EXHIBIT (d)(8)
SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
$95,400.00 Greeneville, Tennessee December 28, 2000
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned ("Maker") promises to pay to the
order of Scott M. Niswonger, a resident of the State of Tennessee ("Payee";
Payee and any subsequent holder[s] hereof are hereinafter individually and
collectively referred to as "Holder"), the principal sum of Ninety-Five Thousand
Four Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($95,400.00), together with interest on the
outstanding principal balance hereof from date at the rate of 5.87% per annum.
The entire outstanding principal balance, together with all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable on the fifth (5th) anniversary
of the date of this Note (the "Maturity Date"). In the event Maker receives cash
or cash equivalents resulting from either (i) a transfer or transfers of any of
the shares of the common stock of Landair Corporation (the "Shares") which
secure this Note or (ii) a distribution or distributions from Landair
Corporation with respect to the Shares, Maker shall be required to make
mandatory prepayments of principal and interest in an amount equal to any
after-tax proceeds received by Maker resulting from such transfer or
distribution, until such time as the entire outstanding principal balance of
this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in full.
In the event Maker is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to the
preceding sentence, all amounts paid pursuant to such sentence shall first be
applied to all accrued and unpaid interest and the remainder shall reduce the
principal amount of this Note.
The indebtedness and other obligations evidenced by this Note are
secured by a Pledge and Security Agreement dated of even date herewith by and
between the Maker and the Payee (the "Security Agreement").
The indebtedness evidenced hereby may be prepaid in whole or in part,
at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty.
If any payment hereunder is not paid when due, the indebtedness
evidenced by this Note may be declared to be immediately due and payable in full
without notice at the option of Holder. Holder may waive any default before or
after the same has been declared and restore this Note to full force and effect
without impairing the right to declare the indebtedness evidenced hereby due for
a subsequent default, this right being a continuing one.
In the event this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for
collection or for enforcement or protection of the security, or if Holder incurs
any costs incident to the collection of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or the
enforcement or protection of the security, Maker and any endorsers hereof agree
to pay a reasonable attorney's fee, all court and other costs, and the
reasonable costs of any other collection efforts.
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Presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of demand, protest
and nonpayment are hereby waived by Maker and all other parties hereto. No
failure to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby by reason of default
hereunder, acceptance of a past-due installment or other indulgences granted
from time to time, shall be construed as a novation of this Note or as a waiver
of such right of acceleration or of the right of Holder thereafter to insist
upon strict compliance with the terms of this Note or to prevent the exercise of
such right of acceleration or any other right granted hereunder or by applicable
laws. Unless otherwise specifically agreed by Holder in writing, the liability
of Maker and all other persons now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby, or any portion thereof, shall not be affected by
(1) any renewal hereof or other extension of the time for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any amount due in respect thereof, (2) the
release of all or any part of any collateral now or hereafter securing the
payment of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof, or (3) the
release of or resort to any person now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof. This Note may not be
changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification or discharge is sought.
All agreements herein made are expressly limited so that in no event
whatsoever, whether by reason of advancement of proceeds hereof, acceleration of
maturity of the unpaid balance hereof or otherwise, shall the interest and loan
charges agreed to be paid to Holder for the use of the money advanced or to be
advanced hereunder exceed the maximum amounts collectible under applicable laws
in effect from time to time. If for any reason whatsoever the interest or loan
charges paid or contracted to be paid in respect of the indebtedness evidenced
hereby shall exceed the maximum amounts collectible under applicable laws in
effect from time to time, then, ipso facto, the obligation to pay such interest
and/or loan charges shall be reduced to the maximum amounts collectible under
applicable laws in effect from time to time, and any amounts collected by Holder
that exceed such maximum amounts shall be applied to the reduction of the
principal balance remaining unpaid hereunder and/or refunded to Maker so that at
no time shall the interest or loan charges paid or payable in respect of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby exceed the maximum amounts permitted from time to
time by applicable law. This provision shall control every other provision in
any and all other agreements and instruments now existing or hereafter arising
between Maker and Holder with respect to the indebtedness evidenced hereby.
This Note has been negotiated, executed and delivered in the State of
Tennessee, and is intended as a contract under and shall be construed and
enforceable in accordance with the laws of said state.
/s/ Andrew J. Mantey
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Andrew J. Mantey
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