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EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 1, 2000 by and between
ALTERRA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, with offices at 00000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and XXXX X.
XXXXXXXXX, residing at 00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 (the
"Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer
of the Company, pursuant to an Employment Agreement, dated as of October 23,
1997 (the "Prior Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Executive to continue to serve in that
position, and the Executive is willing to do so;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
set forth below, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Term. The Company agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive
agrees to serve, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for a period
commencing as of November 1, 2000 and ending on December 31, 2003 ("Original
Term"), unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms hereof; provided,
however, that this Agreement will automatically renew for an additional year on
January 1, 2004 and on each January 1 thereafter (each such extended period, the
"Renewal Term"), unless and until either party gives notice to the other party
that such party does not wish to renew this Agreement at least one hundred
eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the then applicable Original Term
or Renewal Term. The period during which Executive is employed hereunder
(including any applicable Renewal Terms) is hereinafter referred to as the
"Employment Period."
2. Title; Duties and Services; Location.
(a) The Executive shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company, shall report directly to the President of the Company and shall have
the duties, responsibilities and authority associated with that position during
the term of the Prior Agreement together with such duties, responsibilities and
authority as may be from time to time assigned to him by the President of the
Company. At no time shall the Executive be requested to perform duties that are
not commensurate with his status as the Company's Chief Financial Officer;
provided, however, that at the request of the President, and without additional
consideration, the Executive shall serve as a director, executive officer,
trustee or agent for the Company and its affiliates so long as he continues as
Chief Financial Officer of the Company. During the Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of disability or of vacation and sick leave to which
Executive is entitled, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his
business time, efforts and skills to the business and affairs of the
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Company. It shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (A)
serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) fulfill speaking
engagements and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities,
individually or in the aggregate, do not interfere with the performance of
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement (other than occasional interference of a minor and insignificant
nature).
(b) Executive's location of employment shall be at the Company's
principal executive offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; provided, however, that the
Company may not transfer Employee to any other location without Executive's
prior written consent unless the transfer is at the Company's expense and
results from the relocation of the Company's principal executive offices and the
actual relocation thereto of other executive officers of the Company holding
positions and responsibilities comparable to those of Executive.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. As compensation for his services hereunder, the
Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") at the
annual rate of (i) three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000) per
year for the remaining two calendar months of 2000 and for all of calendar 2001;
(ii) three hundred forty thousand dollars ($340,000) per year for calendar 2002;
and (iii) three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) per year for calendar
2003. If the Agreement shall extend beyond the Original Term, the Base Salary
shall be as established by the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation
Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), but shall in
no event be less than $10,000 more than the Base Salary for the immediately
preceding calendar year. Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the
Company's regular payroll practices.
(b) Incentive Bonus. The Company shall pay Executive an "Incentive
Bonus" for calendar year 2000 in the amount of $125,000.00, which amount shall
be payable upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive and
the Company and which amount shall be repaid by the Executive to the Company
(and, if not repaid, setoff against any amounts then payable to Executive by the
Company) if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company
(but excluding for this purpose a termination for Good Reason (hereinafter
defined) or as a result of death or Disability (hereinafter defined)) on or
before May 31, 2001. For each calendar year of the Employment Period commencing
in 2001, the Company shall pay Executive, in addition to his Base Salary, an
incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") for performance during such calendar
year, payable in the following calendar year, in accordance with the terms of an
incentive plan to be established by the Compensation Committee of the Board,
which terms shall be consistent with those set forth in the Incentive Bonus
Program for Executive approved by the Compensation Committee simultaneously with
its approval of this Agreement (the "Bonus Program"), as amended from year to
year by the Company and Executive, the components of which plan shall include:
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(i) a component that shall provide that 50% of such
Incentive Bonus (assuming achievement of 100% of the
targeted objectives) shall be based upon the
Company's achievement of specified cash flow
objectives for such calendar year as agreed upon by
the Compensation Committee and Executive, the details
of such objectives for 2001 being set forth in the
Bonus Program;
(ii) a component that shall provide that 25% of such
Incentive Bonus (assuming achievement of 100% of the
targeted objectives) shall be based upon annual
quality measurements for Executive to be agreed to by
Executive and the Compensation Committee, the details
of which objectives for 2001 being set forth in the
Bonus Program; and
(iii) a component that shall provide that 25% of such
Incentive Bonus shall be based solely upon the
discretion of the Compensation Committee.
(c) Other Benefit Plans and Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be
eligible to participate (subject to any applicable waiting periods) in all
employee benefit plans (including, but not limited to, qualified and
nonqualified pension, profit sharing and savings plans and medical, long-term
disability and life insurance plans) maintained by the Company for the benefit
of senior executives of the Company during the Employment Period and to receive
all fringe benefits available generally to senior executives of the Company
(provided, however, that the Company shall contribute for Executive's benefit,
for calendar years 2001, 2002 and 2003 during the Original Term, at least
$25,000.00 per calendar year, in the aggregate, to pension, profit sharing,
retirement or other deferred compensation plans or programs in which Executive
participates and; provided, further, that the Executive shall not participate in
any bonus plan or stock-related benefit plan (including stock option grants)
except to the extent provided for in Section 3(b) and Section 3(e) hereof,
respectively). The Company shall be entitled, at its expense, to arrange for the
purchase of "key man" insurance on the Executive's life in an amount determined
by the Board, and the Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in
procuring such insurance.
(d) Automobile Allowance. The Executive shall be entitled to receive an
automobile allowance of six hundred dollars ($600) each month, payable in cash
on a monthly basis without the need for the Executive to submit any
documentation.
(e) Stock Options and/or Equity-Related Compensation. Effective on or
before February 9, 2001, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company shall grant the following, equity-related benefits to Executive
pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated 1995 Incentive Compensation Plan,
as amended (the "Plan"). In connection with such anticipated grant, the Company
represents that the Compensation Committee has approved (at a duly-called
meeting or by unanimous written
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consent) the terms of this Employment Agreement including the provisions of this
subparagraph (e) and that there are sufficient shares in the Plan to make the
awards contemplated in this subparagraph (e), all other contracts entered into
with other executives of the Company, and all other promised grants, whether
such promises are in writing or otherwise:
(i) a nonqualified stock option (the "Option") for
500,000 shares of the Company's common stock, which
Option:
(A) shall be exercisable at a price equal to the
closing sale price for the Common Stock as
reported by the American Stock Exchange on
the date of grant;
(B) shall vest with respect to 166,666 shares on
October 31, 2001, with respect to an
additional 166,667 shares on October 31,
2002, and with respect to the remaining
166,667 shares under the Option on October
31, 2003; provided, however, that if during
the Employment Period but prior to the full
vesting of the Option there is a Change in
Control (hereinafter defined), the Option
shall be deemed immediately and fully vested
in its entirety upon such Change in Control;
and
(C) shall expire (subject to the limitations on
exercise and termination provisions
contained in the Plan or as set forth in
Section 5(f) hereof), if not previously
exercised, at 5:00 p.m. Milwaukee time on
the ten year anniversary of the date of
grant; and
(ii) 75,980 shares of Restricted Stock (as defined in the
Plan; the "Restricted Stock"), which Restricted Stock
shall be subject to a Restriction Period (as defined
in the Plan) commencing as of the date of grant and
running through and until (A) October 31, 2001 with
respect to 25,327 shares of Restricted Stock, (B)
October 31, 2002, with respect to an additional
25,327 shares of Restricted Stock, and (C) October
31, 2003 with respect to the remaining 25,326 shares
of Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if
during the Employment Period but prior to the lapsing
of the "Restriction Period" as to all shares of
Restricted Stock there is a Change in Control, such
Restriction Period shall be deemed to expire upon the
date of such Change in Control as to all shares of
Restricted Stock. As a condition to receiving this
Restricted Stock award, Executive agrees to timely
file with the Internal Revenue Service (within thirty
(30) days of the date of the award) an election
pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
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Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code") to treat the awarding of Restricted Stock
pursuant hereto as ordinary income in the year of
such award irrespective of the risk of forfeiture
associated with the restrictions upon such Restricted
Stock. The Company shall supplement Executive's Base
Salary in order to promptly reimburse Executive for
the state and federal income tax to be paid by
Executive for tax year 2000 or 2001 directly as a
result of Executive making such Section 83(b)
election.
Except as specified in this Agreement, the Option and Restricted Stock to be
granted pursuant hereto shall otherwise be subject to the terms of the Plan and
the Incentive Compensation Agreements entered into by the Company and Executive
pursuant thereto in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3(e)-1 and Exhibit
3(e)-2, respectively.
(f) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all
reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance
of his duties hereunder ("Reimbursable Expenses"), upon submission and approval
of written statements and bills in accordance with the regular expense
reimbursement policies and procedures of the Company applicable to senior
executives.
(g) Vacation/PTO. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
Company "PTO" plan: (i) for the remainder of calendar year 2000, Executive shall
be entitled to take his accrued "PTO" days during calendar year 2000 and, to the
extent not used by Executive in calendar year 2000 such accrued and unused PTO
days as of December 31, 2000 (A) shall be paid out by the Company with respect
to up to two (2) weeks (10 business days) of accrued PTO (at a weekly rate equal
to the then applicable Base Salary divided by 52) and (B) to the extent of any
remaining accrued PTO as of December 31, 2000, shall be accrued and available
for use in future years and, upon termination of employment, paid out by the
Company (at a weekly rate equal to the then applicable Base Salary divided by
52) and (ii) for each calendar year starting with 2001, Executive shall be
entitled to five weeks (25 business days) of vacation and paid time off under
the Company's "PTO" plan for each calendar year, and in the event Executive does
not utilize all such five weeks during any calendar year, (A) Executive shall be
paid for up to two weeks (10 business days) of such unused vacation/PTO at a
weekly rate equal to the then applicable Base Salary divided by 52, and (B) the
remaining unused days of vacation/PTO shall be deemed forfeited at the end of
such calendar year.
4. Termination.
(a) For Death and Disability. The Executive's employment hereunder
shall terminate upon his death, and may be terminated by the Company upon notice
to Executive due to Disability. For purposes hereof, "Disability" shall mean a
physical or mental incapacity that renders the Executive unable to substantially
discharge his duties hereunder (i) for a period of one hundred and eighty (180)
days, or (ii) for shorter
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consecutive periods aggregating one hundred and eighty (180) days in any period
of three hundred and sixty five (365) days, or (iii) if, prior to the expiration
of either such one hundred and eighty (180) day period, Executive's attending
physician provides the Company with a written prognosis that the illness, injury
or other incapacity that results in Executive's current disabled condition is
reasonably expected to prevent Executive from fully discharging the substantial
and material duties of his then current position of employment with the Company
for a period of at least one hundred and eighty (180) days.
(b) For Cause or Without Cause. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder at any time for Cause or without Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean: (A) Executive's conviction of,
or plea of guilty to, any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, or any
felony, (B) gross negligence, gross misconduct or dishonest activities by the
Executive in the discharge of his duties hereunder, or (C) the Executive's
willful and continuous failure to substantially perform his duties hereunder
(other than as a result of physical or mental illness) after written notice by
the Company to the Executive of his failure, specifying the particular act or
acts or failure to act that is the basis of such notice, and the Executive fails
to substantially correct such breach within fourteen (14) business days of his
receipt of such notice or (D) Executive's engaging in conduct or activities
materially damaging to the Company, monetarily or otherwise after written notice
by the Company to the Executive, specifying the particular act or acts or
failure to act that is the basis of such notice, and the Executive fails to
substantially correct such act or failure to act within fourteen (14) business
days of his receipt of such notice (it being understood, however, that neither
conduct nor activities pursuant to Executive's exercise of his good faith
business judgment nor unintentional physical damage to any property of the
Company by Executive shall be a ground for such determination by the Company).
Prior to any termination hereunder by the Board for "Cause," Executive shall be
given an opportunity to make a presentation (with, at Executive's option, his
legal counsel) to the Board at a meeting of the Board. Following such meeting,
the Board shall determine by at least a majority vote whether to terminate
Executive's services for "Cause" pursuant to this Section and shall notify
Executive in writing of its determination promptly, specifying, if so
determined, a date of termination in such notice. A determination of Cause by
the Board of Directors in circumstances in which "Cause," as defined above, does
not exist, shall not be binding on Executive.
(c) For Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder for "Good Reason." For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean and shall be deemed to exist if, without the prior written consent or
written waiver of the Executive, (i) the Executive is assigned duties or
responsibilities by the Board or the President that are inconsistent in any
material respect with the scope or nature of the duties and responsibilities
associated with his title as Chief Financial Officer and, within ten (10) days
following written notice by Executive to the Company of Executive's objection to
such duties or responsibilities pursuant to this Section 4(c), the Board or the
President has not withdrawn such assigned duties or responsibilities; (ii) the
Executive's duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer are
significantly reduced by the Board or the President and, within ten (10) days
following written notice by the Executive to the
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Company of Executive's objection to such reduction, the Board or the President
fails to reinstate the Executive's duties and responsibilities so reduced; (iii)
the Company's failure to substantially perform any material term or provision of
this Agreement, after written notice by the Executive to the Company of such
failure, specifying the particular act or acts or failure to act that is the
basis of such notice, and the Company fails to substantially correct such breach
within ten (10) days of its receipt of such notice, (iv) except as expressly
permitted by Section 2(b) hereof, the Executive's office location is relocated
to one that is more than fifty (50) miles from the location at which he was
based immediately prior to the relocation, (v) during any consecutive twelve
(12) calendar month period during the Employment Period, Executive, on more than
three (3) occasions, shall have given notice to the Company of matters
referenced in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4(c), which matters,
but for the Company's subsequent corrective action or cure, would have
constituted "Good Reason" pursuant to said clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this
Section 4(c) or (vi) the Company fails to obtain the full assumption of this
Agreement by a successor corporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Section 4(c), to the extent that Executive's duties and responsibilities
are increased or expanded during the interim period following the resignation of
Xx. Xxxxx as President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's hiring of a
successor (such person, a "Permanent CEO") to Xx. Xxxxx (such increase or
expansion of duties or responsibilities, "Expanded Interim Authority"), no
reduction or limitation of such Expanded Interim Authority following the hiring
of a Permanent CEO will constitute "Good Reason" hereunder.
(d) Voluntary Termination. Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder by electing to voluntarily resign by giving as least thirty (30) days'
advanced notice thereof to the Company.
5. Compensation upon Termination.
(a) Accrued Payments Payable Upon Termination. In the event of
termination of Executive's employment for any reason, including without
limitation, for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) any
accrued but unpaid Base Salary through such date of termination, (ii) any
amounts due but unpaid for any prior completed fiscal year, including any
Incentive Bonus actually awarded for such year, and (iii) any unpaid travel and
other out-of-pocket expenses previously and reasonably incurred in the
performance of his duties hereunder ("Reimbursable Expenses"). Any such Base
Salary and/or Reimbursable Expenses shall be promptly paid in a lump sum in
cash; any Incentive Bonus due shall be paid at the same time and in the same
manner as Incentive Bonuses are paid generally to other executives of the
Company for such fiscal year.
(b) For Death or Disability. If the Executive's employment hereunder
terminates due to death or Disability, in lieu of any other payments or
benefits, he shall be entitled to (A) the payments referred to in Section 5(a)
hereof, (B) receive a monthly payment equal to the sum of (i) Executive's then
applicable monthly Base Salary on the date of death or on the date of
termination for Disability plus (ii) the quotient of the average annual
Incentive Bonus paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement for each calendar
year
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completed prior to such termination (such amount for calendar year 2000 being
$125,000) divided by twelve (such monthly payment, the "Monthly Severance
Payment") payable for eighteen (18) months following such date (the "Benefits
Period"), which Monthly Severance Payment shall be paid to the Executive, or his
beneficiary or estate, as applicable, during the Benefits Period, and (C) in the
case of termination due to Disability, continuation, at the Company's expense,
of the Executive's coverage in any group health plan (which may be provided by
payment of COBRA continuation coverage premiums), life insurance, long-term
disability and other employee benefit plans or programs, to the extent
permissible under the terms of such plans or law, at the level in effect on the
Executive's date of termination until the end of the Benefits Period (or shall
reimburse Executive during the Benefits Period on a monthly basis an amount
equal to the after-tax cost incurred by Executive to secure coverage reasonably
equivalent to the coverage Executive enjoyed as an employee under such plans and
programs immediately prior to the Benefits Period), provided that if the Company
can, pursuant to the terms of the Company's health insurance plan, continue
Executive's coverage and participation in the Company's health insurance plan as
if he were an eligible employee, the last day of the Benefits Period shall be
treated as the date of the Executive's termination of employment solely for the
purpose of determining the rights of the Executive (and his eligible dependents,
if any) to COBRA continuation coverage and if Executive cannot continue to
participate in the Company's health insurance plan as if he were an eligible
employee, the date of termination shall be treated as the date of Executive's
termination of employment for purposes of COBRA continuation coverage.
(c) Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the Executive is terminated by
the Company without Cause or the Executive terminates for Good Reason, in lieu
of any other payments or benefits, the Executive shall be entitled to (i)
receive payments of amounts due pursuant to Section 5(a) hereof, (ii) receive
the Monthly Severance Payment (calculated at the time of such termination)
payable for the 18 calendar month period commencing after the date of his
termination of employment (the "Extended Period") paid to Executive during the
Extended Period in the same manner as Base Salary was paid prior to the
Executive's termination, and (iii) continuation, at the Company's expense, of
the Executive's coverage in any group health plan (which may be provided by
payment of COBRA continuation coverage premiums), life insurance, long-term
disability and other employee benefit plans or programs, to the extent
permissible under the terms of such plans or law, at the level in effect on the
Executive's date of termination until the end of the Extended Period (or shall
reimburse Executive during the Extended Period on a monthly basis an amount
equal to the after-tax cost incurred by Executive to secure coverage reasonably
equivalent to the coverage Executive enjoyed as an employee under such plans and
programs immediately prior to the Extended Period), provided that if the Company
can, pursuant to the terms of the Company's health insurance plan, continue
Executive's coverage and participation in the Company's health insurance plan as
if he were an eligible employee, the last day of the Extended Period shall be
treated as the date of the Executive's termination of employment solely for the
purpose of determining the rights of the Executive (and his eligible dependents,
if any) to COBRA continuation coverage and if Executive cannot continue to
participate in the Company's health insurance plan as if he were an eligible
employee, the date of termination shall be treated as the date of Executive's
termination of employment for purposes of
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COBRA continuation coverage; provided, however, such payments and benefits
pursuant to this Section 5(c), to the extent not paid by the Company prior to
the occurrence of such event, shall not be due and payable by the Company to
Executive if Executive (i) shall violate the provisions of Sections 6, 7 or 8(c)
hereof or of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 8(b) hereof or (ii) during
the Extended Period shall engage in or render any services to or be employed by
any Competing Business (hereinafter defined) in the Area (hereinafter defined)
in the capacity of officer, managerial or executive employee, director,
management consultant or shareholder (other than as the owner of less than five
(5%) percent of the shares of a publicly-owned corporation whose shares are
traded on a national securities exchange or in the NASDAQ National Market
System.
(d) Compensation upon Voluntary Resignation or For Cause Termination.
If (i) Executive shall voluntarily resign for other than "Good Reason," or (ii)
the Company shall terminate Executive's employment for Cause, Executive shall be
entitled to receive, in lieu of any other payments or benefits, only the amounts
required by Section 5(a) hereof.
(e) Special Vesting of Options and Lapsing of Restricted Stock
Restrictions. In the event that Executive's employment pursuant to this
Agreement is terminated: (i) by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section
4(b) hereof, (ii) by Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof,
or (iii) as a result of death or Disability pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof
(each such case referred to herein as a "Qualified Termination"), then the
Option and the Restricted Stock granted to Executive pursuant to Section 3(e)
hereof shall be deemed to have vested (in the case of the Option) and shall be
deemed to be free of restriction (i.e., the "Restriction Period" shall have
lapsed) (in the case of the Restricted Stock) with respect to the number of
shares of common stock included in such grant or award that would have been
vested (in the case of the Option) or free of restriction (in the case of the
Restricted Stock) had such Option vested and had the restrictions on the
Restricted Stock lapsed on a monthly basis over a 36 month period commencing
November 1, 2000, through and until such date of termination.
(f) Post-Termination Exercise of Vested Options. In the event of a
Qualified Termination or any termination of employment occurring following
completion of the Original Term, Executive may exercise the portion of the
Option that is vested at the time of such termination (including the portion
vested in accordance with Section 5(e) hereof, if applicable) until last to
occur of (i) the first year anniversary of such date of termination of
employment (the "First Anniversary"), or (ii) the "Extended Date" (as defined in
the Extended Date Plan approved by the Compensation Committee simultaneously
with its approval of this Agreement) applicable to that portion of the shares
underlying the Option, if any, irrespective of the provisions generally
applicable thereto pursuant to Plan. In the event of termination of employment
during the Original Term for any reason that is not a Qualified Termination,
Executive may only exercise the vested portion of the Option during the 90-day
period following such termination and, if not so exercised within such 90-day
period, such Option shall no longer be exercisable.
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6. Resignation of Offices and Directorships. Effective upon the termination
of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall be deemed to
have resigned as an officer, director, trustee and agent, if applicable, of the
Company and its affiliates and shall execute any documents required by the
Company to evidence the same; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive shall defer any resignation contemplated hereby for a period of up to
90 days following his termination of employment if requested by the Company in
order to facilitate any notices, filings, approvals or other procedures
necessary or appropriate in connection with Executive's resignation or the
appointment of his successor; provided, however, that during any such 90-day
period Executive shall not have any material duties or responsibilities on
behalf of the Company and its affiliates other than to reasonably cooperate with
the Company in complying with such notices, filings, approvals or other
procedures.
7. Return of Company Property. Upon termination of employment hereunder or
otherwise, Executive shall immediately return all property which belongs to the
Company.
8. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) The Executive acknowledges that the covenants herein are necessary
to protect the goodwill and other value of the Company and in view of the unique
and essential nature of the services the Executive is to perform hereunder, and
the irreparable injury that would befall the Company should the Executive breach
such covenants. The Executive further acknowledges that (i) his services
hereunder are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that his
position with the Company places him in a position of confidence and trust with
the customers and employees of the Company and allows him access to Confidential
Information (as hereinafter defined), (ii) the type and periods of restrictions
imposed by the covenants in this Section are fair and reasonable and that such
restrictions will not prevent the Executive from earning a livelihood, (iii) the
Company is engaged in the business of owning, operating or managing assisted
living facilities and specialty care facilities for the treatment of individuals
suffering from Alzheimer's disease; (iv) the Company conducts its business
activity in and throughout the Area (as hereinafter defined); and (v) Competing
Businesses (as hereinafter defined) are engaged in businesses like and similar
to the business of the Company.
(b) Having acknowledged the foregoing, the Executive covenants and
agrees with the Company that, while he is in the Company's employ and for a
period of twelve (12) months following his date of termination of employment, he
will not, directly or indirectly:
(i) disclose or use for his own benefit or the benefit of
any other person, except as may be necessary in the
performance of his duties hereunder, any Confidential
Information disclosed to the Executive or of which
the Executive became aware by reason of his
employment with or ownership in the Company;
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(ii) actively solicit for employment or assist anyone else
in actively soliciting for employment in any
Competing Business in the Area any managerial
employee of the Company (whether or not such
employment is full time or is pursuant to a written
contract with the Company); and
(iii) for any reason except for (a) termination by the
Company without Cause, or (b) termination by
Executive that is for "Good Reason", engage in or
render any services to or be employed by any
Competing Business in the Area in the capacity of
officer, managerial or executive employee, director,
management consultant or shareholder (other than as
the owner of less than five (5%) percent of the
shares of a publicly-owned corporation whose shares
are traded on a national securities exchange or in
the NASDAQ National Market System).
(c) The Executive agrees that, upon the termination of his employment
for any reason whatsoever (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), he will not
take with him or retain without written authorization from the Board, and he
will promptly deliver to the Company, originals and all copies of all papers,
files or other documents containing any Confidential Information and all other
property belonging to the Company and in his possession or under his control.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Executive shall be
permitted to retain any personal memorabilia belonging to him, notes taken by
him as a member of the Board, or any committee thereof, and any other such
materials which the Executive deems to be of value to him in the event the same
may be needed by the Executive in connection with the defense of any lawsuit,
action or proceeding brought against him for any reason whatsoever.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Area" means a fifty (50) mile
radius of any assisted care facility owned, managed or operated by the Company
at the time Executive's employment hereunder is terminated; (ii) "Competing
Business" means the business of owning, operating or managing assisted living
facilities or specialty assisted care facilities for the treatment of
individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease having gross annualized revenues
of at least $35 Million or owning, operating or managing, in the aggregate, at
least 1,000 beds; and (iii) "Confidential Information" means any and all data
and information relating to the business of the Company (whether or not
constituting a trade secret) that is, has been or will be disclosed to the
Executive or of which the Executive became or becomes aware as a consequence of
or though his relationship with the Company and that has value to the Company
and is not generally known by its competitors. Confidential Information shall
not include any data or information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the
public by the Company (except where such public disclosure has been made without
authorization by the Company), or that has been independently developed and
disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful
means. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, information
relating to the
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Company's financial affairs, processes, services, customers, employees or
employees' compensation, research, development, purchasing, accounting or
marketing.
(e) The Executive acknowledges that irreparable loss and injury would
result to the Company upon the breach of any of the covenants in this Section
and that damages arising out of such breach would be difficult to ascertain. The
Executive hereby agrees that, in addition to all other remedies provided at law
or in equity and notwithstanding the agreement to arbitrate disputes set forth
in Section 11 hereof, the Company may petition and obtain from a court of law or
equity both temporary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent a breach by the
Executive of any covenant contained in this Section. The parties hereto agree
that all references to the Company in this Section shall include, unless the
context otherwise requires, all subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.
9. Change of Control
(a) If at any time during the two-year period following a Change in
Control: (1) the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by the Company
(or any successor to the Company employing Executive pursuant to this Agreement)
for any reason (including, for this purpose, a termination of Executive's
employment by the Company following the non-renewal of this Agreement due to the
Company giving a notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1 hereof), other than
for Cause or Disability or (2) Executive terminates his employment for Good
Reason, then (i) Section 8 (other than the provisions of Section 8(b)(i) and (c)
hereof, which shall survive) shall not be applicable to the Executive from and
after his date of termination, (ii) the Company shall pay the Executive, in lieu
of any other payments or benefits, (A) any amounts payable pursuant to Section
5(a) hereof and (B) an amount equal to 36 times the applicable Monthly Severance
Payment (calculated at the time of such termination), which amount shall be
payable in a single lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following the date
of Executive's termination, and (iii) to the extent that during such thirty-six
(36) month period Executive is not a participant or beneficiary of like or
substantially similar benefits afforded by any successor employer of Executive
(in which event, the Company's obligation to provide such benefits pursuant to
this clause (iii) of Section 9(a) shall cease), Executive, at the Company's
expense, shall continue to be a participant in any group health plan (which may
be provided by payment of COBRA continuation coverage premiums), and/or life
insurance, long-term disability and other employee benefit plans maintained by
the Company, to the extent permissible under the terms of such plans or at law,
at the level in effect on the Executive's date of termination for a period of
thirty-six (36) months following his date of termination (or shall reimburse
Executive during such period on a monthly basis an amount equal to the after-tax
cost incurred by Executive to secure coverage reasonably equivalent to the
coverage Executive enjoyed as an employee under such plans and programs
immediately prior to such termination), provided that if the Company can,
pursuant to the terms of the Company's health insurance plan, continue
Executive's coverage and participation in the Company's health insurance plan as
if he were an eligible employee, the last day of such 36 month period shall be
treated as the date of the Executive's termination of employment solely for the
purpose of determining the rights of the Executive (and his eligible dependents,
if any) to
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COBRA continuation coverage and if Executive cannot continue to participate in
the Company's health insurance plan as if he were an eligible employee, the date
of termination shall be treated as the date of Executive's termination of
employment for purposes of COBRA continuation coverage. Executive agrees to
cooperate with the Company (if it so elects) in securing life and disability
insurance coverage to fund, or partially fund, the Company's obligations under
this Section 9.
(b) A Change in Control shall mean the happening of any of the
following:
(i) Any "person," as such term is used in Section 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") (other than the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company, or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee
benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary)
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules
13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
forty percent (40%) or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding "voting
securities"; provided, however, the provisions of
this subparagraph (i) shall not apply (and hence no
Change of Control shall be deemed to arise pursuant
to this subparagraph (i)) (x) if the Company shall be
a constituent corporation in a triangular merger if
the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to
such merger is converted into the voting stock of the
parent company of the other constituent corporation
in such merger so long as no "person" or "group" (as
such terms are used under Section 13(d) and 14 (d) of
the Exchange Act, whether or not such sections are
applicable) is upon the consummation of such merger
the "beneficial owner" (as that term is used under
Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, whether
or not such rules are applicable, except that a
"person" or "group" shall be deemed to have
"beneficial ownership" of all share that he or it has
the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of
time or otherwise), directly or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, of forty percent (40%) or
more of the total voting power represented by all of
the voting stock of such parent company or (y) to the
"beneficial ownership" of voting securities by any
person that is an "Exempt Person," as defined in the
Rights Agreement dated as of December 10, 1998
between the Company and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, as amended by each of the Amendments
to Rights Agreement dated as of April 26, 2000, and
as of May 31, 2000, respectively, and by such
amendments to the Rights Agreement as the Company
effects in order to comply with its obligations
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arising pursuant to Section 7.8 of the Purchase
Agreement dated as of April 26, 2000 between the
Company, RDVEPCO, L.L.C., Group One Investors,
L.L.C., and Holiday Retirement 2000, LLC, as amended
(such persons, "Exempt Persons");
(ii) Individuals who at the beginning of the Original Term
are members of the Board, together with any new
director (other than a director designated by a
person who has entered into an agreement with the
Company to effect a transaction described in clause
(i), (iii) or (iv) hereof) whose election by the
Board or nomination by the Board for election by the
Company's shareholders was approved by a vote of at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in
office who either were directors at the beginning of
such period or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved, shall cease for
any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
members of the Board;
(iii) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, other than (x) a merger or consolidation
which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity or, in the case of
a triangular merger, by being converted into voting
securities of the parent company of the other
constituent corporation) more than forty percent
(40%) of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company, such surviving entity or
parent company outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation or (y) a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar
transaction) in which no "person" (as defined above
in clause (i), but excluding any Exempt Person)
acquires more than forty percent (40%) of the
combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities;
(iv) The shareholders of the Company approve a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement
for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets or any
transaction having a similar effect; or
(v) RDVEPCO, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("RVEPCO"), shall sell or transfer to any "person"
(as that term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is not an "affiliate" (as that
term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
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Exchange Act) of either RDVEPCO, the Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Living Trust or RDV Corporation in excess of (x)
fifty percent (50%) of the Company's then outstanding
shares of Series A 9.75% Cumulative Convertible
Pay-In-Kind Preferred Stock (the "Series A Stock") or
(y) fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate face amount
of the Series A and Series B 9.75% Convertible
Pay-In-Kind Debentures held by RDVEPCO as of the date
of this Agreement and the person acquiring such
debentures from RDVEPCO shall acquire, either
contractually or by virtue of its ownership or
control of voting securities of the Company, the
right to elect an equal or greater number of
directors of the Company than RDVEPCO (it being
agreed that, as of the date of this Agreement,
RDVEPCO holds the right to elect four directors of
the Company due to its ownership of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Series A Stock); provided,
however, that no conversion or exchange of such
preferred stock or debentures for other capital stock
or debentures of the Company or of its successor, as
contemplated by the respective governing documents of
such preferred stock or debentures, shall be deemed a
sale or transfer for purposes of this subparagraph
(v) of this Section 9(b).
For purposes of this Section 9, "voting securities" shall mean securities of the
Company having the right to vote generally on the election of directors of the
Company.
(c) In the event that the payments and other benefits provided to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement (i) constitute "parachute payments" within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9(c), such
severance and benefits would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code, then Executive's benefits shall be payable either:
(x) in full, or
(y) in such lesser amount (but not less than zero) which would
result in no portion of such payments and other benefits being subject
to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal,
state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results
in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of
economic benefits under this Agreement. Unless the Company and Executive
otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 9(c)
shall be made in writing by KPMG or, if different, by the Company's independent
public accountants at such time (the "Accountants"), whose determination shall
be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For
purposes of making the calculations required by this
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Section 9(c), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations
concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith
interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and 4999 of the Code.
The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and
documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a
determination under this Section 9(c). The Company shall bear all costs the
Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations
contemplated by this Section 9(c).
10. Exercise Term of Outstanding Options. Effective as of the date of this
Agreement, the Company and Executive hereby amend the terms of all outstanding
options (and the associated stock option agreements) held by Executive to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share (other
than the Option to be granted pursuant to Section 3(e) hereof), such that all
such options shall, unless previously exercised, expire on January 15, 2001, and
all such options shall be so amended without any further action.
11. Arbitration. Except as provided otherwise in Section 8(e) hereof, any
and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
shall be resolved by arbitration at the office of the American Arbitration
Association nearest to the Company's executive offices at such time before a
panel of one arbitrator under the then existing rules and regulations of the
American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator will be chosen by mutual
agreement by the Executive and the Company. The parties agree that in any such
arbitration, the arbitrator shall not have the power to reform or modify this
Agreement in any way and to that extent their powers are so limited. The
determination of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties hereto
and judgment on it may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Except
as required by law or as determined to be appropriate disclosure by the Company
under applicable securities laws or stock exchange regulations, neither the
Company nor Executives shall issue any press release or make any statement which
is reasonably foreseeable to become public with respect to any arbitration or
dispute between the parties without receiving the prior written consent of the
other party to the content of such press release or statement. The Company and
the Executive shall share the cost of the arbitration proceeding equally;
provided that the arbitrator shall have discretion to award the prevailing party
the right to collect from the other party all or a portion, in the discretion of
the arbitrator, of the prevailing party's costs and expenses incurred in
enforcing the terms of this Agreement, including the prevailing party's portion
of the costs of the arbitrator and the arbitration.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
shall be binding upon the Executive, his executor, administrator, heirs,
personal representatives and assigns, and upon the Company and its successors
and assigns; provided that the obligations and duties of the Executive may not
be assigned or delegated.
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(b) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in
all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without giving effect to principles of
conflicts of laws.
(c) Invalid Provisions. The parties hereto agree that the agreements,
provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement (including, without
limitation, the agreements, provisions and covenants contained in Section 8
hereof) are several and divisible, that none of such agreements, provisions or
covenants depends upon any other provision, agreement or covenant for its
enforceability, and that each such agreement, provision, and covenant
constitutes an enforceable obligation between the Company and the Executive.
Consequently, the parties hereto agree that neither the invalidity nor the
unenforceability of any agreement, provision or covenant of this Agreement shall
affect the other agreements, provisions or covenants hereof, and this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect and be construed in all respects as if
such invalid or unenforceable agreement, provision or covenant were omitted.
(d) Assignment. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. This
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Executive, and shall be assignable by
the Company only to any corporation or other entity resulting from the
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation or entity or any corporation or entity to or with which the
Company's business or substantially all of its business or assets may be sold,
exchanged or transferred, and it must be so assigned by the Company to, and
accepted as binding upon it by, such other corporation or entity in connection
with any such reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or transfer
(the provisions of this sentence also being applicable to each successive such
transaction).
(e) Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning of interpretation of this Agreement.
(f) No Mitigation; No Offset. In the event of the termination of
Executive's employment, he shall be under no obligation to seek other employment
and there shall be no offset against any amounts due to the Executive hereunder
on account of any remuneration the Executive may obtain from any subsequent
employment (except as expressly provided in Section 9(a)(iii) hereof). Any
amounts due the Executive hereunder upon termination are in the nature of
liquidated damages, and not in the nature of a penalty.
(g) Legal Fees. Each party hereto shall be responsible for its legal
fees incurred in connection herewith; provided, however, that the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by
Executive in connection with the preparation of this Agreement in an amount not
to exceed $5,000.00.
(h) Notices. All communications provided for hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to be given when delivered in person or deposited in
the United
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States mail, first class, registered mail, return receipt requested, with proper
postage prepaid, and
If to the Executive, addressed to:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company, addressed to:
Alterra Healthcare Corporation
00000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
or at such other place or places or to such other person or persons as shall be
designated in writing by the parties hereto in the manner provided above for
notices.
(i) Facsimile Signature; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
by facsimile signature and in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
(j) Waiver. The waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any
provision, agreement or covenant of this Agreement by the other party hereto
shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach
of the same or any other provision, agreement or covenant by such other party
hereto.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties hereto
to be the final expression of their agreement and is the complete and exclusive
statement thereof notwithstanding any representation or statements to the
contrary heretofore made and supersedes the Prior Agreement. This Agreement may
be modified only by written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
(l) Taxes. Any amounts payable to the Executive hereunder shall be paid
to the Executive subject to all applicable taxes required to be withheld by the
Company
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pursuant to federal, state or local law. The Executive or his beneficiary, if
applicable, shall be solely responsible for all taxes imposed on the Executive
or his beneficiary by reason of his receipt of any amounts of compensation or
benefits payable to the Executive hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has duly executed, and the Company has
caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer, and
the parties have caused this Agreement to be delivered, all as of the day and
year first written above.
ALTERRA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
---------------------------------------------------
XXXXXX X. XXXX
Chief Operating Officer
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------------------
XXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
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