EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of October 1, 2010 (this “Agreement”) by and between IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Jonathan W. Ayers (the “Executive”).

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives and in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties to this Agreement, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1. Certain Definitions.

 

(a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effe ctive Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

(b) The “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on September 30, 2011 provided, however, that  on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate one year from such Renewal Date, unless at least 120 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

 

2. Change of Control.  For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:

 

(a) The acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisition s shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which satisfies the criteria set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

 

(b) A change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors are directors who either (i) had been directors of the Company 24 months prior to such change or (ii) were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the directors who had been directors of the Company 24 months prior to such change and who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination, but excluding, for purposes of this clause (ii), any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

 

(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, immediately following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than a majority of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of direc tors, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (which as used in this Section 2(c) shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation and (iii) at least half of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Company’s Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

3. Employment Period.  The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of such date or (ii) the termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 5 hereof (the “Employment Period”). Except as provided in Section 1(a), nothing in this Agreement shall, prior to the Effective Date, impose upon the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee. In addition, nothing in this A greement shall restrict the Executive from terminating his employment with the Company, and no such termination by the Executive shall be deemed a breach of this Agreement.

 

4. Terms of Employment.

 

(a) Position and Duties.

 

(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.

 

(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage personal in vestments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company or the terms of this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.

 

(b) Compensation.

 

(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

 

(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive such annual bonus as may be determined by the Board of Directors, but in no event shall the target bonus opportunity , expressed as a percentage of Annual Base Salary, be less than the target bonus opportunity in respect of the full fiscal year immediately preceding the Effective Date.

 

(iii) Incentive Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date t o other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

 

(iv) Welfare Benefit, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, split-dollar life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

 

(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date.

 

(vi) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

 

(c) Equity Awards.  Immediately prior to the consummation of a Change of Control each then outstanding award for common stock of the Company, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock unit award, restricted stock award or other stock-based award (an “Award”), held by the Executive shall become immediately exercisable, vested, realizable, or deliverable, or free from restrictions applicable to the Award as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the number of shares as to which each such Award would otherwise be subject to restrictions or not then be exercisable, vested, realizable, or deliverable (rounded dow n to the nearest whole share), and the number of shares as to which each such Award shall become exercisable, vested, realizable, deliverable and free from restrictions on each vesting date set forth in the Executive’s applicable Award agreement shall be reduced by 25%.  In addition, all such Awards held by the Executive shall immediately become fully exercisable, vested, realizable, deliverable and free from restrictions if and when, within 24 months after a Change of Control, the Executive’s employment with the Company (or the acquiring or succeeding entity) is involuntarily terminated by the Company (or such acquiring or succeeding entity) other than for Cause or is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4(c), if any such outstanding Award is terminated in connection with a Change of Control, such Award shall become fully exercisable, vested, realizable, deliverable and free from restrictions immediately before the occur rence of the Change of Control.

 

5. Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Death or Disability.  The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.

 

(b) Cause.  Subject to Section 5(d), the Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

 

i. the willful failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure is not cured within 30 days after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or

 

ii. the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

 

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

 

(c) Good Reason.  The Executive's employment may be terminated by the Executive with or without Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean one or more of the following conditions arising without the consent of the Executive:

 

i. A material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary;

 

ii. A material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;  provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, if at any time, the Executive shall cease to be the CEO of the Company, the entity surviving any Business Combination (if not the Company) or the Person that ultimately controls the Company or such surviving entity, then a material diminution of the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities shall be deemed to have occurred;

 

iii. A material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is required to report, including a requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

iv. A material diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority;

 

v. A material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services; or

 

vi. Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the agreement under which the Executive provides services.

 

(d) Notice of Termination.

 

(i) Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be effected by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which d ate shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice).  The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstances in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

 

(ii) Any Notice of Termination for Cause must be given within sixty (60) days of the Board learning of the event(s) or circumstance(s) which the Board believes constitute(s) Cause. Prior to any Notice of Termination for Cause being given (and prior to any termination for Cause being effective), the Executive shall be entitled to a hearing before the Board at which he may, at his election, be represented by counsel and at which he shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard.  Such hearing shall be held on not less than fifteen days prior written notice to the Executive stating the Board's intention to terminate the Executive for Cause and stating in detail the particular event(s) or circumstance(s) which the Board belie ves constitute(s) Cause for termination.

 

(iii) Any Notice of Termination for Good Reason must be given to the Company within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of one or more conditions described in Section 5(c)(i) through (vi) which the Executive believes constitute(s) Good Reason.  Upon such Notice of Termination for Good Reason, the Company shall be entitled to a period of thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the condition (s) and not be required to pay benefits under this Agreement.  It is intended that termination of employment by an Executive due to one or more of the conditions described in Section 5(c)(i) through (vi), pursuant to notice given in accordance with this Section 5(d)(iii), shall be treated as an involuntary separation f rom service pursuant to the good reason safe harbor set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)(2)(ii).

 

(e) Date of Termination.  “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, subject, in the case of termination by the Company, for Cause, to the Company's compliance with Section 5(d)(ii); (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination; and (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.  A termination of employment occurs upon a termination of employment with the Company and any affiliate of the Company in all capacities, including as a common law employee and independent contractor.  Whether a Participant has had a termination of employment shall be determined by the Company on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances with reference to Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h) regarding a “separation from service” and the default provisions set forth in Sections 1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii) and 1.409A-1(n).

 

6. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.

 

(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability.  If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause, Death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:

 

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

 

A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the target bonus for the then current fiscal year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the then current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and

 

B. the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Average Annual Bonus.  The Average Annual Bonus is equal to the average of the bonus paid (or payable) to the Executive for the three prior full fiscal years (or, if fewer, the number of full fiscal years the Executive was employed by the Company prior to the Effective Date); provided that if the Executive was not eligible to participate in an annual bonus program for at least one full fiscal year, the Average Annual Bonus shall be the Executive’s target bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs.

 

(ii) for 36 months after the Executive's Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement (excluding any savings and/or retirement plans) if the Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that i f the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until 36 months after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period;

 

(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”); and

 

(iv) the Company shall timely reimburse the Executive up to $12,500 each year (an aggregate of $25,000) for expenses incurred in connection with outplacement services and relocation costs incurred in connection with obtaining new employment outside the State of Maine until the earlier of (i) 24 months following the termination of Executive’s employment or (ii) the date the Executive secures full time employment.

 

(v) Reimbursements.  Any reimbursements made under this Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

i. the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement provided in any one taxable year of Executive shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any other taxable year of Executive;

 

ii. the reimbursement of any expense shall be made no later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following Executive’s taxable year in which the expense was incurred (unless this Agreement specifically provides for reimbursement by an earlier date); and

 

iii. the right to reimbursement of an expense shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(b)  Death.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

 

(c) Disability.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

 

(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason.  If the Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid or not yet provided. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

 

(e) Time of Payment.  Amounts payable under this Section 6 following an Executive’s termination of employment, other than those expressly payable on a deferred basis, will be paid in the payroll period next following the payroll period in which termination of employment occurs except as otherwise provided in Section 12.  Payment of any amount by reason of Executive’s termination of employment shall be made no later than the last day of Executive’s second taxable year following Executive’s taxable year in which the termination occurs.

 

7. Nonexclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of it s affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

 

8. Full Settlement.  The Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive (under this Agreement or otherwise) or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.

 

9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

 

(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment, benefit, or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive which constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (whether provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9)(a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax , together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and excise tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments in the aggregate do not exceed 110% of the maximum amount of Payments, in the aggregate, that the Executive could receive without becoming subject to the Excise Tax (the "Maximum Amount"), then no Gross-Up Payment shall b e made to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Maximum Amount.

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as account ant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Co mpany exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

 

(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive i n writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

 

i. give the Company any information reasonably requested by  the Company and available to the Executive relating to such claim,

 

ii. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

iii. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and

 

iv. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, h earings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may,  at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or to contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority.

 

(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

(e) Time of Payment.  Any Gross-Up Payment under this Section 9 shall be made by the end of the Executive’s taxable year in which the Executive remits the Federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed upon him or her as a result of compensation paid or made available by the Company, including the additional taxes imposed upon the Executive due to the Company’s payment of the initial taxes on such compensation.  In addition, any reimbursement of expenses incurred due to a tax audit or litigation addressing the existence or amount of a tax liability, whether Federal, state, local or foreign, shall be made by the end of the Executive’ s taxable year following his or her taxable year in which the taxes that are subject to the audit or litigation are remitted to the taxing authority, or where as a result of such audit or litigation no taxes are remitted, the end of the Executive’s taxable year in which the audit is completed or there is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution of the litigation.  Finally, anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, any Gross-Up Payment to be made hereunder shall be subject to such delay in payment as may apply under Section 12 of this Agreement in the event that such payment is made in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment and is subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

10. Confidential Information.  The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written c onsent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts or benefits otherwise payable or to be provided to the Executive under this Agreement.

 

11. Successors.

 

(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

 

(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

 

(c) 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 assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid.

 

12. Section 409A Compliance.

 

(a) If any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to the Executive in connection with his employment termination is determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Executive is a Specified Employee as defined in Section 409A(2)(B)(i), no part of such payments shall be paid before the day that is six (6) months plus one (1) day after the date of termination (the “New Payment Date”).  The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Executive during the period between the date of termination and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on such New Payment Date.  Thereafter, any payments that remain outstanding as of the day immediately following the New Payment Date shall be paid without delay over the time period originally scheduled, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Specified Employee” shall mean an employee of the Company who satisfies the requirements for being designated a “key employee” under Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) of the Code at any time during a calendar year, in which case such employee shall be considered a Specified Employee for the twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month immediately following the end of such calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all employees who are nonresident aliens during an entire calendar year are excluded for purposes of determining which employees meet the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) of the Code for such calendar year. The term “nonresident alien” as used herein shall have the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.409A-1(j).  In the event of any corporate spinoff or merger, the determination of which employees meet the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) of the Code for any calendar year shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.409A-1(i)(6).

 

(c) The parties acknowledge and agree that the interpretation of Section 409A and its application to the terms of this Agreement is uncertain and may be subject to change as additional guidance and interpretations become available.  Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, all benefits or payments provided by the Company to the Executive that would be deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A are intended to comply with Section 409A.  If, however, any such benefit or payment is deemed to not comply with Section 409A, the Company and the Executive agree to renegotiate in good faith any such benefit or payment (including, without limitation, as to the timing of any severance payments payable hereunder) so that either (i) Section 409A will not apply or (ii) compliance with Section 409A will be achieved; provided, however, that any resulting renegotiated terms shall provide to the Executive the after-tax economic equivalent of what otherwise has been provided to the Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and provided further, that any deferral of payments or other benefits shall be only for such time period as may be required to comply with Section 409A.

 

13. Release.  As a condition of receipt of any benefits under this Agreement, the Executive shall be required to sign a customary release prepared by and provided by the Company (the “Release”) and to abide by the provisions thereof.  The Release shall contain a release and waiver of any claims the Executive or his or her representatives may have against the Company and its officers, directors, affiliates and/or representatives, and shall release those entities and persons from any liability for such claims including, but not limited to, all employment discrimination claims.  Benefits under this Agreement will be paid as of the 90th day following the Executive’s termination of employment provided the Executive has executed and submitted the Release and the statutory period during which the Executive is entitled to revoke the Release has expired on or before that 90th day.  If the Executive fails to so execute the Release, receipt of any benefits under this Agreement is forfeited.

 

14. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

 

(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Executive:

 

Jonathan W. Ayers

c/o IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

One IDEXX Drive

Westbrook, ME 04092

 

If to the Company:

 

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

One IDEXX Drive

Westbrook, ME 04092

Attention:  Chairman of Compensation Committee

 

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

 

(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

 

(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company, by written notice to the other, at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(g) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators in Portland, Maine, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Company and the Employee shall separately pay for their respective counsel fees and expenses and the arbitration panel shall allocate the costs and expenses of the arbitration between the Executive and the Company; provided, however, if the Executive substantially prevails on a material item that was subject to arbitration, the Company shall bear all expenses and other costs of the arbitration and all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses borne by the Executive.

 

(h) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided herein, supersedes all prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with the Company or any of its affiliates or predecessors with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding sentence, this Agreement does not supersede any agreement between the Executive and the Company regarding non-disclosure and developments or any non-competition agreement between the Executive and the Company.  In addition, the Executive shall remain subject to the post-termination non - -compete obligations under any non-compete agreement with the Company notwithstanding any terms of such agreement that would relieve the Executive of such obligations upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Cause.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jonathan W. Ayers 

Jonathan W. Ayers

 

 

 

 

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.

 

 

By:           /s/ Conan R. Deady                                                                

Name:           Conan R. Deady

Title:     Corporate Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary