Alphatec SEVERANCE agreement

Term.  The term of this Agreement will commence on December 10, 2016 (the “Effective Date”) and will continue until terminated, according to the terms of this Agreement.

Position.  On the Effective Date, you will begin to serve as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company.  In this capacity, you will report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and have all of the customary authorities, duties and responsibilities that accompany your position.  Throughout your employment with the Company, you agree to devote substantially all of your business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and to perform your duties in a diligent, competent, professional and skillful manner and in accordance with applicable law and the Company’s policies and procedures.  In addition to fulfilling your responsibilities as CEO, you will be appointed to serve on the Board and it is expected that you will be nominated for re-election to the Board upon the expiration of your term of service thereon.  

Annual Compensation.  Your initial annual compensation will be as follows:

Base Cash Salary.  Your initial base cash salary will be at a rate of $450,000 per year.

Annual Cash Bonus.  You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s discretionary annual bonus program with your annual target bonus opportunity equal to 100% of base salary.  The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) will determine the amount of your award based on its assessment of a number of factors including Company and individual performance which shall be established in consultation with you.    

Long Term Incentive.  Commencing with the Company’s fiscal year starting January 1, 2017, you will be eligible, subject to your continued employment by the Company, to participate in such long-term incentive programs that are made available at the level determined by the Board, in its discretion, consistent with your role and responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Benefits.  You will be eligible to participate in employee welfare and benefit programs of the Company at the level available to other members of the Company’s executive management.  Participation in Company benefits programs is subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums, and the terms of the plans themselves.

Equity Compensation.  In addition to your eligibility for regular grants of long-term incentives, you will be granted equity awards as defined and described below.  All awards described in this Section 5 will in all cases be subject to actual grant to you by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) in its sole discretion, would be pursuant to the applicable plan document and would be subject to terms

and conditions established by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion that would be detailed in separate agreements you would receive after any award is actually made.  You acknowledge that the equity award are “employment inducement awards” that will be granted to you outside of the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Sign-On RSUs.  You will be granted a one-time sign-on award of two hundred thousand (200,000) restricted stock units (the “Sign-On RSUs”).  Your Sign-On RSUs will vest ratably over four (4) years, with automatic vesting upon a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan).

Sign-On Options.  You will be granted a one-time sign-on award of two hundred thousand (200,000) stock options (the “Sign-On Options”), with the exercise price per share equaling the price of a share of Company stock after market close on the date of the grant.  The Sign-On Options will vest according to the following schedule: 25% of the shares subject to the Sign-On Option shall vest upon the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, and 1/36 of the shares subject to the Sign-On Option shall vest each month thereafter, subject to your continued employment by the Company, with automatic vesting upon a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan). .

Severance.  Your eligibility for severance upon a termination of employment will be governed by the terms of the Alphatec Severance Agreement and Alphatec Change in Control Agreement, forms of which are attached hereto as Annex A and Annex B, respectively.

Certain Post-Employment Covenants.  During your employment with the Company, and for a period of one year following the termination of your employment with the Company, you shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company: (i) either individually or on behalf of or through any third party, directly or indirectly, solicit, entice or persuade or attempt to solicit, entice or persuade any employee, agent, consultant or contractor of the Company or any of its affiliates (the “Company Group”) to leave the service of the Company Group for any reason; or (ii) in a manner that is dependent upon the use of the Company’s proprietary information, either individually or on behalf of or through any third party, directly or indirectly, interfere with, or attempt to interfere with, the business relationship between the Company Group and any vendor, supplier, surgeon or hospital with which you have interacted during the course of your employment with the Company.

Indemnification and Cooperation.  During and after your employment, the Company will indemnify you in your capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Company’s charter and by-laws, and will provide you with director and officer liability insurance coverage (including post-termination/post-director service tail coverage) on the same basis as the Company’s other executive officers.  

Withholding.  Tax will be withheld by the Company as appropriate under applicable Federal tax requirements for any payments or deliveries under this Agreement.

No Guarantee of Employment or Fixed Compensation.  This Agreement is not a guarantee of employment or a guarantee of compensation for the Term.  Your employment will be on an “at-will” basis, meaning that you and the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason during the Term, with or without prior notice, subject to the provisions of this Agreement (including Annex A and Annex B).

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (including Annex A and Annex B) constitutes the Company’s only statement relating to its offer of employment to you and supersedes any previous communications or representations, oral or written, from or on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates.  

Miscellaneous Representations.  You confirm and represent to the Company, by signing this letter, that: (a) you are under no obligation or arrangement (including any restrictive covenants with any prior employer or any other entity) that would prevent you from becoming an employee of the Company or that would adversely impact your ability to perform the expected services on behalf of the Company; (b) you have not taken (or failed to return) any confidential information belonging to your prior employer or any other entity, and, to the extent you remain in possession of any such information, you will never use or disclose such information to the Company or any of its employees, agents or affiliates; and (c) you understand and accept all of the terms and conditions of this offer.

Offer Contingencies.  This offer is contingent upon (i) you successful completion of a background check and drug screen; (ii) your execution of the Company’s current form of Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims, Confidential and Proprietary Information Agreement, and those other forms that the Company requests all of its employees to execute prior to the initiation of their employment.

Sincerely,

By:

/s/ Mortimer Berkowitz III

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

INTRODUCTION

ELIGIBILITY

The termination of employment is involuntary.

The termination is not due to retirement, death or disability of the Executive.

The termination of employment is not for “cause” (as defined below).  For purposes of the Agreement, “cause” shall mean the following:

The Executive is not a temporary employee or a new hire who has not yet started to work on a regular, full-time or part-time basis (as appropriate).

The Executive is not covered under any other severance-type plan, policy, arrangement or agreement that provides severance payments and benefits more favorable in the aggregate to those provided herein.  If any such plan, policy, arrangement or agreement exists, the Executive will receive payments and benefits pursuant to that plan, policy, arrangement or agreement and shall not receive any of the severance payments and benefits described herein.  In no case will the Executive receive severance payments and benefits under any other such severance-type plan, policy, arrangement or agreement and this Agreement.

In the event that the Executive is party to a “Change in Control” Agreement with Company that also provides for severance benefits, in the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined therein) the Executive shall not receive benefits under this Agreement, but instead shall receive only the severance benefits provided under such “Change in Control” Agreement (i.e., there shall be no “double-dipping” and only the “Change in Control” Agreement shall apply in such an event).

The Executive has not agreed in writing to waive severance benefits under this Agreement or otherwise payable from the Company.

The Executive (or, in the event of the executive’s death or incapacity, the Executive’s executor, representative or guardian, as applicable) signs and does not revoke a separation agreement and general release of all claims in such form as the Company may from time-to-time reasonably require (“Separation Agreement”).

The Executive has returned all Company property and equipment that was assigned to, or taken general control of by, her or him during his tenure with the Company.

SEVERANCE BENEFITS

Severance Pay and Benefits.  The following severance pay and benefits are payable under this Agreement:

OTHER PROVISIONS

No Separate Fund.  All severance benefits payable under this Agreement are payable from the Company’s general assets.  There is no separate trust or fund established for the payment of severance benefits under this Agreement.  All amounts payable hereunder shall be less all appropriate deductions, including federal, state and local withholding taxes.

Section 409A.

Amendment or Waiver.  No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged unless Executive and the Company agree to such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge in writing.  

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements in their entirety.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement will be made by either party which are not set forth expressly herein.  No future agreement between Executive and the Company may supersede this Agreement, unless it is in writing and specifically makes reference to this Section IV.D.

Executive’s Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  If Executive dies while any amounts are still payable hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designees, to Executive’s estate.

Headings.  All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

Counterparts; Electronic Signatures.  This Agreement may be executed (including via electronic signature) in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and continue in effect until the earlier of (a) Executive’s Separation from Service other than within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control (each as defined below); (b) the Company’s satisfaction of all of its obligations under this Agreement; or (c) the execution of a written agreement between the Company and Executive terminating this Agreement.

Definitions.  As used in this Agreement:

“Annual Compensation” means the sum of the following:

“Cause” means (i) Executive’s willful and repeated failure to satisfactorily perform his or her material duties which is not remedied within thirty (30) days’ written notice from the Company specifying such failure; (ii) Executive’s repeated and willful failure to follow the lawful directions of the Company’s Board of Directors which is not remedied within thirty (30) days’ written notice from the Company specifying such failure; (iii) Executive’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendre to a felony; (iv) Executive engaging, or in any manner participating, in any activity which is directly competitive and materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; or (v) commission of an intentional act of fraud, embezzlement or theft by the Executive in the course of Executive’s employment by the Company.

“Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

“COBRA” means the Consolidated Budget Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time-to-time.

“Disability” means that, at the time Executive Separates from Service, Executive has been unable to perform the duties of Executive’s position for a period of 180 consecutive days as the result of an incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

“Good Reason” means the occurrence of one of the following which occurs within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control and without Executive’s express, written consent:  (i) a significant reduction of Executive’s duties, position or responsibilities (including, without limitation, any negative change in reporting

hierarchy involving the Executive or the person to whom he or she directly reports), or Executive’s removal from such position and responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction by the Company in Executive’s base salary or target annual bonus as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or aggregate level of employee benefits to which Executive is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that Executive’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (iv) Executive is requested to relocate (except for office relocations that would not increase Executive’s one way commute to more than fifty (50) miles); or (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.  For avoidance of doubt (as examples and not an exhaustive list), a significant reduction of duties, position or responsibilities shall have occurred if the Executive was a Section 16 reporting officer immediately prior to the Change in Control and is no longer a Section 16 reporting officer immediately following the Change in Control.  The Executive may terminate his employment for “Good Reason” within 90 days after Executive has actual knowledge of the occurrence, without the written consent of Executive, of one of the above events that has not been cured within 30 days after written notice thereof has been given by Executive to the Company setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of the event (provided that such notice must be given to the Company within 30 days of the Executive becoming aware of such condition).

“Long-term Incentive Award Value” means the highest grant date fair value of any long-term incentive award (cash and/or equity-based incentive) granted to Executive in the three (3) calendar year period prior to the calendar year of the Separation from Service.

“PPACA” means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

“Separation from Service” or “Separates from Service” means a termination of employment with the Company that qualifies as a separation from service in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

“Specified Employee” means an employee who is determined by the Company to be a Specified Employee in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

Severance Payments and Benefits.

If a Change in Control occurs and within a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Executive incurs a Separation from Service on account of (i) an involuntary termination by the Company for reasons other than death, Disability or Cause, or (ii) a voluntary termination elected by the Executive for Good Reason, then subject to (A) Executive signing and not revoking a separation and general release agreement (the “Release”) in a form provided by the Company as may be in use from time to time, and (B) Section 4 below, Executive shall (and the Company (or any successor thereto) shall pay, award and/or provide):

If Executive is not a Specified Employee, all payments made to Executive under Section 3(a) immediately above shall be made on the sixtieth (60^th) calendar day following Executive’s Separation from Service, provided that Executive’s Release must be effective and not revocable on the date payment is to be made in order to receive such payments.  If Executive is a Specified Employee, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, payments made under Section 3(a) immediately above shall be made within ten (10) calendar days following the date following the first (1^st) day of the seventh (7^th) month after the date of Executive’s Separation from Service, provided that no such payment shall be made to Executive if the Release has not become effective as of the six (6)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service.  

Parachute Payments.  In the event that any of the severance payments and other benefits provided by this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (a) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (b) but for this Section, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (“Excise Tax”), then Executive’s severance payments and benefits under this Agreement or otherwise shall be payable either in full or in such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance payments or benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance payments and benefits under this Agreement or otherwise, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.  Any reduction in the severance payments and benefits required by this Section shall be made in the following order:  (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) reduction of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Executive.  The calculations in Section 4 will be performed by the professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in severance payments and benefits that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax.  If the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section.  The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made by this Section 4.  The Company and Executive shall furnish such tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination.  The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive as soon as practicable following its engagement.  Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.  As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections 409A, 280G or 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the professional tax firm described in this Section 4, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or other agency will claim that an Excise Tax greater than that amount, if any, determined by such professional firm for the purposes of Section 4 is due (the “Additional Excise Tax”).  Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the IRS or other agency that, if successful, would require payment of Additional Excise Tax.  Executive and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to payments made or due to Executive.  The Company shall pay all reasonable fees, expenses and penalties of Executive relating to a claim by the IRS or other agency.  In the event it is finally determined that a further reduction would have been required under Section 4 to place Executive in a better after-tax position, Executive shall repay the Company such amount within 30 days thereof in order to effect such result.

No Mitigation.  Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in Section 3 hereof by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of such payment be reduced by reason of compensation or other income Executive receives for services rendered after Executive’s Separation from Service from the Company.

Exclusive Remedy.  In the event of Executive’s Separation from Service on account of an involuntary termination without Cause or a voluntary termination for Good Reason within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the provisions of Section 3 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled (including any contrary provisions in

any employment agreement Executive may have with the Company), whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement.  Payments made to or on behalf of Executive under any other severance plan, policy, contract or arrangement with the Company shall reduce amounts payable under this Agreement on a dollar for dollar basis.

Company’s Successors.  The Company will 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 the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Section 7, Company includes any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers this Agreement or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

Notice.  Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or five (5) days after deposit with postal authorities transmitted by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the first or last page of this Agreement, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

Amendment or Waiver.  No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged unless Executive and the Company agree to such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge in writing.  No amendment, modification, waiver or discharge of this Agreement shall result in the accelerated payment of any benefit or payment provided for in Section 3.  No waiver by either party at any time of the breach of, or lack of compliance with, any conditions or provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of the provisions or conditions hereof.

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements in their entirety.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement will be made by either party which are not set forth expressly herein.  No future agreement between Executive and the Company may supersede this Agreement, unless it is in writing and specifically makes reference to this Section 10.

Executive’s Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  If Executive dies while any amounts are still payable hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designees, to Executive’s estate.

No Funding Obligation.  This Agreement shall be unfunded.  Any payment made under this Agreement shall be made from the Company’s general assets, and the Executive’s rights shall be no greater than those of general unsecured creditor of the Company.

Legal Fees.  In the event of any dispute or controversy arising out, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable attorney fees, costs and expenses incurred with respect thereto if Executive substantially prevails on the merits with respect to any breach of this Agreement by the Company.

Headings.  All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Withholding.  All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income, employment and excise taxes.

Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of law provisions).  This Agreement is intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Counterparts; Electronic Signatures.  This Agreement may be executed (including via electronic signature) in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.