Second Amended and Restated Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated November 5, 2018, by and between Addus HealthCare, Inc. and R. Dirk Allison
Exhibit 10.3
Execution Version
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is effective as of November 5, 2018 (the Effective Date), by and between Addus HealthCare, Inc., an Illinois corporation (the Company), and R. Dirk Allison, an individual domiciled in the State of Texas (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the Company, its parent and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Addus HealthCare Group) provide home care, home health and hospice services.
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an Amended and Restated Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated April 25, 2017, which amended the Executives original Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated February 29, 2016 (the Original Date) (the Original Agreement), and the parties hereto desire to enter this Agreement to secure the Executives continued employment, all on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
WHEREAS, by virtue of the Executives employment by the Company pursuant to the terms hereof, the Executive will obtain and become familiar with certain valuable confidential and proprietary information relating to the Addus HealthCare Group, its customers and employees.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to protect the goodwill and all proprietary rights and information of the Addus HealthCare Group.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. | Effectiveness; Term of Employment. |
(a) | This Agreement shall automatically become effective on the Effective Date. |
(b) | The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts employment by the Company, for the period commencing as of the Original Date and ending on the fourth (4th) anniversary of the Original Date, or on such earlier date as provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (the Initial Employment Term). At the end of the Initial Employment Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms (each, as may be earlier terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, an Additional Employment Term and, together with the Initial Employment Term, as may be earlier terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Employment Term), unless either party provides notice to the other of its or his intention not to renew this Agreement at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Employment Term or any Additional Employment Term (a Non-Renewal). During the Employment Term, the Executive shall (i) devote substantially all of his professional time, loyalty and efforts to discharge his duties hereunder on a timely basis; (ii) use his best efforts to loyally and diligently serve the business and affairs of the Addus HealthCare Group; and (iii) endeavor in all respects to promote, advance and further the Addus HealthCare Groups interests |
in all matters. The parties agree that the provision should not be construed as limiting Executives right to serve on boards of, or otherwise engage in activities on behalf of, charitable and civic organizations or other entities that do not compete with the business of the Company and that do not interfere with Executives duties hereunder in any material respect. |
2. | Employment Duties. |
During the Employment Term, the Company will employ the Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer, a senior executive position that reports directly to the Board of Directors (the Board of Directors) of Addus HomeCare Corporation (Addus HomeCare). The Executives principal duties and responsibilities shall be to oversee and direct the operations of the Addus HealthCare Group including the management, marketing and delivery of home care and adult day care services and the performance of such other executive duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors and are consistent with the Executives position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
3. | Compensation. |
The Company will pay the Executive as follows during the Employment Term:
(a) | Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at the annual rate of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000), which shall be paid in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company and shall be subject to applicable withholdings and deductions. Thereafter, the Executives base salary shall be subject to review and adjustment upward by the compensation committee (the Compensation Committee) of the Board of Directors on or about each anniversary of the Effective Date for each year during the Employment Term (as adjusted from time-to-time, the Base Salary). |
(b) | Incentive Plans. The Executive, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, shall be eligible (but not entitled) to receive an annual bonus in accordance with Exhibit A hereto. The Compensation Committee, at its sole discretion, may determine the amount of the annual bonus, if any, to which the Executive may become entitled based on the quantitative and qualitative factors described on Exhibit A or any other factors the Compensation Committee may deem appropriate from time to time. All amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3(b), if any, shall be paid within no more than thirty (30) days after completion of Addus HomeCares audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year, but in all events, in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the performance occurred, and shall be subject to applicable withholdings and deductions. Bonus is not salary and is earned on the day it is paid. To be eligible to receive any cash based or equity based bonus, the Executive must be actively employed and must not have given notice of termination on or prior to such date of payment, except as expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
(c) | Incentive Equity Awards. The Executive has previously received equity awards pursuant to the Original Agreement. |
4. | Expenses. |
It is recognized that the Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder will be required to expend sums for travel (e.g., airfare, automobile rental, etc.), entertainment and lodging. During the Employment Term, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable business expenses incurred by him during the Employment Term in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder conditioned upon and subject to the Companys established policies and procedures, including written receipt from the Executive of an itemized accounting in accordance with the Companys regular business expense verification practices. Such policies shall also be in effect for frequent travel by the Executive to the Companys Corporate Center which it is agreed shall be as needed and commensurate with the Executives duties and responsibilities during his employment hereunder; such time spent onsite at the Corporate Center may vary from time to time depending on the Executives tenure and the results of the Company.
5. | Benefits. |
During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to benefits under such plans, programs or arrangements as the Board of Directors may establish or maintain from time to time for similarly-situated employees, and in accordance with its policies, which may change at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Benefits as of the Effective Date are:
(a) | Four (4) weeks paid vacation during each year of employment. Subject to the Companys established policies and procedures, vacation may be carried over to a subsequent year of employment, not to exceed eight (8) weeks during any calendar year of employment. |
(b) | Five (5) days personal/sick leave per year, with pay. Personal/sick days may be carried over to a subsequent year of employment, not to exceed ten (10) days during any calendar year of employment. |
(c) | Six (6) Company holidays, plus two (2) floating holidays, per year. |
(d) | Coverage beginning on the Original Date under the health benefit plan provided by the Company to its executives, which may change, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, from time to time. The Company will cover the Executive and his dependents, if any, during the Employment Term to the same extent and according to the same terms as the Companys other executives are covered. |
(e) | Short-term and long-term disability insurance beginning on the Original Date to the same extent and according to the same terms as the Companys other similarly-situated executives are covered, which may change, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, from time to time. |
(f) | Tuition reimbursement shall be available for courses relevant to the Executives position and taken at an accredited institution, subject to prior approval by the Board of Directors. |
(g) | Participation in the Companys 401(k) plan up to the defined Internal Revenue Service limit beginning 30 days after the Original Date. The Company will annually match 6% of the Executives annual contribution to such plan during the Employment Term, subject to the Companys established policies and procedures. |
6. | Termination by Company. |
(a) | The Company may terminate the Executives employment hereunder at any time for Reasonable Cause. The term Reasonable Cause shall be limited to the following: |
(i) | A material breach or omission by the Executive of any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement (except due to Disability, as defined below) that the Executive shall fail to cure after receipt of written notice of such breach or omission from the Board of Directors, which notice shall designate a reasonable period of time, if curable at all, of not less than ten (10) days within which the breach or omission must be cured to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors in order to prevent a termination for Reasonable Cause; provided, however, that the Executive shall only be permitted the opportunity to cure such breaches or omissions a total of two times in any twelve (12)-month rolling period; |
(ii) | The Executive shall willfully engage in any action that materially damages, or that may reasonably be expected to materially damage, the Addus HealthCare Group or the business or goodwill thereof; |
(iii) | The Executive shall breach his fiduciary duty to the Addus HealthCare Group; |
(iv) | The Executive shall commit any act involving fraud, the misuse or misappropriation of money or other property of the Addus HealthCare Group, a felony, habitual use of drugs or other intoxicants or chronic absenteeism; |
(v) | Gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Executive; |
(vi) | The Executive shall commit acts constituting gross insubordination, such as, without limitation, the intentional disregard of any reasonable directive of the Board of Directors; or |
(vii) | The Executive shall fail to perform any material duty in a timely and effective manner and shall fail to cure any such performance deficiency after receipt of written notice of the deficiency from the Board of Directors, which notice shall designate a reasonable period of time, if curable at all, of not less than ten (10) days within which the performance deficiency must be cured to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, as applicable, in order to prevent a termination for reasonable cause; provided, however, that the Executive shall only be permitted the opportunity to cure performance deficiencies a total of two times in any twelve (12)-month rolling period. |
(b) | The Executives employment hereunder shall be terminated in the event of his death, and the Company may terminate the Executives employment hereunder if the Executive suffers a physical or mental disability (a Disability) so that the Executive is or, in the opinion of an independent physician retained by the Company for purposes of this determination will be, unable to perform his duties in a manner satisfactory to the Company for a period of ninety (90) days out of any one hundred eighty (180) consecutive-day period (in which event the Executive shall be deemed to have suffered a permanent Disability). |
(c) | The Company may terminate the Executives employment hereunder at any time for any other reason, or for no reason. |
(d) | Termination of the Executives employment for any reason shall terminate the Employment Term but shall not affect the Executives obligations pursuant to Section 9 hereof, which obligations shall remain in effect for the period therein provided. |
7. | Termination by the Executive. |
The Executive may terminate his employment with the Company (a) for Good Reason (as defined below) or (b) without Good Reason, in each case, upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company; provided, however, that after the receipt of such notice, the Company may, in its discretion accelerate the effective date of such termination at any time by written notice to the Executive. Termination of the Executives employment by the Executive shall terminate the Employment Term, but shall not affect the Executives obligations under Section 9 hereof, which obligations shall remain in effect for the period therein provided. As used herein, Good Reason means (i) any reduction in the Executives Base Salary, (ii) any material reduction to the Executives employment duties and responsibilities, (iii) removal by the Company of the Executive as Chief Executive Officer or as a member of the Board, (iv) any material breach by the Company of any material term of this Agreement, other than a breach which is remedied by the Company within 10 days after receipt of written notice given by the Executive, (v) a change in the Executives direct reporting duty to a person other than the Board of Directors, (vi) the relocation of the Executives principal office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Frisco, Texas, or (vii) if both (x) by any means Addus HomeCare becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a single operating company or other entity (the Operating Company) and (y) the Executive is not employed as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors (or other analogous governing body) of the Operating Company.
8. | Rights and Obligations Upon Termination. |
(a) | If the Executives employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof or by the Executive pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof, the Executive or his estate shall have no further rights against the Addus HealthCare Group hereunder, except for the right to receive, with respect to the period prior to the effective date of termination: |
(i) | Any unpaid Base Salary under Section 3(a) hereof for any period prior to the effective date of termination; |
(ii) | Any accrued but unpaid benefits, including vacation accrued pursuant to the Companys vacation policy, under Section 5 hereof for any period prior to the effective date of termination; and |
(iii) | In the case of termination pursuant to Section 6(b), eligibility for disability insurance benefits described in Sections 5(e). |
Such payments shall be made to the Executive whether or not the Company chooses to utilize the services of the Executive for the required notice period specified in Section 7.
(b) | If the Executives employment is terminated pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof or Section 7(a) hereof, or as a result of Non-Renewal by the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to, in lieu of any further payments to the Executive for periods subsequent to the date of termination: |
(i) | Any unpaid Base Salary under Section 3(a) hereof for any period prior to the effective date of termination; |
(ii) | A pro rata portion of the bonus under Section 3(b) hereof based on what Executive would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Companys then-effective bonus plan had his employment not been terminated, which shall be payable following the time the Company determines the amount of bonuses payable to its executives following the end of the year in which termination occurs, which determination will be based on the actual performance of the Company; |
(iii) | Any accrued but unpaid benefits, including vacation accrued pursuant to the Companys vacation policy, under Section 5 hereof for any period prior to the effective date of termination, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or arrangement; |
(iv) | Conditioned upon the Executives strict compliance with the post-employment restrictions described in Section 9 below and subject to applicable withholdings and deductions, severance pay in an amount equal to (A) the Executives Base Cash Compensation (as defined below) for a period of twenty-four (24) months (Base Severance Pay), to be paid in equal installments on the Companys regular pay dates over the twenty-four (24) month period following the date of the termination of the Executives employment (subject to applicable withholdings and deductions), (B) any earned and unpaid bonus for a completed performance period that the Executive would have earned had he remained employed through date of payment, as determined by the Company and paid at the same time bonuses are paid to other senior executives, based upon the actual performance of the Company and (C) after-tax cash payments equal to the difference between the premiums for COBRA continuation coverage that would be available to Executive and the amount of premiums paid by similarly-situated active employees of the Company under the Companys health, dental and/or vision insurance plans (calculated as of the first calendar month following Executives termination and then multiplied by 24 months), to be paid in equal installments on the Companys regular pay dates (subject to applicable tax withholdings and deductions) until two (2) years following the termination of the Executives employment. |
For purposes of this Agreement, Base Cash Compensation shall mean the highest annual Base Salary in effect for the Executive.
(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 6(c) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 7(a) or as a result of Non-Renewal by the Company, in each case within six (6) months prior to, or one (1) year following, a Change in |
Control (as defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to, in lieu of the payments to be made pursuant to Section 8(b)(iv), (A) an amount equal to thirty six (36) months of the Executives Annual Cash Compensation (as defined below) (subject to applicable withholdings and deductions), less any payment already received pursuant to Section 8(b)(iv) (Change of Control Severance Pay and, together with Base Severance Pay, Severance Pay), which shall be payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company in equal installments on the Companys regular pay dates over the twenty-four (24) month period following the date of the termination of the Executives employment, (B) any unpaid bonus for a completed performance period that the Executive would have earned had he remained employed through date of payment, as determined by the Company and paid at the same time bonuses are paid to other senior executives based upon the actual performance of the Company, and (C) the Executive shall be eligible to receive after-tax cash payments equal to the difference between the premiums for COBRA continuation coverage that would be available to Executive and the amount of premiums paid by similarly-situated active employees of the Company under the Companys health, dental and/or vision insurance plans (calculated as of the first calendar month following Executives termination and then multiplied by 36 months), payable in equal installments on the Companys regular pay dates (subject to applicable tax withholdings and deductions) until two (2) years following the termination of the Executives employment. As used herein, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Addus HomeCare, or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of Addus HomeCare in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of Addus HomeCare, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Addus HomeCare representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by Addus HomeCares then outstanding securities that vote generally in the election of directors (referred to herein as Voting Securities); or (ii) after the date of this Agreement, the stockholders of Addus HomeCare approve (x) a merger or consolidation of Addus HomeCare with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of Addus HomeCare outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of Addus HomeCare or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (y) a plan of complete liquidation of Addus HomeCare or an agreement for the sale or disposition by Addus HomeCare of (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of Addus HomeCares assets. |
For purposes of this Agreement, Annual Cash Compensation shall mean the sum of (a) the highest annual Base Salary in effect for the Executive and (b) the greater of (i) the Executives bonus for the most recently-completed year (excluding any special bonuses awarded for performance after the conclusion of the performance period), if any, or (ii) the annualized amount of the Executives target bonus for the then current year.
(d) | The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Companys obligations to make payments pursuant to Sections 8(b)(iv) and 8(c) above are expressly conditioned on the Executive timely executing, delivering and not revoking a customary general release in form and substance satisfactory to the Company within the period that is sixty (60) days following the date of the Executives termination of employment or service with the Company. To the extent that such sixty (60) day period spans two (2) calendar years, no payment of any severance amount or benefit that is (i) considered to be nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, Code §409A) and (ii) conditioned upon the release, shall be made before the first day of the second calendar year, regardless of when the release is actually executed and returned to the Company. |
(e) | If the Executives employment is terminated for any reason, the Executive shall, at the Companys request, immediately resign from all officer and director positions with each member of the Addus HealthCare Group, including from the Board of Directors. |
9. | Covenants of the Executive. |
(a) | No Conflicts. The Executive represents and warrants that he is not personally subject to any agreement, order or decree that restricts his acceptance of this Agreement and performance of his duties with the Company hereunder. |
(b) | Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation. During the Employment Term and during the Restrictive Period (as defined below), the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever, either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity whom he may manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for or be employed or associated, compete with the Business (as defined below) in any of the following described manners: |
(i) | Engage in, assist or have any interest in, as principal, consultant, advisor, agent, financier or employee, any business entity that is, or that is about to become engaged in, providing goods or services in competition with the Addus HealthCare Group within a geographic radius of fifty (50) miles from any Addus HealthCare Group branch office; |
(ii) | Solicit or accept any business (or help any other person solicit or accept any business) from any person or entity that on the Effective Date is a customer of the Addus HealthCare Group or during the Employment Term becomes a customer of the Addus HealthCare Group, other than a customer that does not engage in the Business; |
(iii) | Induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Addus HealthCare Group to terminate such employees relationship with the Addus HealthCare Group or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Addus HealthCare Group and any employee thereof; or |
(iv) | Induce or attempt to induce any customer, referral source, supplier, vendor, licensee or other business relation of the Addus HealthCare Group to cease doing business with the Addus HealthCare Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, referral source, supplier, vendor, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Addus HealthCare Group, on the other hand. |
For purposes hereof, the term Business means the business of providing home care services of the type and nature that the Addus HealthCare Group then performed and/or any other business activity in which the Addus HealthCare Group then performed or program or service then under active development proposed to be performed and/or any other business activity in which the Addus HealthCare Group becomes engaged in on or after the date hereof while the Executive is employed by the Company.
For purposes hereof, the term Restrictive Period means the period beginning on the date on which the Executives employment is terminated by the Company or the Executive for any reason and ending on the second anniversary of such date; provided, however, if the Executive is eligible for the compensation described in Section 8(c), Restrictive Period shall mean the period beginning on the date on which the Executives employment is terminated by the Company or the Executive for any reason and ending on the third anniversary of such date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, nothing herein shall prohibit the Executive from owning one percent (1%) or less of any securities of a competitor, if such securities are listed on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded over-the-counter. If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 9(b), a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under the circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographic area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area determined to be reasonable under the circumstances by such court.
(c) | Non-Disclosure. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that he will have access to certain confidential and proprietary information of Addus HealthCare Group, including, but not limited to, Trade Secrets (as defined below) and other proprietary commercial information, and that such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of Addus HealthCare Group. The Executive agrees that he will not, for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except in the performance of his duties hereunder, or as required by law, disclose any of such confidential information to any person, entity or governmental authority without express authorization of the Company. The Executive further agrees that he shall not, at any time during the Employment Term or thereafter, without the express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever, either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity that he manages, controls, participates in, consults with, renders services for or is employed by or associated with, disclose or use, except when necessary to further the interests of the Business, any Trade Secret of the Addus HealthCare Group, whether such Trade Secret is in the Executives memory or embodied in writing or other physical form. For purposes of this Agreement, Trade Secret means any |
information, not generally known to, and not readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use and is the subject of efforts to maintain its secrecy that are reasonable under the circumstances, including, but not limited to, (i) trade secrets; (ii) information concerning the business or affairs of the Addus HealthCare Group, including its products or services, fees, costs, and pricing structures, charts, manuals and documentation, databases, accounting and business models, designs, analyses, drawings, photographs and reports, computer software, copyrightable works, inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, sales records and other proprietary commercial information; (iii) information concerning actual and prospective clients and customers of the Addus HealthCare Group, including client and customer lists and other compilations; and (iv) information concerning employees, contractors and vendors of the Addus HealthCare Group, including personal information and information concerning the compensation or other terms of employment of such individuals. Trade Secret, however, shall not include general know-how information acquired by the Executive during the course of his employment that could have been obtained by him from public sources without the expenditure of significant time, effort and expense. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9(c) to the contrary, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from making a good-faith, truthful report to a government agency with oversight responsibility of the Company. |
(d) | Covenant Regarding Confidential and Proprietary Information. The Executive will promptly disclose in writing to the Company each improvement, discovery, idea, invention, and each proposed publication of any kind whatsoever, relating to the Business made or conceived by the Executive either alone or in conjunction with others while employed hereunder if such improvement, discovery, idea, invention or publication results from or was suggested by such employment (whether or not patentable and whether or not made or conceived at the request of or upon the suggestion of the Company, and whether or not during his usual hours of work, whether in or about the premises of the Addus HealthCare Group and whether prior or subsequent to the execution hereof). The Executive will not disclose any such improvement, discovery, idea, invention or publication to any person, entity or governmental authority, except to the Company. Each such improvement, discovery, idea, invention and publication shall be the sole and exclusive property of, and is hereby assigned by the Executive to, the Company, and at the request of the Company, the Executive will assist and cooperate with the Company and any person or entity from time to time designated by the Company to obtain for the Company or its designee the grant of any letters patent in the United States of America and/or such other country or countries as may be designated by the Company, covering any such improvement, discovery, idea, invention or publication and will in connection therewith execute such applications, statements, assignments or other documents, furnish such information and data and take all such other action (including, without limitation, the giving of testimony) as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. The foregoing provisions of this Section 9(d) shall not apply to any improvement, discovery, idea, invention of |
publication for which no equipment, supplies, facilities or confidential and proprietary information of Addus HealthCare Group was used and that was developed entirely on the Executives own time, unless (x) the improvement, discovery, idea, invention or publication relates to the Business or the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Business, or (y) the improvement, discovery, idea, invention or publication results from any work performed by the Executive for the Addus HealthCare Group. |
(e) | Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that, during the Employment Term and the Restrictive Period, he will not make any statement, either in writing or orally, that is communicated publicly or is reasonably likely to be communicated publicly and that is reasonably likely to disparage or otherwise harm the business or reputation of the Addus HealthCare Group, or the reputation of any of its current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders. |
(f) | Return of Documents and Other Property. Upon termination of employment, the Executive shall return all originals and copies of books, records, documents, customer lists, sales materials, tapes, keys, credit cards and other tangible property of Addus HealthCare Group within the Executives possession or under his control. |
(g) | Remedies for Breach. In the event of a breach or threat of a breach of the provisions of this Section 9, the Executive hereby acknowledges that such breach or threat of a breach will cause the Company to suffer irreparable harm and that the Company shall be entitled to request an injunction restraining the Executive from breaching such provisions; but the foregoing shall not be construed as prohibiting the Company from having available to it to any other remedy, either at law or in equity, for such breach or threatened breach, including, but not limited to, the cessation of employment and any remaining Severance Pay and benefits pursuant to Section 8 and the recovery of damages from the Executive and the notification of any employer or prospective employer of the Executive as to the terms and conditions hereof (without limiting or affecting the Executives obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 9). |
(h) | Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that he will be directly and materially involved as a senior executive in all important policy and operational decisions of Addus HealthCare Group. The Executive further acknowledges that the scope of the foregoing restrictions has been specifically bargained between the Company and the Executive, each being fully informed of all relevant facts. Accordingly, the Executive acknowledges that the foregoing restrictions of this Section 9 are fair and reasonable, are minimally necessary to protect Addus HealthCare Group, its stockholders and the public from the unfair competition of the Executive who, as a result of his employment with the Company, will have had access to the most confidential and important information of Addus HealthCare Group, its Business and future plans. The Executive furthermore acknowledges that no unreasonable harm or injury will be suffered by him from enforcement of the covenants contained herein and that he will be able to earn a reasonable livelihood following termination of his employment notwithstanding enforcement of the covenants contained herein. |
(i) | Right of Set Off. In the event of a breach by the Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and after ten (10) days prior written notice to the Executive, to set-off and apply any and all amounts at any time held by the Company on behalf of the Executive and all indebtedness at any time owing by the Addus HealthCare Group to the Executive against any and all of the obligations of the Executive now or hereafter existing, to the extent such set-off would not result in a penalty under Code §409A with regard to amounts that are deemed deferred compensation under Code §409A. |
10. | Prior Agreement. |
This Agreement supersedes and is in lieu of any and all other employment arrangements between the Executive and the Company or its predecessor or any subsidiary and any and all such employment agreements and arrangements are hereby terminated and deemed of no further force or effect; provided, however, that this Paragraph does not apply to any agreements or other documents that are currently in effect with regard to the Executives position on the Board of Directors and his Incentive Equity Awards, including the Incentive Plan.
11. | Assignment. |
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or duties of the Executive hereunder shall be assignable by the Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void. The Company may assign all or any of its rights hereunder in the event of a Change of Control; however, the Company agrees that this Agreement shall be binding on the successors and/or assigns of the Company.
12. | Notices. |
Unless specified in this Agreement, all notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon receipt or refusal thereof if delivered personally, sent by overnight courier service, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, or emailed to the other partys email address on the Companys computer network. Notice to their party hereto, if mailed or sent by overnight courier service, shall be to the following addresses:
(a) | if to the Executive, to: |
R. Dirk Allison
11113 Long Isles Lane
Lewisville, TX 73036
(b) | if to the Company, to: |
Addus HealthCare, Inc.
6801 Gaylord Parkway
Suite 110
Frisco, TX 75034
Attention: Chairman of the Board of Directors
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Bass Berry & Sims PLC
150 Third Avenue South
Suite 2800
Nashville, TN 37201
Attention: David Cox, Esq.
Telephone: (615) 742-6299
Facsimile: (615) 742-2864
E-mail: ***@***
Any party may change its address for notice by giving all other parties notice of such change pursuant to this Section 12.
13. | Amendment. |
This Agreement may not be changed, modified or amended except in writing signed by both parties to this Agreement.
14. | Waiver of Breach. |
The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by either party.
15. | Invalidity of Any Provision. |
The provisions of this Agreement are severable, it being the intention of the parties hereto that should any provision hereof be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or enforceability of any provisions shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but the same shall remain in full force and effect as if such invalid or unenforceable provision or provisions were omitted.
16. | 409A Compliance. |
This Agreement is intended to comply with or be exempt from Code §409A, and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance with or exempt from Code §409A. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a termination of employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of deferred compensation (as such term is defined in §409A) upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a separation from service from the Company within the meaning of Code §409A and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations and, for purposes of any such provision of this agreement, references to a separation, termination, termination of employment or like terms shall mean separation from service. If the Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of that term under Code §409A, then with regard to any payment that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation under Code §409A and payable on account of a separation from service, such payment shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such separation from service, and (ii) the date of the Executives death (the Delay Period) to the extent required under Code §409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided for in accordance with the normal payment dates specified herein. To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute non-qualified deferred compensation for purposes of Code §409A, (i) all
such expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Executive, (ii) any right to such reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit and (iii) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year. For purposes of Code §409A, the Executives right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. In no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation for purposes of Code §409A be subject to offset, counterclaim or recoupment by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code §409A.
17. | Governing Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas as applied to agreements entirely entered into and performed in Texas by Texas residents exclusive of the conflict of laws provisions of any other state.
18. | Arbitration. |
Except as set forth below, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including, without limitation, as to arbitrability and any disputes with respect to the Executives employment with the Company or the termination of such employment), or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association in effect as of the date of filing of the arbitration administered by a person authorized to practice law in the State of Texas and mutually selected by the Company and the Executive (the Arbitrator). If the Company and the Executive are unable to agree upon the Arbitrator within fifteen (15) days, they shall each select an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days, and the arbitrators selected by the Company and the Executive shall appoint a third arbitrator to act as the Arbitrator within fifteen (15) days (at which point the Arbitrator alone shall judge the controversy or claim). The arbitration hearing shall commence within ninety (90) calendar days after the Arbitrator is selected, unless the Company and the Executive mutually agree to extend this time period. The arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas. The Arbitrator will have full power to give directions and make such orders as the Arbitrator deems just. Nonetheless, the Arbitrator explicitly shall not have the authority, power, or right to alter, change, amend, modify, add, or subtract from any provision of this Agreement except pursuant to Section 15. The Arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets forth the essential findings and conclusions upon which the Arbitrators award or decision is based within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the arbitration hearing. The agreement to arbitrate will be specifically enforceable. The award rendered by the Arbitrator shall be final and binding (absent fraud or manifest error), and any arbitration award may be enforced by judgment entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Company and the Executive shall each pay one-half (1/2) of the fees of the Arbitrator. Notwithstanding anything set forth above to the contrary, in the event that the Company seeks injunctive relief and/or specific performance to remedy a breach, evasion, violation or threatened violation of this Agreement, the Executive irrevocably waives his right, if any, to have any such dispute decided by arbitration or in any jurisdiction or venue other than a state or federal court in the State of Texas. For any such action, the Executive further irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Texas.
19. | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. |
NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ASSIGNEE, SUCCESSOR, HEIR OR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A PARTY SHALL SEEK A JURY TRIAL IN ANY LAWSUIT, PROCEEDING, COUNTERCLAIM, OR ANY OTHER LITIGATION PROCEDURE BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE DEALINGS OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES. NO PARTY WILL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION, IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED, WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 19 HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY THE PARTIES HERETO, AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO NO EXCEPTIONS. NO PARTY HERETO HAS IN ANY WAY AGREED WITH OR REPRESENTED TO ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 19 WILL NOT BE FULLY ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
ADDUS HEALTHCARE, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Brian Poff | |
Name: Brian Poff | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
/s/ R. Dirk Allison | ||
R. Dirk Allison |
Signature Page to Allison Employment Agreement
Exhibit A
Bonus
Long Term Incentive Plan
Subject to the terms and conditions of a bonus plan that may be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive shall be eligible to receive stock-based compensation in the event that the Company attains a certain percentage of its annual performance target (the Performance Target), which Performance Target shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and shall be consistent with the methodology used to calculate the incentive awards granted to other senior executives of the Company, as follows:
Percentage of Performance Target Attained | Amount of Stock-Based Compensation | |
90% | 50% of Base Salary | |
100% | 100% of Base Salary | |
110% | 150% of Base Salary |
For the avoidance of doubt, any stock-based compensation awarded to the Executive under the 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan may be apportioned between nonqualified employee stock options and Restricted Stock as the Compensation Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.
Cash Incentive Plan
Subject to the terms and conditions of incentive bonus plan that may be approved by the Compensation Committee, the Executive shall be eligible to receive cash-based compensation in the event that the Company attains a certain percentage of its Performance Target, which Performance Target shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and shall be consistent with the methodology used to calculate the incentive awards granted to other senior executives of the Company, as follows:
Percentage of Performance Target Attained | Amount of Cash-Based Compensation | |
90% | 50% of Base Salary | |
100% | 100% of Base Salary | |
110% | 150% of Base Salary |