Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Mitchell Gendel, dated July 26, 2021
Exhibit 10.14
Execution Copy
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement') is effective as of the 26th day of July, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Tilray, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Mitchell Gendel (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and Executive desires to serve in such capacity on behalf of the Company, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, Executive acknowledges that he has had an opportunity to consider this Agreement and to consult with an independent advisor of his choosing with regard to the terms of this Agreement, and enters into this Agreement voluntarily and with a full understanding of its terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment.
1.1 Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination provided herein, the Company shall employ the Executive as of the Effective Date. The Agreement will be effective from the Effective Date and will continue at-will until it is terminated in accordance with the provisions provided in Section 3 of this Agreement (the “Employment Period”).
1.2 Position. Commencing on the Effective Date, Executive shall serve as Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities incident to such position and such other duties as may be reasonably assigned to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company consistent with such position, as set forth below.
1.3 Extent of Services. Executive shall use his best efforts to carry out Executive's duties and responsibilities consistent with this Agreement and shall devote substantially all of Executive's business time, attention and energy thereto. In the performance of his duties, Executive shall observe and adhere to all applicable Company policies and procedures as may be interpreted, adopted, revised or deleted from time to time in the Company's sole discretion. During the Employment Period, Executive may engage in (a) volunteer services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or other charitable organization as Executive may wish to serve and (b) with the consent of the Board of Directors of Company (“Board”) (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), serve on one (1) for-profit board of directors, in all such cases not interfering with Executive's responsibilities and performance of Executive's duties hereunder. The foregoing shall not be construed as preventing Executive from owning less than two percent (2%) of the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company
1.4 No Fixed Location of Services. The Executive shall not be required to perform any of the duties set out herein from any specific location or premises but is permitted to work from the Company’s New York, New York office, provided that at all times such duties are exercised faithfully and diligently. The Executive shall undertake such travel within or outside of the United States and Canada as is necessary or advisable for the efficient operations of the Company and the performance of Executive's duties hereunder.
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Exhibit 10.14
2. Compensation and Benefits.
2.1 Base Salary. For all the services rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary ("Base Salary") at the annual rate of four hundred twenty-five thousand U.S. Dollars ($425 000) subject to all required withholdings and authorized deductions and payable bi-weekly in installments at such times as the Company customarily pays its other senior level executives. Executive's Base Salary is subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee") consistent with other members of the Company's executive team.
2.2 Annual Performance Cash Bonus. For each fiscal year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Annual Performance Cash Bonus Plan (the “Annual Performance Plan”), as it may be amended from time to time. Pursuant to the Annual Performance Plan, Executive shall be entitled to receive annual performance cash bonuses in an amount up to one hundred percent (100%) of his Base Salary (the "Performance Bonus") based upon the achievement of such performance metrics (the “Bonus Metrics”) established by the Compensation Committee. Any Performance Bonuses payable pursuant to the Annual Performance Plan shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each fiscal year to which the Performance Bonus relates, but in no event later than two and one-half (2 ½) months after the end of such fiscal year. Subject to the Compensation Committee's discretion, and Section 3 of this Agreement, in no event shall Executive be eligible to receive a Performance Bonus, or any portion thereof, unless Executive is employed in good standing by the Company both at the time the amount of the Performance Bonus, if any, is determined by the Compensation Committee, and at the time such Performance Bonus, as so determined, is paid.
2.3 Initial Equity Compensation. The Company shall grant Executive two million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000) of Restricted Stock Units (the “Tilray RSUs”). The number of Tilray RSUs issued to Executive shall be determined by dividing two million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000) by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on NASDAQ on the date the Compensation Committee approves the grant (the “Initial Equity Grant”). The Initial Equity Grant will vest as follows:
(a)Performance-Based Grant. The Company shall grant to Executive a number of performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”), valued based on the closing price of the Company’s Shares on the grant date valued at $666,666 which grant shall be subject to the performance conditions and vesting schedule set forth in Schedule A and the applicable form of award agreement.
(b)Time-Based Grant. The Company shall grant to executive time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”), valued based on the closing price of the Company’s Shares on the grant date equal to $666,666 which grant shall be subject to time-based vesting of 1/3 on June 1, 2022 (the “Initial Vesting Date”) and 1/3 on each of the first (1st) anniversary and the second (2nd) anniversary of the Initial Vesting Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment through such vesting dates (except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement), and the applicable form of award agreement.
(c)Synergy Equity Grant. The Executive shall be awarded, no later than August 31, 2021, a number of restricted stock units valued based on closing price of the Company’s Shares on the grant date equal to $666,6667 (the “Synergy Equity Grant”), which grant shall be subject to the applicable form of award agreement and the satisfaction of the time and performance-based vesting conditions below to be achieved no later than the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date as follows:
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•Time-Based Vesting Condition: Subject to the satisfaction of the performance-based vesting conditions on or prior to each applicable vesting date and in no event after the final Vesting Date, 50% of the Synergy Equity Grant shall vest on the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Vesting Date”), and an additional 25% shall vest on each of the first (1st) and second (2nd) anniversaries of the Initial Vesting Date (each a “Time-Based Vesting Date” or a “Vesting Date”); provided, however, that in the event that a performance-based vesting condition has not been satisfied on an earlier Vesting Date, but is satisfied on a later Vesting Date, then the portion of the award that did not vest on the earlier Vesting Date shall become vested on the later Vesting Date.
•Performance-Based Vesting Condition: Achievement of the following cost savings from synergies achieved in connection with the Aphria/Tilray transaction in accordance with the Synergy Plan presented to and approved by the Compensation Committee on July 26, 2021, prior to or on the applicable Time-Based Vesting Date: 50% satisfied when $50,000,000 in cost savings are achieved, and 100% satisfied when $80,000,000 of cumulative cost savings are achieved in accordance with the Synergy Plan submitted to the Board, in each case, as determined by the Company's Compensation Committee.
The Synergy Equity Grant shall be settled within 30 days of the date each Time-Based Vesting Condition provided the Performance-Based Vesting Condition has been satisfied (e.g., if the grant date is July 1, 2021, and the 50% target is hit on May 1, 2022, then 25% of the award shall vest on July 1, 2022; then, if the 100% target is hit on September 1, 2022, an additional 50% shall vest on July 1, 2023, and the final 25% shall vest on July 1, 2024). Except as otherwise provided, herein, in the event that neither Performance-Based Vesting Condition is satisfied by the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date, then the Synergy Equity Grant shall be forfeited.
The Initial Equity Grant will be subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable equity award agreement.
2.4 Long Term Incentive Plan. For each fiscal year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time. Pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), Executive shall be entitled to receive annual equity grants, at such time as annual equity grants are made to other executives, in such amounts, types and terms as determined in the sole discretion of the Board based on Executive's individual performance and the performance of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive’s annual target shall be in an amount equal to one hundred and seventy-five percent (175%) of his Base Salary based upon the achievement of certain performance metrics. The terms and conditions of the annual equity grant will be established by the Board at the time of the grant and will be subject to the terms of the Company's applicable equity plan and form of equity award agreement. Annual equity grants shall be subject to reevaluation each performance period based on peer market data and shall be subject to the sole discretion of the Board.
2.5 Retirement and Welfare Plans. Executive shall be eligible to participate in employee retirement and welfare benefit plans made available to the Company's senior level executives as a group or to its employees generally, as such retirement and welfare plans may be in effect from time to time and subject to the eligibility requirements of the plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from adopting, amending or terminating any retirement, welfare or other employee benefit plans or programs from time to time as the Company deems appropriate.
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2.6 Reimbursement of Expenses. Executive shall be eligible to be reimbursed for all customary and appropriate business-related expenses actually incurred by Executive and documented in accordance with the Company's policies applicable to senior level executives and as may be in effect from time to time.
2.7 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to 5 weeks of annual paid vacation, which shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Company's vacation and paid time off policies, as may be in effect from time to time.
2.8 Corporate Phone Plan. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in a corporate phone plan, subsidized entirely by the Company. The phone plan will cover the costs of an iPhone (or similar Smartphone device) for the Executive’s sole use and business needs.
3. Termination.
Notwithstanding Section 1, Executive's employment shall terminate, and the Employment Period shall terminate concurrently therewith, upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
3.1 Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.
(a) The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 3.8) from the position in which Executive is employed hereunder upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Executive. The Company shall have the discretion to terminate Executive's employment during the notice period and pay continued Base Salary in lieu of notice. In addition, Executive may initiate a termination of employment under this Section 3.1 by resigning for Good Reason (in accordance with the notice provision set forth in Section 3.6).
(b) Upon termination under this Section 3.1, Executive shall receive
(i) Executive's accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination (payable on the Company's first payroll date after Executive's date of termination or earlier if required by applicable law), (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Executive and payable in accordance Sections 2.6 and 20 of this Agreement, and (iii) benefits earned, accrued and due under any qualified retirement plan or health and welfare benefit plan in which Executive was a participant in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of such plan (collectively, the amounts in this Section 3.1(b) are "Guaranteed Payments").
(c) If Executive's employment terminates as described in Section 3.1(a) above and if, upon such termination, Executive (i) executes within twenty-one (21) days (or forty-five (45) days to the extent required by applicable law) after presentation to the Executive of, that he does not revoke, a written general release in a form provided by the Company releasing the Company from any and all claims (including with respect to all matters arising out of or related to Executive's employment by the Company or the termination thereof) (the "Release”), and (ii) complies with the terms and conditions of the Release, including, without limitation, the terms and conditions of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (which shall be incorporated in the Release by reference) below, Executive will be entitled to receive the benefits described below as follows (collectively, the "Severance"):
(i) Executive shall receive cash severance in an amount equal to (A) twelve (12) months of Executive's then-current Base Salary (the "Base Salary Severance") plus (B) Executive's Performance Bonus at
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Exhibit 10.14
Target for the fiscal year in which Executive's employment is terminated prorated based on the number of days Executive is employed during such fiscal year (the “Bonus Severance”). The Base Salary Severance amount, less all required withholdings and authorized deductions, shall be paid in substantially equal installments consistent with the Company's regularly scheduled payroll until the Base Salary Severance has been paid in full, subject to Section 3.1(d) below. The Bonus Severance amount, less all required withholdings and authorized deductions, shall be paid in a lump sum, subject to Section 3.1(d) below.
(ii) Provided that Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), the Company shall, for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive's termination date determination (the "COBRA Period"), pay the premiums for COBRA healthcare continuation coverage for Executive, and, where applicable, his spouse and eligible dependents, less an amount equal to the required monthly employee payment for such coverage calculated as if Executive had continued to be an employee of the Company throughout such period (the "COBRA Payment"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments specified under this Section 3.1(c)(ii) shall cease if the Company's statutory obligation to provide such COBRA healthcare continuation coverage terminates for any reason before the expiration of the COBRA Period, including but not limited to Executive's failure to timely elect continuation coverage under COBRA.
(iii) Acceleration of all vesting of any of Executive’s time-based only equity awards that remain unvested as of the termination date and acceleration of vesting of any performance-based equity award only as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
(d) The benefits described in subsections (i) and (ii) above (except with respect to the Bonus Severance) shall begin within thirty (30) days after expiration of the revocation period of the Release, provided Executive has timely executed and not revoked the Release; and provided that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the timing of Executive's execution of the Release, directly or indirectly, result in Executive's designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is "nonqualified deferred compensation" as defined under Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A") is subject to execution of the Release could be made in more than one taxable year of Executive, payment shall be made on the earliest date permitted under the terms of the Release in the later such taxable year.
(e) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Severance provided to Executive pursuant to Section 3.l(c) is in lieu of, and is not in addition to, any benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any Company severance plan, policy, or program, other than the Guaranteed Payments.
(f) Executive agrees and acknowledges that if Executive fails to comply with Section 5, 6, 7, or 8 below, all payments under Section 3.l(c) shall immediately cease and Executive shall be required to repay immediately any cash Severance previously paid by the Company thereunder.
3.2 Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Upon or After a Change of Control.
(a) If a Change of Control occurs and, during the 12-month period commencing on the date of the Change of Control, the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause or Executive initiates a termination of employment by resigning for Good Reason, this Section 3.2 shall apply in lieu of Section 3.1.
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Exhibit 10.14
(b) Upon termination under this Section 3.2, Executive shall receive the Guaranteed Payments. With the exception of unreimbursed business expenses, which shall be paid in accordance with Sections 2.6 and 20 of this Agreement, or as otherwise provided in the applicable benefit plan, Executive will be paid the Guaranteed Payments on the Company's first payroll date after Executive's date of termination, or earlier if required by applicable law.
(c) If Executive's employment terminates as described in Section 3.2(a) and if, upon such termination, Executive (i) executes within twenty-one (21) days (or forty-five (45) days to the extent required by applicable law) after presentation to the Executive of, that he does not revoke, a Release, and (ii) complies with the terms and conditions of the Release, including without limitation, Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (which shall be incorporated into the Release by reference) below, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following (collectively, the "Change of Control Severance"):
(i) Executive shall receive cash severance in an amount equal to the sum of (A) twenty-four (24) months of Executive's then-current Base Salary, plus (B) two times (2x) the Executive's Performance Bonus at target, plus (C) a pro rata bonus equal to Executive’s Performance Bonus at target for the year of termination of employment based on the number of days Executive was employed during the fiscal year in which the termination occurs. The Change of Control Severance amount shall be paid in a single lump-sum payment, less all required withholdings and deductions, subject to Section 3.2(d) below.
(ii) Provided that Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall, for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive's termination date determination, pay the COBRA Payment (as defined in Section 3.1(c)(ii) above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments specified under this Section 3.2(c)(ii) shall cease if the Company's statutory obligation to provide such COBRA healthcare continuation coverage terminates for any reason before the expiration of the COBRA Period, including but not limited to Executive's failure to timely elect continuation coverage under COBRA.
(iii) Acceleration of all vesting of any of Executive’s time-based only equity awards that remain unvested as of the termination date and, solely with respect to acceleration of vesting of any performance-based equity award, as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
(d)The payments described in subsections (i) and (ii) above shall be paid or begin, as the case may be, within thirty (30) days after expiration of the revocation period of the Release, provided Executive has timely executed and not revoked the Release; and provided that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the timing of Executive's execution of the Release, directly or indirectly, result in Executive's designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is "nonqualified deferred compensation" as defined under Section 409A is subject to execution of the Release could be made in more than one taxable year of Executive, payment shall be made on the earliest date permitted under the Release in the later such taxable year.
(e) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Change of Control Severance provided to Executive pursuant to Section 3.2(c) is in lieu of, and not in addition to, any benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any Company severance plan, policy, or program, other than the Guaranteed Payments.
(f) Executive agrees and acknowledges that if Executive fails to comply with Section 5, 6, 7 or 8 below, all payments under Section 3.2(c) shall immediately cease and Executive shall be required to repay immediately any Change of Control Severance previously paid by the Company thereunder.
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Exhibit 10.14
3.3 Termination by Reason of Disability. Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company may terminate Executive's employment if Executive has been unable to perform the duties of Executive's position for a continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days or nine (9) months in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period because of physical or mental injury or illness ("Disability"). Executive agrees, in the event of a dispute under this Section 3.3 relating to Executive's Disability, to submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician jointly selected by the Board and Executive. If the Company terminates Executive's employment for Disability, Executive will not receive the Severance, the Change of Control Severance or any other severance compensation or benefits, except that the Company shall pay to Executive the Guaranteed Payments and accelerated of vesting of any of Executive’s equity awards that remain outstanding with respect to the time-based vesting elements only of such awards as of Executive’s termination date.
3.4 Termination by Reason of Death. If Executive dies while employed by the Company, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate immediately. Executive will not receive the Severance, the Change of Control Severance or any other severance compensation or benefits, except that the Company shall pay to Executive's executor, legal representative, administrator or designated beneficiary, as applicable, the Guaranteed Payments and the vesting of any of Executive’s time and/or performance-based equity awards that remain outstanding as of Executive’s death shall accelerate.
3.5 Termination for Cause or Resignation without Good Reason. The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Executive (and subject to any applicable cure periods set forth in Section 3.8(a)) and Executive may initiate a termination of employment by resigning without Good Reason upon not less than four (4) weeks’ prior written notice to the Company, and in any such event all payments under this Agreement shall cease except that the Company shall pay to Executive the Guaranteed Payments. In such event, Executive will not receive the Severance, the Change of Control Severance, or any other severance compensation or benefits.
3.6 Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive's employment by either party shall be communicated by a written notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 13. The notice of termination shall (a) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon; (b) briefly summarize the facts and circumstances deemed to provide a basis for a termination of employment and the applicable provision hereof, provided, that no basis need be provided by the Company in connection with a termination without Cause by the Company or a termination without Good Reason by Executive; and (c) specify the termination date in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.
3.7 Cooperation with the Company After Termination. During any notice period preceding termination of Executive's employment for any reason, Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executive's pending work and the orderly transfer and transition of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by the Company. Following termination of employment, Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, at reasonable times and locales and upon reasonable prior notice, in (a) responding to requests by the Company for information concerning work performed by Executive during the period of Executive's employment with the Company and with regard to any matters that relate to or arise out of the business of the Company during the period of employment and about which Executive may have knowledge; and (b) any investigation or review that may be performed by the Company or any government authority or in connection with any litigation or proceeding in which the Company may become involved. Executive's obligations under this Section 3.7 include (without limitation) (i) making herself available to testify on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative; (ii) assisting the Company or any of its affiliates in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing
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truthful and accurate information; (iii) and meeting and consulting with the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to any of the Company's affiliates as may be reasonably requested and after taking into account the Executive's post-termination responsibilities and obligations. The Company will reimburse Executive for any reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses incurred by Executive in providing such cooperation.
3.8 Definitions.
(a) "Cause" shall mean any of the following grounds for termination of Executive's employment:
(i) Executive has been convicted of or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude;
(ii) Executive fails to perform Executive's reasonably assigned duties for the Company (other than a failure resulting from Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days after a written notice of demand for substantial performance, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, has been delivered to Executive specifying the manner in which Executive has failed substantially to perform;
(iii) Executive directly or indirectly causes material damage to any tangible or intangible property of or belonging to the Company;
(iv) Executive engages in conduct that is harmful to the public reputation of the Company
(v) Executive engages in any act of dishonesty, fraud, or immoral or disreputable conduct;
(vi) Executive engages in willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of Executive's duties;
(vii) Executive materially breaches any material covenant or condition of this Agreement (including Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 below) or any other written agreement between the parties, or breaches Executive's fiduciary duty to the Company; or
(viii) Executive materially violates or breaches the Company's Code of Conduct or other material written policy applicable to Executive.
(b) "Change of Control" means the first of the following to occur: (i) a Change in Ownership of the Company, (ii) a Change in Effective Control of the Company, or (iii) a Change in the Ownership of Assets of the Company, as described herein and construed in accordance with Code section 409A.
(i) A “Change in Ownership of the Company” shall occur on the date that (A) any one Person acquires, or Persons Acting as a Group acquire, ownership of the capital stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the capital stock of the Company. However, if any one Person is, or Persons Acting as a Group are, considered to own more than 50%, on a fully diluted basis, of the total fair market value or total voting power of the capital stock of Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person or Persons Acting as a Group is not considered to cause a Change in Ownership of the Company or to cause a Change in Effective Control of the
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Company (as described below). An increase in the percentage of capital stock owned by any one Person, or Persons Acting as a Group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock or (B) a merger, consolidation, plan of arrangement or reorganization of the Company that results in the beneficial, direct or indirect transfer of more than 50% of the total voting power of the resulting entity’s outstanding securities to a person, or group of persons acting jointly and in concert, who are different from the person(s) that have, beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power prior to such transaction.
(ii) A “Change in Effective Control of the Company” shall occur on the date either (A) a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board before the date of the appointment or election, or (B) any one Person, or Persons Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company.
(iii) A “Change in the Ownership of Assets of the Company” shall occur on the date that any one Person acquires, or Persons Acting as a Group acquire (or has or have acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons), assets from Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately before such transaction.
The following rules of construction apply in interpreting the definition of Change in Control:
(A) A “Person” means any individual, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, other than employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by the Company and by entities controlled by the Company or an underwriter, initial purchaser or placement agent temporarily holding the capital stock of Company pursuant to a registered public offering.
(B) Persons will be considered to be Persons Acting as a Group (or Group) if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the corporation. If a Person owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a Group with other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Persons will not be considered to be acting as a Group solely because they purchase assets of the same corporation at the same time or purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.
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(C) A Change in Control shall not include a transfer to a related person as described in Code section 409A or a public offering of capital stock of the Company.
(D) For purposes of the definition of Change in Control, Section 318(a) of the Code applies to determine stock ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the individual who holds the vested option (and the stock underlying an unvested option is not considered owned by the individual who holds the unvested option). For purposes of the preceding sentence, however, if a vested option is exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested (as defined by Treasury Regulation §1.83-3(b) and (j)), the stock underlying the option is not treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.
(c) “Confidential Information” means information, whether or not originated by the Executive, that relates to the business or affairs of the Company or its affiliates, their clients or Suppliers and is confidential or proprietary to the Company, its affiliates or their clients or Suppliers.
(i)Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, the following types of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing or designated or marked as confidential and whether or not stored on a Company device or personal device):
(A)work product resulting from or related to work or projects performed or to be performed by the Company, including but not limited to, the interim and final lines of inquiry, hypotheses, research and conclusions related thereto and the methods, processes, procedures, analysis, techniques and audits used in connection therewith;
(B)internal Company personnel and financial information, vendor names and other vendor information, purchasing and internal cost information, internal services and operational manuals;
(C)marketing and development plans, price and cost data, price and fee amounts, pricing and billing policies, quoting procedures, marketing techniques and methods of obtaining business, forecasts and forecast assumptions and volumes, and future plans and potential strategies of the Company which have been or are being discussed, Customer names and Customer information;
(D)contracts and their contents, client services, data provided by clients and the type, quantity and specifications of products and services purchased, leased, licensed or received by clients of the Company; and,
(E)all confidential information of the Company which becomes known to the Executive as a result of employment with the Company, which the Executive acting reasonably, believes is confidential information of the Company or which, the Company takes measures to protect, provided that the Executive is aware or ought to be aware of such measures.
(ii)Confidential Information does not include:
(A)the general skills, general knowledge and experience gained during the Executive’s employment;
(B)information publicly known without breach of this Agreement; or,
(C)information, the public disclosure of which is required to be made by any law, regulation, governmental authority or court (to the extent of the requirement), provided that before disclosure is made, notice of the requirement is provided to the Company where it is within the Executive’s control to provide such notice, and to the extent possible in the circumstances, the Company is afforded an opportunity to dispute the requirement.
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(d) "Customer" means any Person who, in the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, has purchased from the Company or its affiliates, with the Executive’s assistance, any material amount of product or services produced, sold, licensed, or distributed by the Company in respect of the Business.
(e) "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions, unless Executive has expressly consented in writing thereto:
(i) Any reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or any failure to pay Executive any material amounts which he is due or eligibility to participate in the Performance Bonus plan or LTIP program in an applicable year;
(ii) The material diminution of Executive's duties, responsibilities, powers or authorities, including the assignment of any duties and responsibilities materially inconsistent with his position as Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, provided that Good Reason shall not exist under this clause (ii) if such diminution of authority, duties and responsibilities is a result of the hiring of additional subordinates to assume some of Executive's duties and responsibilities which are in fact, in the aggregate from time to time, not a material diminution of such authority, duties and responsibilities as Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. The sale or disposition of any subsidiary or business of the Company to the extent such event does not rise to the level of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets shall not in and of itself be deemed to be a material diminution of duties;
(iii) A material adverse change in Executive's reporting responsibilities so that he no longer reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
(iv) The Company requires that Executive's principal office location be moved to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive's principal office location immediately before the change without Executive's prior consent; and
(v) A material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other written agreement between the parties.
For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall not have Good Reason for termination unless (i) Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a "Good Reason" condition has occurred; (ii) Executive notifies the Company in writing of the occurrence of the Good Reason condition within thirty (30) days of such occurrence; (iii) the Company shall have a period of not less than thirty (30) days following such notice (the "Cure Period'') to cure the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist following expiration of the Cure Period as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith; and (v) Executive terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.
(f) "Supplier" means any Person who, in the twelve (12) months’ preceding the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, has supplied to the Company or its affiliates, with the Executive’s assistance, any material amount of product or services produced, sold, licensed, or distributed by the Company in respect of the Business.
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Exhibit 10.14
3.9 Required Postponement for Specified Executives. If Executive is considered a "specified employee" (as defined under Section 409A) and payment of any amounts under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six (6) months after separation from service pursuant to Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall be delayed as required by Section 409A, and the accumulated postponed amounts shall be paid in a lump-sum payment within five (5) days after the end of the six (6) month period. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of benefits, the amounts postponed on account of Section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of Executive's estate within thirty (30) days after the date of Executive's death.
4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive's continuing or future participation in or rights under any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company and for which Executive may qualify; provided, however, that if Executive becomes entitled to and receives the Severance or Change of Control Severance provided for in Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive hereby waives Executive's right to receive payments under any severance plan or similar program that would otherwise apply to Executive. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any other plan, program or agreement in which Executive is a participant or a party, this Agreement shall control unless such other plan, program or agreement specifically refers to this Agreement as not so controlling.
5. Confidentiality. Executive agrees that Executive's services to the Company are of a special, unique and extraordinary character, and that Executive's position places Executive in a position of confidence and trust with the Company's Customers, clients, vendors, Suppliers, contractors, business partners and employees. Executive also recognizes that Executive's position with the Company will give Executive substantial access to Confidential Information, the unauthorized use or disclosure of which to competitors of the Company would cause the Company to suffer substantial and irreparable damage. Executive recognizes and agrees, therefore, that it is in the Company's legitimate business interest to restrict Executive's use of Confidential Information for any purposes other than the proper discharge of Executive's employment duties at the Company, and to limit any potential appropriation of Confidential Information by Executive for the benefit of the Company's competitors and/or to the detriment of the Company. Accordingly, Executive agrees as follows:
(a) Executive shall not at any time, whether during or after the termination of Executive's employment with the Company or any Company subsidiary or affiliate for any reason, reveal or disclose to any person or entity any of the trade secrets or Confidential Information of the Company, or the trade secrets or Confidential Information of any third party which the Company is under an obligation to keep confidential. Executive shall keep secret all Confidential Information entrusted to Executive and shall not use or attempt to use any such Confidential Information for personal gain or in any manner that may injure or cause loss, or could reasonably be expected to injure or cause loss, whether directly or indirectly, to the Company.
(b) The above restrictions shall not apply to: (i) information that at the time of disclosure is in the public domain through no fault of Executive; (ii) information received from a third party outside of the Company that was disclosed without a breach of any confidentiality obligation on the part of such third party; (iii) information approved for release by written authorization of the Company; or (iv) information that may be required by law or an order of any court, agency or proceeding to be disclosed; provided that Executive shall provide the Company prior written notice of any such required disclosure once Executive has knowledge of it and will help the Company to the extent reasonable to obtain an appropriate protective order. Moreover, the foregoing shall not limit Executive's ability to (A) to discuss the terms of Executive's employment, wages and working conditions to the extent expressly protected by applicable law, (B) to report possible violations of federal securities laws to the appropriate government enforcing agency and make such other disclosures that are expressly protected under
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Exhibit 10.14
federal or state "whistleblower" laws, or (C) to respond to inquiries from, or otherwise cooperate with, any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding.
(c) Executive agrees that during Executive's employment with the Company or any Company subsidiary or affiliate Executive shall not take, use or permit to be used any notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings, sketches, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other materials of any nature constituting Confidential Information or Developments (as defined below) otherwise than for the benefit of the Company. Executive further agrees that Executive shall not, after the termination of Executive's employment for any reason, use or permit to be used any such notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings, sketches, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other materials, it being agreed that all of the foregoing shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and that, immediately upon the termination of Executive's employment for any reason, Executive shall deliver all of the foregoing, and all copies thereof, to the Company, at its main office.
(d) Executive agrees that upon the termination of Executive's employment with the Company or any Company subsidiary or affiliate for any reason, Executive shall not take or retain without written authorization any documents, files or other property of the Company, and Executive will return promptly to the Company any such documents, files or property in Executive's possession or custody, including any copies thereof maintained in any medium or format. Executive recognizes that all documents, files and property that Executive has received and will receive from the Company, including but not limited to scientific research, Customer lists, handbooks, memoranda, product specifications, and other materials (with the exception of documents relating to benefits to which Executive might be entitled following the termination of Executive's employment with the Company), are for the exclusive use of the Company and employees who are discharging their responsibilities on behalf of the Company, and that Executive has no claim or right to the continued use, possession or custody of such documents, files or property following the termination of Executive's employment with the Company for any reason.
(e) Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive acknowledges that Executive will not have criminal or civil liability under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
6. Intellectual Property.
(a) If at any time or times during Executive's employment with the Company or any
Company subsidiary or affiliate Executive shall (either alone or with others) make, conceive, discover or reduce to practice any invention, modification, discovery, design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship, documentation, formula, data, technique, know-how, secret or intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes or subject to analogous protection) (herein called "Developments") that (i) relates to the Business (as defined below) of the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured or sold by the Company or which may be used in relation therewith, (ii) results from tasks assigned to Executive by the Company or (iii) results from the use of premises or personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company, such Developments and the benefits thereof shall immediately become the sole and absolute property of the Company and its assigns, and Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company (or any persons designated by it) each such Development, and Executive hereby assigns any rights Executive may have or acquire in the Developments and benefits and/or rights resulting therefrom to the Company and its assigns without further
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Exhibit 10.14
compensation and shall communicate, without cost or delay, and without publishing the same, all available information relating thereto (with all necessary plans and models) to the Company.
(b) Upon disclosure of each Development to the Company, Executive will, during Executive's employment and at any time thereafter, at the request and cost of the Company, sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things as the Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonably require:
(i) to apply for, obtain and vest in the name of the Company alone (unless the Company otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights or other analogous protection in any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to renew and restore the same; and
(ii) to defend any opposition proceedings in respect of such applications and any opposition proceedings or petitions or applications for revocation of such letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection.
(c) In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Executive's signature on any letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection relating to a Development, whether because of Executive's physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive's agent and attorney-in-fact for the sole purpose of acting for and on Executive's behalf and in his stead to execute and file any such application or applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright and other analogous protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive.
7. Non-Competition. During Executive's employment with the Company or any Company subsidiary or affiliate and for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of Executive's employment (for any reason whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary) (the "Non-Competition Period''), Executive shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, whether alone or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, agent, employee, representative or stockholder of any company, entity, or other commercial enterprise, or in any other capacity, directly or indirectly engage in any research, development, testing, manufacture, sale, marketing, or licensing related to any products or services developed or provided by the Company in the United States and Canada (the "Business''). The foregoing prohibition shall not prevent Executive's employment or engagement after termination of Executive's employment by any company or business organization, as long as the activities of any such employment or engagement, in any capacity, do not involve work on matters related to the Business of the Company during Executive's employment with the Company. Executive shall be permitted to own securities of a public company not in excess of two percent (2%) of any class of such securities and to own stock, partnership interests or other securities of any entity not in excess of two percent (2%) of any class of such securities and such ownership shall not be considered to be in competition with the Company.
8. Non-Solicitation. During Executive's employment with the Company or any Company subsidiary or affiliate and for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of such employment (for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary), Executive agrees that Executive will not:
(a) directly or indirectly (i) solicit, entice or induce, or attempt to solicit, entice or induce, any Customer, Supplier or client to become a Customer, Supplier or client of any other person, firm or corporation with respect to any products or services then sold, offered, or under development by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or (ii) solicit, entice or induce, or attempt to solicit, entice or induce any Customer, client vendor, Supplier, contractor, or business development partner to cease doing business with or any in way reduce or impair
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Exhibit 10.14
its business relationship with the Company, and Executive shall not approach or contact any such person, firm or corporation for such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of such actions by any other person; or
(b) directly or indirectly (i) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any employee, consultant or contractor of the Company to terminate employment or otherwise cease providing services to the Company or (ii) solicit or recruit, or attempt to solicit or recruit, any employee to work for or provide services to a third party other than the Company; and Executive shall not approach any such person for such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of such actions by any other person.
9. Non-Disparagement. During Executive's employment and at all times following Executive's termination of employment for any reason, Executive agrees not to make, or knowingly cause to be made, any disparaging statement or communication, written or oral, concerning the Company, or otherwise impugn the business or management of, damage the reputation of, or interfere with the normal operations of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, or any of their respective past or present employees, executives, officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, principals, or representatives. During Executive's employment and at all times following Executive's termination of employment for any reason, the Company agrees that none of the Company (via any authorized public statement), its officers or members of the Board shall make, or knowingly cause to be made, any disparaging statement or communication, written or oral, concerning Executive, or otherwise impugn the business of Executive, damage the reputation of Executive, or interfere with Executive's pursuit of other business endeavors or employment. The foregoing prohibitions include, without limitation:
(i) non-verbal comments or statements made on the Internet, including without limitation, on blogs, forums, social media platforms, review or rating sites, or any Internet site or online message board (including but not limited to Linkedin or GlassDoor); and (ii) comments or statements to any person or entity, including without limitation, to the press or media, the Company, or any entity, Customer, client, vendor, Supplier, consultant or contractor with whom the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates has, has had or may in the future have a business relationship, that would in any way adversely affect Executive's reputation or his business or employment activities or adversely affect the conduct of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates (including but not limited to any business plans or prospects) or the reputation of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the aforementioned persons (including without limitation former and present employees of the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Nothing in this provision or elsewhere in this Agreement shall (a) affect the parties' right to provide truthful information as may be required by law, rule, regulation or legal process, or as requested by any legal or regulatory authority, (b) unlawfully impair or interfere with Executive's rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, or (c) impair or in any way interfere with the Company's ability to engage in intra-Company communications between or among officers, members of the Board, and/or their advisors related to Executive's compensation, retention, and/or job performance.
10. General Provisions.
(a) Executive acknowledges and agrees that, for purposes of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Agreement, the term "Company" shall include the Company's direct and indirect controlled subsidiaries and affiliates. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the type and periods of restrictions imposed in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Agreement are fair, reasonable and no greater than necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests, and that such restrictions are intended solely to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, including its Confidential Information, goodwill (client, Customer, employee, and otherwise), and business interests, and shall not in any way prevent Executive from earning a livelihood or impose upon Executive undue hardship. Executive recognizes and agrees that the Company competes and provides its products and services worldwide, and
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Exhibit 10.14
that Executive's access to Confidential Information makes it both reasonable and necessary for the Company to restrict Executive's post-employment activities worldwide in any market in which the Company competes, and in which Executive's access to Confidential Information and other proprietary information could be used to the detriment of the Company and for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law. In the event that any restriction set forth in this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be overly broad or unenforceable with respect to scope, time (duration), or geographical coverage, Executive agrees that such restriction or restrictions shall be modified and narrowed, either by such court of competent jurisdiction, or by the Company, to the least extent possible under applicable law for such restriction or restrictions to be enforceable so as to preserve and protect the legitimate interests of the Company as described in this Agreement, and without negating or impairing any other restrictions or agreements set forth herein.
(b) Executive acknowledges and agrees that should Executive breach any of the covenants, restrictions and agreements contained herein, irreparable loss and injury would result to the Company, monetary relief would not compensate for such breach, and damages arising out of such a breach would be difficult to fully ascertain. Executive therefore agrees that, in addition to any and all other remedies available at law or at equity, the Company shall be entitled to have the covenants, restrictions and agreements contained in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 specifically enforced (including, without limitation, by temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions and restraining orders), without the need to post any bond or security, by any state or federal court in the State of Delaware having equity jurisdiction, and Executive agrees to be subject to the jurisdiction of such court and hereby waives any objection to the jurisdiction or venue thereof.
(c) Executive agrees that if the Company fails to take action to remedy any breach by Executive of this Agreement or any portion of the Agreement, such inaction by the Company shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of such breach or of any subsequent or other breach by Executive of the same or any other provision, agreement or covenant.
(d) Executive acknowledges and agrees that the payments and benefits to be provided to Executive under this Agreement are provided as, and constitute sufficient and adequate, consideration for the covenants in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 hereof.
11. Representations and Warranties. Executive represents and warrants the following to the Company, each of which Executive acknowledges is a material inducement to the Company's willingness to enter into this Agreement and a material provision of this Agreement:
(a) Other than as previously disclosed in writing or provided to the Company, Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreements, restrictive covenants, non compete restrictions, non-solicitation restrictions, and/or confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with any other person, business or entity, or any agreement or contract requiring Executive to assign inventions to another party (each, a "Restrictive Agreement"), and Executive has conducted a thorough review of any and all agreements he may have entered into with any current or former employer or any other relevant party to ensure that this representation and warranty is correct.
(b) No Restrictive Agreement prohibits, restricts, limits or otherwise affects Executive's employment with the Company as an executive or ability to perform any of Executive's duties or responsibilities for the Company as contemplated herein.
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Exhibit 10.14
(c) Executive has not made any material misrepresentation or omission in the course of his communications with the Company regarding the Restrictive Agreements or other obligations to any current or former employer or other third party.
(d) Executive has not, directly or indirectly, removed, downloaded, or copied any confidential or proprietary information or records of any current or former employer (or their subsidiaries and/or corporate affiliates) without the express written consent of an authorized representative of such entity, and shall not use or possess, as of the date Executive begins employment and at all times during his employment with the Company, any confidential or proprietary information or records of any current or former employer (or their subsidiaries and/or corporate affiliates), whether in hard copy or electronic form, including, but not limited to, documents, files, disks, or other materials, all of which Executive is prohibited from using in connection with his employment with the Company.
12. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement, including but not limited to those rights and obligations set forth in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, shall survive termination of Executive's employment and any termination of this Agreement for any reason to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
13. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand-delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows (provided that notice of change of address shall be deemed given only when received):
If to the Company, to:
Tilray, Inc.
655 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10054
Attn: Rita Seguin, Chief Human Resources Officer
If to Executive, to:
The address of his principal residence most recently on file with the Company.
or to such other names or addresses as the Company or Executive, as the case may be, shall designate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices in the manner specified in this Section.
14. Contents of Agreement, Amendment, Interpretation and Assignment.
(a) This Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning Executive's employment by the Company and cannot be changed or modified except upon written amendment approved by the Board and executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer and by Executive.
(b) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, and both parties agree that they shall not be construed or interpreted to modify or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
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Exhibit 10.14
(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, except that the duties and responsibilities of Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature and shall not be assignable or delegable in whole or in part by Executive. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, within fifteen (15) days of such succession, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner as, and to the same extent that, the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
15. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or application thereof to anyone or under any circumstances is adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or application of this Agreement that can be given effect without the invalid or unenforceable provision or application and shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision or application in any other jurisdiction. If any provision is held void, invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances.
16. Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. No remedy conferred upon a party by this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. No delay or omission by a party in exercising any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or existing at law or in equity shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof, and any such right, remedy or power may be exercised by such party from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient or necessary by such party in its sole discretion.
17. Withholding. All payments under this Agreement shall be made subject to applicable tax withholding, and the Company shall withhold from any payments under this Agreement all federal, state and local taxes as the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any law or governmental rule or regulation. Executive shall bear all expense of, and be solely responsible for, all federal, state and local taxes due with respect to any payment received under this Agreement other than such taxes that are, by their nature, obligations of the Company (for example, and without limitation, the employer portion of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes).
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is an original. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any of the other counterparts. Facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted by PDF shall be equivalent to original signatures.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to (i) any conflicts-of-law provisions or choice of law provisions of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction which provisions (if applied) would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction other than of the State of Delaware, or (ii) canons of construction or principles of law that construe agreements against the draftsperson.
20. Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with or otherwise be exempt from Section 409A and its corresponding regulations, to the extent applicable, and shall be so construed. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, payments of "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A may only be made under this Agreement upon an event and in a manner permitted by Section 409A, to the extent applicable. For purposes of Section 409A, all payments of "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A to be made upon the termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a
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Exhibit 10.14
"separation from service" under Section 409A. Each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event shall Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment with respect to any amount that is "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement that are "nonqualified deferred compensation" that is subject to Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (a) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Employment Period (or during such other time period specified in this Agreement), (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (d) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Nothing herein shall be construed as having modified the time and form of payment of any amounts or payments of "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning Section 409A that were otherwise payable pursuant to the terms of any agreement between Company and Executive in effect prior to the date of this Agreement.
21. Section 280G of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its affiliates to Executive or for Executive's benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the "Covered Payments") constitute parachute payments (the "Parachute Payments") within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and, but for this Section 21, would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the "Excise Tax"), then prior to making the Covered Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to Executive of the Covered Payments after payment of the Excise Tax to (ii) the Net Benefit to Executive if the Covered Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (i) above is less than the amount under (ii) above will the Covered Payments be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (that amount, the "Reduced Amount"). "Net Benefit" shall mean the present value of the Covered Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment and excise taxes.
(a) Any such reduction shall be made in accordance with Section 409A and the following:
(i) the Covered Payments consisting of cash severance benefits that do not constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be reduced first, in reverse chronological order; and
(ii) all other Covered Payments consisting of cash payments, and Covered Payments consisting of accelerated vesting of equity based awards to which Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1 Q/A-24(c) does not apply, and that in either case do not constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, shall be reduced second, in reverse chronological order;
(iii) all Covered Payments consisting of cash payments that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be reduced third, in reverse chronological order; and
(iv) all Covered Payments consisting of accelerated vesting of equity-based awards to which Treas. Reg. § 1.280G-1 Q/A-24(c) applies shall be the last Covered Payments to be reduced.
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Exhibit 10.14
(b) Any determination required under this Section 21 shall be made in writing in good faith by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (the "Accountants"). The Company and Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 21. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 21, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good-faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Accountants' determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and Executive. The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by the Accountants in connection with the calculations required by this Section 21 .
(c) It is possible that after the determinations and selections made pursuant to this Section 21 Executive will receive Covered Payments that are in the aggregate more than the amount intended or required to be provided after application of this Section 21 ("Overpayment') or less than the amount intended or required to be provided after application of this Section 21 ("Underpayment').
(i) In the event that: (A) the Accountants determine, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Company or Executive that the Accountants believe has a high probability of success, that an Overpayment has been made or (B) it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that has been finally and conclusively resolved that an Overpayment has been made, then Executive shall pay any such Overpayment to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code) from the date of Executive's receipt of the Overpayment until the date of repayment.
(ii) In the event that: (A) the Accountants, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determine that an Underpayment has occurred or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment will be paid promptly by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code) from the date the amount should have otherwise been paid to Executive until the payment date.
22. Taxes. Any taxes applicable to your employment compensation with the Company will be deducted and remitted to the appropriate authorities in accordance with the Company’s stated policies and applicable law. In the event the Executive works in a second tax jurisdiction at the Company’s request, the Company will cover the reasonable costs for you to use the services of the Company’s tax adviser or another adviser mutually agreed upon by the Parties to prepare you home and host country tax returns for any year during which you are required to file tax returns in more than one country as a result of your employment with the Company. Any amounts paid to you to cover this cost will be subject to applicable tax and employment withholdings.
23. Independent Legal Advice. The Executive acknowledges that he has been advised to obtain, and that he has obtained independent legal advice with respect to this Agreement and that he understands the nature and consequences of this Agreement.
24. Dispute Resolution. The parties agree to the following dispute resolution provision in order to minimize the costs of any disputes and to expedite their determination. The parties agree that any controversy, dispute, or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to the negotiation, execution, performance or termination of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of such employment, including (but not limited to) any claim arising out of this Agreement, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the
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Exhibit 10.14
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act, and any similar federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, or any common law doctrine, whether that dispute arises during or after employment, shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration with a single arbitrator from the Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), pursuant to its Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures (the “Rules”), which rules are incorporated by reference and may be accessed directly through JAMS or its website; provided, however, that the Rules shall not contradict or otherwise alter the terms of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the below cost sharing provision. To the extent that the JAMS rules conflict with the substantive law of Delaware, Delaware law shall take precedence.
(a)This Agreement to arbitrate is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. (“FAA”). Such arbitration shall take place in New York, New York and be conducted in accordance with the Rules to the extent not inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement. The demand for arbitration must be in writing and must be made by the aggrieved party within the statute of limitations period provided under applicable Delaware or federal law for the particular claim. Failure to make a written demand within the applicable statutory period constitutes a waiver to raise that claim in any forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without waiving the right to arbitration, either party may seek provisional relief (including without limitation a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction) from a court of competent jurisdiction (including without limitation to enforce the Restrictive Covenants), to the extent provided by applicable federal or Delaware law, upon the ground that the award to which the party may be entitled may be rendered ineffectual without provisional relief. Judgment on the award rendered may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction, and no party shall be entitled to exemplary damages. The Company and the Executive shall split the arbitrator’s fees and expenses and the administrative fees and expenses associated with the arbitration. Each party shall bear his or its own attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in pursuing or defending such arbitration. As a material part of this agreement to arbitrate claims, both the Executive and the Company expressly waive all rights to a jury trial in court on all statutory or other claims. The Executive and the Company agree that any award of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding and that neither party will contest any action by the other party in accordance with the award of the arbitrator.
(b)This Agreement does not prohibit the filing of a complaint with an administrative agency, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor or other agency if applicable law permits access to such agency notwithstanding an agreement to arbitrate. Nothing in this Agreement shall be read as excusing a party from exhausting administrative remedies that are a prerequisite to bringing a claim. All claims or disputes subject to arbitration, other than claims seeking to enforce rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, must be brought in the party’s individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any class, collective, or representative action. Any disputes concerning the validity of this multi-plaintiff, class, collective and representative action waiver will be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction, not by the arbitrator. In the event a court determines this waiver is unenforceable with respect to any claim, then this waiver shall not apply to that claim.
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Exhibit 10.14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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| TILRAY, INC.
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| WITNESS | EXECUTIVE
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Exhibit 10.14
Schedule A
PSUs
| Share Price* | % of Units vested with interpolation between percentages** |
| 0% to less than 25% share price appreciation (threshold) | 0% |
| 25% share price appreciation | 25% |
| 50% share price appreciation | 50% |
| 75% share price appreciation | 100% |
| 100% share price appreciation | 150% |
| 125% share price appreciation or greater | 250% |
*Highest 30-day Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) achieved anytime during the 3-year performance period (or such shorter period upon death, Disability, termination without Cause by the Company, Executive’s termination for Good Reason or Change of Control (an “Intervening Event”); provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control, the Share Price used above shall be the greater of (x) the highest 30-day VWAP prior to the Change of Control or (y) the share price in the Change of Control. The initial share price for purposes of this grant shall be $15.80, which is equal to the VWAP from May 1 to May 30, 2021.
**Final vested percentage will be determined based on the earlier of (1) an Intervening Event or (2) the third anniversary of grant date (the “Vesting Date”).
Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Employment Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt, the Executive must remain in continuous employment from the grant date to the Vesting Date in order for the Units (or any portion thereof) to be vested. Vested Units will be settled within 30 days of the Vesting Date. Further, any price appreciation occurring after the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date shall result in no further vesting and any unvested portion of the Units at that time shall be forfeited.
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