EXHIBIT 10.77bd
KEY EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the _____ day of
____________, 2006, by and between Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, an Arizona
corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") and __________________
(hereinafter referred to as the "Executive"):
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company, in an executive
capacity, possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company, and has acquired certain confidential information and data with respect
to the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to insure, insofar as possible, that the
Company will continue to have the benefit of the Executive's services and to
protect the confidential information and goodwill of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a
change in the control of the Company or Arizona Public Service Company, a
subsidiary of the Company, through acquisition or otherwise occurs thereby
causing uncertainty of employment without regard to the Executive's competence
or past contributions which uncertainty may result in the loss of valuable
services of the Executive to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders,
and the Company and the Executive wish to provide reasonable security to the
Executive against changes in the Executive's relationship with the Company in
the event of any such change in control; and
WHEREAS, both the Company and the Executive are desirous that a
proposal for any change of control or acquisition will be considered by the
Executive objectively and with reference only to the business interests of the
Company and its shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Executive will be in a better position to consider the
best interests of the Company if the Executive is afforded reasonable security,
as provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which
could result from any such change in control or acquisition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto mutually
covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Accrued Benefits" shall mean the benefits payable to the Executive
as described in Section 6(a).
(b) "Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) "Affiliate" shall mean (i) a corporation other than the Company
that is a member of a "controlled group of corporations" (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code as modified by Section 415(h) of the Code) or (ii) a
group of trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of
Section 414(c) of the Code as modified by Section 415(h) of the Code) that also
includes the Company as a member. For purposes of determining whether a
transaction or event constitutes a Change of Control within the meaning of
Section 1(g), "Affiliate" status shall be determined on the day immediately
preceding the date of the transaction or event.
(d) "APS" shall mean Arizona Public Service Company, a subsidiary of
the Company.
(e) "Beneficial Owner" shall have the same meaning as given to that
term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Act, provided
that any pledgee of the voting securities of the Company or APS shall not be
deemed to be the Beneficial Owner thereof prior to its disposition of, or
acquisition of voting rights with respect to, such securities.
(f) "Cause" shall be limited to (i) the engaging by the Executive in
conduct which has caused demonstrable and serious injury to the Employer,
monetary or otherwise, as evidenced by a determination in a binding and final
judgment, order or decree of a court or administrative agency of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or lapse of all rights of appeal, in an
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, other than an action, suit or proceeding, brought by the Company
or an Affiliate, the purpose of which is to establish "Cause" under this
Agreement; (ii) conviction of a felony, as evidenced by a binding and final
judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, in effect after
exhaustion or lapse of all rights of appeal, which the Employer determines has a
significant adverse impact on it in the conduct of its business; or (iii)
unreasonable neglect or refusal by the Executive to perform the Executive's
duties or responsibilities (unless significantly changed without the Executive's
consent).
(g) "Change of Control" shall mean one (1) or more of the following
events:
(i) Any Person, other than an Affiliate, through a transaction
or series of transactions, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company or APS representing twenty
percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of the Company or APS, as the case may be;
provided, however, that, for purposes of this Section 1(g), any
acquisition directly from the Company shall not constitute a Change of
Control;
(ii) A merger or consolidation of (A) the Company with any
other corporation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company out-
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standing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing
to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof),
in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an
Affiliate, less than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power
of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent
thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
(B) APS with any other corporation which would result in the voting
securities of APS outstanding immediately prior to such merger or
consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding
or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or
any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee
or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or an Affiliate, less than sixty percent (60%) of the
combined voting power of the securities of APS or such surviving entity
or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation; provided that, for purposes of this subparagraph (ii), a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Company or of APS (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or
becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company or of APS representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company
or of APS (excluding any securities acquired by that Person directly
from the Company or an Affiliate) shall not result in a Change of
Control; or
(iii) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of either the Company or APS to a
Person other than the Company or an Affiliate
(iv) Individuals who, as of July 31, 2005, constitute the
board of directors of the Company (the "Company Incumbent Board") or of
APS (the "APS Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Company or APS board of
directors, as the case may be; provided, however, that for purposes of
this subparagraph (iv), (A)(1) any person becoming a member of the
Company board of directors after July 31, 2005 whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by
a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members then comprising the
Company Incumbent Board will be, considered as though such person were
a member of the Company Incumbent Board and (2) the Company Incumbent
Board shall not include a director whose initial assumption of office
as a director was in connection with an actual or threatened election
contest relating to the election of directors, and (B)(1) any person
becoming a member of the APS board of directors after July 31, 2005
whose election, or nomination for election by APS' shareholder(s), was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members then
comprising the APS Incumbent Board or by the Company, as a majority
shareholder of APS, considered
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as though such person were a member of the APS Incumbent Board and (2)
the APS Incumbent Board shall not include a director whose initial
assumption of office as a director was in connection with an actual or
threatened election contest relating to the election of directors.
(h) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.
(i) "Disability" shall have the same meaning as given to that term in
the applicable long-term disability plan maintained by the company or the
Employer for employees.
(j) "Employer" shall mean the Company, and upon the transfer of the
Executive to an Affiliate, "Employer" shall mean such Affiliate.
(k) "Employment Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date of
a Change of Control and ending on the second anniversary of such date.
(l) "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
excise tax.
(m) "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the required relocation of the Executive, without the
Executive's consent, to an employment location which is more than
seventy-five (75) miles from the Executive's employment location on the
date of the Change of Control;
(ii) a significant reduction by the Employer in the
compensation and/or benefits provided to the Executive as in effect on
the date of the Change of Control (as the same may have been thereafter
adjusted during the Employment Period), which reduction is not
generally effective for all executives employed by the Employer (or its
successor) in the Executive's class or category;
(iii) the removal of the Executive from or any failure to
re-elect the Executive to any of the positions held by the Executive on
the date of the Change of Control or any other positions to which the
Executive shall thereafter be elected or assigned except in the event
that such removal or failure to re-elect relates to the termination by
the Employer of the Executive's employment for Cause or by reason of
death, Disability or voluntary retirement;
(iv) a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the nature or scope of the Executive's authority,
powers, functions, duties or responsibilities, or a material reduction
in the level of support services, staff, secretarial and other
assistance and office space
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available to a level below that which was provided to the Executive on
the date of the Change of Control and that which is necessary to
perform any additional duties assigned to the Executive following the
Change of Control, which change or reduction is not generally effective
for all executives employed by the Employer (or its successor) in the
Executive's class or category; or
(v) breach of any material provision of this Agreement by the
Company.
(n) A "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of
compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for
the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise.
(o) "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture,
association, trust, corporation or other entity (including a "group" as defined
in Section 13(d)(3) of the Act), other than an employee benefit plan of the
Company or an Affiliate or an entity organized, appointed or established
pursuant to the terms of any such benefit plan.
(p) "Termination Date" shall mean, except as otherwise provided in
Section 12, (i) the Executive's date of death; (ii) the date of the Executive's
voluntary early retirement as agreed upon in writing by the Employer and the
Executive; (iii) sixty (60) days after the delivery of the Notice of Termination
terminating the Executive's employment on account of Disability pursuant to
Section 9, unless the Executive returns full-time to the performance of his or
her duties prior to the expiration of such period; (iv) the date of the Notice
of Termination if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive
voluntarily other than for Good Reason; and (v) sixty (60) days after the
delivery of the Notice of Termination if the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Employer (other than by reason of Disability) or by the
Executive for Good Reason.
(q) "Termination Payment" shall mean the amount described in Section
6(b).
2. Impact on Employment. The Employer and the Executive shall retain
the right to terminate the employment of the Executive at any time and for any
reason prior to a Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs when the
Executive is employed by the Employer, the Employer will continue thereafter to
employ the Executive during the Employment Period.
3. Duties. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of such Change
of Control or in such other capacities and positions as may be agreed to by the
Employer and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's reasonable best
efforts, attention and skill to the business and affairs of the Company, as such
business and affairs now exist
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and as they may hereafter be conducted. The services which are to be performed
by the Executive hereunder are to be rendered at an employment location which is
not more than seventy-five (75) miles from the Executive's employment location
on the date of the Change of Control, or in such other place or places as shall
be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Executive and the Employer from time
to time. The Executive shall not be required to be absent from such employment
location for more than forty-five (45) consecutive days in any fiscal year
without the Executive's consent.
4. Compensation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:
(a) The Executive shall receive, at such intervals and in accordance
with such standard policies as may be in effect on the date of the Change of
Control, an annual salary not less than the Executive's annual salary as in
effect as of the date of the Change of Control, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 5;
(b) The Executive shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect on the date of the
Change of Control, for any and all monies advanced in connection with the
Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Employer, including travel expenses;
(c) The Executive shall be included to the extent eligible thereunder
in any and all plans providing general benefits for the Employer's employees,
including but not limited to, group life insurance, disability, medical, dental,
pension, profit sharing, savings and stock bonus plans and be provided any and
all other benefits and perquisites made available to other employees of
comparable status and position, on the same terms and conditions as generally
provided to employees of comparable status and position;
(d) The Executive shall receive annually not less than the amount of
paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays received annually
immediately prior to the Change of Control or such greater amount of paid
vacation and number of paid holidays as may be made available annually to other
employees of comparable status and position with the Employer; and
(e) The Executive shall be included in all plans providing special
benefits to corporate officers, including but not limited to bonus, deferred
compensation, incentive compensation, supplemental pension, stock option, stock
appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans extended by the
Company or the Employer from time to time to corporate officers, key employees
and other employees of comparable status.
5. Annual Compensation Adjustments. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Employer, an appropriate committee of the Board or the
President of the Employer, whichever is appropriate, shall consider and
appraise, at
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least annually, the Executive's compensation. In determining such compensation,
the Board, the appropriate committee thereof or the President, whichever is
appropriate, shall consider the commensurate increases given to other corporate
officers and key employees generally, the scope and success of the Employer's
operations, the expansion of Executive's duties and the Executive's performance
of his duties.
6. Payments Upon Termination.
(a) Accrued Benefits. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive's
Accrued Benefits shall include the following amounts: (i) all salary earned or
accrued through the Termination Date; (ii) reimbursement for any and all monies
advanced in connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and
necessary expenses incurred by the Executive through the Termination Date; (iii)
a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive compensation otherwise payable to
the Executive under the terms of any bonus or incentive compensation plan or
plans for the year in which termination occurs; and (iv) all other payments and
benefits to which the Executive may be entitled under the terms of any benefit
plan of the Company or the Employer. Payment of Accrued Benefits shall be made
promptly in accordance with the Employer's prevailing practice and the terms of
any applicable benefit plans, contracts or arrangements.
(b) Termination Payment. For purposes of this Agreement, the
Executive's Termination Payment shall be an amount equal to (i) plus (ii),
multiplied by (iii), where
(i) Equals the Executive's rate of annual salary, as in effect
on the date of the Change of Control and as increased thereafter from
time to time pursuant to Section 5;
(ii) Equals the amount of the average annual dollar award paid
(or payable but deferred by the Executive) to the Executive pursuant to
the Employer's regular annual bonus plan or arrangement with respect to
the four (4) years (or for such lesser number of years prior for which
the Executive was eligible to earn such a bonus, and annualized in the
case of any bonus earned and payable for a partial fiscal year)
preceding the Termination Date which shall be determined by dividing
the total dollar amount paid (or payable but deferred by the Executive)
to the Executive under such plan or arrangement with respect to such
number of years by four (4) (or for such lesser number of years prior
to which the Executive was eligible to earn such a bonus, and
annualized in the case of any bonus earned and payable for a partial
fiscal year); and
(iii) Equals three (3).
The Termination Payment shall be payable in a lump sum on the
Executive's Termination Date. Such lump sum payment shall not be reduced by any
present value or similar factor. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
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the amount of such payment by securing other employment or otherwise and such
payment shall not be reduced by reason of the Executive securing other
employment or for any other reason, except as provided in Section 16.
7. Death. If the Executive shall die during the Employment Period, but
after delivery of a Notice of Termination by the Company for reasons other than
Cause or Disability or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive's
employment shall terminate on his or her date of death and the Executive's
estate shall be entitled to receive the Executive's Accrued Benefits as of the
Termination Date and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to such
Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled to had the
Executive survived. All benefits payable on account of the Executive's
employment or death under the Company's or Employer's employee benefits plans,
programs or arrangements shall be paid or distributed in accordance with the
terms of such plans, programs or arrangements. The Executive's death following
delivery of the Notice of Termination shall not affect his or her Termination
Date which shall be determined without regard to the Executive's death, subject
to the provisions of Section 12.
If the Executive shall die during the Employment Period, but prior to
the delivery of a Notice of Termination, the Executive's employment shall
terminate and the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall receive all
the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date and all benefits
available to them under the Company's benefit plans as in effect on the
Termination Date on account of the Executive's death.
8. Retirement. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Employer shall execute an agreement providing for the voluntary retirement of
the Executive from the Employer, the Executive shall receive only his or her
Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Executive's resignation under this Agreement with or
without Good Reason, shall in no way affect the Executive's ability to terminate
employment by reason of the Executive's "retirement" under any of the Company's
retirement or pension plans or to be eligible to receive benefits under any
retirement or pension plan of the Company and its affiliates or substitute plans
adopted by the Company or its successors, and any termination which otherwise
qualifies as Good Reason shall be treated as such even if it is also a
"retirement" for purposes of any such plan.
9. Termination for Disability. If the Executive has been absent from
his or her duties hereunder on a full-time basis for five (5) consecutive months
during the Employment Period on account of a Disability, the Employer may
provide a Notice of Termination, which satisfies the requirements of Section 12,
and the Executive's employment shall, for purposes of this Agreement, terminate
sixty (60) days thereafter, unless the Executive returns to the performance of
his or her duties on a full-time basis prior to the end of the sixty (60) day
period. During the term of the Executive's Disability prior to his or her
Termination Date, the Executive shall continue to participate in all
compensation and benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which the Executive
was entitled to participate immediately prior to his or her Disability in
accordance with
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the terms and provisions of such plans, programs and arrangements. If the
Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's Disability,
the Executive shall receive his or her Accrued Benefits in accordance with
Section 6(a) hereof, provided that the Executive's termination for purposes of
this Agreement under this Section 9 shall not affect his or her entitlement to
benefits on account of his or her Disability under any long-term disability
programs of the Company or the Employer in effect at the time of such
termination and in which the Executive participated immediately prior to his or
her Disability.
10. Termination Not Giving Rise to a Termination Payment. If, during
the Employment Period, the Executive's employment is terminated for Cause, or if
the Executive voluntarily terminates his or her employment other than for Good
Reason, subject to the procedures set forth in Section 12, the Executive shall
be entitled to receive only his or her Accrued Benefits in accordance with
Section 6(a).
11. Termination Giving Rise to a Termination Payment. If, during the
Employment Period, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason or by the Employer other than by reason of death, Disability
pursuant to Section 9 or Cause, subject to the procedures set forth in Section
12,
(a) the Executive shall be entitled to receive and the Company
or the Employer, as applicable, shall pay the Executive's Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 6(a) and, in lieu of further salary
payments for periods following the Termination Date, as severance pay,
a Termination Payment;
(b) the Executive and his eligible dependents shall continue
to be covered until the end of the second calendar year following the
year in which the Termination Date occurs, under the same terms and
conditions, by the medical plan, dental plan and/or group life
insurance plan maintained by the Company or the Employer which covered
that Executive and his eligible dependents prior to the Executive's
Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company's or
Employer's medical plan, dental plan and/or group life insurance plan
covering the Executive on his or her Termination Date was amended,
replaced or terminated on or after the Change of Control and such
action would constitute Good Reason within the meaning of Section 1(l),
the Executive and his or her eligible dependents shall be entitled to
continued coverage for purposes of this Section 11(b) under the terms
of the medical plan, dental plan and/or group life insurance plan which
they participated in immediately prior to the Change of Control. If the
affected plan is no longer available, the Company shall make
arrangements to provide equivalent coverage to the Executive and his or
her eligible dependents. For this purpose, "equivalent coverage" shall
mean medical, dental and/or life insurance coverage, which, when added
to the coverage provided to the Executive and his or her eligible
dependents under the Company's or Employer's medical plan, dental plan
and/or group life insurance plan in effect on the Executive's
Termination Date, equals or exceeds the level of benefits provided
under the medical plan, dental plan and/or group life insurance plan to
the Executive and his or her eligible dependents on the day immediately
preceding
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the Change of Control. The Executive and the Employer shall share the
cost of the continued coverage under this Section 11(b) in the same
proportions as the Employer and similarly situated active employees
shared the cost of such coverage on the day preceding the Executive's
Termination Date. For purposes of satisfying the Company's or
Employer's obligation under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act ("COBRA") to continue group health care coverage to
the Executive and his eligible dependents as a result of the
Executive's termination of employment, the period during which the
Executive is permitted to continue to participate in the Company's or
Employer's medical plans and/or dental plans under this Section 11(b)
shall not be taken into account and treated as part of the period
during which the Executive and his eligible dependents are entitled to
continued coverage under the Company's or Employer's group health plans
under COBRA. Following the end of the continuation period specified in
this Section 11(b), the Executive and his eligible dependents shall be
covered under such plans and arrangements only as required under the
provisions of COBRA;
(c) the Executive's termination shall be treated as a "Normal
Termination" as defined in the Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Stock
Option and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or in the
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan or in
any successor plan thereto, which shall entitle the Executive to
exercise any outstanding stock options during the three (3) month
period beginning on the Executive's Termination Date, and any
restrictions remaining on any "Restricted Stock" (as defined in such
plan) awarded to the Executive shall lapse on his or her Termination
Date; and
(d) "out-placement" services will be provided by the Company
to the Executive for a period beginning on the Executive's Termination
Date. Such services shall be provided for a period beginning on the
Executive's Termination Date and ending on the earlier of the date on
which the Executive becomes employed in a position commensurate with
his or her current salary and responsibilities or the last day of the
twelve (12) month period which began on the Executive's Termination
Date. The "out-placement" services shall be provided by an
out-placement company selected by the Company.
12. Termination Notice and Procedure. Any termination by the Employer
or the Executive of the Executive's employment during the Employment Period
shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the Executive if such
Notice is delivered by the Company and to the Company if such Notice is
delivered by the Executive, all in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) The Notice of Termination shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances alleged to provide a
basis for termination.
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(b) Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall be approved
by a resolution duly adopted by a majority of the members of the
Company's board of directors then in office.
(c) If the Company shall give a Notice of Termination for
Cause or by reason of Disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning such termination
within the fifteen (15) day period following the Executive's receipt of
such notice, the Executive may elect to continue his or her employment
during such dispute. If it is thereafter determined that (i) the reason
given by the Company for termination did exist, the Executive's
Termination Date shall be the earlier of (A) the date on which the
dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of
the parties or pursuant to Section 14, (B) the date of the Company's
Notice of Termination for Cause, (C) the date of the Executive's death,
or (D) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period, and the
Executive shall not be entitled to a Termination Payment based on
events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of Termination;
or (ii) the reason given by the Company for termination did not exist,
the employment of the Executive shall continue as if the Company had
not delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no
Termination Date arising out of such notice.
(d) If the Executive shall in good faith give a Notice of
Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the Executive that
a dispute exists concerning the termination within the fifteen (15) day
period following the Company's receipt of such notice, the Executive
may elect to continue his or her employment during such dispute. If it
is thereafter determined that (i) Good Reason did exist, the
Executive's Termination Date shall be the earlier of (A) the date on
which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written
agreement of the parties or pursuant to Section 14, (B) the date of the
Executive's death, or (C) one day prior to the end of the Employment
Period, and the Executive's Termination Payment shall reflect events
occurring after the Executive delivered his or her Notice of
Termination; or (ii) Good Reason did not exist, the employment of the
Executive shall continue after such determination as if the Executive
had not delivered the Notice of Termination asserting Good Reason.
(e) If the Executive does not elect to continue employment
pending resolution of a dispute regarding a Notice of Termination under
Sections 12(c) and (d), and it is finally determined that the reason
for termination set forth in such Notice of Termination did not exist,
if such notice was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be
deemed to have voluntarily terminated his or her employment and if
delivered by the Company, the Company will be deemed to have terminated
the Executive other than by reason of death, Disability or Cause.
13. Obligations of the Executive. The Executive covenants and agrees,
during the Executive's employment with the Employer and following his or her
Termination Date, to hold in strict confidence any and all information in the
Executive's possession as a result of the Executive's employment with the
Employer; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
prohibiting the Executive from reporting any
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suspected instance of illegal activity of any nature, any nuclear safety
concern, any workplace safety concern or any public safety concern to the United
States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, United States Department of Labor or any
federal or state governmental agency or prohibiting the Executive from
participating in any way in any state or federal administrative, judicial or
legislative proceeding or investigation with respect to any such claims and
matters.
14. Arbitration. All claims, disputes and other matters in question
between the parties arising under this Agreement, other than Section 13, shall
be decided by arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of
the American Arbitration Association, unless the parties mutually agree
otherwise. Any arbitration required under this Agreement shall be held in
Phoenix, Arizona, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise. The Company shall
pay the costs of any such arbitration. The award by the arbitrator shall be
final, and judgment may be entered upon it in accordance with applicable law in
any state or Federal court having jurisdiction thereof.
The Company shall not be required to arbitrate claims arising under
Section 13. The Company shall have the right to judicial enforcement of its
rights under Section 13, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief.
15. Expenses and Interest. If, after a Change of Control a good faith
dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's rights under
this Agreement or if any arbitration or legal proceeding shall be brought in
good faith to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein, or to recover
damages for breach hereof and the Executive is the prevailing party, the
Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable attorney's fees and
necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of such dispute or legal
proceeding, and prejudgment interest on any money judgment obtained by the
Executive calculated at the rate of interest announced by XX Xxxxxx Xxxxx Bank
N.A. (or any successor thereto) from time to time as its prime rate from the
date that payments to the Executive should have been made under this Agreement.
Any payment due under this section will be made on the fifth business day
following the date the dispute is final.
16. Payment Obligations Absolute. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to insure that the compensation and arrangements
provided herein are provided to the Executive shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, provided that the
Company may apply amounts payable under this Agreement to any loan or other
debts then owed to the Company or an Affiliate by the Executive, the terms of
which are reflected in a written document signed by the Executive. Nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company
or its Affiliates and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything
herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
other contract or agreement with the Company or its Affiliates. Amounts that are
vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any
plan, policy, practice or program of or any other contract or agreement with the
Company or its Affiliates at or subsequent to the Termination Date shall be
payable in accordance
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with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement, except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
amounts payable under this Agreement shall be in lieu of any amounts payable to
the Executive under a separate severance plan, agreement or arrangement
established by the Company. All amounts payable by the Company under this
Agreement shall be paid without notice or demand. Each and every payment made
under this Agreement by the Company shall be final. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that the Company has paid an Executive more than the
amount to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement, the Company
shall have the right to recover all or any part of such overpayment from the
Executive or from whomsoever has received such amount.
17. Successors.
(a) If all or substantially all of the Company's business and
assets are sold, assigned or transferred to any Person, or if the
Company merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines with any
Person which is a continuing or successor entity, then the Company
shall assign all of its right, title and interest in this Agreement as
of the date of such event to the Person which is either the acquiring
or successor corporation, and such Person shall assume and perform from
and after the date of such assignment the terms, conditions and,
provisions imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the
Company to obtain such assignment shall be a breach of this Agreement.
In case of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and
agreement by such Person, all further rights as well as all other
obligations of the Company under this Agreement thenceforth shall cease
and terminate and thereafter the expression "the Company" wherever used
herein shall be deemed to mean such Person(s).
(b) This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or
legal representatives, estates, executors, administrators, heirs and
beneficiaries. In the event of the Executive's death, all amounts
payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be paid to the
Executive's estate. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be
binding upon and be enforceable by, any successor, surviving or
resulting corporation or other entity to which all or substantially all
of the Company's business and assets shall be transferred whether by
merger, consolidation, transfer or sale. This Agreement shall not be
terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Company.
18. Enforcement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any of said provisions or any part hereof are declared invalid
or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and
enforceability of the remainder of such provisions or parts hereof and the
applicability thereof shall not be affected thereby.
19. Amendment or Termination. The term of this Agreement shall run
until December 31, 2007, and shall continue for additional one (1) year periods
thereafter, unless the Company notifies the Executive in writing six (6) months
prior to Decem-
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ber 31, 2007 (or the anniversary of that date in the event the Agreement
continues beyond that date pursuant to the provisions of this Section 19) that
it does not intend to continue the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i)
if a Change of Control has occurred on or before the date on which the Agreement
would be terminated by the Company in accordance with this Section 19, the
Agreement shall not terminate with respect to that Change of Control until the
end of the Employment Period, and (ii) this Agreement shall terminate if, prior
to a Change in Control, the Executive ceases to be employed by the Employer as a
corporate officer.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Executive
and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all
prior oral or written negotiations, commitments, understandings and writings
with respect thereto.
This Agreement may not be terminated, amended or modified during its
term as specified above except by written instrument executed by the Company and
the Executive.
20. Withholding. The Company and the Employer shall be entitled to
withhold from amounts to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any
federal, state or local withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from
time to time required to withhold. The Company and the Employer shall be
entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.
21. Venue; Governing Law. This Agreement and the Executive's and
Company's respective rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona. Any action
concerning this Agreement shall be brought in the Federal or state courts
located in the County of Maricopa, Arizona, and each party consents to the venue
and jurisdiction of such courts.
22. Notice. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and (a) if hand delivered, shall be deemed given when delivered, and (b)
if mailed, shall be deemed delivered when placed in the United States mail,
postage prepaid, addressed,
if to the Company, to
Board of Directors
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Law Department
or if to the Executive, to
--------------------
--------------------
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or to such other addresses as the parties may provide written notice of to each
other, from time to time, in accordance with this Section 22.
23. Funding. Benefits payable under this Agreement shall constitute an
unfunded general obligation of the Company payable from its general assets, and
the Company shall not be required to establish any special fund or trust for
purposes of paying benefits under this Agreement. The Executive shall not have
any vested right to any particular assets of the Company as a result of
execution of this Agreement and shall be a general creditor of the Company.
24. No Waiver. No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by
the other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.
25. Headings. The headings contained are for reference only and shall
not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
26. Additional Payment.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any Payment
would be subject to the Excise Tax, then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (the "Gross-Up Payment") in
an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and
any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and
penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the
Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The
Company's obligation to make Gross-Up Payments under this Section 26
shall not be conditioned upon the Executive's termination of
employment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 26(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 26, including
whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by a nationally-recognized accounting firm
appointed by the Company prior to a Change of Control (the "Accounting
Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a
Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for
the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the
Executive may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to
make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
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fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section
26, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within 5 days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination, but in all events by
the March 15 following the calendar year in which the event giving rise
to payment occurs. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time
of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the
Company should have been made (the "Underpayment"), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event the Company
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 26(c) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would
require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than
10 business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such
claim. The Executive shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the
30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such
notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that
any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company
notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that the Company desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting
such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing
from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in
order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties)
incurred in connection with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-
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tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of
costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 26(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest, and, at its sole discretion, may pursue
or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the applicable taxing authority in respect of such
claim and may, at its sole discretion, either pay the tax claimed to
the appropriate taxing authority on behalf of the Executive and direct
the Executive to xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest
to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Company pays
such claim and directs the Executive to xxx for a refund, the Company
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis,
from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties)
imposed with respect to such payment or with respect to any imputed
income in connection with such payment; and provided, further, that any
extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes
for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such
contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such
contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest
shall be limited to issues with respect to which the Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to
settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of a Gross-Up
Payment or payment by the Company of an amount on the Executive's
behalf pursuant to Section 26(c), the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to the Excise Tax to which such
Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such claim, the Executive
shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of
Section 26(c), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amount of
such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after payment by the Company of an
amount on the Executive's behalf pursuant to Section 26(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any
refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the
Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund
prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then the
amount of such payment shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount
of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 26,
the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the
Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for
the benefit of the Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up
Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
27. Section 409A Savings Clause. If any compensation or benefits
provided by this Agreement may result in the application of Section 409A of the
Code, the
-17-
Company shall, in consultation with the Executive, modify the Agreement in the
least restrictive manner necessary in order to exclude such compensation from
the definition of "deferred compensation" within the meaning of such Section
409A or in order to comply with the provisions of Section 409A, other applicable
provision(s) of the Code and/or any rules, regulations or other regulatory
guidance issued under such statutory provisions and without any diminution in
the value of the payments to the Executive. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent required in order to comply with
Section 409A of the Code, amounts to be paid under this Agreement upon the
Executive's termination of employment shall be paid, with interest on any
payment from the Termination Date until the first business day after the date
that is six months following the Termination Date at the applicable federal rate
provided in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code ("Interest"), to the Executive on
the first business day after the date that is six months following the
Termination Date.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Executive has executed this
Agreement, on the date and year first above written.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
By
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Its
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ATTEST:
By
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Its
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Executive
-19-
