Employment Agreement between Artemis International Solutions Corporation and Patrick Ternier
This agreement is between Artemis International Solutions Corporation and Patrick Ternier, who is being employed as President and CEO. The contract outlines Mr. Ternier’s duties, compensation, and benefits, including a base salary, eligibility for annual bonuses, and stock options. It also covers participation in company benefit plans, car allowance, and reimbursement of business expenses. The agreement specifies conditions for termination, including for cause, and sets out the terms for option vesting and adjustments in case of company recapitalization or restructuring.
Exhibit 10.46
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Artemis International Solutions Corporation
4041 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 260
NewportBeach, CA 92660, USA
Phone: +1 ###-###-####
Fax: +1 ###-###-####
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement), dated as of January 23rd, 2004 (the Effective Date) by and between Artemis International Solutions Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Company, Artemis or the Employer) and Patrick TERNIER(the Employee).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Employee desires to accept such employment by the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration (including but not limited to the Employee continuing to provide services to the Company pursuant to the Agreement), the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Duties.
Employer agrees to employ Employee, and Employee agrees to be so employed, as President and Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), commencing on the Effective Date and continuing unless and until terminated as set forth herein. Employee shall be responsible for performing the customary duties as are appropriate to Employees position. Employee agrees to perform Employees duties to the best of his abilities and to devote all of his professional time, attention and energy to the business of Employer; provided, however, that Employee may (i) engage in activities in connection with charitable or civic activities; and (ii) serve as an executor, trustee or in other similar fiduciary capacity, if in each case, such activities do not interfere with Employees services hereunder.
Section 2. Compensation.
(a) Salary. During each year of the Agreement, Employer shall pay to Employee a targeted base salary at the rate of $285,000.00 per annum, less all applicable withholdings and taxes, to be paid consistent with the schedule attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 1 (Base Salary). The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually during the term of this Agreement by the Compensation Committee of the Board, and may be increased in the sole discretion of Employer.
(b) Incentive Compensation. Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus based on a bonus target of $200,000.00 for fiscal year 2004 and mutually agreed targets for future fiscal years, based upon the Companys achievement of economic performance criteria. The bonus for fiscal year 2004 will be calculated and payable based on the targets and schedule information shown on Exhibit 2, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the budgeted economic performance of the Company is materially altered due to any acquisitions or divestitures by the Company during fiscal year 2004, the criteria for bonus payout will be adjusted equitably by the Compensation Committee of the Board to take into account the effect of such acquisitions and/or divestitures.
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(c) Options. The Company shall grant Employee on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date (the Initial Grant), options to purchase, in the aggregate, 250,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the Common Stock). In addition to the Initial Grant, the Company shall grant to Employee additional options to purchase 125,000 shares of Common Stock (the Bonus Grants and, together with the Initial Grant and any other options granted to Employee during the term of this Agreement, the Options) on or about each of the first two anniversaries of the Effective Date, or as soon thereafter as the satisfaction of the condition in the next sentence has been reasonably satisfied. Each Bonus Grant shall only be granted to Employee if, during the calendar year preceding the date on which such grant would otherwise be made, the Company achieved its revenue and profit budget as approved by the Board. The exercise price for each Option shall be no less than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant, determined in accordance with the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan (the Option Plan). A portion of the Options shall qualify for federal income tax purposes as incentive stock options (the number of options that will qualify as incentive stock options shall be the maximum number permitted under the terms of the Option Plan), and the remainder shall not qualify for federal tax purposes as incentive stock options. Written option agreements between the Company and the Employee (the Option Agreements) shall be prepared and delivered by the Company to the Employee, which Option Agreements shall contain all of the terms and conditions of the Options. The Options shall vest over three years, with 1/3 of such amount vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant; provided, however, that with respect to the Initial Grant, 83,334 options shall vest immediately upon the Initial Grant, 83,333 options shall vest 12 months subsequent to the Initial Grant, and 83,333 options shall vest 24 months subsequent to the Initial Grant.. Further, during the term of this Agreement, Employer, in its sole discretion, may grant additional options to purchase common stock of the Company to Employee. All of Employees Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan, as such plan may be amended from time to time, and any agreements evidencing such Options. If, after the Effective Date, the Common Stock is changed by reason of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization, or converted into or exchanged for other securities as a result of a merger, consolidation or reorganization (a Recapitalization), the numbers of shares subject to the Initial Grant and the Bonus Grants (in each case if not yet granted) shall be adjusted or converted by the same factor or into the same securities as a like number of outstanding shares of Common Stock would have been adjusted as a result of such Recapitalization.
Section 3. Benefits; Expense Reimbursement.
During the term of this Agreement, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any generally available group insurance, accident, sickness and hospitalization insurance, and any other similar employee benefit plans and programs maintained by Employer, subject in each case to the generally applicable terms and conditions of the applicable plan or program. Employee shall be provided a leased car or a car allowance with a per annum cost to the Company not to exceed $18,000 (provided that Employee shall not be entitled to any other mileage or other car expense reimbursement). Employee further shall be entitled to reimbursement by Employer for all direct out-of-pocket expenditures made by him on Employers behalf in the performance of his services under this Agreement, subject to any reasonable recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements imposed from time to time by Employer.
Section 4. Employment Termination.
(a) Termination by Employer for Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, Employer may terminate immediately the employment of Employee without notice and without pay in lieu of notice:
(i) if Employee commits an act of theft, fraud or material dishonesty or misconduct involving the property or affairs of Employer or the carrying out of Employees duties;
(ii) if Employee commits a material breach or material non-observance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement; provided, however, that, if such breach or non-observance is capable of cure, Employee is given written notice identifying any such breach or non-observance with particularity and (A) fails to remedy the same within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, or (B) fails to commence such cure within such thirty (30) day period and to continue to effect such cure thereafter provided that any cure period lasting longer than ten (30) days shall only apply if such breach or non-observance is capable of cure within a reasonable time of such notice;
(iii) if Employee is convicted of a felony;
(iv) if Employee refuses or fails to follow any lawful directive related to the Employers business issued by Employers Board of Directors; provided, however, that, if such refusal or failure is capable of cure, Employee is given written notice identifying any such refusal or failure with particularity and (A) fails to remedy the same within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice, or (B) fails to commence such cure within such ten (10) day period and to
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continue to effect such cure thereafter provided that any cure period lasting longer than ten (10) days shall only apply if such refusal or failure is capable of cure within a reasonable time of such notice;
(v) if Employee or any member of his family makes any personal profit arising out of or in connection with a transaction to which Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is a party without making disclosure to and obtaining prior written consent of Employer;
(vi) if Employee habitually fails to perform or performs his duties or responsibilities hereunder incompetently in any material respect, or if Employee is inexcusably or repeatedly absent from work or if Employee is absent for a prolonged period of time (other than as a result of, or in connection with, a disability or a legally protected leave) (collectively Non-Performance); provided, however, that, if such Non-Performance is capable of cure, Employee is given written notice identifying any such breach or non-observance with particularity and (A) fails to remedy the same within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, or (B) fails to commence such cure within such thirty (30) day period and to continue to effect such cure thereafter provided that any cure period lasting longer than ten (30) days shall only apply if such Non-Performance is capable of cure within a reasonable time of such notice; or provided, however, that with respect to Subsections (a)(ii), (iv) and (vi), the Employer shall only be required to provide notice and opportunity to cure on one (1) occasion.
Upon the termination of Employees employment pursuant to this Subsection (a), the employment of Employee hereunder shall be wholly terminated. Upon any such termination, Employee shall have no claim against Employer in respect of his employment for damages or otherwise except in respect of payment of Base Salary earned, due and owing and unused vacation time to the date of termination. Further, following any termination for Cause, Employee shall forfeit all of Employees Options.
(b) Termination by Employer Without Cause. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Employer may terminate Employees employment hereunder at any time, for any reason or no reason, on not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice, or with fifteen (15) days pay in lieu of such notice. In the event of termination either pursuant to this Subsection (b), or if Employee resigns for Good Reason as defined in Section 4(d)(ii) below, Employee will be entitled, (i) to Employees continued Base Salary for a period of one (1) year at the rate in effect on the date of Employees termination and to any bonus earned but not yet paid, and (ii) to vest immediately any Options granted hereunder, with all such Options to be exercisable by the Employee for their full remaining term; provided, however, that Employees right to receive the salary continuation payments and to vest and have exercisable the Options provided for in this Section 4(b) shall be conditioned upon continued compliance with Employees obligations under the provisions of this Agreement that survive such termination.
(c) Termination by Employer Due to Death or Disability. The employment of Employee shall, at the option of Employer, terminate immediately in the event of his death or permanent disability, in which case notice in writing from Employer shall be sent to Employee or his legal representative. In the event of termination under this Subsection (c), in addition to any disability benefit coverage to which he may be entitled under any disability insurance programs maintained by Employer in which he is a participant, Employee will be paid an amount equal to the difference between (i) six (6) months salary at Employees Base Salary rate as in effect on the date of the termination under this Subsection (c) and (ii) the amount of disability benefits for a six-month period payable to Employee under Employers long-term disability program in which he is a participant. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, Employee shall be entitled to no additional compensation under this Agreement following the date of termination under this Subsection (c), other than Base Salary and bonus earned but not paid, and unused vacation time accrued, through the date of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a permanent disability shall mean an illness, disease, mental or physical disability or other causes beyond Employees control which makes Employee incapable of discharging his duties or obligations hereunder, or causes Employee to fail in the performance of his duties hereunder, for six (6) consecutive months, as determined in good faith by the Board based on a report of a physician selected in good faith by the Board.
(d) Termination by Employees Resignation.
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) below, upon termination of Employees employment due to Employees resignation, Employee shall have no claim against Employer in respect of his employment for damages or otherwise except in respect of payment of Base Salary earned, due and owing and unused vacation time to the date of termination.
(ii) For purposes of this Employment Agreement, Good Reason shall mean either, (1) that Employees title has been changed to a title of lesser authority or Employees duties or responsibilities within Company have been
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materially reduced or, (2) that a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred. Employee shall have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason under this Agreement upon not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice, which notice must be given within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to such right to terminate, provided that for those circumstances whereby Employees title has been changed to one of a lesser authority or Employees duties have been materially reduced, Company shall have the right to restore Employee to his title and position prior to such event within ten (10) days after such notice is given. If Employee is not restored to his prior title and position within ten (10) days after such notice is given or, in those circumstances whereby a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred, then Employees resignation under this subparagraph shall be treated as a termination by the Company without cause, consistent with Section 4(b) above, with Employee being eligible to receive the benefits as provided therein. Change in Control of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if: (1) there shall be consummated (x) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger own a majority of the common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger, or (y) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; (2) the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (3) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), shall become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock.
Section 5. Non-Solicitation.
In consideration of the compensation and other benefits to be provided to Employee hereunder, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatsoever, during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year following the termination of this Agreement:
(a) solicit or induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, employees of, consultants to, or independent contractors of, the Company or its subsidiaries to terminate their employment, engagement or affiliation with the Company or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any such employee of, consultant to, or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand;
(b) knowingly employ or retain for the benefit of a party other than the Company, any such employee of, consultant to, or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during a period of three months after the termination of such employees, consultants or independent contractors employment, engagement or affiliation with the Company or any of its subsidiaries unless such retainer is not competitive, and does not interfere with, the simultaneous retention of such consultant or independent contractor by the Company; or
(c) induce customers or vendors of the Company, or any independent knowledge workers or other information technology professionals, or end user organizations that have a business relationship with the Company, to alter or terminate their business relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Section 6. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement and all of the rights and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon Employee and Employer and their respective successors and assigns. Employer will require any successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, operation of law or otherwise) expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Employer would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. Effective upon such assumption, and consummation of the underlying transaction, Employer shall have no further obligation or liability under or with respect to this Agreement.
Section 7. No Third Party Beneficiary.
This Agreement is not intended and shall not be construed to confer any rights or remedies hereunder upon any Person, other than the parties hereto or their permitted assigns. Person shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, trust or other unincorporated organization or entity.
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Section 8. Notices.
Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, exercise of rights or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by overnight delivery service such as Federal Express, telecopy (or like transmission) or personal delivery against receipt, or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), to the party to whom it is given at such partys address set forth below such partys name on the signature page or such other address as such party may hereafter specify by notice to the other party hereto. Any notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date so personally delivered or transmitted by telecopy or like transmission or on the next business day when sent by overnight delivery service.
Section 9. Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded or canceled, and the terms and covenants hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by both of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of either party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same.
Section 10. Binding Effect.
This Agreement is not assignable by Employee. None of Employees rights under this Agreement shall be subject to any encumbrances or the claims of Employees creditors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employer and any successor organization which shall succeed to Employer by merger or consolidation or operation of law, or by acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of Employer (provided that a successor by way of acquisition of assets shall have undertaken in writing to assume the obligations of Employer hereunder).
Section 11. Governing Law; Dispute Resolution.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.
The parties agree that binding arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive means of resolving any and all disputes, claims or controversies whatsoever arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including arbitrability of claims under this Agreement, (collectively referred to herein as Disputes).
Any and all such Disputes shall be submitted to a single arbitrator selected from a panel provided by the American Arbitration Association comprised of labor arbitrators who are members of the National Academy of Arbitrators, located in Orange County, California. Any decision and/or award resulting from arbitration pursuant to this provision shall be final and binding. The prevailing party in arbitration shall be entitled to reimbursement for its expenses, including costs and reasonable attorneys fees. The parties further agree that judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Employee agrees to provide written notice of any such demand for arbitration to the attention of Companys General Counsel clearly labeled Demand for Arbitration, no later than sixty (60) days from the date he becomes aware or are provided notice of the occurrence giving rise to the claim. Employees failure to provide such timely notice shall constitute a full and complete waiver of any such related claim. Company agrees to provide Employee written notice of any such demand for arbitration clearly labeled Demand for Arbitration, no later than sixty (60) days from the date Company becomes aware or is provided notice of the occurrence giving rise to the claim. Companys failure to provide such timely notice shall constitute a full and complete waiver of any such related claim.
Section 12. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired thereby and such remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be excessively broad as to duration, activity or subject, such provisions shall be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent allowable by applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each party hereto waives any provision of law that renders any provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any way.
Section 13. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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Section 14. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and any other agreement between the parties and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 15. Titles and Headings.
Titles and headings to Sections herein are for purposes of reference only, and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 16. Conflicts of Interest; Representations and Warranties.
Employee specifically covenants, warrants and represents to Employer that he has the full, complete and entire right and authority to enter into this Agreement, that he has no agreement, duty, commitment or responsibility or obligation of any kind or nature whatsoever with any corporation, partnership, firm, company, joint venture or other Person which would conflict in any manner whatsoever with any of his duties, obligations or responsibilities to Employer pursuant to this Agreement or which could interfere with Employees performance under this Agreement, that he is not in possession of any document or other tangible property of any other Person of a confidential or proprietary nature which would conflict in any manner whatsoever with any of his duties, obligations or responsibilities to Employer pursuant to Employees Agreement and Employees performance of his obligations to Employer during the term of this Agreement will not breach any agreement by which Employee is bound not to disclose any proprietary information, and that he is fully ready, willing and able to perform each and all of his duties, obligations and responsibilities to Employer pursuant to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Patrick TERNIER |
| ARTEMIS INTERNATIONAL |
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| Represented by: |
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| Name: Steve Yager |
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| Title: Chairman of the Board |
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/s/ Patrick Ternier |
| /s/ Steve Yager |
Patrick TERNIER |
| ARTEMIS INTERNATIONAL SOLUTIONS |
Address: 17 rue des Cerisiers |
| 4041 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 260 |
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