UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
January
2, 2007
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NetScout
Systems, Inc.
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(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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0000-26251
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04-2837575
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
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310
Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts
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01886
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(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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(978)
614-4000
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(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
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Not
Applicable
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(Former
Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)
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Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[
] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
[
] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14a-12)
[
] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[
] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM
1.01. ENTRY INTO MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT; ITEM 1.02. TERMINATION OF
MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
;
ITEM
5.02.
DEPARTURE
OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, APPOINTMENT OF
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS.
On
January 3, 2007, NetScout Systems, Inc., or the Company, announced that Narendra
V. Popat, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Company,
intends to retire effective as of January 19, 2007. Upon Mr. Popat’s retirement,
he will become an advisor to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. In
connection with Mr. Popat’s retirement, the Company and Mr. Popat agreed to
terminate his employment agreement with the Company and entered into a
separation agreement, effective as of January 19, 2007. A copy of the separation
agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference
herein.
Also
on January 3, 2007, the Company announced that Anil K. Singhal, the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will assume the role of Chairman
of
the Board, effective as of January 19, 2007, and that Mr. Singal will continue
to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr.
Popat is a co-founder of the Company and has served on the Board of Directors
of
the Company since the Company was founded in June 1984. Mr. Popat has served
as
the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Secretary since January 2001. Prior to
this, Mr. Popat had served as the Company’s President, Chief Operating Officer,
and Secretary from July 1993 to December 2000.
Mr.
Singhal is a co-founder of the Company and has served on the Board of Directors
of the Company since the Company was founded in June 1984. Mr. Singhal has
served as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer since
January 2001. Prior to this, Mr. Singhal had served as the Company’s Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Treasurer from July 1993 to December
2000.
The
Company entered into a new, three-year employment agreement with Mr. Singhal,
dated January 3, 2007, which will become effective on January 19, 2007. In
connection with the execution of Mr. Singhal’s new employment agreement, the
Company and Mr. Singhal agreed to terminate his previous employment agreement,
dated as of June 1, 1994, as amended, with the Company effective as of January
19, 2007. A copy of the employment agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 and
is
incorporated by reference herein.
On
January 3, 2007, the Company issued a press release regarding the retirement
of
Mr. Popat and Mr. Singhal’s new employment agreement. The Company’s press
release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein
by
reference.
ITEM
9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(d)
Exhibits.
The
Company hereby files the following exhibits:
10.1
Separation
Agreement, dated January 3, 2007, by and between the Company and Narendra
V.
Popat.
10.2
Agreement
Relating to Employment, dated January 3, 2007, by and between the Company
and
Anil
K. Singhal.
99.1
Press
release, dated January 3, 2007.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
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NETSCOUT
SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
__/s/
David P. Sommers______________
David
P. Sommers
Chief
Financial Officer and
Senior
Vice President, General Operations
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Date:
January 5, 2007
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number
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Description
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10.1
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Separation
Agreement, dated January 3, 2007, by and between the Company and
Narendra
V. Popat.
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10.2
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Agreement
Relating to Employment, dated January 3, 2007, by and between the
Company
and Anil K. Singhal.
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99.2
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Press
release, dated January 3, 2007.
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Exhibit
10.1
SEPARATION
AGREEMENT
Mr.
Narendra Popat
[Intentionally
omitted]
Dear
Narendra:
In
consideration for your long-term contributions to NetScout Systems, Inc.
(“NetScout”) and in connection with the termination of your employment
contemplated herein, this letter agreement outlines and confirms the terms
and
conditions of severance and other benefits being offered to you as a result
of
your separation from employment with NetScout.
1.
Termination
.
Your employment with NetScout will terminate as of 5:00 p.m. on January 19,
2007
(the “Separation Date”).
2.
Advisor
to CEO
.
Until the third anniversary of the date hereof, you will act as advisor to
the
current CEO of NetScout, Anil Singhal, at reasonable times by telephone or
in
person by mutual agreement, to respond to inquiries regarding matters in which
you were involved during your employment with NetScout. Your role as an advisor
shall immediately terminate if NetScout is sold, whether by merger, sale of
assets or otherwise, or if Anil Singhal ceases to serve as the CEO of
NetScout.
3.
Severance
Payments and Benefits
.
Until the day that you turn 65 years of age, provided that you (a) sign this
Agreement and (b) comply with the provisions of this Agreement (subject to
Section 12(a) below), NetScout will provide you with the following payments
and
benefits:
a)
Severance
.
NetScout will pay you severance of $16,208 per month, minus any withholdings
as
required by law. Such payments will be paid concurrently with NetScout’s
ordinary payroll, but no less than monthly. This severance will be paid to
you
no later than the 15
th
day of each calendar month beginning on the month following your Separation
Date. In order to provide for a cost of living increase with respect to certain
benefits to be borne by you that the monthly payments under this Section 3(a)
are intended to cover, $4,443 of such monthly
Mr.
Narendra Popat
January
3, 2007
Page
2
payments
will be adjusted
on
January 1, 2008 and, with respect to such adjusted amount, on January 1 of
each
following calendar year in which NetScout is required to make such payments
by
the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), U.S. City Average,
all items,
published
by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the immediately
preceding calendar year
.
The foregoing notwithstanding, any adjustment due to the percentage change
in
the CPI-U shall not decrease any payments to be made pursuant to this
Section.
b)
Benefits
.
NetScout will either (a) continue your coverage under NetScout’s group health,
dental and vision plans at no expense to you or (b) will pay for you to obtain
similar and comparable benefits.
c)
Executive
Assistant and Office Space
.
During the period in which you are providing advisory services under this
Agreement, NetScout will provide you with office space and provide you with
access to an executive assistant.
d)
Section
409A Prohibited Payments
.
In order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as
amended (the “Code”)
,
f
or
the period from June 15, 2007 through June 30, 2007, NetScout will not make
any
payments to you that are taxable under the Code, and NetScout will make any
such
payments you were otherwise entitled to during such period under this Agreement
on July 1, 2007.
4.
Other
Payments
.
a)
FY
2007 Bonus
.
With respect to the period that you were employed by NetScout during its fiscal
year 2007, you will be eligible to receive a fiscal year 2007 year-end bonus
based on Company performance and other objectives as determined and awarded
by
the Board of Directors, which bonus shall be paid at the same time or times
as
other executive level officers of NetScout, other than from June 15, 2007
through June 30, 2007, but in no event later than December 31,
2007.
b)
Vacation
.
NetScout will pay you the balance of your vacation days accrued but not yet
taken as of the Separation Date, minus tax withholdings as required by
law.
5.
Death
Before Age 65
.
In the event that you die before the age of 65, until the date that you would
have turned 65:
a)
NetScout
will pay the balance of the severance payments payable under Section 3(a) of
this Agreement to your wife (or in the event of your wife’s death, your estate)
in a lump sum on a net present value basis in a matter mutually agreed by
NetScout and Mr. Popat’s survivors. NetScout will make such lump sum payment (i)
if you die before November 1 of the year of your death, not later than December
31 of such year, provided that NetScout will make such payment within thirty
(30) days after written notice of your death, or the death of your wife, if
such
notice is given prior to November 1 of such year or (ii) if you die on or after
Mr.
Narendra Popat
January
3, 2007
Page
3
November 1 of the year of your death,
on the earliest date reasonably practicable in the following January.
b)
NetScout
will continue to provide your wife and children with group health, dental and
vision benefits at no expense to them, to the extent they are eligible for
coverage under such group plans, or will pay for them to obtain similar and
comparable benefits for as long as they would have been eligible for coverage
if
you had continued to work as an employee of NetScout until you turned 65.
6.
Confidential
Information; Return of Company Property
.
You agree to treat as strictly confidential all proprietary and other
confidential information of NetScout, and to not at any time, without NetScout’s
prior written consent, reveal or disclose to any person outside of NetScout,
or
use for your own benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity,
any
confidential information concerning NetScout’s business, clients, or employees.
Confidential information includes, without limitation, financial information,
reports, forecasts, intellectual property, trade secrets, know-how, software,
market or sales information and plans, client lists, business plans, prospects
and opportunities. All documents, records, materials, computers, software,
equipment, office entry keys, credit cards and other physical property, and
all
copies of the same that have come into your possession or been produced by
you
in connection with your employment, have been and remain the sole property
of
NetScout. You agree that you will return all such property to NetScout, or
certify its destruction, no later than the third anniversary of the date
hereof.
7.
General
Release of Claims
.
In consideration of the promises made in this Agreement, you on behalf of
yourself and your heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby release
and forever discharge NetScout and its parents and affiliates, and each of
their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns (the
“Released Parties”), from any and all suits, claims, demands, debts, sums of
money, damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, expenses, actions, causes of action,
judgments, accounts, promises, contracts, agreements, and any and all claims
of
law or in equity, whether now known or unknown, which you now have or ever
have
had against the Released Parties, or any of them, including, but not limited
to,
any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With
Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Mass. G.L.
c.
148 and 151B, and any other federal, state or local statute, regulation,
ordinance or common law creating employment-related causes of action, and all
claims related to or arising out of your employment or your separation from
employment with NetScout. Nothing in this General Release shall prevent you
from
seeking to enforce your rights under this Agreement and your rights under the
Indemnification Agreement between you and NetScout dated as of September 13,
2006.
8.
Second
General Release of Claims
.
You agree that, on your Separation Date, you will sign and deliver to NetScout
a
second General Release of Claims containing substantially the same provisions
of
Section 7 with such changes as may be necessary or deemed desirable by
Mr.
Narendra Popat
January
3, 2007
Page
4
NetScout because of changes in
applicable law, releasing NetScout and its parents and affiliates, and each
of
their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns
from any and all claims that may have arisen between the date you sign this
Agreement and the third anniversary of the date hereof. Your eligibility to
continue to receive the severance and benefits described in Section 3 is
conditional upon your signing and delivering to NetScout this second General
Release of Claims as provided in this Section 8. Nothing in this Second General
Release shall prevent you from seeking to enforce your rights under this
Agreement and your rights under the Indemnification Agreement between you and
NetScout dated as of September 13, 2006.
9.
Affirmation
of Continuing Obligations
.
You hereby acknowledge and reaffirm your continuing obligations under the
Non-Competition Agreement dated January 15, 1999 between you and
NetScout.
10.
Confidentiality
of Agreement
.
Unless your public disclosure of this Agreement is required, you agree to keep
strictly confidential, not to make public and not to disclose to anyone in
any
manner the terms of this Agreement except to your immediate family or other
heirs entitled to a benefit hereunder, state and federal tax authorities, your
attorneys, tax preparers, accountants or other professional advisers, and as
may
be necessary to enforce this Agreement or upon court order.
11.
CONSULTATION
WITH COUNSEL; TIME FOR SIGNING; REVOCATION
.
YOU
HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR OWN CHOICE PRIOR TO SIGNING
THIS AGREEMENT. YOU HAVE UNTIL TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS FROM YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS
AGREEMENT TO DECIDE WHETHER TO SIGN IT. YOU WILL HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER
SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT TO REVOKE YOUR SIGNATURE. IF YOU INTEND TO REVOKE YOUR
SIGNATURE, YOU MUST DO SO IN WRITING ADDRESSED AND DELIVERED TO ME PRIOR TO
THE
END OF THE 7-DAY REVOCATION PERIOD.
THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE EFFECTIVE, AND NEITHER NETSCOUT NOR YOU SHALL HAVE ANY
RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE 7-DAY REVOCATION
PERIOD.
12.
General
Provisions
.
a)
Right
to Cure
.
NetScout will provide you with written notice in the event that it determines
you have failed to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, and you shall
have 30 business days to cure any such noncompliance after delivery of such
written notice to you.
b)
Severability
.
You agree that if any of the provisions of this Agreement are declared or
determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining
parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected.
Mr.
Narendra Popat
January
3, 2007
Page
5
c)
Enforcement;
Applicable Law; Jurisdiction
.
This Agreement is intended to operate as a contract under seal and shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. You hereby agree that any dispute concerning or arising out
of
this Agreement shall be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction within
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and you hereby consent to jurisdiction in
such courts.
d)
Entire
Agreement; No Representations
.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and NetScout
concerning the terms and conditions of your separation from employment with
NetScout and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements,
understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, between
you and NetScout, except as provided in Section 9 and except as provided under
the Indemnification Agreement between you and NetScout dated as of September
13,
2006. You agree that NetScout has not made any statements or promises to you
regarding the meaning or implication of any provision of this Agreement other
than as stated herein.
e)
Modification
and Waiver
.
This Agreement may be amended or modified only in a writing signed by you and
an
authorized representative of NetScout. The failure of you or NetScout at any
time to require the performance of any provision of this Agreement shall in
no
manner affect either party’s right at a later time to enforce the same
provision.
f)
Section
409A
.
It is the intention of the parties that no payment or entitlement pursuant
to
this Agreement will give rise to any adverse tax consequences to any person
pursuant to
Section
409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted, applied and to the minimum extent
necessary, amended, so that this Agreement does not fail to meet, and is
operated in accordance with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
It is
the intent of the parties that any such amendment will give you substantially
the same economic value as contained in this Agreement. A
ny
reference in this Agreement to Section 409A of the Code shall also include
any
proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated
with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the
Internal Revenue Service.
g)
Successors
and Assigns
.
All of the terms and conditions hereof shall be for and inure to the benefit
of
and shall bind the successors and assigns of NetScout. NetScout shall cause
any
successor to NetScout’s business (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of
assets or otherwise) to agree to be bound by NetScout’s obligations under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 12(g)
.
Mr.
Narendra Popat
January
3, 2007
Page
6
Please
indicate your understanding and acceptance of this Agreement by signing and
returning one copy to me. The other copy is for your records.
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Very
truly yours,
/s/
Anil Singhal
Anil
Singhal
CEO
NetScout
Systems, Inc.
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Accepted
and Agreed:
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|
|
|
/s/
Narendra
Popat
Narendra
Popat
|
Dated:
January 3, 2007
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Exhibit
10.2
Agreement
dated January 3, 2007 by and between NetScout Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “
Company
”),
and Anil Singhal, a founder of the Company (“
Mr.
Singhal
”).
INTRODUCTION
AND BACKGROUND
WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to continue the services of Mr. Singhal for the periods
stated herein, and Mr. Singhal wishes to provide his services for such period,
all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1.
TITLE
AND DUTIES.
The
Company agrees to employ Mr. Singhal to serve the Company in the capacity of
Chief Executive Officer and such other titles and duties as are assigned to
and
accepted by Mr. Singhal by the Board of Directors. In accordance with such
position Mr. Singhal will have appropriate responsibilities, duties and
authority for the management of the Company, sufficient for the accomplishment
of the goals set for him by the Board of Directors to whom he shall be
responsible. Mr. Singhal shall use his best efforts in directing the business
of
the Company with the objective of providing maximum profit and return on
invested capital, establishing current and long-range objectives, plans and
policies subject to the approval of the Board, and representing the Company
with
its major customers, the financial community and the public.
The
term of this Agreement will be for three (3) years (the “
Initial
Term
”)
commencing on January 19, 2007, (the “
Effective
Date
”),
and u
pon
the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew
for
successive one (1) year periods (each, a “
Renewal
Term
”),
unless written notice of non-renewal (a “
Non-Renewal
Notice
”)
is given by either party at least six months prior to the expiration of the
Initial Term or any Renewal Term. The Initial Term and any Renewal Term shall
be
subject to termination as provided below.
2.
BASE
SALARY AND BONUS.
During
the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. Singhal a base salary
at
an annual rate of $300,000, which base salary may be increased as determined
by
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors subject to the approval
of
the Board of Directors from time to time. The base salary shall be payable
in
installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as such
practices may be modified from time to time, but not less than once a month.
During the term of this Agreement, Mr. Singhal also will be eligible to receive
a year-end bonus in addition to his base salary. The range and performance
criteria for Mr. Singhal’s bonuses, as well as the annual award, will be
determined by the Compensation Committee, subject to the approval of the Board
of Directors, in consultation with Mr. Singhal. Any payments to Mr. Singhal
under this Agreement will be made subject to withholdings required by law or
authorized by Mr. Singhal.
3.
BENEFITS.
Each
year during the term of this Agreement,
Mr.
Singhal will be eligible for and receive all Company benefits, including but
not
limited to, disability insurance coverage of no less than 100% of base salary
(if such coverage provides less than 100%, NetScout will pay the difference
unless and until Mr. Singhal’s employment terminates because Mr. Singhal is
Disabled as provided in Section 5), eight (8) weeks of paid vacation, group
life
insurance not to exceed $1,000,000 per year (unless increased by the Company),
and the Company’s medical, dental and vision care plans providing for family
coverage as from time to time in effect, as well as any other benefits generally
made available to senior executives of the Company. Additionally, during the
term of this Agreement, the Company will provide Mr. Singhal with or will
reimburse Mr. Singhal for actual costs related to the provision of services
to
him by professional tax and estate planning advisors, provided that such costs
incurred will be reimbursed by the Company as soon as practicable, subject
to
the provisions of Section 9 below.
4.
DEATH
OF MR. SINGHAL.
If
Mr. Singhal’s employment terminates by reason of death, in addition to the
foregoing Company provided life insurance, the Company will make the payments
and provide for the benefits pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of
Schedule
A
hereto.
5.
DISABILITY.
If
Mr. Singhal’s employment terminates because Mr. Singhal is Disabled, then the
Company (i) will assist Mr. Singhal in obtaining any payments due under the
Company’s short term and long term disability policies then in effect to which
he is entitled and (ii) shall make the payments and benefits as set forth on
Schedule
A
.
Payments from the Company under this Section 5 shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 9 below. As used herein the terms “Disabled” and
“Disability” shall have the meanings set forth in the disability income
insurance policy provided for Mr. Singhal by the Company.
6.
TERMINATION
WITHOUT DUE CAUSE.
In
the event that Mr. Singhal is terminated by the Company at any time for any
reason other than Due Cause, Mr. Singhal terminates his employment with the
Company at any time for any reason or the Company or Mr. Singhal elects not
to
renew this Agreement for any reason, the Company’s sole liability to Mr. Singhal
will be to pay the amounts set forth in
Schedule
A
hereto.
7.
TERMINATION
FOR DUE CAUSE.
In
the event that Mr. Singhal is terminated for Due Cause he will not be entitled
to any severance payment, and the Company will have all of the rights and
remedies available to it at law and in equity. In such a case, subject to the
Company’s rights and remedies, including, without limitation, those of set-off,
Mr. Singhal will be paid accrued base salary and vacation through the date
of
such termination and, for the period that he was employed by the Company during
the fiscal year of termination, a bonus to the extent that such bonus has
already been earned by Mr. Singhal due to the achievement of specific metrics
and is determinable as of the date of termination. Payments under this Section
7
shall become payable as of the date of Mr. Singhal’s termination for Due Cause,
subject to the provisions of Section 9 below.
“Due
Cause” shall mean any of the following:
(i)
criminal conviction for willful fraud, embezzlement or theft against the Company
or any of its affiliates; (ii) Mr. Singhal is
convicted of, or pleads guilty or no contest to, a felony;
(iii) willful, material nonperformance by Mr. Singhal (other than by reason
of
illness) of his material duties hereunder and failure to remedy such
nonperformance within 30 days following written notice from the Board of
Directors identifying the nonperformance and the actions required to cure it;
or
(iv) Mr. Singhal
commits
an act of gross negligence, engages in
willful,
material misconduct
or otherwise acts with willful disregard for the Company’s best
interests,
and he fails to remedy such conduct within 30 days following written notice
from
the Board of Directors identifying the gross negligence, willful misconduct
or
willful disregard and the actions required to cure it (if such conduct can
be
cured).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Mr. Singhal shall not be deemed to have been terminated for
Due
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him (a) a copy of
a
resolution duly adopted by the unanimous affirmative vote of all of the members
of the Board of Directors (exclusive of Mr. Singhal) at a meeting of the Board
called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to Mr. Singhal and
an
opportunity for Mr. Singhal, together with his counsel, to be heard before
the
Board) finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board Mr. Singhal was
guilty of conduct set forth above and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail; and, if applicable (b) clear and conclusive evidence that Mr. Singhal
engaged in
willful
fraud, embezzlement or theft against the Company or any of its affiliates or
committed an act of gross negligence, engaged in willful, material misconduct
or
otherwise acted with willful disregard for the Company’s best
interests
.
8.
COMPANY
CAR.
Consistent
with prior practice, during the term of this Agreement, the Company will provide
Mr. Singhal with or will reimburse Mr. Singhal for the cost of leasing a company
car of make and model comparable to that provided to senior executives of
companies in the computer hardware or software industries, and the Company
will
reimburse Mr. Singhal for all operating expenses, maintenance and fees,
including automobile insurance.
9.
SECTION
409A COMPLIANCE.
It
is the intention of the parties that no payment or entitlement pursuant to
this
Agreement will give rise to any adverse tax consequences to any person pursuant
to
Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Any
reimbursements due under any provision of this Agreement shall be paid on the
earlier of (1) the date or dates specifically set forth in this Agreement,
if
any, and (2) March 15 of the year following the year in which the expense is
paid. In the case of any payment on termination (other than in the event of
death or disability within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code or compliance
with the requirements of Proposed Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(iii) or (iv) or any
successor thereto) while Mr. Singhal is a specified employee within the meaning
of Section 409A of the Code, in no event will such payment be made earlier
than
6 months after the date Mr. Singhal’s employment with the Company terminates. In
the event that, due to Section 409A of the Code, Mr. Singhal does not receive
one or more cash payments he would otherwise be due during such six month
period, all such delayed payments
will be made
on the first day after the six month anniversary of his employment termination,
and thereafter any remaining payments shall be made in accordance with the
previously agreed-upon schedule. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement
to the contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted, applied and to the minimum
extent necessary, amended, so that this Agreement does not fail to meet, and
is
operated in accordance with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
A
ny
reference in this Agreement to Section 409A of the Code shall also include
any
proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated
with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the
Internal Revenue Service.
10.
ADVISORY
SERVICES
.
In
connection with a termination of Mr. Singhal’s employment, the Company and Mr.
Singhal will be free to negotiate, but will have no obligation to enter into,
an
agreement whereby Mr. Singhal renders advisory services to the Company upon
terms and conditions agreed to at such time.
11.
SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Company shall require
any
successor to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company
to assume and agree to perform this agreement in the same manner and to the
same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or benefits hereunder
may
be assigned by Mr. Singhal, except that, upon the death of Mr. Singhal, his
earned and unpaid economic benefits will be paid as provided herein, or if
not
so provided, to his heirs or beneficiaries.
12.
MISCELLANEOUS.
(a)
Governing
Law
.
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall apply to the construction,
interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement, without application of its
conflicts of laws principles.
(b)
Counterparts
.
This Agreement may be signed in two (2) counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and both of which shall together constitute one
agreement.
(c)
Headings
.
The headings of the Sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall
not be deemed to constitute a part, or affect the meaning, of this
Agreement.
(d)
Complete
Agreement; Modification
.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect
to
the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any previous oral or written
communications, negotiations, representations, understandings, or agreements
between them. The Agreement Relating to Employment between Mr. Singhal and
the
Company (as successor to Frontier Software Development, Inc.), dated as of
June
1, 1994 as amended, is hereby terminated as of the Effective Date. Any
modification of this Agreement shall be effective only if set forth in a written
document signed by Mr. Singhal and a duly authorized officer or member of the
Board of Directors of the Company other than Mr. Singhal. Nothing in this
Agreement, nor any termination of Mr. Singhal’s employment with the Company for
any
reason,
shall affect the enforceability by Mr. Singhal against the Company of the
Indemnification Agreement between him and the Company dated as of September
13,
2006.
(e)
Waiver
.
No consent to or waiver of any breach or default in the performance of any
obligation hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent to or waiver
of any other breach or default in the performance of any of the same or any
other obligations hereunder. No purported waiver hereunder shall be effective
unless it is in writing and signed by the waiving party.
(f)
Severability
.
It is the express intent of the parties that in case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and
this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein.
[Signature
Page to Follow]
NETSCOUT
SYSTEMS, INC.
|
MR.
SINGHAL:
|
|
|
By:
/s/ David P.
Sommers
Name: David P. Sommers
Title: Chief Financial Officer and
Senior
Vice President, General Operations
|
/s/
Anil
Singhal
Anil
Singhal
|
SCHEDULE
A
1.
Until
the day that Mr. Singhal turns 65 years of age, the Company will provide him
with the following payments and benefits, subject to the provisions of the
Agreement:
a)
Monthly
Payments
.
The Company will pay Mr. Singhal severance of $16,208 per month, minus any
withholdings as required by law. Such payments will be paid concurrently with
the Company’s regular payroll, but no less than monthly. In order to provide for
a cost of living increase with respect to certain benefits to be borne by Mr.
Singhal that the monthly payments under this Section 1(a) are intended to cover,
$4,443 of such monthly payments will be adjusted
on
the first anniversary, and such adjusted amount each anniversary thereafter,
of
the date that the Company is first required to make such payments by any
percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), U.S. City Average,
all
items,
published
by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the immediately
preceding twelve (12) month period
.
b)
Benefits
.
The Company will either (a) continue Mr. Singhal’s family coverage under the
Company’s group health, dental and vision plans at no expense to Mr. Singhal or
(b) will pay for Mr. Singhal to obtain similar and comparable benefits.
2.
In
the event that Mr. Singhal dies before the age of 65:
a)
The
Company will pay the balance of the severance payments payable under Section
1(a) above to Mr. Singhal’s wife (or in the event of his wife’s death, his
estate) in a lump sum on a net present value basis as reasonably determined
by
the Company. Such lump sum payment will be paid in the year of death if Mr.
Singhal dies prior to November 1 and otherwise in January of the year following
the year of death.
b)
Until
the date that Mr. Singhal would have turned the age of 65, the Company will
continue to provide his wife and children with group health, dental and vision
benefits at no expense to them, to the extent they are eligible for coverage
under such group plans, or will pay for them to obtain similar and comparable
benefits for as long as they would have been eligible for coverage if he had
continued to work as an employee of the Company until he turned age 65.
3.
With
respect to bonus, Mr. Singhal will be eligible to receive the bonus provided
for
under Section 2 of the Agreement with respect to the full fiscal year during
which the applicable termination pursuant to the Agreement occurred. Any portion
of such bonus that has already been earned by Mr. Singhal due to the achievement
of specific metrics and is determinable as of the date of termination will
become payable as of the date of termination, and any other portion of such
bonus will be paid at the same time or times as other executive level officers
of the Company, subject, in each case, to the provisions of Section 9 of the
Agreement.
Exhibit
99.1
Contact:
Catherine
Taylor
Director
of Investor Relations
NetScout
Systems, Inc.
978-614-4286
IR@netscout.com
NetScout
Systems
Chairman and Co-Founder Narendra Popat to Retire
Co-Founder
and CEO Anil Singhal Also Elected Chairman
WESTFORD,
Mass., January 3, 2007
-
NetScout
Systems, Inc.
(NASDAQ: NTCT), a leading provider of network performance management solutions,
today announced that Narendra Popat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Secretary of the company, intends to retire as an officer and director of the
company on January 19, 2007 to spend more time with his family. Upon his
retirement, Mr. Popat will become an advisor to NetScout’s Chief Executive
Officer, Anil K. Singhal. The company’s Board of Directors voted to confer on
Mr. Singhal the additional role of Chairman of the Board effective as of Mr.
Popat’s retirement. The company also announced that Mr. Singhal entered into a
new, three-year employment agreement with the company.
Mr.
Popat and Mr. Singhal founded NetScout in 1984 and have been working
side-by-side for over 22 years. During this time, Mr. Popat held various
positions in the company, including President and Chief Operating Officer,
in
addition to his current positions. “Narendra and I have had a unique partnership
over the past 22 years that will continue in the form of expert advice from
Narendra on important matters affecting the company,” said Mr. Singhal. “Since
the early days, Narendra has been a visionary and a vital contributor to the
company’s success. While the company will miss his direct contributions on
multiple fronts, his continued counsel will help keep NetScout in a
strong financial, technological and competitive position.
”
Looking
forward, Mr. Singhal stated, “We are excited by NetScout’s opportunities for
growth. Continuing, stable leadership will allow us to implement our business
initiatives and strategies, to capitalize on our market opportunities and to
enhance shareholder value.”
About
NetScout Systems, Inc.
NetScout
Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTCT) is a market leader and pioneer of integrated
network
performance
management products that unify performance across the enterprise. NetScout’s
nGenius
®
Performance Management System is helping more than 3,000 leading companies
increase their return on infrastructure investments by optimizing the
performance of networks and applications according to business priorities.
NetScout is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts and has offices worldwide.
Further information is available at
http://www.netscout.com
.
©2006
NetScout Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. NetScout and the NetScout logo,
nGenius
,
and Quantiva are registered trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc. Other brands,
product names and trademarks are property of their respective
owners.