Executive Employment Agreement between John Abou and TTEC Services Corporation dated as of July 17, 2024
EXHIBIT 10.89
Executable Version
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is by and between TTEC Services Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“TSC” or the “Company”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of TTEC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TTEC Parent”), and John Abou ("Executive"), each a “Party” and together the “Parties.” The Executive Employment Agreement is executed to be effective as of July 17, 2024 or as otherwise agreed by the parties (“Effective Date”).
1.Appointment.
For purposes of relevant U.S. federal securities laws, the Executive will be a public company executive officer (but not a “Section 16 Officer” as that term is defined in relevant regulations), subjecting the Executive to the various compliance requirements appropriate for public company officers. Please refer to Exhibit A to this Agreement for Directors and Executive Officers U.S. Securities Law Handbook for reference.
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2. | Compensation. |
Currently, TTEC offers its equity grants in the form of restricted stock units (the “RSUs) and performance restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) vesting over a period of years. Until and unless modified by the Compensation Committee of the Board of TTEC Parent (“Compensation Committee”), the Executive shall be eligible for an annual RSU equity grant opportunity and annual PRSU equity grant opportunity of 50% of Base Salary each (100% Base Salary in the aggregate), in fair market value of TTEC equity, based on the market value of TTEC stock at the time of the grant. The RSU grants are usually time based with a three-year vesting schedule; while the PRSUs are performance-based equity with a three-year cliff-vesting schedule based on the performance of the business during the three-year measurement period, and an opportunity to overperform up to 200% of the original grant.
The RSUs/PRSUs are granted under the terms of grant-specific agreements that are approved by the Compensation Committee from time to time (“Equity Agreements). These Equity Agreements provide vesting schedules, performance metrics, if any, and other material terms of each grant. TTEC Parent and the Compensation Committee reserve the right, at their discretion, to change the terms of future Equity Agreements and the equity granted thereunder. The use of the RSUs/PRSUs, as part of the annual equity grant, is discretionary and may be substituted, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, for other equity instruments in accordance with incentive compensation plans adopted by TTEC Parent from time to time. All equity grants as part of TTEC Parent Equity program are subject to Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines included in this Agreement as Exhibit D.
d.Incentive Award Size Determination and Payment Timing. Except as stated otherwise with respect to VIP payable for 2024 performance in Paragraph 2(b) (Variable Incentive Compensation) Executive’s actual annual VIP and Equity awards are discretionary and are not guaranteed. They are based on a combination of metrics reflecting targets and goals of the business and certain subjective management objectives, as set-out and annually approved by TTEC CEO and the Board, and the Executive’s compliance with the conduct guidelines outlined in the Ethics Code. The metrics may change from time to time as determined by the Compensation Committee. The timing for the payment of the VIP and Equity awards, if any, is determined from time to time (usually annually) by the Compensation Committee.
For the first calendar year of employment, the Executive’s Equity eligibility will be prorated to actual number of months the Executive is employed by the Company in the year.
e.Welcome Aboard Equity Incentive - Time-Based New Hire RSU Grant. Subject to approval of the Compensation Committee, TTEC Parent shall grant to the Executive RSUs with a market value of $750,000 based on TTEC stock fair market value at the time of the grant (“New Hire RSUs”). The New Hire RSUs shall be granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit E and incorporated herein by reference. The New Hire RSUs shall vest in five (5) tranches 20% each, vesting consecutive anniversaries of the Effective Date, provided that the Executive continues to be employed by the business on each of the vesting dates.
f.Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by him on behalf of the Company in accordance with TTEC expense reimbursement policies.
g.Services to Subsidiaries. Executive acknowledges that, as part of his employment responsibilities, he may be required to serve as an officer and/or director (“D&O”) of TTEC subsidiaries, affiliates, and related entities. He hereby agrees to perform such duties diligently and without additional compensation, and to follow TTEC Parent’s direction in the performance of such services. For the duration of such D&O services, TTEC shall maintain appropriate D&O insurance policies for the Executive’s protection in connection with the services. Furthermore, the Executive agrees to resign such D&O roles, if requested to do so by TTEC Parent.
h.Tax Liability and Withholdings. All compensation and other payments made under this Agreement will be subject to withholding of the federal, state, and local taxes, Social Security, Medicare and other withholdings in such amounts as is reasonably determined by Company. The withholdings taxes due with respect to any equity grants may, at Company’s discretion and in accordance with the relevant equity plans, be deducted directly from the equity being granted or as it vests. The Company shall have the right to take all the action as it deems necessary to satisfy its and employee’s tax withholding obligations.
3.Benefits.
a.Health and Welfare Benefits. Executive shall be eligible to participate in TTEC health and wellness plans in a manner similar to others at his level of responsibility at the Company, including participation for the Executive and his dependents in TTEC group medical, vision, and dental insurance and other welfare plans, as they continue or change from time to time. The eligibility for most wellness benefits starts on the first day of the month following 30 days’ employment tenure with the Company and given the Effective Date will start for the Executive on August 1, 2024.
b.Miscellaneous Benefits. The Executive shall be eligible for benefits generally applicable to other senior management employees of the Company, as they are in effect from time to time, including TTEC 401(k) Plan and its Deferred Compensation Plan.
c.Paid Leave. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in paid time off (“PTO”) and sick leave benefit programs pursuant to the Company’s current time off/leave policy (or any other vacation/sick policy then in effect). The Executive will also be paid for time off for holidays in accordance with the TTEC holiday policy.
4.Change in Control.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” event shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following:
5.Termination and Payments, Benefits On Termination.
a.Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment with the Company with ninety (90) days’ written notice of his intention. The parties may mutually agree to a different separation date including shorter notice period. The Executive shall not be entitled to any separation related compensation or benefits, if he terminates his employment with the Company pursuant to this Paragraph 5(a).
b.Termination by the Company without Cause. Subject to provisions of Paragraphs 5(c) (Termination for Cause), Paragraph 5(e) (Termination upon Executive’s Death), Paragraph 5(f) (Termination Due to or Following Disability), and the provisions of Paragraph 5(h) (Termination in Connection with Change in Control Event), the Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment without a reason or for any reason (“Termination without Cause”) by providing thirty (30) days’ notice for such termination. Constructive Termination by the Company (as the term is defined in Paragraph 5(g)) constitutes Termination without Cause by the Company for purposes of this Agreement. In case of termination pursuant to this Paragraph 5(b), and subject to a release described below, the Executive shall be entitled to:
If the act or acts constituting Cause are susceptible of cure, Company will provide Executive with written notice setting forth the acts constituting Cause and providing that Executive may cure such acts within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice. Any recurrence of acts constituting Cause within one (1) year of the original occurrence will void Executive’s right to such pre-termination right to cure.
e.Termination upon Executive’s Death. This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s death. Thereafter, the Company shall pay to the Executive’s estate all compensation fully earned, and benefits fully vested as of the last date of Executive’s continuous, full-time active employment with the Company; and will provide the estate with the reimbursement of any reasonable business expenses that the Executive incurred prior to his death in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies. For purposes of this Agreement, continuous, full-time active employment shall be defined as the last date upon which Executive continuously performed his job responsibilities on a regular, full-time basis consisting of at least 35 hours per week, and in the usual course of the Company’s business (“Continuous Full-Time Active Employment”). In case of Executive’s death, the Company shall not be required to pay any form of severance or other compensation concerning, or on account of the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination thereof.
f. Termination Due to or Following Disability. During the first ninety (90) calendar days after a mental or physical condition that renders Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his position with reasonable accommodation (the “Initial Disability Period”), Executive shall continue to receive his Base Salary pursuant to Paragraph 2(a) of this Agreement. Thereafter, if Executive qualifies for benefits under the Company’s long-term disability insurance plan (the “LTD Plan”), then Executive shall remain on leave for as long as Executive continues to qualify for such benefits, up to a maximum of 180 consecutive days (the “Long-term Leave Period”). The Long-term Leave Period shall begin on the first day following the end of the Initial Disability Period. During the Long-term Leave Period, Executive shall be entitled to any benefits to which the LTD Plan entitles the Executive, but no additional compensation from the Company in the form of salary, performance bonus, equity grants, allowances or otherwise. If during or at the end of the Long-term Leave Period Executive remains unable to perform the essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable accommodation, then the Company may terminate this Agreement and/or Executive’s employment. If the Company terminates this Agreement or Executive’s employment under this Paragraph 5(f), the Company’s payment obligation to Executive shall be limited to all compensation fully earned, reimbursement of all reasonable business expenses that the Executive incurred prior to the separation in accordance with the company’s expense reimbursement policies, and benefits fully vested as of the last date of Executive’s continuous, full-time active employment with the Company.
g. Termination for "Good Reason" or “Constructive Termination.” Termination by Executive for “Good Reason” or “Constructive Termination” by the Company may be triggered if, without Executive's express written consent, the occurrence of any of the following (in connection with or independent of a Change in Control event):
An action taken in good faith and remedied by TTEC Parent or successor within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the Executive’s notice thereof shall not constitute Good Reason or Constructive Termination under this Agreement. Executive must provide notice of termination of employment within thirty (30) calendar days of Executive’s knowledge of an event constituting “Good Reason” or such event shall not constitute “Good Reason” or “Constructive Termination” under this Agreement.
Termination of employment pursuant to this Paragraph 5(g) shall entitle Executive to the same severance payment and the continuation of benefits provided in Paragraph 5(b)(i) and 5(b)(ii), as if the Company terminated his employment without Cause; provided, however, that the provisions of Paragraph 5(b)(v) on the accord and satisfaction of any claims against the Company and the Separation Release shall also apply.
h. Termination in Connection with Change in Control Event. If a Change in Control event (as defined in Paragraph 4) occurs and if, at any time within three (3) months before and twelve (12) months after such Change in Control event’s effective date (“COC Period”), the Company, TTEC Parent, or their successors terminate Executive’s employment without Cause whether such termination occurs outright or pursuant to a Constructive Termination (as defined in Paragraph 5(g)), the Executive shall be entitled to and the Company, TTEC Parent or their successors shall cause the following to occur:
i. Continuing Obligations. Executive shall remain subject to the Company’s Agreement to Protect Confidential Information, Assign Inventions and Prevent Unfair Competition and Unfair Solicitation (“Confidentiality Agreements”), Equity Agreements, and any other similar agreements executed at any time during his employment, including without limitation his post-employment obligations under this Agreement, all of which survive termination of employment.
6. | Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. |
As a senior member of the executive leadership team for TTEC Engage business segment, Executive is privy to TTEC Engage and TTEC Parent company-wide global business and financial strategy. Therefore, as condition of the Appointment outlined in this Agreement, the Executive agrees and covenants for a period of twelve (12) months post separation of his employment with the Company (whatever the reason for such separation) not to -
The Executive also acknowledges that while employed by the Company or otherwise affiliated with TTEC Parent, the Executive has access to proprietary and unique trade secret information that would be valuable or useful to Company’s and TTEC Parent’s competitors and that the Executive has access to Company’s valuable customer relationships and thus acknowledges that the restrictions on the Executive’s future employment and business activities in TTEC’s industry as set forth in this Paragraph 6 are fair and reasonable.
The Executive acknowledges and is prepared for the possibility that his standard of living may be reduced during the non-competition and/or non-solicitation period and assumes and accepts any risk associated with that possibility, and further acknowledges that any such drop in the Executive’s standard of living does not constitute undue hardship.
(i)The Executive and those who aid him in such breach shall be liable for all costs and business losses including any damages and out-of-pocket expenses associated with or resulting from such breach;
(ii) Neither the Company nor TTEC Parent shall have any further liabilities to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation no liability for any compensation including cash bonuses or equity not yet granted or granted and unvested;
(iv) All unvested equity held by the Executive shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled;
(v) The value of any vested equity received by the Executive in connection with his employment with the Company must be paid by the Executive back to the Company since one of the primary purposes of the equity awards – Executive’s loyalty to the Company and TTEC Parent and the protection of their business through non-competition and non-solicitation -- would not have been realized by TTEC Parent;
(vi) The Executive hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief at law or specified in this Agreement.
7.Miscellaneous.
d.Governing Law and Dispute Resolution.
(i)Good Faith Negotiation Requirement. Executive, the Company and TTEC Parent agree that in the event of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment with and/or separation from the Company, they shall negotiate in good faith to resolve the controversy or claim privately, amicably and confidentially. Each Party may consult with counsel in connection with such negotiations.
(ii) Governing Law and Disputes. This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada where the Company is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles. The Parties also agree that any action arising from or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be resolved and tried in the state or federal courts of Nevada, where the Company is incorporated. The Parties consent to jurisdiction and venue of those courts to the greatest extent allowed by law.
e.Severability. If any court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain fully enforceable. To the extent that any court concludes that any provision of this Agreement is void or voidable, the court shall reform such provision(s) to render the provision(s) enforceable, but only to the extent absolutely necessary to render the provision(s) enforceable.
f.Modification of Agreement. This Agreement or any other term or condition of employment may not be modified by word or deed, except in writing signed by the Executive and TTEC Chief People Officer, TTEC Engage Chief Executive Officer or successors in these roles, their specific title notwithstanding.
g.Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, nor shall there be an estoppel against the enforcement of any such provision, except by a writing signed by the party charged with the waiver or estoppel. No waiver shall be deemed continuing unless specifically stated therein, and the written waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived, and not for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.
h. Construction. Whenever applicable, masculine and neutral pronouns shall equally apply to the feminine genders; the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. The Parties have reviewed and understand this Agreement, and each has had a full opportunity to negotiate the agreement's terms and to consult with counsel of their own choosing. Therefore, the Parties expressly waive all applicable common law and statutory rules of construction that any provision of this Agreement should be construed against the agreement's drafter and agree that this Agreement and all amendments thereto shall be construed as a whole, according to the fair meaning of the language used.
Mr. Abou acknowledges and agrees that he reviewed and fully understands the terms and provisions of this Agreement; that he enters into it freely, knowingly, and mindful of the fact that it creates important legal obligations and affects his legal rights; and that he understands the need to and has had the opportunity to consult with counsel (if he so wishes) concerning this Agreement with legal counsel.
Executive /s/ John Abou_______________ John Abou Date: 5/17/2024 | TTEC Services Corporation /s/ Michelle Swanback___________________ Michelle “Shelly” Swanback, TTEC President Date: 5/17/2024 |
List of Exhibits
Exhibit A: Directors & Executive Officers U.S. Securities Laws Handbook
Attached in a separate document
Exhibit B:TTEC Ethics Code: How TTEC Does Business
https://www.ttec.com/sites/default/files/how-ttec-does-business-our-ethics-code-for-employees-suppliers-and-partners.pdf
Exhibit C:TTEC Executive and Senior Financial Officers Ethics Code
https://www.ttec.com/sites/default/files/senior-executives-and-financial-officers-code-of-ethics.pdf
Exhibit D:Executive Stock Holding Ownership Guidelines
Incorporated in this document below
Exhibit E:Welcome Aboard Restricted Stock Equity Grant Agreement
Attached in a separate document
Exhibit F:2024 TTEC Engage Goals and Performance Targets
Attached in a separate document
Exhibit G:Sample Separation and Release Agreement
Incorporated in this document below
Exhibit H:TTEC Executive Incentive Recoupment (Clawback) Policy
https://investors.ttec.com/static-files/c8d8459a-049e-472a-a3ef-35654486a970
Exhibit I: | Assurances in Connection with Certain Obligations to Prior Employer(s) |
Incorporated in this document below