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Exhibit 10.15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement"), by and between Travel
Services International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TSI"), and Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx ("Employee"), is hereby entered into as of the 1st day of April, 1998
(the "Effective Date").
R E C I T A L S
A. As of the date of this Agreement, TSI is engaged primarily in the
business of providing travel services.
B. Employee is employed hereunder by TSI in a confidential relationship
wherein Employee, in the course of Employee's employment with TSI, has and will
continue to become familiar with and aware of information as to TSI's customers,
specific manner of doing business, including the processes, techniques and trade
secrets utilized by TSI, and future plans with respect thereto, all of which has
been and will be established and maintained at great expense to TSI; this
information is a trade secret and constitutes the valuable goodwill of TSI.
A G R E E M E N T S
In consideration of the mutual promises, terms, covenants and
conditions set forth herein and the performance of each, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES.
(a) TSI hereby employs Employee as Vice President, Marketing of TSI. As
such, Employee shall have responsibilities, duties and authority reasonably
accorded to and expected of a Vice President, Marketing, of TSI and will report
directly to the President of TSI. Employee hereby accepts this employment upon
the terms and conditions herein contained and, subject to paragraph 1(c) hereof,
agrees to devote Employee's full business time, attention and efforts to promote
and further the business of TSI.
(b) Employee shall faithfully adhere to, execute and fulfill all
policies established by the Board of Directors of TSI (the "Board").
(c) Employee shall not, during the term of his employment hereunder, be
engaged in any other business activity pursued for gain, profit or other
pecuniary advantage if such activity interferes with Employee's duties and
responsibilities hereunder. The foregoing limitations shall not be construed as
prohibiting Employee from making personal investments in such form or manner as
will neither require Employee's services in the operation or affairs of the
companies or enterprises in which such investments are made nor violate the
terms of paragraph 4 hereof.
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2. COMPENSATION.
For all services rendered by Employee, TSI shall compensate Employee as
follows:
(a) Base Salary. The base salary payable to Employee shall be $120,000
per year, payable on a regular basis in accordance with TSI's standard payroll
procedures but not less than monthly. On at least an annual basis, the Board
will review Employee's performance and may make increases to such base salary
if, in its discretion, any such increase is warranted. Such recommended increase
would, in all likelihood, require approval by the Board or a duly constituted
committee thereof. In no event shall Employee's base salary be reduced.
(b) Incentive Bonus Plan. For 1998 and subsequent years, TSI shall
develop, as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, a written Incentive
Bonus Plan setting forth the criteria and performance standards under which
Employee and other officers and key employees will be eligible to receive
year-end bonus awards. For services rendered in 1998, TSI shall pay a guaranteed
minimum bonus in the amount of 35% of Employee's base salary, payable at the
time that bonuses for 1998 are paid to other officers and key employees.
(c) Executive Perquisites, Benefits, and Other Compensation. Employee
shall be entitled to receive additional benefits and compensation from TSI in
such form and to such extent as specified below:
(i) Payment of all premiums for coverage for Employee and
Employee's dependent family members under health, hospitalization,
disability, dental, life and other insurance plans that TSI may have in
effect from time to time and available to senior management of TSI.
(ii) Reimbursement for all business travel and other
out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Employee in the
performance of Employee's services pursuant to this Agreement. All
reimbursable expenses shall be appropriately documented in reasonable
detail by Employee upon submission of any request for reimbursement,
and in a format and manner consistent with TSI's expense reporting
policy.
(iii) TSI shall provide Employee with other executive
perquisites as may be available to senior management of TSI and
participation in all other TSI-wide employee benefits as available from
time to time, including vacation benefits in accordance with TSI's
established policies.
3. OPTIONS.
At the Effective Date, TSI shall grant to Employee options to acquire
75,000 shares of TSI common stock at the price per share equal to the fair
market value on the Effective Date. Such options shall vest in installments of
18,750 shares on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of
the Effective Date.
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4. NON-COMPETITION.
(a) Employee will not, during the period of Employee's employment with
TSI, and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of
Employee's employment under this Agreement, for any reason whatsoever, directly
or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other
person, persons, company, partnership, corporation or business of whatever
nature:
(i) engage, as an officer, director, shareholder, owner,
partner, joint venturer or in a managerial capacity, whether as an
employee, independent contractor, consultant or advisor or as a sales
representative, in any travel service business in direct competition
with TSI or any subsidiary of TSI, within the United States or within
100 miles of any other geographic area in which TSI or any of TSI's
subsidiaries conducts business, including any territory serviced by TSI
or any of its subsidiaries (the "Territory");
(ii) call upon any person who is, at that time, within the
Territory, an employee of TSI (including the subsidiaries thereof) in a
managerial capacity for the purpose or with the intent of enticing such
employee away from or out of the employ of TSI (including the
subsidiaries thereof);
(iii) call upon any person or entity which is, at that time,
or which has been, within one (1) year prior to that time, a customer
of TSI (including the respective subsidiaries thereof) within the
Territory for the purpose of soliciting or selling products or services
in direct competition with TSI or any subsidiary of TSI within the
Territory; or
(iv) call upon any prospective acquisition candidate, on
Employee's own behalf or on behalf of any competitor, which candidate
was, to Employee's actual knowledge after due inquiry, either called
upon by TSI (including the respective subsidiaries thereof) or for
which TSI made an acquisition analysis, for the purpose of acquiring
such entity.
Notwithstanding the above, the foregoing covenant shall not be deemed
to prohibit Employee from acquiring as an investment not more than two percent
(2%) of the capital stock of a competing business, whose stock is traded on a
national securities exchange or over-the-counter.
(b) Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to TSI as a
result of a breach of the foregoing covenant, and because of the immediate and
irreparable damage that could be caused to TSI for which it would have no other
adequate remedy, Employee agrees that the foregoing covenant may be enforced by
TSI in the event of breach by him, by injunctions and restraining orders.
(c) It is agreed by the parties that the foregoing covenants in this
paragraph 4 impose a reasonable restraint on Employee in light of the activities
and business of TSI (including TSI's subsidiaries) on the date of the execution
of this Agreement and the current plans of TSI (including TSI's subsidiaries);
but it is also the intent of TSI and Employee that such covenants be construed
and enforced in accordance with the changing activities, business and locations
of TSI (including TSI's subsidiaries) throughout the term of this Agreement. For
example, if, during the term of this Agreement, TSI (including TSI's
subsidiaries) engages in new and different activities, enters a new business or
establishes new locations for its current activities or business in addition to
or other than the activities or business enumerated under the Recitals above or
the locations currently established therefor, then Employee will be precluded
from soliciting the customers or employees of such new activities or business or
from such
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new location and from directly competing with such new business within
100 miles of its then-established operating location(s) through the term of this
Agreement.
It is further agreed by the parties hereto that, in the event that
Employee shall cease to be employed hereunder, and shall enter into a business
or pursue other activities not in competition with TSI (including TSI's
subsidiaries), or similar activities, or business in locations the operation of
which, under such circumstances, does not violate clause (i) of this paragraph
4, and in any event such new business, activities or location are not in
violation of this paragraph 4 or of employee's obligations under this paragraph
4, if any, Employee shall not be chargeable with a violation of this paragraph 4
if TSI (including TSI's subsidiaries) shall thereafter enter the same, similar
or a competitive (i) business, (ii) course of activities or (iii) location, as
applicable.
(d) The covenants in this paragraph 4 are severable and separate, and
the unenforceability of any specific covenant shall not affect the provisions of
any other covenant. Moreover, in the event any court of competent jurisdiction
shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are
unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be
enforced to the fullest extent which the court deems reasonable, and the
Agreement shall be reformed in accordance therewith.
(e) All of the covenants in this paragraph 4 shall be construed as an
agreement independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the
existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against TSI, whether
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the
enforcement by TSI of such covenants. It is specifically agreed that the period
of two (2) years following termination of employment stated at the beginning of
this paragraph 4, during which the agreements and covenants of Employee made in
this paragraph 4 shall be effective, shall be computed by excluding from such
computation any time during which Employee is in violation of any provision of
this paragraph 4.
5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE.
Employee understands that he will relocate from Employee's present
residence to another geographic location near TSI's headquarters in Delray
Beach, Florida, in order to more efficiently carry out Employee's duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement; provided that Employee may commute from
his existing residence to TSI's headquarters prior to August 1, 1998. TSI will
pay all actual reasonable costs associated with such commuting (which costs may
include, but are not limited to, travel expenses and temporary lodging expenses)
during the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of
the date that Employee establishes a new permanent residence or August 1, 1998;
provided, the maximum total amount to be paid by TSI hereunder shall be $25,000.
6. TERM; TERMINATION; RIGHTS ON TERMINATION.
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof and continue
for three (3) years, and, unless terminated sooner as herein provided, shall
continue thereafter on a year-to-year basis on the same terms and conditions
contained herein in effect as of the time of renewal. As used herein, the word
"Term" shall mean (i) during the three-year period referred to in the preceding
sentence, such three-year period, and (ii) during any one year renewal pursuant
to the terms hereof, such one-year period. This Agreement and Employee's
employment may be terminated in any one of the following ways:
(a) Death. The death of Employee shall immediately terminate this
Agreement with no severance compensation due to Employee's estate.
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(b) Disability. If, as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental
illness or injury, as reasonably determined by Employee's physician, Employee
shall have been absent from Employee's full-time duties hereunder for four (4)
consecutive months, then thirty (30) days after receiving written notice (which
notice may occur before or after the end of such four (4) month period, but
which shall not be effective earlier than the last day of such four (4) month
period), TSI may terminate Employee's employment hereunder provided Employee is
unable to resume Employee's full-time duties at the conclusion of such notice
period. Also, Employee may terminate Employee's employment hereunder if his
health should become impaired to an extent that makes the continued performance
of Employee's duties hereunder hazardous to Employee's physical or mental health
or life, provided that Employee shall have furnished TSI with a written
statement from a qualified doctor to such effect and provided, further, that, at
TSI's request made within thirty (30) days of the date of such written
statement, Employee shall submit to an examination by a doctor selected by TSI
who is reasonably acceptable to Employee or Employee's doctor and such doctor
shall have concurred in the conclusion of Employee's doctor. In the event this
Agreement is terminated by either party as a result of Employee's disability,
Employee shall receive from TSI, in a lump-sum payment due within ten (10) days
of the effective date of termination, the base salary at the rate then in effect
for whatever time period is remaining under the Term of this Agreement or for
one (1) year, whichever amount is greater.
(c) Good Cause. TSI may terminate the Agreement ten (10) days after
delivery of written notice to Employee for good cause, which shall be: (1)
Employee's willful, material and irreparable breach of this Agreement; (2)
Employee's gross negligence in the performance or intentional nonperformance
continuing for ten (10) days after receipt of written notice of need to cure of
any of Employee's material duties and responsibilities hereunder; (3) Employee's
willful dishonesty, fraud or misconduct with respect to the business or affairs
of TSI which materially and adversely affects the operations or reputation of
TSI; (4) Employee's conviction of a felony crime; or (5) chronic alcohol abuse
or illegal drug abuse by Employee. In the event of a termination for good cause,
as enumerated above, Employee shall have no right to any severance compensation.
(d) Without Cause. At any time after the commencement of employment,
Employee may, without cause, terminate this Agreement and Employee's employment,
effective thirty (30) days after written notice is provided to TSI. Employee may
only be terminated without cause by TSI during the Term hereof if such
termination is approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board.
Should Employee's employment be terminated by TSI without cause during the Term,
Employee shall receive from TSI, in a lump-sum payment due on the effective date
of termination, the base salary at the rate then in effect for whatever time
period is remaining under the Term of this Agreement or for one (1) year,
whichever amount is greater, plus any accrued salary and declared but unpaid
bonus and reimbursement of expenses. Should Employee's employment be terminated
by TSI without cause at any time after the Term, Employee shall receive from
TSI, in a lump-sum payment due on the effective date of termination, the base
salary rate then in effect equivalent to one (1) year of salary, plus any
accrued salary and declared but unpaid bonus and reimbursement of expenses.
Further, any termination without cause by TSI shall operate to shorten the
period set forth in paragraph 4(a) and during which the terms of paragraph 4
apply to one (1) year from the date of termination of employment. If Employee
resigns or otherwise terminates Employee's employment without cause pursuant to
this paragraph 6(d), Employee shall receive no severance compensation.
(e) Change in Control of TSI. In the event of a "Change in Control of
TSI" (as defined below) during the Term, refer to paragraph 13 below.
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Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason provided above,
Employee shall be entitled to receive all compensation earned and all benefits
and reimbursements due through the effective date of termination. Additional
compensation subsequent to termination, if any, will be due and payable to
Employee only to the extent and in the manner expressly provided above or in
paragraph 13 hereof. All other rights and obligations of TSI and Employee under
this Agreement shall cease as of the effective date of termination, except that
TSI's obligations under paragraphs 10 and 17 hereof and Employee's obligations
under paragraphs 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 17 hereof shall survive such termination in
accordance with their terms.
If termination of Employee's employment arises out of TSI's failure to
pay Employee on a timely basis the amounts to which she is entitled under this
Agreement or as a result of any other material breach of this Agreement by TSI
(including but not limited to a material reduction in Employee's
responsibilities hereunder), as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
or pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 17 below, such termination shall be
deemed a termination without cause, and TSI shall pay to Employee severance
compensation pursuant to the applicable provisions of paragraph 6(d) and all
amounts and damages to which Employee may be entitled as a result of such
breach, including interest thereon and all reasonable legal fees and expenses
and other costs incurred by Employee to enforce Employee's rights hereunder.
Further, none of the provisions of paragraph 4 hereof shall apply in the event
this Agreement is terminated as a result of a breach by TSI.
In the event of any termination of Employee's employment for any reason
provided above, Employee shall be under no obligation to seek other employment
and there shall be no offset against any amounts due to Employee under this
Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent
employment that Employee may obtain. Any amounts due under this paragraph 6 are
in the nature of severance payments, or liquidated damages, or both, and are not
in the nature of a penalty.
7. RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY.
All records, designs, patents, business plans, financial statements,
manuals, memoranda, lists and other property delivered to or compiled by
Employee by or on behalf of TSI, or its representatives, vendors or customers
which pertain to the business of TSI shall be and remain the property of TSI,
and be subject at all times to its discretion and control. Likewise, all
correspondence, reports, records, charts, advertising materials, and other
similar data pertaining to the business, activities or future plans of TSI which
is collected by Employee shall be delivered promptly to TSI without request by
it upon termination of Employee's employment.
8. INVENTIONS.
Employee shall disclose promptly to TSI any and all significant
conceptions and ideas for inventions, improvements and valuable discoveries,
whether patentable or not, which are conceived or made by Employee, solely or
jointly with another, during the period of employment, and which are directly
related to the business or activities of TSI and which Employee conceives as a
result of Employee's employment by TSI. Employee hereby assigns and agrees to
assign all of Employee's interests therein to TSI or its nominee. Whenever
requested to do so by TSI, Employee shall execute any and all applications,
assignments or other instruments that TSI shall deem necessary to apply for and
obtain Letters Patent of the United States or any foreign country or to
otherwise protect TSI's interest therein.
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9. TRADE SECRETS.
Employee agrees that she will not, other than as required by court
order, during or after the Term of this Agreement with TSI, disclose the
confidential terms of TSI's or its subsidiaries' relationships or agreements
with its significant vendors or customers or any other significant and material
trade secret of TSI or its subsidiaries, whether in existence or proposed, to
any person, firm, partnership, corporation or business for any reason or purpose
whatsoever.
10. INDEMNIFICATION.
In connection with any threatened, pending or completed claim, demand,
liability, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than an action by TSI against Employee), by reason of
the fact that Employee is or was performing services (including an act, omission
or failure to act) under this Agreement, then TSI shall indemnify and hold
harmless, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Employee against all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, as
actually and reasonably incurred by Employee in connection therewith. In the
event that both Employee and TSI are made a party to the same third-party
action, complaint, suit or proceeding, TSI agrees to engage competent legal
representation reasonably acceptable to Employee, and Employee agrees to use the
same representation, provided that if counsel selected by TSI shall have a
conflict of interest that prevents such counsel from representing Employee,
Employee may engage separate counsel and TSI shall pay all attorneys' fees of
such separate counsel. Further, while Employee is expected at all times to use
Employee's best efforts to faithfully discharge her or her duties under this
Agreement, Employee cannot be held liable to TSI for errors or omissions made in
good faith where Employee has not exhibited gross, willful or wanton negligence
or misconduct or performed criminal and fraudulent acts which materially damage
the business of TSI. TSI shall pay, on behalf of Employee upon presentation of
proper invoices, all fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred in connection with any matter referenced in this paragraph 10.
11. NO PRIOR AGREEMENTS.
Employee hereby represents and warrants to TSI that the execution of
this Agreement by Employee and his employment by TSI and the performance of
Employee's duties hereunder will not violate or be a breach of any agreement
with a former employer, client or any other person or entity. Further, Employee
agrees to indemnify TSI for any claim, including but not limited to attorneys'
fees and expenses of investigation, by any such third party that such third
party may now have or may hereafter come to have against TSI based upon or
arising out of any noncompetition agreement, invention or secrecy agreement
between Employee and such third party which was in existence as of the date of
this Agreement.
12. ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT.
Employee understands that she has been selected for employment by TSI
on the basis of his personal qualifications, experience and skills. Employee,
therefore, shall not assign all or any portion of Employee's performance under
this Agreement. Subject to the preceding two (2) sentences and the express
provisions of paragraph 13 below, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
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13. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) Unless Employee elects to terminate this Agreement pursuant to (c)
below, Employee understands and acknowledges that TSI may be merged or
consolidated with or into another entity and that such entity shall
automatically succeed to the rights and obligations of TSI hereunder or that TSI
may undergo another type of Change in Control. In the event such a merger or
consolidation or other Change in Control is initiated prior to the end of the
Term, then the provisions of this paragraph 13 shall be applicable.
(b) In the event of a pending Change in Control wherein TSI and
Employee have not received written notice at least five (5) business days prior
to the anticipated closing date of the transaction giving rise to the Change in
Control from the successor to all or a substantial portion of TSI's business
and/or assets that such successor is willing as of the closing to assume and
agree to perform TSI's obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and
to the same extent that TSI is hereby required to perform, then such Change in
Control shall be deemed to be a termination of this Agreement by TSI without
cause during the Term and the applicable portions of paragraph 6(d) will apply;
however, under such circumstances, the amount of the lump-sum severance payment
due to Employee shall be triple the amount calculated under the terms of
paragraph 6(d) and the noncompetition provisions of paragraph 4 shall not apply.
(c) In any Change in Control situation, Employee may elect to terminate
this Agreement by providing written notice to TSI at least five (5) business
days prior to the anticipated closing of the transaction giving rise to the
Change in Control. In such case, the applicable provisions of paragraph 6(d)
will apply as though TSI had terminated the Agreement without cause during the
Term; however, under such circumstances, the amount of the lump-sum severance
payment due to Employee shall be double the amount calculated under the terms of
paragraph 6(d) and the noncompetition provisions of paragraph 4 shall all apply
for a period of two (2) years from the effective date of termination.
(d) For purposes of applying paragraph 6 hereof under the circumstances
described in (b) and (c) above, the effective date of termination will be the
closing date of the transaction giving rise to the Change in Control and all
compensation, reimbursements and lump-sum payments due Employee must be paid in
full by TSI at or prior to such closing. Further, Employee will be given
sufficient time and opportunity to elect whether to exercise all or any of
Employee's vested options to purchase TSI Common Stock, including any options
with accelerated vesting under the provisions of TSI's 1997 Long-Term Incentive
Plan, such that Employee may convert the options to shares of TSI Common Stock
at or prior to the closing of the transaction giving rise to the Change in
Control, if Employee so desires.
(e) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any person or entity, or group of persons or entities
acting together, other than TSI or an employee benefit plan of TSI,
acquires directly or indirectly the Beneficial Ownership (as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of
any voting security of TSI and immediately after such acquisition such
person, entity or group is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial
Owner of voting securities representing 33% or more of the total voting
power of all of the then-outstanding voting securities of TSI and has a
larger percentage of voting securities of TSI than any other person,
entity or group holding voting securities of TSI, unless the
transaction pursuant to which such acquisition is made is approved by
at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board; or
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(ii) the following individuals no longer constitute a majority
of the members of the Board: (A) the individuals who, as of the closing
date of TSI's initial public offering, constitute the Board (the
"Original Directors"); (B) the individuals who thereafter are elected
to the Board and whose election, or nomination for election, to the
Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
Original Directors then still in office (such directors becoming
"Additional Original Directors" immediately following their election);
and (C) the individuals who are elected to the Board and whose
election, or nomination for election, to the Board was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Original Directors and
Additional Original Directors then still in office (such directors also
becoming "Additional Original Directors" immediately following their
election); or
(iii) the stockholders of TSI shall approve a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of TSI, a reverse
stock split of outstanding voting securities, or consummation of any
such transaction if stockholder approval is not obtained, other than
any such transaction which would result in at least 75% of the total
voting power represented by the voting securities of the surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such transaction being
Beneficially Owned by at least 75% of the holders of outstanding voting
securities of TSI immediately prior to the transaction, with the voting
power of each such continuing holder relative to other such continuing
holders not substantially altered in the transaction; or
(iv) the stockholders of TSI shall approve a plan of complete
liquidation of TSI or an agreement for the sale or disposition by TSI
of all or a substantial portion of TSI's assets (i.e., 50% or more of
the total assets of TSI).
(f) Employee must be notified in writing by TSI at any time that TSI or
any member of its Board anticipates that a Change in Control may take place.
(g) Employee shall be reimbursed by TSI or its successor, on a grossed
up basis, for any excise taxes that Employee incurs under Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as a result of any Change in Control. Such amount
will be due and payable by TSI or its successor within ten (10) days after
Employee delivers a written request for reimbursement accompanied by a copy of
Employee's tax return(s) showing the excise tax actually incurred by Employee.
14. COMPLETE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement supersedes any other agreements or understandings,
written or oral, between TSI and Employee, and Employee has no oral
representations, understandings or agreements with TSI or any of its officers,
directors or representatives covering the same subject matter as this Agreement.
This written Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement
and expression of the agreement between TSI and Employee and of all the terms of
this Agreement, and it cannot be varied, contradicted or supplemented by
evidence of any prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements. This
written Agreement may not be later modified except by a written instrument
signed by a duly authorized officer of TSI and Employee, and no term of this
Agreement may be waived except by a written instrument signed by the party
waiving the benefit of such term.
15. NOTICE.
Whenever any notice is required hereunder, it shall be given in writing
addressed as follows:
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To TSI: Travel Services International, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
To Employee: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
__________________________
__________________________
Notice shall be deemed given and effective three (3) days after the deposit in
the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail,
certified, return receipt requested, or when actually received. Either party may
change the address for notice by notifying the other party of such change in
accordance with this paragraph 15.
16. SEVERABILITY; HEADINGS.
If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid or inoperative, the
other portions of this Agreement shall be deemed valid and operative and, so far
as is reasonable and possible, effect shall be given to the intent manifested by
the portion held invalid or inoperative. The paragraph headings herein are for
reference purposes only and are not intended in any way to describe, interpret,
define or limit the extent or intent of the Agreement or of any part hereof.
17. ARBITRATION.
Any unresolved dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted
before a panel of three (3) arbitrators in the community where the corporate
headquarters of TSI is located on the Effective Date, in accordance with the
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The arbitrators
shall not have the authority to add to, detract from or modify any provision
hereof nor to award punitive damages to any injured party. The arbitrators shall
have the authority to order back-pay, severance compensation, vesting of options
(or cash compensation in lieu of vesting of options), reimbursement of costs,
including those incurred to enforce this Agreement, and interest thereon in the
event the arbitrators determine that Employee was terminated without disability
or good cause, as defined in paragraphs 6(b) and 6(c) hereof, respectively, or
that TSI has otherwise materially breached this Agreement. A decision by a
majority of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding. Judgment may be
entered on the arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction. The direct
expense of any arbitration proceeding shall be borne by TSI.
18. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws
of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflicts of laws principles of
such state.
19. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
TRAVEL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
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