Schneider National, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan

EX-10.4 5 exhibit104-sndrxchangeofct.htm EX-10.4 Document
        

SCHNEIDER NATIONAL, INC.

EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN


    

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.    Establishment and Purpose of Plan
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1.1    Establishment
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1.2    Effective Date
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1.3    Purpose
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2.    Definitions and Construction
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2.1    Definitions
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2.2    Construction
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3.    Termination of Employment
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3.1    Qualifying Termination During the Change of Control Protection Period
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3.2    Other Terminations
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3.3    Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards
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4.    No Contract of Employment
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5.    Conflict in Benefits; Noncumulation of Benefits; Exclusive Remedy
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5.1    Effect of Plan
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5.2    Noncumulation of Benefits
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5.3    Exclusive Remedy
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6.    Administration, Termination, and Amendment of Plan
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6.1    Administration
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6.2    Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
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7.    Claims for Benefits
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7.1    ERISA Plan
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7.2    Application for Eligible Compensation
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7.3    Appeal of Denial of Applications for Eligible Compensation.
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8.    Successors and Assigns; Payments Upon Death
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8.1    Successors of the Company
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8.2    Payments upon Death of the Participant
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9.    Notices
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9.1    General
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9.2    Notice of Termination
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10.    Certain Federal Tax Considerations
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10.1    Internal Revenue Code Section 409A
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10.2    Internal Revenue Code Section 280G
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11.    Miscellaneous Provisions
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11.1    Choice of Law
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11.2    Unfunded Obligation
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11.3    Recoupment
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11.4    No Representations
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11.5    Waiver
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11.6    Validity
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11.7    Benefits Not Assignable
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
11.8    Tax Withholding
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11.9    Further Assurances
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SCHNEIDER NATIONAL, INC.
EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

1.Establishment and Purpose of Plan
1.1Establishment. The Schneider National, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan) is hereby established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.2Effective Date. The Plan is adopted and will be effective as of April 24, 2023.
1.3Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide certain key employees with specified levels of compensation and benefits in the event of a qualifying termination of employment in connection with a Change of Control under the circumstances specified herein.
2.Definitions and Construction
2.1Definitions. Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)Accrued Obligations” means the following:
(i)any salary and accrued but unused vacation, in each case earned but unpaid, through the date of Participant’s termination of employment;
(ii)any unreimbursed business expenses which have been appropriately incurred by Participant under the Company’s business expense policies and procedures prior to his or her termination of employment, provided that the Participant has properly completed and submitted an expense report covering such expenses within one (1) month following Participant’s termination of employment; and
(iii)vested benefits, if any, under any Company Group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, or other health or welfare benefit plan to which Participant may be entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans or related agreements.
(b)Base Salary” means the annual base salary in effect immediately prior to any termination of employment (without giving effect to any reduction forming the basis for a termination for Good Reason). For the avoidance of doubt, Base Salary does not include any bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits, car allowances, or other special or irregular payments.
(c)Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d)Cause” shall have the meaning specified in the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.
(e)Change of Control” shall have the meaning specified in the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.



(f)Change of Control Protection Period” means the period commencing on the date a Change of Control is consummated and ending twenty-four (24) months following the date of such consummation.
(g)Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
(h)Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(i)Company” means Schneider National, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, or its successor.
(j)Company Group” means the group consisting, from time to time, of the Company and each parent and subsidiary company, and their respective affiliates.
(k)Director” means a member of the Board.
(l)Disability” shall have the meaning specified in the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.
(m)Good Reason” shall mean with respect to a Participant that, without his or her consent, one or more of the following events has occurred:
(i)a material diminution of title, authorities, duties or responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(ii)a material decrease in the Participant’s Base Salary or Target Bonus;
(iii)a relocation of the principal place of the Participant’s work location to a new work location that increases the Participant’s one-way commute by at least 50 miles;
(iv)the Company’s failure to obtain the express assumption of the Plan by the successor entity in connection with a Change of Control; or
(v)the Company’s material breach of any obligations under this Plan.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good Reason shall not occur unless and until (A) the Participant delivers written notice of the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason to the General Counsel of the Company within sixty (60) days following the initial existence of the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason, (B) thirty (30) days have elapsed from the date the Company receives such notice from the Participant without the Company curing or causing to be cured the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason, and (C) the Participant’s effective date of resignation is no later than ten (10) days following the Company’s failure to cure. The Participant’s failure to satisfy the requirements set forth in this paragraph shall void the Participant’s right to any payments or benefits under this Plan.
(n)Medical Benefits Continuation means, an amount equal to the amount of the “active employee” premium for continued medical coverage for the Participant and his or her eligible dependents (as elected by the Participant prior to his or her severance from the Company) under the Company’s medical and welfare
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plans for continuation of coverage for the Participant following the Participant’s severance date (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, Participant’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), until the expiration of the Participant’s Severance Period.
(o)Participant” means each of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officers’ executive direct reports, and any additional key employee designated by the Committee from time to time to participate in the Plan as a Participant.
(p)Qualifying Termination” means the occurrence of either of the following events:
(i)involuntary termination by the Company Group of Participant’s employment without Cause; or
(ii)a Participant’s resignation from employment with the Company Group for Good Reason;
provided, however, that Qualifying Termination shall not include any termination of Participant’s employment which is (A) for Cause, (B) a result of Participant’s death or Disability, or (C) a result of Participant’s voluntary termination of employment other than for Good Reason.
(q)Release” means a full general release in favor of the Company Group and any of its affiliates, stockholders, Directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and/or assigns releasing all claims, known or unknown in a form acceptable to the Company Group in its sole discretion which may include confidentiality provisions regarding the contents of the Release and post-employment non-disparagement obligations.
(r)Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and any applicable regulations (including proposed or temporary regulations) and other administrative guidance promulgated thereunder.
(s)Severance Period” means (i) thirty (30) months with respect to a Tier 1 Participant; (ii) twenty-four (24) months with respect to a Tier 2 Participant; and (3) eighteen (18) months with respect to a Tier 3 Participant.
(t)Specified Employee” means a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A.
(u)Target Bonus” means the target annual cash bonus opportunity as in effect immediately prior to any termination of employment (without giving effect to any reduction forming the basis for a termination for Good Reason).
(v)Tier 1 Participant” means a Participant who holds the title of “Chief Executive Officer” within the Company Group or is otherwise designated by the Committee from time to time to participate in the Plan as a Tier 1 Participant.
(w)Tier 2 Participant” means a Participant who is a senior executive of the Company and an executive direct report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or is otherwise designated by the Committee from time to time to participate in the Plan as a Tier 2 Participant. (For the avoidance of doubt, a Tier 2 Participant shall automatically become a Tier 1 Participant upon his or her promotion to Chief Executive Officer.)
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(x)Tier 3 Participant” means a Participant who is designated by the Committee from time to time to participate in the Plan as a Tier 3 Participant. (For the avoidance of doubt, a Tier 3 Participant shall automatically become a Tier 2 Participant upon his or her promotion to the a direct report to the Chief Executive Officer.)
2.2Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
3.Termination of Employment
3.1Qualifying Termination During the Change of Control Protection Period. If Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination during the Change of Control Protection Period, Participant shall be eligible to receive any Accrued Obligations and, provided that within sixty (60) days following Qualifying Termination, Participant (x) executes and does not revoke the Release, and (y) complies with his or her obligations under Section 4 hereunder:
(a)any annual cash bonus that is earned but unpaid for the prior fiscal year, payable at such time as bonuses for such year are paid to the Company’s executives generally;
(b)an amount equal to the sum of Participant’s (x) monthly Base Salary and (y) Target Bonus amount divided by twelve (12), for the number of months represented by the Severance Period, payable in a single lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination date;
(c)a pro-rata portion of the annual cash bonus for the fiscal year in which termination occurs based on actual results if determinable (or based on the target level of performance if actual results are not determinable, provided that target shall be assumed for purposes of any individual performance metrics) for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such annual bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months during the fiscal year of termination that Participant is employed by the Company Group and the denominator of which is 12), payable in a single lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination date; and
(d)the Medical Benefits Continuation amount (payable in a single lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination date).
3.2Other Terminations. If Participant’s termination results from any reason other than a Qualifying Termination, Participant shall be eligible only to receive his or her Accrued Obligations. If Participant terminates his or her employment for Good Reason and it is subsequently determined that Participant did not have Good Reason for termination, then Participant’s decision to terminate for Good Reason shall be deemed to have been a voluntary resignation, the terms of this Section 3.2 shall apply, and all amounts paid to Participant pursuant to Sections 3.1(a)-(d) shall be returned to the Company within sixty (60) days of the date of the determination that the Participant did not have Good Reason for termination. Similarly, if Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, and it is subsequently determined that the Company did not have Cause for termination, then the Company’s decision to terminate for Cause shall be deemed to have been an involuntary termination without Cause and Participant shall be eligible for the severance benefits under Sections 3.1(a)-(d) above. Finally, if Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, and it is subsequently determined that the Company had Cause for termination, then the Company’s decision to terminate without Cause shall be deemed to have been a termination for Cause and all amounts paid to Participant pursuant to Sections 3.1(a)-(d) shall be returned to the
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Company within sixty (60) days of the date of the determination that the Company had Cause for termination.
3.3Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards. Any unvested equity awards granted under the Company’s equity incentive plan shall vest if and to the extent provided for in the applicable equity award agreement and as otherwise provided in the equity incentive plan.
4.No Contract of Employment
Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any amendment thereto, nor the payment or provision of any benefits shall be construed as giving any person the right to be employed by the Company Group. The employment relationship between Participant and the Company Group is an “at-will” relationship. Accordingly, either Participant or the Company Group may terminate the relationship at any time. Following the termination of Participant’s employment for any reason, Participant shall hold no further office or position with the Company Group. Nothing in the Plan shall in any manner obligate any successor or other member of the Company Group to offer employment to any Participant or to continue the employment of any Participant which it does hire for any specific duration of time.
5.Conflict in Benefits; Non-cumulation of Benefits; Exclusive Remedy
5.1Effect of Plan. The Plan shall supersede and replace all prior agreements, arrangements, promises or understandings between the Participant and the Company Group, whether written or oral, regarding the subject matter of the Plan (including, but not limited to any severance provisions under any employment agreement with the Company Group which was entered into prior to the effective date of Participant’s participation in the Plan), and shall be the exclusive agreement or plan document for the determination of any severance payments and benefits due to Participant in the event of a Qualifying Termination during the Change of Control Protection Period.
5.2Non-cumulation of Benefits. Except as expressly provided in a written agreement between Participant and the Company which was entered into after the date of such Participant’s commencement of participation in the Plan and which was approved by the Board or the Committee, the total amount of payments and benefits that may be received by Participant as a result of the events described in Section 3 pursuant to (a) the Plan, (b) any agreement between Participant and the Company Group, or (c) any other plan, practice, or statutory obligation of the Company Group, shall not exceed the amount of payments and benefits provided by the Plan upon such events, and the aggregate amounts payable under the Plan shall be reduced to the extent of any excess (but not below zero).
5.3Exclusive Remedy. The payments and benefits provided by the Plan shall constitute Participant’s sole and exclusive remedy for any alleged injury or other damages arising out of the cessation of the employment relationship between Participant and the Company Group and Participant shall be entitled to no other compensation, benefits, or other payments from the Company Group.
6.Administration, Termination, and Amendment of Plan
6.1Administration. The Committee shall act as the plan administrator of the Plan. The Committee has discretion and authority to administer the Plan, including the discretion and authority to:
(a)adopt such rules as it deems advisable in connection with the administration of the Plan, and to construe, interpret, apply and enforce the Plan and any such rules and to remedy ambiguities, errors or omissions in the Plan;
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(b)resolve questions of eligibility and entitlement to benefits and any other terms of the Plan applicable to Participants; the Committee’s determinations are conclusive and binding on all parties affected by its determinations;
(c)act under the Plan on a case-by-case basis; the Committee’s decisions under the Plan need not be uniform with respect to similarly situated Participants; and
(d)delegate its authority under the Plan to any director, officer, employee, or group of directors, officers and/or employees of the Company Group; provided that if any person with administrative authority becomes eligible or makes a claim for Plan benefits, that person will have no authority with respect to any matter specifically affecting his/her individual interest under the Plan, and the Company will designate another person to exercise such authority.
6.2Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Committee may amend or terminate the Plan in any respect (including any change to the severance benefits) at any time; provided, however, that with respect to any amendment to severance benefits that would reduce the severance payment and benefits provided to any Participant hereunder, assign Participant to a lower eligible tier of Participant (i.e. Tier 2 ,Tier 3 or a lower tier or Participant), remove Participant from participation in the Plan or revise the definition of Good Reason or Cause in a manner that adversely affects Participant (each an “Adverse Amendment”) or any termination of the Plan, such Adverse Amendment or termination shall be effective only with one (1) year prior written notice to affected Participant(s); provided further, however, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no Adverse Amendment may be adopted or become effective during the Change of Control Protection Period.
7.Claims for Benefits
7.1ERISA Plan. This Plan is intended to be (a) an employee welfare plan as defined in Section 3(1) of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and (b) a “top-hat” plan maintained for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company Group.
7.27.2    Application for Eligible Compensation. All applications for the compensation and other amounts provided for in Section 3 (“Eligible Compensation”) shall be submitted to the Company’s highest-level officer in charge of Human Resources (the Claims Administrator), with a copy to the Company’s General Counsel. Applications for Eligible Compensation must be in writing on forms acceptable to the Claims Administrator and must be signed by the Participant. The Claims Administrator reserves the right to require Participant to furnish proof of any costs or expenses which Participant seeks reimbursement of under the Plan, including without limitation, receipts, canceled checks, bills, or invoices. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Participant would otherwise be the Claims Administrator, then the Company’s General Counsel shall act as the Claims Administrator.
7.3Appeal of Denial of Applications for Eligible Compensation.
(a)If a Participant’s claim for Eligible Compensation is denied, the Claims Administrator shall provide written notice to the Participant (“Denial Notice”) within ninety (90) days of Participant’s application. The Denial Notice shall include:
(i)The specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(ii)Specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
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(iii)A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Participant to perfect the Participant’s claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(iv)An explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedures and a statement of Participant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination.
(b)If special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the initial claim, a written notice of the extension and the reason therefor shall be furnished to the claimant before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. In no event shall such extension exceed ninety (90) days.
(c)If a claim for Eligible Compensation is denied, the Participant, at the Participant’s sole expense, may appeal the denial to the Committee (the “Appeals Administrator”) within sixty (60) days of the Participant’s receipt of written notice of the denial. In pursuing such appeal the Participant:
(i)may request in writing that the Appeals Administrator review the denial;
(ii)may review pertinent documents; and
(iii)may submit issues and comments in writing.
(d)The decision on review shall be made within sixty (60) days of receipt of the request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request for review. If such an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Participant before the end of the original sixty (60) day period. The decision on review shall be made in writing, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant, and, if the decision on review is a denial of the claim for Eligible Compensation, shall include:
(i)The specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(ii)Specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based; and
(iii)An explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedures and a statement of Participant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination.
8.Successors and Assigns; Payments Upon Death
8.1Successors of the Company. The Company shall require any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, expressly, absolutely and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
8.2Payments upon Death of the Participant. In the event a Participant dies prior to receiving all payments owed to such Participant under this Plan, any unpaid amounts shall be paid to the Participant’s estate within sixty (60) days of the date of the Participant’s death.
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9.Notices
9.1General. For purposes of the Plan, notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and may be delivered electronically to either the Company or any Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice or communication regarding a disputed Plan benefit or concerning the Participant’s resignation from employment from the Company Group for Good Reason must also be accompanied by a copy of such notice or communication mailed by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier, postage prepaid, to the following applicable address:
(a)if to the Company:
            Schneider National, Inc.
            3101 Packerland Drive
            Green Bay, WI 54313
            Attention: General Counsel
            Email: legaldepartment@schneider.com

(b)if to Participant, at the email address / home address on file with the Company for the Participant.
Either party may provide the other with notices of change of address, which shall be effective upon receipt.
9.2Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company of Participant’s employment or any resignation of employment by Participant shall be communicated by a notice of termination or resignation to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 9.1. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in the Plan relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the termination date.
10.Certain Federal Tax Considerations
10.1Internal Revenue Code Section 409A
(a)The Plan shall be interpreted to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A. In no event whatsoever will the Company Group be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on Participant under Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.
(b)A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of the Plan providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of the Plan, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.” In the event that as a result of an earlier absence because of mental or physical incapacity Participant incurs a “separation from service,” Participant shall on such date automatically be terminated from employment as a Disability termination. If Participant is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit under the Plan that is considered deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” to the extent necessary to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, such payment or benefit shall be made or provided at the date which is the earlier of
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(i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Participant, and (ii) the date of Participant’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits for which a Participant is eligible to receive under the Plan which are delayed pursuant to this Section 10.1(b) (whether such payments or benefits would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Participant in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under the Plan shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(c)(i) All expenses or other reimbursements as provided herein shall be payable in accordance with Company’s policies in effect from time to time, but in any event shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Participant, (ii) no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchanged for another benefit.
(d)For purposes of Section 409A, Participant’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to the Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under the Plan specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within 60 days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of Company.
(e)To the extent any payment or benefit which constitutes Section 409A deferred compensation is contingent upon the execution and non-revocation of a Release, then such payment or benefit shall not commence until the later of (i) the first payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60th) day following Participant’s “separation from service,” and (ii) the set payment date otherwise established for commencing the payments and/or benefits.
10.2Internal Revenue Code Section 280G
(a)Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company Group to or for the benefit of Participant (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Plan or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 10.2) (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Participant with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, collectively the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the payments under the Plan shall be reduced in the order specified below, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Participant would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). The payments and
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benefits under this Plan shall be reduced in the following order: (A) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to Participant that are exempt from Section 409A; (B) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to Participant that are exempt from Section 409A, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A; (C) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to Participant on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting and payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A; and (D) reduction of any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A, in each case beginning with payments that would otherwise be made last in time.
(b)Subject to the provisions of Section 10.2(c) hereof, all determinations required to be made under this Section 10.2, including whether and when Total Payments should be reduced, the amount of such Total Payments, Excise Taxes and all other related determinations, as well as all assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by Company, subject to Participant’s approval which will not be unreasonably withheld (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Participant within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Participant that there has been a payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Company, subject to Participant’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Participant.
(c)As a result of uncertainty in the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial calculation by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that the cash severance payment made by the Company will have been less than the Company should have paid pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof (the amount of any such deficiency, the “Underpayment”), or more than the Company should have paid pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof (the amount of any such overage, the “Overpayment”). In the event of an Underpayment, the Company shall pay Participant the amount of such Underpayment not later than five (5) business days after the amount of such Underpayment is subsequently determined, provided, however, such Underpayment shall not be paid later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Participant remitted the related taxes. In the event of an Overpayment, the amount of such Overpayment shall be paid to the Company by Participant not later than five (5) business days after the amount of such Overpayment is subsequently determined.
11.Miscellaneous Provisions
11.1Choice of Law. This Plan shall generally be governed by Federal law under ERISA. To the extent otherwise applicable, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, shall apply without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
11.2Unfunded Obligation. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan are unfunded obligations. The Company shall not be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such
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obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Board, the Committee or the Company Group and Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or Participant’s creditors in any assets of the Company.
11.3Recoupment. The Company has the unilateral right to offset the payment of benefits under the Plan against amounts due from Participant under the Company Group’s clawback/recoupment policy(ies) as in effect from time to time.
11.4No Representations. By participating in the Plan, Participant acknowledges that Participant is not relying and has not relied on any promise, representation or statement made by or on behalf of the Company Group which is not set forth in the Plan.
11.5Waiver. No waiver by Participant or the Company Group of any breach of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of the Plan by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
11.6Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect.
11.7Benefits Not Assignable. Except as otherwise required by law, no right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or otherwise, including, without limitation, by execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or in any other manner, and no attempted transfer or assignment thereof shall be effective. No right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be liable for, or subject to, any obligation or liability of such Participant.
11.8Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to the Plan will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.
11.9Further Assurances. From time to time, at the Company Group’s request and without further consideration, Participant shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as reasonably requested by the Company Group to be necessary or desirable to make effective, in the most expeditious manner possible, the terms of the Plan and/or, Participant’s Release.

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