Exhibit 10.5(e) con't
FOOTSTAR, INC.
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Employment Agreement for R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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FOOTSTAR CORPORATION
Employment Agreement for R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxx
1. Definitions............................................................1
2. Term of Employment.....................................................2
3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities..................................2
4. Base Salary............................................................3
5. Annual Incentive Awards................................................3
6. Long-Term Stock Incentive Programs.....................................3
7. Employee Benefit Programs..............................................3
8. Disability.............................................................5
9. Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses; Perquisites..............5
10. Termination of Employment..............................................5
11. Confidentiality; Cooperation with Regard to Litigation.................15
12. Non-competition........................................................16
13. Non-solicitation of Employees..........................................18
14. Remedies...............................................................18
15. Resolution of Disputes.................................................18
16. Indemnification........................................................18
17. Excise Tax Gross-Up....................................................19
18. Effect of Agreement on Other Benefits..................................21
19. Assignability; Binding Nature..........................................21
20. Representation.........................................................21
21. Entire Agreement.......................................................22
22. Amendment or Waiver....................................................22
23. Severability...........................................................22
24. Survivorship...........................................................22
25. Beneficiaries/References...............................................22
26. Governing Law/Jurisdiction.............................................22
27. Notices................................................................23
28. Headings...............................................................23
29. Counterparts...........................................................23
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the _______ day of July 1999
by and between Footstar Corporation, a Texas corporation (together with its
successors and assigns permitted under this Agreement, the "Company"), and R.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive pursuant to an
agreement embodying the terms of such employment (this "Agreement") and the
Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such employment,
subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a
"Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "Approved Early Retirement" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 10(f) below.
(b) "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4 below.
(c) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(d) "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10(b) below.
(e) "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(c) below.
(f) "Confidential Information" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 11 below.
(g) "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 10(c) below.
(h) "Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2 below.
(i) "1996 ICP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5 below.
(j) "Normal Retirement" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(f) below.
(k) "Original Term of Employment" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2 below.
(l) "Renewal Term" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2 below.
(m) "Restriction Period" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 12 below.
(n) "SERP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7
below.
(o) "Severance Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(c)(ii) below, except as provided
otherwise in Section 10(e) below.
(p) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11 below.
(q) "Term of Employment" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2 below.
(r) "Termination Without Cause" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 10(c) below.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) The term of the Executive's employment under this
Agreement shall commence on July 26, 1999 (the "Effective Date") and end on the
third anniversary of such date (the "Original Term of Employment"). The Original
Term of Employment shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms
(the "Renewal Terms") unless at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the
Original Term of Employment or any Renewal Term, either Party notifies the other
Party in writing that he or it is electing to terminate this Agreement at the
expiration of the then current Term of Employment. "Term of Employment" shall
mean the Original Term of Employment and all Renewal Terms.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, at least one year prior to the expiration
of the Original Term of Employment, the Parties shall meet to discuss this
Agreement and may agree in writing to modify any of the terms of this Agreement.
3. POSITION. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) GENERALLY. Executive shall serve as a senior executive
of the Footaction division of the Company. Executive shall have and perform such
duties, responsibilities, and authorities as shall be specified by the Company
from time to time and as are customary for a senior executive of a division of a
publicly held corporation of the size, type, and nature of the Company as they
may exist from time to time and as are consistent with such position and status.
Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention
(except for periods of vacation or absence due to illness), and his best
efforts, abilities, experience, and talent to his position and the businesses of
the Company.
(b) OTHER ACTIVITIES. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from (i)
engaging in charitable activities and community affairs and (ii) managing his
personal investments and affairs, provided that such activities do not
materially interfere with the proper performance of his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement. Unless approved in writing by the Board
or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Executive may not serve on the
board of directors of any corporation or the board of any association and/or
charitable organization.
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4. BASE SALARY.
The Executive shall be paid an annualized salary, payable
in accordance with the regular payroll practices (including pay periods) for
other senior - level executives of the Company, of not less than $450,000.00
subject to annual review thereafter for increase at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee of the Board ("Base Salary").
5. ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS.
The Executive shall participate in the Company's 1996
Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1996 ICP") with a target annual incentive
award opportunity of no less than 50% of Base Salary or in a successor plan to
the 1996 ICP that provides the Executive with an equivalent opportunity. Payment
of annual incentive awards shall be made at the same time that other
senior-level executives receive their incentive awards. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, Executive's 1999 annual incentive award shall
not be less than $175,000.
6. LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.
(a) GENERAL. The Executive shall be eligible to participate
in and to receive stock incentive awards under the 1996 ICP and any successor
plan. Executive shall receive a number of restricted shares of Footstar deferred
stock calculated by dividing $350,000 by the fair market value of Footstar stock
on the Effective Date subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
attached Exhibit A and for purposes of such grant Executive shall be considered
an Employee as of July 13, 1999. Executive shall also receive an initial stock
option grant of 25,000 shares at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of Footstar stock on the Effective Date. Such stock option shall be
subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Exhibit B and
for purposes of such grant Executive shall be considered an Employee as of July
13,1999.
(b) CAREER EQUITY PROGRAM. The Executive shall be eligible
to participate in the Company's Career Equity Program which is currently based
on a three year rolling performance cycle with a target long term incentive
award opportunity of no less than 30% of Base Salary or in a successor plan or
program that provides the Executive with an equivalent opportunity. Executive
shall be eligible for awards for the performance cycles beginning with the cycle
ending with fiscal year 1999 based on meeting the performance goals for such
cycles.
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.
(a) GENERAL BENEFITS. During the Term of Employment, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee pension and welfare
benefit plans and programs of the Company as are made available to the Company's
senior-level executives or to its employees generally, as such plans or programs
may be in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, health,
medical, dental, long-term disability, travel accident, life insurance and
relocation plans.
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(b) SERP. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in
the Company's supplemental retirement plan ("SERP") providing for, among other
things, a lifetime annuity benefit for the Executive equal to 2% of his average
high three of last 10 years' salary plus actual annual bonus (before any
deferrals) for each year (full and partial) of service with the Company subject
to all the terms and conditions set forth in the plan, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit C.
(c) DEFERRAL OF COMPENSATION. The Executive shall be
entitled to participate in any deferral arrangements or programs implemented
from time to time by the Company, including the Company's STEP Program, a
description of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, permitting Executive to
elect to defer receipt, pursuant to written deferral election terms and forms
(the "Deferral Election Forms"), of all or a specified portion of (i) his annual
Base Salary and annual incentive compensation under Sections 4 and 5, (ii) long
term incentive compensation under Section 6 and (iii) shares acquired upon
exercise of options to purchase Company common stock that are acquired in an
exercise in which Executive pays the exercise price by the surrender of
previously acquired shares, to the extent of the net additional shares otherwise
issuable to Executive in such exercise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such deferrals
shall not reduce Executives total cash compensation in any calendar year below
the sum of (I) the FICA maximum taxable wage base plus (ii) the amount needed,
on an after-tax basis, to enable Executive to pay the 1.45% medicare tax imposed
on his wages in excess of such FICA maximum taxable wage base. In addition, the
Committee may require mandatory deferral of amounts payable as annual incentive
compensation under Section 5 or long term incentive compensation under Section
6, which deferrals will not be inconsistent with employee's written deferral
election referred to in this Section 7(c).
In accordance with such duly executed Deferral Election
Forms or the terms of any such mandatory deferral, the Company shall credit to
one or more bookkeeping accounts maintained for Executive on the respective
payment date or dates, amounts equal to the compensation subject to deferral,
such credits to be denominated in cash if the compensation would have been paid
in cash but for the deferral or in shares if the compensation would have been
paid in shares but for the deferral.
Except as otherwise provided under Section 10, in the event
of Executive's termination of employment with the Company or as otherwise
determined by the Committee in the event of hardship on the part of Executive,
upon such date(s) or event(s) set forth in the Deferral Election Forms
(including forms filed after deferral but before settlement in which Executive
may elect to further defer settlement) or under the terms of any mandatory
deferral, the Company shall promptly pay to Executive cash equal to the value of
the assets then credited to Executive's deferral accounts, less applicable
withholding taxes, and such distribution shall be deemed to fully settle such
accounts. The Company and Executive agree that compensation deferred pursuant to
this Section 7(c) shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable; HOWEVER, Executive
acknowledges that his rights to the deferred compensation provided for in this
Section 7(c) shall be no greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of
the Company, and that such rights may not be pledged, collateralized,
encumbered, hypothecated, or liable for or subject to any lien, obligation, or
liability of Executive, or be assignable or transferable by Executive, otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, provided that Executive
may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any payment of such amounts
in the event of his death.
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(d) VOLUNTARY STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES. The Executive
shall be subject to the Company's voluntary stock ownership guideline program
pursuant to which Executive, over a five year period, is recommended to achieve
an ownership position in Footstar' s common stock with a value equivalent to
five times Executive's base salary. For purposes of meeting such ownership
position, the following sources, in addition to open market purchases, may be
included: Deferred Restricted Stock (including under the Company's STEP and CEP
Programs); in-the-money stock options; and stock acquired under the Associate
Stock Purchase Program.
8. DISABILITY.
(a) During the Term of Employment, as well as during the
Severance Period (to the extent Executive does not receive equivalent disability
coverage and benefits under the plan or program of a subsequent employer during
such period), the Executive shall be entitled to disability coverage as
described in this Section 8(a). In the event the Executive becomes disabled, as
that term is defined under the Company's Long-Term Disability Plan, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive pursuant to the Company's Long-Term
Disability Plan or otherwise, and in place of his Base Salary and any other
employee benefits other than for disabled employees, an amount equal to 60% of
his Base Salary, at the annual rate in effect at the commencement date of his
Company long-term disability benefit ("Commencement Date") for a period
beginning on the Commencement Date and ending with the earlier to occur of (A)
the Executive's attainment of age 65 or (B) the Executive's commencement of
benefits under the SERP upon his election to receive such benefits. If (i) the
Executive ceases to be disabled (as determined in accordance with the terms of
the Long-Term Disability Plan) during the Term of Employment, (ii) his position
or another senior executive position is then vacant and (iii) the Company
requests in writing that he resume such position, he may elect to resume such
position by written notice to the Company within 15 days after the Company
delivers its request. If he resumes such position, he shall thereafter be
entitled to his Base Salary at the annual rate in effect at the Commencement
Date and, for the year he resumes his position, a pro rata annual incentive
award and to participate in any other employee benefit programs outlined in
Section 6 and 7 of this Agreement that are then in effect. If he ceases to be
disabled and does not resume his position in accordance with the preceding
sentence, he shall be treated as if he voluntarily terminated his employment
pursuant to Section 10(e) as of the date the Executive ceases to be disabled. If
the Executive is not offered his position or another senior executive position
after he ceases to be disabled during the Term of Employment, he shall be
treated as if his employment was terminated without Cause pursuant to Section
10(c) as of the date the Executive ceases to be disabled.
(b) The Executive shall be entitled to a pro rata annual
incentive award for the year in which the Commencement Date occurs based on 50%
of Base Salary paid to him during such year prior to the Commencement Date,
payable in a lump sum promptly after the Commencement Date. The Executive shall
not be entitled to any annual incentive award with respect to the period
following the Commencement Date unless he resumes his position in accordance
with Subsection (a) above. If the Executive recommences his position in
accordance with Section 8(a), he shall be entitled to a pro rata annual
incentive award for the year he resumes his position and shall thereafter be
entitled to annual incentive awards in accordance with Section 5 hereof.
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(c) During the period the Executive is receiving disability
benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) above, he
shall continue to be treated as an employee for purposes of all employee
benefits and entitlements in which he was participating on the Commencement
Date, including without limitation, the benefits and entitlements referred to in
Sections 6 and 7 above, except that the Executive shall not be entitled to
receive any annual salary increases or any new stock incentive awards following
the Commencement Date.
9. REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS AND OTHER EXPENSES; PERQUISITES.
The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in
carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the
Company shall promptly reimburse him for all business expenses incurred in
connection therewith, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company's
policy.
10. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH. In the event the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated due to his death, his estate or his
beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to and their sole remedies
under this Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of death, which
shall be paid in a single lump sum not later than 15 days following the
Executive's death;
(ii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year
in which the Executive's death occurs assuming that the Executive would have
received an award equal to 35% of Base Salary for such year, which shall be
payable in a lump sum promptly (but in no event later than 15 days) after his
death;
(iii) lapse of all restrictions on any restricted
stock award (including any performance-based restricted stock) outstanding at
the time of his death;
(iv) Company common stock, issued without
restrictions, equal to any outstanding award of contingent shares as of the date
of death, including any matching grant under the Company's "STEP" program or
deferred restricted stock award;
(v) immediate vesting of all outstanding stock
options and the right to exercise such stock options for a period of one year
following death (or such longer period as may be provided in stock options
granted to other similarly situated executive officers of the Company) or for
the remainder of the exercise period, if less;
(vi) immediate vesting of all outstanding awards
under the "Career Equity" program and a pro rata payment of such awards based on
target performance, payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later
than 15 days) after his death;
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(vii) the balance of any incentive awards earned
as of year end of the prior year (but not yet paid), which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's death;
(viii) in the event that the Executive's death
occurs before he has met the age and service requirements of the SERP, the
Company will provide his spouse with a 50% survivor annuity as if he had met
such age and service requirements at the time of his death, payable in
accordance with the terms of the SERP but subject to such other adjustments as
may be provided in the SERP;
(ix) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with the Executive's duly executed Deferral Election
Forms or the terms of any mandatory deferral; and
(x) other or additional benefits then due or
earned in accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.
(b) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE.
(i) "Cause" shall mean:
(A) the Executive's willful and material
breach of Sections 11, 2 or 13 of this Agreement;
(B) the Executive is convicted of a felony
involving moral turpitude; or
(C) the Executive engages in conduct that
constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct in carrying out
his duties under this Agreement, resulting, in either case, in material harm to
the financial condition or reputation of the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, an act or failure to act on Executive's part
shall be considered "willful" if it was done or omitted to be done by him not in
good faith, and shall not include any act or failure to act resulting from any
incapacity of Executive.
(ii) A termination for Cause shall not take
effect unless the provisions of this paragraph (ii) are complied with. The
Executive shall be given written notice by the Company of its intention to
terminate him for Cause, such notice (A) to state in detail the particular act
or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute the grounds on which the
proposed termination for Cause is based and (B) to be given within 90 days of
the Company's learning of such act or acts or failure or failures to act. The
Executive shall have 10 days after the date that such written notice has been
given to him in which to cure such conduct, to the extent such cure is possible.
If he fails to cure such conduct, the Executive shall then be entitled to a
hearing before the Compensation Committee of the Board at which the Executive is
entitled to appear. Such hearing shall be held within 15 days of such notice to
the Executive, provided he requests such hearing within 10 days of the written
notice from the Company of the intention to terminate him for Cause. If, within
five days following such hearing, the Executive is furnished written notice by
the Board confirming that, in its judgment, grounds for Cause on the basis of
the original notice exist, he shall thereupon be terminated for Cause. Such
hearing shall not limit any other review as set forth in this Agreement on a DE
NOVO basis. Such hearing shall be limited to the grounds set forth in the
termination notice.
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(iii) In the event the Company terminates the
Executive's employment for Cause, he shall be
entitled to and his sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:
(A) Base Salary through the date of the
termination of his employment for Cause, which shall be paid in a single lump
sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of employment;
(B) any incentive awards earned as of year
end of the prior year (but not yet paid), which shall be paid in a single lump
sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of employment;
(C) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with the Executive's duly executed Deferral Election
Form or the terms of any mandatory deferral; and
(D) other or additional benefits, to the
extent then due or earned in accordance with applicable plans or programs of the
Company, including but not limited to stock or stock option programs, the Career
Equity Program or the SERP.
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION
WITHOUT CAUSE PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. In
the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated without
Cause (which termination shall be effective as of the date specified by the
Company in a written notice to the Executive), other than due to death, or in
the event there is a Constructive Termination Without Cause (as defined below),
in either case prior to a Change in Control (as defined below) the Executive
shall be entitled to and his sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination
of the Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a single lump sum not
later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) Base Salary, at the annualized rate in
effect on the date of termination of the Executive's employment (or in the event
a reduction in Base Salary is the basis for a Constructive Termination Without
Cause, then the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction), for
a period of 18 months following such termination (the "Severance Period");
provided further that the salary continuation payment under this Section 1
0(c)(ii) and Section 10(c)(iv) shall be in lieu of any salary continuation
arrangements under any other severance program of the Company or any other
agreement between the Executive and the Company;
(iii) pro rata annual incentive award for the
year in which termination occurs assuming that the Executive would have received
an award equal to 50% of Base Salary for such year, payable in a lump sum
promptly (but in no event later than 15 days) following termination;
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(iv) an amount equal to 50% of Base Salary
multiplied by 1.5 payable in equal monthly installments over the Severance
Period:
(v) Company common stock, issued without
restrictions, equal to the number of unvested shares of deferred stock relating
to any matching grant under the Company's "STEP" program multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of completed years of employment
with the Company following the date on which such matching grant was awarded and
the denominator of which is five;
(vi) Company common stock, issued without
restrictions, equal to the number of unvested shares of deferred restricted
stock awarded to the Executive multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which
is the number of completed years of employment with the Company following the
date on which such award was granted and the denominator of which is five;
(vii) immediate vesting of all outstanding awards
under the "Career Equity" program relating to completed performance cycles,
payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later than 15 days)
following the Executive's termination of employment;
(viii) the right to exercise all outstanding
stock options that are vested as of the date of termination during the Severance
Period or for the remainder of the exercise period, if less;
(ix) the balance of any incentive awards earned
as of year end of the prior year (but not yet paid), which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of
employment;
(x) settlement of all vested deferred stock or
cash compensation arrangements in accordance with the Executive's duly executed
Deferral Election Forms or the terms of any mandatory deferral;
(xi) continued participation in all medical,
health and life insurance plans at the same benefit level at which he was
participating on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier
of:
(A) the end of the Severance Period; or
(B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent
employer (such coverage and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage,
or benefit-by-benefit, basis); provided that (1) if the Executive is precluded
from continuing his participation in any employee benefit plan or program as
provided in this clause (xi) of this Section 10(c), he shall receive cash
payments equal on an after-tax basis to the cost to him of obtaining the
benefits provided under the plan or program in which he is unable to participate
for the period specified in this clause (xi) of this Section 10(c), (2) such
cost shall be deemed to be the lowest reasonable cost that would be incurred by
the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on an individual basis, and (3)
payment of such amounts shall be made quarterly in advance; and
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(xii) other or additional benefits then due or
earned in accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.
"Termination Without Cause" shall mean the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than
Cause (as defined in Section 10 (b)) or due to death.
"Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall
mean a termination of the Executive's employment at his initiative as provided
in this Section 10(c) following the occurrence, without the Executive's written
consent, of one or more of the following events (except as a result of a prior
termination):
(A) an assignment of any duties to Executive
which are inconsistent with his status as a senior executive of the Company;
(B) a decrease in annual Base Salary, target
annual incentive award opportunity below 50% of Base Salary or target long term
incentive award opportunity below 30% of Base Salary;
(C) any other failure by the Company to
perform any material obligation under, or breach by the Company of any material
provision of, this Agreement that is not cured within 30 days; or
(D) any failure to secure the agreement of
any successor corporation or other entity to the Company to fully assume the
Company's obligations under this Agreement.
In addition, following a Change in Control, "Constructive Termination Without
Cause" shall also mean a termination of the Executive's employment at his
initiative as provided in this Section 10(c) following the occurrence, without
the Executive's written consent, of a relocation of his principal place of
employment outside a 35-mile radius of his principal place of employment as in
effect immediately prior to such Change in Control.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if:
(i) An acquisition by any Person of Beneficial
Ownership of the shares of common stock of the Company then outstanding (the
"Company Common Stock Outstanding") or the voting securities of the Company then
outstanding entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
"Company Voting Securities Outstanding"), if such acquisition of Beneficial
Ownership results in the Person's Beneficially Owning 25% or more of the Company
Common Stock Outstanding or 25% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company Voting Securities Outstanding; or
(ii) The approval by the stockholders of the
Company of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, the sale or disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company or similar corporate transaction (in each case
referred to in this Section 10(c) as a "Corporate Transaction") or, if
consummation of such Corporate Transaction is subject, at the time of such
approval by stockholders, to the consent of any government or governmental
agency, the obtaining of such consent (either explicitly or implicitly);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any merger, consolidation, sale, disposition or other
similar transaction to or with Executive or entities controlled by Executive
shall not constitute a Corporate Transaction; or
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(iii) A change in the composition of the Board
such that the individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board
(such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Incumbent Board") cease for
any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
for purposes of this Section 10(c), that any individual who becomes a member of
the Board subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also
members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso)
shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent
Board; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that any such individual whose initial assumption
of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest
(as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act, including any successor to such Rule) or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board shall in no event be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in
subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10(c), the following shall not
constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement: (1) any
acquisition by or consummation of a Corporate Transaction with any entity that
was a subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to the transaction or an
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or an entity that was a subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to the
transaction if, immediately after such transaction (including consummation of
all related transactions), the surviving entity is controlled by no Person other
than such employee benefit plan (or related trust) and/or other Persons who
controlled the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or (2) any
acquisition or consummation of a Corporate Transaction following which more than
50% of, respectively, the shares then outstanding of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such acquisition or Corporate Transaction and the
combined voting power of the voting securities then outstanding of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then
Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the
Company Common Stock Outstanding and Company Voting Securities Outstanding
immediately prior to such acquisition or Corporate Transaction in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such acquisition
or Corporate Transaction, of the Company Common Stock Outstanding and Company
Voting Securities Outstanding, as the case may be.
For purposes of this definition:
(A) The terms "Beneficial Ownership",
"Beneficially Owning", "Beneficially Owned" and "Beneficial Owners" shall have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act
(including any successor to such Rule).
-11-
(B) The term "Exchange Act" means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor
act thereto.
(C) The term "Person" shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including "group" as defined in Section 13(d)
thereof,
(d) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. In the event of a termination of
employment by the Executive on his own initiative after delivery of 10 business
days advance written notice, other than a termination due to death, a
Constructive Termination Without Cause, or Approved Early Retirement or Normal
Retirement pursuant to Section 10(f) below, the Executive shall have the same
entitlements as provided in Section 10(b)(iii) above for a termination for
Cause, provided that at the Company's election, furnished in writing to the
Executive within 30 days following such notice of termination, the Company shall
in addition pay the Executive 50% of his Base Salary for a period of 18 months
following such termination in exchange for the Executive not to engage in
competition with the Company or any Subsidiary as set forth in Section 12(a)
below. Notwithstanding any implication to the contrary, the Executive shall not
have the right to terminate his employment with the Company during the Term of
Employment except in the event of a Constructive Termination Without Cause,
Approved Early Retirement or Normal Retirement, and any voluntary termination of
employment during the Term of Employment in violation of this Agreement shall be
considered a material breach. In the event the Executive becomes disabled, as
that term is defined under the Company's Long Term Disability Plan, the
Executive's termination of employment shall be governed by the terms of Section
7 of this Agreement.
(e) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION
WITHOUT CAUSE FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated without Cause (which termination shall
be effective as of the date specified by the Company in a written notice to the
Executive), other than due to death, or in the event there is a Constructive
Termination Without Cause (as defined above), in either case within two years
following a Change in Control (as defined above), the Executive shall be
entitled to and his sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination
of the Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a single lump sum not
later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) an amount equal to two times the Executive's
Base Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on the date of termination of the
Executive's employment (or in the event a reduction in Base Salary is the basis
for a Constructive Termination Without Cause, then the Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to such reduction), payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but
in no event later than 15 days) following the Executive's termination of
employment;
(iii) pro rata annual incentive award for the
year in which termination occurs assuming that the Executive would have received
an award equal to 50% of Base Salary for such year, payable in a cash lump sum
promptly (but in no event later than 15 days) following the Executive's
termination of employment;
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(iv) an amount equal to 50% of Base Salary
multiplied by two, payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later
than 15 days) following the Executive's termination of employment;
(v) lapse of all restrictions on any restricted
stock award (including any performance-based restricted stock) outstanding at
the time of termination of employment;
(vi) Company common stock, issued without
restrictions, equal to any outstanding award of contingent shares as of the date
of termination, including any matching grant under the Company's "STEP" program
or deferred restricted stock award;
(vii) immediate vesting of all outstanding stock
options and the right to exercise such stock options during the Severance Period
or for the remainder of the exercise period, if less;
(viii) immediate vesting of all outstanding
awards under the "Career Equity" program and a pro rata payment of such awards
based on target performance, payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no
event later than 15 days) following the Executive's termination of employment;
(ix) the balance of any incentive awards earned
as of year end of the prior year (but not yet paid), which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of
employment;
(x) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with Executive's duly executed Deferral Election
Forms or the terms of any mandatory deferral;
(xi) continued participation in all medical,
health and life insurance plans at the same benefit level at which he was
participating on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier
of:
(A) the end of the Severance Period; or
(B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent
employer (such coverage and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage,
or benefit-by-benefit, basis); provided that (I) if the Executive is precluded
from continuing his participation in any employee benefit plan or program as
provided in this clause (xi) of this Section 10(e), he shall receive cash
payments equal on an after-tax basis to the cost to him of obtaining the
benefits provided under the plan or program in which he is unable to participate
for the period specified in this clause (xi) of this Section 10(e), (2) such
cost shall be deemed to be the lowest reasonable cost that would be incurred by
the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on an individual basis, and (3)
payment of such amounts shall be made quarterly in advance; and
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(xii) other or additional benefits then due or
earned in accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.
For purposes of any termination pursuant to this Section 10(e), the term
"Severance Period" shall mean the period of 24 months following the termination
of the Executive's employment.
(f) APPROVED EARLY RETIREMENT OR NORMAL RETIREMENT. Upon
the Executive's Approved Early Retirement or Normal Retirement (as defined
below), the Executive shall be entitled to and his sole remedies under this
Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination
of the Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a single lump sum not
later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year
in which termination occurs, based on performance valuation at the end of such
year and payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later than 15
days) thereafter;
(iii) lapse of all restrictions on any restricted
stock award (including any performance-based restricted stock) outstanding at
the time of his termination of employment;
(iv) continued vesting (as if the Executive
remained employed by the Company) of any outstanding award of contingent shares
as of the date of termination of employment, including any matching grant under
the Company's "STEP" program or deferred restricted stock award;
(v) continued vesting of all outstanding stock
options and the right to exercise such stock options for a period of one year
following the Executive's termination of employment (or such longer period as
may be provided in stock options granted to other similarly situated executive
officers of the Company) or for the remainder of the exercise period, if less;
(vi) continued vesting (as if Executive remained
employed by the Company) of all outstanding awards under the "Career Equity"
program and a payment of such awards based on valuation at the end of the
performance period, payable in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later
than 15 days) thereafter;
(vii) the balance of any incentive awards earned
as of year end of the prior year (but not yet paid), which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's termination of
employment;
(viii) immediate vesting of benefits under the
Company's SERP, with payment of such benefits to be made in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the SERP as in effect at the date of the Executive's
termination (or in accordance with the terms of any subsequent amendment to the
SERP which is more favorable to the Executive or his beneficiary);
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(ix) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with the Executive's duly executed Deferral Election
Forms or the terms of any mandatory deferral;
(x) continued participation in all medical,
health and life insurance plans at the same benefit level at which he was
participating on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier
of:
(A) the Executive's attainment of age 60; or
(B) the date, or dates, he receives
substantially equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a
subsequent employer (such coverage and benefits to be determined on a
coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit, basis); PROVIDED that (I) if the
Executive is precluded from continuing his participation in any employee benefit
plan or program as provided in this clause (x) of this Section 10(f), he shall
receive cash payments equal on an after-tax basis to the cost to him of
obtaining the benefits provided under the plan or program in which he is unable
to participate for the period specified in this clause Cx) of this Section
10(f), (2) such cost shall be deemed to be the lowest cost that would be
incurred by the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on an individual
basis, and (3) payment of such amounts shall be made quarterly in advance; and
(xi) other or additional benefits then due or
earned in accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.
"Approved Early Retirement" shall mean the Executive's voluntary
termination of employment with the Company at or after attaining age 55 but
prior to attaining age 60, if such termination is approved in advance by the
Compensation Committee.
"Normal Retirement" shall mean the Executive's voluntary termination
of employment with the Company at or after attaining age 60.
(g) NO MITIGATION: NO OFFSET. In the event of any
termination of employment under this Section 10, the Executive shall be under no
obligation to seek other employment; amounts due the Executive under this
Agreement shall not be offset by any remuneration attributable to any subsequent
employment that he may obtain.
(h) NATURE OF PAYMENTS. Any amounts due under this Section
10 are in the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the
Company and are not in the nature of a penalty.
(i) EXCLUSIVITY OF SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. Upon termination of
the Executive's employment during the Term of Employment, he shall not be
entitled to any severance payments or severance benefits from the Company or any
payments by the Company on account of any claim by him of wrongful termination,
including claims under any federal, state or local human and civil rights or
labor laws, other than the payments and benefits provided in this Section 10.
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(j) RELEASE OF EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS. The Executive agrees, as
a condition to receipt of the termination payments and benefits provided for in
this Section 10, that he will execute a release agreement, in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, releasing any and all claims arising out of the
Executive's employment (other than enforcement of this Agreement, the
Executive's rights under any of the Company's incentive compensation and
employee benefit plans and programs to which he is entitled under this
Agreement, and any claim for any tort for personal injury not arising out of or
related to his termination of employment).
11. CONFIDENTIALITY: COOPERATION WITH REGARD TO LITIGATION.
(a) During the Term of Employment and thereafter, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose
to anyone except in good faith in the ordinary course of business to a person
who will be advised by the Executive to keep such information confidential or
make use of any Confidential Information, except when required to do so by legal
process, by any governmental agency having supervisory authority over the
business of the Company or by any administrative or legislative body (including
a committee thereof) that requires him to divulge, disclose or make accessible
such information. In the event that the Executive is so ordered, he shall give
prompt written notice to the Company in order to allow the Company the
opportunity to object to or otherwise resist such order.
(b) During the Term of Employment and thereafter, Executive
shall not disclose the existence or contents of this Agreement beyond what is
disclosed in the proxy statement or documents filed with the government unless
and to the extent such disclosure is required by law, by a governmental agency,
or in a document required by law to be filed with a governmental agency or in
connection with enforcement of his rights under this Agreement. In the event
that disclosure is so required, the Executive shall give prompt written notice
to the Company in order to allow the Company the opportunity to object to or
otherwise resist such requirement. This restriction shall not apply to such
disclosure by him to members of his immediate family, his tax, legal or
financial advisors, any lender, or tax authorities, or to potential future
employers to the extent necessary, each of whom shall be advised not to disclose
such information.
(c) "Confidential Information" shall mean all information
that is not known or available to the public concerning the business of the
Company or any Subsidiary relating to any of their products, product
development, trade secrets, customers, suppliers, finances, and business plans
and strategies. For this purpose, information known or available generally
within the trade or industry of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to
be known or available to the public. Confidential Information shall include
information that is, or becomes, known to the public as a result of a breach by
the Executive of the provisions of Section 11(a) above.
(d) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation controlled
directly or indirectly by the Company and any affiliate of the Company.
(e) The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company,
during the Term of Employment and thereafter (including following the
Executive's termination of employment for any reason), by making himself
available to testify on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of
the Company, in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, or any Subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company, in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by
providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or its
representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company, or any
Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, as requested. The Company agrees to
reimburse the Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all expenses actually
incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.
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12. NON-COMPETITION.
(a) During the Restriction Period (as defined in Section
12(b) below), the Executive shall not engage in Competition with the Company or
any Subsidiary. "Competition" shall mean engaging in any activity, except as
provided below, for a Competitor of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether as an
employee, consultant, principal, agent, officer, director, partner, shareholder
(except as a less than one percent shareholder of a publicly traded company) or
otherwise. A "Competitor" shall mean (i) Payless Shoe Source, Wal-Mart, Reebok,
Athlete's Foot, Champs, Sports Authority, Modell's, Finish Line, Just for Feet,
Sports and Recreation, Sports Xxxx and Dicks, Xxxxxx Shoes, Footlocker, Lady
Footlocker, Kids' Footlocker, X. Xxxxx/Xxxxx Shoe, Target, Sears and X.X.
Penney, (and any successor or successors thereto) or (ii) the portion of any
other corporation or other entity or start-up corporation or entity that is
engaged in the Discount Retail Footwear Business within fifty (50) miles of any
Discount Retail Footwear Business outlet in the United States of the Company or
any Subsidiary, provided that a corporation or entity described in clause (ii)
above shall not be deemed to be a Competitor if the Executive shall not either
directly or indirectly oversee or manage the activities of such corporation or
entity's division or unit engaged in the Discount Retail Footwear Business. If
the Executive commences employment or becomes a consultant, principal, agent,
officer, director, partner, or shareholder of any entity that is not a
Competitor at the time the Executive initially becomes employed or becomes a
consultant, principal, agent, officer, director, partner, or shareholder of the
entity, future activities of such entity shall not result in a violation of this
provision unless (x) such activities were contemplated at the time the Executive
initially became employed or becomes a consultant, principal, agent, officer,
director, partner, or shareholder of the entity (and the contemplation of such
activities was known to the Executive) or (y) the Executive commences directly
or indirectly overseeing or managing the activities which are competitive with
the activities of the Company or Subsidiary. The Executive shall not be deemed
indirectly overseeing or managing the activities which are competitive with the
activities of the Company or Subsidiary so long as he does not regularly
participate in discussions with regard to the competing business. For purposes
of the foregoing, "Discount Retail Footwear Business" shall mean a group of four
or more stores which primarily sells discount footwear.
(b) For the purposes of this Section 12 and Section 13
below, "Restriction Period" shall mean the period beginning with the Effective
Date and ending with:
(i) in the case of a termination of the
Executive's employment without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without
Cause, in either case prior to a Change in Control, the earlier of (1) the end
of the Severance Period (as such term is defined in Section 1 0(c)(ii)) and (2)
the occurrence of a Change in Control;
(ii) in the case of a termination of the
Executive's employment for Cause, the first anniversary of such termination;
-17-
(iii) in the case of a voluntary termination of
the Executive's employment pursuant to Section 10(d) above followed by the
Company's election to pay the Executive (and subject to the payment of) 50% of
his Base Salary, as provided in Section 10(d) above, the end of the 18-month
period following such termination;
(iv) in the case of a voluntary termination of
the Executive's employment pursuant to Section 10(d) above which is not followed
by the Company's election to pay the Executive such 50% of Base Salary, the date
of such termination;
(v) in the case of Approved Early Retirement or
Normal Retirement pursuant to Section 10(f) above, the remainder of the Term of
Employment; or
(vi) in the case of a termination of the
Executive's employment without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without
Cause, in either case following a Change in Control, immediately upon such
termination of employment.
13. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES.
During the portion of the Restriction Period following the
termination of the Executive's employment, the Executive shall not induce
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate their employment. During
the portion of the Restriction Period following the termination of the
Executive's employment, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly hire any
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or any person who was employed by the
Company or any Subsidiary within 180 days of such hiring.
14. REMEDIES.
In addition to whatever other rights and remedies the Company may
have at equity or in law, if the Executive breaches any of the provisions
contained in Sections 11, 12 or 13 above, the Company (a) shall have the right
to immediately terminate all payments and benefits due under this Agreement and
(b) shall have the right to seek injunctive relief. The executive acknowledges
that such a breach would cause irreparable injury and that money damages would
not provide an adequate remedy for the Company.
15. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.
Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement,
other than seeking injunctive relief under Section 14, shall be resolved by
binding arbitration, to be held at an office closest to the Company's principal
offices in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration
Association, except that disputes arising under or in connection with Sections
II, 12 and 13 above shall be submitted to the federal or state courts in the
State of New Jersey. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Pending the resolution of
any arbitration or court proceeding, the Company shall continue payment of all
amounts and benefits due the Executive under this Agreement. All reasonable
costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the
Executive in seeking to enforce rights pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid
on behalf of or reimbursed to the Executive promptly by the Company, whether or
not the Executive is successful in asserting such rights; PROVIDED. HOWEVER,
that no reimbursement shall be made of such expenses relating to any
unsuccessful assertion of rights if and to the extent that the Executive's
assertion of such rights was in bad faith or frivolous.
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16. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) COMPANY INDEMNITY. The Company agrees that if the
Executive is made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or is or was serving at the request of
the Company or any Subsidiary as a director, officer, member, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the
basis of such Proceeding is the Executive's alleged action in an official
capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent, the
Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest
extent legally permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors or,
if greater, by the laws of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense,
liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Executive in connection
therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to the Executive even if
he has ceased to be a director, member, officer, employee or agent of the
Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive's heirs,
executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to the Executive all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding
within 20 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for such
advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by the Executive to repay the
amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.
(b) NO PRESUMPTION REGARDING STANDARD OF CONDUCT. Neither
the failure of the Company (including its board of directors, independent legal
counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement
of any proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by the Executive under
Section 16(a) above that indemnification of the Executive is proper because he
has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor a determination by the Company
(including its board of directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders)
that the Executive has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create
a presumption that the Executive has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(c) LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company agrees to continue and
maintain a directors and officers' liability insurance policy covering the
Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other
executive officers.
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17. EXCISE TAX GROSS-UP.
If the Executive becomes entitled to one or more payments (with a
"payment" including, without limitation, the vesting of an option or other
non-cash benefit or property), whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company or any affiliated
company (the "Total Payments"), which are or become subject to the tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
(or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed) (the "Excise Tax"), the
Company shall pay to the Executive at the time specified below an additional
amount (the "Gross-up Payment") (which shall include, without limitation,
reimbursement for any penalties and interest that may accrue in respect of such
Excise Tax) such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after reduction
for any Excise Tax (including any penalties or interest thereon) on the Total
Payments and any federal, state and local income or employment tax and Excise
Tax on the Gross-up Payment provided for by this Section 17, but before
reduction for any federal, state, or local income or employment tax on the Total
Payments, shall be equal to the sum of (a) the Total Payments, and (b) an amount
equal to the sum of the products of any deductions disallowed for federal,
state, or local income tax purposes because of the inclusion of the Gross-up
Payment in the Executive's adjusted gross income multiplied by the highest
applicable marginal rate of federal, state, or local income taxation,
respectively, for the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made.
For purposes of determining whether any of the Total Payments will be
subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax:
(i) The Total Payments shall be treated as
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and
all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the
Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and except to the
extent that, in the written opinion of independent compensation consultants,
counsel or auditors of nationally recognized standing ("Independent Advisors")
selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive, the Total
Payments (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, or such
excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base amount within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (A) the
total amount of the Total Payments or (B) the total amount of excess parachute
payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (after applying
clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any non-cash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in
accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment, the
Executive shall be deemed (A) to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the
Gross-up Payment is to be made; (B) to pay any applicable state and local income
taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which
the Gross-up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal
income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local
taxes if paid in such year (determined without regard to limitations on
deductions based upon the amount of the Executive's adjusted gross income); and
(C) to have otherwise allowable deductions for federal, state, and local income
tax purposes at least equal to those disallowed because of the inclusion of the
Gross-up Payment in the Executive's adjusted gross income. In the event that the
Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into
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account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made, the Executive shall
repay to the Company at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax
is finally determined (but, if previously paid to the taxing authorities, not
prior to the time the amount of such reduction is refunded to the Executive or
otherwise realized as a benefit by the Executive) the portion of the Gross-up
Payment that would not have been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied in
initially calculating the Gross-up Payment, plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the
event that the Excise Taxis determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made (including by reason of any
payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the
Gross-up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross-up Payment in
respect of such excess (plus any interest and penalties payable with respect to
such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
The Gross-up Payment provided for above shall be paid on the 30th day
(or such earlier date as the Excise Tax becomes due and payable to the taxing
authorities) after it has been determined that the Total Payments (or any
portion thereof) are subject to the Excise Tax; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
amount of such Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally determined
on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive on such day an
estimate, as determined by the Independent Advisors, of the minimum amount of
such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with
interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), as soon as
the amount thereof can be determined. In the event that the amount of the
estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due,
such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive, payable on
the fifth day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the rate
provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). If more than one Gross-up
Payment is made, the amount of each Gross-up Payment shall be computed so as not
to duplicate any prior Gross-up Payment. The Company shall have the right to
control all proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service that may arise in
connection with the determination and assessment of any Excise Tax and, at its
sole option, the Company may pursue or forego any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings, and conferences with any taxing authority in
respect of such Excise Tax (including any interest or penalties thereon);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company's control over any such proceedings shall be
limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. The
Executive shall cooperate with the Company in any proceedings relating to the
determination and assessment of any Excise Tax and shall not take any position
or action that would materially increase the amount of any Gross-Up Payment
hereunder.
18. EFFECT OF AGREEMENT ON OTHER BENEFITS.
Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the existence of
this Agreement shall not be interpreted to preclude, prohibit or restrict the
Executive's participation in any other employee benefit or other plans or
programs in which he currently participates.
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19. ASSIGNABILITY: BINDING NATURE.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the Executive)
and permitted assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights
or obligations may be assigned or transferred in connection with the sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that
the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either
contractually or as a matter of law. The Company further agrees that, in the
event of a sale or transfer of assets as described in the preceding sentence, it
shall take whatever action it legally can in order to cause such assignee or
transferee to expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of the
Company hereunder. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive other than his rights
to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation
of law, except as provided in Section 24 below.
20. REPRESENTATION.
The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized and
empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement will not violate any agreement between it and
any other person, firm or organization.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement
between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings,
whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect thereto.
22. AMENDMENT OR WAIVER.
No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized officer of
the Company. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any
condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed by such other
Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision
at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and
signed by the Executive or an authorized officer of the Company, as the case may
be.
23. SEVERABILITY.
In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall
remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
24. SURVIVORSHIP.
The respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall
survive any termination of the Executive's employment to the extent necessary to
the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
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25. BENEFICIARIES/REFERENCES.
The Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under any
applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive
any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following the Executive's death by
giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of the Executive's death
or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to
the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary,
estate or other legal representative.
26. GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of New Jersey without reference to principles of
conflict of laws, except insofar as the Delaware General Corporation Law,
federal laws and regulations may be applicable. Subject to Section 15, the
Company and the Executive hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any or all of
the following courts for purposes of resolving any dispute under this Agreement:
(i) the United States District Court for New Jersey, (ii) any of the courts of
the State of New Jersey, or (iii) any other court having jurisdiction. The
Company and the Executive further agree that any service of process or notice
requirements in any such proceeding shall be satisfied if the rules of such
court relating thereto have been substantially satisfied. The Company and the
Executive hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
objection which it or he may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and any
defense of inconvenient forum.
27. NOTICES.
Any notice given to a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been given when delivered personally or sent by certified or registered
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the Party
concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such
Party may subsequently give such notice of:
If to the Company: Footstar Corporation
000 XxxXxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention: Vice President and General Counsel
If to the Executive:R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
28. HEADINGS.
The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
29. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.
FOOTSTAR CORPORATION
By: /S/ X.X. XXXXXXXX
-----------------
Name: X. X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
/S/ R. XXXXX XXXXXXX
----------------------
R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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