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EXHIBIT 10.15
CHANGE OF CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between NASHUA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") and DONNA J. DIGIOVINE (the "Executive"), dated as of the 25th day of
February, 2000.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, 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 or other reasons of uncertainty;
WHEREAS, 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 business concerns and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company; and
WHEREAS, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board believes it is in
the best interests of the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall be the first date during the "Change of
Control Period" (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of
Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated or the Executive ceases to be an officer of the Company
prior to the date on which a Change of Control occurs, and it is
reasonably demonstrated that such termination of employment (1) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated
to effect the Change of Control or (2) otherwise arose in connection
with or anticipation of the 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" is the period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof,
and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof is hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to
terminate three 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.
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2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of Control"
shall mean:
(a) The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any individual,
entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of
the Securities Exchange Act of l934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) (a "Person") of 30% or more of either (i) the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power
of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the "Company Voting
Securities"), PROVIDED, HOWEVER,that any acquisition by (x) the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or (y) any corporation with respect to which, following
such acquisition, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Company
Voting Securities immediately prior to such acquisition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately
prior to such acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, shall not constitute a
Change of Control; 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 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 is in connection with an
actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the
Directors of the Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act); or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation (a "Business Combination"), in each case, with
respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination do not, following such Business
Combination, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60%
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 Business Combination in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately prior
to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
and Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; or
(d) (i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of (ii)
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company other than to a corporation with respect to which,
following such sale or disposition, more than 60%
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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 is then owned
beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of
the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Company
Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Company Voting Securities, as the
case may be, immediately prior to such sale or disposition.
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, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the
third anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) POSITION AND DUTIES.
(i) During the 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 90-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 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 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 Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable 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
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at
least annually and shall be increased at any time and from
time to time as shall be substantially consistent with
increases in base salary awarded in the ordinary course of
business to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall
not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not
be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base
Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the
term "affiliated companies" includes any company controlled
by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year beginning or ending
during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual
Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average bonus paid or
payable, including by reason of deferral, to the Executive by
the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the
three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in
which the Effective Date occurs (annualized for any fiscal
year during the Employment Period consisting of less than
twelve full months or with respect to which the Executive has
been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months)
(the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual 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 Annual Bonus
is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the
receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. In addition to Annual
Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable as hereinabove provided,
the Executive shall be entitled to participate during the
Employment Period in all incentive, savings and retirement
plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices,
policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive,
savings and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case,
less favorable, in the aggregate, than (x) 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 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or (y) if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
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(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the 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, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life,
accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and
programs) to the extent generally applicable to other peer
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 (x) the most favorable of such plans,
practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or (y) if more favorable to the Executive,
those provided at any time after the Effective Date generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the 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 90-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
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits 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 90-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 peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the 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 90-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 peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the
Company and its affiliated companies as in effect at any time
during the 90-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 peer
incentives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
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5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period.
If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the
Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 15(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
this Agreement, "Disability" means 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 Executive's legal representative (such agreement as
to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
means (i) an action taken by the Executive involving willful and
wanton malfeasance involving specifically a wholly wrongful and
unlawful act, or (ii) the Executive being convicted of a felony.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated during the
Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Good Reason" means:
(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 that described in Section
4(a)(i)(B) hereof;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
Agreement; or
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(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
14(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, any good faith determination of Good
Reason made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(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
15(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the
extent applicable sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if
the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date
shall be not more than fifteen days after the giving of such notice).
In the case of a termination of the Executive's employment for Cause,
a Notice of Termination shall include a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and
held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to the Executive and
reasonable opportunity for the Executive, together with the
Executive's counsel, to be heard before the Board prior to such vote),
finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was
guilty of conduct constituting Cause. No purported termination of the
Executive's employment for Cause shall be effective without a Notice
of Termination. The failure by the Executive to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Executive
hereunder or preclude the Executive from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means the date of receipt
of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as
the case may be; provided, however, that (i) 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 (ii) 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) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than the following
obligations: (i) payment of the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii)
payment of the product of (x) the greater of (A) the Annual Bonus paid
or payable, including by reason of deferral, (and annualized for any
fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or for which
the Executive has been employed for less than twelve full months) for
the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period,
if any, and (B) the Recent Annual Bonus (such greater amount hereafter
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
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(iii) payment of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest thereon) and not yet paid by the
Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by the Company (the
amounts described in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) are hereafter
referred to as "Accrued Obligations"). All 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. In
addition, the Executive's estate or designated beneficiaries shall be
entitled to receive the Executive's Annual Base Salary for the balance
of the Employment Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such payments of
Annual Base Salary shall be reduced by any survivor benefits paid to
the Executive's estate or designated beneficiary under the Retirement
Plan. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Executive's estate and family shall be entitled to receive benefits at
least equal to the most favorable benefits provided generally by the
Company and any of its affiliated companies to the estates and
surviving families of peer executives of the Company and such
affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect generally
with respect to other peer executives and their estates and families
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.
(b) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations. All Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of
the Date of Termination. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled
to receive the Executive's Annual Base Salary for the balance of the
Employment Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such payments of Annual
Base Salary shall be reduced by any benefits paid to the Executive
under the Retirement Plan by reason of Disability. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, 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 peer executives and their
families at any time during the 90-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 generally with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families.
(c) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment shall
be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive terminates employment during the Employment
Period other than for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued
Obligations. 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.
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(d) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DISABILITY. If, during the
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall
terminate employment during the Employment Period for Good Reason, the
Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 60
days after the Date of Termination, and subject to receiving an
executed irrevocable Release as described in Section 11, the aggregate
of the following amounts:
A. all Accrued Obligations; and
B. the product of (x) three and (y) the sum of (i) Annual Base
Salary and (ii) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
C. a lump-sum retirement benefit equal to the difference between
(a) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Nashua
Corporation Retirement Plan for Salaried Employees (the
"Retirement Plan") and any supplemental and/or excess
retirement plan providing benefits for the Executive (the
"SERP") which the Executive would receive if the Executive's
employment continued at the compensation level provided for in
Sections 4(b)(i) and 4(b)(ii) of this Agreement for the
remainder of the Employment Period, assuming for this purpose
that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and (b) the
actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid
or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP;
for purposes of determining the amount payable pursuant to
this Section 6(d)(i)C the accrual formulas and actuarial
assumptions utilized shall be no less favorable than those in
effect with respect to the Retirement Plan and the SERP during
the 90-day period immediately prior to the Effective Date.
In addition, for the remainder of the Employment Period (if the
termination took place during the Employment Period under this Section
6), 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 in accordance with the
most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies applicable generally to other peer
executives and their families during the 90-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
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families. For purposes of determining eligibility of the Executive for
retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed
until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last
day of such period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change of Control shall have
occurred before the Date of Termination, the aggregate amount of
"parachute payments", as defined in Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code")
payable to the Executive pursuant to all arrangements with the Company
shall not exceed one dollar less than three times the Executive's
"base amount", as defined in Section 280G of the Code (the "cut back
amount"); provided, however, that if Executive would be better off by
at least $25,000 on an after-tax basis by receiving the full amount of
the parachute payments as opposed to the cut back amount
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(notwithstanding a 20% excise tax) the Executive shall receive the
full amount of the parachute payments.
7. SEVERANCE BENEFITS. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary, if, before or after the Employment Period, the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company for reason other than misconduct,
the Company shall pay to the Executive one year's salary continuation and
continue medical and dental benefits during such continuation period.
8. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit,
bonus, incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices, provided
by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect
such rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements 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 the Company or any of its affiliated
companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement.
9. 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. The
Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive
or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof, plus
in each case interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of l986, as amended (the
"Code").
10. OTHER AGREEMENTS. The parties agree that this Agreement supersedes and
replaces any and all other agreements, policies, understandings or letters
(including but not limited to employment agreements, severance agreements
and job abolishment policies) between the parties related to the subject
matter hereof.
11. RELEASE. Prior to receipt of the payment described in Sections 6(d) or 7,
the Executive shall execute and deliver a Release to the Company as
follows:
The Executive hereby fully, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally
releases, remises and discharges the Company, its officers, directors,
stockholders, corporate affiliates, agents and employees from any and
all claims, charges, complaints, demands, actions, causes of action,
suits, rights, debts, sums of money, costs, accounts, reckonings,
covenants, contracts, agreements, promises, doings, omissions,
damages, executions, obligations, liabilities and expenses (including
attorneys' fees and costs), of every kind and nature which he ever had
or now has against the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders,
corporate affiliates, agents and employees, including, but not limited
to, all claims arising out of his employment, all employment
discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
42 U.S.C. '2000e ET SEQ., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29
U.S.C., '621 ET SEQ., the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.,
'12101 ET SEQ., the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination, N.H.
Rev. Stat. Ann. '354-A:1 ET SEQ. and similar state
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antidiscrimination laws, damages arising out of all employment
discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims or other common law
claims and damages, provided, however, that nothing herein shall
release the Company from Executive's Stock Option Agreements or
Restricted Stock Agreements. The Release shall also contain, at a
minimum, the following language:
The Executive acknowledges that he has been given twenty-one
(21) days to consider the terms of this Release and that the
Company advised him to consult with an attorney of his own
choosing prior to signing this Release. The Executive may
revoke this Release for a period of seven (7) days after the
execution of the Release and the Release shall not be
effective or enforceable until the expiration of this seven
(7) day revocation period.
At the same time, the Company shall execute and deliver a Release to the
Executive as follows:
The Company hereby fully, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally
releases, remises and discharges the Executive from any and all claims
which it ever had or now has against the Executive, other than for
intentional harmful acts.
12. 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, 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 12 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any
amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
13. ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement shall
be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial rules,
policies and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment
upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of
law having jurisdiction thereof. Arbitration shall take place in Nashua,
New Hampshire at a mutually convenient location.
14. SUCCESSORS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
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(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.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement
may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and
legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed
as follows:
IF TO THE EXECUTIVE:
Donna J. DiGiovine
6 Lakeside Terrace
Westford, MA 01886
IF TO THE COMPANY:
Nashua Corporation
44 Franklin Street
Nashua, New Hampshire 03064
Attention: President
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications
shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement
such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision hereof or the failure to assert any right the Executive may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right to terminate
employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v), shall not
be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other
provision or right thereof.
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(f) This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Company and
the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Executive
and the Company acknowledge that the employment of the Executive by
the Company is "at will" and, prior to the Effective Date, both the
Executive's employment and this Agreement may be terminated by either
the Company or the Executive at any time. In the event that this
Agreement is terminated by the Company prior to the Effective Date and
the Executive remains employed by the Company, the Executive would be
entitled to the same severance benefits as set forth in Section 7 of
this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
NASHUA CORPORATION EXECUTIVE
By /s/ Gerald G. Garbacz /s/ Donna J. Digiovine
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President and Chief Executive Officer Name: Donna J. DiGiovine