Exhibit 10.12(a)
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of this 25th day of
July, 2001 (the "Effective Date"), by and between ATLANTIC COAST
AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("ACAH") and
ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES, a California corporation ("ACA") (ACAH
and ACA are herein collectively referred to as the "Company") and
KERRY B. SKEEN ("Skeen").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Skeen is currently employed by the Company as Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and in
connection with such employment entered into a Severance
Agreement (last restated as of December 28, 1999) with the
Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company has restructured its agreement with
United Airlines, as a result of which the nature and scope of
Skeen's duties and responsibilities have changed; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to assure itself of the
continued services of Skeen; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined that the best interests of the Company would be served
by entering into this amended and restated Agreement with Skeen;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, for and in consideration of the
mutual and reciprocal covenants and agreements hereinafter
contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, do contract
and agree as follows:
1. Employment: Company hereby employs Skeen and Skeen hereby
accepts employment by Company and agrees to perform his duties
and responsibilities hereunder upon all of the terms and
conditions as are hereinafter set forth.
2. Duties: Skeen shall serve in the capacities of Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company and of
any other entity(ies) to which the Company's obligations under
this Agreement shall be assigned pursuant to Paragraph 14. Skeen
shall be responsible for supervising and directing all operations
of the Company for which the Company is responsible, pursuant to
its agreements with United Airlines, Delta Airlines or otherwise.
All other officers of the Company shall report to Skeen. Skeen
shall otherwise be responsible for carrying out all duties
assigned to the Chairman by the Company's Board of Directors and
under ACAH's and ACA's Bylaws. The Company shall use its good
faith efforts to ensure that Skeen continues to serve as a member
of the Company's Board of Directors.
3. Terms of Employment: Skeen's term of employment under this
Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall
terminate on May 31, 2005, unless further extended as hereinafter
set forth. Commencing on May 31, 2002, and each successive
anniversary of that date, the Agreement shall automatically be
extended for an additional twelve (12) months without further
action by either party unless (i) Skeen elects to retire from his
positions with the Company pursuant to Paragraph 11, or (ii)
either party provides the other sixty (60) days' written notice
that such party does not wish to extend the term of this
Agreement.
4. Extent of Service: Skeen shall devote such time and
attention as is required to perform his obligations under this
Agreement and will at all times faithfully and industriously,
consistent with his ability, experience and talent, perform his
duties hereunder.
5. Compensation: During the term of this Agreement, Company
agrees to pay to Skeen, and Skeen agrees to accept from Company,
in full payment for services rendered by Skeen and work to be
performed by him under the terms of this Agreement, the
following:
A. SALARY. An annual base salary of Four-Hundred Thirty
Five Thousand Dollars ($435,000) shall be paid to Skeen.
Commencing October 1, 2001 and each October 1 thereafter, the
amount of Skeen's base salary shall be increased as determined by
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company; provided, however, that in no event shall Skeen's annual
base salary be less than the previous year's annual base salary.
Skeen's base salary for each year shall be payable to him in
accordance with the reasonable payroll practices of the Company
as from time to time in effect for executive employees (but in no
event less often than monthly).
B. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN. Skeen shall participate in
the Company's Management Incentive Program, or any successor
bonus plan or program for management employees. In addition, if
the Company maintains an additional executive/management bonus
plan, then Skeen's bonus arrangement shall be at least consistent
with the provisions of such bonus plan.
C. EXECUTIVE BONUSES. Skeen shall be eligible for an
additional annual bonus under an executive performance bonus plan
currently known as Senior Management Incentive Plan ("SMIP") for
so long as the Board of Directors determines to maintain such
plan. Under such plan, each calendar year, Skeen shall be
entitled to receive a bonus equal to specified percentage of base
salary upon the attainment of certain pre-established goals.
The maximum bonus under this plan assuming all goals are met will
not be less than 100% of base salary. Such goals and percentage
of salary shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the commencement
of each plan year. The bonus amount each year shall be paid in
cash, stock, options or such other form as the Compensation
Committee provides, paid at the time period provided under such
plan, at the same time and in the same form as paid generally to
other eligible employees, except to the extent that this
Agreement provides otherwise.
D. DEFERRED COMPENSATION.
(i) Skeen will be entitled to deferred compensation
under an unfunded and non-tax qualified arrangement ("Deferred
Compensation") as described in this Paragraph 5.D., which shall
supercede and control over all prior deferred compensation
arrangements. The amounts credited as Deferred Compensation
will be recorded as a bookkeeping entry representing a general
unsecured obligation of the Company and Skeen shall not have a
claim to any specific assets of the Company in satisfaction of
the amounts, if any, payable as Deferred Compensation. As of the
Effective Date, the balance in the Deferred Compensation account
recorded for Skeen shall equal $1,660,672, which is the amount of
the Company's Deferred Compensation "contributions" under the
Severance Agreement between the Company and Skeen, as such was
amended from time to time, through the Effective Date. After the
Effective Date, the Company will credit Deferred Compensation at
the rate of one hundred percent (100%) of Skeen's annual base
salary. Deferred Compensation will be based on Skeen's annual
base salary in effect on January 1 in each year, and will be
credited as of January 1 in each year. The Company may provide
the Deferred Compensation through a benefit plan so long as (1)
the amount credited by the Company on Skeen's behalf equals the
amount set forth herein, and (2) the vesting schedule, credit for
Years of Service, and terms of distribution are all at least as
favorable to Skeen as set forth herein. No interest or rate of
return or other appreciation or depreciation of value shall
accrue or be payable on amounts credited to Skeen as Deferred
Compensation pursuant to this Section 5.D. unless the Company
elects otherwise.
(ii) Vesting of Deferred Compensation will be based
upon "Years of Service," with Skeen to be credited with one Year
of Service for completion of each twelve (12) consecutive month
period of employment with the Company beginning January 1, 1996
and ending on the Deferred Compensation Ending Date (as defined
below). (That is, Skeen will be credited with Years of Service
for any applicable Severance Period, as further provided in
Paragraph 10.E.(iv) hereof.) Skeen will become vested in the
Deferred Compensation based on the following schedule:
PERCENTAGE
YEARS OF SERVICE VESTED
LESS THAN 4 0%
AT LEAST 4 BUT LESS THAN 5 25%
AT LEAST 5 BUT LESS THAN 6 35%
AT LEAST 6 BUT LESS THAN 7 50%
AT LEAST 7 BUT LESS THAN 8 65%
AT LEAST 8 BUT LESS THAN 9 80%
AT LEAST 9 100%
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined and determined
under Paragraph 13.A. of this Agreement) of the Company, Skeen
shall become immediately 100% vested in his Deferred Compensation
amount notwithstanding the above vesting schedule.
(iii) The "Deferred Compensation Ending Date" shall
mean the date of Termination Date (as defined below) if Skeen's
employment with the Company is terminated at any time under
circumstances that do not entitle him to Severance Compensation
pursuant to Paragraph 10 of this Agreement, or shall mean the
last day of the Severance Period (as defined in Paragraph 10) if
Skeen is entitled to Severance Compensation. During a Severance
Period, Deferred Compensation shall continue to accrue and vest
pursuant to the terms of 10.E.(iv) hereof. Upon the Deferred
Compensation Ending Date, the Company shall pay to Skeen whatever
"Deferred Compensation" amount is equal to the applicable vested
percentage of the total amount then credited to his account
pursuant to this Paragraph 5.D. The Company shall make this
payment in cash within thirty (30) days following the Deferred
Compensation Ending Date, provided that the Company shall have a
right of set-off against, and may reduce the amount payable as
Deferred Compensation by, any amount owed or payable by Skeen to
the Company.
(iv) TAX LIABILITY ON DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The
Company shall pay to Skeen the Deferred Compensation Tax Payment
on the earliest of (x) the date of ACAH's 2005 annual meeting of
stockholders (or special meeting in lieu thereof), provided Skeen
remains at that time actively employed by the Company pursuant to
the terms hereof (other than as a consultant), (y) the date of a
Change in Control (as defined and determined under Paragraph
13.A), provided Skeen remains at that time actively employed by
the Company pursuant to the terms hereof, or, (z) if Skeen's
employment with the Company is terminated at any time under
circumstances that entitle him to Severance Compensation, the
last day of the Severance Period (as defined in Paragraph 10.E.).
For purposes of this Agreement, the Deferred Compensation Tax
Payment shall be a payment in cash equal to the amount of any
state, local and federal taxes that would be imposed on Skeen on
the amount of the Company's cumulative Deferred Compensation
contributions through and including such date, if he were taxed
on such amounts as of such date. In addition, at the time, if
any, that Skeen becomes entitled to payment of the Deferred
Compensation Tax Payment, the Company shall pay Skeen a "gross
up" payment on the Deferred Compensation Tax Payment, equal to
the aggregate amount of any additional taxes (whether income
taxes, excise taxes, special taxes, employment taxes or
otherwise) that are or will be payable by Skeen as a result of
the Deferred Compensation Tax Payment being paid or payable to
Skeen and/or as a result of the additional amounts paid or
payable to Skeen pursuant to this sentence, such that after
payment of such additional taxes Skeen shall have been paid on a
net after-tax basis an amount equal to the Deferred Compensation
Tax Payment. The payments provided for under this Paragraph
5.D.(iv) shall be made whether or not any taxes are due by Skeen
on the Deferred Compensation contributions at that time and
whether or not such Deferred Compensation is to be paid at that
time, based on rates then in effect for state, local and federal
income taxes then applicable to Skeen, and for FICA (if due) and
Medicare taxes, estimated at the highest marginal rates in effect
at that time. The amount of the Deferred Compensation Tax
Payment and of any gross-up amounts payable under this Paragraph
5.D.(iv) shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditing firm, whose determination, absent manifest error, shall
be treated as conclusive and binding absent a binding
determination by a governmental taxing authority that a greater
amount of taxes is payable by Skeen.
E. SPLIT DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE. The Company shall advance
amounts to fund payment of the premiums under a split dollar life
insurance arrangement covering Skeen as provided in this
Paragraph 5.E. As of the date hereof, the split dollar life
insurance arrangement is provided under a policy or policies with
Phoenix Home Life Mutual - (such policies and agreements related
thereto, the "Split Dollar Agreement"). The Company shall
continue to abide by the terms of the Split Dollar Agreement with
Skeen in force on the date of this Agreement, but, subject to the
foregoing, the Company may implement a substitute Split Dollar
Agreement so long as the amount of premiums funded by the Company
on Skeen's behalf equals the amount set forth herein.
(i) Skeen shall be the owner of the policy under the
Split Dollar Agreement and will have the right to designate his
beneficiary with respect to proceeds of the policy payable upon
his death; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company shall have a collateral assignment of the policy as
security for the repayment of the amounts paid by the Company
toward the premiums for the policy.
(ii) The Company shall pay the annual premium due on
the policy in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of
Skeen's annual base salary in effect on January 1 in each year
the Company is obligated to fund the premium as described herein.
The Company shall, except as provided in Paragraph 5.E.(iii)
below, each year pay, on or before the due date(s) under the
terms of the policy, the entire amount of the annual premium due
on the policy acquired pursuant to this Paragraph 5.E. During
any Severance Period, the Company's obligation to pay the annual
premium due on the split dollar insurance policy shall continue
pursuant to the terms of 10.E.(v) hereof.
(iii) The "Split Dollar Release Date" shall mean
(a) the Termination Date (as defined below), if Skeen's
employment with the Company is terminated at any time under
circumstances that do not entitle him to Severance Compensation
pursuant to Paragraph 10 of this Agreement, or (b) the last day
of the Severance Period (as defined in Paragraph 10), if Skeen is
entitled to Severance Compensation. The Company shall fund
payment of the premiums as provided in the Paragraph 5.E. in each
year until the "Split Dollar Release Date." Upon the Split
Dollar Release Date, the following shall occur:
(a) Skeen shall pay to the Company an amount
equal to the total of all premiums paid by the Company on the
split dollar policy(ies) acquired pursuant to his employment with
the Company to the date hereof or subsequently pursuant to this
Paragraph 5.E., without interest thereon. The Company may, at
its option, collect such amount from any amounts it or any of its
affiliates owes to Skeen. Upon receipt of such payment the
Company shall release its interest in the policy, or a portion
thereof, on Skeen's life acquired pursuant to the terms of the
Split Dollar Agreement, or any or all of the paid up additions
standing to the credit of such policy, if any, such that the
released interest equals the total of all premiums paid by the
Company on the split dollar policy(ies) acquired pursuant to this
Paragraph 5.E. The Company agrees that the amount of any such
release of interest by the Company shall reduce the amount of
"Liabilities" (as such term is defined in the Agreement of
Assignment of Life Insurance Death Benefit As Collateral entered
into between Skeen and the Company in connection with the Split
Dollar Agreement) owed to the Company in connection with the
Split Dollar Agreement and related Collateral Assignment
Agreement. Accordingly, the Company also agrees to reduce to
such extent its interest as acquired by collateral assignment of
the policy pursuant to the Split Dollar Agreement and related
Collateral Assignment Agreement.
(b) The Split Dollar Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect and survive separate and apart from this
Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall have no
further obligation to pay any premium on the policy under the
Split Dollar Agreement which has a due date after the Split
Dollar Release Date and such obligation shall be transferred to
Skeen.
F. DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION. The Company may pay Skeen
discretionary compensation, bonuses and benefits in addition to
those provided for herein in such amounts and at such times as
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company shall determine.
6. Benefits:
A. The Company shall pay for or provide Skeen such
vacation time and benefits, including but not limited to,
coverage under Company's major medical, accident, health, dental,
disability and life insurance plans, as are made available to
other executive employees of Company generally (and, to the
extent provided by such policies, to Skeen's dependents).
B. The Company agrees to promptly reimburse Skeen for any
otherwise unreimbursed health or medical insurance premiums
and/or uncovered medical expenses up to $25,000 per calendar year
under a written medical reimbursement plan maintained for Skeen
and other key executive employees. If such payments are taxable
to Skeen, the Company shall pay Skeen a gross-up equal to the
estimated income, FICA and Medicare taxes due with respect to
such reimbursement, with federal and state income taxes being
estimated at the highest marginal rates.
C. Skeen shall be eligible to participate in any profit
sharing plan, employee stock ownership plan or other qualified
retirement plan adopted by Company to the same extent as other
executive employees of Company. Skeen shall also be eligible to
participate in any stock option, restricted stock, stock
appreciation rights or stock purchase plans or programs or
nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements of Company, which
participation shall be at levels at least equal in value to such
benefits provided by Company to other key executive employees of
Company.
D. The Company agrees to reimburse Skeen for the cost of
investment and tax planning services up to $15,000 incurred
during each calendar year. If such payments are taxable to
Skeen, the Company shall pay Skeen a gross-up equal to the
estimated income, FICA and Medicare taxes due with respect to
such reimbursement, with federal and state income taxes being
estimated at the highest marginal rates.
E. Skeen shall be permitted to use the Company's aircraft
(or aircraft operated by any successor in interest to the
Company) from time to time for business entertainment purposes or
personal use, with personal use to be subject to the following
limitations: (i) Skeen's request on timing and type of aircraft
should be reasonable as to not impact the operation of the
airline; (ii) no more than 20 segments (i.e., 10 round trips) per
calendar year, excluding ferry flights; (iii) trip length not to
exceed 1,000 nautical miles.
7. Reimbursement of Expenses: The Company agrees to promptly
reimburse Skeen, within fifteen (15) days after presentation of
receipts and other appropriate documentation, for all reasonable,
ordinary and necessary travel costs and other necessary expenses
incurred by Skeen in performing his duties pursuant to this
Agreement.
8. Stock Options:
A. Company agrees to continue in force a stock option plan
or one which is substantially similar to the existing plan
("Stock Option Plan"), which has been approved by the
shareholders of the Company and, on the first business day in
each October commencing in October, 2001, and (subject to the
provisions of Paragraph 10.A.(vii)) continuing so long as Skeen
is employed by the Company to grant Skeen options under the Stock
Option Plan to purchase not less than 200,000 shares of the
common stock of ACAH (such number to be adjusted to reflect any
stock splits after the Effective Date) at the price per share at
the closing of the trading market on the last business date prior
to such grant. The Company also agrees to approve the issuance
of such additional shares as are necessary to enable Skeen to
exercise such options. The Company will not be required to
reserve shares from existing plans to cover future obligations
under this paragraph, but will use reasonable efforts to obtain
shareholder approval as necessary from time to time to make a
sufficient number of additional shares available on a timely
basis, and will provide Skeen with equivalent alternative
compensation should approval not be obtained. The terms of the
grant of such options granted after January 1, 2000 shall provide
that (a) Skeen's right to exercise such options shall vest and
become exercisable over the four-year period beginning on the
date of each grant at the rate of one-fourth per year (i.e., one-
fourth shall vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary
of the grant) so long as Skeen is employed by the Company or
consulting with the Company pursuant to the terms of Paragraph
12, (b) Skeen's right to exercise such options to purchase the
entire number of shares covered thereby, shall become immediately
100% vested in the event there is a Change in Control (as defined
and determined under Paragraph 13.A.) or in the event Company
shall otherwise become obligated to provide Skeen with Severance
Compensation as provided in Paragraph 10.E. herein, (c) such
options shall be exercisable for ten (10) years after the date of
the grant so long as Skeen is employed by the Company and (d)
Skeen shall have the right to exercise such vested options within
ninety (90) days following any termination of Skeen's employment
except that in the case of termination of employment for which
Skeen is entitled to "Severance Compensation" as provided herein,
in which case the terms of Paragraph 10.E.(iii) shall apply.
Notwithstanding the above, the terms of the grant of such options
shall be no less favorable to Skeen than the terms of options
granted as of the time of the grant to other senior executive
officers.
B. In addition to the foregoing, if the Company in the
exercise of its discretion, shall grant Skeen any additional
stock options, such options shall contain terms and conditions
which are at least as favorable to Skeen as those set forth in
this Paragraph 8. All outstanding options previously issued to
Skeen prior to the Effective Date of this Amended and Restated
Severance Agreement shall also be subject to the foregoing terms,
except that vesting periods shall be as stated in the existing
option agreements, and except that no such terms shall be
applicable to options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock
Options if and to the extent such terms would be deemed to result
in a "material modification" of such options (for example, Skeen
will not be entitled to more than 90 days to exercise such
options following any termination of employment other than on
account of death or disability, in which case he will be entitled
to one year to exercise such options).
C. The Company has granted to Skeen options, under the
Stock Option Plan and pursuant to a Company Stock Option
Agreement, to purchase 100,000 shares (prior to adjustment for
subsequent stock splits) of the common stock of ACAH, effective
as of July 21, 1999 at the price per share at the closing of the
trading market on July 20, 1999. Skeen acknowledges that said
grant is in lieu of grants that were to be made to him effective
January 1, 2000 pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as
existed prior to the execution of Amendment Number One.
9. Deductions: Deductions shall be made from any component of
Skeen's compensation provided pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise for social security, Medicare, federal, state and local
withholding taxes, and any other such taxes as may from time to
time be required by any governmental authority.
10. Termination: Skeen's employment with the Company shall be
terminated only in accordance with the following provisions:
A. DISABILITY.
(i) In the event Skeen shall become mentally or
physically disabled so as to have been unable to perform his
duties hereunder for twelve (12) consecutive months, subject to
Skeen's right to return to work as provided below, Company shall
have the right to terminate Skeen's employment with Company upon
the expiration of such twelve (12) month period; provided,
however, that upon any such termination Company shall be
obligated to provide Skeen with Severance Compensation as
provided in Paragraph 10.E. herein. Such twelve-month period
shall be deemed to have commenced on the date when Skeen is first
unable to perform his duties on a substantially full-time basis
because of mental or physical disability and shall end on the
date on which Skeen shall return to the substantial full-time
performance of his duties. If at the expiration of such twelve
(12) month period, the Company shall desire to terminate Skeen
on the basis of disability, it shall give written notice to him.
Skeen's employment shall thereafter be terminated if he does not
return to substantial full-time performance of his duties within
ten (10) calendar days after such notice is given.
(ii) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to
affect Skeen's rights under any disability insurance or similar
policy, whether maintained by the Company, Skeen or another
party. The Company may utilize a disability policy to fund, in
whole or in part, the compensation that would be due to Skeen
during the term of or in the event of a disability, in which case
the proceeds of the policy would not be in addition to any
compensation otherwise payable to Skeen.
(iii) For purposes of this Agreement, Skeen shall
be deemed to be disabled when he shall have been absent from his
duties because of sickness, illness, injury or other physical or
mental infirmity on a substantially full-time basis. In the
event of a dispute as to whether Skeen is disabled, the issue of
the determination of disability shall be submitted to a Board of
Arbiters for a binding decision under the procedures set forth in
Paragraph 10.A.(v) below.
(iv) At the end of any disability (other than a
disability that results in the termination of Skeen's employment
with the Company), Skeen shall return to work and this Agreement
shall continue as though such disability had not occurred.
(v) If there is a dispute as to whether Skeen is
subject to any disability, the issue shall be submitted to a
Board of Arbiters (whose decision shall be binding on the Company
and Skeen) consisting of three persons: one physician who
specializes in the physical or mental disability in dispute
(hereinafter referred to as a "Specialist") shall be appointed on
behalf of Company by the Board of Directors of Company (with
Skeen having no vote on this question); a second Specialist shall
be appointed by Skeen and a third Specialist shall be appointed
by the two Specialists so appointed. The decision of a majority
of such Specialists shall be binding upon the parties hereto. If
a majority of the Specialists determines that Skeen is not
subject to any disability for purposes of this Agreement, Skeen
shall return to work under the provisions hereof. Such
Specialists may physically examine Skeen, who hereby consents to
such examination and to make available any pertinent medical
records. The cost of such Specialists shall be paid by Company.
(vi) If it is determined that Skeen can return to work
hereunder on a part-time basis, the parties agree to use good
faith efforts to negotiate the terms of Skeen's return to work.
(vii) During any period in which Skeen is disabled
but his employment shall not have been terminated, Skeen shall
continue to receive his base salary and any applicable bonus, and
shall continue to receive all benefits as an employee and as
provided herein generally. Any options previously granted shall
continue to vest, but no new options shall be issued to Skeen.
(viii) During any period in which Skeen is disabled
but his employment shall not have been terminated, Skeen shall
continue to be credited with Years of Service for purposes of
vesting of Deferred Compensation as set forth in Paragraph 5.D.
B. DEATH.
(i) Skeen's employment with Company shall terminate
immediately upon Skeen's death; provided, however, that Company
shall be obligated to provide the Severance Compensation as
specified in Paragraph 10.E. herein to Skeen's estate, heirs or
beneficiaries.
(ii) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to
affect Skeen's rights under any life insurance or similar policy,
whether maintained by Company, Skeen or another party. The
Company may utilize a life insurance policy to fund, in whole or
in part, the Severance Compensation that would be payable in the
event of Skeen's death, in which case the proceeds of any such
policy other than the Split Dollar Agreement would not be in
addition to any Severance Compensation otherwise payable under
this Paragraph 10.B.
C. TERMINATION BY SKEEN.
(i) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Skeen may, without "Good
Reason" (as hereinafter defined), terminate his employment by
giving to Company sixty (60) days' written notice by Certified
Mail, Return Receipt Requested, at the office of Company, and
such termination shall be effective on the sixtieth (60th) day
following the date of such notice (the "Termination Date"). In
such event, Skeen (i) shall continue to render his services up to
the Termination Date if so requested by Company and (ii) shall be
paid his regular base salary and shall receive all benefits up to
the Termination Date. Skeen will be entitled to payment of any
bonus due but not yet paid for prior bonus periods, and for a pro-
rata bonus amount for the bonus period in which the termination
occurs pursuant to this Paragraph 10.C.(i) but will not be
entitled to Severance Compensation or to any other compensation,
bonus or fringe benefits accrued after the Termination Date. The
bonus payable to Skeen will be paid at the same time it would
have been paid had Skeen's employment not been terminated, will
be based on the achievement of targets for the entire bonus
period without regard to interim results as of the termination
date, and will be paid pro-rata based on the number of full
months Skeen was employed within the bonus period divided by the
total number of months in the bonus period.
(ii) WITH GOOD REASON. Skeen may terminate his
employment with Company immediately for Good Reason. In the
event Skeen's employment with Company is terminated by Skeen for
Good Reason, Company shall be obligated to provide Skeen with
Severance Compensation as provided in Paragraph 10.E. herein.
"Good Reason" shall mean any of the following (without Skeen's
express prior written consent):
(a) The assignment to Skeen by Company of duties
inconsistent with Skeen's positions, duties, responsibility and
status with Company, or any removal of Skeen from or any failure
to re-elect Skeen to his positions, including his position as a
member of the Company's Board of Directors (except in connection
with the termination of his employment for disability, death or
for cause as provided herein), unless cured within fifteen (15)
days of Skeen giving written notice thereof to the Company.
(b) Any material adverse change in any benefit
plan or arrangement in which Skeen is participating and which is
not applicable generally to other key executive employees of
Company who participate in such plan or arrangement), unless
cured within fifteen (15) days of Skeen giving written notice
thereof to the Company.
(c) Skeen's relocation outside of the Washington
D.C./ Northern Virginia region without his consent, except for
required travel by Skeen on Company business; provided, however,
that if the Board of Directors of Company determines to relocate
Company's principal executive offices, Company shall pay all of
Skeen's reasonable moving and other relocation expenses, the
Board of Directors shall make such adjustments in Skeen's salary
as it reasonably deem necessary to reflect the increased costs of
living in the new location, and Skeen shall be obligated to
perform his services generally at such new location and such
relocation shall not constitute "Good Reason" hereunder.
(d) Any material breach by Company of any
provisions of this Agreement which is not cured by Company within
fifteen (15) days of Skeen giving written notice thereof to the
Company.
(e) Except in the case of disability or death,
any purported termination of Skeen's employment by the Company
which is not effected pursuant to sixty (60) days' prior written
notice of termination.
(f) Any termination by Skeen of his employment
with the Company which is effected as a result of, in connection
with or within two years following a "Change in Control" as
defined and determined under Paragraph 13.A. of this Agreement;
provided that any amounts due as Severance Compensation shall be
reduced as provided in Paragraph 13.D. The two year period will
be deemed to mean any notice given within two years following a
Change in Control where an actual termination occurs within sixty
days following said notice.
D. TERMINATION BY COMPANY.
(i) WITHOUT CAUSE. Company may, without cause,
terminate Skeen's employment under this Agreement at any time by
giving Skeen sixty (60) days' written notice thereof, and such
termination shall be effective on the sixtieth (60th) day
following the date such notice is given (said 60th day, the
"Termination Date"). In the event Skeen's employment with
Company is terminated without cause, Company shall be obligated
to provide Skeen with Severance Compensation as provided in
Paragraph 10.E. herein. At the option of Company, Skeen's
employment shall be immediately terminated upon the Company
giving such notice, in which case Skeen shall continue to receive
his full base salary and related fringe benefits through the
Termination Date. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, any termination of Skeen's employment
by the Company, for any reason or no reason, within two years
following a "Change in Control," as defined and determined under
Paragraph 13.A. of this Agreement, shall automatically be deemed
to be a termination without cause; provided that any amounts due
as Severance Compensation shall be reduced as provided in
Paragraph 13.D.
(ii) FOR CAUSE. Company may terminate Skeen's
employment under this Agreement immediately for "cause." In such
event, Skeen will be entitled to payment of a pro-rata bonus
amount to the date of termination of employment, but will not be
entitled to Severance Compensation or to any other compensation,
bonus or fringe benefits accrued after the date of termination of
employment. The bonus amount payable to Skeen will be calculated
in the same fashion as in the case of termination by Skeen
without good reason, as set forth in Paragraph 10.C.(i) above.
Cause shall be defined as any of the following: (i) willful
unauthorized misconduct in the material performance of Skeen's
duties hereunder, (ii) commission of an act of theft, fraud or
dishonesty by Skeen, which act is materially harmful to Company,
(iii) material breach of any provision of this Agreement if such
breach has not been cured by Skeen (or if Skeen has not
compensated the Company for such breach by payment of an amount
deemed reasonable by the Company if the breach cannot be cured)
within fifteen (15) days after the Company gives Skeen written
notice of such breach. Any termination under this Paragraph
10.D.(ii) shall take effect immediately upon the Company giving
Skeen written notice thereof.
E. SEVERANCE COMPENSATION. "Severance Compensation" is
defined as all of the compensation and benefits described in this
Paragraph 10.E. It will be provided to Skeen upon the occurrence
of any of the events described elsewhere in this Agreement as
providing for Skeen's receipt of Severance Compensation, but not
in any other circumstances except to the extent that individual
components of Severance Compensation may be separately provided
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. "Termination Date" is
defined as the last day of Skeen's employment with the Company.
"Severance Period" is defined as the period beginning on the day
following the Termination Date and ending on the day which is
three years following the Termination Date. Benefits extending
to Skeen's spouse shall refer to Skeen's spouse as of the date
such benefits are extended or, after Skeen's death, to Skeen's
spouse as of the date of his death. The compensation and
benefits to be provided as Severance Compensation are as follows:
(i) SEVERANCE PAY. Throughout the Severance Period,
Skeen will receive severance pay at the rate of 100% of his
annual base salary in effect at the time of his termination, to
be paid on the Company's regular payroll payment dates at the
same time and in the same fashion as the Company's regular
payroll payments.
(ii) BONUS. For all bonus plans in which Skeen is
participating as of the Termination Date, the Company shall pay
to Skeen a lump sum bonus payout. This payout shall consist of a
payment in the amount calculated by the formula [(x + y) * z]
where (x) is Skeen's base pay earned in the year from January 1
to the Termination Date, (y) is the amount which is three times
Skeen's annual base salary in effect at the time of Termination,
and (z) is the percentage which under each plan is the maximum
percentage of base pay that Skeen was eligible to earn during the
year in which the Termination Date occurred assuming all targets
were met in full, whether or not said targets actually were met.
The payments provided for under this Paragraph 10.E.(ii) will be
paid in cash or in such other form as bonus amounts generally are
paid to eligible employees, or in a combination thereof, as
determined by the Committee, within thirty days following the
Termination Date and shall be considered to be full compensation
for all amounts due to Skeen for bonus plans in which he was
participating as of the Termination Date, and he shall not be
entitled to any further payments under any of said plans during
the Severance Period or thereafter. Notwithstanding the above,
any bonus due to Skeen for years (or other applicable bonus
period) completed prior to the Termination Date but not yet paid
shall be paid in addition to the bonus described herein.
(iii) STOCK OPTIONS. All options to purchase
shares of ACAH stock that have been granted to Skeen shall become
100% vested as of the Termination Date. All options that would
have been granted to Skeen in the future pursuant to Paragraph
8.A. hereof shall not be granted if the date on which they would
have been granted occurs after the Termination Date, even though
said date may occur during the Severance Period. Skeen (or, in
the case of death, his estate or his beneficiaries) shall have
the right to exercise such vested options until the earlier of
the original expiration date of said option, or a date determined
as follows: (a) for options not intended to qualify as Incentive
Stock Options, Skeen shall have the right to exercise vested
options any time prior to the end of the Severance Period;
(b) for options granted after the date of this Agreement that are
intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, Skeen shall have
the right to exercise vested options any time prior to the end of
the Severance Period, provided that Skeen shall not be entitled
to Incentive Stock Option treatment with respect to such options
unless Skeen exercises them within three months following
termination of his employment on account of reasons other than
his death or disability or unless Skeen (or his estate or his
beneficiaries) exercises them within one year following any
termination on account of death or disability; (c) for options
intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options where termination
is caused by his death or disability, Skeen (or his estate or his
beneficiaries) shall have the right to exercise within one year
following termination of his employment.
(iv) DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The Deferred Compensation
program will continue throughout the Severance Period, including
Skeen's accumulation of Years of Service for vesting purposes,
and (subject to Paragraph 13.B.(iv) and 13.D.) including the
Company's continuation of contributions. At the end of the
Severance Period, the Company shall pay Skeen an amount equal to
his vested interest under the Deferred Compensation as provided
in Section 5.D(iii). Alternatively, the Company may elect to pay
such amounts to Skeen as would be payable during the Severance
Period by the Company under the Deferred Compensation program in
a single lump sum payment within fifteen (15) days after the
Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
shall have a right of set-off against, and may reduce the amount
payable as Deferred Compensation by, any amount owed or payable
by Skeen to the Company.
(v) INSURANCE PROGRAMS. The Split Dollar Agreement
shall continue in full force and effect through the Severance
Period and shall survive separate and apart from this Agreement,
and the Company's obligation to pay all premiums pursuant to this
Agreement shall continue in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement for the Severance Period (subject to Paragraph 13.B.(v)
and 13.D.). At the end of the Severance Period, Skeen shall pay
to the Company an amount equal to the total of all premiums paid
by the Company on the split dollar policy(ies) acquired pursuant
to Paragraph 5.E., without interest thereon, and upon receipt of
such payment the Company shall release its interest in the
policy, or a portion thereof, on Skeen's life acquired pursuant
to the terms of the Split Dollar Agreement, or any or all of the
paid up additions standing to the credit of such policy, if any,
such that such released interest equals the total of all premiums
paid by the Company on the split dollar policy(ies) acquired
pursuant to Paragraph 5.E. Alternatively, if the Company elects
to pay the Deferred Compensation to Skeen within fifteen (15)
days after the Termination Date pursuant to Paragraph 10.E.(iv)
above, the Company at the time of such payment may demand payment
from Skeen of an amount equal to the total of all premiums paid
by the Company on the split dollar policy(ies) acquired pursuant
to Paragraph 5.E., without interest thereon, and upon receipt of
such payment release its interest in the policy, or portion
thereof, acquired pursuant to the terms of the Split Dollar
Agreement, and any or all of the paid up additions standing to
the credit of such policy, if any, and thereafter the Company
shall be under no obligation to pay any further premiums under
the Split Dollar Agreement. Coverage under the Company's major
medical, accident, health, dental, and life insurance plans as
from time to time provided to other executive employees of the
Company (and, to the extent provided by such policies, to Skeen's
dependents) shall continue to be paid for by the Company for the
remainder of Skeen's and his spouse's life. Provided, however,
if such coverage cannot be continued during the foregoing time
period under the terms of such policies or plans, the Company
shall reimburse Skeen for the cost of comparable coverage under
individually obtained policies or for COBRA coverage, or shall
make other arrangements to assure that Skeen has comparable
coverage.
(vi) DISABILITY INSURANCE. The Company will prepay, to
the time of Skeen's reaching age 65, the premiums due on any
disability insurance policy as was provided to Skeen as of the
time of Termination. In the event that the Company discontinued
or reduced the amount of coverage of any disability insurance
within one year preceding the Termination, the Company shall at
the time of the Termination re-establish disability insurance to
the amount previously provided and with equivalent coverage, and
shall prepay future premiums as provided herein.
(vii) VACATION. Vacation shall not continue to
accrue after the Termination Date under any circumstances.
(viii) EXECUTIVE MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT PLAN AND
INVESTMENT AND TAX PLANNING. Throughout the Severance Period,
the Company will continue to promptly reimburse Skeen for any
otherwise unreimbursed health and medical insurance premiums
and/or uncovered medical expenses up to $25,000 per calendar year
under a written medical reimbursement plan maintained for the
Company's key executive employees, and for the $15,000 per year
investment and tax planning service expenses, incurred during
each calendar year, including the tax gross-up, if applicable.
(ix) TRAVEL BENEFITS. Skeen and his wife shall be
provided with free travel on the Company's aircraft or on the
aircraft of any successor in interest to the Company on a
positive space basis. The above travel will be first class on
aircraft offering more than one class of service. These travel
benefits will be provided for the longer of the Severance Period
or the remainder of Skeen's life. Skeen shall not be entitled to
travel benefits on any other airline.
(x) DEDUCTIONS FOR TAXES. Subject to Paragraph 13.C.,
any compensation due to Skeen hereunder will be subject to
deductions for social security, federal and state withholding
taxes, and any other such taxes as may from time to time be
required by governmental authority.
(xi) COMPANY AIRCRAFT. The limited use of Company
aircraft (or aircraft operated by any successor in interest to
the Company) as provided herein shall continue throughout the
Severance Period and shall continue thereafter until such time as
Skeen has reached age 75. Skeen may elect to receive a lump sum
cash payment equal to the present value of said benefit.
(xii) TAX LIABILITY ON DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The
Company shall pay to Skeen the amounts provided for under
Paragraph 5.D.(iv).
11. Retirement: If Skeen remains actively employed by the
Company pursuant to the terms hereof (other than as a consultant)
on the Retirement Eligibility Date, then Skeen may terminate his
employment other than pursuant to Paragraph 10 hereof by electing
to retire from his positions with the Company, in which case he
shall receive certain benefits from the Company and may remain
with the Company in certain capacities, as provided in this
Paragraph 11. If Skeen remains actively employed by the Company
pursuant to the terms hereof (other than as a consultant) on the
Retirement Eligibility Date, and if Skeen's employment terminates
on or after the Retirement Eligibility Date due to death or
disability, or if after that date the Company terminates Skeen's
employment for any reason other than for "cause" (as defined in
Paragraph 10.D.(ii)), then in addition to any Severance
Compensation to which he may be entitled, he shall thereafter
receive certain benefits from the Company as provided in this
Paragraph 11.C and 12.G. For purposes of this Paragraph 11, the
"Retirement Eligibility Date" shall mean the earlier of the date
of ACAH's 2005 annual meeting of stockholders (or special meeting
in lieu thereof) or June 1, 2005.
A. Skeen shall provide the Board of Directors with written
notice to the Company of his intention to retire pursuant to the
terms hereof. Said notice shall be provided at least three
months prior to the intended date of retirement unless otherwise
agreed. The retirement date ("Retirement Date") will be a date
selected by Skeen, but may be no earlier than the Retirement
Eligibility Date. If Skeen has not previously retired, his
Retirement Date will be the earlier of June 1 or the date of the
annual meeting of stockholders (or special meeting in lieu
thereof) first occurring after Skeen reaches age 70.
B. On the Retirement Date, Skeen shall resign from all of
his positions as an officer and an employee of the ACAH and from
each of its subsidiaries, and from any other position he holds at
the request of, or in connection with, his employment with the
Company. Skeen shall tender his resignation from the Board of
Directors of ACAH and of each of its subsidiaries, unless
requested otherwise by the Board of Directors. From and after
the Retirement Date, Skeen may serve as a Consultant as provided
in Paragraph 12 and in such other capacities as agreed from time
to time.
C. Following retirement from the Company as provided in
this Paragraph 11, Skeen shall receive the benefits set forth in
this Subparagraph C in lieu of any commitments, salary, severance
payments or other benefits provided for in Paragraphs 1 through 8
of this Agreement. These benefits shall commence as of the
Retirement Date (except for retirement pay which commences after
the Retirement Date as provided below) and shall continue until
the earlier of the date of Skeen's death or the date indicated
below, except that benefits expressly identified as extending to
Skeen's spouse's life shall end on her death. Benefits extending
to Skeen's spouse shall refer to Skeen's spouse as of the date
such benefits are extended or, after Skeen's death, to Skeen's
spouse as of the date of his death. Benefits to be provided
pursuant to this Subparagraph C are as follows:
(i) Following the Retirement Date, Skeen shall be paid
retirement pay as provided in this Paragraph 11.C.(1).
Retirement pay will be paid on the Company's regular payroll
payment dates at the same time and in the same fashion as the
Company's regular payroll payments until the date indicated
below. Upon Skeen's death, retirement pay will be paid to
Skeen's estate or as Skeen may otherwise designate in a written
beneficiary designation furnished to the Company prior to his
death. Retirement pay will be in an amount, based on a
percentage of Skeen's annual base salary at the highest rate in
effect during the 12 months preceding the Retirement Date and for
the periods, as indicated below:
Percentage
of annual
Period base salary
Beginning on the Retirement 0%
Date through the date which is
the fifth anniversary of the
Retirement Date
Beginning one day after the 75%
fifth anniversary of the
Retirement Date and ending on
the date which is the tenth
anniversary of the Retirement
Date
Beginning one day after the 50%
tenth anniversary of the
Retirement Date through the
later of (a) the date which is
the fifteenth (15th)
anniversary of the Retirement
Date, and (b) the date of
Skeen's 76th birthday
Beginning on the date which is 0%
the later of 15 years following
the Retirement Date or the date
of Skeen's 76th birthday
(ii) Skeen shall be provided with coverage under the
Company's major medical, accident, health, dental, disability and
life insurance plans as from time to time provided to other
executive employees of the Company generally (and, to the extent
provided by such policies, to Skeen's dependents), which coverage
shall continue to be paid for by the Company for the remainder of
Skeen's and his spouse's life. Provided, however, if such
coverage cannot be continued until Skeen's and his spouse's
death, as the case may be, under the terms of such policies or
plans, the Company shall reimburse Skeen for the cost of
comparable coverage under individually obtained policies or for
COBRA coverage, or shall make other arrangements to assure that
Skeen has comparable coverage.
(iii) Skeen shall be provided with reimbursement
for unreimbursed medical costs, as provided in Paragraph 6.B
hereof, for the period ending on the later of the date which is
15 years following the Retirement Date, or the date of Skeen's
76th birthday.
(iv) Skeen and his wife shall be provided with travel
benefits, as provided in Paragraph 10.E.(ix) hereof, for the
remainder of Skeen's life and his spouse's life.
(v) Skeen shall be permitted to use the Company's
aircraft (or aircraft operated by any successor in interest to
the Company) from time to time, as provided in Paragraph 6.E.
hereof, for the period ending on the later of the date which is
15 years following the Retirement Date, or the date of Skeen's
76th birthday.
(vi) The Company will provide an automobile for Skeen's
use for the period ending on the later of the date which is 15
years following the Retirement Date, or the date of Skeen's 76th
birthday. The type of vehicle, and the frequency of replacement,
will be as per the last vehicle provided to Skeen prior to the
Retirement Date.
(vii) The Company will provide Skeen with an office
and secretary at a location convenient to his primary residence.
Costs shall be estimated in advance on an annual basis, and shall
be reasonable.
12. Consulting: If Skeen retires from the Company pursuant to
Paragraph 11 above, Skeen may elect to continue to serve the
Company as a consultant for up to five years following the
Retirement Date, on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Paragraph 12. The consulting arrangements provided under this
Paragraph 12 shall not be available following termination of
Skeen's employment under any circumstances other than retirement
pursuant to Paragraph 11.
A. Skeen may serve as a consultant under this Paragraph
for a term (the "Consulting Term") beginning on the Retirement
Date and ending on the date which is the fifth anniversary of the
Retirement Date, but ending in any case not later than the date
that Skeen reaches age 75. If Skeen for any reason does not
serve as a consultant during any portion of the Consulting Term,
the expiration of the Consulting Term will not be extended.
B. Skeen will serve as an advisor to the executive
officers of the Company under the direction and supervision of
the Chief Executive Officer, and as such will provide expertise
and guidance regarding issues under consideration by the Chief
Executive Officer. Skeen may work on special projects and other
matters of a strategic nature as designated by that individual
and agreed by Skeen, consistent with his expertise and with his
prior role as Chief Executive Officer. If requested by the
Company, during the Consulting Term Skeen will also serve as a
director of ACAH or any of the Company's subsidiaries (without
compensation other than as provided herein) and/or, subject to
the foregoing restriction on Skeen's duties and responsibilities,
as a part-time employee of ACAH or any of its subsidiaries.
Skeen will tender his resignation from any such positions at the
end of the Consulting Term and at any time during the Consulting
Term that he elects not to serve as a consultant to the Company.
C. Skeen shall hold himself available to perform
consulting services for up to twenty hours during any calendar
month, which service shall be scheduled at mutually convenient
times. If consented to by the Company, Skeen may provide more
than twenty hours of consulting services during any one month, in
which case he shall not be required to provide such services in a
subsequent month without being deemed to have ceased providing
consulting services.
D. Skeen may elect to cease serving as a consultant at any
time. Should Skeen elect not to serve as a consultant at any
time during the Consulting Term, he may later, but within the
Consulting Term, notify the Company of his availability to
provide consulting services hereunder for the remainder of the
five year period. In such case, Skeen's service as a consultant
under this Paragraph 12 shall recommence thirty days following
the date of the Company's receipt of such notice, unless
otherwise agreed, and shall continue through the remainder of the
Consulting Term.
E. Skeen will be free to pursue any other business
interests during the Consulting Term. However, Skeen shall not
at any time while providing consulting services during the
Consulting Term, without prior notice to and consent of the
Company, directly or indirectly, as a sole proprietor, member of
a partnership, stockholder or investor, officer or director of a
corporation, or as an employee, associate, consultant or agent of
any person, partnership, corporation or other business
organization or entity other than the Company: (i) solicit or
endeavor to entice away from the Company or any of its
subsidiaries any person or entity who is, or, during the then
most recent 12 month period, was employed by, or had served as an
agent of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) engage
in or contract with others to engage in any business, enterprise,
line of work, consulting contract, joint venture or other
arrangement which conducts a business or businesses substantially
similar to or in competition with the business conducted by
Company in any area in which Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries provides or plans to provide air transportation to
the public; (iii) solicit business from the Company or any
airline with which the Company has a code share or similar
agreement or arrangement.
F. During such time during the Consulting Term as Skeen
serves as a consultant to the Company pursuant to the terms of
this Paragraph 12, Skeen shall receive (in addition to any
retirement benefits provided to Skeen during such time pursuant
to Paragraph 11 of this Agreement) the following compensation and
other benefits:
(i) Consulting fees at the rate of 90% of Skeen's
annual base salary at the highest rate in effect during the 12
months preceding the Retirement Date, to be paid on the Company's
regular payroll payment dates at the same time and in the same
fashion as the Company's regular payroll payments.
(ii) Continuation of reimbursement for investment
and tax planning services, including tax gross-up, as provided in
Paragraph 6.D. hereof.
(iii) In the event that stock options and/or
restricted stock granted to Skeen prior to the Retirement Date do
not otherwise continue to vest and remain exercisable pursuant to
their original terms on account of Skeen's service as an employee
and/or director of ACAH or one of its subsidiaries during the
Consulting Term, then the Company shall take appropriate steps so
that for so long as Skeen is providing or holding himself
available to provide consulting services during the Consulting
Term, all such options and all shares of restricted stock shall
continue to remain outstanding (but not beyond their original
maximum term) and shall continue to vest according to the
schedule set forth under their terms as in effect immediately
prior to the Retirement Date, as if Skeen continued to remain an
employee and/or director of ACAH and its subsidiaries, except
that any such options that qualify for treatment as Incentive
Stock Options shall cease to so qualify to the extent provided
under the Code (but shall not otherwise be affected). In the
event that Skeen shall cease to provide consulting services
during the Consulting Term (including on or following a Change in
Control) and the Company shall not otherwise elect to permit
Skeen to continue to serve as an employee and/or director, then
such event shall be treated as a termination without good reason
for purposes of vesting and expiration of any options and vesting
of shares of restricted stock then held by Skeen, notwithstanding
any subsequent election by Skeen to provide consulting services
during the Consulting Term. In the event of Skeen's death while
serving as a consultant hereunder, all options and grants of
restricted stock shall become 100% vested as of the date of
Skeen's death.
G. In the event that Skeen becomes disabled while serving
as a consultant during the Consulting Term, then during the
period of disability (but not after the expiration of the
Consulting Term) he shall be relieved of his obligation to
perform consulting services but shall continue to receive all
compensation and benefits provided in consideration of consulting
services under this Paragraph 12. Disability shall be determined
as provided in Paragraph 10.A. In the event that Skeen dies
while serving as a consultant during the Consulting Term, or dies
prior to the termination of his employment but after the
Retirement Eligibility Date, he will be entitled to payment of
the consulting fees provided in Paragraph 12.F.(i) for the
balance of the Consulting Term, and all unvested stock options
and restricted stock held by him shall become 1005 vested in the
same fashion as provided herein in the case of death during the
term of his employment prior to retirement.
13. Effect of a Change in Control:
A. DEFINITION OF "CHANGE IN CONTROL." For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur on
the earliest of (a) an acquisition (other than directly from
Company) of any securities of Company entitled to vote for the
election of Directors (the "Voting Securities") by any "person or
group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than an employee benefit
plan of Company, immediately after which such person has
"Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) of more than thirty percent (30%) of the
combined voting power of Company's then outstanding Voting
Securities; (b) announcement by any "person or group" (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of its acceptance for payment of securities
tendered pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer initiated
by such person owning or representing securities constituting
more than twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting power of
Company's then outstanding Voting Securities; (c) the
satisfaction or waiver of all conditions (including without
limitation any required approval by the Company's stockholders
and any required regulatory approvals) to (1) a merger,
consolidation or reorganization involving Company or a transfer
of substantially all of the assets of Company (other than to an
entity or entities owned by Company), unless the company
resulting from such merger, consolidation or reorganization or
the company to which such assets are transferred (the "Surviving
Corporation") shall adopt or assume this Agreement and the
stockholders of Company immediately before such merger,
consolidation or reorganization own, directly or indirectly
immediately following such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, at least eighty percent (80%) of the combined
voting power of the Surviving Corporation in substantially the
same proportion as their ownership immediately before such
merger, consolidation or reorganization, or (2) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of Company; or (d) persons who on the
date of this Agreement are directors of Company, together with
people nominated by a majority of them or by persons who were
nominated by them, cease for any reason to constitute a majority
of Company's Board of Directors.
B. COMPENSATION UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon a Change
in Control, whether or not Skeen's employment has terminated as a
result of or in connection with the Change in Control, Skeen
shall receive all of the following compensation, paid at the time
of the Change in Control:
(i) SALARY. A payment in the amount of 300% of Skeen's
annual base salary in effect at the time of the Change in
Control.
(ii) BONUS. For all bonus plans in which Skeen is
participating as of a Change in Control, the Company shall pay to
Skeen a lump sum bonus payout. This payout shall consist of a
payment in the amount calculated by the formula [(x + y) * z]
where (x) is Skeen's base pay earned in the year from January 1
to the date of the Change in Control, (y) is the amount which is
three times Skeen's annual base salary in effect at the time of
the Change in Control, and (z) is the percentage which under each
plan is the maximum percentage of base pay that Skeen was
eligible to earn during the year in which the Change in Control
occurred assuming all targets were met in full, whether or not
said targets actually were met. The payments provided for under
this Paragraph 13.B.(ii) will be paid in cash or in such other
form as bonus amounts generally are paid to eligible employees,
or in a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee,
within thirty days following the Termination Date and shall be
considered to be full compensation for all amounts due to Skeen
for bonus plans in which he was participating as of the Change in
Control, and he shall not be entitled to any further payments
under any of said plans during the year of participation.
Notwithstanding the above, any bonus due to Skeen for years (or
other applicable bonus period) completed prior to the Date in
which the Change of Control occurs but not yet paid shall be paid
in addition to the bonus described herein.
(iii) DISABILITY INSURANCE. The Company will
prepay, to the time of Skeen's reaching age 65, the premiums due
on any disability insurance policy as was provided to Skeen as of
the time of Change in Control. In the event that the Company
discontinued or reduced the amount of coverage of any disability
insurance within one year preceding a Change in Control, the
Company shall at the time of the Change in Control re-establish
disability insurance to the amount previously provided and with
equivalent coverage, and shall prepay future premiums as provided
herein.
(iv) DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The Company will credit
three years of Deferred Compensation, without interest, by
crediting an amount equal to 300% of Skeen's annual base salary
in effect as of the date of the Change in Control.
(v) SPLIT DOLLAR INSURANCE. The Company will prepay
three years' premium on the split dollar insurance provided under
Paragraph 5.E. by paying over to the insurance company which is
the carrier under the Split Dollar Agreement premiums in an
amount equal to 300% of Skeen's annual base salary in effect as
of the date of the Change in Control.
(vi) OTHER BENEFITS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL. Skeen
shall receive all of the other benefits separately provided
herein or in other agreements as occurring upon a Change in
Control. These include vesting of unvested stock options,
vesting of Deferred Compensation, and the Deferred Compensation
Tax Payment. In the event a Change in Control occurs, Skeen
shall be entitled to the insurance benefits provided upon Change
in Control per Paragraph 10.E.(v) and (vi), the travel benefits
provided upon Change in Control per Paragraph 10.E.(ix), and the
use of Company aircraft provided upon termination of employment
per Paragraph 10.E(xi). These benefits will apply at the time of
termination of Skeen's employment, even if Skeen's employment is
subsequently terminated in a fashion that does not give rise to
Severance Compensation.
C. TAX GROSS-UP. If, as a result of payments provided for
under or pursuant to this Agreement together with all other
payments in the nature of compensation provided to or for the
benefit of Skeen under any other agreement in connection with a
Change in Control, any state, local or federal taxing authority
imposes any taxes on Skeen that would not be imposed on such
payments but for the occurrence of a Change in Control, including
any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the "Code") and any successor or comparable provision,
then, in addition to any other benefits provided under or
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, the Company (including
any successor to the Company) shall pay to Skeen at the time any
such payments are made under or pursuant to this or the other
agreements, an amount equal to the amount of any such taxes
imposed or to be imposed on Skeen (the amount of any such
payment, the "Parachute Tax Reimbursement"). In addition, the
Company (including any successor to the Company) shall "gross up"
such Parachute Tax Reimbursement by paying to Skeen at the same
time an additional amount equal to the aggregate amount of any
additional taxes (whether income taxes, excise taxes, special
taxes, employment taxes or otherwise) that are or will be payable
by Skeen as a result of the Parachute Tax Reimbursement being
paid or payable to Skeen and/or as a result of the additional
amounts paid or payable to Skeen pursuant to this sentence, such
that after payment of such additional taxes Skeen shall have been
paid on a net after-tax basis an amount equal to the Parachute
Tax Reimbursement. The amount of any Parachute Tax Reimbursement
and of any such gross-up amounts shall be determined by the
Company's independent auditing firm, whose determination, absent
manifest error, shall be treated as conclusive and binding absent
a binding determination by a governmental taxing authority that a
greater amount of taxes is payable by Skeen.
D. EMPLOYMENT OR TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN
CONTROL. Provided that he remains employed and the parties have
not otherwise agreed to amend this Agreement, following a Change
in Control Skeen's employment shall continue on the terms set
forth in this Agreement and Skeen shall remain subject to this
Agreement, and be entitled to receive the compensation, payments
and benefits provided for in this Agreement. In the event that
Skeen's employment terminates upon or within two years following
the Change in Control, such that Skeen would be entitled to
Severance Compensation, then (i) any amounts due as Severance
Compensation under 10.E.(i) and 10.E.(ii) herein shall be reduced
by any amounts paid under Paragraph 13.B.(i) and 13.B.(ii) at the
time of Change in Control, and any amounts due as Severance
Compensation under Paragraph 10.E.(iv) and 10.E.(v) shall be
reduced by any amounts paid under Paragraph 13.B.(iv) and
13.B.(v) (but in no event shall Skeen or the Deferred
Compensation arrangement be required to refund, repay or forego
the benefit of amounts paid, contributed, allocated or accrued
pursuant to Paragraph 13.B.(i), 13.B.(ii), 13.B.(iv) or
13.B.(v)), and (ii) Skeen will be entitled to all other payments
and benefits provided for herein with respect to such termination
of employment. In the event that Skeen's employment terminates
more than two years following the Change in Control, Skeen will
be entitled to all payments and benefits provided for herein with
respect to such termination of employment
E. CHANGE IN CONTROL DURING RETIREMENT. In the event of a
Change in Control after the Retirement Date, then (i) Skeen shall
continue to be entitled to all retirement payments and benefits
provided for under Paragraph 11, (ii) all stock options then held
by Skeen which have not previously expired or been exercised
shall become immediately 100% vested and exercisable as of the
date of the Change in Control, (iii) Skeen shall be released from
his obligation to provide consulting services under Paragraph
12.C. and on the date of the Change in Control the Company shall
pay Skeen a lump sum payment equal to 90% of Skeen's monthly base
salary at the highest rate in effect during the 12 months
preceding the Retirement Date, multiplied by a number determined
by subtracting from 60 the number of full months between the
Retirement Date and the date of the Change in Control, and (iv)
the Company (including any successor) shall continue to reimburse
Skeen for investment and tax planning services, including tax
gross-up, as provided in Paragraph 6.D. hereof, until the fifth
anniversary of the Retirement Date.
14. Assignment: This Agreement, as it relates to the employment
of Skeen, is a personal contract and the rights and interests of
Skeen hereunder may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged
or hypothecated. However, this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon Company and its successors and
assigns including, without limitation, any corporation or other
entity into which Company is merged or which acquires all or
substantially all of the outstanding common stock or assets of
Company. At any time prior to a Change in Control, Company may
provide, without the prior written consent of Skeen, that Skeen
shall be employed pursuant to this Agreement by any of its
affiliates instead of or in addition to Company, and in such case
all references herein to the "Company" shall be deemed to include
any such entity, provided that (i) such action shall not relieve
Company of its obligation to make or cause an affiliate to make
or provide for any payment to or on behalf of Skeen pursuant to
this Agreement, and (ii) Skeen's duties and responsibilities
shall not be significantly diminished as a result thereof. The
Board of Directors may assign any or all of its responsibilities
hereunder to any committee of the Board, in which case references
to the Board of Directors shall be deemed to refer to such
committee.
15. Invalid Provisions: The invalidity of any one or more of
the paragraphs or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect
the reasonable enforceability of the remaining paragraphs or
provisions of this Agreement, all of which are inserted herein
conditionally upon being valid in law; and in the event one or
more of the paragraphs or provisions contained herein shall be
invalid, this instrument shall be construed as if such invalid
paragraphs or provisions had not been inserted or, alternatively,
said paragraphs or provisions shall be reasonably limited to the
extent that the applicable court interpreting the provisions of
this Agreement considered to be reasonable.
16. Specific Performance: The parties hereby agree that any
violation by Skeen of the covenants and agreements contained
herein shall cause irreparable damage to Company, and Company
may, as a matter of course, enjoin and restrain said violation by
Skeen by process issued out of a court of competent jurisdiction,
in addition to any other remedies that said court may see fit to
award.
17. Binding Effect: All the terms of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.
18. Attorneys' Fees: Company shall pay all legal fees incurred
by Skeen in connection with the preparation of this Agreement
promptly after submission of a bill therefor. In the event an
action is taken by either party to enforce this Agreement or
resolve a dispute in connection herewith, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover the costs incurred with the
prosecution and defense of such action, including reasonable
attorney's fees.
19. Waiver of Breach or Violation Not Deemed Continuing: The
waiver by either party of any provision of this Agreement shall
not operate as, or be construed to be, a waiver of any subsequent
breach hereof.
20. Entire Agreement; Law Governing: This Agreement, together
with the letter of even date herewith regarding the change in
Skeen's duties resulting from revision to the United Express
Agreement, supersede in their entirety any and all other
agreements (specifically including any earlier versions of this
Severance Agreement), either oral or in writing, between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, by and
between Company and Skeen, and contains all the covenants and
agreements among the parties with respect to such subject matter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Company's
Deferred Compensation contributions or any other compensation or
benefit provided for hereunder was paid, granted, credited or
funded under and pursuant to an earlier version of this Agreement
with respect to service prior to the Effective Date, then such
compensation or benefit need not be again paid, granted or
funded, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Skeen hereby acknowledges that he was
represented by counsel of his choosing in the drafting and
negotiation of this Agreement and that he reviewed this Agreement
with and was advised as to each of the terms thereof by such
counsel. In interpreting this Agreement, a court shall not treat
either party as the draftsman of the Agreement.
21. Paragraph Headings: The Paragraph headings contained in
this Agreement are for convenience only and shall in no manner be
construed as a part of this Agreement.
22. Release by Skeen. In the event of a termination of
employment by Skeen that results in the payment of Severance
Compensation to him pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in
consideration for such Severance Compensation, Skeen hereby
agrees to execute a full and complete release to the Company
releasing any and all claims that he may have against the Company
including any claims relating to his termination of employment.
23. Notices. All notices permitted or required to be given
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been sufficiently given, subject to the further
provisions of this Paragraph 23, for all purposes when presented
personally to such party (which in the case of notice to the
Company, shall be presented to the person holding the office or
offices identified below) or sent by facsimile transmission, any
national overnight delivery service, or certified or registered
mail, to such party at its address set forth below:
If to Skeen, to the most recent address indicated for
Skeen's residence in the personnel records of Company, unless
Skeen gives written notice that such notices are to be delivered
to another address.
If to ACA or the Company:
Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Atlantic Coast Airlines
45200 Business Court
Dulles, VA 20166
Attention: General Counsel or Corporate Secretary
Fax No. (703) 650-6294
Such notice shall be deemed to be given and received when
delivered if delivered personally, upon electronic or other
confirmation of receipt if delivered by facsimile transmission,
the next business day after the date sent if sent by a national
overnight delivery service, or five (5) business days after the
date mailed if mailed in the continental United States by
certified or registered mail. Any notice of any change in such
address shall also be given in the manner set forth above.
Whenever the giving of notice is required, the giving of such
notice may be waived in writing by the party entitled to receive
such notice.
A copy of any notice given to Skeen shall be sent to:
Robert E. Madden
Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy
1001 Pennsylvania, Ave., NW
Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20004
Fax No. (202) 624-7222
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has hereunto caused this
Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer and Skeen
has hereunto set his hand as of the day and year first above
written.
WITNESS:
_____________________________ /S/Kerry B. Skeen
Kerry B. Skeen
COMPANY:
ATTEST: ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES
HOLDINGS, INC.
/S/ Richard J. Kennedy BY:/S/ C. Edward Acker
Richard J. Kennedy, C. Edward Acker,
Secretary Chairman of the
Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors
ATTEST: ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES
/S/ Richard J. Kennedy BY:/S/ C. Edward Acker
Richard J. Kennedy, C. Edward Acker,
Secretary Chairman of the
Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors