EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of July 1, 1996 (the "Agreement"),
between ARM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter
into the Agreement to set forth the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such employment and enter
into the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date").
2. EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES
2.1. General. The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the
Executive agrees to serve, as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, upon
the terms and conditions herein contained. The Executive shall have all of the
responsibilities and powers normally associated with such office. The Executive
shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"),
and shall perform such other duties and services for the Company and its
affiliates, commensurate with the Executive's position, as may be designated
from time to time by the Board. The Executive and the Board agree to cooperate
and communicate fully with each other in the management and direction of the
business of the Company. The Executive agrees to serve the Company faithfully
and to the best of his ability under the direction of the Board. The Executive's
office shall be located in Louisville, Kentucky, but the Executive shall
undertake such business-related travel as may from time to time be required in
the performance of his duties hereunder.
2.2. Exclusive Services. Except as may otherwise be approved in
advance by the Board, and except during vacation periods and reasonable periods
of absence due to sickness, personal injury or other disability, the Executive
shall devote his full working time throughout the Employment Term (as defined in
Section 2.3) to the services required of him hereunder. The Executive shall
render his services exclusively to the Company during the Employment Term, and
shall use his best efforts, judgment and energy to improve and advance the
business and interests of the Company in a manner consistent with the duties of
his position. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive may devote a
reasonable period of time to community service and charitable activities, and
may manage his personal investment portfolio, subject to Section 7.3 below.
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2.3. Term of Employment. The Executive's employment under this
Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall terminate on the
earlier of (a) the third anniversary of the Effective Date or (b) the date of
termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to Section 5 or 6 below;
provided, however, that the term of the Executive's employment may be
automatically extended by the Company for additional one year periods, by means
of the Board giving written notice to the Executive of its intention to extend
the term at least 12 months prior to the expiration of the then effective term.
The period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date or such later date to which the term of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall have been extended is
hereinafter referred to as the "Employment Term".
2.4. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse
the Executive for reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by him
in the fulfillment of his duties hereunder upon presentation by the Executive of
an itemized account of such expenditures, in accordance with Company practices
consistently applied.
3. COMPENSATION
3.1. Base Salary. From the Effective Date, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive a base salary ("Base Salary") at a rate of $400,000 per
annum, payable in arrears in equal installments not less frequently than
semi-monthly, on the business day coincident with or immediately succeeding each
of the 15th day and the last day of each month, in accordance with the Company's
payroll practices, with such increases as may be provided in accordance with the
terms hereof. Once increased, such higher amount shall constitute the
Executive's annual Base Salary.
3.2. Annual Review. The Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed by
the Board, based upon the Executive's performance, not less often than annually,
and may be increased but not decreased. In addition to any increases effected as
a result of such review, the Board at any time may in its sole discretion
increase the Executive's Base Salary.
3.3. Bonus. The Board has adopted a bonus plan under which the cash
bonuses of executives of the Company are determined. For each full or partial
year of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in such bonus plan.
4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS; INDEMNIFICATION
The Executive shall, during his employment under this Agreement, be
included to the extent eligible thereunder in all employee benefit plans,
programs or arrangements (including, without limitation, any plans, programs or
arrangements providing for retirement benefits, incentive compensation, profit
sharing, bonuses, disability benefits, health, dental and life insurance, or
vacation and paid holidays) which shall be established by the Company
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for, or made available to, its senior executives. The Company will indemnify
Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware
and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company as in effect on
the date hereof, and the Company shall procure and maintain insurance policies,
to the extent reasonably available, for the benefit of its directors and
officers, including the Executive.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
5.1. Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.
5.1.1. General. Subject to the provisions of Sections 5.1.2 and
5.1.3, if, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section
5.3), or if the Executive terminates his employment hereunder for Good Reason
(as defined in Section 5.4), the Company shall (x) continue to pay the Executive
severance pay in an amount equal to the Base Salary (at the rate in effect on
the date of such termination) for the remainder of the Employment Term or, if
longer, for two years (such period being referred to hereinafter as the
"Severance Period"), at such intervals as the same would have been paid had the
Executive remained in the active service of the Company, and (y) pay the
Executive additional severance amounts for each full or partial calendar year
during the Severance Period in cash equal to the same percentage of Base Salary
as of the date of termination as the percentage of Base Salary used in
calculating bonus paid to the Executive for the year preceding the year of
termination. Such annual payments shall be payable at the time bonuses under the
applicable bonus plan are paid to the Company's executives generally, but in no
event later than March 1 of the year following the year in respect of which each
such annual payment is being made. The Executive shall have no further right to
receive any other compensation or benefits after such termination or resignation
of employment except as determined in accordance with the terms of the employee
benefit plans or programs of the Company.
5.1.2. Conditions Applicable to the Severance Period. If, during the
Severance Period, the Executive breaches his obligations under Section 7 of this
Agreement, the Company may, upon written notice to the Executive, terminate the
Severance Period and cease to make any further payments or provide any benefits
described in Section 5.1.1.
5.1.3. Death During Severance Period. In the event of the
Executive's death during the Severance Period, payments of the severance amounts
under this Section 5 shall continue to be made during the remainder of the
Severance Period to the beneficiary designated in writing for this purpose by
the Executive or, if no such beneficiary is specifically designated, to the
Executive's estate.
5.1.4. Date of Termination. The date of termination of employment
without Cause shall be the date specified in a written notice of termination to
the Executive (which date shall be coincident with or subsequent to the date of
such notice). The date of
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resignation for Good Reason shall be the date specified in the written notice of
resignation from the Executive to the Company (which date shall be coincident
with or subsequent to the date of such notice); provided, however, that no such
written notice shall be effective unless the cure period specified in Section
5.4 has expired without the Company having corrected, to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Executive, the event or events subject to cure. If no date
of resignation is specified in the written notice from the Executive to the
Company, the date of termination shall be the first day following such
expiration of such cure period.
5.2. Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason.
5.2.1. General. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term,
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or the
Executive resigns from his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, the
Executive shall be entitled to payment of his Base Salary as then in effect
through and including the date of termination or resignation. The Executive
shall have no further right to receive any other compensation or benefits after
such termination or resignation of employment, except as determined in
accordance with the terms of the employee benefit plans or programs of the
Company.
5.2.2. Date of Termination. Subject to the proviso to Section 5.3,
the date of termination for Cause shall be the date specified in a written
notice of termination to the Executive. The date of resignation without Good
Reason shall be the date specified in the written notice of resignation from the
Executive to the Company (which date shall be coincident with or subsequent to
the date of such notice), or if no date is specified therein, 10 business days
after receipt by the Company of written notice of resignation from the
Executive.
5.3. Cause. Termination for "Cause" shall mean termination of the
Executive's employment because of:
(i) any act or omission that constitutes a material breach by the
Executive of any of his material obligations under this Agreement (other
than by reason of his death or Permanent Disability);
(ii) the continued failure or refusal of the Executive to perform
the material duties required of him as an employee of the Company (other
than by reason of his death or Permanent Disability);
(iii) any willful material violation by the Executive of any law or
regulation applicable to the business of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or the Executive's conviction of a felony, or any willful
perpetration by the Executive of a common law fraud; or
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(iv) any other willful misconduct by the Executive which is
materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of,
or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates;
provided, however, that if any such Cause relates to the Executive's obligations
under this Agreement and (x) is susceptible to cure and (y) does not constitute
a repetition of such Cause, the Company shall not terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder unless the Company first gives the Executive notice of its
intention to terminate and of the grounds for such termination, and the
Executive has not, within 10 business days following receipt of the notice,
cured such Cause, or in the event such Cause is not susceptible to cure within
such 10 business day period, the Executive has not taken all reasonable steps
within such 10 business day period to cure such Cause as promptly as practicable
thereafter.
5.4. Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean any of the following (without the Executive's prior written consent):
(i) a decrease in the Executive's base rate of compensation or a
failure by the Company to pay material compensation due and payable to the
Executive in connection with his employment;
(ii) a material diminution of the authority, responsibilities or
positions of the Executive with the Company, including the Executive's
removal as a member of the Board;
(iii) a relocation of the Executive's principal place of business
outside the Louisville, Kentucky metropolitan area;
(iv) a sale of substantially all of the Company's business to
persons, entities or groups (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are not, directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, in control of, controlled
by, or under common control with, the Company, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Group, Inc.,
The Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P. or Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Capital Partners III, L.P. ("Third Parties"); or
(v) a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5.5 below).
5.5. Change in Control. As used herein, the term "Change in Control"
means the acquisition, directly or indirectly through merger or otherwise in a
single transaction or a series of transactions, by a Third Party, of equity
securities of the Company entitling such Third Party, to elect a majority of the
members of the Board.
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6. DEATH OR DISABILITY
In the event of termination of the Executive's employment by reason
of death or Permanent Disability (as hereinafter defined), the Executive (or his
estate, as applicable) shall be entitled to Base Salary and benefits determined
under Sections 3 and 4 hereof through the date of termination or, in the case of
disability, through the later of the date of termination or the date (not later
than one year following the date of termination) on which the Executive
commences to receive disability benefits (including, a pro rata cash bonus for
the year of death or disability). Other benefits shall be determined in
accordance with the benefit plans maintained by the Company, and the Company
shall have no further obligation hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Permanent Disability" means a physical or mental disability or infirmity of the
Executive that prevents the normal performance of substantially all his duties
as an employee of the Company, which disability or infirmity shall exist, or in
the opinion of an independent physician is reasonably likely to exist, for any
continuous period of 180 days.
7. NONSOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; NONCOMPETITION
7.1. Nonsolicitation. For so long as the Executive is employed by
the Company and continuing for two years thereafter, the Executive shall not,
without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, as a
sole proprietor, member of a partnership, stockholder or investor, officer or
director of a corporation, or as an employee, associate, consultant or agent of
any person, partnership, corporation or other business organization or entity
other than the Company: (x) solicit or endeavor to entice away from the Company
or any of its subsidiaries any person or entity who is, or, during the then most
recent 12-month period, was employed by, or had served as an agent or key
consultant of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries (in the case of a
consultant, only if such solicitation or enticement is reasonably likely to
cause a termination of or otherwise materially interferes with the continued
relationship between the Company and such consultant); or (y) solicit or
endeavor to entice away from the Company or any of its subsidiaries any existing
or reasonably anticipated (to the general knowledge of the Executive or the
public) policy, contract or other business with any person or entity who is, or
was within the then most recent 12-month period, a customer or client (or
reasonably anticipated (to the general knowledge of the Executive or the public)
to become a customer or client) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
7.2. Confidentiality. The Executive covenants and agrees with the
Company that he will not at any time, except in performance of his obligations
to the Company hereunder or with the prior written consent of the Company,
directly or indirectly, disclose any secret or confidential information that he
may learn or has learned by reason of his association with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries and affiliates. The term "confidential information" includes
information not previously disclosed to the public or to the trade by the
management of the Company or otherwise in the public domain, with respect to the
products,
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facilities, applications and methods, trade secrets and other intellectual
property, systems, procedures, manuals, confidential reports, product price
lists, customer lists, technical information, financial information (including
the revenues, costs or profits associated with any of the Company's products or
services), business plans, prospects or opportunities, but shall exclude any
information which (i) is or becomes available to the public or is generally
known in the industry or industries in which the Company operates other than as
a result of disclosure by the Executive in violation of his agreements under
this Section 7.2 or (ii) the Executive is required to disclose under any
applicable laws, regulations or directives of any government agency, tribunal or
authority having jurisdiction in the matter or under subpoena or other process
of law.
7.3. No Competing Employment. For so long as the Executive is
employed by the Company and, in the case of a termination by the Company for
Cause or a resignation by the Executive without Good Reason, continuing for two
years thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as a sole
proprietor, member of a partnership, stockholder or investor (other than a
stockholder or investor owning not more than a 5% interest), officer or director
of a corporation, or as an employee, associate, consultant or agent of any
person, partnership, corporation or other business organization or entity other
than the Company or any of its subsidiaries, render any service to or in any way
be affiliated with a competitor (or any person or entity that is reasonably
anticipated (to the general knowledge of the Executive or the public) to become
a competitor) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the businesses in
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is engaged. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Section 7.3 to the contrary, the period of
applicability of this Section 7.3 shall be extended an additional day for each
day on which the Executive is in breach of this Section 7.3.
7.4. Exclusive Property. The Executive confirms that all
confidential information is and shall remain the exclusive property of the
Company. All business records, papers and documents kept or made by the
Executive relating to the business of the Company shall be and remain the
property of the Company, except for such papers customarily deemed to be the
personal copies of the Executive.
7.5. Limitation on Comments. At no time during or after the
Employment Term shall the Executive utter, issue or circulate any false,
inappropriate or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors about the Company,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Group, Inc., The Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P.,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Capital Partners III, L.P. or any of their respective affiliates.
Similarly, at no time during the Employment Term or thereafter shall the
Company, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Group, Inc., The Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Leveraged Equity Fund
II, L.P., Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Capital Partners III, L.P. or any of their respective
affiliates utter, issue or circulate any false, inappropriate or disparaging
statements, remarks or rumors about the Executive.
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7.6. Injunctive Relief. Without intending to limit the remedies
available to the parties hereto, the parties acknowledge that a breach of any of
the covenants contained in this Section 7 by the other (in the case of the
Executive, a breach of Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 7.5 and in the case of the
Company, a breach of Section 7.5) may result in material and irreparable injury
to the other party for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will
not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the
event of such a breach or threat thereof, the damaged party shall be entitled to
seek a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary or permanent injunction
restraining the breaching party from engaging in activities prohibited by this
Section 7 or such other relief as may be required specifically to enforce any of
the covenants in this Section 7. If for any reason, it is held that the
restrictions under this Section 7 are not reasonable or that consideration
therefor is inadequate, such restrictions shall be interpreted or modified to
include as much of the duration and scope identified in this Section 7 as will
render such restrictions valid and enforceable.
8. ARBITRATION
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement that cannot be mutually resolved by the parties hereto shall be
settled exclusively by arbitration in New York, New York before one arbitrator
of exemplary qualifications and stature, who shall be selected jointly by the
Company and the Executive, or, if the Company and the Executive cannot agree on
the selection of the arbitrator, shall be selected by the American Arbitration
Association (provided that any arbitrator selected by the American Arbitration
Association shall not, without the consent of the parties hereto, be affiliated
with the Company or the Executive or any of their respective affiliates).
Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction. The parties hereby agree that the arbitrator shall be empowered to
enter an equitable decree mandating specific enforcement of the terms of this
Agreement. The Company shall bear all expenses of the arbitrator incurred in any
arbitration hereunder and shall reimburse the Executive for any related
reasonable legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses directly attributable to such
arbitration; provided that such legal fees are calculated on an hourly, and not
on a contingency fee, basis; and provided, further, that the Executive shall
bear all expenses of the arbitrator and all of his legal fees and out-of-pocket
expenses (and reimburse the Company for its portion of such expenses) if the
arbitrator or relevant trier-of-fact determines that the Executive's claim or
position was frivolous and without reasonable foundation.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1. Notices. All notices or communications hereunder shall be in
writing, addressed as follows:
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To the Company:
ARM Financial Group, Inc.
000 X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxx
To the Executive:
ARM Financial Group, Inc.
000 X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. All such notices shall be conclusively deemed to
be received and shall be effective, (i) if sent by hand delivery, upon receipt,
(ii) if sent by telecopy or facsimile transmission, upon confirmation of receipt
by the sender of such transmission or (iii) if sent by registered or certified
mail, on the fifth day after the day on which such notice is mailed.
9.2. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid
under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of
such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
9.3. Assignment. The Company's rights and obligations under this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company except as incident to a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, or transfer of all or substantially all
of the Company's business and properties (or portion thereof in which the
Executive is employed). Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be
assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by the Executive. Nothing
herein is intended to affect the provisions of Sections 5.4(iv) and (v).
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9.4. Entire Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this
Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties concerning the subject
matter hereof and shall supersede any and all previous contracts, arrangements
or understandings between the Company and the Executive. This Agreement may be
amended at any time by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto.
9.5. Withholding. The payment of any amount pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to applicable withholding and payroll taxes, and such
other deductions as may be required under the Company's employee benefit plans,
if any.
9.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and the Executive has hereunto set his hand, as of the day and year
first above written.
ARM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Director
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
