EXHIBIT 10.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT was made and entered into on the 19th day of
December, 1996, effective for all purposes as of November 22, 1996, and is now
amended and restated effective as of September 18, 1998, by and between ECHELON
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (the "Company"), and XXXXX X.
XXXXXXX, residing at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 (the
"Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby
accepts such employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement.
2. TERM
Subject to the provisions for termination as hereinafter provided, the
term of part-time employment under this Agreement shall begin as of November 22,
1996 and shall continue through June 1, 1997 (the "Part-Time Employment Term")
and the term of full-time employment shall begin as of June 2, 1997 (the
"Full-Time Employment Date") and shall continue through December 31, 1998,
provided, however, that this Employment Agreement shall automatically be renewed
for successive one year terms of full-time employment unless either party gives
the other written notice of termination at least ninety (90) days prior to the
end of any such term.
3. COMPENSATION
(a) PART-TIME COMPENSATION. The Company shall pay to the Executive as
basic compensation for all services rendered by the Executive during the
Part-Time Employment Term of this Agreement a basic salary of $2,400 per month.
Other than as provided in this Section, during the Part-Time Employment Term of
this Agreement the Executive shall be entitled to no further benefits under this
Agreement.
(b) FULL-TIME BASE SALARY. Effective as of the Full-Time Employment
Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive as basic compensation for all
services rendered by the Executive during the term of this Agreement a basic
annualized salary of $125,000 per year, and, effective June 1, 1998, a basic
annualized salary of $155,000 per year, or such other sum in excess of that
amount as the parties may agree on from time to time or as provided in the next
sentence (as in effect from time to time, the "Base Salary"), payable monthly or
in other more frequent installments, as determined by the Company. The Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") shall have no authority to
reduce the Executive's Base Salary in effect
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from time to time. In addition, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may
award a bonus or bonuses to the Executive in addition to the bonuses provided
for in Section 3(b).
(c) BONUSES. In addition to the Base Salary to be paid pursuant to
Section 3(a), for the seven months beginning as of the Full-Time Employment Date
and ending December 31, 1997 and for the Company's fiscal year ending December
31, 1998 during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay as incentive
compensation the bonuses, to the extent earned, specified on Exhibit A to this
Agreement. For each fiscal year ending after December 31, 1998, provided the
Executive continues to be employed by the Company under this Agreement, the
Executive shall be eligible for incentive compensation annual bonus plan(s)
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time in accordance
with the terms of such plans.
(d) CERTAIN PLANS AND INITIAL AWARD. (i) It is anticipated that the
Company will adopt certain incentive compensation plans including a long term
incentive plan (the "LTIP"), providing for annual or other periodic awards to
key employees, among other things, of restricted stock and a stock option plan
(the "ISO/NSO Plan"), providing for the annual or other periodic issuance of
options to purchase the Company's common stock. The LTIP and ISO/NSO are
referred to collectively in this Agreement as the "Plans." Effective as of the
Full-Time Employment Date, the Executive will be given an opportunity to
participate in the Plans, in accordance with and subject to the terms of the
Plans as they may be adopted, amended and administered from time to time.
(ii) In addition to the incentive compensation referred to in
Section 3(c)(i), the Company hereby agrees to issue to the Executive under the
LTIP, effective upon the Full-Time Employment Date, that number of shares of the
Company's common stock (the "Initial Restricted Stock") as will equal two tenths
of one percent (0.20%) of the shares of the Company's common stock distributed
in the Distribution (as that term is defined in the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 10, as amended), which Initial Restricted Stock shall be
subject to risk of forfeiture, which risk will lapse as to one-fifth of the
shares of the Initial Restricted Stock on January 31, 1998, and as to an
additional one-fifth of the Initial Restricted Stock on each of January 31,
1999, January 31, 2000, January 31, 2001 and January 31, 2002.
(iii) In addition to the incentive compensation referred to in
Section 3(c)(i) and the Initial Restricted Stock, the Company hereby agrees to
grant to the Executive under the LTIP, effective as of the Full-Time Employment
Date, options to purchase one thousand (1,000) shares of the Company's common
stock (the "Initial Options"), which Initial Options shall be exercisable as to
one-fifth of the shares of common stock covered by the Initial Options on June
2, 1998, and as to an additional one-fifth of such shares on each of June 2,
1999, June 2, 2000, June 2, 2001 and June 2, 2002. The exercise price for the
Initial Options shall be the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange (or
such other market on which the Company's stock trades if it is not listed on the
New York Stock Exchange) on the trading day which is the eighth month
anniversary of the day of the completion of the Distribution (the "Option
Pricing Date") or if the Option Pricing Date is not a trading day, the first
trading day thereafter.
(iv) Any and all risks of forfeiture shall lapse as to all of
the Initial Restricted Stock and the Initial Options shall be fully vested and
shall be exercisable as to all of the shares of common stock covered by the
Initial Options upon (i) the death of the Executive or termination of employment
upon the "Permanent Disability" (as that term is defined in Section
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7(b)(ii) of this Agreement) of the Executive, (ii) the termination of employment
of the Executive by the Company "Without Good Cause" (as that term is defined in
Section 8(b)(iv) of this Agreement) or (iii) the occurrence of a "Change in
Control" (as that term is defined in Section 8(d)(i) of this Agreement).
(e) REIMBURSEMENT. The Company shall reimburse the Executive, in
accordance with the Company's policies and practices for senior management, for
all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of the
Executive's duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that the Executive
must furnish to the Company an itemized account, satisfactory to the Company, in
substantiation of such expenditures.
(f) CERTAIN BENEFITS. Effective as of the effective date of this
Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to such medical and other health
benefits as may be provided from to time to time to other senior officers of the
Company. Effective as of the Full-Time Employment Date the Executive shall be
entitled, in addition to medical and other health benefits, to such fringe
benefits including, but not limited to, life insurance benefits and other
benefits as may be provided from time to time by the Company to other senior
officers of the Company. In addition, without restricting the foregoing,
effective as of the Full-Time Employment Date the Company shall provide the
Executive at the Company's sole cost and expense with (i) a policy or policies
of term life insurance (the "Basic Life Insurance") providing, among other
things, basic death benefits of not less than two times the Base Salary in
effect from time to time, (ii) directors and officers liability insurance with
coverage, terms and limits suitable for a vice president of a New York Stock
Exchange listed company comparable in financial size and wherewithal to that of
the Company and (iii) a monthly allowance of $500 cash to reimburse the
Executive for the use and maintenance of her automobile in furtherance of the
business and affairs of the Company, provided that the Executive shall at all
times insure the Executive and the Company in such amounts as may be reasonably
requested by the Company against claims for bodily injury, death and property
damages occurring as a result of its use. The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to make available to the Executive in connection with providing and
paying for the Basic Life Insurance the opportunity to purchase at the
Executive's sole cost and expense additional life insurance with a basic death
benefit (the "Optional Life Insurance") equal to two times the Executive's Base
Salary in effect from time to time (affording the Executive the opportunity to
have basic death benefit life insurance coverage equal to four times such Base
Salary). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the
transfer of the ownership to the Executive of the policy or policies for the
Basic Life Insurance and the Optional Life Insurance, if any, upon the
termination of the Executive's employment by the Company. After the Executive's
termination, payment of any premiums would be the obligation of the Executive.
(g) OTHER INCENTIVE AND BENEFIT PLANS. Effective as of the Full-Time
Employment Date the Executive shall be eligible to participate, in accordance
with the terms of such plans as they may be adopted, amended and administered
from time to time, in incentive, bonus, benefit or similar plans, including
without limitation, any stock option, bonus or other equity ownership plan, any
short, mid or long term incentive plan and any other bonus, pension or profit
sharing plans established by the Company from time to time.
4. DUTIES
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(a) GENERAL. The Executive is engaged as a Vice President of the
Company, and, effective June 1, 1998, as Senior Vice President of the Company,
and, effective December 3, 1998, as Senior Vice President and General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary of the Company. In addition, at the request of the Board
of Directors, the Executive shall serve in any position or positions in any
wholly owned subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, without any additional
compensation. The Executive shall have such duties and hold such other offices
as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to her by the Board of Directors
of the Company.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the
Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive for all liabilities,
costs, expenses and damages arising out of or in connection with the Executive's
service to the Company under this Agreement. In furtherance of this indemnity,
the Company shall enter into an indemnification agreement, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Executive and the Company. In addition, the
indemnity provided hereunder shall extend to service by the Executive as an
officer or director, or service in a similar capacity, for any civic, community
or charitable organization, provided such service is undertaken at the request
of or with the knowledge and acquiescence of the Company. The foregoing
indemnification shall be in addition to any rights or benefits the Executive may
have under statute, the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
under a policy of insurance, or otherwise.
5. EXTENT OF SERVICES; VACATIONS AND DAYS OFF
(a) EXTENT OF SERVICES. Effective as of the Full-Time Employment Date,
except during customary vacation periods and periods of illness, the Executive
shall devote full-time energy and attention during regular business hours to the
benefit and business of the Company as may be reasonably necessary in performing
the Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, during the Part-Time Employment Term of this Agreement, the Executive
shall be required to devote only ten (10) hours a week to the benefit and
business of the Company in performing the Executive's duties pursuant to this
Agreement.
(b) VACATIONS. Effective as of the Full-Time Employment Date the
Executive shall be entitled to vacations with pay and to such personal and sick
leave with pay in accordance with the policy of the Company as may be
established from time to time by the Company and applied to other senior
officers of the Company. However, in no event shall the Executive be entitled to
less than one week vacation with pay after the first six months of full-time
employment, two weeks vacation with pay per year after the first 12 months of
full-time employment, three weeks vacation with pay during calendar year 1998,
and four weeks vacation with pay per year in each calendar year beginning after
1998. Unused vacation days may be carried over from one year to the next for a
period of up to two years. Any vacation days which remain unused on the second
anniversary of the end of the fiscal year to which they originally related shall
expire and shall thereafter no longer be useable by the Executive.
6. FACILITIES
The Company shall provide the Executive with a fully furnished office,
and the facilities of the Company shall be generally available to the Executive
in the performance of the
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Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement, it being understood and
contemplated by the parties that all equipment, supplies and office personnel
required in the performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement shall
be supplied by and at the sole expense of the Company.
7. ILLNESS OR INCAPACITY, TERMINATION ON DEATH, ETC.
(a) DEATH. If after the Full-Time Employment Date the Executive dies
during the term of the Executive's employment, the Company shall pay to the
estate of the Executive within 30 days after the date of death such Base Salary
and any cash bonus compensation earned pursuant to the provisions of any
incentive compensation plan then in effect but not yet paid, as would otherwise
have been payable to the Executive up to the end of the month in which the
Executive's death occurs. After receiving the payments provided in this Section
7(a) the Executive and the Executive's estate shall have no further rights under
this Agreement (other than those rights already accrued).
(b) DISABILITY. (i) During any period of disability, illness or
incapacity after the Full-Time Employment Date and during the term of this
Agreement which renders the Executive temporarily unable to perform the services
required under this Agreement, the Executive shall receive the Base Salary
payable under Section 3(a) of this Agreement plus any cash bonus compensation
earned pursuant to the provisions of any incentive compensation plan then in
effect but not yet paid, less any cash benefits received by her under any
disability insurance carried by or provided by the Company. Upon the Executive's
"Permanent Disability" (as defined below),the Executive shall receive the Base
Salary payable under Section 3(a) of this Agreement plus any cash bonus
compensation earned pursuant to the provisions of any incentive compensation
plan then in effect but not yet paid, as would otherwise have been payable to
the Executive up to the end of the month in which the Executive's Permanent
Disability occurs. Upon "Permanent Disability" (as that term is defined in
Section 7(b)(ii) below) of the Executive, except as provided in this Section
7(b), all rights of the Executive under this Agreement (other than rights
already accrued) shall terminate.
(ii) The term "Permanent Disability" as used in this Agreement
shall mean, in the event a disability insurance policy is maintained by the
Company covering the Executive at such time and is in full force and effect, the
definition of permanent disability set forth in such policy. In the event no
disability insurance policy is maintained at such time and in full force and
effect, "Permanent Disability" shall mean the inability of the Executive, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, by reason of physical or
mental disability to perform the duties required of her under this Agreement for
a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days in any one-year period. Successive
periods of disability, illness or incapacity will be considered separate periods
unless the later period of disability, illness or incapacity is due to the same
or related cause and commences less than six months from the ending of the
previous period of disability. Upon such determination, the Board of Directors
may terminate the Executive's employment under this Agreement upon ten (10)
days' prior written notice. If any determination of the Board of Directors with
respect to permanent disability is disputed by the Executive, the parties hereto
agree to abide by the decision of a panel of three physicians. The Executive and
Company shall each appoint one member, and the third member of the panel shall
be appointed by the other two members. The Executive agrees to make herself
available for and submit to ex-
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aminations by such physicians as may be directed by the Company. Failure to
submit to any such examination shall constitute a breach of a material part of
this Agreement.
8. OTHER TERMINATIONS
(a) BY THE EXECUTIVE. (i) The Executive may terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder upon giving at least ninety (90) days' prior written
notice. In addition, the Executive shall have the right to terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder on the conditions and at the times provided for
in Section 8(d) of this Agreement.
(ii) If the Executive gives notice pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)
above, the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the
Executive, in whole or in part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement,
or direct the Executive to no longer perform such duties, or direct that the
Executive should no longer report to work, or any combination of the foregoing.
In any such event, the Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base
Salary not yet paid, as would otherwise have been payable to the Executive up to
the end of the month specified as the month of termination in the termination
notice. In the event the Executive gives notice pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)
above but specifies a termination date in excess of ninety (90) days from the
date of such notice, the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation)
to accelerate the termination date to any date prior to the date specified in
the notice that is in excess of ninety (90) days from the date of the notice,
and the Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the
Executive, in whole or in part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement,
or direct the Executive to no longer perform such duties, or direct that the
Executive should no longer report to work, or any combination of the foregoing;
provided, however, that in any such event the Executive shall be entitled to
receive the Base Salary, as would otherwise have been payable to the Executive
up to the end of the month of the termination date properly selected by the
Company. Upon receiving the payments provided for under this Section 8(a), all
rights of the Executive under this Agreement (other than rights already accrued)
shall terminate.
(b) TERMINATION FOR "GOOD CAUSE". (i) Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive
hereunder only for "good cause," which shall mean: (A) the Executive's
conviction of either a felony involving moral turpitude or any crime in
connection with the Executive's employment by the Company which causes the
Company a substantial detriment, but specifically shall not include traffic
offenses; (B) actions by the Executive as an executive officer of the Company
which clearly are contrary to the best interests of the Company; (C) the
Executive's willful failure to take actions permitted by law and necessary to
implement policies of the Company's Board of Directors which the Board of
Directors has communicated to her in writing, provided that minutes of a Board
of Directors meeting attended in its entirety by the Executive shall be deemed
communicated to the Executive; (D) the Executive's continued failure to attend
to the Executive's duties as an executive officer of the Company; or (E) the
Executive's use of or substantial dependence on alcohol or any narcotic drug or
other controlled or illegal substance, if such use or dependence renders the
Executive unable to perform his duties under this Agreement with or without
reasonable accommodation, or any illegal use of such substance during working
hours or while performing services under this Agreement. If any determination of
substantial dependence is disputed by the Executive, the parties hereto agree to
abide by the decision of a panel of three
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physicians appointed in the manner and subject to the same penalties for
noncompliance as specified in Section 7(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the foregoing
bases for termination specified in (A) through (E) of Subsection 8(b)(i) shall
constitute "Good Cause" only if (1) the Executive has been provided with written
notice of any assertion that there is a basis for termination for good cause
which notice shall specify in reasonable detail specific facts regarding any
such assertion and the Executive has been given a reasonable period of time
within which to remedy or cure the problem or complaint, (2) such notice is
provided to the Executive a reasonable time before the Board of Directors meets
to consider any possible termination for cause, (3) at or prior to the meeting
of the Board of Directors to consider the matters described in the written
notice, an opportunity is provided to the Executive and her counsel to be heard
by the Board of Directors with respect to the matters described in the written
notice, before it acts with respect to such matter, (4) any resolution or other
action by the Board of Directors with respect to any deliberation regarding or
decision to terminate the Executive for good cause is duly adopted by a vote of
a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Company at a meeting of the
Board duly called and held and (5) the Executive is promptly provided with a
copy of the resolution or other corporate action taken with respect to such
termination.
(iii) If the employment of the Executive is terminated for
good cause under Section 8(b)(i) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the
Executive any Base Salary earned prior to the effective date of termination but
not yet paid and any cash bonus compensation earned pursuant to the provisions
of any incentive compensation plan then in effect but not paid to the Executive
prior to the effective date of such termination. Under such circumstances, such
payments shall be in full and complete discharge of any and all liabilities or
obligations of the Company to the Executive hereunder, and the Executive shall
be entitled to no further benefits under this Agreement (other than rights
already accrued).
(iv) Termination of the employment of the Executive other than
as expressly specified above in this Section 8(b) for good cause shall be deemed
to be a termination of employment "Without Good Cause."
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE. (i) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate the
Executive's employment Without Good Cause pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 8(c). If after the Full-Time Employment Date the Company shall terminate
the employment of the Executive Without Good Cause effective on a date earlier
than the termination date provided for in Section 2 (with the effective date of
termination as so identified by the Company being referred to herein as the
"Accelerated Termination Date"), the Executive, until the end of the term of
this Agreement then in effect as provided for in Section 2 or until the date
which is 12 months after the Accelerated Termination Date, whichever is greater,
shall continue to receive (1) the Base Salary, paid in the same monthly on other
periodic installments ad in effect prior to the Accelerated Termination Date (2)
an amount equal to the target level of the annual cash bonus payable to the
Executive under the Company's Management Incentive Compensation Plan as
described on Exhibit A or any similar bonus or incentive plans or programs then
in effect (the "MICP Target Amount") in respect of the year during which the
Executive's employment terminates or, if greater, the MICP Target Amount
multiplied times the number of years (or fractions thereof) remaining in the
then unexpired term of this Agreement, and (3) any other cash or other bonus
compensation earned
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prior to the date of such termination pursuant to the terms of all incentive
compensation plans then in effect other than under the Company's Management
Incentive Compensation Plan as described on Exhibit A or any similar bonus or
incentive plans or programs then in effect; provided that, notwithstanding such
termination of employment, the Executive's covenants set forth in Section 10 and
Section 11 are intended to and shall remain in full force and effect and
provided further that in the event of such termination, the Company shall have
the right (but not the obligation) to relieve the Executive, in whole or in
part, of the Executive's duties under this Agreement, or direct the Executive to
no longer perform such duties, or direct that the Executive no longer be
required to report to work, or any combination of the foregoing.
(ii) The parties agree that, because there can be no exact
measure of the damage that would occur to the Executive as a result of a
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment Without Good Cause, the
payments and benefits paid and provided pursuant to this Section 8(c) shall be
deemed to constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty for the Company's
termination of the Executive's employment Without Good Cause.
(d) CHANGE IN CONTROL. (i) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in
Control" shall mean the first to occur of:
(1) a change in control of the Company of a nature that
is required, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), to be reported in response
to Item 1(a) of a Current Report on Form 8-K or Item
6(e) of Schedule 14A under the 1934 Act (in each case
under this Agreement, references to provisions of the
1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder being understood to refer to such law,
rules and regulations as the same are in effect on
November 1, 1996); or
(2) the acquisition of "Beneficial Ownership" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the 0000 Xxx) of the Company's
securities comprising 35% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's outstanding securities
by any "person" (as that term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, but not including
any trustee or fiduciary acting in that capacity for
an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company)
and such person's "affiliates" and "associates" (as
those terms are defined under the 1934 Act), but
excluding any ownership by the Executive and her
affiliates and associates; or
(3) the failure of the "Incumbent Directors" (as defined
below) to constitute at least a majority of all
directors of the Company (for these purposes,
"Incumbent Directors" means individuals who were the
directors of the Company on November 1, 1996, and,
after his or her election, any individual becoming a
director subsequent to November 1, 1996, whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Directors, except that no individual shall
be considered an Incumbent Director who is not
recommended by management and whose initial
assumption of office as a director is in connection
with an actual or
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threatened "election contest" relating to the
"election of directors" of the Company, as such terms
are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the
0000 Xxx); or
(4) the closing of a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company;
(5) the Company's adoption of a plan of dissolution or
liquidation; or
(6) the closing of a merger or consolidation involving
the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation or if, immediately following such merger
or consolidation, less than seventy-five percent
(75%) of the surviving corporation's outstanding
voting stock is held or is anticipated to be held by
persons who are stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation.
(ii) If after the Full-Time Employment Date a Change in
Control occurs, the Executive shall have the right, exercisable for a period of
one year thereafter, to immediately terminate this Agreement by delivering a
written statement to that effect to the Company (irrespective of any termination
or purported termination of this Agreement or the Executive's employment
hereunder by the Company on or at any time following such Change in Control) and
upon such a termination the Executive shall have the right to receive and the
Company shall be obligated to pay or provide to or on behalf of the Executive:
(A) as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event following thirty (30)
days, after the Executive delivers such statement to the Company, in cash a lump
sum payment in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the "Control Cash Payment" as
that term is defined in Section 8(d)(iii) of this Agreement; (2) two times the
annual Base Salary then in effect (or in effect immediately prior to the Change
in Control, if greater), (3) two times the maximum level of the annual cash
bonus payable to the Executive under the Company's Management Incentive
Compensation Plan as described on Exhibit A (or any similar bonus or incentive
plans or programs then in effect), applicable to the year in which employment
terminates or the immediately preceding year, if greater, and (4) the additional
payments necessary to discharge certain tax liabilities (the "Gross Up") as that
term is defined in Section 13 of this Agreement; and (B) for a twenty-four (24)
month period after the date on which the Executive delivers such statement to
the Company, the benefits described in Section 3(f) of this Agreement that were
provided to the Executive (and her spouse and dependents, if applicable)
immediately prior to the Change in Control (on terms, conditions and benefit
levels no less favorable than those in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control), including, without limitation, medical and other health benefits,
Basic Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance, contributions or benefits
under all applicable tax-qualified or non-qualified profit-sharing, savings,
pension, retirement or deferred compensation plans, and all benefits and amounts
forfeited by the Executive on account of termination of the Executive's
employment under any employee benefit plans or programs of the Company or its
affiliates, but excluding disability benefits and directors and officers
liability insurance coverage, at the Company's sole cost and expense; provided
that the Company may, in its discretion, pay the Executive a cash lump-sum equal
to the economic equivalent of any such benefits (for example, the total gross
premiums due for any insurance coverage for the applicable period) on an
after-tax basis, as determined by the Company in good faith and reasonably
acceptable to the Executive, in lieu of providing such benefits in kind (the sum
of the foregoing amounts and benefits described in clauses (A) and (B) above,
other than the Gross Up, being referred to as the "Change in Control
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Payment"). If the Executive fails to exercise her rights under this Section
8(d)(ii) within one year following a Change in Control, such rights shall expire
and be of no further force or effect.
(iii) The "Control Cash Payment" shall be (A) $400,000, if the
first event to occur that constitutes a Change in Control occurs after December
31, 1997, but on or before December 31, 1998; (B) $600,000, if the first event
to occur that constitutes a Change in Control occurs after December 31, 1998,
but on or before December 31, 1999; or (C) $800,000, if the first event to occur
that constitutes a Change in Control occurs at any time after December 31, 1999.
(e) INTENTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN STOCK AND BENEFIT PLANS. Except as
otherwise provided herein, upon any termination of the Executive's employment
Without Good Cause or upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, it is the
intention of the parties that any and all vesting or performance requirements or
conditions affecting any outstanding restricted stock, performance stock, stock
option, stock appreciation right, bonus, award, right, grant or any other
incentive compensation under any of the Plans, under this Agreement, or
otherwise received, shall be deemed to be fully satisfied and any risk of
forfeiture with respect thereto shall be deemed to have lapsed.
(f) CERTAIN RIGHTS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. The provisions of Section 8(c)
and Section 8(d) are mutually exclusive, provided, however, that if within one
year following commencement of an 8(c) payout there shall be a Change in Control
as defined in Section 8(d)(i), then the Executive shall be entitled to the
amounts and benefits payable to the Executive under Section 8(d)(ii) and Section
8(d)(iii) reduced by the amount that the Executive has received under Section
8(c) up to the date of the Change in Control. The triggering of the payment and
benefit requirements of Section 8(d) shall cause the provisions of Section 8(c)
to become inoperative.
9. DISCLOSURE
The Executive agrees that during the term of the Executive's employment
by the Company, the Executive will disclose and disclose only to the Company all
ideas, methods, plans, developments or improvements known by her which relate
directly or indirectly to the business of the Company, whether acquired by the
Executive before or during the Executive's employment by the Company. Nothing in
this Section 9 shall be construed as requiring any such communication where the
idea, plan, method or development is lawfully protected from disclosure as a
trade secret of a third party or by any other lawful prohibition against such
communication. The covenants of this Section 9 shall not be violated by ordinary
and customary communications with reporters, bankers and securities analysts and
other members of the investment community.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Executive agrees to keep in strict secrecy and confidence any and
all information the Executive assimilates or to which the Executive has access
during the Executive's employment by the Company and which has not been publicly
disclosed and is not a matter of common knowledge in the fields of work of the
Company. The Executive agrees that both during and
10
after the term of the Executive's employment by the Company, the Executive will
not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose any such
confidential information to any third person, partnership, joint venture,
company, corporation or other organization. The foregoing covenants shall not be
breached to the extent that any such confidential information becomes a matter
of general knowledge other than through a breach by the Executive of the
Executive's obligations under this Section 10.
11. NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION
(a) GENERAL. The Executive hereby acknowledges that, during and solely
as a result of the Executive's employment by the Company, the Executive has
received and shall continue to receive: (1) special training and education with
respect to the operations of the Company's real estate development and
management businesses and its leasing, lending and financing activities, and
other related matters, and (2) access to confidential information and business
and professional contacts. In consideration of the special and unique
opportunities afforded to the Executive by the Company as a result of the
Executive's employment, as outlined in the previous sentence, the Executive
hereby agrees to the restrictive covenants in this Section 11.
(b) NONCOMPETITION. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, this section (b) shall only be effective after the Full-Time
Employment Date. During the term of the Executive's employment, whether pursuant
to this Agreement, any automatic or other renewal hereof or otherwise, and,
except as may be otherwise herein provided, for a period of two (2) years after
the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, regardless of
the reason for such termination, the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, enter into, engage in, be employed by or consult with any business
which competes with the Company's real estate lending, leasing, development or
management businesses in Florida; provided, however, that, the foregoing to the
contrary notwithstanding, the restrictions of this Section 11(b) shall not apply
following termination of the Executive's employment under paragraph (c) or (d)
of Section 8 of this Agreement in connection with a Change in Control. The
Executive shall not engage in such prohibited activities, either as an
individual, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, advisor,
independent contractor, joint venturer, consultant, agent, or representative or
salesman for any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity so
competing with the Company. The restrictions of this Section 11 shall not be
violated by (i) the ownership of no more than 2% of the outstanding securities
of any company whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or is
quoted in the Automated Quotation System of the National Association of
Securities Dealers (NASDAQ), or (ii) other outside business investments that do
not in any manner conflict with the services to be rendered by the Executive for
the Company and that do not diminish or detract from the Executive's ability to
render the Executive's required attention to the business of the Company.
(c) NONSOLICITATION. During the Executive's employment with the Company
and, except as may be otherwise herein provided, for a period of two (2) years
following the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
regardless of the reason for such termination, the Executive agrees the
Executive will refrain from and will not, directly or indirectly, as an
individual, partner, officer, director, stockholder, employee, advisor,
independent contractor, joint venturer, consultant, agent, representative,
salesman or otherwise solicit any of the
11
employees of the Company to terminate their employment; provided, however, that,
the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the restrictions of this Section
11(c) shall not apply following termination of the Executive's employment under
paragraph (c) or (d) of Section 8 of this Agreement in connection with a Change
in Control.
(d) TERM EXTENDED OR SUSPENDED. The period of time during which the
Executive is prohibited from engaging in certain business practices pursuant to
Sections 11(b) or (c) shall be extended by any length of time during which the
Executive is in breach of such covenants.
(e) ESSENTIAL ELEMENT. It is understood by and between the parties
hereto that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth in Sections 11(a)
through (c) are essential elements of this Agreement, and that, but for the
agreement of the Executive to comply with such covenants, the Company would not
have agreed to enter into this Agreement. Such covenants by the Executive shall
be construed as agreements independent of any other provision in this Agreement.
The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the
Company, whether predicated on this Agreement, or otherwise, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants.
(f) SEVERABILITY. It is agreed by the Company and Executive that if any
portion of the covenants set forth in this Section 11 are held to be invalid,
unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then such portion of such
covenants shall be considered divisible both as to time and geographical area.
The Company and Executive agree that, if any court of competent jurisdiction
determines the specified time period or the specified geographical area
applicable to this Section 11 to be invalid, unreasonable, arbitrary or against
public policy, a lesser time period or geographical area which is determined to
be reasonable, non-arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced
against the Executive. The Company and the Executive agree that the foregoing
covenants are appropriate and reasonable when considered in light of the nature
and extent of the business conducted by the Company.
12. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE
The Executive agrees that damages at law will be an insufficient remedy
to the Company if the Executive violates the terms of Sections 9, 10 or 11 of
this Agreement and that the Company would suffer irreparable damage as a result
of such violation. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Company shall be entitled,
upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, to obtain injunctive
relief to enforce the provisions of such Sections, which injunctive relief shall
be in addition to any other rights or remedies available to the Company. The
Executive agrees to pay to the Company all reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by the Company relating to the enforcement of the terms of Sections 9,
10 or 11 of this Agreement, including reasonable fees and reasonable
disbursements of counsel selected by the Company (during investigation and
before and at trial and in appellate proceedings).
13. PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES
(a) PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES. If the Executive is to receive any (1)
Change in Control Payment under Section 8(d), (2) any benefit or payment under
Section 7 as a result of or
12
following the death or Permanent Disability of the Executive, (3) any benefit or
payment under Section 8(c) as a result of or following any termination of
employment hereunder Without Good Cause, or (4) any benefit or payment under the
Plans as a result of a Change in Control, following the death or Permanent
Disability of the Executive or following the termination of employment hereunder
Without Good Cause (such sections being referred to as the "Covered Sections"
and the benefits and payments to be received thereunder being referred to as the
"Covered Payments"), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the amount
described below to the extent applicable. If any Covered Payment(s) under any of
the Covered Sections or any other payments, awards, benefits or distributions
(or any acceleration or vesting of any such payment, award, benefit or
distribution) received or to be received by or on behalf of the Executive in
connection with a Change in Control or the Executive's termination of employment
(whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, program,
arrangement or agreement with the Company or any other person which effectuates
a Change in Control, or any affiliate of the Company or such other person)
(collectively, the "Payments") are subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended from time to time, the
"Code"), or any successor or similar provision of the Code (the "Excise Tax"),
the Company shall pay the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross Up") such
that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax
on the Payments and any federal, state and local income or employment tax,
social security tax, excise tax, or any interest or penalties imposed on any
amounts paid under this Section 13 shall, be equal to the Payments.
(b) CERTAIN ADJUSTMENT PAYMENTS. For purposes of determining the Gross
Up, the Executive shall be deemed to pay the federal income tax at the highest
marginal rate of taxation (currently 39.6%) in the calendar year in which the
payment to which the Gross Up applies is to be made and state and local income
taxes (if any) at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and
locality of Executive's residence on the last day of such calendar year. The
determination of whether such Excise Tax is payable and the amount thereof shall
be made upon the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company and reasonably
acceptable to the Executive ("Tax Counsel"), applying the rules set forth in the
next sentence. For purposes of determining whether any of the Covered Payments
will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of the Excise Tax: (1) all
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 in the opinion of Tax Counsel such Payments (other than Covered
Payments), in whole or in part, do not constitute such 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;
and (2) the value of any non-cash or deferred payments or benefits shall be
determined by a "big five" (or equivalent) international accounting firm
selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive in accordance
with the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. The Gross Up, if
any, that is due under this Section 13 shall be paid to the Executive in cash in
a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the date on which the amount thereof
has been determined or is reasonably determinable by Tax Counsel, and, in any
event, not later than thirty (30) days following termination of the Executive's
employment under this Agreement, provided that if the amount of the Gross Up
cannot be finally determined at or before such time, the amount paid shall be
the estimated full amount of the Gross Up as reasonably determined by Tax
Counsel in good faith in accordance with the principles described in this
Section 13. The Executive shall be
13
entitled to retain her own advisor to verify, and consult with Tax Counsel in
connection with, any determination or computation related to the Excise Tax
and/or Gross Up. If Tax Counsel's opinion is not finally accepted by the
Internal Revenue Service upon audit or otherwise, or such an estimated Gross Up
is paid, then appropriate adjustments shall be computed (with additional Gross
Up, if applicable) by such Tax Counsel based upon the final amount of the Excise
Tax so determined; any additional amount due the Executive as a result of such
adjustment shall be paid to the Executive by the Company in cash in a lump sum
within thirty (30) days of such computation (including any interest or penalties
owed by the Executive to the Federal government by reason of any such
underpayment), or any amount due the Company as a result of such adjustment
shall be paid to the Company by the Executive in cash in a lump sum within
thirty (30) days of such computation. All fees, costs and expenses of Tax
Counsel and any accounting firm or other advisor retained in accordance with
this Section 13 shall be borne solely by the Company.
14. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by either party to this Agreement of a
breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party shall not
be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
(b) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding the fact that
certain provisions of this Agreement and/or Exhibit A reference a three year
cycle or provide for benefits upon a third year of employment, this Agreement
shall have a two year term with annual one year renewal terms subject to the
termination provisions contained herein.
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Executive represents and
warrants that the execution of this Agreement by her and the Executive's
performance of the Executive's obligations hereunder will not conflict with,
result in the breach of any provision of or the termination of or constitute a
default under any Agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the
Executive is or may be bound.
(d) BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the
Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the Company. This Agreement is a personal
employment contract and the rights, obligations and interests of the Executive
hereunder may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated.
(e) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with
respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that nothing contained
in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit, reduce, waive or adversely affect
the benefits, payments and rights of participation to which the Executive and
his dependents and beneficiaries are entitled under the generally applicable
terms and conditions of any plan, policy, program or arrangement in which the
Executive or any such dependent or beneficiary participates during, and
following termination for any reason of, the Executive's employment under this
Agreement, or otherwise pursuant to applicable law. This Agreement may be
changed only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom any
waiver, change, amendment, modification or discharge is sought.
14
(f) NO DUTY TO MITIGATE. The Executive shall be under no duty to
mitigate any loss of income as result of the termination of her employment
hereunder and any payments due the Executive upon termination of employment
shall not be reduced in respect of any other employment compensation received by
the Executive following such termination.
(g) FLORIDA LAW. This Agreement shall be construed pursuant to and
governed by the substantive laws of the State of Florida (except that any
provision of Florida law shall not apply if the law of a state or jurisdiction
other than Florida would otherwise apply).
(h) VENUE; PROCESS. The parties to this Agreement agree that
jurisdiction and venue in any action brought pursuant to this Agreement to
enforce its terms or otherwise with respect to the relationships between the
parties shall properly lie in and only in the Circuit Court of the Sixth
Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida in and for Pinellas County (the
"Circuit Court") and the parties agree that jurisdiction shall not properly lie
in any other jurisdiction provided, however, if jurisdiction does not properly
lie with the Circuit Court, the parties agree that jurisdiction and venue shall
properly lie in and only in the United States District Court for the Middle
District of Florida, Tampa Division. The parties hereby waive any objections
which they may now or hereafter have based on venue and/or forum non conveniens
and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any such court in any legal suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties
further agree that the mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, of any process required by any such court shall constitute valid and
lawful service of process against them, without the necessity for service by any
other means provided by statute or rule of court.
(i) HEADINGS. The headings of the various sections in this Agreement
are inserted for the convenience of the parties and shall not affect the
meaning, construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(j) SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prohibited, unenforceable or not
authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or non-authorization without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity,
enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction. In any
such case, such determination shall not affect any other provision of this
Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect. If any provision or term of this Agreement is susceptible to
two or more constructions or interpretations, one or more of which would render
the provision or term void or unenforceable, the parties agree that a
construction or interpretation which renders the term or provision valid shall
be favored.
(k) DEDUCTION FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Company's obligations to make
payments under this Agreement are independent of whether any or all of such
payments are deductible expenses of the Company for federal income tax purposes.
(l) ENFORCEMENT. If, within 10 days after demand to comply with the
obligations of one of the parties to this Agreement served in writing on the
other, compliance or reasonable assurance of compliance is not forthcoming, and
the party demanding compliance engages the services of an attorney to enforce
rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party in any action
15
shall be entitled to recover all reasonable costs and expenses of enforcement
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and reasonable expenses during
investigation, before and at trial and in appellate proceedings). In addition,
each of the parties agrees to indemnify the other in respect of any and all
claims, losses, costs, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable fees and
reasonable disbursements of counsel (during investigation prior to initiation of
litigation and at trial and in appellate proceedings if litigation ensues),
directly or indirectly resulting from or arising out of a breach by the other
party of their respective obligations hereunder. The parties' costs of enforcing
this Agreement shall include prejudgment interest. Additionally, if any party
incurs any out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the enforcement of this
Agreement, all such amounts shall accrue interest at 18% per annum (or such
lower rate as may be required to avoid any limit imposed by applicable law)
commencing 30 days after any such expenses are incurred.
(m) NOTICES. All notices which are required or may be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
received if personally delivered; when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy or
similar electronic transmission method; one working day after it is sent, if
sent by recognized expedited delivery service; and three days after it is sent,
if mailed, first class mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, with
postage prepaid. In each case notice shall be sent to:
To the Company: Echelon International Corporation
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Chairman of the Board
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
To the Executive at the Executive's address herein first above written,
or to such other address as either party may specify by written notice to the
other.
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ECHELON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Corporate Seal)
________________________________ By:____________________________________
Secretary Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx, President
Date:____________________
Witnesses: EXECUTIVE
________________________________ _______________________________________
As to Executive XXXXX X. XXXXXXX
Date:____________________
17
EXHIBIT A TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN XXXXX X. XXXXXXX
AND ECHELON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION,
AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 18, 1998
The Company will establish a Management Incentive Compensation Plan
("MICP") for its senior management in which the Executive will participate.
During the first two full fiscal years of the Company's operation following the
completion of the Spinoff ending on December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1998,
respectively, and thereafter, as approved by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee, which the Executive continues to be employed by the
Company under this Agreement (the "Covered Years"), the MICP will provide for
annual cash bonuses based upon the Company's net income for each of the Covered
Years. The Executive's participation in the MICP during the Covered Years shall
be based upon the criteria and shall include awards with the values indicated in
the tables set forth below and as more fully described in this Exhibit A.
MICP
During each of the Covered Years, (i) all MICP bonuses shall be paid in
cash; (ii) if Threshold Net Income is not achieved, no MICP cash bonus will be
paid; (iii) if actual net income exceeds Threshold Net Income, but is less than
Target Net Income, or exceeds Target Net Income but is less than Maximum Net
Income, the percentage of the MICP bonus shall be proportionately increased
above the Threshold bonus amount or the Target Bonus amount, as the case may be,
and (iv) if actual net income equals or exceeds Maximum Net Income, the Maximum
MICP cash bonus will be paid, but no additional cash bonus will be payable under
the MICP regardless of the amount by which actual net income in that Covered
Year exceeds Maximum Net Income. The following table sets forth information
regarding the MICP Net Income Threshold, Target and Maximum and cash bonuses.
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
MICP 1997 1998 1999
(7 MONTHS)
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
THRESHOLD
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
Net Income $1,584,274 $1,768,816 $2,132,640
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
MICP Cash Bonus $9,115 $24,938 $27,125
(% of Base Salary) (12.5%) (17.5%) (17.5%)
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
TARGET
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
Net Income $2,112,366 $2,358,422 $2,843,521
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
MICP Cash Bonus $18,229 $49,875 $54,250
(% of Base Salary) (25%) (35%) (35%)
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
MAXIMUM
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
Net Income $2,640,457 $2,948,027 $3,554,401
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
MICP Cash Bonus $27,344 $74,813 $81,375
(% of Base Salary) (37.5%) (52.5%) (52.5%)
------------------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------
18
