Severance and Release Agreement dated February 21, 2020 between Masco Corporation and Joseph B. Gross

EX-10.B 3 exhibit10b03312020.htm EXHIBIT 10.B Exhibit

Exhibit 10.b

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY

This Severance Agreement and Release of All Liability (“Agreement”) is made as of February 21, 2020, between Joe Gross and Masco Corporation, with a business address of 17450 College Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152 (“Masco”).

INTRODUCTION


A.	On February 18, 2020, Masco divested Masco Cabinetry LLC and on November 6, 2019, Masco divested Milgard Manufacturing Inc. Employee’s affiliation with Masco ended on February 14, 2020 (the “Separation Date”).


B.	Pursuant to the letter agreement entered into by Masco and Employee on or about June 18, 2019 (the “Retention Agreement”), Employee is eligible for certain Retention Incentives as described therein.


C.	Employee recognizes that Masco has legitimate business interests that need protection from unfair competition by Employee and that reasonable restraints on Employee’s future activities are necessary in order to protect those interests.


D.	Employee has had the opportunity to review this Agreement, has been encouraged to consult with legal counsel, if desired, in order to ascertain whether Employee has any potential rights or remedies that will be waived and released upon Employee’s execution of this Agreement.


E.	Employee and Masco, without any admission of liability, desire to settle with finality, compromise, dispose of, and release all claims and demands of Employee which have been or could be asserted, whether arising out of Employee’s employment, the termination of Employee’s employment, or otherwise.


F.	Terms not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Retention Agreement.

AGREEMENT

In exchange for the consideration and mutual promises identified below (the adequacy and sufficiency of which being duly acknowledged), Employee and Masco agree as follows:


1.	Payment of Retention Incentives. Pursuant to the Retention Agreement, Employee is eligible for the Retention Incentives contained therein. Masco will pay Employee the Retention Incentives consistent with the Retention Letter.


2.	Employee’s Continuing Obligations.

Release. Employee, individually, and on behalf of Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, releases and forever discharges Masco, Employer, their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, and, as to each of the aforementioned, their respective successors, predecessors, assigns, insurers, past and present owners, officers, directors, agents, current and former employees and independent contractors, all others for whom the parties released herein may be vicariously or otherwise liable, the attorneys and legal representatives of all those released herein, as well as the agents and employees of those attorneys and legal representatives, and any and all other persons, firms, companies, corporations and other legal entities (collectively referred to as the “Released Parties”), of and from all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, statutory rights, debts, suits, contracts, agreements, and liabilities of any kind, nature or description, direct or indirect, in law or in equity,

in contract or in tort or otherwise, which Employee ever had or which Employee now has or hereafter can, shall or may have, against any of the Released Parties, for or by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever up to the date Employee executes this Agreement, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected at the present time, or which may be based upon pre-existing acts, claims or events occurring at any time up to the present date which may or have resulted in damages, including without limitation all direct or indirect claims either for direct or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever and rights or claims arising under any and all federal, state or local statutes, ordinances and/or laws, including without limitation Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the Equal Pay Act (“EPA”), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), all claims under applicable state civil rights statutes, and all other claims and rights, whether in law or equity. It is the intention of the parties that this general release by the Employee will be construed as broadly as possible. Nothing in this Agreement, however, prohibits or prevents Employee from filing a charge with or participating, testifying or assisting in any investigation, hearing, whistleblower action or other proceeding, which cannot be waived, before any federal, state or local government agency (e.g., EEOC, NLRB, SEC, etc.), nor does anything in this Agreement preclude, prohibit or otherwise limit, in any way, Employee rights and abilities to contact, communicate with, report matters to or otherwise participate in any whistleblower program administered by any such agencies. However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Employee agrees that if such an administrative claim is made, Employee shall not be entitled to recover any individual monetary relief or other individual remedies.

Medicare Waiver. Employee affirms that as of the date Employee signs this Agreement, (1) Employee is not Medicare eligible (i.e., is not 65 years of age or older; is not suffering from end-stage renal failure; has not received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for 24 months or longer, etc.) or (2) if eligible, Employee has no outstanding claims for Medicare benefits. Nonetheless, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (the “CMS”) (this term includes any related agency representing Medicare’s interests) determines that Medicare has an interest in the payment to Employee under this Agreement, Employee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Masco harmless from any action by the CMS relating to medical expenses of Employee. Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with Masco upon request with respect to any claim the CMS may make and for which Employee is required to indemnify Masco under this paragraph.

Further, Employee agrees to waive any and all future actions against Masco for any private cause of action for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(3)(A).

The release contained herein will not release or otherwise affect the Parties’ rights and obligations arising under this Agreement.


c.	Past Agreements Continue. This Agreement does not release Employee of any ongoing obligations owed to the Masco pursuant to the following agreements previously entered into with Masco:

Dispute Resolution Policy (DRP). Any dispute Employee might have against any Masco, arising out of the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, will be resolved solely by use of Dispute Resolution Policy, the terms of which are incorporated into this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, Employee certifies that Employee has had an opportunity to review the DRP and that Employee has signed an acknowledgement of receipt of that document.

ii.

Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement. Employee agrees to comply with the Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement. That Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, a copy of which has been provided to Employee, shall continue in full force and effect. By executing this Agreement, Employee certifies that all confidential, proprietary or trade secret information has been returned as required by Paragraph 2 of the Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement.


iii.	Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards. Pursuant to the 2014 Masco Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, the awards made in letters to you and the related Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards Granted Under the Masco Corporation 2014 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, Employee continues to be bound by the obligations described therein.


d.	Return of Property. Employee agrees to return immediately any and all Masco property still in Employee’s possession (including any and all property of its affiliates) of whatsoever kind and character, including, without limitation, keys, documents, computer software and hardware, discs and media, and policy and procedures manuals.

Cooperation With Masco. Employee agrees that in the defense or prosecution of any pending or future claim involving Masco or any of its current or former affiliates (collectively referred to as the “Company”), Employee will be available at reasonable times for the purpose of consultation, discovery and providing testimony. Employee will at all times be candid, honest, and forthright in discharging the duties contemplated by this Paragraph. If it becomes necessary for the Company to obtain the cooperation of the Employee as contemplated herein, the Company will, in good faith and to the extent practicable, endeavor to reasonably accommodate the Employee’s personal and work schedules and reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with providing support and cooperation pursuant to this Agreement.

Non-Cooperation With Others. Except to the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee shall not encourage or, except as required by law, provide any information about the business, products, or employees of the Company to any person or entity to assert, maintain, or prosecute a claim or litigation against Company or its officers, directors, or employees. Employee further agrees that, if approached informally or subpoenaed by any person, company, attorney, or agent for any person or entity other than the Company, at any time regarding any matter, currently litigated or otherwise, involving the Company, its employees, its products, or its business, Employee will give immediate notice to the General Counsel of Masco Corporation, 17450 College Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152. Masco shall reimburse Employee for any reasonable expense incurred in connection with such notification.


g.	No Disparagement. Employee agrees not to criticize, disparage or otherwise demean in any way Masco or its affiliates or their respective products, officers, directors or employees. This includes, but is not limited to, directly or indirectly providing disparaging comments to the media or disseminating them electronically, such as on any website or blog.

Non-Disclosure. Employee agrees that the negotiations concerning this Agreement, the fact of this Agreement, and the contents of this Agreement shall be kept strictly confidential, and shall not be disclosed to any person. Notwithstanding the above, Employee may disclose the terms of this Agreement: (a) to Employee’s spouse, tax advisors, taxing authorities and attorneys; (b) as may be required in response to a court order or subpoena; (c) as may be required by law or financial institutions with which Employee does business; or (e) in any action alleging a breach of, or seeking to enforce, this Agreement. To the extent the existence or the terms of the Agreement are revealed pursuant to this paragraph, Employee agrees to take reasonable steps to ensure that any information which is disclosed will not be disclosed to any other third party, including, but not limited to, by advising such recipients that they must not divulge the terms of this Agreement and that the terms are considered confidential.


i.	Disclosure of Known Claims. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has disclosed to Masco any and all facts within Employee’s knowledge concerning any actual or potential claim against Masco, including but not limited to any and all claims arising out of federal, state or local law, or any claim resulting in or from a loss, theft or fraud against Masco.

No Actions Filed. Employee represents that Employee has not filed any action, charge, suit, or claim against Masco with any federal, state, or local agency or court, and has not initiated any mediation or arbitration proceeding. Employee further agrees that Employee shall not receive or be entitled to any monetary damages, recovery, and/or relief of any type in connection with any charge, administrative action, or legal proceeding pursued by Employee, by any governmental agency, person, group, or entity regarding and/or relating to any claim(s) released pursuant to this Agreement.

Consequence of Employee’s Breach. Employee acknowledges and agrees that if Employee, in Masco’s good faith judgment, breaches any obligation under this Agreement or the Retention Agreement, Masco may immediately terminate any remaining payments and the provision of any other benefits that might otherwise be required by this Agreement; provided, however, Employee will be paid or allowed to retain $1,000 of the Retention Incentives. Any such termination by Masco shall not impair the validity or enforceability of the release provision of this Agreement.

Additional Relief. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that Masco’s remedy at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the following provisions of this Agreement: Disclosure of Known Claims, Non-Competition, No Disparagement, Non-Disclosure, Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, Cooperation with Masco, Non-Cooperation with Others - would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any of these provisions, the Employee agrees that, in addition to its remedy at law, and at Masco’s option, all rights of the Employee under Paragraph 1 of this Agreement may be terminated, and Masco shall be entitled without posting any bond to obtain, and the Employee agrees not to oppose a request for, equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. The Employee acknowledges that the granting of a temporary injunction, temporary restraining order or permanent injunction merely prohibiting the use of Proprietary Information would not be an adequate remedy upon breach or threatened breach hereof, and consequently agrees upon any such breach or threatened breach to the granting of injunctive relief prohibiting the design, development, manufacture, marketing or sale of products and providing of services of the kind designed, developed, manufactured, marketed, sold or provided by Masco or its affiliates as of the date of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting Masco from pursuing, in addition, any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach.


m.	Remedies Cumulative. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the rights and remedies given to Masco in this Agreement shall be deemed cumulative, and the exercise of one such remedy shall not operate to bar the exercise of any other rights and remedies reserved to Masco or available at law or in equity.

Employee Acknowledgments. Employee specifically represents, warrants and confirms that Employee: (a) has been properly paid for all hours worked for the Employer; (b) has received all bonuses and other compensation due to the Employee with the exception of the Employee’s final payroll check(s) for wages through and including the Separation Date, which will be paid at the time of separation; (c) is not entitled to any bonuses or other compensation; and (d) has not engaged in any unlawful conduct relating to the business of Masco.


3.	Miscellaneous Provisions


a.	Termination of Welfare Benefit and Pension Plans. As of the Separation Date, Employee shall cease to be an active participant under Masco’s welfare benefit and pension plans (or the plans of any of Masco’s affiliates) pursuant to the terms of those plans, and no additional benefits shall accrue to Employee. Employee waives any claim to such accrual of benefits beyond the Separation Date.


b.	Time for Acceptance. Employee has twenty-one days during which to consider this offer. Employee is not required to, but may, accept this Agreement by signing and dating it within twenty-one days. If Employee does not execute this Agreement within twenty-one days, then Masco’s offer of this Agreement will be revoked and it shall be deemed null and void.

Revocation/ Effective Date. Employee understands that Employee may revoke this Agreement for a period of seven calendar days following the execution of this Agreement. Therefore, the Effective Date of this Agreement will be the eighth calendar day after Employee signs and dates the Agreement. Employee further understands that, to be effective, any revocation must be in writing and postmarked within seven calendar days of the date on which Employee signs and dates this Agreement, and that the revocation notice must be addressed to Tara Mahoney, Corporate Employment Counsel, Masco Corporation, 17450 College Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152. If revocation is by mail, Employee should send it by certified mail, return receipt requested in order to create proof of mailing.


d.	Withholding and Payroll Taxes. Any and all payments to Employee under this Agreement are subject to applicable withholding and payroll taxes.


e.	Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.


f.	Venue. The parties agree that any dispute may only be commenced in the office of the American Arbitration Association nearest Livonia, Michigan.

Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the parties’ entire agreement relating to its subject matter and supersedes and replaces all other agreements and/or understandings between the parties relating to its subject matter, except as otherwise specifically stated herein; provided however, that the Retention Agreement, Proprietary Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement and the Dispute Resolution Policy referenced herein shall be incorporated by reference into this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect, as shall those terms in any and all other agreements which, by their terms survive the termination of employment.


h.	Modifications. This Agreement may not be modified except by a subsequent written agreement, executed by both parties, which specifically evidences an intent to modify the terms of this Agreement. Employee reaffirms Employee’s agreement to comply with all such ongoing obligations. The terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital.


i.	No Oral Representations. Employee represents that no promise, inducement or agreement has been made between the parties regarding the subject matter of this agreement other than those specifically set forth in this Agreement, and that he has not relied on any oral statements of Masco or its representatives in deciding to sign this Agreement.


j.	Knowing and Voluntary. Employee represents that employee fully understands the terms of this Agreement, and is executing this Agreement voluntarily.


k.	Severability. If any portion of this Agreement is ruled unenforceable, all remaining provisions shall remain valid and in effect.


l.	Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Masco of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed or considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach.


m.	Headings. The headings of each Paragraph are for convenience only, and shall not affect the meaning or intent of any provision of this Agreement.

Assignment. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement are not assignable, although Masco shall have the right to assign this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee’s executors, heirs, estate, legal representatives, beneficiaries, and other successors in interest and shall inure to the benefit of Masco and its successors and assigns. All subsidiaries, affiliates, and successors in interest of or to Masco are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

Masco Corporation

By: /s/ Renee Straber

Renee Straber

Its: Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

/s/ Joseph Gross___

Employee Signature

Joseph Gross

Employee Printed Name

_ _February 28, 2020_______

Date Employee Signed