Murray EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 2006
New Page 4
Exhibit 10.7
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
is made as of March 28,
2006 between 1-800 CONTACTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
and John Murray (the “Executive”).
This Agreement shall be effective as of March 30, 2006 (the “Effective
Date”).
In
consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Employment.
The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment
with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending as provided in
paragraph 4 hereof (the “Employment Period”).
2.
Position
and Duties.
(a)
During the Employment Period Executive shall serve as Chief Information
Officer for the Company and shall have such duties, authorities and
responsibilities commensurate with the duties, responsibilities and
authorities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies and
such other duties, responsibilities and authority assigned to Executive by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer or President that are not inconsistent
with Executive’s position as Chief Information Officer, or shall serve as
such other senior management position as assigned to Executive by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company (the “Chief Executive Officer”),
the President of the Company (the “President”) or the Board of
Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
(b)
Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the
President or such other persons as the Chief Executive Officer or President
may direct from time to time, and Executive shall devote Executive’s
best efforts and full business time and attention (except for permitted
vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the
business and affairs of the Company and its Affiliates (as hereinafter
defined). Executive shall perform Executive’s duties and
responsibilities to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent,
trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner.
(c)
For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” shall mean a
person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by or is under common control with another person
(within the meaning of Rule 12b-2) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
3.
Base
Salary and Benefits.
(a)
Executive’s initial base salary shall be $180,000 per annum, which
salary shall be payable in regular installments in accordance with the
Company’s general payroll practices and shall be subject to customary
deductions and withholding. Thereafter, the Company shall periodically review
Executive’s Base Salary for increase but not decrease (presently conducted
on
an annual basis). The base salary as determined herein from time to time shall
constitute “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.
(b)
In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to
participate in the Company’s bonus and other incentive compensation plans
and programs in effect from time to time for the Company’s senior
executives. Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual bonus (the
“Bonus”) for each fiscal year during the Employment Period with a
target Bonus that will not be less than the target annual bonus Executive is
eligible to receive as of the Effective Date or that Executive may hereafter
become eligible to receive.
(c)
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be, to the extent
eligible, entitled to participate in the employee benefit programs made
available to all employees of the Company according to their terms. In
addition, Executive shall be entitled to other perquisites and fringe benefits
in such amounts as determined by the Chief Executive Officer or the President
in accordance with Company policy and practice and as approved by the
Compensation Committee. Without limiting the foregoing, Executive shall be
entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:
(i)
Participation in any long-term incentive plan adopted by the Company
for the benefit of senior executives of the Company as determined by the Board
(or a committee thereof);
(ii)
Four weeks (20 working days) of paid vacation each year (as prorated
for partial years), in addition to holidays, in accordance with the
Company’s policy on accrual and use applicable to senior executives, which
vacation may be taken at such times as mutually agreed between Executive
and the Company; and
(iii)
Reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary travel, entertainment
and other business expenses incurred by Executive, in accordance with Company
policy (including presentment of appropriate documentation).
4.
Employment
Period.
Executive’s term of employment under this Agreement (such term of
employment, as it may be extended or terminated, is herein referred to as
the “Employment Period”) shall be for a term commencing on the
Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier as provided in paragraph 5
hereof, ending on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Original
Employment Period”), provided that the Employment Period shall be
automatically extended, subject to earlier termination as provided in
paragraph 5 hereof, for successive additional two (2) year periods (the
“Additional Terms”), unless, at least 180 days prior to the end of
the Original Employment Term or the then Additional Term, the Company or
Executive has notified the other in writing that the Employment Period shall
terminate at the end of the then current term.
5.
Termination.
Executive’s employment and the Employment Period shall terminate on the
first of the following to occur:
(a)
Automatically on the date Executive dies.
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(b)
Upon 30 days’ prior written notice by Executive to the Company of
Executive’s voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason.
(c)
Upon written notice by Executive to the Company of a termination for
Good Reason, unless such events are corrected in all material respects by the
Company within 20 days following written notification by Executive to the
Company that Executive intends to terminate employment hereunder for Good
Reason. “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events, without Executive’s express written consent:
(i)
A substantial adverse change in duties that results in Executive
performing duties that are of a significantly lower level than those
customarily performed by Executive during the year preceding the termination
of the Employment Period.
(ii)
A change in Executive’s regular worksite to a worksite that is more
than 50 miles by the most direct road from Executive’s regular worksite
during the year preceding the termination of the Employment Period and that is
also further from Executive’s principal residence.
(iii)
A material breach of this Agreement by the Company that is not cured,
if curable, within 30 days after written notice and demand by Executive
including, but not limited to, any failure to pay when due Executive’s Base
Salary or other amounts due under this Agreement.
(iv)
The failure of the Company to obtain and deliver to Executive a written
agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement
Good
Reason will cease to exist for an event on the 60th day following its
occurrence, unless Executive shall have given the Company written notice
thereof prior to such date.
(d)
Upon written notice by the Company to Executive of termination due to
Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall be defined
as a good faith determination by the Chief Executive Officer or President that
Executive has been or will be unable to perform Executive’s material
duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity
for 90 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period,
regardless of whether Executive is deemed disabled pursuant to the Company’s
policies or plans.
(e)
The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for
Cause immediately upon written notice by the Company to Executive of a
termination for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause”
shall mean any of the following:
(i)
The willful and continued failure by Executive to perform the
duties of Executive’s then position or Executive’s willful failure to
follow the written direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
other more senior executive or the Board.
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(ii)
The engaging by Executive in conduct that can reasonably be expected to
be materially monetarily or reputation-wise injurious to the Company or an
Affiliate.
(iii)
Gross negligence or willful misconduct of a material nature by
Executive with regard to the Company or an Affiliate or in the performance of
Executive’s duties.
(iv)
Executive’s indictment, conviction, pleading guilty or nolo
contendere to a felony or other civil or criminal offense involving fraud,
dishonesty or moral turpitude.
(v)
Executive’s material violation of the Company’s code of ethics or a
material breach by Executive of a fiduciary duty or responsibility to the
Company or an Affiliate.
(vi)
Executive’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written
agreement between Executive and the Company or an Affiliate that is not cured,
if curable, within 20 days of the giving of written notice thereof to
Executive (or such longer period specified in such other agreement).
(f)
Upon written notice by the Company to Executive of an involuntary
termination without Cause, other than for death or Disability.
6.
Consequences
of Termination.
(a)
Upon a termination of the Employment Period pursuant to paragraph 5(a),
the Company shall pay or provide Executive’s estate with the following
severance benefits, subject to paragraph 6(d) hereof:
(i)
The Accrued Benefits (as defined below).
(ii)
Continued payment of Executive’s Base Salary (but not as an employee)
for a period of 12 months commencing on the date of termination.
(b)
Upon the expiration of the Employment Period or a termination of the
Employment Period pursuant to paragraph 5 (b), (d) and (e) hereof,
the Company shall pay or provide Executive (i) any unpaid Base Salary
through the date of termination; (ii) any annual bonus earned but unpaid
with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination
(other than in connection with a termination pursuant to paragraphs 5(b) or
(e) hereof); provided, however, to the extent payment of such bonus is
subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), and the regulations issued or to be issued by the
Department of the Treasury thereunder (“Section 409A”), such
payment shall be made at such times in such calendar year as provided to other
executives but in no event prior to the expiration of the six-month period
commencing on the date of the expiration of the Employment Period or such
termination if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of
Section 409A and is not otherwise exempt from the six-month delay
requirement under Section 409A; (iii) reimbursement for any
unreimbursed expenses incurred through the
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date
of termination; and (iv) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits
to which Executive may be entitled under the terms of any applicable
compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program
or grant or this Agreement (collectively items (i) through (v) shall
be hereafter referred to as “Accrued Benefits”).
(c)
Upon a termination of the Employment Period pursuant to paragraph 5(c) or
(f) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following
severance benefits, subject to paragraph 6(d) hereof:
(i)
The Accrued Benefits.
(ii)
Continued payment of Executive’s Base Salary (but not as an employee)
for a period of 12 months commencing on the date of termination or such later
date provided for under Section 409A without triggering adverse tax
consequences to Executive under Section 409A; provided, however, that if
such payments commence more than 30 days following the date of termination,
the first such payment shall equal the sum of all payments that would have
been made from the date of termination to the date of such first payment were
it not for the delay in payment for Section 409A purposes.
(iii)
a pro-rata portion of Executive’s Bonus for the performance year in
which Executive’s termination occurs at the time that annual bonuses are
paid to other senior executives or such later date provided for under Section 409A
without triggering adverse tax consequences to Executive (determined by
multiplying the amount Executive would have received based solely upon
achievement of corporate financial targets had employment continued through
the end of the performance year, as determined by the Board in good faith, by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the
performance year of termination that Executive is employed by the Company and
the denominator of which is 365);
(iv)
To the extent Executive is eligible to and does elect COBRA
continuation coverage with respect to some or all of the Company’s health
plans, the Company shall continue to pay a share of the “applicable
premium” for such coverage until such coverage or the salary continuation
period described in paragraph 6 hereof ends or until Executive receives health
coverage under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer, whichever is
earlier, provided Executive continues to timely pay Executive’s share of the
“applicable premium” for such coverage. The Company’s share shall be the
same portion of the normal cost of group health coverage borne by the Company
for similarly situated active employees at the same coverage level (such as
employee-only or employee-plus-spouse) as Executive, disregarding coverage
levels higher than the level of Executive on the last day of the Employment
Period; provided, however, that if such payments commence more than 30 days
following the date of termination, the first such payment shall equal the
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sum
of all payments that would have been made from the date of termination to the
date of such first payment were it not for the delay in payment for Section 409A
purposes.
Payments
provided in this paragraph 6(c) shall be in lieu of any termination or
severance payments or benefits for which Executive may be eligible under
any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company.
(d)
Any severance benefit that would otherwise be payable pursuant to
paragraph 6(b) or (c) hereof shall be paid subject to the following
rules:
(i)
No severance benefit (or, in the event of Executive’s death, any
severance benefit beyond the first month’s severance benefit) shall be paid
unless Executive (or, in the event of Executive’s death, Executive’s
estate) signs a release in a form and manner acceptable to the Company,
which will be similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement, and does not revoke
that release within the time prescribed by law or the terms of the release.
(ii)
If the Compensation Committee of the Board determines in good faith,
after giving Executive written notice setting forth the factual basis of such
determination and a reasonable opportunity for Executive to respond, that
Executive has violated any of the provisions of paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof,
no severance benefit shall be paid, any severance benefit in pay status shall
immediately cease to be paid and any severance benefit paid to Executive
subsequent to Executive’s violation of the provisions of paragraphs 7, 8 or
9 hereof shall be immediately repaid to the Company. The right granted to the
Company by this paragraph shall not limit the Company’s right to any
additional legal or equitable relief, including an injunction.
(e)
In the event that Executive becomes entitled to payments and/or
benefits which would constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the provisions of Exhibit B
shall apply.
7.
Confidential
Information; Return of Property.
Executive acknowledges that the information, observations, data, strategic and
development plans, financial condition, business plans, co-developer
identities, business records, customer lists, clients and suppliers, project
records, market reports, employee lists and business manuals, policies and
procedures, information relating to processes, technologies of theory and all
other information that may be disclosed or obtained by Executive while
employed by the Company and its Affiliates concerning the business or affairs
of the Company or any Affiliate (“Confidential Information”) are
the property of the Company or such Affiliate. Therefore, Executive agrees not
to disclose, other than in the course of Executive’s assigned duties and for
the benefit of the Company, to any unauthorized person or use for
Executive’s own purposes any Confidential Information without the prior
written consent of Company, unless and to the extent that (a) the
aforementioned matters become generally known to and available for use by the
public other than as a result of Executive’s (or any representative of
Executive’s) acts or omissions or
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Executive
is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process
(provided that Executive provides the Company with prior notice of the
contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company at its
expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such
information). Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of the
Employment Period, or at any other time the Company may request, all of
the property of the Company that Executive may then possess or have under
control, including all memoranda, notes, e-mails, plans, records, reports,
computer disks or tapes, printouts, software, computer access codes and other
documents and data (and copies or reproductions thereof) containing or
relating to Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the
business of the Company or any Affiliate and all computers (including
laptops), cell phones, keys, PDAs, Blackberries, credit cards, facsimile
machines, televisions and card access keys to any Company building. Executive
agrees not to retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions or excerpts of such
material or documents.
8.
Intellectual
Property.
(a)
In accordance with UCA §34-39-1 et
seq., Executive acknowledges and agrees that all of the following
Intellectual Property or parts thereof (the “Intellectual Property”),
whether patentable or unpatentable shall belong exclusively to the Company or
an Affiliate (or their designee), whether or not patent applications,
trademark registrations, or copyright registrations are filed thereon:
(i)
Intellectual Property, whether in whole or in part that is
conceived, developed, reduced to practice, or created by Executive, solely or
jointly with others, within the scope of Executive’s employment, on the
Company’s or an Affiliate’s time, or with the aid, assistance, or use of
any of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s property, facilities, supplies,
resources, or Intellectual Property. For purposes of this Agreement, “Intellectual
Property” means any and all patents, trade secrets, know-how,
technology, confidential information, ideas, copyrights, trademarks, and
service marks and any and all rights, applications, and registrations relating
to them.
(ii)
Intellectual Property or parts thereof that are suggested by any work,
services or duties performed by Executive for the Company or an Affiliate,
either while performing Executive’s duties with the Company or an Affiliate
or on Executive’s own time, but only insofar as the Intellectual Property is
related to Executive’s work as an employee or other service provider to the
Company or an Affiliate.
(iii)
Intellectual Property or parts thereof that are related to the industry
or trade of the Company or an Affiliate.
(iv)
Intellectual Property or parts thereof that are related to the current
or demonstrably anticipated business, research, or development of the Company
or an Affiliate.
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(b)
Executive agrees and acknowledges that any Intellectual Property that
is worked on, developed, or in any way conceived of or commenced in any way
during the Employment Period, including any Intellectual Property developed
subsequent to the Employment Period that can be reasonably shown to have
evolved from or germinated during the Employment Period shall presumptively
belong exclusively to the Company or an Affiliate (or their designee).
(c)
Executive will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”),
in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Intellectual Property, and
will promptly disclose all Intellectual Property completely and in writing to
the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the
Company, and Executive will surrender them upon the termination of the
Employment Period, or upon the Company’s request. Executive will assign to
the Company or an Affiliate the Intellectual Property including all patents,
trademarks, and/or copyrights that may issue thereon in any and all
countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Period, together
with the right to file, in Executive’s name or in the name of the Company or
an Affiliate (or their designees), applications for patents, trademarks,
and/or copyrights and equivalent rights (the “Applications”).
Executive will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Period,
make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all
acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company or an Affiliate
with respect to the Intellectual Property. Executive will also execute
assignments to the Company or an Affiliate (or their designees) of the
Applications, and give the Company or an Affiliate and their attorneys all
reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the
Inventions for its benefit, all without additional compensation to Executive
from the Company or an Affiliate, but entirely at the Company’s or an
Affiliate’s expense.
(d)
In addition, the Intellectual Property will be deemed Work for Hire, as
such term is defined under the copyright law of the United States, on behalf
of the Company and its Affiliates and Executive agrees that the Company or an
Affiliate will be the sole owner of the Intellectual Property, and all
underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised,
throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to
Executive. If the Intellectual Property, or any portion thereof, is deemed not
to be Work for Hire, Executive hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and
assigns to the Company or an Affiliate, all rights, in all media now known or
hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the
Intellectual Property, including without limitation, all of Executive’s
right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and
extensions thereof) to the Intellectual Property, including without
limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized,
including without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications,
adaptations and revisions to the Intellectual Property, to exploit and allow
others to exploit the Intellectual Property and all rights to sue at law or in
equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in
derogation of the Intellectual Property, known or unknown, prior to the date
hereof, including without limitation the right to receive all proceeds and
damages therefrom. In addition, Executive hereby waives any so-called “moral
rights” with respect to the Intellectual Property. Executive hereby waives
any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the
Intellectual Property and all patents, trademarks, and/or copyrights that may issue
thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue
to Executive’s benefit by virtue of Executive being an employee of or other
service provider to the Company or an Affiliate.
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(e)
Further, Executive recognizes and acknowledges the validity of the
Company or an Affiliate’s rights in the Intellectual Property and all
applications and registrations secured and to be secured therefore, and that
the Company or an Affiliate is the owner thereof. Executive further agrees not
to challenge the validity of or the Company or an Affiliate’s title in the
Intellectual property and will not oppose, petition to cancel, or request
re-examination of any applications filed or issued or registrations received
in respect of the Intellectual Property.
9.
Non-Compete,
Non-Solicitation, Non-Disparagement; Cooperation.
(a)
In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive
hereunder, Executive acknowledges that in the course of Executive’s
employment with the Company Executive shall become familiar with the
Company’s trade secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning
the Company and Affiliates. Therefore, Executive agrees that during the
Employment Period and for two years thereafter (the “Noncompete Period”),
Executive shall not, without the express written consent of the Company,
directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in,
consult with, advise, render services for, or in any manner engage in any
activity competing with the business of the Company or Affiliates within any
geographical area in which the Company or Affiliates engage or plan to engage
in such businesses as of the date of the termination of Executive’s
employment. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner
of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of a
corporation that is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active
participation in the business of such corporation.
(b)
During the Noncompete Period, Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm corporation or
other entity (i) hire any person who was an employee, representative or
agent of the Company or any Affiliate at any time during the three-month
period prior to the beginning of the Noncompete Period or solicit, aid, induce
or attempt to induce such an employee, representative or agent to terminate
its relationship with the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) solicit, induce
or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, licensee, licensor,
franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any Affiliate to cease
doing business with the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way interfere
with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, licensee or
business relation and the Company or any Affiliate, which interference may reasonably
be expected to cause material monetary damage to the Company or its
Affiliates.
(c)
During the Employment Period and for three years thereafter, Executive
shall not or encourage or induce others to do or say anything at any time that
disparages the Company or an Affiliate or any of the Company’s or an
Affiliate’s past or present directors, officers, employees or agents or
their products or services (the “Company Parties”). For purposes of
this Agreement, the term “disparage” includes, without limitation,
comments or statements to the press and/or media, the Company Parties or any
individual or entity with whom any Company Party has a business relationship
that would adversely affect in any manner: (i) the conduct of the
business of any Company Party (including, without limitation, any business
plans or prospects); or (ii) the business reputation of any Company
Party.
(d)
Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including
outside counsel), Executive agrees that while employed by the Company and
thereafter, Executive will
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respond
and provide information with regard to matters in which Executive has
knowledge as a result of Executive’s employment with the Company, and will
provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their
respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made
against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its
affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the
Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to
the period of Executive’s employment with the Company (or any predecessor).
Executive agrees to promptly inform the Company if Executive becomes
aware of any lawsuits involving such claims that may be filed or
threatened against the Company or its affiliates. Executive also agrees to
promptly inform the Company (to the extent Executive is legally permitted
to do so) if Executive is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company
or its affiliates (or their actions), regardless of whether a lawsuit or other
proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with
respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required.
10.
Enforcement.
If, at the time of enforcement of paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof, a court holds
that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then
existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or
geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for
the stated period, scope or area. Because Executive’s services are unique
and because Executive has access to Confidential Information and Work Product,
the parties hereto agree that money damages would not be an adequate remedy
for any breach of paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof. Therefore, in the event of a
breach or threatened breach of paragraphs 7, 8 or 9 hereof, the Company or its
successor or assigns may, in addition to all other rights and remedies
existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce, or
prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or
other security). In addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation
by Executive of paragraph 9 hereof, the Noncompete Period shall be tolled
until such breach or violation has been duly cured. Executive agrees that the
restrictions contained in paragraph 9 hereof are reasonable.
11.
Other
Businesses.
As long as Executive is employed by the Company or an Affiliate, Executive
shall not, without the express written consent of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer or the President, become engaged in or render services for,
any business other than the business of the Company, any Affiliate or any
corporation or partnership in which the Company or an Affiliate has an equity
interest; provided, that Executive may be a passive owner of not more
than 1% of the equity securities of an enterprise engaged in such business, so
long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such
enterprise, if such activities do not in any material way interfere with the
performance by Executive of Executive’s obligations hereunder and such
activities do not in any way materially and adversely affect the Company or an
Affiliate or create a potential business conflict or the appearance thereof.
If at any time such services conflict with Executive’s fiduciary duty to the
Company or an Affiliate or create any appearance thereof, Executive shall
promptly cease providing such services after written notice of the conflict is
received from the Company. Executive shall notify the Company prior to
engaging in any such activities. Nothing contained in this paragraph 11 shall
limit the provisions of paragraph 9 hereof.
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12.
Executive’s
Representations.
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and
shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any
contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive
is a party or by which Executive is bound, (ii) Executive is not a party
to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete agreement or
confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity and (iii) upon
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement
shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in
accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that
full understanding of the terms and conditions contained herein.
13.
Survival.
Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 and paragraphs 13 through 21 shall survive and continue
in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding any termination
of the Employment Period.
14.
Notices.
Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
delivered, either personally or by reputable overnight courier service or
mailed postpaid by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the
recipient at the address below indicated:
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Notices
to Executive
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Notices
to the Company
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At
the address shown
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66
E. Wadsworth Park Drive
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on
the records of the Company
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Draper,
UT 84020
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Attn:
General Counsel
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Or
such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given
when so delivered or mailed.
15.
Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed,
construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provision had never been contained herein
16.
Complete
Agreement.
This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein and other
documents of even date herewith and the embody the complete agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, that may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way
(including, without limitation, the employment agreement between Executive and
the Company dated as of February 21, 2005). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained
in paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 hereof are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any
other Company-imposed limitation on Executive’s activities or rights during
the Employment Period and thereafter.
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17.
No Strict
Construction.
The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen
by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of
strict construction shall be applied against either party.
18.
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and
the same agreement.
19.
Successors
and Assigns.
This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided
in this paragraph 19, no party may assign or delegate any rights or
obligations hereunder. The Company may assign this Agreement to a person
or entity that is an Affiliate or successor and shall require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise)
to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of (i) the
Company, (ii) any Affiliate to which this Agreement has been assigned or
(iii) any division of the Company or Affiliate by which Executive is
employed to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the
same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company, any Affiliate to which this
Agreement has been assigned and any successor to the business and/or assets of
(i) the Company, (ii) any Affiliate to which this Agreement has been
assigned or (iii) any division of the Company or Affiliate by which
Executive is employed which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement
by operation of law, or otherwise.
20.
Choice of
Law. All
issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or
provisions (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Utah.
21.
Amendment
and Waiver.
The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the
prior written consent of the Company and Executive by a document that
explicitly states its intention to amend this Agreement, and no course of
conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement
shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement
22.
Indemnification;
Liability Insurance.
Executive’s right to be indemnified for any actions, suits, proceedings,
claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s
fees), losses, and damages resulting from Executive’s good faith performance
of his duties and obligations with the Company and Executive’s right to be
covered under directors and officers liability insurance, each to the extent
provided in the by-laws or other organizational document of the Company, shall
survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company while
potential liability exists.
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23.
No
Mitigation.
In no event shall Executive be obliged to seek other employment or take any
other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under
any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment
hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of
employment by another employer.
24.
Arbitration.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement
or Executive’s employment with the Company, other than injunctive relief
under paragraph 10 hereof, shall be settled exclusively by arbitration,
conducted before a single arbitrator in Salt Lake City, Utah (applying Utah
law) in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.
The decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon the parties
hereto. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court
having jurisdiction. The parties acknowledge and agree that in connection with
any such arbitration and regardless of outcome (a) each party shall pay
all its own costs and expenses, including without limitation its own legal
fees and expenses, and (b) joint expenses shall be borne equally among
the parties. Following a change of ownership or effective control covered by
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, in the event of any dispute arising
out of or under this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company,
if the arbitrator determines that Executive has prevailed on the issues in the
arbitration, the Company shall, upon presentment of appropriate documentation,
promptly, at Executive’s election, pay or reimburse Executive for all
reasonable legal and other professional fees, costs of arbitration and other
expenses incurred in connection therewith by Executive.
25.
Withholding.
The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this
Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
26.
Section 409A
of the Code.
This Agreement is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of
Section 409A and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in
accordance with such intent. To the extent that payment or benefit hereunder
is subject to Section 409A, it is intended that it be paid in a manner
that will comply with Section 409A, including proposed, temporary or
final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in this
Agreement that is inconsistent with Section 409A shall be deemed to be
amended to comply with Section 409A and to the extent such provision
cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to
Executive or otherwise if any amounts paid or payable are subject to Section 409A;
provided, however, that following a change of ownership or effective control
covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the Company shall
indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any
additional tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed
on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code.
[Signature
Page to Follow]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
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EXECUTIVE
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1-800
CONTACTS, INC.
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/s/
John Murray
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/s/
Brian W. Bethers
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John
Murray
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Brian
W. Bethers, President
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Dated:
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Dated:
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