EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement (Agreement) is entered into as of June 3, 2014, by and between Universal Management Services, Inc. (COMPANY) and Jeff Rogers (EMPLOYEE), and the parties therefore agree as follows:
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and during the Term of this Agreement (as defined below), COMPANY hereby employs EMPLOYEE in the position of Executive Vice President from the date hereof through December 31, 2014 and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2015, with such duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with such offices and may from time-to-time be assigned to EMPLOYEE by COMPANYS Board of Directors.
EMPLOYEE hereby accepts such employment as a full time employee, and while employed, shall devote his/her full business time, skills, energy and attention to the business of COMPANY, shall perform his/her duties in a diligent, loyal, businesslike and efficient manner, all for the sole purpose of enhancing the business of COMPANY, and in a manner consistent with all COMPANY policies, resolutions and directives from time to time stated or made by the Board of Directors. Moreover, EMPLOYEE shall perform such services and duties as are consistent with EMPLOYEEs position, are necessary or appropriate for the operation and management of COMPANY, and as are normally expected of persons appointed to executive positions in the business in which COMPANY is engaged.
1. | Compensation for Services |
COMPANY shall pay to EMPLOYEE an annual base salary of $400,000.00 as their Executive Vice President from the date hereof through December 31, 2014.
You will be elevated to the position of Chief Executive Office effective January 1, 2015.
Base Salary shall be payable in equal installments pursuant to COMPANYs payroll system in effect from time to time, less all applicable taxes required to be withheld by COMPANY pursuant to federal, state or local law.
Annually reviewable for changes in base compensation and bonus. Your first years bonus will be guaranteed at $100,000; paid out according to the Executive Bonus Plan after your first year of service.
2. | Benefits |
EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to fringe benefits provided by COMPANY for its employees in the normal course of business.
3. | Business Expenses |
COMPANY shall reimburse EMPLOYEE for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by his/her in the performance of his/her duties hereunder with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to COMPANYs business expense policies in effect from time to time, including its procedures with respect to the manner of incurring, reporting and documenting such expenses.
4. | Proprietary Information |
a. EMPLOYEE shall forever hold in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any person, firm, corporation or other entity any of COMPANYs Proprietary Information (as defined below) or any of COMPANYs Records (as defined below) except as such disclosure may be required in connection with EMPLOYEEs work for COMPANY and as expressly authorized by COMPANYs Board of Directors in writing.
b. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term Proprietary Information shall mean intercompany publications, unpublished works, plans, policies, computer and information systems, software and other information and knowledge relating or pertaining to the products, services, sales or other business of COMPANY or its successor, affiliates and customers in any way which is of a confidential or proprietary nature, the prices it obtains or has obtained from the sale of its services, its manner of operation, its plans, processes or other data, contracts, information about contracts, contract forms, business applications, costs, profits, tax information, marketing information, advertising methods, customers, potential customers, brokers, potential brokers, employees, matters of a technical nature (including inventions, computer programs, concepts, developments, contributions, devices, discoveries, software and documentations, secret processes or machines, including any improvements thereto and know-how related thereto, and research projects, etc.), and other information not generally available to the public, without regard to whether all of the foregoing matters will be deemed confidential, material or important. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the parties hereto stipulate that any and all knowledge, data and information gathered by EMPLOYEE through this Agreement, his/her employment with COMPANY and the operation of the business of COMPANY is deemed important, material or confidential, and gravely affects the effective and successful conduct of the business of COMPANY and COMPANY s good will; could not without great expense and difficulty be obtained or duplicated by others who have not been able to acquire such information by virtue of employment with COMPANY; and that any breach of the terms of this Paragraph 4 shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement.
c. EMPLOYEE agrees that all creative work, including without limitation, designs, drawings, specifications, techniques, models, processes and software prepared or originated by EMPLOYEE during or within the scope of employment whether or not subject to protection under the federal copyright or other law constitutes work made for hire all rights to which are owned by COMPANY. Moreover, EMPLOYEE hereby assigns to COMPANY all right, title and interest whether by way of copyright, trade secret, patent or otherwise, and all such work whether or not subject to protection by copyright or other law.
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d. Upon termination of employment with COMPANY or at any other time requested by COMPANY, EMPLOYEE shall immediately return to COMPANY and not retain any copies of, any records, data, lists, plans, policies, publications, computer and information systems, files, diagrams and documentation, data, papers, drawings, memos, customer records, reports, correspondence, note books, service listing and any other business record of any kind or nature (including without limitation records in machine-readable or computer-readable forms) relating to Proprietary Information (Records).
5. | Covenant Not To Compete |
a. As a material part of the consideration for this Agreement, EMPLOYEE agrees to the following covenants not to compete with COMPANY, and with all of its affiliated companies listed in Exhibit A to this Agreement (Affiliated Companies) during his/her employment and for a six (6) month period following the termination of EMPLOYEEs employment with COMPANY for any reason; Employee agrees that he/she will not, either solely or jointly with, or as manager or agent for, any person, corporation, trust, joint venture, partnership, or other business entity, directly or indirectly, approach or solicit for business, accept business from, divert business from, or otherwise interfere with any COMPANY or Affiliated Companies relationship with, any person or entity (or legal successor to such person or entity) that Employee had any direct contact with while employed by the COMPANY and that: (a) has been a customer of COMPANY or Affiliated Companies at anytime within the six (6) month period prior to EMPLOYEEs termination; or (b) to whom COMPANY or Affiliated Companies had made a proposal within the six (6) month period prior to EMPLOYEEs termination. In the event EMPLOYEE is terminated pursuant to Section 8 subsection (d) the Covenant Not to Compete will be for a period of six (6) months unless COMPANY elects the option to extend the Covenant Not To Compete up to one (1) year provided the separation agreement in Section 8 subsection (d) provides for compensation up to one (1) year. Anything contrary notwithstanding, this Paragraph 5 shall survive after the termination or the earlier cancellation of this Agreement.
b. Both parties agree that the restrictions in this section are fair and reasonable in all respects including the length of time that they shall remain in effect and that COMPANYs employment of EMPLOYEE upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement is fully sufficient consideration for EMPLOYEEs obligations under this section.
c. If any provisions of this section are ever held by a Court to be unreasonable, the parties agree that this section shall be enforced to the extent it is deemed to be reasonable.
6. | No Interference With Employment Relationships |
EMPLOYEE agrees that, during his/her employment, and for a period of twenty-four (24) months after his/her employment has terminated, for any reason, EMPLOYEE will not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment, hire, or offer employment to, or otherwise aid or assist any person or entity other than COMPANY, in soliciting for employment, hiring, or offering employment to: (a) any employee of COMPANY, Affiliated Companies, or any independent contractor engaged by COMPANY or Affiliated Companies; or (b) any former
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employee or independent contractor of COMPANY or Affiliated Companies who was employed, or engaged, by COMPANY or Affiliated Companies within six (6) months before or after the cessation of EMPLOYEEs employment. In the event EMPLOYEE hires an employee of COMPANY, COMPANY shall be compensated at a fee equal to 30% of the EMPLOYEEs first years gross compensation. This paragraph 6 also applies to employees of companies on Exhibit A.
7. | Equitable Relief And Remedies At Law |
EMPLOYEE acknowledges that COMPANY would suffer unique and irreparable injury in the event of a breach of the covenants contained in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement, which breach could not be adequately compensated by the payment of damages alone. Accordingly in the event of any such breach by EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYEE agrees that this Agreement may be enforced by a decree of specific performance or an injunction without the necessity of posting a bond in addition to any remedies available at law, including damages arising out of or relating to a breach of those covenants, and that any remedy which COMPANY might have at law would be inadequate by itself.
8. | Termination of Agreement |
a. Without limitation of any other remedy available to COMPANY, whether in law or in equity, EMPLOYEEs employment relationship shall terminate immediately without any further liability of COMPANY to EMPLOYEE, upon written notice from COMPANY to EMPLOYEE, for Just Cause. For purpose of this Agreement, Just Cause means: conviction of a crime, moral turpitude, gross negligence in the performance of duties, intentional failure to perform duties, failure to perform duties as designated in this agreement, insubordination or dishonesty. In the event of EMPLOYEEs termination pursuant to this Section 8(a), COMPANY shall have no obligation to pay Base Salary and benefits after date the employment relationship is terminated.
b. EMPLOYEEs employment relationship shall terminate immediately upon death of EMPLOYEE.
c. EMPLOYEE agrees to submit to a medical examination at any time at COMPANYs request and expense. The medical examination will be related to EMPLOYEEs job and consistent with a business necessity of COMPANY. This Agreement may be terminated by COMPANY immediately upon written notice to EMPLOYEE if the examination reveals that EMPLOYEE is unable to perform the essential functions of this Agreement even with a reasonable accommodation. The Agreement may also be terminated if, for a period of three (3) consecutive months, EMPLOYEE is unable to perform the essential functions of the Agreement even with a reasonable accommodation. Upon such termination due to medical disability, EMPLOYEEs compensation shall be continued for three (3) months from the date of disability. In addition, EMPLOYEE will receive any residual bonus earned but not paid. Residual bonus to be paid in normal course of business
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d. Upon the determination by COMPANYs Board of Directors that the best interests of COMPANY would be served, COMPANY shall have the further right to terminate EMPLOYEEs employment relationship immediately or at any time, at its option upon written notice to EMPLOYEE, without Just Cause. If EMPLOYEE is terminated pursuant to this Section 8(d), EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to receive only Base Salary and benefits (COMPANY will make six (6) Cobra Payments) for a period of six (6) months following such termination, provided that EMPLOYEE signs the provided Separation Agreement (similar to the attached separation agreement). If COMPANYs Board of Directors elect to extend the Covenant Not To Compete up to one (1) year they agree to extend Base Salary and benefits (COMPANY will make twelve (12) Cobra Payments) up to one (1) year. These payments shall not constitute employment for purpose of Section 5.
e. Any compensation payable to EMPLOYEE pursuant to this Section 8 following termination pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section 8 shall be reduced by the amount of any compensation earned by EMPLOYEE in any employment or consulting he/she may undertake during said period that constitutes a violation of Section 7 respecting non-competition.
f. Upon three months prior written notice to COMPANY at any time, EMPLOYEE shall have the right to terminate his/her employment relationship with COMPANY at his/her option. Upon receipt of such notice, COMPANY shall have the option to terminate EMPLOYEEs employment relationship immediately upon written notice to EMPLOYEE. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 8(f), EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to receive Base Salary and benefits (COMPANY will make three (3) Cobra payments) only through the three (3) month period following EMPLOYEEs notice of termination. The time period on the covenant not to compete shall commence at the end of the three (3) month period, and EMPLOYEE shall also be bound by the covenant not to compete during the three (3) month period he/she is receiving Base Salary and benefits. EMPLOYEE shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by COMPANY for the failure to give three (3) months notice.
g. Upon termination of this Agreement by COMPANY, EMPLOYEE shall, without a claim for compensation, provide COMPANY with written resignations from any and all offices held by his/her in or at the request of COMPANY, and in the event of his/her failure to do so, COMPANY is hereby irrevocably authorized to be, or designated as EMPLOYEEs attorney in fact, to act in his/her name and in his/her behalf to execute such resignations.
9. | No Restriction on Performance of Services Contemplated by Agreement |
EMPLOYEE represents and warrants to COMPANY that: (i) he/she is under no contractual or other restriction which would give a third party a legal right to assert that he/she would not be legally permitted to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) by entering into this Agreement he/she has not breached, and by performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, he/she would not breach, any Agreement or duty relating to proprietary information of another person or entity.
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10. | Severability |
In case any one or more of the provisions hereof shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. To the extent possible, there shall be deemed substituted such other provision as will most nearly accomplish the intent of the parties, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
11. | Entire Agreement |
This Agreement embodies all the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties in relation to the subject matter hereof, and no representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, or agreements, unless expressly set forth herein or in an instrument in writing signed by the party to be bound thereby which makes reference to this Agreement, shall be considered effective.
12. | No Rights in Third Parties |
Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended to, or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to any person, firm or other entity other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 13.
13. | Assignment |
COMPANY may assign its rights and delegate its responsibilities under this Agreement to any affiliated company or to any corporation which acquires all or substantially all of the operating assets of COMPANY by merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, combination, sale or transfer of assets or stock or otherwise. EMPLOYEE shall not be entitled to assign his/her rights or delegate his/her responsibilities under this Agreement to any person.
14. | Payment to Estate |
No person, firm or entity shall have any right to receive any payments owing to EMPLOYEE hereunder, except that EMPLOYEEs estate shall be entitled to receive a final payment of installment of Base Salary for services rendered to COMPANY through date of death, reimbursement for any business expenses previously incurred by EMPLOYEE for which he/she would have been entitled to reimbursement hereunder, and any residual bonus earned but not paid. Residual bonus to be paid in normal course of business.
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15. | Amendment |
No modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto.
16. | Survival of Covenants |
Without limitation of any other provisions of this Agreement, all representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the covenants set forth in Sections 4, 5 and 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason for the maximum period permitted by law.
17. | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the State of Michigan. The parties agree that should any litigation arise out of, in connection with, or relating to this Agreement, such litigation will be commenced in a the Circuit Court for Macomb County Michigan or in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan provided such court has subject matter jurisdiction and venue.
18. | Notices. |
Service of all notices under this Agreement must be given personally to the party involved at the address set forth below or at such other address as such party shall provide in writing from time to time.
COMPANY: | Matthew Moroun | |||||
12225 Stephens Road | ||||||
Warren, MI 48089 | ||||||
EMPLOYEE: | Jeff Rogers | Jeff Rogers | ||||
909 Walnut #507 | or | 12755 E 9 Mile Road | ||||
Kansas City, MO 64106 | Warren, MI 48089 | |||||
(existing address) | (principal executive offices) |
19. | Section Headings |
The titles to the Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of the parties only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or construction of any Section of this Agreement.
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20. | Non-Waiver. |
No covenant or condition of this Agreement may be waived except by the written consent of COMPANY Board of Directors. Forbearance or indulgence by COMPANY in any regard whatsoever shall not constitute a waiver of the covenants or conditions to be performed by EMPLOYEE to which the same may apply, and, until complete performance by EMPLOYEE of said covenant or condition, COMPANY shall be entitled to invoke any remedy available to COMPANY under this Agreement or by law or in equity, despite said forbearance or indulgence.
21. | Construction |
Although this Agreement was drafted by COMPANY, the parties agree that it accurately reflects the intent and understanding of each party and should not be construed against COMPANY if there is any dispute over the meaning or intent of any provisions.
22. | This agreement is not binding or effective until approved by the COMPANY Board of Directors. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
UNIVERSAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||||
/s/ Pete Dwyer | By: | /s/ Matthew T. Moroun | ||
[Witness] | ||||
Its: Duly authorized representative | ||||
/s/ Pete Dwyer | /s/ Jeff Rogers | |||
[Witness] | JEFF ROGERS | |||
909 WALNUT # 507 | ||||
KANSAS CITY, MO 64106 |
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EXHIBIT A
1. | Central Transport, LLC |
2. | LINC Logistics Company. |
3. | P.A.M. Transport, Inc. |
4. | Centra, Inc. |
5. | This will include all entities under common ownership to the above companies and/or their successors. |
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