EXHIBIT 10.94 EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made February 25, 2000, by and between LG&E Energy
Corporation, a Kentucky corporation (the "Company"), Powergen, plc, a United
Kingdom public limited company ("Parent"), and [ NAME ] (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, Parent, Company, a Delaware corporation to be formed as an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("US Subholdco 2") and a Kentucky
corporation to be formed as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of US Subholdco
2 ("Merger Sub"), have executed a merger agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
which will become effective at the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Merger will constitute a "Change in Control" for purposes
of the Change-in-Control Agreement between the Company and the Executive
dated [ PRIOR DATE ] (the "Change-In-Control Agreement");
WHEREAS, Parent and the Company have determined that it is essential and
in the best interest of Parent, the Company and their stockholders to retain
the services of the Executive as [ TITLE ] of the Company on and after the
Effective Time, and provide the Executive with compensation and other
benefits on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and to
ensure his continued dedication and efforts in such event without undue
concern for his personal financial and employment security in the event of a
Change in Control after the Merger; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to accept such employment and perform
services for the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the
parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. EFFECTIVENESS; EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS; ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS.
1.1. This Agreement shall become effective at the Effective Time,
provided the Executive is employed by the Company on that date. As of the
Effective Time, the Change-in-Control Agreement shall, except as otherwise
provided herein, terminate and become null and void. In consideration of the
services rendered by the Executive to the Company prior to the Effective
Time, the Executive's willingness to enter into this Agreement, and the
satisfaction of all of the Company's obligations under the Change-in-Control
Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive in cash 60% of the amount
calculated and payable under Sections 3.1(b) and 6 of the Change-in-Control
Agreement
(the "Initial Change-in-Control Payment") within 10 days following the
Effective Time conditioned upon delivery by the Executive of an executed
form of release of all claims against the Company with respect to the
Change-in-Control Agreement (other than with respect to Section 6 of such
Agreement) (on a form to be provided by the Company.) The balance of the
amount calculated under Sections 3.1(b) and 6 of the Change-in-Control
Agreement (the "Deferred Change-in-Control Payment") shall be credited to
Executive's account under the Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company (or
such other plan or arrangement as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties
hereto) and shall be payable in a lump sum cash payment (including adjustment
for any increases or decreases in Executive's account under the Deferred
Compensation Plan), if the Executive so elects, within ten (10) days after
the earliest to occur of (i) a termination of employment, other than a
termination by the Executive without Good Reason, which occurs at any time
during the eighteen consecutive months immediately following the Effective
Time (the "Transition Period"), (ii) a Change in Control that occurs during
the Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still employed by the
Company immediately prior to the Change in Control, and (iii) the end of the
Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still employed on such date.
In the event that Executive elects not to receive the foregoing lump sum
payment, Executive may otherwise elect to defer receipt of such payment and
have such payment continue to be held in his Deferred Compensation Plan
account (which account shall continue to be adjusted in accordance with the
terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan, or such other plan or arrangement as
may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto).
1.2. Parent shall, or shall cause the Company to pay to the Executive a
lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 25% of the Deferred
Change-in-Control Payment (without adjustment for any increases or decreases
in Executive's account under the Deferred Compensation Plan)(the "Premium
Payment") within ten (10) days after the earliest to occur of (i) the date
that Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, by
Executive for Good Reason, or as a result of Executive's death or Disability,
at any time during the eighteen consecutive months immediately following the
Effective Time (the "Transition Period"), (ii) a Change in Control that
occurs during the Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still
employed by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control, and (iii)
the end of the Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still employed
on such date. In the event that Executive elects not to receive the
foregoing lump sum payment, Executive may otherwise elect to defer receipt of
such payment and have such payment continue to be held in his Deferred
Compensation Plan account (which account shall continue to be adjusted in
accordance with the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan, or such other
plan or arrangement as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto).
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1.3. As of the Effective Time, Parent shall grant to the Executive the
number of American Depository Shares of Parent, each of which represents four
Ordinary Shares of the Parent (the "ADS's"), that are equivalent in value,
as of the Effective Time, to the amount of the Premium Payment (the "Premium
ADS's"), which shall be subject to a risk of forfeiture and in which the
Executive shall become vested upon the earliest to occur of (i) the date that
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, by
Executive for Good Reason, or as a result of Executive's death or Disability,
at any time during the Transition Period, (ii) a Change in Control that
occurs during the Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still
employed immediately prior to the Change in Control, and (iii) the end of the
Transition Period, so long as the Executive is still employed on such date.
In addition, in the event that during the Transition Period, Parent pays
dividends in respect of ADS's (or Ordinary Shares, as applicable) to its
holders thereof, the Executive shall have a right, subject to the Executive's
ultimate vesting in the Premium ADS's pursuant to the preceding sentence, to
receive a payment, in cash or ADS's (as the Executive shall elect), equal to
the amount of any dividends actually paid on the number of Premium ADS's (or
Ordinary Shares, as applicable) held by the Executive.
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall commence as of the
Effective Time, and shall continue in effect until the second anniversary of
the Effective Time; provided, however, that commencing on the second
anniversary of the Effective Time, and on each anniversary of the Effective
Time thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended
for one (1) year unless the Company or the Executive shall have given written
notice to the other at least ninety days prior thereto (if such notice is
given following the second anniversary of the Effective Time, otherwise such
notice period shall be one hundred and eighty days) that the term of this
Agreement shall not be so extended; and provided, further, however, that
notwithstanding any such notice by the Company not to extend, the term of
this Agreement shall not expire prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24)
months after any Change in Control which occurs while this Agreement is in
effect.
3. EMPLOYMENT.
0.1. The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to
serve during the term hereof as [TITLE] of the Company. Executive shall
report to the [MANAGER FULL TITLE] of the Company (the "[MANAGER TITLE]").
0.2. Executive agrees to devote his full working time and efforts, to
the best of his ability, experience and talent, to the performance of
services, duties and responsibilities in connection with the position named
above. Executive shall perform such duties and exercise such powers,
commensurate with his position, as the
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[MANAGER TITLE] and the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") shall
from time to time assign to him on such terms and conditions and subject to
such restrictions as the [MANAGER TITLE] and the Board may reasonably from
time to time impose.
0.3. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from (a)
engaging in charitable and community affairs so long as, in the reasonable
determination of the Company, such activities do not interfere with his
duties and responsibilities hereunder, (b) managing any passive investment
made by him in publicly traded equity securities or other property (provided
that no such investment may exceed 5% of the equity of any entity, without
the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld) or (c) serving, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, as a member of boards of
directors or as a trustee of any other corporation, association or entity.
0.4. The Executive will perform his services at the Company's
headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, with the understanding that he will be
required to travel as reasonably required (including travel to the United
Kingdom) for the performance of his duties under this Agreement.
1. COMPENSATION.
1.1. SALARY. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary ("Base
Salary") of not less than the rate in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time. The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the
ordinary payroll practices of the Company. The Base Salary shall be reviewed
by the Board as of July 1 of each year during the term of this Agreement and
may be increased in the discretion of the Board and, as so increased, shall
constitute "Base Salary" hereunder. At no time shall the Board be able to
decrease the Base Salary.
1.2. ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall be
eligible to participate in any annual incentive plan or program maintained by
the Company in which other senior executives of the Company participate (the
"Bonus Plan"). Such participation shall be on terms commensurate with
Executive's position and level of responsibility. The Executive's target
bonus under the Bonus Plan in respect of each twelve-month period of the term
of this Agreement (as provided for in Section 2)(each, a "Contract Year")
shall be not less than the target bonus opportunity to which the Executive is
entitled as of the date hereof (50% of the Base Salary); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that with respect to the first and second Contract Years, Executive's annual
bonus amount shall not be less than 75% of the Executive's target bonus for
each such Contract Year. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence,
nothing in this Section 4.2
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will guarantee to the Executive any specific amount of incentive
compensation, or prevent a Remuneration Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors of Parent from establishing reasonable performance goals and
compensation targets, after consultation with the Executive, applicable only
to the Executive.
1.3. COMPENSATION PLANS AND PROGRAMS. Executive shall be eligible to
participate in any compensation plan or program maintained by the Company in
which other senior executives of the Company participate on terms
commensurate with his position and level of responsibility, and to receive
equity-based incentive awards based upon achievement of performance goals
based partially upon Parent's and partially on the Company's performance in
accordance with the general terms of the long-term incentive plan contained
on Exhibit A.
1.4. OTHER COMPENSATION. Nothing in this Section 4 will preclude the
Board from authorizing such additional compensation to the Executive, in cash
or in property, as the Board may determine in its sole discretion to be
appropriate.
4.5 EXISTING STOCK OPTIONS. In addition to any provision in the
Merger Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, Executive may elect in writing
delivered to Parent to convert each Company stock option he holds (each, a
"Company Option"), whether vested or unvested, into an option to acquire,
on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company
Option, the number of ADS's, equal to the result (rounded down to the nearest
whole ADS) of multiplying the number of shares subject to the Company Option
immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Conversion Ratio (as defined
in the Merger Agreement), at an exercise price per share equal to the result
(rounded up to the nearest whole cent) of dividing the per share exercise
price of such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the
Conversion Ratio (it being understood that the exercise price shall be
converted into dollars at the rate prevailing at the close of business on the
business day prior to the Effective Time). If Executive makes such election
and holds the Company Option or the ADS's acquired upon the exercise of such
Company Option for two years after the Effective Time, then upon the later of
(i) the end of the 24th month after the Effective Time, or (ii) the exercise
of such Company Option, the Parent shall issue Executive one additional ADS
for every 4 ADS's acquired as a result of such exercise; PROVIDED HOWEVER in
the event that either (i) a Change in Control occurs within the two years
after the Effective Time and the Executive is still employed by the Company
immediately prior to the Change in Control, immediately prior to such time,
the Executive shall receive one additional ADS for every 4 ADS's (A) acquired
by the Executive as a result of the exercise of any Company Option during the
period prior to such Change in Control and (B) underlying each unexercised
Company Option held by the Executive immediately prior to such Change in
Control or (ii) the Executive's employment is terminated for any reason
(other than by the Company
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for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason (other than as a result of
death or Disability)) at any time during the two years after the Effective
Time and prior to any Change in Control, the Executive shall receive, within
10 days after the termination of employment, one additional ADS for every 4
ADS's (A) acquired by the Executive as a result of the exercise of any
Company Option during the period prior to such termination of employment and
(B) underlying each unexercised Company Option held by the Executive
immediately prior to such termination of employment.
2. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
2.1. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS, PLANS AND PRACTICES. The Company shall
provide Executive during the term of his employment hereunder with coverage
under all employee pension and welfare benefit programs, plans and practices
including, but not limited to, those specified in Exhibit B attached hereto
(commensurate with his positions and level of responsibility in the Company
and to the extent permitted under any employee benefit plan) in accordance
with the terms thereof, which the Company makes available to its senior
executives.
2.2. VACATION AND FRINGE BENEFITS. Executive shall be eligible to
participate in the Company's vacation plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no
event shall Executive receive fewer vacation days than Executive is entitled
to receive under the Company's vacation policy as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to
perquisites and other fringe benefits that are comparable to those
perquisites and fringe benefits to which Executive is entitled immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
2.3. EXPENSES. Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in
carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, including,
without limitation, expenses for travel and similar items related to such
duties and responsibilities. The Company will reimburse Executive for all
such expenses upon presentation by Executive from time to time of
appropriately itemized and approved (consistent with the Company's policy)
accounts of such expenditures.
4. DEFINITIONS.
4.1. BASE AMOUNT; BONUS AMOUNT. For purposes of this Agreement, "Base
Amount" shall mean the greater of the Executive's annual base salary from
the Company (a) at the rate in effect on the Termination Date (as hereinafter
defined) or (b) at the highest rate in effect at any time during the ninety
(90) day period prior to the Effective Time or the Change in Control, as
applicable, and shall include all amounts of base salary that are deferred
under any qualified and non-qualified employee benefits
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plans of the Company or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) or under any
other agreement or arrangement. For purposes of this Agreement; "Bonus
Amount" shall mean the greater of (a) the most recent annual bonus paid or
payable to the Executive (which may include a bonus amount paid or payable in
respect of any Contract Year), (b) the annual bonus paid or payable to the
Executive under the Bonus Plan for the full fiscal year ended prior to the
fiscal year during which the Effective Time, or the Change in Control, as
applicable, occurred or (c) the Executive's target award under the Bonus
Plan for the full fiscal year ended prior to the fiscal year during which the
Effective Time, or the Change in Control, as applicable, occurred.
4.2. CAUSE. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for
"Cause" is a termination evidenced by a resolution adopted in good faith by
at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board of Directors of the Company
that (i) there has been repeated willful misconduct by the Executive in
performing the reasonably assigned duties on behalf of the Company required
by and in accordance with his employment by the Company, or (ii) the
Executive has been convicted of a felony in the course of performing those
duties. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
no failure to perform by the Executive after a Notice of Termination (as
hereinafter defined) is given by the Executive shall constitute Cause for
purposes of this Agreement. No act, or failure to act, on Executive's part
shall be deemed to be "repeated" unless the Executive shall have received a
written notice from the Company setting forth in detail the particulars of
the act, or the failure to act, which the Company contends would constitute
Cause when repeated and Executive then repeats such act or failure to act and
does not resolve or otherwise cure such behavior within thirty (30) days of
receipt of such notice.
2.4. CHANGE IN CONTROL. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in
Control" shall mean the occurrence during the term of this Agreement of any
of the following events:
(1) An acquisition (other than directly from Parent) of any
securities of Parent entitled generally to vote on the election of directors
(the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as the term person is used for
purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act")) immediately after which such Person has "Beneficial
Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 0000 Xxx)
of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of Parent's
then outstanding Voting Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in determining whether
a Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a
"Non-Control Acquisition" (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an
acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A "Non-Control
Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (1) an employee benefit plan (or a
trust forming a part thereof) maintained
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by (a) Parent or (b) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of
its voting power or its equity securities or equity interest is owned
directly and indirectly by Parent (a "Subsidiary") or (2) Parent or any
Subsidiary.
(2) The individuals who, as of the date this Agreement was
approved by the Board, are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board"),
cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the Board;
provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by
Parent's stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of
the Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(3) Approval by stockholders of Parent of:
(1) A merger, consolidation or reorganization involving
Parent; unless
(1) the stockholders of Parent immediately before such
merger, consolidation or reorganization, own, directly or indirectly
immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least
seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding
voting securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or
consolidation or reorganization (the "Surviving Corporation") in
substantially the same proportion to each other as their ownership of the
Voting Securities immediately before such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, and
(2) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent
Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such
merger, consolidation or reorganization constitute at least two-thirds of the
members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation;
(2) A complete liquidation or dissolution of Parent or the
Company ; unless, in the case of the Company, Parent continues to own
directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the Company's assets;
(3) An agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of Parent or the Company to any Person (other
than a transfer to a Subsidiary);
(1) A merger or other combination involving the Company
as a result of which Parent ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of the
outstanding Voting Securities of the successor to the Company, unless Parent
continues to own directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the
Company's assets; or
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(2) Any Person acquires Beneficial Ownership of a
greater percentage of the Voting Securities of the Company than the
percentage of such Voting Securities then held, directly or indirectly, by
Parent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a), (b), and (c), a Change in Control
shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person Beneficially Owned by
the Subject Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of
more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Voting Securities as a
result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by Parent which, by reducing
the number of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportional
number of shares, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for
the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Voting
Securities by Parent, and after such share acquisition by Parent, the Subject
Person or entity becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Voting
Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting
Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control
shall occur.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary, if the Executive's employment is terminated during the term of
this Agreement and the Executive reasonably demonstrates that such
termination (i) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an
intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control
and who effectuates a Change in Control (a "Third Party") or (ii) otherwise
occurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which
actually occurs, then for all purposes of this Agreement, the date of a
Change in Control with respect to the Executive shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of the Executive's
employment.
4.3. DISABILITY. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall
mean a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive's ability to
substantially perform his duties with the Company which continues for a
period of at least one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.
4.4. GOOD REASON.
(1) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the
occurrence of any of the events or conditions described in subsections (1)
through (8) hereof:
(1) a reduction by the Company in the Executive's Base
Salary or annual target bonus opportunity as in effect prior to such
reduction or any failure to pay the Executive any compensation or benefits to
which the Executive is entitled within
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thirty days of the applicable due date, provided that the Company may correct
such reduction or failure within thirty (30) days of its commission;
(2) Parent or the Company require the Executive to be
relocated anywhere in excess of fifty (50) miles of his present office
location, except for required travel on Parent or Company business consistent
with his business travel obligations as in effect prior to the Effective Time
and as provided in Section 3.4 of this Agreement;
(3) a failure by Parent or the Company to maintain plans
providing benefits at least as beneficial in the aggregate as those provided
by any benefit or compensation plan, retirement or pension plan, stock option
plan, bonus plan, long-term incentive plan, life insurance plan, health and
accident plan or disability plan in which the Executive is participating
prior to the Effective Time, or the Change in Control, as applicable, or if
the Company or Parent has taken any action which would adversely affect the
Executive's participation in or materially reduce the Executive's benefits
under any of such plans or deprive him of any material fringe benefit enjoyed
by him prior to the Effective Time, or the Change in Control, as applicable,
or if the Company or Parent has failed to provide him with the number of paid
vacation days to which he would be entitled in accordance with the Company's
normal vacation policy immediately prior to the Effective Time, or the Change
in Control, as applicable;
(3) Parent or the Company materially reduces, individually
or in the aggregate, the Executive's title, job authorities or
responsibilities as in effect prior to such reduction;
(4) Parent or the Company fails to obtain the assumption of
the obligations contained in this Agreement by any successor as contemplated
in Section 11 hereof;
(5) any purported termination of the Executive's employment
by Parent or the Company which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of
Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 8 below; and, for purposes
of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective;
(6) any material breach by Parent or the Company of any
provision of this Agreement;
(7) any purported termination of the Executive's employment
for Cause by Parent or the Company which does not comply with the terms of
Section 6.2 of this Agreement; or
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(2) Until the Executive's Disability, the Executive's rights to
terminate his employment pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall not be affected
by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
5.1. If, during the term of this Agreement, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall be terminated within twenty-four months after the
effective time of any Change in Control, then the Executive shall be entitled
to the following compensation and benefits:
(1) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) by Parent or the Company for Cause or (2) by the Executive
(other than for Good Reason or as a result of death or Disability), the
Company shall pay the Executive all amounts earned or accrued for or on
behalf of the Executive through the Termination Date (as hereinafter defined)
but not paid as of the Termination Date, including (i) Base Salary, (ii)
reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive
on behalf of the Company during the period ending on the Termination Date and
(iii) vacation pay (collectively, "Accrued Compensation").
(2) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) as a result of the Executive's death or (2) as a result of the
Executive's Disability, the Executive shall be entitled to the following: (i)
The Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation; (ii) the
Company shall pay, as a severance amount to the Executive (or his or her
personal representative or estate, as applicable) after the Termination Date,
an amount equal to the Executive's annual target bonus for the year in which
such Termination Date occurs; and (iii) the Company shall provide the
Executive with a cash lump sum payment of any long-term incentive award
granted to the Executive at the target level, prorated for Executive's actual
period of service.
(3) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) by the Company for any reason (including as a result of the
Company's notice not to extend the term of this Agreement) other than as
specified in clause (1) of Section 7.1(a) or (2) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(1) The Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued
Compensation;
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(2) The Company shall pay, as a severance amount to the
Executive after the Termination Date, an amount equal to 2.99 times the sum
of (a) the Base Amount and (b) the Bonus Amount;
(3) For a period of thirty-six months (the "Continuation
Period"), the Company shall at its expense continue on behalf of the
Executive and his dependents and beneficiaries (to the same extent provided
to the dependents and beneficiaries prior to the Executive's termination) the
life insurance, disability, medical, dental, and hospitalization benefits
provided (x) to the Executive by the Company at any time within ninety (90)
days preceding a Change in Control or at any time thereafter, or (y) to other
similarly situated executives who continue in the employ of the Company
during the Continuation Period. The coverage and benefits (including
deductibles and costs) provided in this Section 7.1(c) (iii) during the
Continuation Period shall be no less favorable to the Executive and his
dependents and beneficiaries, than the most favorable of such coverages and
benefits set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above. The Company's obligation
hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the
extent that the Executive obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent
employer's benefit plans, in which case the Company may reduce the coverage
of any benefits it is required to provide the Executive hereunder as long as
the aggregate coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans are no
less favorable to the Executive than the coverages and benefits required to
be provided hereunder. This Subsection (c)(iii) shall not be interpreted so
as to limit any benefits to which the Executive or his dependents may be
entitled under any of the Company's or any Subsidiary's employee benefit
plans, programs or practices following the Executive's termination of
employment, including without limitation, retiree medical and life insurance
benefits; and
(4) The Company shall provide to the Executive an amount equal to
twenty percent (20%) of the Base Amount to be used for outplacement services.
5.2. If, during the term of this Agreement, but prior to a Change in
Control, the Executive's employment with the Company shall be terminated, the
Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(1) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) by Parent or the Company for Cause or (2) by the Executive
(other than for Good Reason or as a result of death or Disability), the
Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation.
(2) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) as a result of the Executive's death or (2) as a result of the
Executive's Disability, the Executive shall be entitled to the following: (i)
The Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation; (ii) the
Company shall pay, as a severance amount
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to the Executive (or his or her personal representative or estate, as
applicable) after the Termination Date, an amount equal to the Executive's
annual target bonus for the year in which such Termination Date occurs.; and
(iii) the Company shall provide the Executive with a cash lump sum payment of
any long-term incentive award granted to the Executive at the target level,
prorated for Executive's actual period of service.
(3) If the Executive's employment with the Company shall be
terminated (1) by the Company for any reason (including as a result of the
Company's notice not to extend the term of this Agreement) other than as
specified in clause (1) of Section 7.2(a) or (2) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(1) The Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued
Compensation;
(2) The Company shall pay, as a severance amount to the
Executive after the Termination Date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the
Base Amount and (b) the Bonus Amount, divided by twelve, the quotient of
which shall be multiplied by the greater of (x) twelve and (y) the number of
months remaining in the term of this Agreement;
(3) For a period of twenty-four (24) months (the
"Continuation Period"), the Company shall at its expense continue on behalf
of the Executive and his dependents and beneficiaries (to the same extent
provided to the dependents and beneficiaries prior to the Executive's
termination) the life insurance, disability, medical, dental, and
hospitalization benefits provided to other similarly situated executives who
continue in the employ of the Company during the Continuation Period. The
Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall
be limited to the extent that the Executive obtains any such benefits
pursuant to a subsequent employer's benefit plans, in which case the Company
may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the
Executive hereunder as long as the aggregate coverages and benefits of the
combined benefit plans are no less favorable to the Executive than the
coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder. This Subsection
(c)(iii) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the
Executive or his dependents may be entitled under any of the Company's or any
Subsidiary's employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the
Executive's termination of employment, including without limitation, retiree
medical and life insurance benefits; and
(4) The Company shall provide to the Executive an amount
equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Base Amount to be used for outplacement
services.
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5.3. The amounts provided for in Section 7.1(a), 7.1(b) (i) and (ii),
7.1(c) (i), (ii) and (iv), 7.2(a), 7.2(b)(i) and (ii) and 7.2(c) (i), (ii)
and (iv) shall be paid in cash in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after
the Executive's Termination Date.
5.4. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payments provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any
compensation or benefits provided to the Executive in any subsequent
employment except as provided in Sections 7.1(c) (iii) and 7.2(c)(iii).
5.5. The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for
hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way
diminish the Executive's existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely
as a result of the passage of time, under any benefit plan, incentive plan,
or securities plan, employment agreement or other contract, plan or
arrangement with the Company, any Subsidiary or any other party, including,
but not limited to, those specified in Exhibit B attached hereto, provided,
however, the Company shall not be required to make duplicative payments of
Accrued Compensation, and provided further that, upon execution of this
Agreement, Executive shall not have any rights under his prior
Change-In-Control Agreement (other than with respect to Section 6 of such
Agreement), as previously amended, which agreement (as stated in Sections 1
and 22 hereof) is superseded by this Agreement.
6. NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any purported termination by Parent or the
Company or by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of
Termination to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" shall mean a notice which indicates the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination
of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated. For purposes
of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective without
such Notice of Termination.
7. TERMINATION DATE. "Termination Date" shall mean, in the case of
the Executive's death, his date of death and, in all other cases, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination subject to the following:
(1) If the Executive's employment is terminated by Parent or the
Company for Cause or due to Disability, the date specified in the Notice of
Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days from the date the Notice of
Termination is given to the Executive, provided that, in the case of
Disability, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time
performance of his duties during such period of at least (30) days; and
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(2) If the Executive's employment is terminated for Good Reason,
the date specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be more than sixty
(60) days from the date the Notice of Termination is given to Parent or the
Company.
8. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS
(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, in
the event that it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or
distribution by the Company or any affiliates to or for the benefit of the
Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any
other agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement, including without
limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right or similar right, or
the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or
exercisability of any of the foregoing (individually and collectively a
"Payment"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 (or any
successor provision thereto) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") by reason of being considered "contingent on a change in
ownership or control" of the Company or Parent, within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or to any similar tax
imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect to
any such taxes (such taxes, together with any such interest and penalties,
being hereafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the
Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments
(individually and collectively, a "Gross-Up Payment"). The Gross-Up Payment
shall be in an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes
(including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including any 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 Payment.
(2) Subject to the provisions of Section 10(f) hereof, all
determinations required to be made under this Section 10, including whether
an Excise Tax is payable by the Executive and the amount of such Excise Tax
and whether a Gross-Up Payment is required to be paid to the Executive and
the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, if any, shall be made by a nationally
recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") selected by the Executive
in his sole discretion. The Executive shall direct the Accounting Firm to
submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the
Company and the Executive within thirty (30) calendar days after the
Termination Date, if applicable, and any such other time or times as may be
requested by the Company or the Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines
that any Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, the Company shall pay or
cause to be paid the required Gross-Up Payment in cash to the Executive
within five (5) business days after receipt of such determination and
calculations with respect to any Payment to the Executive. If the Accounting
Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall, at
the same time as it makes such determination, furnish the Company and the
Executive an opinion that the
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Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his
federal, state or local income or other tax return. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor
provision thereto) at the time of any determination by the Accounting Firm
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been
made by the Company should have been made (an "Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Company exhausts or fails to pursue its remedies pursuant to Section 10(f)
hereof and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Executive shall direct the Accounting Firm to determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and to submit its determination
and detailed supporting calculations to both the Company and the Executive as
promptly as possible. Any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company in cash to, or for the benefit of, the Executive within five (5)
business days after receipt of such determination and calculations.
(3) The Company and the Executive shall each provide the
Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in
the possession of the Company or the Executive, as the case may be,
reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the
Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the
determinations and calculations contemplated by Section 10(b) hereof. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm as to the amount of the Gross-Up Payment
will be binding on the Company and the Executive.
(4) The federal, state, and local income or other tax returns
filed by the Executive will be prepared and filed on a consistent basis with
the determination of the Accounting Firm with respect to the Excise Tax
payable by the Executive. The Executive will make proper payment of the
amount of any Excise Payment and, at the request of the Company, provide to
the Company true and correct copies (with any amendments) of the Executive's
federal income tax return as filed with the Internal Revenue Service and
corresponding state and local tax returns, if relevant, as filed with the
applicable taxing authority, and such other documents reasonably requested by
the Company, evidencing such payment. If prior to the filing of the
Executive's federal income tax return, or corresponding state or local tax
return, if relevant, the Accounting Firm determines that the amount of the
Gross-Up Payment should be reduced, the Executive will within five (5)
business days pay to the Company the amount of such reduction.
(5) The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services
in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by
Section 10(b) hereof shall be borne by the Company. If such fees and expenses
are initially paid by the Executive, the Company shall reimburse the
Executive the full amount of such fees and expenses within five (5) business
days after receipt from the Executive of a statement therefor and reasonable
evidence of his payment thereof.
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(6) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority that, if
successful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment.
Such notification shall be given as promptly as practicable but no later than
ten (10) business days after the Executive actually receives notice of such
claim and the Executive shall further apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid (in each
case, to the extent known by the Executive). The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the thirty (30)
calendar-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the
Company and (ii) the date that any payment of amount with respect to such
claim is due. If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the
Executive shall:
(1) provide the Company with any written records or
documents in his possession relating to such claim reasonably requested by
the Company;
(2) 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 competent in respect of the subject matter and
reasonably selected by the Company;
(3) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim; and
(4) 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 interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive, on an after-tax
basis, for and against any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and
penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation
and payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions
of this Section 10(f), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with the contest of any claim contemplated by this Section 10(f)
and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim (provided, however, that the Executive may participate
therein at his own cost and expense) and may, at its option, either direct
the Executive to pay the tax claimed and 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 directs the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and
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xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax,
including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to
such advance; and provided further, however, that any extension of the
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of
the Executive with respect to which the contested amount is claimed to be due
is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's
control of any such contested claim shall be limited to issues with respect
to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive
shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue
raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(7) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced
by the Company pursuant to Section 10(f) hereof, the Executive receives any
refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 10(f) hereof) promptly
pay the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after any taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt
by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section
10(f) hereof, 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 or
refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) calendar days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required
to be repaid and the amount of any such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid by the Company to
the Executive pursuant to this Section 10.
9. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
(1) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of Parent, the Company, their successors and assigns and, at the time
of any such succession or assignment, Parent or the Company (as applicable)
shall require any successor or assign to expressly assume and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Parent
or the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or
assignment had taken place. The terms "Parent", "the Company" as used herein
shall include such successors and assigns. The term "successors and assigns"
as used herein shall mean a corporation or other entity acquiring ownership,
directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the assets and business
of the Company (including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or
otherwise.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder
shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, his beneficiaries or
legal representatives,
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except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
personal representative.
10. FEES AND EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all legal fees and
related expenses (including the cost of experts, evidence and counsel)
incurred by the Executive involving (a) the Executive's termination of
employment (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in
contesting or disputing any such termination of employment), or (b) the
Executive seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this
Agreement.
11. NOTICE. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided for in the Agreement (including the Notice of
Termination) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses last given
by each party to the other, provided that all notices to Parent or the
Company shall be directed to the attention of the Board with a copy to the
Secretary of Parent or the Company. All notices and communications shall be
deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third
business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.
12. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or
reduce such rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements with
the Company. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the Company shall
be payable in accordance with such plan or program.
13. SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including,
without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
right which the Company may have against the Executive or others.
14. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive, Parent and the Company.
No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party
hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent
time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise, express or
-19-
implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either
party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. No additional
compensation provided under any benefit or compensation plans to the
Executive shall be deemed to modify or otherwise affect the terms of this
Agreement or any of the Executive's entitlements hereunder.
15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky, without reference to principles of conflicts of laws.
16. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions
hereof.
30 NONSOLICITATION.
(0) The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, at all
times during the period of his employment and during the Restricted Period
(as hereinafter defined) immediately following termination for any reason
(unless such termination occurs after a Change in Control), the Executive
shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, (i) solicit or
take any action to willfully and intentionally cause the solicitation of any
person who as of that date is a client, customer, ("Client") of the Parent or
the Company or any of their subsidiaries to transact any business with a
Competitive Enterprise (as hereinafter defined) or discontinue business, in
whole or in part with the Parent or the Company; or (ii) willfully or
intentionally interfere with or damage any relationship between a Client and
the Parent or the Company.
(1) The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, at all
times during the period of his employment and during the Restricted Period
immediately following the termination thereof for any reason (unless such
termination occurs after a subsequent Change in Control), the Executive shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Board, solicit any person
employed at that time by the Parent, the Company or any of their subsidiaries
to apply for or accept employment with a Competitive Enterprise or otherwise
encourage or entice such person to leave his position with the Parent, the
Company or any of their subsidiaries.
(2) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term
"Restricted Period" shall equal one year, provided that if Executive's
employment is terminated within eighteen months of the Effective Time for any
reason other than a termination for Cause, the Restricted Period shall equal
six months and (ii) the term "Competitive Enterprise" shall mean any business
which is in competition with a business engaged in by the Parent, the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in any state of the United
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States or in any foreign country in which any of them are engaged in business
at the time of such termination of employment for as long as they carry on a
business therein. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Executive
shall not be prohibited from owning less than five (5%) percent of any
publicly traded corporation, and if Executive's termination of employment
shall occur within eighteen months of the Effective Time for any reason other
than a termination for Cause, "Competitive Enterprise" shall mean any
business which is in competition with a business engaged in by the Parent,
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in any state in which
any of them are engaged in business at the time of such termination of
employment for as long as they carry on a business therein or in any state
contiguous to such state.
(3) It is the intention of the parties hereto that the
restrictions contained in this Section be enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law. Therefore, to the extent any court of competent
jurisdiction shall determine that any portion of the foregoing restrictions
is excessive, such provision shall not be entirely void, but rather shall be
limited or revised only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
Specifically, if any court of competent jurisdiction should hold that any
portion of the foregoing description is overly broad as to one or more states
of the United States or one or more foreign jurisdictions, then that state or
states or foreign jurisdiction or jurisdictions shall be eliminated from the
territory to which the restrictions of paragraph (a) of this Section applies
and the restrictions shall remain applicable in all other states of the
United States and foreign jurisdictions.
17. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
The Executive agrees to keep secret and retain in the strictest
confidence all confidential matters which relate to the Parent, the Company,
its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, customer
lists, client lists, trade secrets, pricing policies and other business
affairs of the Parent, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates learned
by him from the Parent, the Company or any such subsidiary or affiliate or
otherwise before or after the date of this Agreement, and not to disclose any
such confidential matter to anyone outside the Parent, the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether during or after his period of service
with the Company, except (i) as such disclosure may be required or
appropriate in connection with his work as an employee of the Company or (ii)
when required to do so by a court of law, by any governmental agency having
supervisory authority over the business of the Parent or the Company or by
any administrative or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with
apparent jurisdiction to order him to divulge, disclose or make accessible
such information. The Executive agrees to give the Parent and the Company
advance written notice of any disclosure pursuant to clause (ii) of the
preceding sentence and to cooperate with any efforts by the Parent or the
Company to limit the extent of such disclosure. Upon request by the Parent
or the Company, the Executive agrees to deliver promptly to
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the Parent or the Company upon termination of his services for the
Company, or at any time thereafter as the Parent, the Company may request,
all Parent, Company, subsidiary or affiliate memoranda, notes, records,
reports, manuals, drawings, designs, computer files in any media and other
documents (and all copies thereof) relating to the Parent or the Company's or
any subsidiary's or affiliate's business and all property of the Parent or
the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate associated therewith, which he may
then possess or have under his direct control, other than personal notes,
diaries, rolodexes and correspondence.
18. REMEDY
Should the Executive engage in or perform, either directly or
indirectly, any of the acts prohibited by Sections 19 or 20 hereof, it is
agreed that the Parent and the Company shall be entitled to full injunctive
relief, to be issued by any competent court of equity, enjoining and
restraining the Executive and each and every other person, firm,
organization, association, or corporation concerned therein, from the
continuance of such violative acts. The foregoing remedy available to the
Parent and the Company shall not be deemed to limit or prevent the exercise
by the Parent or the Company of any or all further rights and remedies which
may be available to the Parent or the Company hereunder or at law or in
equity.
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof, including, without limiting the
foregoing, his prior Change-In-Control Agreement, as previously amended,
which shall cease to be of any further effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized representative and the Executive has executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
POWERGEN PLC
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
LG&E ENERGY CORP.
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
___________________________
[NAME]
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EXHIBIT B
TO
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT
1. Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
2. Short-Term Incentive Plan
3. Qualified Thrift Plan
4. Nonqualified Thrift Plan
5. LG&E Energy Corporation Retirement Income Plan for Employees
Who Are Not Members of a Bargaining Unit
6. LG&E Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
