within five (5) business days after receipt
of such determination and calculations with respect to any Payment to
the Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive with respect to any material benefit or
amount (or portion thereof), it shall, at the same time as it makes
such determination, furnish the Company and the Executive an opinion
that the Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise
Tax on his federal, state or local income or other tax return. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the
Code and the possibility of similar uncertainty regarding applicable
state or local tax law at the time of any determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an
"Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts or fails to pursue
its remedies pursuant to Section 9(f) and the Executive thereafter is
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Executive shall
direct the Accounting Firm to determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and to submit its determination and detailed
supporting calculations to both the Company and the Executive as
promptly as possible. Any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by
the Company to, or for the benefit of, the Executive within five (5)
business days after receipt of such determination and calculations.
(c) The Company and the Executive shall each provide the Accounting Firm
access to and copies of any books, record and documents in the
possession of the Company or the Executive, as the case may be,
reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and-otherwise cooperate
with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and
issuance of the determinations and calculations contemplated by
Section 9(b). Any determination by the Accounting Firm as to the
amount of the Gross-Up Payment shall be binding upon the Company and
the Executive.
(d) The federal, state and local income or other tax returns filed by the
Executive shall be prepared and filed on a consistent basis with the
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determination of the Accounting Firm with respect to the Excise Tax
payable by the Executive. The Executive shall report and make proper
payment of the amount of any Excise Tax, and at the request of the
Company, provide to the Company true and correct copies (with any
amendments) of his federal income tax return as filed with the
Internal Revenue Service and corresponding state and local tax
returns, if relevant, as filed with the applicable taxing authority,
and such other documents reasonably requested by the Company,
evidencing such payment. If prior to the filing of the Executive's
federal income tax return, or corresponding state or local tax return,
if relevant, the Accounting Firm determines that the amount of the
Gross-Up Payment should be reduced, the Executive shall within five
(5) business days pay to the Company the amount of such reduction.
(e) The fees and expenses of Accounting Firm for its services in
connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by
Section 9(b) shall be borne by the Company. If such fees and expenses
are initially paid by the Executive, the Company shall reimburse the
Executive the full amount of such fees and expenses within five (5)
business days after receipt from the Executive of a statement therefor
and reasonable evidence of his payment thereof.
(f) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority that, if
successful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up
Payment. Such notification shall be given as promptly as practicable
but no later than thirty (30) business days after the Executive
actually receives notice of such claim and the Executive shall further
apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which
such claim is requested to be paid (in each case, to the extent known
by the Executive). The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
earlier of (i) the expiration of the 30-calendar-day period following
the date on which he gives such notice to the Company and (ii) the
date that any payment of amount with respect to such claim is due. If
the Company notified the Executive in writing prior to the expiration
of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:
(i) provide the Company with any written records or documents in his
possession relating to such claim reasonably requested by the
Company;
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including without limitation accepting legal representation with
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respect to such claim by an attorney competent in respect of the
subject matter and reasonably selected by the Company;
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim; and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Executive, on an after-tax basis, for and against any Excise Tax or
income or other tax, including interest and penalties with respect
thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of
costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9(f), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with the contest of any claim contemplated by this Section
9(f) and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim (provided, however, that the
Executive may participate therein at his own cost and expense) and
may, at its option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed
and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner,
and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination
before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction
and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine;
provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
the tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Executive on an interest-free basis and
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax
basis, from any Excise Tax or income or other tax, including interest
or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such
advance; and provided further, however, that any extension of the
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable
year of the Executive with respect to which the contested amount is
claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Company's control of any such contested claim shall
be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be
payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(g) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(f), the Executive receives any refund
with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's
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complying with the requirements of Section 9(f)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after any taxes applicable thereto). If, after the
receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant
to Section 9(f), a determination is made that the Executive shall not
be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company
does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such
denial or refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) calendar days
after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of any such advance
shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid by the Company to the Executive pursuant to this
Section 9.
(h) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but
giving effect to any redetermination of the amount of Gross-Up
payments otherwise required by this Section 9, if (i) but for this
sentence, the Company would be obligated to make a Gross-Up Payment to
the Executive and (ii) the aggregate "present value" of the "parachute
payments" to be paid or provided to the Executive under this Agreement
or otherwise does not exceed three times the Executive's "base amount"
by more than $50,000, then the payments and benefits to be paid or
provided under this Agreement will be reduced (or repaid to the
Company, if previously paid or provided) to the minimum extent
necessary so that no portion of any payment or benefit to the
Executive, as so reduced or repaid, constitutes an "excess parachute
payment." For purposes of this Section 9(h), the terms "excess
parachute payment," "present value," "parachute payment," and "base
amount" will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 280G of the
Code. The determination of whether any reduction in or repayment of
such payments or benefits to be provided under this Agreement is
required pursuant to this Section 9(h) will be made at the expense of
the Company, if requested by the Executive or the Company, by the
Accounting Firm. Appropriate adjustments shall be made to amounts
previously paid to Executive, or to amounts not paid pursuant to this
Section 9(h), as the case may be, to reflect properly a subsequent
determination that the Executive owes more or less Excise Tax than the
amount previously determined to be due. In the event that any payment
or benefit intended to be provided under this Agreement or otherwise
is required to be reduced or repaid pursuant to this Section 9(h), the
Executive shall be entitled to designate the payments and/or benefits
to be so reduced or repaid in order to give effect to this Section
9(h). The Company shall provide the Executive with all information
reasonably requested by the Executive to permit the Executive
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to make such designation. In the event that the Executive fails to
make such designation within 10 business days prior to the Date of
Termination or other due date, the Company may effect such reduction
or repayment in any manner it deems appropriate.
10. Competitive Activity; Confidentiality; Non-solicitation.
(a) Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with
the Company the Executive will learn business information valuable to
the Company and will form substantial business relationships with the
Company's clients. To protect the Company's legitimate business
interests in preserving its valuable confidential business information
and client relationships, the Executive shall not without the prior
written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, (i) engage in any Competitive Activity during
the Term and (ii) if the Executive shall have received or shall be
receiving benefits under Section 8(b) or 8(c), engage in any
Competitive Activity for a period ending on the first anniversary of
the earlier of the Date of Termination or the date of expiration of
this Agreement.
(b) During the Term, and in consideration for the Executive's agreement to
enter into this Agreement, the Company agrees that it will disclose or
cause to be disclosed to Executive its Confidential or Proprietary
Information (as defined in this Section 10(b)) to the extent necessary
for Executive to carry out his obligations to the Company. The
Executive hereby acknowledges the Company has a legitimate business
interest in protecting its Confidential or Proprietary Information and
hereby covenants and agrees that he will not without the prior written
consent of the Company, during the Term or thereafter (i) disclose to
any person not employed by the Company, or use in connection with
engaging in competition with the Company, any Confidential or
Proprietary Information of the Company or (ii) remove, copy or retain
in his possession any Company files or records. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Confidential or Proprietary Information" will
include all information of any nature and in any form that is owned by
the Company or by Holdings and that is not publicly available (other
than by Executive's breach of this Section 10(b)) or generally known
to persons engaged in businesses similar or related to those of the
Company or Holdings. Confidential or Proprietary Information will
include, without limitation, the Company's and Holdings' financial
matters, customers, employees, industry contracts, strategic business
plans, product development (or other proprietary product data),
marketing plans, and all other secrets and all other information of a
confidential or proprietary nature. Confidential or Proprietary
Information shall not be deemed to have become public for purposes of
this Agreement where it has been
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disclosed or made public by or through anyone acting in violation of a
contractual, ethical, or legal responsibility to maintain its
confidentiality. The foregoing obligations imposed by this Section
10(b) shall not apply (x) during the Term, in the course of the
business of and for the benefit of the Company or Holdings, (y) if
such Confidential or Proprietary Information will have become, through
no fault of the Executive, generally known to the public or (z) if the
Executive is required by law to make disclosure (after giving the
Company notice and an opportunity to contest such requirement).
(c) The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the Term and for
one (1) year after the Date of Termination Executive will not, without
the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not
unreasonably be withheld, on behalf of Executive or on behalf of any
person, firm or company, directly or indirectly, attempt to influence,
persuade or induce, or assist any other person in so persuading or
inducing, any employee of the Company or Holdings to give up
employment or a business relationship with the Company or Holdings,
and the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit or hire
employees of the Company or Holdings for employment with any other
employer.
(d) The Executive agrees that on or before the Date of Termination the
Executive shall return all Company property, including without
limitation all credit, identification and similar cards, keys and
documents, books, records and office equipment. The Executive agrees
that he shall abide by, through the Date of Termination, the Company's
and Holdings' policies and procedures for worldwide business conduct.
(e) Executive and the Company agree that the covenants contained in this
Section 10 are reasonable under the circumstances, and further agree
that if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction any such
covenant is not reasonable in any respect, such court will have the
right, power and authority to excise or modify any provision or
provisions of such covenants as to the court will appear not
reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenants as so
amended. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the remedy at law
available to the Company for breach of any of his obligations under
this Section 10 would be inadequate and that damages flowing from such
a breach may not readily be susceptible to being measured in monetary
terms. Accordingly, Executive acknowledges, consents and agrees that,
in addition to any other rights or remedies that the Company may have
at law, in equity or under this Agreement, upon adequate proof of his
violation of any such provision of this Agreement, the Company will be
entitled to immediate injunctive
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relief and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened or
further breach, without the necessity of proof of actual damage.
(f) Representations of the Executive. The Executive represents and
warrants to the Company that:
(i) (A) There are no restrictions, agreements or understandings
whatsoever to which the Executive is a party that would prevent
or make unlawful the Executive's execution of this Agreement or
the Executive's employment under this Agreement, or that is or
would be inconsistent, or in conflict with this Agreement or the
Executive's employment under this Agreement, or would prevent,
limit or impair in any way the performance by the Executive of
the obligations under this Agreement; and (B) the Executive has
disclosed to the Company all restraints, confidentiality
commitments or other employment restrictions that the Executive
has with any other employer, person or entity.
(ii) Upon and after the Executive's termination or cessation of
employment with the Company, and until such time as no
obligations of the Executive to the Company hereunder exist, the
Executive: (A) shall provide a complete copy of this Agreement to
any prospective employer or other person, entity or association
in a competing business with whom or which the Executive proposes
to be employed, affiliated, engaged, associated or to establish
any business or remunerative relationship prior to the
commencement thereof, provided that Executive shall first cause
the compensation amounts hereunder to be deleted or not
disclosed; and (B) during the period described in Section
10(a)(ii) the Executive shall notify the Company of the name and
address of any such person, entity or association prior to the
Executive's employment, affiliation, engagement, association or
the establishment of any business or remunerative relationship.
11. Legal Fees and Expenses.
If it should appear to Executive that the Company has failed to comply with
any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or
any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement
void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or
proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Executive the benefits provided
or intended to be provided to Executive hereunder, the Company irrevocably
authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of Executive's choice
at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and represent
Executive in connection with any such interpretation,
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enforcement or defense, including without limitation the initiation or defense
of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or
any Director, officer, stockholder or other person affiliated with the Company,
in any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client
relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably
consents to Executive's entering into an attorney-client relationship with such
counsel, and in that connection the Company and Executive agree that a
confidential relationship shall exist between Executive and such counsel.
Without respect to whether Executive prevails, in whole or in part, in
connection with any of the foregoing, the Company will pay and be solely
financially responsible for any and all attorneys, and related fees and expenses
incurred by Executive in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that, in
regard to such matters, the Executive has not acted in bad faith or with no
colorable claim of success. Such payments shall be made within five (5) business
days after delivery of Executive's written requests for payment, accompanied by
such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company may reasonably
require. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, the
obligations of the Company under this Section 11 shall not exceed, in the
aggregate, $50,000.
12. Withholding of Taxes.
The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all
applicable taxes that the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any
applicable law, regulation or ruling.
13. Dispute Resolution.
Any dispute between the parties under this Agreement shall be resolved
(except as provided below) through informal arbitration by an arbitrator
selected under the rules of the American Arbitration Association for arbitration
of employment disputes (located in Charlotte, North Carolina) and the
arbitration shall be conducted in that location under the rules of said
Association. Each party shall be entitled to present evidence and argument to
the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the right only to interpret and apply
the provisions of this Agreement and may not change any of its provisions,
except as expressly provided in Section 17 and only in the event the Company has
not brought an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the
covenants in Section 10. The arbitrator shall permit reasonable pre-hearing
discovery of facts, to the extent necessary to establish a claim or a defense to
a claim, subject to supervision by the arbitrator. The determination of the
arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and judgment upon
the same may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator
shall give written notice to the parties stating the arbitrator's determination,
and shall furnish to each party a signed copy of such determination. The
expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the Company and the Executive
or as the arbitrator equitably determines consistent with the application of
state or federal law; provided, however, that the Executive's share of such
expenses
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shall not exceed the maximum permitted by law. Any arbitration or action
pursuant to this Section 13 shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware and, where applicable,
federal law, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such
State.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to seek or
participate in arbitration regarding any actual or threatened breach of the
Executive's covenants in Section 10, but may pursue its remedies, including
injunctive relief, for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction in
Charlotte, North Carolina, or in the sole discretion of the Company, in a court
of competent jurisdiction where the Executive has committed or is threatening to
commit a breach of the Executive's covenants, and no arbitrator may make any
ruling inconsistent with the findings or rulings of such court.
14. Successors and Binding Agreement.
(a) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all
or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by
agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive,
expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform
if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement will be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the
Company, including without limitation any persons acquiring directly
or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of
the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization
or otherwise (and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the
"Company" for the purposes of this Agreement), but will not otherwise
be assignable, transferable or delegable by the Company.
(b) This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and legatees.
(c) This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto
shall, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or delegate
this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as
expressly provided in Sections 14(a) and 14(b). Without limiting the
generality or effect of the foregoing, Executive's right to receive
payments hereunder will not be assignable, transferable or delegable,
whether by pledge, creation of a security interest, or otherwise,
other than by a transfer by Executive's will or by the laws of descent
and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or
transfer contrary to this
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Section 14(c), the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount
so attempted to be assigned, transferred or delegated.
15. Notices.
For all purposes of this Agreement, all communications, including without
limitation notices, consents, requests or approvals, required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when hand delivered or dispatched by electronic facsimile transmission (with
receipt thereof orally confirmed), or five (5) business days after having been
mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, or three (3) business days after having been sent by an
internationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company
(to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of the Company) at its principal
executive office and to Executive at his principal residence, or to such other
address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing and in
accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
16. Governing Law.
Notwithstanding applicable conflicts of laws principles, the validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of
Delaware and federal law, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of
laws, except as expressly provided herein. In the event the Company exercises
its discretion under Section 10(e) to bring an action to enforce the covenants
contained in Section 10 in a court of competent jurisdiction where the Executive
has breached or threatened to breach such covenants, and in no other event, the
parties agree that the court may apply the law of the jurisdiction in which such
action is pending in order to enforce the covenants to the fullest extent
permissible.
17. Validity.
Any provision of this Agreement that is deemed invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective, to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability,
without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such
jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provisions of this Agreement
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction. If any covenant in
Section 10 should be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable because its time,
geographical area, or restricted activity, is considered excessive, such
covenant shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to render the
modified covenant valid, legal and enforceable.
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18. Miscellaneous.
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless
such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the
Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other party hereto or compliance with any condition or provision
of this Agreement to be performed by such other party will be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed
or implied with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either
party that are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. The headings used in
this Agreement are intended for convenience or reference only and shall not in
any manner amplify, limit, modify or otherwise be used in the construction or
interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References to Sections are
references to Sections of this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to a
provision of a statute, rule or regulation shall also include any successor
thereto.
19. Survival.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
parties' respective rights and obligations under Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
and 14(b) will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement or the
termination of the Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever.
20. Beneficiaries.
The Executive shall be entitled to select (and change, to the extent
permitted under any applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive
any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following the Executive's death,
and may change such election, in either case by giving the Company written
notice thereof in accordance with Section 15. In the event of the Executive's
death or a judicial determination of the Executive's incompetence, reference in
this Agreement to the "Executive" shall be deemed, where appropriate, to the
Executive's beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.
21. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one
and the same agreement.
22. Entire Agreement.
The terms of this Agreement are intended by the parties to be the final
expression of their agreement with respect to the Executive's employment by the
Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous
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agreement. The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the
complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence
whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal
proceedings to vary the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first written above.
/s/ Seth W. Vance
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Seth W. Vance
SCOTTISH HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Oscar R. Scofield
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Name: Oscar R. Scofield
Title: Director