Employment Agreement

 

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 25, 2013, by and between A. Bradley Gabbard (the “Executive”) and Recovery Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.      Term. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall be effective as of January 1, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue until the third anniversary thereof, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement. The period during which the Executive is employed by the Company hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the “Employment Term.”

 

2.      Position and Duties.

 

2.1        Position. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, reporting to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”). In such position, the Executive shall have such duties, authority and responsibility as shall be determined from time to time by the Board, which duties, authority and responsibility are consistent with the Executive’s position.

 

2.2        Duties. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise which would conflict or interfere with the performance of such services either directly or indirectly without the prior written consent of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will be permitted to (a) with the prior written consent of the Board which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed  act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member or principal of any type of business, civic or charitable organization as long as such activities are disclosed in writing to the Board in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and (b) purchase or own less than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded securities of any corporation; provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities described in clauses (a) and (b) do not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company as provided hereunder.

 

3.      Place of Performance. The principal place of Executive’s employment shall be the Company’s principal executive office currently located in Denver, Colorado; provided that, the Executive may be required to travel on Company business during the Employment Term.

 

 

4.      Compensation.

 

 

4.2        Annual Bonus.

 

(a)       For each complete fiscal year of the Employment Term, the Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) equal to 50% of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), as in effect at the beginning of the applicable fiscal year, based on achievement of annual target performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), which may include targets related to the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, hydrocarbon production level, and hydrocarbon reserve amounts.

 

(b)       The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within two and a half (2 1/2) months after the end of the applicable fiscal year.

 

(c)       Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, in order to be eligible to receive an Annual Bonus, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the last day of the applicable fiscal year/date that Annual Bonuses are paid.

 

4.3        Equity Awards. In consideration of the Executive entering into this Agreement, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company, the Company has granted the following equity awards to the Executive pursuant to the Recovery Energy, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”): 300,000 stock options with a fair market value exercise price (as defined in the Plan) with one-third vesting immediately and two-thirds vesting in two annual installments on each of the next two anniversaries of the grant date.  Such stock options will vest 100% upon a termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5 below), by the Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 5 below), upon a Change of Control (as defined in Section 5 below) of the Company or upon the death or Disability (as defined in Section 5 below) of Executive, provided that such vesting shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company. All other terms and conditions of such awards shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award agreements. In the event that the condition of approval by the shareholders of the Company is not satisfied, or is otherwise delayed in a manner that affects in any way the economic benefit of the stock option award contemplated herein, then the Company shall negotiate in good faith with Executive to modify the stock award, or provide other consideration, that will restore the full economic benefit of the contemplated award.

 

4.4        Fringe Benefits and Perquisites. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and perquisites consistent with the practices of the Company, and to the extent the Company provides similar benefits or perquisites (or both) to similarly situated executives of the Company.

 

4.5        Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and programs maintained by the Company, as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Employee Benefit Plans”), to the extent consistent with applicable law and the terms of the applicable Employee Benefit Plans. The Company reserves the right to amend or cancel any Employee Benefit Plans at any time in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of such Employee Benefit Plan and applicable law.

 

 

4.6        Business Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business, entertainment and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

 

4.7        Indemnification.

 

(a)       In the event that the Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), other than any Proceeding initiated by the Executive or the Company related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the Executive’s employment hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent applicable to any other officer or director of the Company/to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law from and against any liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). Costs and expenses incurred by the Executive in defense of such Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of the Executive to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement.

 

4.8        Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation, or any other compensation, paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

 

5.      Termination of Employment. The Employment Term and the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by either the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason; provided that, unless otherwise provided herein, either party shall be required to give the other party at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of any termination of the Executive’s employment. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits described in this Section 5 and shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

 

5.1        Expiration of the Term, for Cause or Without Good Reason.

 

(a)       If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive:

 

	(i)	any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation which shall be paid on the pay date immediately following the Termination Date (as defined below) in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll procedures;
	(ii)	reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy; and
	(iii)	such employee benefits (including equity compensation), if any, as to which the Executive may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans as of the Termination Date; provided that, in no event shall the Executive be entitled to any payments in the nature of severance or termination payments except as specifically provided herein.

 

Items 5.1    (a)(i) through 5.1(a)(iii) are referred to herein collectively as the “Accrued Amounts”.

 

(b)       For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (a) the willful and continued failure by Executive to substantially perform the duties specified in the employment agreement or that are reasonably requested by the Board as documented in writing to Executive; (b) Executive’s willful and continued disregard of his material duties or willful and continued failure to act, where such action would be in the ordinary course of the Executive’s duties; (c) the willful and continued failure by Executive to observe material Company policies generally applicable to executives of the Company; (d) gross negligence or willful misconduct by Executive in the performance of his duties; (e) the commission by Executive of any act of fraud, theft, financial dishonesty or self-dealing with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates, or any felony or criminal act involving moral turpitude; (f) the material breach by Executive of the employment agreement or any other agreement or contract with the Company; (g) chronic absenteeism; or (h) the continued commission of material violations of state or federal law relating to the workplace environment (including, without limitation, laws relating to sexual harassment or age, sex or other prohibited discrimination) by Executive.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (a) the failure by the Company to pay Executive any amount due under the employment agreement; (b) a material reduction in the job duties or job description of Executive without Executive’s consent; or (c) any reassignment of Executive to a location which is outside a 20-mile radius from the Company’s current location without the consent of Executive.

 

5.2        Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event the Employment Term and the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 7 of this Agreement and his execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:

 

 

(a)       continued Base Salary for one year following the Termination Date payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, which shall commence within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date; provided that the first installment payment shall include all amounts of Base Salary that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the first payment date if no delay had been imposed; and

 

(b)       vesting of any outstanding equity awards pursuant to Section 4.3 wbove, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

 

5.3        Death or Disability.

 

(a)       The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death or Disability during the Employment Term, and the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment on account of the Executive’s Disability.

 

(b)       If the Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Term on account of the Executive’s death or Disability, the Executive (or the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following:

 

	(i)	the Accrued Amounts; and
	(ii)	vesting of any outstanding equity awards pursuant to Section 4.3 above, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days. Any question as to the existence of the Executive’s Disability as to which the Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined in writing by a qualified independent physician mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint such a physician and those two physicians shall select a third who shall make such determination in writing. The determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and the Executive shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

5.4        Change in Control Termination.

 

(a)       Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause (other than on account of the Executive’s death or Disability), in each case within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 7 of this Agreement and his execution of a Release, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:

 

	(i)	continued Base Salary for one year following the Termination Date payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, which shall commence within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date; provided that the first installment payment shall include all amounts of Base Salary that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the first payment date if no delay had been imposed; and
	(ii)	vesting of any outstanding equity awards pursuant to Section 4.3 wbove, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

 

(b)       For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

	(i)	one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such corporation; provided that, a Change in Control shall not occur if any person (or more than one person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock and acquires additional stock;
	(ii)	one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) ownership of the Company’s stock possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation;
	(iii)	a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election; or
	(iv)	the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur unless such transaction constitutes a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

5.5        Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment Term (other than termination pursuant to Section 5.3 on account of the Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“Notice of Termination”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 17. The Notice of Termination shall specify:

 

(a)       The termination provision of this Agreement relied upon;

 

(b)       To the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated; and

 

(c)       The applicable Termination Date.

 

 

5.6        Termination Date. The Executive’s Termination Date shall be:

 

(a)       If the Executive’s employment hereunder terminates on account of the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death;

 

(b)       If the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated on account of the Executive’s Disability, the date that it is determined that the Executive has a Disability;

 

(c)       If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, the date the Notice of Termination is delivered to the Executive;

 

(d)       If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 30 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered;

 

(e)       If the Executive terminates his employment hereunder with or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Executive’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 30 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered; and

 

(f)       If the Executive’s employment hereunder terminates because either party provides notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1, the Renewal Date immediately following the date on which the applicable party delivers notice of non-renewal.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Termination Date shall not occur until the date on which the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

5.7        Resignation of All Other Positions. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, the Executive agrees to resign, effective on the Termination Date/shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions that the Executive holds as an officer or member of the Board (or a committee thereof) of the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

5.8        Section 280G .

 

(a)       If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive (including, without limitation, any payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or the Executive’s termination of employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement, or otherwise) (all such payments collectively referred to herein as the “280G Payments”) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 5.8, be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such 280G Payments shall be reduced or otherwise modified in a manner determined by the Company (by the minimum possible amounts) that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code until no amount payable to the Executive will be subject to the Excise Tax. If two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but are payable at different times, the amounts shall be reduced (but not below zero) on a pro rata basis.

 

(b)       All calculations and determinations under this Section 5.8 shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the “Tax Counsel”) whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Executive for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 5.8, the Tax Counsel may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as the Tax Counsel may reasonably request in order to make its determinations under this Section 5.8. The Company shall bear all costs the Tax Counsel may reasonably incur in connection with its services.

 

 

6.      Cooperation. The parties agree that certain matters in which the Executive will be involved during the Employment Term may necessitate the Executive’s cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, to the extent reasonably requested by the Board, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in connection with matters arising out of the Executive’s service to the Company; provided that, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of the Executive’s other activities. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation and, to the extent that the Executive is required to spend substantial time on such matters, the Company shall compensate the Executive at an hourly rate based on the Executive’s Base Salary on the Termination Date.

 

7.      Confidential Information. The Executive understands and acknowledges that during the Employment Term, he will have access to and learn about Confidential Information, as defined below.

 

7.1        Confidential Information Defined.

 

 For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes, but is not limited to, any information heretofore or hereafter acquired, developed or used by the Company relating to geological, geophysical, economic, financial or management aspects of the business, operations, properties or prospects of the Company whether oral or in written form, whether or not included in the Company’s business records, but shall exclude any information which (A) is or has become part of common knowledge or understanding in the oil and gas industry or otherwise in the public domain (other than from disclosure by Executive in violation of this Agreement or any other confidentiality agreement with the Company); (B) was rightfully in the possession of Executive, as shown by Executive’s records, prior to the date of this Agreement and which is not directly applicable to the business of the Company or any of its properties or assets; (C) is lawfully acquired by Executive after the Term from any third party not bound by an obligation of confidence to the disclosing party; or (D) is independently developed by or for Executive after the Term without using the Confidential Information of the Company; provided, however, that Executive shall provide to the Company copies of all information described in clause (B) to the extent reasonably requested by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7 shall not be applicable to the extent (1) Executive is required to testify in a judicial or regulatory proceeding pursuant to the order of a judge or administrative law judge after Executive requests that such Confidential Information be preserved, or (2) Executive receives a valid and effective subpoena, interrogatory or other legally enforceable request for information in connection with a judicial process; provided, however, that if and when such a disclosure is required pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, Executive shall promptly provide the Company with notice of such requirement, so that the Company may (x) seek a protective order or other remedy (including, without limitation, participation in any proceeding), or (y) waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement in the Company’s sole discretion (but such waiver will be limited to the Confidential Information required to be disclosed). Executive shall be entitled to furnish only such Confidential Information as Executive is advised by legal counsel that he is legally required to disclose and will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of any and all Confidential Information disclosed.

 

 

 

7.2        Disclosure and Use Restrictions.

 

The Executive agrees and covenants: (i) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential; (ii) not to directly or indirectly disclose, publish, communicate or make available Confidential Information, or allow it to be disclosed, published, communicated or made available, in whole or part, to any entity or person whatsoever (including other employees of the Company) not having a need to know and authority to know and use the Confidential Information in connection with the business of the Company and, in any event, not to anyone outside of the direct employ of the Company except as required in the performance of the Executive’s authorized employment duties to the Company or with the prior consent of the Board acting on behalf of the Company in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent); and (iii) not to access or use any Confidential Information, and not to copy any documents, records, files, media or other resources containing any Confidential Information, or remove any such documents, records, files, media or other resources from the premises or control of the Company, except as required in the performance of the Executive’s authorized employment duties to the Company or with the prior consent of the Board acting on behalf of the Company in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent). Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to the valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that the disclosure does not exceed the extent of disclosure required by such law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Board.

 

The Executive understands and acknowledges that his obligations under this Agreement with regard to any particular Confidential Information shall commence immediately upon the Executive first having access to such Confidential Information (whether before or after he begins employment by the Company) and shall continue during and after his employment by the Company until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Executive’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with the Executive or on the Executive’s behalf.

 

8.      Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of Section 7 of this Agreement, the Executive hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief.

 

9.      Governing Law: Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement, for all purposes, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Colorado without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any action or proceeding by either of the parties to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in a state or federal court located in the state of Colorado. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.

 

 

10.      Entire Agreement. Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement contains all of the understandings and representations between the Executive and the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. The parties mutually agree that the Agreement can be specifically enforced in court and can be cited as evidence in legal proceedings alleging breach of the Agreement.

 

11.      Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. No waiver by either of the parties of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either of the parties in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

12.      Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held as unenforceable and thus stricken, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement.

 

The parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth herein.

 

13.      Captions. Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.

 

14.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

 

15.      Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any payment or benefit provided to the Executive in connection with his termination of employment is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i), then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Specified Employee Payment Date”). The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafer, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule.

 

16.      Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and shall not be assigned by the Executive. Any purported assignment by the Executive shall be null and void from the initial date of the purported assignment. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and permitted successors and assigns.

 

17.      Notice. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight carrier to the parties at the addresses specified by the parties.

 

18.      Representations of the Executive. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

18.1        The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement or understanding to which he is a party or is otherwise bound.

 

18.2        The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer.

 

 

19.      Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any Federal, state and local taxes in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law or regulation.

 

20.      Survival. Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive such expiration or other termination to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

 

21.      Acknowledgment of Full Understanding. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT he HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT he HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF his CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

	Recovery Energy, Inc.
	By: /s/ W. Phillip Marcum Name: W. Phillip Marcum Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

	EXECUTIVE
	/s/ A. Bradley Gabbard A. Bradley Gabbard

 

---