EXHIBIT 10.44
CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of July 25, 2001, by
and between Cholestech Corporation (the "Company") and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx (the
"Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company as the Company's Vice
President of Operations; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide, the Executive is willing to accept,
certain benefits and compensation in the event of the termination of Executive's
employment under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree
as follows:
1. At-Will Employment. The Company and the Executive acknowledge
that the Executive's employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined
under applicable law. If the Executive's employment terminates for any reason,
the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards
or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise be
established under the Company's then existing employee benefit plans or policies
at the time of termination.
2. Severance Benefits.
(a) Option Acceleration. If the Company terminates the
Executive's employment, for any or no reason, then any unvested and outstanding
stock options granted to the Executive by the Company shall accelerate as to
that number of shares which would have become vested and exercisable had the
Executive remained employed with the Company until the date that is 12 months
after the date of such termination. Such accelerated shares shall continue to be
subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plans and the
applicable option agreements between the Executive and the Company. The
Executive agrees and acknowledges that the remaining unvested shares of the
Company subject to his stock options, excluding the accelerated shares
referenced above, shall terminate immediately as of the date of such
termination.
(b) Severance Payment. If the Company terminates the
Executive's employment, for any or no reason, then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to 12 months of the
Executive's base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination. Such
severance payment shall be in lieu of any other severance payment to which the
Executive shall be entitled pursuant to any employment agreement, offer letter
or the Company's then existing severance plans and policies. Such severance
payment shall be payable over a period of 12 months commencing on the date of
such termination in accordance with the Company's normal payment practices. In
addition, during the 12 month period commencing on the date of such termination,
the Company shall continue to make available to the Executive and the
Executive's spouse and dependents covered under any group health plans or life
insurance plans of the Company
on the date of such termination of employment, all group health, life and other
similar insurance plans in which the Executive or such covered dependents
participate on the date of the Executive's termination; provided, however, that
(i) the Executive constitutes a qualified beneficiary, as defined in Section
4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and (ii) the
Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), within the time period
prescribed pursuant to COBRA.
3. Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such
payment be reduced by any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other
source. However, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive the health
coverage and benefits contemplated by this Agreement in the event that the
Executive receives similar health coverage and benefits as a result of new
employment during the 12 month period commencing on the date of the Executive's
termination.
4. Execution of Release Agreement upon Termination. As a
condition of entering into this Agreement and receiving the benefits under
Section 2, the Executive agrees to execute and not revoke a release of claims
agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A upon the
termination of his employment with the Company.
5. Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees to refrain from any
defamation, libel or slander of the Company and its respective officers,
directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, predecessor and successor corporations and assigns or
tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of the Company and
its respective officers, directors, employees, investors, shareholders,
administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, predecessor and successor
corporations and assigns.
6. Successors.
(a) Company's Successors. Any successor to the Company
(whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger,
consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
Company's business and/or assets shall assume the Company's obligations under
this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the Company's obligations under
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be
required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all
purposes under this Agreement, the term "Company" shall include any successor to
the Company's business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption
agreement described in this subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the terms
of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b) Executive's Successors. Without the written consent
of the Company, the Executive shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any
right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement and all rights of the
Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the
Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
-2-
7. Arbitration.
(a) Except as provided in Section 7(d) below, any dispute
or controversy arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this
Agreement, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach,
or termination thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration to be held in
Palo Alto, California, in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution
of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association
(the "Rules"). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such
dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final,
conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be
entered on the arbitrator's decision in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) The arbitrator(s) shall apply California law to the
merits of any dispute or claim, without reference to conflicts of law rules. The
arbitration proceedings shall be governed by federal arbitration law and by the
Rules, without reference to state arbitration law. The Executive hereby consents
to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
California for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this
Agreement or relating to any arbitration in which the parties are participants.
(c) The Executive understands that nothing in this
Section modifies the Executive's at-will employment status. Either the Executive
or the Company can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or
without cause.
(d) THE EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS SECTION,
WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION. THE EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT SUBMITTING ANY
CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE
INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR TERMINATION
THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND THAT THIS
ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF THE EXECUTIVE'S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL
AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE
EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING
CLAIMS:
(i) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF
EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT
OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR
INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL
MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR
PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION.
(ii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY
FEDERAL STATE OR MUNICIPAL STATUTE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF
THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE AGE
DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF
1990, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
ACT, AND LABOR CODE SECTION 201, et seq;
-3-
(iii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER
LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.
8. Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive
laws, but not the conflicts of law rules, of the State of California.
9. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force
and effect.
10. Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived
or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in
writing and signed by the Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company
(other than the Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party
shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same
condition or provision at another time.
11. Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement
and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and
supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, with
respect to this Agreement, including the Executive's offer letter from the
Company dated July 6, 2000.
12. Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement
shall be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.
-4-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in
the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the date set forth
above.
COMPANY: CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx XX
--------------------------
Title: President
EXECUTIVE: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
XXXXX X. XXXXXX
-5-
EXHIBIT A
FORM RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT
This Release of Claims Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into by and between Cholestech Corporation (the "Company") and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
(the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive was employed by the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company (or the Company's predecessor) and the Executive
have entered into a Severance Agreement effective as of __________, 2001 (the
"Severance Agreement").
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (collectively referred to as
the "Parties") desiring to be legally bound do hereby agree as follows:
1. Termination. The Executive's employment with the Company
terminated on ___________, 20__.
2. Consideration. Subject to and in consideration of the
Executive's release of claims as provided herein, the Company has agreed to pay
the Executive certain benefits and the Executive has agreed to provide certain
benefits to the Company, both as set forth in the Severance Agreement.
3. Payment of Salary. The Executive acknowledges and represents
that the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation,
commissions and any and all other benefits due to the Executive.
4. Release of Claims. The Executive agrees that the foregoing
consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed
to the Executive by the Company. The Executive, on his own behalf and his
respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and
forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents,
directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and
assigns, from, and agrees not to xxx or otherwise institute or cause to be
instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty,
obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether
presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that he may possess
arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and
including the Effective Date (as defined below) of this Agreement including,
without limitation:
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from the
Executive's employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that
relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, the
Executive's right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the
Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation,
breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law
and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of
employment, termination in violation of public policy, discrimination, breach of
contract (both express and implied), breach of a covenant of good faith and fair
dealing (both express and implied), promissory estoppel, negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent or intentional
misrepresentation, negligent or intentional interference with contract or
prospective economic advantage, unfair business practices, defamation, libel,
slander, negligence, personal injury, assault, battery, invasion of privacy,
false imprisonment and conversion;
(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal,
state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair
Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code Section 201, et seq. and Section 970,
et seq. and all amendments to each such Act as well as the regulations issued
thereunder;
(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal or
any state constitution;
(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and
regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
(g) any and all claims for attorneys' fees and costs.
The Executive agrees that the release set forth in this
Section 4 shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general
release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any
obligations incurred under this Agreement.
5. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. The Executive
acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and that this waiver and
release is knowing and voluntary. The Executive and the Company agree that this
waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under
the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges
that the consideration given for this waiver and release agreement is in
addition to anything of value to which the Executive was already entitled. The
Executive further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that (a)
he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has
at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he
has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the Parties to
revoke the Agreement; and (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the
revocation period has expired. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered
to the Company by the close of business on the seventh (7th) day from the date
that the Executive signs this Agreement.
6. Civil Code Section 1542. The Executive represents that he is
not aware of any claims against the Company other than the claims that are
released by this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that he has been advised
by legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code
Section 1542, which provides as follows:
A-2
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
The Executive, being aware of said code section, agrees to
expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any other
statute or common law principles of similar effect.
7. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. The Executive represents that
he has no lawsuits, claims or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any
other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity
referred to herein. The Executive also represents that he does not intend to
bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity
against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.
8. Confidentiality. The Executive agrees to use his best efforts
to maintain in confidence the existence of this Agreement, the contents and
terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "Release Information"). The Executive agrees to take
every reasonable precaution to prevent disclosure of any Release Information to
third parties and agrees that there will be no publicity, directly or
indirectly, concerning any Release Information. The Executive agrees to take
every precaution to disclose Release Information only to those attorneys,
accountants, governmental entities and family members who have a reasonable need
to know of such Release Information.
9. No Cooperation. The Executive agrees he will not act in any
manner that might damage the business of the Company. The Executive agrees that
he will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation
or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges or
complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director,
employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless
under a subpoena or other court order to do so.
10. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert
fees, attorneys' fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.
11. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the
undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the
Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. The Executive represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act
on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
12. No Representations. The Executive represents that he has had
the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and
understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Neither
party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party
hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
A-3
13. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes
or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable
or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said
provision.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Severance Agreement
and the agreements and plans referenced therein represent the entire agreement
and understanding between the Company and the Executive concerning the
Executive's separation from the Company, and supersede and replace any and all
prior agreements and understandings concerning the Executive's relationship with
the Company and his compensation by the Company. This Agreement may only be
amended in writing signed by the Executive and an executive officer of the
Company.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the
internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of
California.
16. Effective Date. This Agreement is effective eight (8) days
after it has been signed by the Parties (the "Effective Date").
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
and each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and
shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the
undersigned.
18. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. This Agreement is executed
voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of
the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The Parties
acknowledge that:
(a) They have read this Agreement;
(b) They have been represented in the preparation,
negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice
or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;
(c) They understand the terms and consequences of this
Agreement and of the releases it contains; and
(d) They are fully aware of the legal and binding effect
of this Agreement.
A-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the
respective dates set forth below.
CHOLESTECH CORPORATION
By: __________________________
Title: __________________________
Date: __________________________
EXECUTIVE
_________________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXX
Date: __________________________
A-5
