Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2020, between the Company and each of Robert Andersen, Geir Skaaden, Paul Davis, Matthew Milne, and Michael Hawkey

EX-10.2 3 xper-ex102_87.htm EX-10.2 xper-ex102_87.htm

 

Exhibit 10.2

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This Change in Control Severance Agreement (“Agreement”) is made by and between Xperi Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [Executive]   (“Executive”), effective as of September 29, 2020 (such date, the “Effective Date”). For purposes of this Agreement (other than Section 1(c) below), the “Company” shall mean the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

 

 

(i)A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of the Company’s common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

(ii)The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or

 

 

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substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

(A)Which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

(B)After which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 1(c)(ii)(B) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

The Board shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, if a Change in Control would give rise to a payment or benefit event with respect to any payment or benefit hereunder that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation,” the transaction or event constituting the Change in Control must also constitute a “change in control event” (as defined in Treasury Regulation

§1.409A-3(i)(5)) in order to give rise to the payment or benefit, to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

 

 

 

(ii)a material diminution in Executive’s base compensation or target annual bonus opportunity, unless such reduction is imposed across-the-board to senior management of the Company (and Executive and the Company agree that without limiting any argument that a lesser diminution is material, any diminution of ten percent (10%) or more measured against Executive’s base compensation and target bonus opportunity as in effect on the Effective Date shall be deemed material for purposes of this clause (ii));

 

(iii)a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform his or her duties (and the Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that a change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform his or her duties by more than forty-five (45) miles shall constitute a material change for purposes of this Agreement); or

 

(iv)any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or any successor or affiliate of its obligations to Executive under this Agreement.

 

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Executive must provide written notice to the Company of the occurrence of any of the foregoing events or conditions without Executive’s written consent within ninety (90) days of Executive learning of the occurrence of such event. The Company or any successor or affiliate shall have a period of thirty (30) days to cure such event or condition after receipt of written notice of such event from Executive. Any voluntary Separation from Service for “Good Reason” following such thirty (30) day cure period must occur no later than the date that is six (6) months following the occurrence of one of the foregoing events or conditions without Executive’s written consent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(i)The Company shall pay to Executive his or her fully earned but unpaid base salary, when due, through the date of Executive’s Separation from Service at the rate then in effect, reimbursement of business expenses incurred prior to the date of Executive’s Separation from Service and properly submitted in accordance with Company policy, plus all other benefits, if any, under any Company group retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, equity award plan or agreement (other than any such plan or agreement pertaining to Stock  Awards  whose  treatment  is  prescribed  by  Section 3(a)(iv) below), health benefits plan or other Company group benefit plan to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans or agreements at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service (the “Accrued Obligations”);

 

(ii)Subject to Section 3(c) and Executive’s continued compliance with Section 4, Executive shall be entitled to receive severance pay in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) multiplied by the sum of (x) Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of Executive’s Separation from Service, plus (y) Executive’s target annual bonus for the calendar year in which Executive’s Separation from Service occurs;

 

(iii)Subject to Section 3(c) and Executive’s continued compliance with Section 4, for the period beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service and ending on the date which is twelve (12) full months following the date of Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date on which the applicable continuation period under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) expires) (the “COBRA Coverage Period”), the Company shall continue to provide Executive and his or her eligible dependents who were covered under the Company’s health insurance plans as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with health (including medical and dental) insurance benefits substantially similar to those provided to Executive and his or her dependents immediately prior to the date of such Separation from Service. If any of the Company’s health benefits are self-funded as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service, or if the Company cannot provide the foregoing benefits in a manner that is exempt from or otherwise compliant with applicable law or the provision of such benefits may result in the Company incurring penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code and Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), instead of providing continued health insurance benefits as set forth above, the Company shall instead pay to Executive an amount equal to the monthly premium payment for Executive and his or her eligible dependents who were covered under the Company’s health plans as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service (calculated by reference to the premium as of the date of Separation from Service) as currently taxable compensation in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Coverage Period (or the remaining portion thereof);

 

(iv)Subject to Section 3(c) and Executive’s continued compliance with Section 4, the vesting and/or exercisability of each of Executive’s outstanding Stock Awards (other than Performance Awards, which will vest as to the “target” number of shares subject to such performance Awards, except to the extent alternative acceleration is specifically provided for pursuant to the grant documents) shall be accelerated in full effective as of the later of (A) the date of Executive’s Separation from Service or (B) the date of the Change in Control (provided that payment or settlement of such Stock Awards may be delayed as provided in the grant documents to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code). Nothing in this Section 3(a)(iv) shall be construed to limit any more favorable vesting applicable to Executive’s Stock Awards in the Company’s equity plan(s) and/or the stock award agreements under which the Stock Awards were granted. The foregoing provisions are hereby deemed to be a part of each Stock Award and to supersede any less favorable provision in any agreement or plan regarding such Stock Award; and

 

(v)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any severance benefits payable to Executive under this Agreement shall be reduced by any severance benefits payable by the Company or an affiliate of the Company to such individual under any other policy,

 

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plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including, without limitation, any severance agreement between such individual and any entity.

 

(b)Other Terminations. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason more than sixty (60) days prior to a Change in Control or more than eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, or at any time by the Company for Cause, by Executive without Good Reason, or as a result of Executive’s death or Permanent Disability, the Company shall not have any other or further obligations to Executive under this Agreement (including any financial obligations) except that Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations. The foregoing shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any and all other rights and remedies which may be available to the Company under the circumstances, whether at law or in equity.

 

(c)Release. As a condition to Executive’s receipt of any post-termination benefits pursuant to Section 3(a) above (other than the Accrued Obligations), Executive shall execute and not revoke a general release of all claims in favor of the Company (the “Release”) in the form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A (and any applicable revocation period applicable to such Release shall have expired) within the sixty (60) day period following the date of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)If any payment or benefit Executive would receive under this Agreement, when combined with any other payment or benefit Executive receives pursuant to the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company and its affiliates (“Payment”), would (A) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (B) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be either (1) the full amount of such Payment or (2) such lesser amount (with cash payments being reduced

 

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before stock option compensation) as would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax, results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax.

 

(ii)All determinations required to be made under this Section 3(g), including whether and to what extent the Payments shall be reduced and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by the nationally recognized certified public accounting firm used by the Company immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control or, if such firm declines to serve, such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to Executive and the Company at such time as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon Executive and the Company. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 3(g), the Accounting Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good-faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.

 

4.Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights. Executive and the Company have executed the Company’s Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference (the “Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement”). The Company shall be entitled to cease all severance payments and benefits to Executive in the event of his or his material breach of this Section 4. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement shall be deemed to restrict Executive’s right to communicate directly with, cooperate with, provide information to, or report possible violations of federal law or regulation to, any governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the U.S. Department of Justice.

 

5.Agreement to Arbitrate. Any dispute, claim or controversy based on, arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment or this Agreement shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in San Jose, California, before a single neutral arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (the “Rules”) of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (“JAMS”), and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The Rules may be found online at www.jamsadr.com. Arbitration may be compelled pursuant to the California Arbitration Act (Code of Civil Procedure §§ 1280 et seq.). If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, one shall be appointed by JAMS in accordance with its Rules. Each party shall pay the fees of its own attorneys, the expenses of its witnesses and all other expenses connected with presenting its case; provided, however, Executive and the Company agree that, to the extent permitted by law, the arbitrator may, in his or her discretion, award reasonable attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party; provided, further, that the prevailing party shall be reimbursed for such fees, costs and expenses within forty-five (45) days following any such award, but in no event later than the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the fees, costs and expenses were incurred; provided, further, that the parties’ obligations pursuant to this sentence shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that Executive shall retain the right to file administrative charges with or seek relief through any government agency of competent jurisdiction, and to participate in any government investigation, including but not limited to (a) claims for workers’ compensation, state disability insurance or unemployment insurance; (b) claims for unpaid wages or waiting time penalties brought before the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement; provided, however, that any appeal from an award or from denial of an award of wages and/or waiting time penalties shall be arbitrated pursuant to the terms of

 

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this Agreement; and (c) claims for administrative relief from the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (or any similar agency in any applicable jurisdiction other than California); provided, further, that Executive shall not be entitled to obtain any monetary relief through such agencies other than workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits. Other costs of the arbitration, including the cost of any record or transcripts of the arbitration, JAMS’ administrative fees, the fee of the arbitrator, and all other fees and costs, shall be borne by the Company. This Section 5 is intended to be the exclusive method for resolving any and all claims by the parties against each other for payment of damages under this Agreement or relating to Executive’s employment; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor the submission to arbitration shall limit the parties’ right to seek provisional relief, including without limitation injunctive relief, in any court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 1281.8 or any similar statute of an applicable jurisdiction. Seeking any such relief shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such party’s right to compel arbitration. Both Executive and the Company expressly waive their right to a jury trial.

 

6.At-Will Employment Relationship. Executive’s employment with the Company is at-will and not for any specified period and may be terminated at any time, with or without Cause or advance notice, by either Executive or the Company. Any change to the at-will employment relationship must be by specific, written agreement signed by Executive and an authorized representative of the Company. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or should be construed to contradict, modify or alter this at-will relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

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to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Each series of installment payments made under this Agreement is hereby designated as a series of “separate payments” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)If the Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), as determined by the Company in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, on the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, to the extent that the payments or benefits under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A of the Code and the delayed payment or distribution of all or any portion of such amounts to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such portion deferred pursuant to this Section 7.8(b) shall be paid or distributed to Executive in a lump sum on the earlier of (i) the date that is six (6)-

 

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months following Executive’s Separation from Service, (ii) the date of Executive’s death or (iii) the earliest date as is permitted under Section 409A of the Code. Any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in-kind benefits and reimbursements provided under this Agreement during any tax year of Executive shall not affect in-kind benefits or reimbursements to be provided in any other tax year of Executive and are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, reimbursement requests must be timely submitted by Executive and, if timely submitted, reimbursement payments shall be made to Executive as soon as administratively practicable following such submission, but in no event later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. In no event shall Executive be entitled to any reimbursement payments after the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. This section shall only apply to in-kind benefits and reimbursements that would result in taxable compensation income to Executive.

 

 

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW.

 

XPERI HOLDING CORPORATION

 

Dated: By:

Name:

Title:

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

Dated:

 

Print Name:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT  A
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

[The language in this Release may change based on legal developments and evolving best practices; provided, however, that no new post-termination covenants shall be imposed on Executive; this form is provided as an example of what will be included in the final Release document.]

 

This General Release of Claims (“Release”) is entered into as of this day of , ,

between(“Executive”), and Xperi  Holding Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)

(collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company are parties to that certain Change in Control Severance

Agreement dated as of, (the “Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Parties agree that Executive is entitled to certain severance benefits under the Agreement, subject to Executive’s execution of this Release; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive now wish to fully and finally to resolve all matters between them.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of, and subject to, the severance benefits payable to Executive pursuant to the Agreement, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by Executive, and which Executive acknowledges that he or she would not otherwise be entitled to receive, Executive and the Company hereby agree as follows:

 

 

 

 

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Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance,  41  C.F.R.  Section  60,  et  seq.;  the  Family  and  Medical   Leave   Act,  as   amended,   29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Government Code Section 12940, et seq.

 

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Executive does not release the following claims:

 

(i)Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law;

 

(ii)Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms of any worker’s compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company;

 

 

(iv)Claims for indemnity under the bylaws of the Company, as provided for by California law or under any applicable insurance policy or indemnification agreement with respect to Executive’s liability as an employee, director or officer of the Company;

 

(v)Claims based on any right Executive may have to enforce the Company’s executory obligations under the Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Claims to enforce the Company’s obligations to pay or provide payments and benefits that are contingent on the effectiveness of this Release); and

 

 

 

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

 

BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, EXECUTIVE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS HE OR SHE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.

 

 

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(7) day period.

 

 

 

2.No Assignment. Executive represents and warrants to the Company Releasees that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim that Executive may have against the Company Releasees. Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company Releasees from any liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred as a result of any such assignment or transfer from Executive.

 

3.Severability. In the event any provision of this Release is found to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law. If a deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such arbitrator or court, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

4.Interpretation; Construction. The headings set forth in this Release are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Release has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms. Furthermore, Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity to review and revise the Release and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Release. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Release shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Release.

 

5.Governing Law and Venue. This Release will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America and the State of California applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such State, and without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. Any suit brought hereon shall be brought in the state or federal courts sitting in Santa Clara County, California, the Parties hereby waiving any claim or defense that such forum is not convenient or proper.

 

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Each party hereby agrees that any such court shall have in personam jurisdiction over it and consents to service of process in any manner authorized by California law.

 

6.Entire Agreement. This Release and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Parties in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and supersede all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions, negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral. This Release may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Executive and an authorized representative of the Company. No oral waiver, amendment or modification will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.

 

7.Counterparts. This Release may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties have executed the foregoing Release as of the date first written above.

 

 

EXECUTIVEXPERI HOLDING CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

Print Name: Print Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

 

[Attached]