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EXHIBIT 10.14
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Consulting Agreement is made between Dennis J. Nowak ("Mr.
Nowak") and Nanophase Technologies Corporation ("NTC").
WHEREAS, during the period between September 3, 1996 and June 25, 1999,
Mr. Nowak served as the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of NTC pursuant to agreements including that certain letter agreement
presenting the terms of employment between NTC and Mr. Nowak dated as of
September 3, 1996 (the "Employment Agreement");
WHEREAS, effective June 25, 1999, Mr. Nowak will cease serving as an
officer and employee of NTC;
WHEREAS, NTC wishes to have periodic future access to Mr. Nowak's
knowledge and experience, and Mr. Nowak wishes to provide NTC with such access;
and
WHEREAS, NTC wishes to engage Mr. Nowak as NTC's consultant and Mr.
Nowak wishes to provide consulting services to NTC upon the terms and conditions
stated in this Consulting Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the parties' mutual promises set
forth below, Mr. Nowak and NTC agree as follows:
1. For a period of twelve months starting on June 26, 1999 and ending
on June 26, 2000, Mr. Nowak shall render reasonable consulting services to NTC,
as may reasonably be requested by NTC's President from time to time (the
"Term"). Mr. Nowak shall make himself reasonably available to NTC for such
consulting services; however, Mr. Nowak shall not be required to render services
in an amount or manner that would unreasonably interfere with any other business
activities or employment obligations which Mr. Nowak may have or may hereafter
undertake. To the extent Mr. Nowak incurs reasonable out of pocket expenses in
connection with such consulting services, such expenses shall be reimbursable,
subject to Mr. Nowak's compliance with NTC's reimbursement policy applicable to
corporate executives.
2. NTC shall pay Mr. Nowak consulting fees in the aggregate amount of
$170,000 (the "Consulting Fees"), payable in 26 equal proportionate amounts on
NTC's regular payroll periods. NTC shall tender payments of all Consulting Fees
by first-class or overnight mail, addressed to Dennis J. Nowak, 10113 Wellington
Terrace, Munster, Indiana 46321 or such other address as Mr. Nowak subsequently
may provide to NTC.
3. The parties to this Consulting Agreement understand and agree that
the foregoing Consulting Fees shall be paid by NTC solely in exchange for Mr.
Nowak's agreement to perform consulting services for NTC. The Consulting Fees
are not intended and should not be construed
Document #: 353392
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as NTC's payment to Mr. Nowak of wages, salary or compensation for his services.
NTC will forward Form 1099 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Indiana
Department of Revenue and any other applicable taxing authority in connection
with the Consulting Fees paid by NTC under this Consulting Agreement.
4. Within five business days after both Mr. Nowak and NTC have signed
this Consulting Agreement, NTC shall provide Mr. Nowak with payment of
$30,403.85, consisting of 372 hours of unused vacation pay that Mr. Nowak
accrued during his employment with NTC. Such vacation pay will be subject to
applicable payroll and withholding taxes and deductions required by law.
5. Within fourteen days following NTC's receipt of appropriate invoices
from an outplacement provider mutually acceptable to Mr. Nowak and NTC, NTC will
issue to such outplacement provider a maximum payment of $4,250.00 for
outplacement services received by Mr. Nowak from the outplacement provider.
6. Within fourteen days following NTC's receipt of an appropriately
detailed, itemized invoice from an attorney of Mr. Nowak's choice, NTC will
issue to such attorney a maximum payment of $1,000.00 for legal services the
attorney rendered to Mr. Nowak in connection with his negotiation and review of
this instrument.
7. Within fourteen days after execution of this Consulting Agreement,
Mr. Nowak shall submit to NTC a request for reimbursement of any outstanding out
of pocket expenses incurred by Mr. Nowak in connection with his employment by
NTC and which are reimbursable pursuant to paragraph 3 of the Employment
Agreement, supported by appropriate documentation. NTC shall process such
reimbursement request in accordance with NTC's policy for reimbursements
applicable to NTC's executive officers on the same terms and conditions
generally applicable to such officers, and submit a check for any such
reimbursable amounts to Mr. Nowak within fourteen days after NTC's receipt of
the reimbursement request and appropriate supporting documentation.
8. Mr. Nowak shall be entitled to keep the Canon Fax B360IF fax machine
previously provided to him by NTC. NTC hereby transfers to Mr. Nowak all its
right, title and interest in and to this fax machine.
9. Within five days after Mr. Nowak's execution of this Consulting
Agreement, he shall return to NTC its following property previously entrusted to
Mr. Nowak:
A. The original and any copies of all documents (including any
tangible material or computer-maintained data containing information
derived from such documents) containing, referencing or pertaining to
information concerning any aspects of NTC's plans or activities
regarding research, development, products, marketing, unpublished
financial information, prices, costs or any other information within
the scope of that certain Confidential Information And Proprietary
Rights Agreement between Mr. Nowak and NTC dated September 3, 1996.
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B. The Dell Latitude CP Laptop Computer with battery, carrying
case, power cord and related peripherals, and all software and hardware
contained in this computer (including modem card, ethernet card and
adapter, Windows 98, Lotus Organizer 98, and Office 97 Professional
Version). Mr. Nowak warrants that no data or information contained in
the above-described computer (including its hard-drive or memory) as of
June 22, 1999 has been subsequently modified, deleted, supplemented or
altered in any way.
C. The portable cellular flip telephone with external battery
and recharger.
D. All keys to any cabinets, containers or doors on NTC's
premises which were in Mr. Nowak's possession or control as of June 22,
1999.
10. Subject to the continuation election and eligibility of Mr. Nowak
and his family for COBRA continuation coverage under the terms of NTC's group
health and dental insurance plans, NTC will pay Mr. Nowak's monthly insurance
premium under COBRA for a period of twelve months starting on June 26, 1999 and
ending on June 26, 2000. Thereafter, Mr. Nowak and his family can continue
participation in NTC's group health and dental insurance plan at their own
expense, pursuant to COBRA.
11. NTC will not contest any claim for unemployment insurance benefits
that Mr. Nowak may file with the Illinois Department of Employment Security or
an analogous Indiana governmental agency.
12. Mr. Nowak acknowledges that NTC makes no representations or
warranties to him concerning the tax consequences, if any, of the Consulting
Fees or any other monies paid or benefits provided by NTC under this Consulting
Agreement. Each party to this instrument shall bear its own such tax
consequences, if any, and any related applicable tax reporting or filing
obligations.
13. NTC acknowledges and confirms that under its Amended and Restated
1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended to date (the "Stock Option Plan") and any
Stock Option Agreement between NTC and Mr. Nowak (the "Stock Option
Agreements"):
A. Any stock options previously granted to Mr. Nowak shall
remain in effect and operate solely according to the provisions of the
respective Stock Option Agreements and the Stock Option Plan throughout
the Term of this Consulting Agreement.
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B. Throughout the Term of this Consulting Agreement, Mr. Nowak
shall have "Continuous Status as an Employee, Consultant or Outside
Director" within the meaning of Sections 2(e) and 2(f) of the Stock
Option Plan and Mr. Nowak's interests under the Stock Option Agreements
shall continue to vest consistent with the provisions of each
respective Stock Option Agreement.
C. Pursuant to Section 8(b)(ii)(D) of the Stock Option Plan,
Mr. Nowak may exercise any stock options previously granted to him,
subject to the terms of the Stock Option Agreements and the Stock
Option Plan, by the delivery of cash to NTC by a broker-dealer to whom
Mr. Nowak has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise.
D. Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Stock Option Plan and the
terms of the Stock Option Agreements, Mr. Nowak may exercise any stock
options previously granted to him in accord with the provisions of each
respective Stock Option Agreement and subject to the withholding and
tax payment requirements of the Stock Option Plan, the Stock Option
Agreements and applicable law. NTC will report any such exercise of
stock options by Mr. Nowak to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on Form
W-2.
14. The parties to this instrument understand and agree that NTC's
obligations under Paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 10 of this Consulting Agreement are
expressly subject to Mr. Nowak's complying with his following obligations:
A. Mr. Nowak shall render such consulting services to NTC as
reasonably requested pursuant to Paragraph 1 of this Consulting
Agreement; provided, however, that NTC shall provide Mr. Nowak with
notice and reasonable opportunity to cure with respect to Paragraph 1.
B. Concurrently with Mr. Nowak's executing this Consulting
Agreement, he shall provide NTC with written notice of his voluntary
resignation as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer, and as an employee of NTC, effective June 25, 1999.
C. Mr. Nowak hereby waives and releases any claim, action, suit,
debt, dues, account, controversy, damages or judgment which Mr. Nowak
had, has or hereafter may have, whether known or unknown, for (i) any
claim for salary, bonuses, severance benefits or severance payments
from NTC, and (ii) any claim under Paragraph 5 of the Employment
Agreement.
D. Mr. Nowak hereby confirms the continuing existence and
enforceability of, and his compliance with: (i) all terms of that
certain Confidential Information And Proprietary Rights Agreement
between Mr. Nowak and NTC dated September 3, 1996, and (ii) the
confidentiality covenant in Paragraph 6 of the Employment Agreement.
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E. Mr. Nowak shall maintain the confidentiality of all terms
of this Consulting Agreement, and he warrants that he will not, in any
manner or means, by act or omission, disclose the terms of this
Consulting Agreement to any person or entity. Mr. Nowak specifically
warrants that he will not represent to any person or entity that he is
a consultant to, or otherwise affiliated with, NTC. The warranties in
this Paragraph 14.E shall not apply to Mr. Nowak's disclosures to his
spouse, financial advisors or lawyers, or to disclosures of Mr. Nowak
as required by applicable law or legal process.
F. Mr. Nowak's complying with all his obligations with respect
to NTC's property as described in Paragraph 9 of this Consulting
Agreement.
15. The parties to this instrument do not intend that any provisions of
this Consulting Agreement shall release or waive any claim, action, suit, debt,
dues, account, controversy, damages or judgment that any party had, has or may
hereafter have against another party or any other person, except as expressly
provided in Paragraph 14.C of this instrument. NTC specifically acknowledges
that this instrument does not waive any rights or claims that Mr. Nowak now has
or hereafter may have under that certain Indemnification Agreement between NTC
and Mr. Nowak dated November 26, 1997, which remains in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms, or under Directors and Officers Insurance and Company
Reimbursement Policy No. GA6079397 issued to NTC by Gulf Insurance Company.
16. This Consulting Agreement, and all obligations of NTC under
Paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 10 of this instrument, shall end immediately upon the
earlier of: (a) Mr. Nowak's death; (b) the conclusion of the Term; or (c) Mr.
Nowak failing to comply with his obligations under Paragraph 14 of this
Consulting Agreement; provided, however, that no breach of Paragraph 14.A of
this Consulting Agreement by Mr. Nowak will be deemed to have occurred until NTC
provides him with notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure.
17. Mr. Nowak shall have no power to assign his respective rights or
obligations under this Consulting Agreement.
18. Any dispute or controversy based upon or arising in connection with
any party's respective rights or obligations under this Consulting Agreement
shall be submitted to arbitration before a single arbitrator in Chicago,
Illinois pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules of the American
Arbitration Association. An arbitration award rendered pursuant to this
Paragraph 18 shall be final, binding on the parties and may be submitted to any
court of competent jurisdiction for entry of a judgment thereon, in accord with
the Federal Arbitration Act or the Uniform Arbitration Act.
19. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 2 of this instrument, any
notice to be given under this Consulting Agreement shall be in writing and
delivered personally or by overnight courier, addressed to the party concerned
at the address stated below or to such other address as such party subsequently
may provide in writing:
If to Mr. Nowak: Dennis J. Nowak
10113 Wellington Terrace
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Munster, Indiana 46321
with a copy to: Richard L. Fenton
Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal
8000 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606
If to NTC: Nanophase Technologies Corporation
453 Commerce Street
Burr Ridge, Illinois 60521
Attention: President
with a copy to: David L. Weinstein
Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon
225 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
20. Mr. Nowak acknowledges that the only consideration for this
Consulting Agreement is described in this instrument; that no other promise or
agreement has been made to or with him by any person or entity whatsoever to
cause him to sign this Consulting Agreement; that he is represented by counsel
and that counsel has explained to him all the terms of this Consulting Agreement
and that he has voluntarily signed it; and that this instrument constitutes the
entire agreement between the parties on all the subjects described herein.
21. This Consulting Agreement shall be construed in accord with, and
governed by, the laws of the State of Illinois.
22. David L. Weinstein, one of the attorneys for NTC, represents and
warrants that he has been duly authorized to execute this Consulting Agreement
on behalf of NTC.
23. This Consulting Agreement may be signed by the parties by facsimile
and in multiple counterparts.
/s/ Dennis J. Nowak June 25, 1999
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DENNIS J. NOWAK
NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
By: /s/ David L. Weinstein June 25, 1999
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David L. Weinstein
One of Its Attorneys
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