Non-ExecutiveDirector Appointment Agreement November16, 2009

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into and made effected November 16, 2009, by and between Recovery Energy, Inc. a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), and Roger A. Parker (“Parker”).

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain Parker’s services as set forth herein, and Parker wishes to provide such services under the terms set forth herein;

(i) Initial Grant.  On January 1, 2010, the Company will issue to Parker 1,000,000 shares of Company stock (the “Initial Grant”), which stock shall vest, subject to acceleration as provided below, in the following increments on the specified dates:

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Initial Grant shall vest upon the earlier to occur of a “Change in Control” of the Company or the termination of Parker’s service as Non-Executive Chairman other than by Parker’s voluntary resignation or for “Cause” (as each term is defined below).

(ii) Subsequent Grants.  Upon the occurrence of each of the following events occurring (x) any time during Parker’s term of service, or (y) within twelve (12) months after the effective date of the termination of Parker’s service other than by Parker’s involuntary resignation or for Cause, the Company will issue to Parker the cumulative number of shares Company stock (the “Subsequent Grants”):

(A) upon the Company’s attainment of market capitalization of $100,000,000 or more, 100,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock;

(B) upon the Company’s attainment of market capitalization of at least $200,000,000 or more, the shares specified under subsection (a)(ii)(A) to the extent not yet issued, plus 200,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock;

(C) upon the Company’s attainment of market capitalization of $300,000,000 or more, the shares specified under subsections (a)(ii)(A) and (B) to the extent not yet issued, plus 300,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock;

(D) upon the Company’s attainment of market capitalization of $400,000,000 or more, the shares specified under subsections (a)(ii)(A), (B) and (C) to the extent not yet issued, plus 400,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock; and

(E) upon the Company’s attainment of market capitalization of $500,000,000 or more, the shares specified under subsections (a)(ii)(A), (B), (C) and (D) to the extent not yet issued, plus 500,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock.

By way of example, if, as of the date that the Company’s market capitalization is first  measured for purposes of this subsection (a)(ii), the market capitalization is determined to be $350,000,000, Parker would become entitled to receive 600,000 shares of fully-vested Company stock, as the cumulative issuances under subsections (a)(ii)(A), (B) and (C).

4. Scope of Responsibilities.  As Non-Executive Chairman, subject to the terms of the immediately following paragraph, Parker shall be responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic plan, locating and reviewing prospective acquisition targets, overseeing the development plan of acquired properties, and providing input on the Company’s development plan.  Parker shall provide those services required of a non-executive director under the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, as both may be amended from time to time, and under the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the federal securities laws and other state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable; provided, however, in the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any governing document of the Company, this Agreement shall control.  In performing such activities, Parker will devote only such time as he in his sole discretion deems necessary and appropriate.

Parker for his own account and in collaboration with others is engaged in and will continue to be engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production outside of the Company’s business.  The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that if Parker becomes aware of a business opportunity, he shall have no affirmative duty to present or make such opportunity available to the Company.  Furthermore, in the event Parker pursues an opportunity for his own account or in collaboration with others, the Company shall not be entitled to any interest in or profits from such property or otherwise claim any right or damages resulting from Parker’s pursuit of such opportunity.

The relationship between the parties shall be that of independent contracting parties. The Board and the Company expressly acknowledge and agree that neither shall have the right to direct Parker with respect to the means or manner in which he fulfills his obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Board and the Company are solely interested in the results obtained by Parker in connection with his performance of services required hereunder.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the Company hereby waives any conflict or potential conflict resulting from Parker’s activities conducted apart from the business of the Company.

5. Termination.  Either party may terminate this Agreement, thereby terminating Parker’s service as Non-Executive Chairman, for any reason whatsoever, upon thirty (30) days written notice as provided in Section 10 herein.  In the event of such notice of termination by the Company or by Parker, within thirty (30) days, the Company shall pay the $2,500 office expense and $5,000 expense advance for the month between notice and termination, and upon termination will promptly reimburse Parker for any additional expenses, if any, he has incurred on the Company’s behalf to date that have not otherwise been reimbursed.  Following termination of Parker’s service, the Initial Grant shall vest as provided in Section 3(a)(i) and the Subsequent Grants shall be issued as provided in Section 3(a)(ii).

 

 

6. Location.  Parker’s office for Company business will be based in the vicinity of Denver, Colorado.  Parker will have the authority to office where he chooses and to change such office if and when he chooses, but the Company’ contribution for related expenses shall be limited as provided in Section 3(b) herein.

7. Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and warrants to Parker that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon execution by Parker, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

8. Indemnity.  The Company agrees that if Parker is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that Parker is or was a trustee, director or officer of the Company or any predecessor or successor to the Company or any of their affiliates or is or was serving at the request of the Company, any predecessor or successor to the Company or any of their affiliates as a trustee, director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including, without limitation, service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding alleges action in an official capacity as a trustee, director, officer, member, employee or agent while serving as a trustee, director, officer, member, employee or agent, Parker shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all Costs (as defined below) incurred or suffered by Parker in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to Parker even if he has ceased to be an officer, director, trustee or agent, or is no longer employed by the Company and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators.  The foregoing indemnity is contractual and will survive any adverse amendment to or repeal of the bylaws or any other governing document of the Company.

9. Registration of Shares.  All shares issued pursuant to this Agreement, as of the date of issuance, shall have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and shall be freely transferable without restriction, subject only to the vesting requirements under Section 3(a)(ii) herein, as applicable.

10. Survival of Certain Provisions.  The representations, warranties and covenants and indemnity provisions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement and the Company’s obligation to pay or issue to Parker, or to cause Parker to vest in, any compensation or compensatory awards earned pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any completion or termination of this Agreement and shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Company, the indemnified parties and any such person.

11. Notices.  Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed or delivered (a) if to the Company, at its offices at 1515 Wynkoop Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202, and (b) if to Parker, at his offices at 9 Cherry Hills Park Drive, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113, with a copy to Timothy R. Beyer, at his office at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, 410 17th Street, Suite 2200, Denver, CO  80202.

12. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

13. Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

 

14. Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

15. Dispute Resolution: If a dispute arises out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement, and if the dispute cannot be settled through direct discussions, the Company and Miller agree that suit may be brought in state or federal court in Denver, Colorado.

If any dispute arises between the Company and Parker regarding any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse Parker for all legal fees and expenses incurred by him in connection with such dispute (whether arising from mediation, arbitration, litigation or otherwise) unless an unlawful act has preceded, but only if Parker substantially prevails in such action. Such reimbursement shall be made as soon as practicable following the resolution of such contest or dispute (whether or not appealed) to the extent the Company receives reasonable written evidence of such fees and expenses.

16. Reimbursement of Expenses.  Parker shall be reimbursed by the Company for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by Parker in the performance of his duties or otherwise in furtherance of the business of the Company, as well as any expenses specified in this Agreement, in accordance with the policies of the Company in effect from time to time.  No reimbursement will be made later than the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  Expenses eligible for payment or reimbursement in any one taxable year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the right to expense payment or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

17. Modification; Entire Agreement.  No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing signed by Parker and by a duly authorized officer of the Company, and such waiver is set forth in writing and signed by the party to be charged. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. Except or otherwise provided in Section 8 herein, the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

18. Choice of Law, Jurisdiction and Venue.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to Colorado’s choice of law rules.  Any and all actions, suits, or judicial proceedings upon any claim arising from or relating to this Agreement, subject to Section 8 herein, shall be instituted and maintained in the State of Colorado. If it is judicially determined that either party may file an action, suit or judicial proceeding in federal court, such action, suit or judicial proceeding shall be in the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado.