EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT dated July 14, 2004 (the “Effective Date”) between THE ROUSE COMPANY (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”) and Duke S. Kassolis (the “Executive”)

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT dated
July 14, 2004 (the “Effective Date”) between
THE ▇▇▇▇▇ COMPANY
(together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”)
and Duke ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Executive”)

The Company and the Executive agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a) “Accrued Obligations” means the sum of the amounts described in Section 6(a)(i)(A) and clause (2) of Section 6(a)(ii).

(b) “Annual Base Salary” means the Executive’s salary at a rate not less than the Executive’s annualized salary in effect (i) immediately prior to the Operative Date, (ii) on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date or (iii) as of any date after the Operative Date (whichever date results in the highest salary).

(c) “Annual Bonus” in any year means an amount that is not less than annual cash bonus that would be paid to the Executive with respect to such year assuming that the Executive and the Company satisfied all applicable performance at the “target,” “satisfactory,” “acceptable” or other similar level.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Cause” means (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties owed to the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive which specifically identifies the nature of such non-performance (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice of Termination by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(d)), (ii) willful gross misconduct by the Executive that is significantly and demonstrably injurious to the Company, or (iii) the Executive in the course of his or her employment (x) is convicted of a felony or (y) willfully engages in a fraud that results in material harm to the Company. No act or omission on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done or omitted in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. For purposes of this Section 1(e), any act or failure to act based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Board, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of the Company, or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without (1) reasonable notice to the Executive setting forth the

reasons for the Company’s intention to terminate for Cause, (2) an opportunity for the Executive, together with his or her counsel, to be heard before the Board, and (3) delivery to the Executive of a Notice of Termination from the Board finding that in the good faith opinion of three-quarters (3/4) of the Board the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(f) A “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

(a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than twenty percent (20%) of (1) the then-outstanding Common Shares (or any other securities into which the Common Shares are changed or for which the Common Shares are exchanged) or (2) the combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding Voting Securities, in either case unless such acquisition is expressly approved by resolution of the Board (x) adopted at a meeting of the Board held not later than the date of the next regularly scheduled or special meeting held following the date that the Company obtains actual knowledge of such acquisition or threatened acquisition and (y) passed upon affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Board present at such meeting (which approval may be limited in purpose and effect solely to affecting the rights of the Executive under this Agreement); provided, however, that in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to this paragraph (a), the acquisition of Common Shares or Voting Securities in a Non-Control Acquisition (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute a Change in Control. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B) any corporation or other Person the majority of the voting power, voting equity securities or equity interest of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (for purposes of this definition, a “Related Entity”), (ii) the Company or any Related Entity, or (iii) any Person in connection with a Non-Control Transaction (as hereinafter defined);

(b) The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company or, following a Merger (as hereinafter defined), the board of directors of (x) the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”), if fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Surviving Corporation is not Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by another Person (a “Parent Corporation”) or (y) if there is one or more than one Parent Corporation, the ultimate Parent Corporation; provided, however, that, if the election, or nomination for

election by the Company’s common stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of the Plan, be considered a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided, further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the board of directors of the Company (a “Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

(c) The consummation of a merger, consolidation or reorganization (1) with or into the Company or (2) in which securities of the Company are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a Non-Control Transaction. A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger in which:

(A) the stockholders of the Company immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if there is no Parent Corporation or (y) if there is one or more than one Parent Corporation, the ultimate Parent Corporation; and

(B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if there is no Parent Corporation, or (y) if there is one or more than one Parent Corporation, the ultimate Parent Corporation; or

(d) the shareholders of the Company approve (a) the sale or disposition by the Company (other than to a subsidiary of the Company) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (b) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

If (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control or (ii) an action is taken with respect to the Executive prior to the date of a Change in Control that would constitute Good Reason if taken after a Change in Control, and the Executive reasonably demonstrates that such termination or action (A) was at the request of a third party that has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control that has been threatened or proposed, such termination or action shall be deemed to have occurred after such Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement, so long as such Change in Control actually occurs.

(g) “Common Shares” means the Common Stock of the Company.

(h) “Date of Termination” means: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Incapacity, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Incapacity, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Incapacity Effective Date, as the case may be.

(i) “Dependents”, as of any date, means the members of the Executive’s family who under the most liberal eligibility rules (as in effect on a date that is six months prior to the Operative Date) of the plans or programs of the Company (or any successor) which provide medical benefits, would, be eligible for benefits under such plans or programs on such date.

(j) “▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Retention Agreement” means that certain agreement between the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ dated September 24, 1998, as amended July 12, 1999 and March 31, 2003 and as the same may be further amended.

(k) “Good Reason” means any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from the Executive.

(l) “Incapacity” means, and shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment, if, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, (i) the Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties with the company for a period of six (6) consecutive months, (ii) the Company gives the Executive a Notice of Termination for Incapacity, and (iii) the Executive does not return to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties within thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination is given.

(m) “Incapacity Effective Date” means the date on which the period described in Section 1(l)(iii) expires.

(n) “Multiple” means 3.

(o) “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) to the extent applicable, indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under such provision, (iii) in the case of termination by the Company for Cause, confirms that such termination is pursuant to a resolution of the Board, and (iv) if the Date of Termination is

other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 30 calendar days after the giving of such notice).

(p) “Operative Date” means the date on which a Change in Control shall have occurred.

(q) “Other Benefits” means any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company, including earned but unpaid and stock and similar compensation, that is in effect on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date.

(r) “Savings Plan (Excess)” means The ▇▇▇▇▇ Company Excess Savings Plan as it now exists or may hereafter be amended prior to the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date.

(s) “Term” means the term of this Agreement which shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue to and remain in effect until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (and any further extensions pursuant to Section 2) or, if later, three years following an Operative Date occurring prior to the later of (i) the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, or (ii) such later date to which this Agreement has been extended pursuant to Section 2.

SECTION 2. Extension of this Agreement. If no Operative Date shall have occurred on or before the 365th calendar day preceding the date on which the Term is then scheduled to expire, then the Term shall automatically be extended for one year unless either party shall have given the other party written notice of its election not to extend the Term; provided, that an election by the Company not to extend the Term shall be void ab initio if, at the time of such election, the Company is a party to an agreement providing for a transaction or transactions that, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control.

SECTION 3. Terms of Employment prior to Operative Date. Except as set forth in Section 12, prior to the Operative Date, the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment, including the Executive’s rights upon termination of the Executive’s employment, shall be the same as they would have been had this Agreement not been entered into by the Executive and the Company.

SECTION 4. Terms of Employment on and after Operative Date.

(a) Position and Duties. (i) On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, (A) the Executive’s position (including, without limitation, status, offices, titles, authority, duties and responsibilities) shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned

immediately prior to the Operative Date and (B) the Executive’s primary work location after the Operative Date shall not be changed from his or her primary work location immediately prior to the Operative Date, and the Company shall not require the Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date, except for travel and temporary assignments which are reasonably required for the full discharge of the Executive’s responsibilities and which are consistent with the Executive’s being based at his or her primary work location.

(ii) On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, but excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities.

(b) Compensation. (i) Salary. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall receive compensation at an annual rate not less than his or her Annual Base Salary.

(ii) Stock Incentive, Savings and Other Retirement and Supplemental Retirement Plans. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive will be entitled to participate in all stock incentive, 401(k) savings, pension and other retirement and supplemental retirement plans and programs that are generally available to full-time officers or employees of the Company at levels that have not materially decreased from the levels in effect on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date.

(iii) Welfare Benefit Plans. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive and any persons who from time to time thereafter are his or her Dependents shall be eligible to participate in and shall receive (or, in the case of life insurance, shall be entitled to have the Executive’s beneficiary receive) all benefits under welfare benefit plans and programs that are generally available to full-time officers or employees of the Company at levels that have not materially decreased from the levels in effect on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date.

(iv) Business Expenses. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Company shall, in accordance with policies in effect with respect to the payment of such expenses immediately prior to the Operative Date, pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel and other expenses incurred by the Executive in performing services hereunder. All such expenses shall be accounted for in such reasonable detail as the Company may require.

(v) Vacations. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to periods of vacation not less than those to which the Executive was entitled on the date that is six months prior to the Operative Date.

(vi) Other Benefits. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to all Other Benefits not specifically provided for in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section 4(b) that are generally available to full-time officers or employees of the Company.

SECTION 5. Termination of Employment.

(a) Death or Incapacity. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death. On and after the Operative Date, the Executive’s employment shall also terminate automatically on his or her Incapacity Effective Date during the Term of this Agreement.

(b) Company Termination. After the Operative Date, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for any reason, subject to the provisions of this Agreement establishing obligations of the Company that arise with respect to certain terminations.

(d) Notice of Termination. On and after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, any termination by the Company for Cause or Incapacity, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 15. The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason, Incapacity or Cause shall not serve to waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

SECTION 6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination on or after the Operative Date.

(a) Termination for Good Reason or for Reasons other than for Cause, Death or Incapacity. If, on or after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement, (x) the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Incapacity or (y) the Executive shall terminate his or her employment for Good Reason, then:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 calendar days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

(A) the sum of (1) the Executive’s then Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not already paid, plus (2) the product of (x) an amount equal to his or her then Annual Bonus times (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 plus (3) any accrued vacation pay to the extent not already paid;

(B) an amount equal to the product of (1) the Multiple times (2) the sum of (x) the Executive’s then Annual Base Salary and (y) his or her then Annual Bonus;

(ii) the Company shall contribute, within 30 calendar days after the Date of Termination, under Section 3 of the Savings Plan (Excess) an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Multiple times the maximum amount that could be contributed by the Company under Section 3 of the Savings Plan (Excess) for a full calendar year based on the Executive’s Compensation (as defined in The ▇▇▇▇▇ Company Savings Plan) computed for the 12 months immediately preceding such Date of Termination, and (2) one times such maximum amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days transpired in the year of termination prior to and including the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365;

(iii) for a number of years after the Executive’s Date of Termination equal to the Multiple, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and his or her Dependents at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iii) if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive and his or her Dependents, as in effect generally at any time thereafter;

(iv) the Executive and his or her Dependents shall continue to be eligible to participate in and shall receive all benefits under any plan or program of the Company providing medical benefits as are in effect on the date six months prior to the Operative Date or under any plan or program of a successor to the Company which provides medical benefits that are not less favorable to the Executive and his or her Dependents than such plans or programs of the Company until the date the Executive and his or her Dependents are all eligible for Medicare benefits (by reason of attaining the minimum age for such benefits without regard to whether an application has been made therefor); provided, however, that (A) in no event will a Dependent be eligible for benefits as described in this clause (iv) after the date he or she ceases to be a Dependent and (B) at

all times after the expiration of the period described in clause (iii) above, the Executive shall pay for such coverage at the same rate as is charged to other similarly situated individuals electing continuation coverage under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

(v) all outstanding restricted shares and options granted to Executive to purchase Common Shares under the incentive plans of the Company or under any other option or equity incentive plan shall, to the extent not already vested, immediately become fully vested and, in the case of options, shall remain exercisable until the end of the original term of such option without regard to Executive’s termination of employment;

(vi) the Company will continue to pay any premiums due on any individual insurance policies in effect on the life of the Executive for a number of years following the Date of Termination equal to the Multiple, after which time the Company shall distribute such policy to the Executive without requiring the Executive to repay any premiums paid by the Company;

(vii) the Company shall transfer any car made available to the Executive for his or her use by the Company to the Executive for no consideration, provided that the Executive pays any and all transfer taxes and agrees to be solely responsible for insurance and the cost of insurance after the date of transfer;

(viii) the Executive shall be entitled to keep any computer and/or software provided to the Executive by the Company for home or travel use for no consideration;

(ix) the Company, at no cost to the Executive, shall provide the Executive with outplacement services at a firm selected by the Executive for the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the first to occur of (i) the first anniversary of the Executive’s Date of Termination and (ii) the date on which the Executive obtains full-time employment as an employee;

(x) The Company shall make immediate payment of any deferred compensation balances not already paid to the Executive;

(xi) There shall be immediate vesting of any outstanding equity- and performance-based awards; and

(xii) to the extent not already paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive all Other Benefits to the extent accrued on the Date of Termination and not specifically provided for in subsections (i) through (xi) of this Section 6(a).

(b) Death or Incapacity. If the Executive’s employment is terminated on or after the Operative Date by reason of the Executive’s death or Incapacity, the sole

payments and benefits to which the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives shall be entitled hereunder shall be (i) timely payment of Accrued Obligations and (ii) provision by the Company of death benefits or disability benefits for termination due to death or Incapacity, respectively, in accordance with Sections 4(b)(iii) and 6(a)(vi) as in effect at the Operative Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, at the Executive’s Date of Termination.

(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated on or after the Operative Date for Cause, the sole payments and benefits to which the Executive shall be entitled hereunder shall be (x) the Executive’s then Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and (y) Other Benefits, but in each case only to the extent unpaid as of the Date of Termination. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Term of this Agreement, excluding a termination for Good Reason on or after the Operative Date, the sole payments and benefits to which the Executive shall be entitled hereunder shall be the timely payment of Accrued Obligations and Other Benefits.

SECTION 7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 17(c), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of, or any contract or agreement with, the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

SECTION 8. No Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment is terminated on or after the Operative Date and during the Term of this Agreement for any reason, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive hereunder. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided hereunder on or after the Operative Date shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment with another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to offset any amounts earned by the Executive in violation of Section 12 against any amounts otherwise due the Executive hereunder.

SECTION 9. Resolution of Disputes.

(a) Negotiation. Subject to the rights of the Company pursuant to Section 12(d), the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or

relating to this Agreement promptly by negotiations between the Executive and an executive officer of the Company or member of the Board as may be designated by the Board who has authority to settle the controversy. Any party may give the other party written notice of any dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. Within 10 days after the effective date of such notice, the Executive and an executive officer of the Company shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place within the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to exchange relevant information and to attempt to resolve the dispute. If the matter has not been resolved within 30 days of the disputing party’s notice, or if the parties fail to meet within 10 days, either party may initiate arbitration of the controversy or claim as provided hereinafter. If a negotiator intends to be accompanied at a meeting by an attorney, the other negotiator shall be given at least three business days notice of such intention and may also be accompanied by an attorney. All negotiations pursuant to this Section 9(a) shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for the purposes of the federal and state rules of evidence and procedure.

(b) Arbitration. Subject to the rights of the Company pursuant to Section 12(d), any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination or validity thereof, which has not been resolved by nonbinding means as provided in Section 9(a) within 60 days of the initiation of such procedure, shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted expeditiously in accordance with the Center for Public Resources, Inc. (“CPR”) Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes by three independent and impartial arbitrators, of whom each party shall appoint one, provided that if one party has requested the other to participate in a non-binding procedure and the other has failed to participate, the requesting party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of such period. Any such party shall be appointed from the CPR Panels of Neutrals. The arbitration shall be governed by the United States Arbitration Act and any judgment upon the award decided upon the arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrators are not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages and each party hereby irrevocably waives any damages in excess of compensatory damages. Each party hereby acknowledges that compensatory damages include (without limitation) any benefit or right of indemnification given by another party to the other under this Agreement.

(c) Expenses. The Company shall promptly pay or reimburse the Executive for all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys fees, incurred by the Executive as a result of any claim, action or proceeding (including, without limitation a claim action or proceeding by the Executive against the Company) arising out of, or challenging the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any provision hereof or any other agreement or entitlement referred to herein.

SECTION 10. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. Subject only to the next following paragraph, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment or

distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision of the Code) or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (an “Excise Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Excise Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Excise Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Subject to the provisions of this Section 10, all determinations required to be made hereunder, including whether an Excise Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Excise Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by KPMG LLP or such other nationally recognized accounting firm as may be designated by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”) at the sole expense of the Company, which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the date of termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, the Accounting Firm shall furnish the Executive with an opinion that he or she has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision of the Code) at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Excise Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an “Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. If the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant hereto and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, in the event that a reduction to the Payments in respect of the Executive of 10% or less would cause no Excise Tax to be payable, the Executive will not be entitled to a Gross-Up Payment and the Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that the Payments shall not be subject to the Excise Tax. Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice to the Company specifying a different order by which to effectuate the foregoing, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Payments by first reducing or eliminating the portion of the Payments which are not payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating cash payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the farthest in time from the date of the Change in Control. Any notice given by the Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take

precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the Executive’s rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation. An illustration of the reduction permitted by this paragraph is set forth on Attachment A to this Agreement.

The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Excise Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Executive knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he or she gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim;

(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including (without limitation) accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company;

(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith to contest effectively such claim; and

(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions hereof, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts as the Company shall determine, provided that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and ▇▇▇ for a

refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance, and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which an Excise Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant hereto, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements hereof) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant hereto, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Excise Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

SECTION 11. Reduction of Payments and Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Total Executive Parachute Payments (as hereinafter defined) exceed 2% of the Subject Amount (as hereinafter defined), then the payments and benefits to be paid and provided to the Executive hereunder shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount (as hereinafter defined). Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice to the Company specifying a different order by which to effectuate such reduction, those payments and benefits that are not payable in cash shall be reduced or eliminated first, and those payments and benefits that are payable in cash shall be reduced or eliminated only after all non-cash payments and benefits have been eliminated and, in each case payments and benefits shall be reduced in reverse order beginning with those that are to be paid the farthest in time from the date of the Change in Control. Any notice given by the Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the Executive’s rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation. An illustration of the reduction permitted by this Section 11 is set forth on Attachment B to this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 11, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Total Executive Parachute Payments” means the total aggregate cash value of all payments in the nature of compensation that are contingent on a change in ownership or control of the Company (as determined under Treasury Regulation § 1.280G-1 or successor regulation thereto) to be paid or provided to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pursuant to the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Retention Agreement and to all executives who are parties to Executive Agreements with the Company that provide the same (or substantially similar) payments and benefits as those payments and benefits to be paid or provided pursuant to Section 6(a) (and, if applicable, Section 10) of this Agreement (it being understood that the application of different multiples or formulas in calculating substantially similar types of payments or benefits shall not cause such payments or benefits not to be substantially similar), determined immediately following the Change in Control and assuming that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ employment and all such Executives’ employment have been terminated immediately following the Change in Control under circumstances that entitle them to such payments and benefits.

“Reduced Amount” means the product of (i) 2% of the Subject Amount times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the portion of the Total Executive Parachute Payments allocable to the Executive and the denominator of which is the Total Executive Parachute Payments.

“Subject Amount” means the amount determined by multiplying (i) the total number of outstanding Common Shares immediately prior to the Change in Control (assuming, for this purpose, that all securities convertible into Common Shares have been so converted, other than stock options and warrants as to which the per share exercise price exceeds the last publicly available trading price of a Common Share prior to the Change in Control (or, if higher, the per share cash value of the consideration to be paid to holders of the Common Shares as a result of the Change in Control)) times (ii) the last publicly available trading price of a Common Share prior to the Change in Control (or, if higher, the per share cash value of the consideration to be paid to holders of the Common Shares as a result of the Change in Control); provided, that there shall be subtracted therefrom the aggregate exercise price of all stock options and warrants not so excluded.

SECTION 12. Executive Covenants.

(a) Non-competition. During the Non-Competition Period (as hereinafter defined), the Executive shall not, except with the Company’s permission (which may be withheld in the Company’s sole discretion) be, or be connected in any manner with, a Competitor (as hereinafter defined) (whether directly as an individual or in the capacity of a director, officer or employee of, debt or equity investor in, or consultant or other

independent contractor to, a Competitor, or indirectly through direct or indirect ownership, management, operation or control of a person that is a Competitor); provided that in no event shall ownership of not more than 5% or less of the outstanding equity securities of any issuer whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, standing alone, be prohibited by this Section 12(a), so long as the Executive does not have, or exercise, any rights to manage, operate or control the business of such issuer. For purposes of this Section 12(a), a “Competitor” shall mean any person that is engaged, directly or indirectly, in any business or activity which is competitive with any activity or business in which the Company or any its affiliates is engaged as of the Date of Termination (including, without limitation, any business or activity which has, as a principal line of business, broad scale long term community development (e.g., broad scale long term community development/land sale projects like Columbia, Maryland and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Nevada) and/or the development, ownership or management of regional retail shopping centers in the United States (specifically including, without limitation, Simon Property Group, Inc., Westfield America Trust, The Taubman Centers, Inc., General Growth Properties, Inc., The Macerich Company, CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., Federal Realty Investment Trust, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates)). For purposes of this Agreement, the “Non-Competition Period” shall mean the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the Executive’s employment is terminated following the Effective Date by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Non-Competition Period shall continue following the Date of Termination for a period of 2 years.

(b) Non-solicitation. During the Non-Competition Period, the Executive shall not, other than on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates or with the Company’s permission (which may be withheld in the Company’s sole discretion), (1) contact, induce or solicit (or assist any person to contact, induce or solicit) any person which has a business relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit such business relationship, or (2) contact, induce or solicit (or assist any person to contact, induce or solicit) for employment (whether as an employee or consultant or other independent contractor) any person who is, or within 12 months prior to the date of such action was, an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates.

(c) Cooperation. In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, for whatever reason (other than death), the Executive agrees for a period of 12 months thereafter to cooperate with the Company and its affiliates and to be reasonably available to the Company and its affiliates for a reasonable period of time thereafter with respect to matters arising out of the Executive’s employment by or any other relationship with the Company and its affiliates, whether such matters are business-related or otherwise. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive during such period in connection with such cooperation.

(d) Remedies. The Executive agrees that any breach of the terms of this Section 12 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; the Executive therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach, the Company shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the Executive, without having to prove damages, in addition to any other remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from the Executive. The Executive and the Company further agree that the provisions of the covenants contained in this Section 12 are reasonable and necessary to protect the businesses of the Company and its affiliates because of the Executive’s access to confidential information and his or her material participation in the operation of such businesses. Should a court or arbitrator determine, however, that any provision of the covenants contained in this Section 12 is not reasonable or valid, either in period of time, geographical area, or otherwise, the parties hereto agree that such provision should be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court or arbitrator deems reasonable or valid.

The existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against the Company or any of its affiliates, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants contained in this Section 12.

SECTION 13. Successors; Binding Agreement.

(a) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession will be a breach of this Agreement and entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder had the Company terminated the Executive for reason other than Cause or Incapacity on the succession date. As used in this Agreement, the “Company” means the Company as defined in the preamble to this Agreement and any successor to its business or assets which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 13 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

(b) This Agreement shall be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

SECTION 14. Nonassignability. This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, except as provided in Section 13. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive’s right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than a transfer by his or her will or by the laws of descent or distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer by the Executive contrary to this Section 14, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

SECTION 15. Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Executive - at the address included on the signature page.

If to the Company:

The ▇▇▇▇▇ Company
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

Attention: General Counsel

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.

SECTION 16. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

SECTION 17. Miscellaneous.

(a) This Agreement contains the entire understanding with the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, relating to such subject matter. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in a writing signed by the Executive and the Company. The rights

and obligations of the Company and the Executive hereunder shall survive the expiration of the Term.

(b) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

(c) Except as provided herein, this Agreement shall not be construed to affect in any way any rights or obligations in relation to the Executive’s employment by the Company prior to the Operative Date or subsequent to the end of the Term.

(d) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

(e) The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement all Federal, state, local or other taxes as shall be required by law.

(f) The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above set forth.

THE ▇▇▇▇▇ COMPANY


By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Name:		▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Duke ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Duke ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(Executive)


(Street Address)


(City, State, Zip Code)

Attachment A
(for illustrative purposes only)

(Note: All of the quoted terms in the following illustration have the meanings assigned to them in Section 280G of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder. All capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.)

Assumptions

• A “change in ownership or control” of the Company occurs in January 2005.

• Immediately following the change in ownership or control, the executive receives a single cash payment of $1.25 million, all of which is a “parachute payment.”

• The executive is a “disqualified individual” and his “base amount” is $400,000 at the time of the change in ownership or control.

• The $1.25 million payment is the only payment to which the executive is entitled by reason of the change in ownership or control.

Because the payment exceeds three times the executive’s base amount, the payment is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. However, if the payment were reduced by $50,001, no excise tax would be payable because the payment would not equal or exceed three times the executive’s base amount. Because $50,001 is a 10% or less reduction of the payment, the Company is permitted to make the reduction pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 10 of the Agreement.

Attachment B
(for illustrative purposes only)

(Note: All capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.)

Assumptions

• 10 executives of the Company are parties to Executive Agreements that are the same as the Agreement.

• The Company is acquired for $50 per share.

• The only equity outstanding at the time of the transaction is 50 million shares of common stock.

• The Total Executive Payments calculated in accordance with Section 12 of the Agreement as of immediately following the transaction are $60 million.

The Subject Amount in this illustration is $2.5 billion, and 2% of the Subject Amount is $50 million. Because the Total Executive Payments exceed 2% of the Subject Amount, they are subject to reduction pursuant to Section 11 of the Agreement. As to any executive, the reduction would be effected pursuant to the following formula: (2% of $2.5 billion) times ((the Total Executive Payments allocable to him or her) divided by $60 million). For example, if the Total Executive Payments allocable to an executive in the transaction were $15 million, his or her Reduced Amount would be $12,500,000. If the Total Executive Payments allocable to another executive in the transaction were $1 million, that executive’s Total Executive Payments would be reduced to $833,333.33. (Note that, as to each executive, the ratio of the Reduced Amount to the Total Executive Payments is the same (in this illustration, .83333).) The effect of these reductions would be that the aggregate Reduced Amount for the ten executives equal $50,000,000.

EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT dated July 14, 2004 (the “Effective Date”) between THE ROUSE COMPANY (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”) and Duke S. Kassolis (the “Executive”)

Document Metadata

Document Metadata

Table of Contents