Employment Agreement between Michelle Swanback and TTEC Services Corporation effective May 2, 2022
EXHIBIT 10.84
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is by and between TTEC Services Corporation, a Colorado company (“TTEC” or the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of TTEC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TTEC Parent”), and Michelle “Shelly” Swanback ("Executive" or “Swanback”), each a “Party” and together the “Parties.” The Executive Employment Agreement is executed to be effective as of May 2, 2022 (“Effective Date”).
1.Appointment.
TTEC Parent is aware that Ms. Swanback is currently serving as a member of the board of directors of Willis Towers Watson Plc and has no objection to the appointment at this time, provided Ms. Swanback’s activities on this board do not conflict nor interfere with her responsibilities to TTEC Parent and the Company.
2.Compensation.
1
EXHIBIT 10.84
In addition, the Compensation Committee of the Board may, but shall not be obligated to, adjust the Executive’s VIP award upward based on TTEC Parent and TTEC Engage segments’ performance against annual metrics set by the Board and deemed to be that year’s business imperatives, such as but not limited to annual bookings and backlog, revenue, adjusted EBITDA, operating income, and cash flow.
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, the Executive shall be eligible for an annual RSU equity grant opportunity and annual PRSU equity grant opportunity of up to $500,000, each, 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 four-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 of the Board 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 of the Board 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 of the Board, by other equity instruments in accordance with incentive compensation plans adopted by TTEC Parent from time to time. All grants as part of TTEC Parent Equity program are subject to Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines included in this Agreement as Exhibit D.
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 of the Board.
2
EXHIBIT 10.84
TTEC Parent shall grant to the Executive the value creation performance based restricted stock (“VC-PRSU”) award in the amount of 75,000 VC-PRSUs. This VC-PRSU award will cliff-vest in 2026, based on TTEC Engage business segment’s performance during 2025 fiscal year. The actual number of TTEC shares that will vest in connection with this VC-PRSU award will depend on TTEC Engage business segment’s 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA and may range between zero and 150,000 shares (200% of the initial grant) in TTEC stock. Specific terms and conditions of the award and its terms of vesting are documented in a VCP-PRSU agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit E and incorporated herein by reference (“VC Equity Agreement.”)
This VC-PRSU one-time award is separate and distinct from the Executive’s annual equity compensation incentive opportunities outlined in Paragraph 2(c) of this Agreement.
4.Benefits.
a.Health and Welfare Benefits. Ms. Swanback shall be eligible to participate in TTEC health and wellness plans in a manner similar to others at her level of responsibility at TTEC Parent, including participation for the Executive and her 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 July 1, 2022.
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.
5.Change in Control.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” event shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following:
3
EXHIBIT 10.84
(i)Any consolidation, merger or other similar transaction (i) involving TTEC Parent, if TTEC Parent is not the continuing or surviving corporation, or (ii) which contemplates that all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of TTEC Parent would be controlled by another corporation or legal entities not controlled by TTEC Parent;
(ii) Any sale, lease, exchange or transfer (in one transaction or series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of TTEC Parent (a “Disposition”); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any Disposition with respect to which, following such Disposition, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the receiving entity for the Disposition are directly or indirectly (beneficially or otherwise) owned by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of at least 51% of the outstanding common stock and/or other voting securities of TTEC Parent immediately prior to such Disposition, in substantially the same proportion of total ownership as their ownership immediately prior to such Disposition;
(iii)Approval by the stockholders of TTEC Parent of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of TTEC, unless such plan or proposal is abandoned within 60 days following such approval;
(iv) The acquisition by any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”)), or two or more persons acting in concert, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of 51% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of TTEC Parent; provided, however, that for purposes of the foregoing, the term “person” shall exclude Kenneth D. Tuchman and his affiliates; provided, further that the foregoing shall exclude any such acquisition (1) made directly from TTEC Parent, (2) made by TTEC Parent (directly or through an affiliated company), or (3) made by a TTEC employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by TTEC Parent or any of its affiliates; or
6.Termination and Payments, Benefits On Termination.
a.Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate her employment with the Company with 90 days’ written notice of her intention. The parties may mutually agree to a different separation date including shorter notice period.
Ms. Swanback is not entitled to any separation related compensation , if she terminates her employment with the Company pursuant to this Paragraph 6(a).
b. Termination by the Company without Cause. Except as set forth in Paragraphs 6(c) (termination for Cause), Paragraph 6(d) (termination due to death), Paragraph 6(e) (termination due to disability), Paragraph 6(h) (Constructive Termination or Good Reason), and Paragraph 6(g) (Change in Control), the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment with 30 days’ written notice for any reason or no reason. In case of termination pursuant to this Paragraph 6(b), and provided Ms. Swanback executes a separation agreement in a form substantially similar to the agreement set forth in Exhibit G (attached hereto), releasing all legal claims except those that cannot legally be released and Ms. Swanback continues to comply with all terms of such separation agreement, and any other agreements signed by the Executive with the Company, the Executives shall be entitled to:
4
EXHIBIT 10.84
(iv) Prorated VIP Cash Bonus. Annual cash bonus provided pursuant to Paragraph 2(b) (VIP bonus) shall be paid as provided in Paragraph 2(d) in March of the year following the performance year based on the audited results of TTEC operations for the full performance year and prorated, in straight line, based on the actual number of days the Executive was with the business during the performance year.
If the Company terminates this Agreement without Cause under this Paragraph 6(b), and the Company pays Ms. Swanback the compensation earned as of the effective date of the termination, and provides to Ms. Swanback incremental compensation and continuation of benefits on the terms specified in this Paragraph 6(b), the Company’s acts in doing so shall be in complete accord and satisfaction of any claim that Ms. Swanback has or may at any time have for compensation, benefits or payments of any kind from the Company or TTEC Parent arising from or relating in whole or part to the Executive’s employment with the Company and/or this Agreement. If the separation agreement and legal release referenced above is not signed within thirty (30) days from the date that such agreement is presented to Ms. Swanback (which the Company shall present no later than fifteen (15) days after the effective date of Executive’s termination), then Ms. Swanback waives her right to receive any severance or other compensation pursuant to this Agreement, even if Ms. Swanback were to successfully litigate any claim against the Company and/or TTEC Parent.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall have the following meaning:
5
EXHIBIT 10.84
If the act or acts constituting Cause are susceptible of cure, the Company will provide Executive with written notice setting forth the acts constituting Cause and providing the Executive with the opportunity to cure, assuming that such cure may be achieved in a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) business 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.
f.Continuing Obligations. Ms. Swanback 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 her employment, including without limitation this Agreement, all of which survive termination of employment.
6
EXHIBIT 10.84
g.Termination In Connection with Change in Control Event. If a Change in Control event occurs, and at any time within fifteen (15) months of such Change in Control event’s effective date (“COC Period”) the Company, TTEC Parent, or its successor terminate Executive’s employment without Cause (as that term is defined in Paragraph 6(b)) whether such termination occurs outright or pursuant to a Constructive Termination (as defined in Paragraph 6(h)), and provided the Executive executes a separation agreement in a form substantially similar to the agreement set forth in Exhibit G (attached hereto), releasing all legal claims except for those that cannot legally be released and agreeing to continue to comply with all terms of such separation agreement, and any other agreements signed by the Executive with the Company or successor, the Executive shall be entitled to and the Company, TTEC Parent or its successor shall cause the following to occur:
(iv) Prorated VIP Cash Bonus. Annual cash bonus provided pursuant to Paragraph 2(b) (VIP bonus) shall be paid as provided in Paragraph 2(d), in March of the year following the performance year, based on the audited results of TTEC operations for the full performance year and prorated, in straight line, based on the actual number of days the Executive was with the business during the performance year.
(v)Termination Ahead of Change in Control Event. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive’s employment is terminated (actually or pursuant to a Constructive Termination as defined in Paragraph 6(h) of this Agreement) within three (3) months before a Change in Control event occurs, then for purposes of this Agreement, the effective date of Change in Control event shall be deemed to be the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
7
EXHIBIT 10.84
h. "Good Reason" or “Constructive Termination.” The Executive may terminate her employment with the Company for Good Reason with 90 days’ notice; provided the Company may elect to accept the Executive’s resignation sooner at its discretion. 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 which is 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.
In case of termination pursuant to this Paragraph 6(h), and provided that Ms. Swanback executes a separation agreement in a form substantially similar to the agreement set forth in Exhibit G (attached hereto), releasing all legal claims except for those that cannot legally be released and Ms. Swanback continues to comply with all terms of such separation agreement, and any other agreements signed by the Executive with the Company, the Executives shall be entitled to:
8
EXHIBIT 10.84
If the Executive terminates her employment with the Company under this Paragraph 6(h), and the Company pays Ms. Swanback the compensation earned as of the effective date of the termination, and provides to Ms. Swanback incremental compensation and continuation of benefits on the terms specified in this Paragraph 6(h), the Company’s acts in doing so shall be in complete accord and satisfaction of any claim that Ms. Swanback has or may at any time have for compensation, benefits or payments of any kind from the Company or TTEC Parent arising from or relating in whole or part to the Executive’s employment with the Company and/or this Agreement. If the separation agreement and legal release referenced above is not signed within thirty (30) days from the date that such agreement is presented to Ms. Swanback (which the Company shall present no later than fifteen (15) days after the effective date of Executive’s termination), then Ms. Swanback waives her right to receive any severance or other compensation pursuant to this Agreement, even if Ms. Swanback were to successfully litigate any claim against the Company and/or TTEC Parent.
7.Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.
As a senior member of the executive leadership team of TTEC Parent, the Executive is privy to TTEC Parent company wide global business and financial strategy. Therefore, in addition to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreements that the Executive signs at the time of her employment with the Company, the Executive agrees and covenants for a period of twelve (12) months post separation of her employment with the Company (whatever the reason for this separation) not to -
9
EXHIBIT 10.84
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 7 are fair and reasonable.
The Executive acknowledges and she is prepared for the possibility that her 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.
f.Consequences of Breach. If Executive breaches any of the material covenants and undertakings set forth in this Paragraph 7:
(i)The Executive and those who aid her 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;
10
EXHIBIT 10.84
(ii) TTEC Parent nor the Company 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;
(iii) All unvested equity held by the Executive shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled;
(iv) The value of any vested equity received by the Executive in connection with her employment with the Company must be paid by the Executive back to the Company since one of the primary purposes of the equity awards would not have been realized by TTEC Parent;
8.Miscellaneous.
The employment arrangement contemplated by this Agreement includes other related documents in addition to this Executive Employment Agreement, some of which are TTEC Parent and the Company’s standard documents not otherwise tailored to this transaction. To the extent any provisions of these related agreements contradict the clear provisions and terms of this Executive Employment Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall be controlling.
Concurrently with any Change in Control event or a business combination that may impact the legal implications of this Agreement, the Company, TTEC Parent shall cause any successor or transferee to assume unconditionally, by written instrument delivered to the Executive, all of the obligations of the Company and TTEC Parent hereunder. Failure of the Company or TTEC Parent to obtain such assumption prior to the effectiveness of any Change in Control event or other business combination, shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall constitute Constructive Termination entitling the Executive to resign, within thirty (30) calendar days of consummation of such Change in Control event or business combination, and receive compensation and benefits as provided in Paragraph 6(g).
This Agreement is for personal services and Ms. Swanback’s may not and shall not assign her rights or obligations hereunder.
11
EXHIBIT 10.84
d.Governing Law and Dispute Resolution.
(i)Good Faith Negotiation Requirement. Ms. Swanback, TTEC Parent and the Company agree that in the event of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to Ms. Swanback’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. This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to conflict of law principles.
(iii)Disputes. The Parties 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 situated in Denver, Colorado. The parties consent to jurisdiction and venue of those courts to the greatest extent allowed by law. In this regard, the Executive acknowledges and admits to all or a combination of several following substantial contacts with Colorado; the Executive is employed, provides services for or otherwise is affiliated with an
12
EXHIBIT 10.84
legal entity headquartered in the state of Colorado; the Executive receives the compensation in a form of checks or wire transfers that are drawn either directly or indirectly, from bank accounts in Colorado; the Executive regularly interacts with, contacts and is contacted by other TTEC and Company employees and executives in Colorado; the Executive either routinely travels to or attends business meetings in Colorado; and the Executive receives substantial compensation and benefits as a result of TTEC Parent being a corporation headquartered in and subject to the laws of Colorado. Based on these and other contacts, the Executive acknowledges that she could reasonably be subject to the laws of Colorado.
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 the Global Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer, or Chief Executive Officer for TTEC Parent.
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.
i. Dodd-Frank Recoupment Provisions. TTEC Incentive Recoupment Policy, noted as Exhibit H, is incorporated in this Agreement by reference.
j. | Greatest Net Benefit. |
13
EXHIBIT 10.84
Ms. Swanback acknowledges and agrees that she reviewed and fully understands the terms and provisions of this Agreement; that she enters into it freely, knowingly, and mindful of the fact that it creates important legal obligations and affects her legal rights; and that she understands the need to and has had the opportunity to consult with counsel (if she so wishes) concerning this Agreement with legal counsel.
Executive [Signature on file] ____________________ Michelle “Shelly” Swanback Date: April 29, 2022 | TTEC Services Corporation [Signature on file] ________________________ Regina M. Paolillo, Global COO Date: April 29, 2022 |
14