EXHIBIT 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and C. Lowell Ball (the "Executive"), dated as of
the 7th day of November, 2000.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has
caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the
first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b))
on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs
and if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of
such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on September 30, 2002; provided,
however, that commencing on September 30, 2001, and on each annual anniversary
of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of
Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two years from
such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not
be so extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose hereof, a "Change of Control"
shall mean:
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(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or
more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (y) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (D)
any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") 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 Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest 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
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation
or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no
Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or
any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
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Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership
existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of
the members of the board of directors of the corporation 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
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second
anniversary of such date (the "Change of Control Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (i) During the Change of Control
Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities
shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most
significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date; and (B) the
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or
location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Change of Control Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during
normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully
and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Change of Control Employment
Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A)
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and
(C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of
such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
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(b) COMPENSATION.
(i) BASE SALARY. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Change of Control
Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary
which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Change of Control Base Salary shall be reviewed no more
than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to
the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Change of
Control Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to
the Executive under this Agreement. Change of Control Base Salary shall not be
reduced after any such increase and the term Change of Control Base Salary as
utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Change of Control Base Salary as so
increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Change of Control Base
Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Change of Control Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Change of Control
Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's highest annual bonus under the
Company's incentive plans (including, without limitation, the Company's Value
Created Incentive Plan (the "VCIP")), for the last three full fiscal years prior
to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not
employed by the Company for the whole of any such fiscal year) (the "Recent
Annual Bonus"); provided, however, that if (A) the Executive did not receive an
annual bonus during the last full fiscal year immediately preceding the
Effective Date because the Executive was not employed by the Company for the
whole of such year or (B) the Executive was not employed by the Company during
any part of the last full fiscal year immediately preceding the Effective Date,
the Change of Control Bonus shall at least equal the amount the Executive was to
receive under the VCIP based on the Company's budget (as such budget was
approved by the Board), the calculation of which was included as an attachment
to the Executive's employment letter at the time the Executive commenced
employment with the Company. Each such Change of Control Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the
fiscal year for which the Change of Control Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Change of Control Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the
Change of Control Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs applicable generally to other key executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if
any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and
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retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies
and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other key
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may
be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, pension, 401(k),
medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental
death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other key executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other key executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Change of Control Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other key
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other key executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as
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provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Change of Control Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices provided to the Executive
by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
key executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event
shall Executive receive less than twenty working days of compensated vacation
time in each fiscal year.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Change of
Control Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Change of Control
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below),
it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b)
of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment.
In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate
effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of
the Executive's duties. For purposes of the Agreement, "Disability" shall
mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the
Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total
and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Change of Control Employment Period for Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to
perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its
affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance
is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief
Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed
the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct
or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
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For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on
the part of the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or
omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief
that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.
Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive
Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel
for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less that three-quarters
of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held
for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specify
the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement;
or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 11(c) of this Agreement.
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For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith
determination of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the
Executive for any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the
first anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for
Good Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by
Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 12(b) of the Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment
under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as
defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the
giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes
to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the
Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination
or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company
notifies the executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.
(a) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY.
If, during the Change of Control Employment Period, the Company shall
terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause, death or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
(A) the sum of (1) the Executive's Change of Control Base
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore
paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus
and (II) the Change of Control Bonus paid or payable, including any
bonus or portion thereof which has been
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earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of
less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was
employed for less than twelve full months), for the most recently
completed fiscal year during the Change of Control Employment Period,
if any (such higher amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual
Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and
the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in
clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the
"Accrued Obligations"); and
(B) an amount equal to the product of (1) 1.5, and (2) the sum
of (x) the Executive's Change of Control Base Salary and (y) the
Highest Annual Bonus; and
(C) an amount equal to the excess of (a) the actuarial
equivalent of the benefit under the Company's qualified defined
benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial
assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those in effect
under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective
Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the
Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which the Executive
would receive if the Executive's employment continued for 1.5 years
after the Date of Termination assuming for this purpose that all
accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that the Executive's
compensation in each of the three years is that required by Section
4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (b) the actuarial equivalent of the
Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the
Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for 1.5 years after the Executive's Date of Termination,
or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have
been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however,
that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible
to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided
plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary
to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such
plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to
have remained employed until 1.5 years after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period;
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(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred,
provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which
shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or
benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of
the Company and its affiliated companies and any reimbursement amounts required
to be paid to Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies (such other
amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Change of Control Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for
payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or
beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date
of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term
Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without
limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled
to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided
by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of
key executives of the Company and affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in
effect with respect to other key executives and their beneficiaries at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the Executive's
beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect
to other key executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Change of Control
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, without limitation,
and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to
receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable
of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to
disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other key executives and their families at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect
at any time thereafter
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generally with respect to other key executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Change of Control
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his
Change of Control Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount
of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other
Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive
voluntarily terminates employment during the Change of Control Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f) shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or
any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which
the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall
be payable in accordance with any such plan, policy, practice or program or
contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against
the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and
such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other
employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Company, provided that the
Executive prevails in at least one material issue, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of
any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
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9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company 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, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this
Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") 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, without limitation, any income taxes (and
any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto) and 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 Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be
determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced Amount")
that could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would
not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to
the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the
Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether
and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination,
shall be made by Deloitte & Touche LLP or such other certified public
accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm")
which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and
the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the
Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested
by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the
Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally-recognized
accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which
accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).
All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9,
shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt
of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting
Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the
initial 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 ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be
made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant
to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
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any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly
paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require
the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall
be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company
of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to
be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the
Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes
with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,
(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
respect to such claim by an attorney 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 additional interest and penalties)
incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of
such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole 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 such claim 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 tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with
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respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute
of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
the contest 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.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes
entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive
shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section
9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with
any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If,
after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company
pursuant to Section 9(c), 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 of
refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such
advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the
amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of
Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law
or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or
data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event
shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a
basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the
Executive under this Agreement.
11. SUCCESSORS; ASSIGNS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without
the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representatives.
(b) The Company shall have the right to assign this
Agreement and to delegate all of its rights, duties and obligations hereunder
to any entity which controls the
14
Company, which the Company controls or which may be the result of the merger,
consolidation, acquisition or reorganization of the Company and another
entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. The captions of this Agreement are not
part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force on effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written
agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors or
legal representatives.
(b) Any notices to be given hereunder by either party to
the other may be effected by personal delivery in writing, via facsimile
transmission or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return
receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the parties as follows:
If to the Company: Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite B-200
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
Attn: President
Facsimile: 404-250-3428
If to the Executive: C. Lowell Ball
878 Birds Mill
Marietta, Georgia 30067
Any party may change his or its address by written notice in
accordance with this Section 12(b). Notices delivered personally shall be deemed
communicated as of actual receipt; notices sent via facsimile transmission shall
be deemed communicated as of receipt by the sender of written confirmation of
transmission thereof; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of three
(3) days after proper mailing.
15
(c) The failure of the Executive or the Company to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for
Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be
deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or
right of this Agreement.
(d) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(e) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under
this Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except
as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, subject to Section 1 hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which
case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From
and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect tot he subject matter hereof.
[signature page follows]
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE PARTIES HERETO HAVE EXECUTED THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AS OF THE 7TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000.
------------------------------------
C. Lowell Ball
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title: