Employment Agreement, dated July 10, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Jo Viney, Ph.D. (to be effective upon the effective date of the Registration Statement)

Contract Categories: Human Resources - Employment Agreements
EX-10.22 15 d926475dex1022.htm EX-10.22 EX-10.22

Exhibit 10.22

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is made as of July 10th, 2020 by and between Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), and Jo Viney (the “Executive”) (together, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive as its President and Chief Scientific Officer; and

WHEREAS, the Executive is party to a letter agreement dated March 11, 2017 with the Company or an affiliate of the Company (the “Existing Agreement”) which Existing Agreement will be superseded in its entirety by this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Executive has agreed to accept such employment on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements of the Parties herein contained, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date on which the registration statement relating to the Company’s initial public offering is effective (the “Effective Date”). Following the Effective Date, the Executive shall continue to be an employee of the Company until such employment relationship is terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof (the “Term of Employment”).

2. Position. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Company, working out of the Company’s offices in the Boston, Massachusetts area, and travelling as reasonably required by the Executive’s job duties.

3. Scope of Employment.

(a) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be responsible for the performance of those duties consistent with the Executive’s position as President and Chief Scientific Officer, in addition to such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Executive by the Company. The Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall perform and discharge faithfully, diligently, and to the best of the Executive’s ability, the Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

(b) The Executive agrees to devote the Executive’s full business time, best efforts, skill, knowledge, attention and energies to the advancement of the business and interests of the Company and to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company; provided that the Executive may (i) engage in charitable, educational, religious, civic and similar types of activities and (ii) serve on the board of directors of for-profit business enterprises, provided that such service is approved by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) prior to commencement thereof (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), to the


extent that such activities are not competitive with the business of the Company and do not inhibit or prohibit the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder. The Executive agrees to abide by the rules, regulations, instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company and any changes therein that may be adopted from time to time by the Company.

4. Compensation. As full compensation for all services rendered by the Executive to the Company and any affiliate thereof, during the Term of Employment, the Company will provide to the Executive the following:

(a) Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive shall receive a base salary at the annualized rate of $425,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Executive’s Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed from time to time by the Board in accordance with normal business practice and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.

(b) Annual Discretionary Bonus. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive will be eligible to receive, following the end of each calendar year, an annual performance bonus of up to 40% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), based upon the Board’s assessment, in its sole discretion, of the Executive’s performance and the Company’s attainment of targeted goals (as set by the Board) the preceding calendar year. The Board may determine to provide the bonus in the form of cash, equity award(s), or a combination of cash and equity. No annual bonus or minimum amount thereof is guaranteed, and, except as and to the extent specifically set forth in Section 8 below, the Executive must be an employee in good standing on the date that annual bonuses are paid out in order to be eligible for and to earn any annual bonus, as it also serves as an incentive to remain employed by the Company. The Executive’s bonus eligibility will be reviewed from time to time by the Board in accordance with normal business practice and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.

(c) Equity Award. The Executive will be eligible to receive equity awards, if any, at such times and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine.

(d) Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be eligible for a maximum of five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, which shall accrue at the rate of 2.0833 days per month that the Executive is employed during the calendar year. Paid time off must be used in accordance with the Company’s paid time off policies as in effect from time to time. The Executive may carry over up to one week of accrued, unused vacation at the end of each calendar year to the subsequent calendar year; any excess accrued but unused vacation time will be forfeited at the end of each calendar year.

(e) Benefits. The Executive may participate in any and all benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees or executives from time to time, provided the Executive is eligible under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents governing those programs. The benefit programs made available by the Company, and the rules, terms and conditions for participation in such benefit programs, may be changed by the Company at any time without advance notice (other than as required by such programs or under law).

 

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(f) Withholdings. All compensation payable to the Executive shall be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings.

5. Expenses. The Executive will be reimbursed for the Executive’s actual, necessary and reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy, subject to the provisions of Section 3 of Exhibit A attached hereto.

6. Restrictive Covenants Agreements. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the Executive’s Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement previously executed by the Executive remains in full force and effect and unaltered in all respects; provided, however, that each reference to the “Company” in the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement shall refer instead to the Company as defined in this Agreement and any of its direct and indirect predecessors and subsidiaries. In addition, in exchange for the Executive’s continued employment with the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Executive hereby agrees to execute the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (which, together with the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, is referred to herein as the “Restrictive Covenants Agreements”). By executing this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges that the Executive’s eligibility to receive the Severance Benefits and Change in Control Severance Benefits described in Section 8 below is contingent upon the Executive’s agreement to the non-competition provisions set forth in the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges that such consideration was mutually agreed upon by the Executive and the Company and is fair and reasonable in exchange for the Executive’s compliance with such non-competition obligations.

7. Employment Termination. This Agreement and the employment of the Executive shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(a) Upon the death or “Disability” of the Executive. As used in this Agreement, the term “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental illness or disability that prevents the Executive from performing the duties of the Executive’s position for a period of more than any three consecutive months or for periods aggregating more than twenty-six weeks. The Company shall determine in good faith and in its sole discretion whether the Executive is unable to perform the services provided for herein.

(b) At the election of the Company, with or without “Cause” (as defined below), immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive. As used in this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any of (a) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or any felony; or (b) a good faith finding by the Company that the Executive has (i) engaged in dishonesty, willful misconduct or gross negligence with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates, (ii) committed an act that materially injures or would reasonably be expected to materially injure the reputation, business or business relationships of the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) materially breached either of the Restrictive Covenants Agreements or any similar agreement with the Company, (iv) violated Company policies or procedures, and/or (v) failed to perform (other than by reason of physical or mental illness or disability for a period of less than 3 consecutive months or in aggregate less than 20 weeks) the Executive’s assigned duties to the Board’s satisfaction, following notice of such failure and a period of 30 days to cure.

 

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(c) At the election of the Executive, with or without “Good Reason” (as defined below), immediately upon written notice by the Executive to the Company (subject, if it is with Good Reason, to the timing provisions set forth in the definition of Good Reason). As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s consent) of any of the following events:

 

  (i)

a material diminution of the Executive’s duties, authority and responsibilities;

 

  (ii)

the Company’s material and adverse breach of this Agreement;

 

  (iii)

a requirement that the Executive’s principal place of providing services to the Company change by more than 50 miles, other than in a direction that reduces the Executive’s daily commuting distance;

 

  (iv)

any material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus (other than in connection with, and in an amount substantially proportionate to, reductions made by the Company to the base salaries or target bonuses of other executives);

provided, however, that no such event shall constitute Good Reason unless (i) the Executive provides written notice of such event to the Company within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of such event, (ii) the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days following receipt of the Executive’s written notice, and (iii) the Executive actually terminates employment with the Company within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Company’s cure period.

8. Effect of Termination.

(a) All Terminations Other Than by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated under any circumstances other than a Qualifying Termination (as defined below) (including a voluntary termination by the Executive without Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c), a termination by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 7(b) or due to the Executive’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 7(a)), the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately cease and the Executive shall only be entitled to receive (i) the Base Salary that has accrued and to which the Executive is entitled as of the effective date of such termination and any accrued but unused paid time off through and including the effective date of such termination, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s established payroll procedure and applicable law but no later than the next regularly scheduled pay period, (ii) unreimbursed business expenses for which expenses the Executive has timely submitted appropriate documentation in accordance with Section 5 hereof, (iii) any annual bonus for the preceding calendar year that the Board has approved but has not yet been paid to the Executive and (iv) any amounts or benefits to which the Executive is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then-sponsored by the Company in accordance with their terms (and not accelerated to the extent acceleration does not satisfy Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”)) (the payments described in this sentence, the “Accrued Obligations”).

 

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(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason Prior to or More Than Twelve Months Following a Change in Control. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(b) or by the Executive with Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) (in either case, a “Qualifying Termination”) prior to, or more than twelve (12) months following, a Change in Control (as defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. In addition, and subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures, the Executive’s Base Salary rate for a period of nine (9) months and (ii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, pay, for up to nine (9) months following the Executive’s termination date, 100% of the premiums for continued health coverage for the same type of coverage in effect at the time of the Executive’s termination, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments would violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”).

(c) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason Within Twelve Months Following a Change in Control. If a Qualifying Termination occurs within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then the Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. In addition, and subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures, the Executive’s Base Salary rate for a period of twelve (12) months; (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date (as defined below) an amount equal to 100% of the Executive’s Target Bonus for the calendar year in which termination occurs, (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, pay, for up to twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination date, 100% of the premiums for continued health coverage for the same type of coverage in effect at the time of the Executive’s termination, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments would violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply, and (iv) provide that the vesting of the Executive’s then-unvested equity awards that vest based solely on the passage of time shall be accelerated, such that all then-unvested equity awards that vest based solely on the passage of time vest and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the termination date (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”).

(d) Release. As a condition of the Executive’s receipt of the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, the Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a severance and general release of claims agreement in a form to be provided by the Company (which shall include a release of all releasable claims, reasonable obligations to cooperate, an obligation to not disparage the Company, reaffirmation of the Executive’s continuing obligations under the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, and a twelve (12)-month post-employment noncompetition provision) (the “Severance Agreement”), which Severance Agreement must become irrevocable within 60 days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment (or such shorter period as may be directed by the Company). The Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will be paid or commence to be paid in the first regular payroll beginning after the Severance Agreement becomes effective, provided that if the foregoing 60 day period would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Executive’s employment ends, the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will not be paid or begin to be paid before

 

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the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year (the date the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, commence pursuant to this sentence, the “Payment Date”). The Executive must continue to comply with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements and any similar agreements with the Company in order to be eligible to continue receiving the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable.

(e) Change in Control Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, provided that such event or occurrence constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), (vi) and (vii): (i) 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 (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) fifty percent (50%) or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding 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 (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company or (2) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (iii) of this definition; or (ii) a change in the composition of the Board that results in the Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constituting a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (x) who was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred 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 (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two (2) conditions is satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding

 

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Company Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination); or (iv) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

9. Absence of Restrictions. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is not bound by any employment contracts, restrictive covenants or other restrictions that prevent the Executive from entering into employment with, or carrying out the Executive’s responsibilities for, the Company, or which are in any way inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement.

10. Notice. Any notice delivered under this Agreement shall be deemed duly delivered three (3) business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, one (1) business day after it is sent for next-business day delivery via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, or immediately upon hand delivery, in each case to the address of the recipient set forth below.

To Executive:

At the address set forth in the Executive’s personnel file

To Company:

Pandion Therapeutics, Inc.

134 Coolidge Avenue, 2nd Floor

Watertown, MA 02472

Either Party may change the address to which notices are to be delivered by giving notice of such change to the other Party in the manner set forth in this Section 10.

11. Applicable Law; Jury Trial Waiver. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof). Any action, suit or other legal proceeding arising under or relating to any provision of this Agreement shall be commenced only in a court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (or, if appropriate, a federal court located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts), and the Company and the Executive each consents to the jurisdiction of such a court. The Company and the Executive each hereby irrevocably waives any right to a trial by jury in any action, suit or other legal proceeding arising under or relating to any provision of this Agreement.

12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Company may be merged or which may succeed to its assets or business; provided, however, that the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by the Executive.

 

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13. At-Will Employment. During the Term of Employment, the Executive will continue to be an at-will employee of the Company, which means that, notwithstanding any other provision set forth herein, the employment relationship can be terminated by either Party for any reason, at any time, with or without prior notice and with or without Cause.

14. Acknowledgment. The Executive states and represents that the Executive has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Agreement with an attorney and, if the Executive has not done so, has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel. The Executive further states and represents that the Executive has carefully read this Agreement, understands the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs the Executive’s name of the Executive’s own free act.

15. No Oral Modification, Waiver, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

16. Captions and Pronouns. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.

17. Interpretation. The Parties agree that this Agreement will be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the drafting Party. References in this Agreement to “include” or “including” should be read as though they said “without limitation” or equivalent forms. References in this Agreement to the “Board” shall include any authorized committee thereof.

18. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement must 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 prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions contained in this Agreement to be unenforceable because the provision is excessively broad in scope, whether as to duration, activity, geographic application, subject or otherwise, it will be construed, by limiting or reducing it to the extent legally permitted, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law to achieve the intent of the Parties.

 

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19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Existing Agreement; provided, however, and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall be deemed to supersede the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, which remains in full force and effect as set forth in Section 6 above.

[Signatures on Page Following]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.

 

PANDION THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Rahul Kakkar

Name:   Rahul Kakkar, MD
Title:   CEO
EXECUTIVE:

/s/ Jo Viney

Jo Viney

 

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EXHIBIT A

Payments Subject to Section 409A

1. Subject to this Exhibit A, any severance payments that may be due under the Agreement shall begin only upon the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (determined as set forth below) which occurs on or after the termination of the Executive’s employment. The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the severance payments, if any, to be provided to the Executive under the Agreement, as applicable:

(a) It is intended that each installment of the severance payments provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”). Neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.                

(b) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in the letter agreement.

(c) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:

 

  (i)

Each installment of the severance payments due under the Agreement that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the Executive’s separation from service occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined under Section 409A) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement; and

 

  (ii)

Each installment of the severance payments due under the Agreement that is not described in this Exhibit A, Section 1(c)(i) and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six-month period following the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, the Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following the Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of payments if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not

 

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  provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of the Executive’s second taxable year following the taxable year in which the separation from service occurs.

2. The determination of whether and when the Executive’s separation from service from the Company has occurred shall be made and in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of Section 2 of this Exhibit A, “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.

3. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in the Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

4. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or to any other person if any of the provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A) are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but that do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, that section.

5. The Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly.

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