Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement between American Media Operations, Inc. and John Swider
This amendment updates the employment agreement between American Media Operations, Inc. and John Swider. It extends Mr. Swider's employment as Senior Vice President-Operations until December 21, 2008, sets his annual salary at $325,000, and outlines eligibility for an annual bonus up to $175,000. The amendment also details employee benefits, paid time off, a monthly auto allowance, and severance terms, including conditions for payment and exceptions. All other terms of the original agreement remain unchanged.
Exhibit 10.16
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of May 29, 2006, to that Employment Agreement dated October 22, 2004 (the Agreement) by and between John Swider (the Executive) and AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. (the Company). |
Effective as of the date first written above, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Paragraph 1a of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
Employment Term. The Company shall employ Executive until December 21, 2008 (the Employment Term) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Agreement shall be considered effective as of November 1, 2004 (the Effective Time).
2. Paragraph 2a of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
During Executives employment by the Company, Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President-Operations (subject to change at the discretion of the Companys President/CEO). In such position, Executive shall report directly to the Companys Chairman/CEO (or to such other person designated by the Companys Chief Executive Officer) and shall have such duties and authority as shall be determined from time to time by the Chairman/CEO of the Company.
2. Paragraph 3 of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
Base Salary. During Executives employment with the Company, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the Base Salary) at the annual rate of $325,000.00 (Three Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents), payable in regular installments in accordance with the Companys usual payment practices.
3. Paragraph 4 of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
Annual Bonus. With respect to each full fiscal year during Executives employment with the Company Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual discretionary Bonus (a Bonus) based on the financial performance of the Company (EBITDA) and Executives job performance. Such Bonus, if any, shall be in the range of $0.00 to $175,000.00. Such Bonus, if any, shall be at the discretion of the Chairman/CEO and the Compensation Committee. Such Bonus, if any, shall be payable approximately 90 days after the close of the Companys fiscal year.
4. Paragraph 5 of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
Employee Benefits. During Executives employment with the Company, Executive shall be provided, in accordance with the terms of the Companys employee benefit plans as in effect from time to time, health insurance and short term and long term disability insurance, retirement benefits and fringe benefits (collectively, Employee Benefits) on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other similarly situated employees of the Company. Executive will accrue 2.5 PTO (Personal Time Off) days per month (up to 30 per year) in accordance with the Companys PTO policy (for an employee with ten or more years of service). Executive must adhere to the Companys PTO policy. Executive shall be paid a monthly auto allowance in the amount of $400.00 (Four Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) beginning March 1, 2006.
5. Paragraph 6(E) of the Agreement, as amended, is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefore:
E) severance pay in the amount of $325,000.00 (Three Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents), if termination is for any reason other than Cause or Expiration of the Employment Term or resignation by Executive. Severance pay, if any, will be payable in twelve (12) equal monthly installments. Executive will be required to execute the Companys form Separation and Release of Claims Agreement in order to be eligible to receive the severance pay described above. Cause shall mean (i) Executives continued failure or refusal to substantially perform Executives duties hereunder for a period of 10 days following written notice by the Company to Executive of such failure or refusal, (ii) dishonesty in the performance of Executives duties hereunder, (iii) an act or acts on Executives part constituting (x) a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or (y) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (iv) Executives willful malfeasance or willful misconduct in connection with Executives duties hereunder or any act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (v) Executives breach of any provision of this agreement, including the attached addendum or (vi) breach of the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, failure to perform the Executives duties contemplated by this Agreement, insubordination, or violation Company policies and/or practices. Executive shall also receive a one-time additional severance payment in the amount of $117,000.00 (One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents) within fine days of Executives termination of employment with the Company. Additionally, if Executive becomes physically or mentally incapacitated for a continuous period of 90 days, the Company has the right to terminate Executives employment without paying severance. For the purposes hereof, the term physical or mental incapacity means Executives inability to perform the principal duties as contemplated by this agreement.
All other terms and conditions of Executives Employment Agreement and any subsequent amendments of that Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment No. 2 as of the date first written above.
AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ David Rotstein | 6/1/06 | ||
Date |
/s/ John Swider | 6/1/06 | |
John Swider | Date |