our ability to make payments of principal and interest on, or refinance, our substantial indebtedness

EX-10.3 3 a39319exv10w3.htm EXHIBIT 10.3 exv10w3
 

EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Triad Financial Corporation, a California corporation (the “Company”), with offices at 5201 Rufe Snow Drive, North Richland Hills, Texas, and David A. Satterfield, (the “Executive”), 5201 Rufe Snow Drive, North Richland Hills, Texas, 76180.
RECITALS
A.   The Executive currently serves as a Senior Vice President of the Company.
 
B.   The Executive and the Company have determined that it is in their mutual interests to set forth certain terms relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company.
 
C.   The Executive and the Company intend for this Agreement to supersede and replace any and all prior employment agreements the Executive may at any time have had with the Company or any predecessor of the Company.
AGREEMENT
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
     1. Employment.
          (a) Service to the Company. Executive shall devote all of his professional time, energy, skill and efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder and to the business of the Company, and shall perform his duties in a diligent, trustworthy, and business-like manner, all for the purpose of advancing the business of the Company. Executive shall be primarily responsible for the operation of the Indirect Lending Program offered by the Company, in addition to such other duties as may be delegated to him from time to time. Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall be subject to the policies and procedures adopted by the Company from time to time.
          (b) Other Commitments. Notwithstanding the commitment of the Executive’s professional time, energy, skill and efforts to the Company as set forth in this Section 1(a) above, Executive may serve on corporate, civic, or charitable boards or committees, provided that such service does not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, and provided the Executive keeps the Company reasonably informed of such commitments. If the Company determines that any such commitments conflict with or interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties to the Company, the Company shall give written notice of such conflict or interference to the Executive, who then shall be given thirty days in which to remedy the conflict.

 

 

     2. Employment Term.
          (a) Initial Term. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Executive’s term of employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Term”) shall commence effective as of February 15, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), and continue through February 14, 2010 (the “Initial Term”), subject to the renewal provisions of Section 2(b), unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions contained herein.
          (b) Renewal. Provided the Executive remains in the employ of the Company, and subject to Section (c) below, this Agreement will be automatically renewed and extended on an annual basis for an additional term of one year effective on the Anniversary Date.
          (c) Notice of Non-Renewal. Notwithstanding the renewal provision set forth above, Either party may choose not to renew the Agreement utilizing the process set forth below:
          (i) If the Company does not wish to extend the Agreement, they must provide the Executive with Notice of Non-Renewal of the Agreement on or before the January 1st immediately preceding the Anniversary Date.
          (ii) Provided the Executive has Good Reason (as that term is defined in Section 6(a) herein), he may exercise his right not to renew the Agreement by providing the Company with a Notice of Non-Renewal on or before the January 1st immediately preceding the Anniversary Date.
If the Agreement is not renewed, then the contractual obligations of the parties will survive the Agreement, and the parties will be obligated to adhere to all performance and payment obligations contained herein. A Notice of Non-Renewal shall not be deemed to be a termination of the Executive’s employment, but either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time after the receipt of such notice. In such event, the Executive shall be treated as having remained employed through the end of the Agreement (as extended, if at all), except with respect to any benefit, benefit plan, bonus or incentive plan that requires active employment as a condition precedent for participation in such plan.
     3. Salary and Benefits.
          (a) Salary. During his employment pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall receive a total annual salary of Two Hundred Seventy Thousand U.S. Dollars (U.S. $270,000) as compensation for his services to the Company (the “Base Salary”), such compensation to be payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s policy for salaried employees.
          (b) Target Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus with a target payout based on the Company’s performance for such fiscal year (the “Annual Bonus”), provided that the performance objectives established by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) for both the Company and the Executive for such fiscal year are attained and provided the Executive is serving as an employee of the Company as of the end of such fiscal year. Any Annual Bonus that is payable hereunder will be paid after the completion of the annual audit of the Company with respect to such fiscal year. If the Executive is employed by the Company on December 31, 2007, and if the applicable performance objectives for fiscal year 2007 are accomplished, the Company will pay the Executive an Annual Bonus based on the Company’s full 2007 fiscal year, notwithstanding that the Executive’s employment under this Agreement did not commence until February 15, 2007.

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          (c) Benefit Plans. During his employment pursuant to this Agreement, subject to eligibility requirements, applicable employee contributions and the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company-sponsored employee benefit plans, medical benefit plans, group life insurance plans or other employee welfare plans that the Company may adopt for employees generally from time to time during the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, and as such plans may be modified, amended, terminated, or replaced from time to time. This Agreement shall supercede any severance plan currently used by, or subsequently adopted by, the Company with respect to the Executive.
          (d) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation each fiscal year of this Agreement, to be taken in accordance with the Company’s policy then in effect, and to the same paid Holidays provided to the other employees of the Company. The Executive’s vacation days will be pro-rated based on the number of full months, if less than twelve, that the Executive is employed hereunder in the applicable fiscal year.
          (e) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company in the course of his duties, upon presentation of appropriate documentation of such costs as and when required by and to the satisfaction of the Company, on a basis that is consistent with the Company’s past practices. The Executive shall be entitled to fly Business Class on flights that have a scheduled flight time of two hours or more, to the extent a Business Class seat is available. All other flights shall be Economy Class or its equivalent.
          (f) Car Allowance. During his employment pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to a vehicle allowance of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250) per month in addition to his salary and other benefits.
     4. Non-solicitation/Covenant Not to Compete.
The Executive acknowledges that he is considered a key employee of the Company and agrees that he will work on a full-time basis to accomplish the Company’s business plan, and that he is being entrusted with certain Confidential Information (defined herein) in order to perform the tasks required of him. In consideration of the Company providing Executive access to new confidential and proprietary information and materials belonging to the Company to assist Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties and Executive agreeing to keep all such information strictly confidential, and as a means to aid in the performance and enforcement of the terms of the Confidential Information provisions in Section 5 herein, the Executive agrees that from the Effective Date and until the two-year anniversary of the termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for any reason:
  (a)   The Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director, agent, representative of, or have any financial interest in, or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of any business that involves the indirect financing of motor vehicle purchases by consumers, or the lending of money directly to consumers for the purpose of purchasing, financing or refinancing a motor vehicle (a “Competitive Operation”) which competes with any business conducted by the Company or by any group, division or subsidiary of the Company (a “Company Operation”) in any area where such Company Operation is being conducted at the time of the Executive’s termination.
 
  (b)   The Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use Confidential Information (defined below) that constitutes a protectable trade secret to solicit business from, attempt to do

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      business with, or do business with any customers, lenders, suppliers, joint venturers or business referral sources, in each case which either: (1) the Executive contacted, called on, serviced, transacted business with or had significant contact with during the Executive’s employment with the Company or that the Executive attempted to contact, call on, service, or do business with during the Executive’s employment with the Company; or (2) the Executive became acquainted with as a result of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The restriction set forth in this Section 4 applies only to business that is in the scope of services or products provided by the Company during the term of the Executive’s employment hereunder.
 
  (c)   The Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of the Executive or any other person or entity, solicit, induce, encourage, attempt to solicit or induce, or assist another to induce or attempt to induce, any employee or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her employment or relationship with the Company.
     The Executive agrees that if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the length of time or any other restriction, or portion thereof, set forth in this Section 4 is overly restrictive and unenforceable, the court may reduce or modify such restrictions to those which it deems reasonable and enforceable under the circumstances, and as so reduced or modified, the parties hereto agree that the restrictions of this Section 4 shall remain in full force and effect. The Executive further agrees that if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 4 is invalid or against public policy, the remaining provisions of this Section 4 and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and shall remain in full force and effect.
     The Executive acknowledges that the scope and duration of the restrictions contained herein are reasonable in light of the business plan for the Company, the time that the Executive has been engaged in (and is expected to be engaged in) the business of the Company, the Executive’s reputation in the markets for the Company’s businesses and the Executive’s relationship with the Company’s actual and prospective lenders, clients, employees and management team.
     If the Executive violates any of the restrictions contained in Section 4 of this Agreement, the restrictive period will be suspended and will not begin to run again in favor of the Executive from the time of the commencement of any violation until the time when the Executive cures the violation to the Company’s satisfaction.
     5. Confidential Information.
          (a) Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” means any trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information of the Company, including without limitation the following:
               (i) Information concerning the Company’s investor or prospective investor lists, lenders, customers, clients, marketing, business and operational methods of the Company and their customers or clients, contracts, financial or other data, technical data, e-mail and other correspondence or any other confidential or proprietary information possessed, owned or used by any of the Company;
               (ii) Business records, financial information, pricing, business strategies, marketing and promotional practices (including internet-related marketing) and management methods and information;
               (iii) Finances, strategies, systems, research, plans, reports, recommendations

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and conclusions;
               (iv) Names, arrangements with, or other information relating to, any of the Company’s investors, customers, clients, suppliers, financiers, owners, representatives and other persons who have business relationships with the Company or who are prospects for business relationships with the Company; and
               (v) Any matter or thing obtained or ascertained by Executive through Executive’s association with the Company, the use or disclosure of which might reasonably be construed to be contrary to the best interests of any the Company, its owners or employees.
     Upon termination of the Executive’s employment under any circumstances, the Executive or his representatives, shall promptly return to the Company all property of the Company, including any and all Confidential Information, computers, hard-drives, papers, books, records, documents, memoranda, manuals, e-mail, electronic or magnetic recordings or data, electronic devices and related data storage devices, including all copies thereof, which belong to the Company or relate to the Company’s business and which are in Executive’s possession, custody or control, whether prepared by Executive or others, and shall destroy or erase any data that cannot be returned (with it being understood and agreed that subject to Section 5 hereof, the Executive shall be permitted to retain his own rolodex, calendars, appointment lists and other personal lists maintained during the course of his employment hereunder).
     If the Executive is subpoenaed, served with any legal process or notice or otherwise requested to produce or divulge, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information by any entity, agency or person in any formal or informal proceeding, including without limitation any interview, deposition, administrative or judicial hearing and/or trial, then promptly after the Executive’s receipt of such subpoena, process, notice or request, the Executive shall notify the Company and shall reasonably cooperate with the Company’s efforts to obtain a protective order or other relief to protect the Company’s Confidential Information or to limit the scope of disclosure of such information in such interview, deposition, administrative or judicial hearing and/or trial.
          (b) Non-disparagement. During the term of this Agreement and continuing after termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, the Executive shall not communicate or publish, directly or indirectly, any confidential, personal or disparaging information concerning any member of the Company, any director, officer or employee of any entity in the Company or any entity or individual who controls, directly or indirectly, any entity in the Company.
          (c) Works. Any works created during the term of this Agreement by the Executive shall be deemed work for hire to the extent permitted by law, and the Company shall have the sole right to any such works. In addition, the Executive hereby grants and shall grant to Company all his rights, title and interest including, without limitation, all intellectual property and proprietary rights, in all works developed or created by the Executive during the term of this Agreement. The Executive hereby waives for the benefit of the Company and its successors, assigns and licensees all moral rights that the Executive may have in such works. For greater clarity, the parties acknowledge and agree that such works include without limitation the Developments defined in Section 5(d) below.
          (d) Other Provisions/Exclusions. The Executive understands, acknowledges and agrees that all Developments (as hereinafter defined) shall be made for hire by the Executive for the Company. “Developments” means any idea, discovery, invention, design, method, technique, improvement, enhancement, development, computer program, machine, algorithm or other work or authorship that (i) relates to the business or operations of the Company, or (ii) results from or is suggested by any undertaking assigned to the Executive or work performed by the Executive for or on behalf of the

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Company, whether created alone or with others, during or after working hours. All confidential or proprietary information described in Section 5(a) above and all Developments shall remain the sole property of the Company. The Executive shall acquire no proprietary interest in any confidential or proprietary information described in Section 5(a) above or Developments developed or acquired while the Executive is required to provide services to the Company hereunder. To the extent the Executive may, by operation of law or otherwise, acquire any right, title or interest in or to any confidential or proprietary information described in Section 5(a) above or Development, the Executive hereby assigns to the Company all such intellectual property or proprietary rights. The Executive shall, both during the term of this Agreement and for two years thereafter, upon the Company’s request, promptly execute and deliver to the Company all such assignments, certificates and instruments, and shall promptly perform such other acts as the Company may from time to time in its reasonable discretion deem necessary or desirable to evidence, establish, maintain, perfect, enforce or defend the Company’s rights in Developments and in the proprietary information, inventions, copyrights, and trademarks otherwise described in this Section 5.
     6. Termination.
          (a) By the Executive. The Executive may resign his employment at any time, for Good Reason (defined below) or without Good Reason, upon thirty days written notice to the Company. Upon receipt of written notice from the Executive of his voluntary resignation of employment, the Company may immediately terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company (which shall be deemed for all purposes an immediate voluntary resignation by the Executive, and not a termination by the Company) and require no further services from the Executive. The term “Good Reason” means (i) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement, after the Executive has given the Company thirty days written notice of such breach and the Company has not during such period cured the alleged breach, (ii) a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary without the Executive’s consent, (iii) the Company’s failure to continue any benefit or compensation plan in which the Executive is participating (other than an equal reduction in such benefits for all similarly-situated executives of the Company), or (iv) the occurrence of a Change in Control, as that term is defined in the Triad Holdings, Inc., 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan.
          (b) By the Company. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for any reason, at any time, upon written notice to the Executive, provided that the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts and benefits as set forth in Section 6(d) or Section 6(e) below, as applicable. The Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company under this Agreement with or without Cause. As used in this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean the Executive’s:
               (i) material fraud, embezzlement, theft or other act or omission involving material dishonesty, or a crime of moral turpitude, in each case relating to the Company’s business, or constituting information known within the Company’s industry or among the Company’s employees;
               (ii) intentional or reckless failure to abide in any material respect with reasonable rules and regulations governing the transaction of business of the Company as the Company may from time to time adopt or approve;
               (iii) failure to perform material duties or to follow material directions of the Board;
               (iv) intentional misappropriation of any corporate opportunity, or otherwise intentionally obtaining personal profit from any material transaction that is adverse to the interests of the Company or to the benefits to which the Company is entitled;

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               (v) indictment for a felony (provided, however, that indictment for a felony involving only the use of a motor vehicle that does not cause material personal injury to any person shall not constitute Cause under this item (v)); or
               (vi) intentional or reckless conduct by the Executive that subjects the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary, parent or other affiliated entity, to loss of any required license, permit or similar governmental authorization that is material to the Company’s or such entity’s business.
          (c) By Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall be terminated under this Agreement in the event of the Executive’s death or Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means that for a period of at least 120 days during any twelve consecutive month period on account of a mental or physical condition, the Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his job for the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined in good faith by the Company, based upon medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Company.
          (d) Obligations Where no Severance is Required. In the event that the Company terminates the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for Cause, the Executive’s employment terminates due to his death or Disability, or the Executive terminates his employment hereunder (other than for Good Reason), then in each such case the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive under this Agreement except to pay his Base Salary earned through the date of termination of employment with the Company and a lump sum payment for any accrued and earned, but unused, vacation shall be paid to Executive on or before the next regularly scheduled pay day after the effective date of the termination; provided, however, that if the Executive’s date of termination occurs after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, but before payment of any applicable Annual Bonus actually earned by the Executive for such completed fiscal year, then the Company also shall pay such earned Annual Bonus in accordance with Section 6(e)(iii).
          (e) Severance Obligations. In the event the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, the Company’s obligations to the Executive shall be limited to the following:
               (i) Earned Salary. The Company shall pay Executive any Base Salary earned through the date of termination of employment with the Company and a lump sum payment for any accrued and earned, but unused, vacation; provided, however, that if the Executive’s date of termination occurs after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, but before payment of any applicable Annual Bonus actually earned by the Executive for such completed fiscal year, then the Company also shall pay such earned Annual Bonus in accordance with Section 6(e)(iii).
               (ii) Severance.
                    (A) Payment Terms. Subject to the last sentence of Section 6(f) below, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive resigns for Good Reason, the Company shall pay Executive severance payments (“Severance”) in an amount equal to the total amount remaining to be paid under the terms of this Agreement, after taking into consideration the amount of salary and benefits previously paid to the Executive as of the date of termination of employment, reduced by any required payroll and tax withholdings. The Severance shall be payable in twelve equal installments on the first pay day of each month, beginning on the first pay day of the month following the month in which Executive’s Employment is terminated, provided that Executive has not revoked the Separation Agreement and Release.

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                    (B) Forfeiture Upon Breach. If the Executive is eligible to receive severance payments under this Section 6(e)(ii), then in the event the Executive violates any of the provisions of Section 4 or Section 5 above, all remaining payments shall be forfeited and the Company shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Executive for any and all severance payments previously made to Executive during the period of such violation. If Executive or anyone acting on his behalf brings a claim against the Company seeking to declare any term of this Agreement void or unenforceable, including Section 4 and Section 5 of this Agreement, and if one or more material terms of this Agreement are ruled by a court or arbitrator to be void or unenforceable or subject to reduction or modification, then the Company shall be entitled to (i) refuse to make any severance payments, or any additional severance payments, described in Section 6(e) of this Agreement; (ii) recover from Executive all Severance payments, as described in Section 6(e), already paid to Executive; and (iii) recover its attorneys’ fees incurred in defending such action and seeking recovery of such amounts.
                    (C) Acknowledgement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the severance compensation provided for in this Section 6(e)(ii) is fair and reasonable and is the result of negotiation between the parties.
               (iii) Completed Fiscal Year Earned Annual Bonus. If the Executive’s employment terminates after the end of a full fiscal year but prior to the payment of any Annual Bonus actually earned for such full fiscal year, the Company will pay such earned Annual Bonus as promptly as reasonably practicable after the completion of the audit for such fiscal year, and in any event not later than the payment of annual bonuses (if any) payable to other senior executive officers of the Company pursuant to the same or any substantially similar bonus program.
          (f) Sole Remedy; Release. The applicable payments provided in this Section 6 shall be the sole remedy for any claim the Executive may have arising out of termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment under Section 6(e)(ii) unless the Executive timely executes and delivers to the Company The Separation Agreement and Release, a copy of which is attached hereto, marked as Exhibit “A”, and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
     7. Breaches And Remedies. In the event of a breach or a threatened breach by the Executive of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief restraining the Executive from the commission of any breach, and (if the Company obtains such relief) to recover the Company’s attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses related to the breach. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach, including, without limitation, the recovery of money damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs. The Executive and the Company shall construe each of the restrictions in this Agreement as independent of any other provisions in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event that the Executive violates Section 4 or Section 5 hereof, in addition to any other rights or remedies to which it may be entitled under law or this Agreement, the Company shall, except as prohibited by applicable law, cease making any severance or other payments hereunder, shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Executive for any and all severance payments previously made to the Executive under this Agreement during the period of such violation and shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of Section 4 or Section 5 by injunction or other equitable relief, without having to prove irreparable harm or inadequacy of money damages.

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     8. Dispute Resolution. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement, including without limitation any dispute as to the construction, validity, interpretation, enforceability or breach of this Agreement, shall be exclusively and finally settled by arbitration, and any party may submit such dispute, controversy or claim, including a claim for indemnification under this Section 8, to arbitration. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8 to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive or other emergency relief in a court of law to enforce the provisions of Section 4 or Section 5.
          (a) Arbitrator. The arbitration shall be heard and determined by one arbitrator, who shall be impartial and who shall be selected by mutual agreement of the parties. If the parties cannot agree upon an arbitrator, then they shall submit the dispute to the American Arbitration Association, which shall appoint an impartial arbitrator to preside over the arbitration.
          (b) Proceedings. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the parties to the arbitration proceedings:
               (i) The arbitration proceedings shall be held in Dallas County, Texas, at a site chosen by mutual agreement of the parties, or if the parties cannot reach agreement on a location within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the arbitrator, then at a site chosen by the arbitrator;
               (ii) The arbitrator shall be and remain at all times wholly independent and impartial;
               (iii) The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the Employment Dispute Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as amended from time to time;
               (iv) Any procedural issues not determined under the arbitral rules selected pursuant to item (iii) above shall be determined by the laws of the state of Texas, unless such laws would refer the matter to another jurisdiction;
               (v) The costs of the arbitration proceedings (including attorneys’ fees and costs) shall be borne in the manner determined by the arbitrator;
               (vi) The decision of the arbitrator shall be: reduced to writing; final and binding without the right of appeal; the sole and exclusive remedy regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrator; made and promptly paid in United States dollars free of any deduction or offset; and any costs or fees incident to enforcing the award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement;
               (vii) The award shall include interest from the date of any breach or violation of this Agreement, as determined by the arbitral award, and from the date of the award until paid in full, at 6% per annum; and
               (viii) Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the person or the assets of the party owing the judgment or application may be made to such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be.
          (c) Acknowledgment of Parties. Each party acknowledges that such party has voluntarily and knowingly entered into an agreement to arbitrate under this Section 8 by executing this Agreement.

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     9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
          (a) Successors of the Company. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the Agreement provided for in this Section 9 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
          (b) No Assignment or Delegation by the Executive. The Executive may not assign his rights or delegate his duties or obligations hereunder.
          (c) Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement, or to such other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
          (d) Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such individual as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
          (e) Invalid Provisions. Should any portion of this Agreement be adjudged or held to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such holding shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement and the parties hereby agree that the portion so held invalid, unenforceable or void shall, if possible, be deemed amended or reduced in scope, or otherwise be stricken from this Agreement to the extent required for the purposes of validity and enforcement thereof.
          (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
          (g) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Texas.
          (h) Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
          (i) Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes in all respects all prior employment agreements between the parties, whether written or oral.

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          (j) Captions and Gender; Mutual Drafting. The use of captions and Section headings herein is for purposes of convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or substance of any provisions contained herein. Similarly, the use of the masculine gender with respect to pronouns in this Agreement is for purposes of convenience and includes either sex who may be a signatory. Each party has substantially participated in the preparation and drafting of this Agreement and there shall be no presumption against any party by virtue of any party’s preparation of any provision of this Agreement.
          (k) Survival. The covenants and provisions set forth in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment, and/or termination of this Agreement, in accordance with their respective terms.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement effective as of the 15th day of February, 2007.
         
  TRIAD FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
a California corporation
 		  
  By:   /s/ Carl B. Webb    
    Name:   Carl B. Webb   
    Title:   President, Chief Executive Officer   
     
  /s/ David A. Satterfield    
  David A. Satterfield   
     

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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

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SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
     This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is entered into by Triad Financial Corporation (“Triad”) and David A. Satterfield, (the “Executive”). Triad and Executive are referred to as the “Parties.” Because the Parties desire to enter into an agreement that amicably resolves the employment relationship between them and any disputes that now or may exist between them concerning Executive’s hiring, employment and termination from Triad including disputes regarding Executive’s compensation or benefits, the Parties are entering into this Agreement. Defined terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Employment Agreement between Triad and Executive, dated as of February 15, 2007 (“Employment Agreement”).
     1. End of Executive’s Employment. Executive’s last day of employment with Triad will be                      (which is designated the “Separation Date”). All benefits and severance to be paid to Executive are set forth in Section 6(d) and (e) of the Employment Agreement. Except as stated in this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, or as required by law, all other benefits and pay which relate to Executive’s employment with Triad shall cease as of the Separation Date.
     2. Executive’s Participation in Company Benefit Plans. Following his termination of employment, Executive shall not be entitled to any additional payments or future grants under any benefit plan or bonus or incentive program established by Triad or any of its affiliates. Any vested interest held by Executive in Triad’s 401(k) and any other plans in which Executive participates shall be distributed in accordance with the terms of the plan and applicable law. Executive’s right to exercise vested options or grants after his termination of employment will be determined according to the provisions of his Employment Agreement and the applicable equity incentive plans and agreements governing the options or grants for stock in Triad, Triad Holdings, Inc. or their affiliates (the “Option Documents”). Executive agrees that the release in Paragraph 4 below, except as provided therein, covers any claims he might have regarding his bonuses, stock options or grants and any other benefits he may or may not have received during his employment with Triad. In addition, after the Separation Date, Executive and his dependents shall have the right to choose extension of applicable medical insurance coverage pursuant to COBRA. Triad shall provide Executive under separate cover at his home address, information necessary and as required by law to facilitate the transfer or rollover of his 401(k) account and information regarding COBRA election.
     3. Return of Triad Property. Executive shall promptly return all equipment and property in his possession which belongs to Triad, including all computer software, computer access codes, company laptops, personal data assistants, company credit cards, keys, access cards, and all original and copies of notes, documents, files or programs stored electronically or otherwise, that relate or refer to Triad, its customers, its financial statements, its business contacts, and sales. By signing this Agreement, Executive warrants that he has not retained and has returned all such equipment or property and that should he later discover additional Company equipment or property, he will promptly notify the Company and return it to the Company.
     4. Executive’s Release. In consideration of the benefits and severance pay described in Section 6(e) of the Employment Agreement, and the promises, covenants and other valuable consideration provided by Triad in this Agreement, and subject thereto, Executive releases Triad and any of its direct or indirect parents, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, affiliates or related companies, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, executives, attorneys, agents successors and assigns, (collectively referred to as “Releasees,”) from any and all claims, causes of action, losses, obligations, liabilities, damages, judgments, costs, expenses (including attorney’s fees) of any kind whatsoever, including, but not limited to, disputes or claims arising out of Executive’s hiring, employment or termination of such employment with Triad, or arising out of any act committed or omitted during or after

 

 

the existence of such employment relationship, including any disputes regarding compensation. This release includes, but is not limited to, all claims, whether arising in contract or allegations of tort, common law or assertion of federal or state statutory rights, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Executive Retirement Income Security Act, claims for wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract or implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, as well as any expenses, costs or attorney’s fees. Furthermore, Executive agrees and hereby relinquishes any right to re-employment with Triad. However, Executive does not release his right to enforce the terms of this Agreement, or the obligations to him under the Employment Agreement and Option Documents that by the terms thereof expressly continue after his employment ends (the “Continuing Obligations”).
Executive hereby expressly agrees that this Agreement shall extend and apply to all unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated injuries and damages as well as those that are now disclosed.
In exchange for the Severance benefits described in Section 6(e) of the Employment Agreement, Executive further agrees never to file a lawsuit asserting any claims that are released in this Agreement and further agrees not to accept any recoveries or benefits which may be obtained on his behalf by any other person or agency or in any class action; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Executive from challenging the validity of this Agreement, enforcing the Continuing Obligations, filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
     5. Non-Solicitation Agreement. Executive reaffirms his non-solicitation obligations set forth in Section 4 of his Employment Agreement; and agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall cause such obligations to cease.
     6. Not An Admission of Wrongdoing. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by either Party of any acts of wrongdoing, violation of any statute, law or legal or contractual right.
     7. Voluntary Execution of the Agreement. Executive and Triad represent and agree that they have had an opportunity to review all aspects of this Agreement, and that they fully understand all the provisions of the Agreement and are voluntarily entering into this Separation Agreement and the General Release. Executive further represents that he has not transferred or assigned to any person or entity any claim involving Triad or any portion thereof or interest therein. To the extent that Executive has any remaining claims against Triad, such claims are hereby assigned to Triad.
     8. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon Triad and upon Executive and his heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.
     9. Enforceability. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or determined to be illegal or invalid by any government agency or court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining parts, terms or provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and such provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
     10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Employment Agreement between Triad and Executive set forth the entire agreement between the parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements (except the Employment Agreement and the Option Documents), understandings, or representations between the parties pertaining to Executive’s employment with Triad, the subject matter of this Agreement or any other term or condition of the relationship between Triad and Executive.

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Executive represents and acknowledges that in executing this Agreement, he does not rely, and has not relied, upon any representation(s) by Triad or its agents except as expressly contained in this Agreement.
     11. Time to Consider. Triad and Executive agree that Executive received this Agreement on                      and has been told that he has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement prior to signing. Executive is not required, however, to wait 21 days to execute this Agreement and may execute this Agreement at any time. Executive agrees that he has been given a sufficient period of time to review and consider this Agreement before signing it and is encouraged to consult with an attorney of his choosing before signing this Agreement. Executive understands that the decision to consult with an attorney is in his sole discretion. Executive understands and agrees that if he refuses to sign this Agreement, his employment will be immediately terminated and he will not be entitled to receive any payment pursuant to this Agreement or the Employment Agreement.
     12. Executive’s Right to Revoke the Agreement. Triad and Executive agree that Executive may revoke this Agreement at any time up to seven (7) days after signing.
     13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without reference to its choice of law rules.
     14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered (which deliveries may be by facsimile) shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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     I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT, THAT I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS, AND THAT I AM ENTERING INTO IT VOLUNTARILY.
AGREED TO BY:
             
 
Name
     
 
Date 		   
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF                               
     Before me, a Notary Public, on this day personally appeared                                                             , known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledges to me that he has executed this Agreement on behalf of himself and his heirs, for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.
     Given under my hand and seal of office this            day of                     ,          .
         
 
     
 
Notary Public in and for the State of Texas
(PERSONALIZED SEAL)

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TRIAD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                         
BY:
              DATE:        
                     
 
  TITLE:                    
STATE OF                                         
COUNTY OF                                         
     Before me, a Notary Public, on this day personally appeared                                         , known to me to be the person and officer whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that the same was the act of                                         , and that he has executed the same on behalf of said corporation for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and in the capacity therein stated.
     Given under my hand and seal of office this       day of                     ,           
         
 
     
 
Notary Public in and for
the State of                    
(PERSONALIZED SEAL)

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