SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (this Agreement) is made and
dated as of September 4, 2003, by and among ELDERTRUST, a Maryland real
estate investment trust (the Company), ELDERTRUST OPERATING LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (the Operating Partnership)
and D. LEE MCCREARY, JR. (McCreary).
WHEREAS, the Company, the Operating Partnership and McCreary desire
to set forth the terms and conditions of their joint agreements regarding
the resignation of McCreary and the termination of his employment and
service with the Company and its subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS, the Company is the general partner of the Operating
Partnership, the Companys only material assets consist of interests in
the Operating Partnership, and under the terms of the Second Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership,
as amended (the Operating Partnership Agreement), the Operating Partnership
is required to pay, or reimburse the General Partner for the payment of,
all expenses of the General Partner incurred in connection with its acting
as the general partner of the Operating Partnership.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Operating
Partnership and McCreary hereby agree as follows:
1. Resignation From and Termination of Employment and as Trustee.
The last day of McCrearys employment by the Company shall be September 4,
2003 (the Effective Date). McCreary hereby resigns, effective as of
September 4, 2003, from all of his offices and positions with the Company,
the Operating Partnership, and each of their subsidiaries, including,
without limitation, his position as President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company and as a
member of its Board of Trustees. McCreary shall take no action in the
name or on behalf of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of
their subsidiaries nor shall he have any authority to bind the Company,
the Operating Partnership or any of their subsidiaries from and after the
Effective Date. McCreary shall execute and deliver to the Company, the
Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries such documents concerning
such resignation and termination of all of his positions with the
Company and its subsidiaries as may be reasonably requested by the
Company, the Operating Partnership or any of its subsidiaries from time
to time.
2. Severance. The Company shall pay McCreary unpaid salary (less
applicable withholding) for work performed by him through the Effective
Date in accordance with the Companys normal pay practices. In addition,
the Company shall pay McCreary net severance pay (Severance) equal to
$1,229,608.23 (less applicable withholding). The Severance shall be paid
to McCreary in a single lump sum within three (3) business days after the
execution and delivery of this Agreement. In the event the Company fails
to make the cash payments specified in this Section 2, the second sentence
of Section 3 and the next to last paragraph of Section 4 of this Agreement,
this Agreement shall be null and void.
3. Benefits. The Company shall provide McCreary health and medical
plan benefits equivalent to the insurance coverage to which McCreary was
entitled prior to the Effective Date for a two (2) year period from the
Effective Date. The Company shall pay McCreary at that same time as the
Severance $15,666.67 (less applicable withholding) in lieu of future
contributions to the Companys Simple IRA. The Company shall pay through
August 2005 up to $85.00 per month toward McCrearys cell phone bill.
4. Effect on Share Option and Distribution Equivalent Rights
Agreements. McCreary holds the following share options:
Grant Date ISO/NON ISO No. of Shares Exercise Price
---------- ----------- ------------- --------------
1/30/98 NON ISO 25,000 $18.00
7/17/98 NON ISO 25,000 $15.125
10/13/99 NON ISO 200,000 $ 6.6875
12/14/99 NON ISO 25,000 $ 5.3125
4/27/01 ISO 25,000 $ 4.18
5/9/03 NON ISO 41,935 $ 7.40
In accordance with the terms of McCrearys Employment Agreement (as
defined below), McCrearys rights in the share options agreements
evidencing the foregoing share options shall vest immediately prior to
the Effective Date and the share options shall remain exercisable
through their original terms as if McCrearys employment had not
terminated subject to the remaining terms of the agreements evidencing
such share options.
The amount of $25,793.02 accumulated for McCreary as distribution
equivalent rights shall be paid to him in a single lump sum (less
applicable withholding) at the same time as the Severance.
All distribution equivalent rights agreements between the Company
and McCreary and all rights, benefits, obligations and liabilities of
the parties thereunder (including, without limitation, all distribution
equivalent rights
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granted therein) are hereby terminated and canceled and shall be of no
further force or effect as of the Effective Date.
5. Further Assistance. For a period of three years from the
Effective Date, McCreary shall make himself reasonably available to
the Company and the Operating Partnership (taking into account in
determining such reasonable availability other personal and professional
obligations he may have) with respect to all matters relating to the
business of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries
that occurred on or prior to the Effective Date, including, but not
limited to, assisting the Company and the Operating Partnership with
transitional matters and acting as a witness in connection with any
pending or threatened litigation or other legal proceeding with respect
to which the Company or the Operating Partnership reasonably determines
his participation to be necessary or useful and responding to questions
and inquiries with respect to such matters. Until December 4, 2003, such
assistance will be without additional compensation to McCreary; provided,
however, that he will be reimbursed by the Operating Partnership for any
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses he incurs in providing such assistance
upon providing proper documentation to the Operating Partnership of such
expenses. From and after December 4, 2003, McCreary will be compensated
at a rate of $200 per hour for providing such assistance and he will be
reimbursed by the Operating Partnership for any reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses he incurs in providing such assistance upon providing proper
documentation to the Operating Partnership of such expenses.
6. Effect on Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement between
the Company and McCreary made as of October 13, 1999 (the Employment
Agreement) and all rights, benefits, obligations and liabilities of the
parties thereunder are hereby terminated and canceled and shall be of no
further force or effect as of the Effective Date, except for the
provisions of Section 8 (Executives Covenants) thereof, which shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
7. Effect on Other Agreements. The following other agreements
between the Company and McCreary shall remain in full force and effect
in accordance with their respective terms:
(a) Indemnification Agreement by and between the Company and
McCreary dated effective as of January 30, 1998 (the Indemnification
Agreement);
(b) Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company
and the holders of Units listed on Schedule A thereto made and entered
into as of January 30, 1998 (the Registration Rights Agreement); and
(c) The Option Agreements by and between the Operating
Partnership and McCreary dated January 24, 2000, September 25, 2002
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and September 25, 2002 relating to McCrearys sole member interests in
Vernon ALF, L.L.C., Cabot ALF, L.L.C. and Cleveland ALF, L.L.C.,
respectively (the Member Interest Option Agreements).
8. Release by McCreary.
(a) McCreary, on behalf of himself and his affiliates, heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably,
unconditionally and forever releases and discharges the Company, the
Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries, and the Companys, the
Operating Partnerships and their subsidiaries respective trustees,
directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, accountants,
counsel and other representatives, and their respective successors and
assigns, from and against any and all complaints, claims, demands,
damages, lawsuits, actions, causes of action, obligations and liabilities
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or
unaccrued, including, but not limited to, all claims arising from or in
any way connected with McCrearys employment by the Company and the
termination of McCrearys employment with the Company, but excluding any
(i) obligations under this Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement or the share option agreements described in
Section 4 hereof or (ii) any claims, damages or liabilities resulting from
any breach by the Company or the Operating Partnership of the terms of this
Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement
or the share option agreements described in Section 4 hereof. This release
includes, but is not limited to, rights or claims arising under any applicable
federal, state or local statutes or common-law rights of action prohibiting
employment discrimination based on age, sex, race, color, national origin,
religion, handicap or veteran status or otherwise concerning McCrearys
employment. McCreary shall not sue or otherwise institute or cause to be
instituted or in any way voluntarily participate in the prosecution of any
complaints against any person or entity released in this Section 8(a) in any
federal, state, District of Columbia or other court, administrative agency or
other forum concerning any claims released in this Section 8(a). McCreary
irrevocably and unconditionally waives any and all rights to recover any
relief and damages concerning any claims that are released in this Section
8(a). McCreary represents and warrants that he has not previously filed or
joined in any such claims or lawsuits against the Company, the Operating
Partnership or any of the other persons or entities released in this Section
8(a), and that he has not given or sold any portion of any claims released
in this Section 8(a) to anyone else, and that he will indemnify and hold
harmless the persons and entities released in this Section 8(a) from all
liabilities, claims, demands, costs, expenses and/or attorneys fees
incurred as a result of any such assignment or transfer.
(b) McCreary acknowledges that he has been given the
opportunity to consult with legal counsel of his own choosing in
connection with this Agreement and that he has carefully read this
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Agreement which includes the release set forth in Section 8(a) and fully
understands all of its terms. McCreary is signing this Agreement
voluntarily, without coercion and with full knowledge of its significance,
and acknowledges that he has not relied upon any representation or
statement, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement.
9. Release by the Company. The Company and the Operating
Partnership, on behalf of themselves and their successors and assigns,
hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and forever release and discharge
McCreary and his affiliates, heirs, executors, administrators, counsel,
successors and assigns from and against any and all complaints, claims,
demands, damages, lawsuits, actions, causes of action, obligations and
liabilities whatsoever, whether absolute or contingent, which the
Company or the Operating Partnership has or may have against McCreary
for acts taken by him within the scope of his employment as an officer
and employee of the Company; provided, however, that it is expressly
agreed and understood that the release provided by the Company and
the Operating Partnership in this Section 9 shall only release any such
complaints, claims, demands, damages, lawsuits, actions, causes of action
and liabilities of which one or more members of the Companys Board of
Trustees (excluding McCreary) has or have knowledge, or, which, through
the exercise of reasonable care, should have had knowledge, on the date
of this Agreement and shall not waive or release any other complaints,
claims, demands, damages, lawsuits, actions, causes of action and
liabilities or that result from any breach by McCreary of the terms of
this Agreement (including, but not limited to, any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement made by him in this Agreement) or any
breach by McCreary of Section 8 of the Employment Agreement, of the share
option agreements described in Section 4 hereof or of the agreements
listed in Section 7 hereof. The Company and the Operating Partnership
shall not sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted or in any
way voluntarily participate in the prosecution of any complaints against
McCreary released in this Section 9 in any federal, state, District of
Columbia or other court, administrative agency or other forum concerning
any claims released in this Section 9, except as required by law. The
Company and the Operating Partnership irrevocably and unconditionally
waive any and all rights to recover any relief and damages concerning any
claims that are released in this Section 9. The Company and the Operating
Partnership represent and warrant that they have not previously filed or
joined in any such claims or lawsuits against McCreary or any of the other
persons or entities released in this Section 9, and that the Company and the
Operating Partnership have not given or sold any portion of any claims
released in this Section 9 to anyone else, and that the Company and the
Operating Partnership will indemnify and hold harmless the persons and
entities released in this Section 9 from all liabilities, claims, demands,
costs, expenses and/or attorneys fees incurred as a result of any such
assignment or transfer.
10. Transfer of Managing Member Interests. McCreary confirms that he
has granted Michael Walker irrevocable powers of attorney to effect the
transfer to the Operating Partnership of McCrearys sole member interests in
Vernon ALF, L.L.C., Cabot ALF, L.L.C. and Cleveland ALF, L.L.C. pursuant to
the terms of the Member Interest Option Agreements; such transfers being
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subject only to receipt of any required consents to such transfers from the
Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority and the receipt by McCreary from
the Operating Partnership of the aggregate $20,547.53 payment for the
transfers of such interests. McCreary shall cooperate fully with the
Operating Partnership in accomplishing the transfers of such interests.
Until such time as such interests are transferred, McCreary agrees to
appoint Michael R. Walker as President, Stephan Seifred as Vice President
and Kevin Smith as Secretary of Vernon ALF, L.L.C., Cabot ALF, L.L.C. and
Cleveland ALF, L.L.C. and that such officers shall have the authority to
consummate the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale
Agreement dated as of September 8, 2003 by and between Genesis ElderCare
Partnership of New England, Limited Partnership, Benchmark Assisted Living,
LLC, ET Sub-Cleveland Circle, L.L.C., ET Sub-Heritage Andover, L.L.C., ET
Sub-Cabot Park, L.L.C. and ET Sub-Vernon Court, L.L.C. McCreary further
agrees that such officers shall not be removed without the prior written
consent of the Operating Partnership. Without limiting the foregoing,
McCreary hereby agrees to take or cause to be taken such further actions,
to execute, deliver and file or cause to be executed, delivered and filed
such further documents and instruments, as may be necessary or as may be
reasonably requested by the Operating Partnership in order to fully
effectuate the purposes, terms and conditions of the transfer of such
interests as contemplated by this Section 10. McCreary hereby agrees
and confirms that the subject matter of this Section 10 is unique.
Accordingly, in addition to any other remedies which the Operating
Partnership may have at law or in equity, McCreary hereby agrees that
the Operating Partnership, in addition to any other remedies which the
Operating Partnership may have at law or in equity, shall have the right
to have all obligations, undertakings, agreements, covenants and other
provisions of this Section 10 specifically performed by McCreary.
11. Return of Information, Furniture and Personal Items. McCreary
shall cooperate fully with the Company and the Operating Partnership in
providing information relating to the business of the Company, the
Operating Partnership, and their subsidiaries and in returning to the
Company or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, the originals and
all copies of all files, materials, documents or other property relating
to the business of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their
subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the Company laptop and
printer used by him and other computer equipment belonging to the Company).
The Company has provided McCreary reasonable access to the Companys offices
during a mutually agreeable time to permit him to remove his personal items.
12. No Admission. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute
or be treated as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company, the
Operating Partnership or McCreary.
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13. Assignment. The Company and the Operating Partnership may
freely assign or delegate any of their rights or obligations hereunder.
McCreary shall not assign or delegate any of his rights or obligations
hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the Company
and the Operating Partnership.
14. Amendment; Modification; Waiver. No amendments or additions
to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by the
party sought to be bound thereby. No delay or failure at any time on
the part of the Company or the Operating Partnership in exercising any
right, power or privilege under this Agreement, or in enforcing any
provision of this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power, or
privilege, or be construed as a waiver of any default or as any
acquiescence therein, or shall affect the right of the Company and the
Operating Partnership thereafter to enforce each and every provision of
this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
15. Section Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement
are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.
16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions hereof.
17. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and permitted assigns.
18. Notices. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered, sent by overnight
courier, or mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by telegram, telecopy or
telex, addressed as follows:
If to the Company or the Operating Partnership:
ElderTrust
ElderTrust Operating Limited Partnership
2711 Centerville Rd., Suite 108
Wilmington, DE 19808
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
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If to McCreary:
D. Lee McCreary, Jr.
110 Stone Tower Lane
Wilmington, DE 19803
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other
in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior oral or
written agreements, commitments or understandings, with respect to the
matters provided for herein, except for the provisions of Section 8 of
the Employment Agreement, the share option agreements described in
Section 4 hereof and the agreements listed in Section 7 hereof.
20. Further Assurance. McCreary shall at any time, and from time
to time, execute and deliver such further documents as the Company and
the Operating Partnership may reasonably request to effect fully the
purposes of this Agreement.
21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware, excluding the choice of law rules thereof.
22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf as
of the date first above written.
ELDERTRUST
By:/s/ Michael R. Walker
__________________________
Michael R. Walker
Acting President and Chief
Executive Officer
Date of Execution: September 17, 2003
ELDERTRUST OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By ElderTrust, its General Partner
By:/s/ Michael R. Walker
____________________________________
Michael R. Walker
Acting President and Chief Executive
Officer
Date of Execution: September 17, 2003
/s/ D. Lee McCreary, Jr.
______________________________________
D. LEE MCCREARY, JR.
Date of Execution: September 17, 2003
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