EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of October 1, 1999, between XXXX XXXXXX
(hereinafter called "Xxxxxx") and VICON INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York
corporation, having its principal place of business at 00 Xxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (hereinafter called the "Company").
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx has previously been employed by the Company, and
WHEREAS, the Company and Xxxxxx mutually desire to assure the
continuation of Xxxxxx'x services to the Company,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company shall employ Xxxxxx as its Vice President
- Sales throughout the term of this Agreement, and Xxxxxx hereby accepts such
employment.
2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the date of
this Agreement and end on September 30, 2001 unless terminated earlier by the
Company for cause.
3. Compensation.
A. The Company shall pay Xxxxxx a base salary
of $135,000 per annum, subject to periodic adjustment as determined by the
President of the Company with Board of Directors approval, but in any event
shall not be less than the base salary so indicated.
X. Xxxxxx'x base salary shall be payable monthly or bi-weekly.
X. Xxxxxx shall also be entitled to participate in any life
insurance, medical, dental, hospital, disability, 401(k) or other benefit plans
as may from time to time be made available to non-executive officers of the
Company, subject to the general eligibility requirements of such plans.
4. Covenant not to Compete. Xxxxxx agrees that during the term of
this Agreement and for a period of two years thereafter, he shall not directly
or indirectly within the United States or Europe engage in, or enter the
employment of or render any services to any other entity engaged in, any
business of a similar nature to or in competition with the Company's business of
designing, manufacturing and selling CCTV security equipment and protection
devices anywhere in the United States and Europe. Xxxxxx further acknowledges
that the services to be rendered under this Agreement by him are special,
unique, and of extraordinary character and that a material breach by him of this
section will cause the Company to suffer irreparable damage; and Xxxxxx agrees
that in addition to any other remedy, this section shall be enforceable by
negative or affirmative preliminary or permanent injunction in any Court of
competent jurisdiction. Xxxxxx acknowledges that he may only be released from
this covenant if the Company materially breach's this agreement or provides a
written release of this provision.
5. Severance Payment on Certain Terminations.
A. If either this Agreement expires, or the Company terminates
Xxxxxx'x employment under this Agreement for reasons other than "Gross
Misconduct", then Xxxxxx, at his option, may
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elect to receive severance payments except in the case of disability under
paragraph 7, without reduction for any offset or mitigation, in an amount equal
to (a) one-twelfth Xxxxxx'x annual base salary at the time of such termination
multiplied by (b) the number of full years of Xxxxxx'x employment by the Company
which shall be no less than three years and up to a maximum of 6 years.
B. "Gross Misconduct" shall mean (a) a wilful, substantial and
unjustifiable refusal or inability due to drug or alcohol impairment to perform
substantially the duties and services required of his position; (b) fraud,
misappropriation or embezzlement involving the Company or its assets; or (c)
conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.
X. Xxxxxx'x option to elect to receive severance payments may be
exercised only by written notice delivered to the Company within 90 days
following the date on which Xxxxxx receives actual notice of termination or this
Agreement expires, as the case may be.
D. In the event of an election under this section, payment of
such severance shall be in lieu of any other obligation of the Company for
severance payment or other post-termination compensation under this Agreement if
any.
E. The severance amount determined in 5A above shall be paid in
equal monthly payments over the number of full years of Xxxxxx'x employment.
6. Termination Payment on Change of Control.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if a "Change of Control" occurs without the consent of
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the Board of Directors, Xxxxxx, at his option, may elect to terminate his
obligations under this Agreement and to receive a termination payment, without
reduction for any offset or mitigation, in an amount equal to three times his
average annual base salary for the five years preceding the Change of Control or
shorter period of actual employment, in either lump sum or extended payments
over three years as Xxxxxx shall elect.
B. A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if any
entity shall directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership of 50% or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company.
X. Xxxxxx'x option to elect to terminate his obligations and to
receive a termination payment and to elect to receive a lump sum or extended
payments may be exercised only by written notice delivered to the Company within
90 days following the date on which Xxxxxx receives actual notice of Change of
Control.
7. Death or Disability. The Company may terminate this
Agreement at its sole option and determination without liability for severance
payments under paragraph 5 if during the term of this Agreement (a) Xxxxxx dies
or (b) Xxxxxx becomes so disabled for a period of six months that he is
substantially unable to perform his duties under this Agreement for such period.
The Company shall be the sole judge of such disability.
8. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to
this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in the
City of New York in accordance with
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the rules of the American Arbitration then in effect, and judgement upon the
award rendered be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
9. Miscellaneous.
A. Except for stock options previously granted, this Agreement
contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements by the parties relating to payments by the Company upon involuntary
employment termination with or without cause, however, it does not restrict or
limit such other benefits as the President may determine to provide or make
available to Xxxxxx.
B. This agreement may not be waived, changed, modified or
discharged orally, but only by agreement in writing, signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, or discharge is sought.
C. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of New York State
applicable to contracts between New York State residents and made and to be
entirely performed in New York State.
D. If any part of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable by
any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall continue in full force and effect.
E. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the Company, its successor, and assigns.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement.
VICON INDUSTRIES, INC.
By
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President - Sales President
Vicon Industries, Inc.
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