EXHIBIT 10.20
ARNOLD & PORTER WASHINGTON DC
399 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-4690 DENVER
(212) 715-1000
FACSIMILE (212) 715-1099 LOS ANGELES
LONDON
MICHAEL J. CANNING
(212) 715-1110
INTERNET: Michael_Canning@aporter.com
August 2, 2000
VIA FACSIMILE
Paul Walters
United Auto Group, Inc.
Fax No. 313-592-7383
RE: SAM DIFEO COMPENSATION
Dear Paul:
As you know, Sam DiFeo ("DiFeo") has for some time been serving as
President and Chief Operating Officer of United Auto Group, Inc. (the "Company")
pursuant to that certain letter agreement between the parties dated as of August
3, 1999. (the "Employment Agreement"). In this regard, the Agreement
contemplates that DiFeo's employment as President and Chief Operating Officer,
for which the Company has compensated DiFeo at the rate of $360,000 per annum,
would terminate upon the expiration of the extended term thereof (i.e., May 31,
2000), whereupon DiFeo would have the benefit of that certain Consulting
Agreement between the parties (the "Consulting Agreement").
Without regard to the May 31, 2000 termination date set forth in the
Employment Agreement, DiFeo has, at the request of the Company, continued to
serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company beyond said
termination date. The Company has now requested that DiFeo continue to serve in
such capacity for a further period of time. DiFeo is agreeable to such
continuation of his services and the parties have reached an agreement on the
terms and conditions of his continued service. The terms and conditions of
DiFeo's continued service for the Company are generally as follows:
1. DiFeo will continue his service to the Company as President and Chief
Operating Officer on a full-time basis through December 31, 2000 at an
annual salary of $500,000, with the difference between DiFeo's
compensation rate of $360,000 and the adjusted $500,000 to be payable to
DiFeo in equal installments during the period June 1, 2000 through
December 31, 2000 by additions to the periodic paychecks otherwise payable
to him at the base compensation rate of $360,000.
2. The Consulting Agreement shall be modified as required to provide that the
term thereof shall be for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31,
2002, with the
ARNOLD & PORTER
Paul Walters
August 2, 2000
Page two
Company to have the option to extend the term of the Consulting Agreement
for an additional one year, through December 31, 2003. During the
effective period of the Consulting Agreement as may be extended, DiFeo
will perform services for the Company as more specifically provided for
therein, and will be compensated for such services as set forth in the
Consulting Agreement.
3. Upon the expiration of the amended Consulting Agreement on December 31,
2002, or December 31, 2003, in the event the term of the Consulting
Agreement is extended as noted above, DiFeo shall have the benefit of a
new consulting agreement (the "New Consulting Agreement"), which will
provide that DiFeo will be available, as convenient to DiFeo, to consult
with the Company for an additional period of two years at an annual
compensation rate of $400,000.
4. In connection with the revised employment and compensation status of DiFeo
as set forth above, the consulting agreements previously in place between
the Company and each of DiFeo's brother, Joseph DiFeo, and DiFeo's father,
Samuel DiFeo, with annual compensation at the rate of $50,000, shall be
continued and extended through December 31, 2002.
If the above accurately sets forth your understanding of the agreement
reached between DiFeo and the Company relative to DiFeo's continued employment
by the Company, please evidence your understanding by signing this letter where
indicated below and returning same to me. As we discussed, 1 will thereupon
proceed to prepare the requisite documentation to effectuate the parties
agreement.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Michael J. Canning
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Michael J. Canning
Agreed:
United Auto Group, Inc.
/s/ Paul Walters
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Paul Walters