EMPLOYMENTAGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 11th day of September 2006 (the Effective Date) by and between Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Employer), and Richard Lindsay (the Employee).
RECITALS
The Employer desires to employ the Employee, and the Employee desires to be employed by the Employer, all upon the terms and provisions and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
WITNESSETH
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to be legally bound as follows:
1. Employment. The Employer hereby employs the Employee, and the Employee hereby accepts such employment, as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Employer upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Employee shall perform such functions as are consistent with this position under the supervision of the President of the Employer. The Employee shall, without any compensation in addition to that which is specifically provided in this Agreement, serve in such further offices or positions with Employer or any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer (collectively, the Employer Group) as shall from time to time be reasonably requested by the President of Employer.
2. Term. Subject to the termination provisions hereinafter contained, the term of employment under this Agreement shall be for an initial term commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on December 31, 2007. This Agreement shall thereafter be automatically renewed for successive one (1) year terms, unless the Employees employment with the Employer has been terminated, as hereinafter provided, or unless either party shall have given the other party notice of termination of this Agreement as of its then applicable date of expiration of the Term at least one year before the then applicable date of expiration. The initial term of employment hereunder, and any extension thereof pursuant to this paragraph, are referred to as the Term.
3. Compensation, Reimbursement, Etc.
a. Base Salary. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Employer shall pay to the Employee as compensation for all services rendered by the Employee a base salary of $19,166.67 per month (Base Salary), payable in accordance with the Employers regular payroll practices, plus annual bonuses on a calendar year basis as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee), subject to Sections 3(d) and 3(e). If an increase in Base Salary is determined for a calendar year after January 1 and before April 30 of that year, the increase shall be retroactive to the beginning of that year. Any
bonus for 2006 will be prorated based on the portion of 2006 that the Employee is employed by the Employer. Annual reviews of the Employee will be on a calendar year basis, and will be provided to Employee in or around April of the following year.
b. Expense Reimbursement. The Employer shall reimburse the Employee on a semi-monthly basis for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in the performance of his duties under this Agreement; provided however, that the Employee shall have previously furnished to the Employer an itemized account, satisfactory to the Employer, in substantiation of such expenditures.
c. Benefits. The Employee shall be entitled to health and other benefits on the same terms and conditions as the Employer has made available to other comparable senior executives of Employer, including participation in the Employers health plans. If the Employee elects not to participate in the Employers health plans, Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for the premiums paid for an alternate plan in amounts not to exceed the premiums that would have been paid on behalf of the Employee for Employers health plan and the Employee assumes the responsibility for any taxes due on reimbursed premiums. The Employer shall obtain a term life insurance and disability policy for the Employee with a value equal to at least two years Base Salary payable to the estate or beneficiaries of the Employee upon the Employees death or to the Employee in the event of disability as provided in Section 7(b) hereof.
d. Bonuses. The Employee shall be eligible for a bonus each year of the Term of up to 40% of his annual Base Salary, based upon achievement of the bonus targets for the year, payable in cash and/or common stock, stock options, or restricted stock units as determined by the Compensation Committee. Such annual bonus will be prorated as provided in Section 3(a) for 2006, and the annual bonus will be awarded for each year as soon as practicable after March 15, but not later than June 30, of the following year.
e. Annual Review. The Employee shall be reviewed by the President who will give recommendations to the Compensation Committee on an annual (calendar year) basis.
f. Initial Stock Option. Upon commencement of employment, the Employee will be granted an award of a nonstatutory stock option (the Initial Option) under the Employers Amended and Restated 2005 Equity and Incentive Plan (the Plan) to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock of the Employer at fair market value, which option shall vest one third each year over a three year period from the initial option grant date.
g. Equity Incentive Plan. The Employee will be eligible for periodic equity awards (Plan Awards) under the Plan or another plan as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (collectively, the Plan).
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4. Duties. The Employee will be engaged as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Employer. In addition, the Employee shall have such other duties and hold such offices as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to him by the President of the Employer.
5. Extent of Services. During the Term, the Employee shall devote his full time, energy and attention to the benefit and business of the Employer and its affiliates and shall not be employed by another entity, either directly or as a consultant to or in any other capacity, except as approved in advance by the Employers Board of Directors; provided, however, that no such approval shall be required to serve as a director, officer or trustee of any trade association or of any civic or charitable organization so long as such service does not significantly interfere with the Employees performance of his duties at the Employer.
6. Vacation. The Employee may take a maximum of four weeks of vacation each calendar year, at times to be determined in a manner most convenient to the business of the Employer, as approved by the President. A maximum of one week of unused vacation may be carried over from one calendar year to the next.
7. Termination Following Death or Incapacity.
a. Death. All rights of the Employee under this Agreement shall terminate upon death (other than rights accrued prior thereto). All Plan Awards (along with the Initial Award) shall vest and be exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months from death, in accordance with the Plan. The Employer shall pay to the estate of the Employee any unpaid salary and other benefits due as well as reimbursable expenses accrued and owing to the Employee at the time of his death. The Employer agrees to maintain life insurance coverage on the Employee in an amount equivalent to two years salary, which insurance will be payable to the Employees estate or beneficiaries upon his death as the Employee may designate. The Employer shall have no additional financial obligation under this Agreement to the Employee or his estate beyond the term-life insurance benefit describe above.
b. Disability.
i. During any period of disability, illness or incapacity during the Term which renders the Employee at least temporarily unable to perform the services required under this Agreement, the Employee shall receive his salary payable under Section 3 of this Agreement, less any benefits received by him under any insurance carried by or provided by the Employer; provided however, all rights of the Employee under this Agreement (other than rights already accrued) shall terminate as provided below upon the Employees permanent disability (as defined below).
ii. The term permanent disability as used in this Agreement shall mean the inability of the Employee, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Employer, by reason of physical or mental disability to perform the duties required of him under this Agreement after a period of: (a) 120
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consecutive days of such disability; or (b) disability for at least six months during any twelve month period. Upon such determination, the Board of Directors may terminate the Employees employment under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days prior written notice. In the event of permanent disability all Plan Awards shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Plan and shall be exercisable for a period of time as set forth in the Plan.
iii. If any determination of the Board of Directors with respect to permanent disability is disputed by the Employee, the parties hereto agree to abide by the decision of a panel of three physicians. The Employee and Employer shall each appoint one member, and the third member of the panel shall be appointed by the other two physicians. If the physicians appointed by the parties have not agreed upon the third physician within fifteen (15) days, either party may petition the New Hampshire Medical Society to appoint a third physician. The Employee agrees to make himself available for and to submit to reasonable examinations by such physicians as may be directed by the Employer. Failure to submit to any such exam shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. In the event such a panel is convened, the party whose position is not sustained will bear all the associated costs.
8. Other Terminations.
a. Without Cause.
i. Either the Employee or the Employer may terminate the Employees employment hereunder at any time upon written notice.
ii. If the Employee gives written notice pursuant to paragraph (i) above, the Employer shall have the right to either (a) relieve the Employee, in whole or in part, of his duties under this Agreement or (b) to accelerate the date of termination of employment to coincide with the date on which the written notice is received.
iii. Notwithstanding any provisions hereof to the contrary, the Employer may terminate Employees employment hereunder without cause at any time. If the Employer terminates the Employees Employment pursuant to the provisions of this section 8(a), it shall pay to the Employee as a severance benefit, in cash, an amount equal to the Employees annual Base Salary plus bonus (the higher of the bonus target for the current year or the bonus paid in the prior year), which amount shall be due and payable in a lump sum within not more than ten (10) days after such termination or such later date as the Employee delivers the release contemplated by Section 17. Additionally, the vesting of Plan Awards shall be accelerated on a pro rata basis determined by the number of completed months of service during the
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then current annual vesting period, and all other vesting of Plan Awards shall cease.
b. For Cause.
i. The Employer may terminate the Employees employment hereunder without notice (a) upon the Employees breach of any material provision of this Agreement, or (b) for other good cause (as defined below).
ii. The term good cause as used in this Agreement shall mean: (a) any breach by Employee of any of Employees fiduciary duties to Employer or material obligations under this Agreement (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness), in each case if such breach is not cured within ten (10) calendar days after written notice thereof to Employee by Employer, (b) conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or other commission of any act or omission of Employee involving, fraud, embezzlement, theft, substance abuse or sexual misconduct with respect to the Employer or any of its subsidiaries or any of their employees, vendors, suppliers or customers, (c) Employees substantial neglect of duties or failure to follow an explicit, lawful directive of the President of Employer, provided that such act of neglect or failure is not cured within ten (10) calendar days after written notice thereof to Employee by Employer, (d) the Employees willful, knowing or deliberate misappropriation of funds or assets of Employer or one of its subsidiaries for personal use, or (e) the Employees willful, knowing or deliberate misconduct in the performance of Employees duties.
iii. If the Employees employment is terminated pursuant to Section 8(b), the Employer shall pay to the Employee any unpaid salary and other benefits and reimbursable expenses accrued and owing to the Employee in a lump sum within not more than ten (10) days after such termination. Such payment shall be in full and complete discharge of any and all liabilities or obligations of the Employer to the employee hereunder. The Employee shall be entitled to no further benefits under this Agreement other than extension of health benefits as required by law, at the Employees expense. All Plan Awards shall cease vesting in accordance with the terms thereof and the Plan.
c. Whenever the Employees employment is terminated under this Agreement, the Employee shall resign all offices and any other positions he shall hold with the Employer or any parent corporation and any subsidiaries or divisions of the Employer or any such parent corporation.
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9. Termination of Employment Upon Change in Control.
a. For purposes hereof, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:
i. there has occurred a change in control as such term is used in Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect as of the date hereof (hereinafter referred to as the 1934 Act);
ii. if there has occurred a change in control as the term control is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the 1934 Act;
iii. when any person (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act, a Person), during the Term, becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Employer representing 20% or more of the Employers then outstanding securities having the right to vote on the election of directors if such person did not have 20% or more of the Employers then outstanding securities at the commencement of the Term; or if a Person having more than 20% of the Employers then outstanding securities increases his or its holdings by more than 15% of the Employers then outstanding securities during the Term;
iv. if the stockholders of the Employer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Employer, or a merger or consolidation (a) in which the voting securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior thereto do not represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 50.1% of the combined voting securities of the Employer or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (b) in which no Person acquires 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Employers then outstanding securities; or
v. if during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months (not including any period prior to the date of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Employer to effect a transaction described in paragraphs i, ii or iii of this section 9(a)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Employer was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved by the stockholders, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; provided, however, in no event shall any mere action (other than sales or purchases of the Employers outstanding securities) by Michael McGovern and the Employer be deemed to be a Change in Control.
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b. The Employee may terminate his employment at any time within 12 months after a Change in Control and any of the following events has occurred:
i. an assignment to the Employee of any duties inconsistent with the status of the Employees office and/or position with the Employer as constituted immediately prior to the Change in Control or a material adverse change in the nature or scope of the Employees authority, power, functions or duties as constituted immediately prior to the Change in Control,
ii. a failure by the Employer, after having received written notice from the Employee specifying a material breach of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, to cure such breach within 30 days after receipt of such notice;
iii. the Employer requires Employee to move Employees primary place of employment to a location more than 30 miles from Employers primary place of business before the Change in Control (other than temporary relocation or business travel in the ordinary course); or
iv. the Employer reduces the Employees Base Salary without the prior written consent of the Employee.
An election by the Employee to terminate his employment following a Change in Control shall not be deemed a voluntary termination of employment by the Employee for the purpose of interpreting the provisions of this Agreement or any of the Employers employee benefit plans and arrangements. The Employees continued employment with the Employer for any period of time during the Term of this Agreement after a Change in Control shall not be considered a waiver of any right he may have to terminate his employment to the extent permitted under this Section 9(b).
If the Employer terminates the Employee without cause pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof within 12 months after a Change in Control has occurred, such termination shall be deemed an election by the Employee to terminate his employment pursuant to this Section 9(b) and Employee shall have the right to the compensation set forth in Section 9(c) instead of the compensation set forth in Section 8(a). In addition, in the event of such termination, the Employee shall continue to have the obligations provided for in Sections 11 and 12 hereof.
c. If the Employees employment with the Employer is terminated under Section 9(b) hereof,
i. the Employee shall be paid in a lump sum, 185 days after termination of employment, in cash, severance pay in an amount equal to two times (2x) the average of his aggregate cash compensation paid during the two prior calendar years (consisting of annual Base Salary and bonuses, if any).
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ii. all stock options and other Plan Awards under the Plan held by the Employee immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable forthe period of time indicated in the option contract;
iii. health benefits as provided in Section 3(c) shall continue for up to two years from the date of termination, including reimbursement of COBRA payments to the extent no longer covered under the Employers plans; provided, however, that benefits will be subject to mitigation to the extent of comparable benefits at a new job; and
iv. life insurance benefits may be continued for up to two years from the date of termination at the option of the Employee and at the Employees expense.
The lump sum severance payment described in clause (i) of this Section 9(c) is hereinafter referred to as the Termination Compensation. The amount of the Termination Compensation shall be determined, at the expense of the Employer, by its regular outside certified public accountants. Upon payment of the Termination Compensation and any other accrued compensation, this Agreement shall terminate (except for the Employees obligations pursuant to Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 hereof and the continuing obligations to provide the benefits set forth in clauses (ii) (iv) of this Section 9(c) in accordance with the terms thereof) and be of no further force or effect.
d. After a Change in Control has occurred, the Employer shall honor the Employees exercise of the Employees outstanding stock options and any other Plan Awards, in accordance with this Employment Agreement. After a Change in Control has occurred and the Employees employment is terminated as a result thereof, the Employee (or his designated beneficiary or personal representative(s) shall also receive, except to the extent already paid pursuant to Section 9(c)(i) hereof or otherwise, the sums the Employee would otherwise have received (whether under this Agreement, by law or otherwise) by reason of termination of employment as if a Change in Control had not occurred.
e. The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the payment of the Termination Compensation or other benefits or payments by seeking other employment. To the extent that the Employee shall, after the Term of this Agreement, receive compensation from any other employment, the payment of Termination Compensation or other benefits or payments shall not be adjusted (except as set forth in Section 9(c)(iii)).
10. Disclosure, Proprietary Rights. The Employee agrees that during the Term of his employment by the Employer, he will disclose only to the Employer all ideas, methods, plans, formulas, processes, trade secrets, developments, or improvements known by him which relate directly or indirectly to the business of the Employer, including any lines of business, acquired by the Employee during his employment by the Employer; provided, that nothing in this Section
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10 shall be construed as requiring any such communication where the idea, plan, method or development is lawfully protected from disclosure, including but not limited to trade secrets of third parties. For purposes of the Agreement, the term the business of the Employer shall include, without limitation, the following: the design, development, obtaining regulatory approval, production, manufacturing, marketing, and licensing of prescription and non-prescription drugs, medical devices, and methods for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment or correction of any disease, injury, illness or other medical or health condition and such other lines of business as the Employer shall engage in during the Term hereof. The parties further agree that any inventions, formulas, trade secrets, ideas, or secret processes which shall arise from any disclosure made by the Employee pursuant to this paragraph, whether or not patentable, shall be and remain the sole property of the Employer.
11. Confidentiality. As a condition to Employees employment by the Company, Employee shall execute and deliver to the Employer the Employers Confidentiality Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Employee Agreement), which sets forth, among other things, Employees obligations with respect to the Employers confidential and proprietary information.
12. Covenant not to Compete.
a. The Employee shall not, during the Term and for a period of one year thereafter (such period, the Restricted Period) do any of the following directly or indirectly, within the United States, without the prior written consent of the Employer:
(i) engage or participate in any business activity competitive with the business of the Employer;
(ii) become interested in (as owner, stockholder, lender, partner, co-venturer, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or otherwise) any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity engaged in any business that is competitive with the business of the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may hold not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly-traded securities of a company;
(iii) solicit or call on, either directly or indirectly, in connection with any business which is competitive with the business of the Employer, any (a) customer or prospective customer with whom the Employer shall have dealt at any time or (b) any supplier or prospective supplier with whom the Employer shall have dealt, (provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this clause (iii) if Employee enters into discussions with any person who responds to a newspaper advertisement or other general solicitation issued by Employees then employer which employer is not engaged in a business activity competitive with the business of the Employer);
(iv) influence or attempt to influence any supplier, customer or potential customer of the Employer to terminate or modify any written or oral agreement or course of dealing with the Employer; or
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b. (v) influence or attempt to influence any person to either (a) terminate or modify any employment, consulting, agency, distributorship or other arrangement with the Employer or (b) employ or retain, or arrange to have any other person or entity employ or retain, any person who has been employed or retained by the Employer as an employee, consultant, agent or distributor of the Employer at any time during the two year period immediately preceding the termination of Employees employment hereunder.
13. Conflict of Interest and Other Policies. The Employee shall devote his full time, energy and attention to the benefit and business of the employer and its affiliates and shall not be employed by another entity, except as permitted in Section 5. It is understood by and between the parties hereto that the foregoing restrictive covenants set forth in Sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are essential elements of this Agreement, and that but for the agreement of the Employee to comply with such covenants, the Employer would not have entered into this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the terms and provisions of Sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Agreement, together with any definitions used in such terms and provisions, shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Employee against the Employer, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Employer of such covenants. The Employee shall be subject to the Employers policies applicable to its executives generally.
14. Specific Performance. The Employee agrees that damages at law will be insufficient remedy to the Employer if the employee violates the terms of Sections 10, 11, 12 or 13 of this Agreement and that the Employer shall be entitled, upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, to obtain injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such Sections, which injunctive or other equitable relief shall be in addition to any other rights or remedies available to the Employer, and the Employee agrees that he will not raise and hereby waives any objection or defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
15. Compliance with Other Agreements. The Employee represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement by him and his performance of his obligation hereunder will not conflict with, result in the breach of any provision of, terminate, or constitute a default under any agreement to which the Employee is or may be bound.
16. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by the Employer of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the Employee shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Employee. The waiver by the Employee of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the Employer shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Employer.
17. Release. In the event of the termination of the Employees employment with the Employer, Employee shall execute a release that is substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Release) or that is the standard form of release that the Employer has in place at the time of such termination. If Employee declines or refuses to execute the Release at such time, Employer shall have no obligation to make any future payments to Employee which would otherwise be owed to Employee under the terms of this Agreement.
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18. Binding Effect, Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Employer. This Agreement is a personal employment contract and the rights, obligations and interests of the Employee hereunder may not be sold or assigned or hypothecated. Whenever in this Agreement reference is made to any party, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors, assigns, heirs, and legal representatives of such party, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements made by or on behalf of the Employee in this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Employer; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize or permit the Employee to assign any of his rights or obligations under this Agreement to any other person (whether or not a family member or other affiliate of the Employee, other than as specifically provided in this Agreement), and the Employee covenants and agrees that he shall not make any such assignments.
19. Modification, Amendment, Etc. Each and every modification and amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto, and each and every waiver of, or consent to any departure from, any representation, warranty, covenant or other term or provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by each affected party hereto.
20. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by certified or registered mail, first class, return receipt requested, to the Employer, at its executive offices as set forth in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, to the Employee, at his address as set forth on the current employment records of the Employer.
21. Severability. It is agreed by the Employer and Employee that if any portion of the provisions set forth in this Agreement are held to be unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then that portion of such covenants shall be considered divisible both as to time and geographical area. The Employer and Employee agree that if any court of competent jurisdiction determines the specific time period or the specified geographical area applicable to this Agreement to be unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then a lesser time period or geographical area which is determined to be reasonable, non-arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced against the Employee. The Employer and Employee agree that the foregoing covenants are appropriate and reasonable when considered in light of the nature and extent of the business conducted by the Employer.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Employer and the Employee and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
23. Headings. The headings contained in this agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Agreement.
24. Governing Law; Forum. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire. Any action brought pursuant to this Agreement or in relation to its breach may be heard by any court of competent jurisdiction having jurisdiction thereof. The parties hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of
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the state and federal courts located in New Hampshire for any lawsuit filed arising from or relating to this Agreement and expressly waive any and all objections to venue, including, without limitation, the inconvenience of such forum.
25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterpart copies of the entire document or of signature pages to the document, each of which may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto, but all of which when taken together, shall constitute a single agreement binding upon all of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day and year first written above.
Employer: |
| Employee: | |
BENTLEY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. |
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By: | /s/ John A. Sedor |
| /s/ Richard Lindsay |
| John A. Sedor |
| Richard Lindsay |
| President |
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